SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 105, 26 September 1914, Page 7

SPORTING.

ASOOT THOUSAND. By cable.—Press Association.—Copyright Melbourne, September 25. The Ascot Thousarnd resulted as follows: —Carenot 1, Hazel H. and Scrateho 2 (dead heat). There were 18 starters. Won by a short head. Time, lmin 9y 3 fiec.

WANGANUI MEETING. SECOND DAY'S ACCEPTANCES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wanganui, September 25. The following are the acceptances for the second day of the Wanganui Jockey Club's meeting:— Owen Handicap, six furlongs—Sir Moscley 8.7, Makara B.+, Our King, Incuru 8.0, Play-off 7.13, Labor Day 7.12, Sanguinary 7.4, Sunbird 6.8. Railway Hack, six furlongs—King Chira 9.4, Denisc Ormc 8.6, Princess Moutoa 8.3, Bivouac 7.7, La Favorita 7.5, Flagfall 7.4, Campeador 7.3, Miralma 7.2, His Eminence 7.1, Quo Vadis 7.0. Brunswick Hurdles, one mile and a-half —Bereola 11.2, Timothy 10.3, Aruake 10.1, Manitau 9.11, Hereford 9.G, Leapuki 9.5. Hack Steeples, two miles and a-half— Tyrannic 10.12, Te Whetu 10.11, Darby Paul 10.10, Waterworks 10.9, Genera'l Webb 9.10, Grey Renown, Loopliue and Ibhar 9.7.

Marangai Handicap, eight furlongs and a-half—Awahou 9.10, Rewi Poto 8.12, Ratana 7.12, Pariform 7.8, Moulu 6.12, Smilax 6.11, Montana 6.9, Royal Dragoon 6.8, Mia Cara 6.7. fit. John's Welter, six furlongs—Epworth 9.13, Invader 9.4, Garance 8.9, Ardent 8.8, Bivouac 8.7, Rcrehau 8.5, Flagfall 8.4, Ngapoto, Vladian, Steinhill, Reconnoitre, Silver March 8.0.

Moutoa Hack, eight furlongs and a half—Austin 9.8, Montana 8.7, Blackall 8.3, Fisher 8.1, Sir Donald 7.13, Chaminade and St. Elmn 7.11, Gay Guard 7.7, Grey Guard 7.2, Sweet Van, Shannon Bells and Maisonette 7.0. Higgie Handicap, one mile and a-quar-ter.—]syron 7.12, Passadena 7.9, Ratana 7.4, Master Lupin 7.3, Maniaroa 6.13, Football 6.9. RACING FIXTURES. Sept. 2fl—Wanganui J.C. Spring. Sept. 28, 29—Otaki R.C. Spring. Oct. 3—Napier Park R.C. Spring. Oct. 9, 10—Dunedin J.C. Spring. Oct. 15—iMasterton R.C. Spring. Oct. 26—Waverley-Waitotara R.C. Annual

TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa"). The Wanganui Jockey Club did itself proud on Thursday, when' its muehboomed "Grand Patirotic Race Meeting'' —to quote the official card —opened. Considering that "complimentariea" were just about as rare as German chemicals at the present time, the attendance was good. Tiie Government Meteorologist did his best to force on ''heavy rains," but with the exception of a slight shower late in the afternoon the weather was fine and summery. Thanks to frequent watering, the course was in fine order; fast, of course, hut not too hard for the "tenderfoots." It was an auspicious opening for a meeting which promises to add more to the war funds than any club in Kevf Zealand has already contributed. And these arc days when the smallest clubs donate hundreds, and their big brothers have coughed up cool thousands. Raring folk are proverbially generous. And yet what class of sportsman is more maligned? The eleventh hour sensation was the backing of Mummer for the double— Flying and Spring Handicaps—»nd it was therefore not surprising to see the son of Gazelcy sent out a warm favorite for the opening event —the Flying. Sir Moseley came in for solid support, and Grattan was the next best backed. The start in this race—as in all the sprint events —was wretched. Grattan, always I a quick beginner, dashed oft" with a commanding lead, followed by Epworth, Mummer and Ratana. Those who took the patirotic tip and backed Our King had the. misfortune to see their prad loft by a dozen lengths. Others that got away badly included Playoff and Expeet. Grattan made every post a winning one, and though Deeloy made Btrenuoua efforts to get up on Mummer in the straight, the leader had too big * bre»k to be caught. Sunbird was a fair third, and Epworth and Expect (the latter galloping twice as fast as anything else) were almost in line. Ratana had every chance, but was not brilliant enough. Ineuru began fairly well, but did not run on. Sir Afoseley ncrer got out of the ruck. Onnoloid, who broke down, and Miss Gun, Flagfall and Don Francisco dropped out of the Maiden. The stewards met on the course on the morning of the races, and after hearing both sides of the question, determined that Flagfall aad Don Francisco Wiire not eligible to start. Rerehau (Maniapoto— The Hempie) looked like going out favorite, but Bolid backing towards the finish saw Blackall jump to that position. Another poor start was effected. Fidessa (Deeley) was first out, but could not go the pace. Ngapoto, one of Dick Jonason's most promising newchums, was left hopelessly. Blackall was alway» landy, and won easily from Rerchan. The latter bumped Improve very badly ncaring the finish, and spoilt that mare's chance of getting second, but the stewards apparently didn't notice the incident.

