SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 94, 16 September 1914, Page 7

SPORTING.

TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") or * liitr fields will ho goon out at Avondale to-ikv, tin* opening day of the club's spring meeting, acceptances for winch appeared on Saturday. Amongst the horses engaged are Crown Pearl, Royal Arms, aiul Gerbcrga, and Darby Paul figures amongst those nominated for the steeplechase on Saturday. Two

Maiden Handicaps are carded to-day—-a six-furlong event with 7nt minimum, and a Welter Handicap run over seven furlongs. The latter event might have been replaced by a steeplechase event with advantage, both as regards the sporting and monetary sides of tlie question. Saturday's steeplechase has attracted a big field, and the club is certain to get about 16 starters. How much better it would have been to have had two steeplechases at the meeting—one each day. There is no question that cross-country events are greatly favored by the sporting public, and considering the useful stamp of horse they bring out, they deserve more encouragement than a crowd of squibs that ought to be back in their milk carts. [ The Avondale Cup, one mile and a quarter, has attracted 16. Merry Roc, despite his 9.5, is as well fancied as anything, and one has only to look at his brilliant form as a three-year-old to recognise that he must be hard to beat. Bleriot, if started, will be coupled with Merry Roe, so the pair should touch a very short price. Royal Irish has been responsible for good track work, and may beat Bluestone at even weights. Royal Arms, Mullingar and Master Lupin must also be given a chance. A victory for Merry Roe would be very popular, and Royal Irish and Mullingar will also come in for spirited support. The Avondale Stakes, the first ra«e of the season for two-year-olds, will bring out a good field. Gold Lace will probably start favorite, but trainer R. flannon has a filly (Lady Phyllis) that is reputed to be an aeroplane-heater.

Soltane will be a warm order in the Maiden six-furlong 1 event. Flagfall and Goldfire (if started) will also be well backed. Monathol will have the services of B. Deelcy in the Maiden Welter. The others are not a very brilliant crowd. Admiral Soult, although he shaped badly at Riccarton last month, is being talked of for the Grey Lynn Hurdles. Scratchings may reduce the field for the Islington Handicap. If either of the two top-weights are reserved, that will monopolise the betting. Of more interest to Taranaki sports is the Flying Handicap, six furlongs, and ■'opinions differ as t*> the relative chances of Crown Pearl 9st, and Gerberga 7.9. The latter appears to be able to do almost anything on the tracks, but with the colors up the Cornet gelding is the move reliable. Last year he carried 9.7 in the race under notice, and was only beaten by half a head by Royal Irish, who was meeting him with an advantage of 2Slbs. Perhaps Crown Teail will have better luck to-day. EleetrakofT, back from- a not altogether successful trip to 'Stralia, 'lumps' top-weight in the Henderson Handicap. Ho will require to be caught at his best to give Waiorewa 31bs, and Bluestone (if reserved) would also take some beating. 1!. Deeley will ride Soultane at Avondale.

Old Parable was dropped in at the minimum in the first hurdle race atAwiburton last week, and scrambling over the obstacles somehow, won easily. Whereat the handicappcr took fright and raised her 201bs, but she won just as hiiy on the second day. Some of these eld nags seem to live on and spring surprises just to confound the weight-ad-juster. The much-talked-about Moulu cost punters a lot of money at Ashburton, They reckoned the Boniform nag was a wonder. Now they wonder how they wondered it!

Light-weights had the finish of the Ashburton County Handicap to themselves, Corrie 6.8 winning very comfortably from Chrysotis 0.11. Thrax and the "cracks" were never dangerous. ClynelisU proved his quality on Friday, when lie carried 10.11' and romped home in front in the Coldstream Welter. The clock said I.ISVi for t he six > but the Soult eolt won very easily. A couple of horses that won first start were Samiel (late Arethusa) and Don Francisco. The former is a three-year-old gelding bv Downshire—Hamattan, and is very useful. Don Francisco is by San Francisco—Madowla, and is a halfbrother to Masterpiece, Kirrilmuir, Madam Madcap, Glenowlet, and others that first saw the light at Stoneyhurst. The Avondale Spring Meeting will be concluded on Saturday.

TARANAKI DISTRICT COM- I MlTTffiß. • J A meeting of the TaranaM District committee was held last night there Hieing present Messrs h. Athe chair), A. W. Budge 0. i\V. Sole, f. •E Grbell, Paul, A. R. Standish, W. 0. Weston, H. F. Blundell J. Grey, K Pitt, Frascr, J. McLeodi and i>. xi. <%incv, The programme for the Egmont Racing Club's meeting, on February 4th and sth, was approved, as was also the flnwera Stokes for 1918. Trainers' licenses were granted to J>. T. Bennett, IT. 13va, F- Faulkner, and I E. N. Campbell. Mr. A. J. Davey was granted a gentleman rider's certificat'.. , Several names -were instructed w> l»placed on the forfeit list. TO was decided to recommend a weekly payment from tJie District Trust l-'irad to a, distressed trainer. A claim under the awidcnt fund will be forwarded to Christcliurch.

TAIIAXAKI JOCKEY OIAJB | OOMMI'ITEH. j A meeting of the TwanaU Jockey CIul) committee was held subsequently, all tlio above members being with tho exception of "Messrs Budge, Pitt and Grey. The tender of Mcssrb Okey and Hollo was accepted for the supply of ironwork for the ornamental iron rail fence, which is to be erected round the saddling paddock, and the tender of Messrs Roberts and. Son was accepted for its erection. , , . It was decided to erect a sheep-proof fence around the boundary of the clubs position of starter at tiius February meeting, and Mr. 0. Morse that of hancjicappor for the season.