SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 116, 9 October 1914, Page 7

SPORTING.

TURF TOPICS, (By "Moturoa.") Ilacing at Groenmeadows on Saturday ■was carried on under particularly happy circumstances. The weather was made to order, the. track in excellent trim, finishes close in most cases; and to round off the sequence of joyful happenings it is only necessary to mention that five first favorites sttrolled home in front. Only one accident marred tue smooth course of events, Freak toppling over in the Taradale Hurdles and fracturing F. Meagher's leg. Wanganui running made Heraford like a :Stone eimeh in the Greenmeadow Hurdles, bait he had to travel fast to land the public's money. Soultie made most of the running, but jumped badly, and Otatara forged to liho front at the home turn. Then Hereford came fast and assumed the lead. Otatara challenged, and, though steadied by his 11.10, Hereford had enough left in him to get home by lis* than a length.. The- clock said 2.47, so there could luive been no waiting on the journey. F. Lind, the ex-W&nganui horseman, trains Otarara, and his curse of "sccondi" was further added to.

The Trial was voted a good thing for Allen Doono, a. three-year-old by Birkenhead l —Rain. Allen led from end to end and won with his head on his chest.

The money was in for Fashion Plate in the Taradale Hurdles, and the mare wan sent out a warm favorite. Away fiom the course every wire said the same name, In some places the Bar Voiis an alleged to have got writers' cramp. Vi was next in demand, and there was seme money for Idealism. Vi rushed to the front early, and though Idealism (running kindly for McOabe), and Fashion Plate came fast over the last half mile they hadf no chance with Vi, who ran in an easy winner in 3 14 2-as., a mile and three-quarter—record for t'.u course. '

Another favorite romped home in the Ahuriri Handicap, Alecs, heading The Nile in the siTaight and winning handsomely. Kigo Park was putting in pome long ones at the finish but he was kept too far hack to have any chance with the winner, Ha.skayne was first choice for the Park Stakes, and her fine victory roused the crowd to much enthusiasm. Campeador and Hiwitapu were first away, and joined by liirkful passing Iho stand. Along the back and int.) the straight there was no change. Campa<tor had Hiwitapu in trouble below the distance, but failed to stave off a slashing late run by Ilaskansie, the latter geting up in time to win by a head. Montana finished close up third, and then came Birkful, Sea Pink (who started at a forlorn price), and Hiwitapu.

Gold Foil and Asterias made all the Tunning, hut Gold Foil drew level in the straight and wore him downy winning a good race by a neck. The- winner is a chestnut filly by Hymettus— Gold Threadi, carries Mr G. P. Donnelly's colours, and is traineu by Frank Land. Another short-ipi'iced favorite, Mr ,11. M. Campbell's Kimbombi, made punters rejoice in tho County Back Handicap. Steinhil'l tried to win from end to end, and Olliver just, got Kimbombi up in time to score by a napper. The Merrimee gelding carried 0.3 ovct the mile in 1.43 —a good gallop. Taking Wanganui, Otaki and Napier Parle form at a glance, if there is one. horse that has broken more punters' hearts (and pockets) than Oil King, this scribe can't name. it. On paper, the Railway llaek. at Greer.naeadows looked his for keeps, and he was promptly installed first favorite. Getting to the front early he flattered his supporters' lhopes as he led into the straight, and then (as at Wanganui on the second day) ho petered miserably out.. Indigo tlion dashed out and won by three lengths from Suratura, and Eocene and Semaphore were next. Winning jockeys at the meeting were:—C. Stowe (Alces and Indigo), J. Dee.rey (Hereford'), L. Wilson (Allen Doone), A. Moilullan (Vi), W. Ryan A. Trickh bank (Goldfoil), and A. Olliver (Kimlo.nbi). Decley ha 1 a blank day. Mystification received a good adver tisement at the meeting, both Alces and Imugo being sired by him. Gladiole ha& been served by Bau Frail. The mare will be put into work again for a couple of months. The Dunedin Jockeyi Club's spring meeting opens on Friday, and tlnae will be racing there and at Hastings oil Saturday. Rencontre recently reeled off six furlongs in lmin 15 2-osec., and will shake tilings uip if sent down for the Dunedin Guineas. The hurdler Manitau died last week at Pal mere ton.

Judging by the success attending the experiment of putting ''has beciis" like Vi and Parable over sticks, it is never safe to count a horse out until he is buried, Failures on. the flat, if not suited to the milk cart, are likely to turn out crack hurdlers apparently! The cx-Taranaki horse Ngatiimanui appears to be well treated by the Dunedin handicapper, and if in anything line his old form tho opposition down there would be "apple pie" for him. The Signalman tribe is scattering far afield. The Rubber, who won a race at Coolgardie recently, is by Signalman fiom Scotia (darn of Grand Slain and lidge). Thrax has been all to pieces lately, and it. occasioned no surprise when she dropped out of the N.Z. Cup this week. Waverlcy entries are A.1., ami the meeting on Labor J>av (October 28th) .promises to be a record one.