SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 102, 23 September 1914, Page 7

SPORTING.

TARANAKf JOCkti CLUB IMPROVEiVMNTA

AN ATTRACTIVE COURSE.

The policy of the Taranaki Jockey Club in making the best use of their I grounds, and in adding thereto so as to give improved facilities for racing is certainly deserving of much commendation. Few, if any, clubs possess suoli an ideal site and surroundings as are to -be found ut New Plymouth. Situated on an elevated plateau, tile TaranaJ.i Club's course commands some magnificent and extensive vie especially from the grandstand. Immediately adjacent _is the renowned Pukekura Park, which is admittedly the most attractive scenic, reserve in the Dominion, while closo by are several beautiful 'private grounds ithat are exceptionally attractive. Altogether tin; racecourse is ideally situated., and no visitor to the town should fail to see it.

Recently the club has acquired an additional (dght acres of ground foT enlarging the course, which is now a mile in circumference. This extension will enable, all the six furlong events to be started in the back straigiht, giving only two bends, while all the starting places for the other events are oil' uie bends. Another great improvement which patrons will appreciate is the attention wliich 'has Ibeen given to the bends, wliich are now all banked, this being especially noticeable in the bend running into the straight. The- ornamental iron railing fence has been expended along the saddling paddock, and the sheep proof fence T* to be extended round the boundary. Other improvements have been made in view of tihe forthcoming racing season, all of wliioia will tend to popularise the meetings. The ornamentation of the grounds is also receiving special attention, it being intended to further extend the flower beds, and generally to increase the attractive appearance of the club's property. The new grass on't.ie extension of the course is doing very well, and should easily be in first-class condition when the time of the Christmas meeting arrives. The club iq Terv fortunate in the climatic conditions p-|-tilingand ns its race meetings are held at times when the beauties of nature are at their best., it should follow that -year by year the meetings will attract a" larger number of patrons. The club's programme for the forthcoming season will be circulated in a week or two, a,nd it will be seen that t-lic club is well to the fore in catering for owners and the public. The improvements to the racing (rack should meet with the hearty approval ,of all trainers and ownem. Entries for the Second Taranaki Stakes compare more than favorably with those of other clubs, and a record racing season may lm anticipated. The club appears to have forged its way to the front, and there is no (juestion but that it will keep abreast witth the times in enterprise, as well a« administrative wisdom. It is evident that the_ coirlmittee nre imbued wit/hi the doctrine that what is worth doing, is worth doing well. Tlence tho 'success that has attended their welldirected efforts.

TI'RF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") Thanks to a lavish distribution of "coiiiplinientarics" last week's Avondale liieet.ng was one blazing tjucceas. The wuatlur was made to order; fields large and finishes close; and the huge crowd which miade the club's line appointments look out of date and altogether inadequate "punted" bo solidly uliat all previous totalisator records were smashed into atoms and deposited on the dust heap of past greatness. Eor the nonce the war wasn't worth troubling about! Apparently all Auckland bad been 'waiting for Tragedy King to be ''stepped out" in a stick event. The son of Soult and Romola justified the support accorded to him, and three furlongs from liomie he had the race well in band. A successful debut!

Two-year-olds, lik« wcmie-n doublelayers, members of Parliament and sausages, once more advertised thefr uncertainty in tUe race for juveniles. Ladv of Lourdes, on the strength of lier sec- j ond in the Stakes, wis a good favorite. Then camie the GMxyrnu ''hot stuff" Multishine, who carried just a trille more, than the queerly named Worley the Knut (one shudders lest the cornp .should spell this last name wrongly!) Worley made practically all the running and just struggled home a head in front of his stable-mute Sea Weil, which j which was a similar trille in advance of Loyal Arch. The latter had tin indifferent passage an<l appeared unlucky to gi't "outcd." Lady of Lourdes refused to gallop, and llultishino didn't act up to his name. Of the fourteen carded for the Avondale Guineas only a quintette sported Bilk. Mullingar (Weeley) carried more coin than all the others piled together. Bedford and Oastalia had few supporter-!, and the others even less. The only fault with the race wa« that it wasn't a race at all. Marble Star carried the favorite along at a merry gait for five furlongs and then retired. Mullingar then streaked away and got the end of the mile in the respectable time of lmin 42 :j-.")Sec. Oiistali-.v and Bedford followed at considerable distances and the arrival of Marble Star and Ulster was even more belated. Hoyal Irish and Glov declined their engagements in the rimnipton Handicap, the public going nap on King Soult. Disaster quickly overtook the favorite, j however, who was galloped on aa he showed the way round the first bend. Ho was pulKl up immediately, anil was swinging a leg. Devastation was left in front, and led Monojaclc aloug the b*ek. Deelcy took the lead with jfonojack before turning for home, but was immediately challenged by Yankee Doodle. The nair went out on their own, and a ding-dong finish saw Monojack prevail by a short 'length. The Chief and Pip were the. only scratching? in the Steeplechase, leaving fifteen starters, of -which Huffy and Kauroa were, most in demand. The winner turned up iu the Spalpeen mare Vestal (Adams), who wis always prominent, and couldn't go slow enough for them oyer the last mile. Kauroa was coming fast when he cracked the last fence, and RufTy, who finished third, gave a lifeies? display. The President's Handicap proved a fnver for those who tack their conl;denco to form. Crown Pearl was Again j a warm order, and another New Ply- | Jr.otiih nng, Gei'berga, ras next best 'backed. <!oMliro, who couldn't win a Maiden Hack race on the 'first day, simply "took his hook" in the first furlong and left paralysed punters to wonder what would be second. Tinopai stuck best to the flying Goldfire., but hail no chance of beating ..im. In the straight Gerherga made a short-lived dash, and Crown Pearl (who was ridden a_ queer race) also fiuisiied fast. The time, lmin 13 4-ssce, was a clinker, and left many ipeoplo wondering. Tlicy arc wondering fetill! Another set-back awaited backers in the New Lynn Handicap. Soultanfl (Deeley) was considered "the pe-a," and the money was in for sur®. Kitty Belle irg broke tilie line and' led the favor-

. :t(! along the btick. Kitty went ilW.'ly fioitt the field Lefwe Teaching the straight ahd lodkpd all t vef ft witlner dt the distance, but Flagfall piit iii sOitte long nncs in the -run 'home and was tip to and past her in a flush. Makura was I third :unl th ■ favorite ni'xt. The winI rer is trained I>v Albert Rhodes, and | is the property of Mrs. M. Oockef. He if i nice chestnut horse by Bexonian— I Fleetfoot, and should be 'beard, of again j at the Wtngamii meeting this week. I The final event, the Nihotapu We]-, | ter. saw the public in winning form ' again. Soldier was tins "good thing," and he. pulled the event off, bat not without giving ?iis backers a severe fright. Jolie Fille and Gloy were best away, Soldier dwellng to 'bid a fond farewell to somtftjing. Just l before turning foT home (,'loy and Jolie Pilte I were lengths 5n front 1 , with Soldier ' last. It looked hopeless! 'J'lun the unexpected happened. The Sou It horse ! fairly flew. Could ho catch them? \vell —you all read the papers on Monday, didn't you? He put \ip one of the Unfit runs ever seen on the course, nearly as brilliant as that of California registered years ago. And he won! Won on the ipost by a head, and won like a laeehorse.