All started in the Wanganui Guineas. Hyettus, who ran ilaniaroa to a bead at MsrtoD, was voted a good thing—so good, in fact, that he carried move money than Clifford's bracketed pair, and the others were practically neglected. jlrVita the exception of Balboa, who was never faced the right way—evidently waiting for a "fly" which didn't event Hate—all moved off in close order. Hyettus tried to win all the way, but First Plight and Reputation collared the chestnut at the distance. Firßt Flight struggled on gamely under punishment, but Reputation held too many guns for him. The Press Association report states that Don Francisco was second, but this is incorrect. TTyettus, Miacara ami llalboa all finished close up. The Okehu Hurdles was contested by a quintette. Timothy made a mistake and lost his rider early, and Glenorehy just waited on Manitau until the last furlong remained. Then it was all over. Bercola finished strongly, but Aruftke was done with very early in I the piece. The winner was favorite.

Glen Xeris was almost an even-money favorite in the Gonvillc Hack Hurdles, but the sharp turns were againsi a big fellow like he is. Kew and St. Gate were always out making the pace snd finished in that order, both returning fine "prices." Harbor Light (MoCabe) couldn't raise a gallop.

Of the seventeen in the Putiki Hack Race King Chira was reckoned the pea. He got out third and really should liare wen. But Olliver seemed to run

into a pocket approaching thu home ! turn, and lost time in coming out again. j Tyson led the field a merry dance, but 4 retired at five furlongs. Rene and Ar- ! dent then fought it out, but the former j finished better King Chira, coming very ! fast, was a close third, and then came i Miralma, Flagfall and Fisher. j The Spring Handicap saw Rewi Poto made a screaming hot favorite, and he ran the race of his life. From a level send-off Royal Dragoon led Rewi Poto ' and a bunched mob out of the straight. ! Maniaroa was chopped back to last. i Royal Dragoon was driven along madly j in "the back stretch, but Awahou and 1 Rewi Poto got to him three furlongs from home. Then ensued a duel such as has not been seen for a long time. With the advantage of inside running, Rewi Poto showed in front of Awahou as they Bwung for home, but in a few strides they were level again. Whips were drawn, and horses and riders (brothers in the latter case, Charlie Price being on Rewi and "Brother Bill" on Awahou) strained every nerve. First one, and then the other had the advantage. Both came on gamely. At the half-distance Awahou had a neck advantage, but Rewi came again, and, amidst wildest excitement, got to within a bare head of his rival. In the excitement nothing else was noticed, but Mummer gained third berth, and Maniaroa was close up. To complete a day of disasters, punters pinned their faith to Want and Montana in the Duric Hock Handicap. Gay Guard and Austin got away in front, but along the back Sir Donald ran up to tbem. Sir Donald and Austin raced home together, the. latter coming away at the right end and scoring a popular victory.

TO-DAY'S RACES AT WANGANUI. (By "Moturoa"). Wanganui, Last Night. Acceptances for the concluding day of the Wanganui spring meeting are fairly numerous. Light showers fell this evening, and the racing tracks should be improved. Sir Moseley and Our King were unlucky at the" barrier on Thursday, but may shape better in a smaller field in the" Owen Handicap. It seems pretty certain that King Chira will again carry heaps of money in the Railway Hack "Handicap, though Emperador, who showed some pace in the early stages of the Wanganui Guineas, will have many friends. Hereford and Timothy may bo the elect of backers in the Brunswick Hurdles, and Darby Paul will be strongly supported in the Hack Steeples. A small field will contest the Higgle Handicap, but the issue looks very open. Maniaroa and Ratana may prove worthy Taranaki representatives. Blackall won very easily on Thursday, and with Fisher may divide favoritism in the Moutoa Hack Handicap.

Awahou and Rewi Poto will meet again in the Marangai Handicap, the New Plymouth horse meeting his victor on 61b better terms. Mia Cara, who ran a close fourth in the Guineas in record time, will have nearly two stone off her back, and ma.y beat both of them.

The St. John's Welter looks very open. Garancc, who was badly bumped on the first day, may be favorite, but Xgapoto, if as good as reported, will keep the Ilighden crack busy.