SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 198, 30 January 1915, Page 7

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. Jan. 30—Takapuna J.C. Summer. Feb. 3, 4—Eginont R.C. Summer. Feb. 4, (i—(iisborue R.C. Summer. Feb. C—Canterbury J.C. Summer. Feb. 10, 11—Taranaki J.C. Autumn. Feb. 25, 27 —Wanganui J.C. Autumn. EGMONT SUMMER MEETING. On Wednesday and Thursday next Taranaki sportsmen will have an opportunity of seeing in action as fine a body of horses as ever graced a Taranaki racecourse. The acceptances received for the first (lays events at the Egmont summer meeting are first-class, and in many instances exceeded all expectations. It must be very gratifying for club members and for the handieappers that the response has been so spontaneous, and everything points to a fine meeting next week. The Egmont Cup has drawn a satisfactory acceptance of ten, the only defections of note being .Pavlova and Kooya, both of whom are probably feeling the effects of recent racing. Sea Pink and Emperador hold their ground, and with Marshal McDonald, Square Deal and other promising light-weights should supply a pretty finish. Last year Emperador won with 8.0, and as lie lias been showing exceptional brilliancy recently he should give a good account of himself with but 41bs more.

Fifteen smart sprinters remain in the Flying Handicap, including Rewi Poto. Bimeter, Denise Orme, Beldame and others. Wisebird looks remarkably well treated on Trcntham form and may keep the top-weights moving. Through a typographical error Astor's name read "Mastor" in yesterday's issue. Eleven i n the Ohawe Hack Hurdles is a satisfactory number—considerably in excess of the fields seen out at the Christmas meetings.' The class, too, is an improvement. Tirohanga, who won a double at Stratford, does not appear to be over-weighted with 10.9, and the Stepson gelding is getting through good work at Wanganui. Followers of form may stick to The Dodger as the most likely one of the fine field of nineteen carded for the Meremere Hack Flat. The Dodger can «o very fast for five furlongs, and he did not appear to be extended at Stratford a month ago. Zion and La.lv Amai should, however, make the r.ice interesting.

Thirteen have been paid up for in the Waipapa Hack Flat, and Draft has only to be caught on his best behaviour to run prominently. Rosalys is an improved mare, and Patronymic can also run a good seven furlongs. Crawford does not seem to run his races right out now. and six furlongs may be the length of his tether. Ten is the main in the Whareroa Welter. Wild Lupin is always dangerous, and Kaniki, Sunbird and Te Hou Hou have shown good form. Boldstroke has a big private reputation, and ; s nicely handled with 8.4. The race looks open.

The Egmont Stakes promises to draw a good field, and lends a tone to the gathering. Last year, Rewi Poto, Gladiole and Sir Moseley fought a keen finish in this event, and on Wednesday many Taranaki sports will have an opportunity of seeing for the first time Postillion, Bimeter, Flying Start, Desert Gold and others measuring strides with the better known Gladiole, Lord Lupin, Patronale and possibly Emperador. The Egmont Club has been very fortunate in getting good entries for classic events, and the forthcoming events promise to be even better than hist year. The dozen in the Ladies' Purse include Harbour Light, Ngapoto, Idol and other fair horses.

TARANAKI AUTUMN MEETING. On Wednesday week punters will have served up for them one of the biggest things attempted! hy the Taranaki Jockey Club. Acceptances for the first day's races are fine, hut pressure of space will not allow of detailed notice here. SulTice to say that this gathering, in combination with the Egmrmt meeting, not only offers a first-rate carnival for sports of the province, but also promises to attract a big crowd of Auckland, Wellington "id intervening racing folk. One thing that stands out prominently, though not recognised by nonracing men, is the tremendous advertisement given to Taranaki in general, and to New Plymouth in particular, by these attractive race meetings. Every ticket that is posted outside New Plymouth bears a striking advertising sticker, and outsiders at once start to sit up and take notice. Visitors at Christmas went, away with pleasant memories of Mt. Egmont, our beaches and our salt water baths, and these are the people who, lalking to their ow n city folk of New Plymouth's charms, serve to advertise our town.

TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") Concluding day at Takapuna. Chaminade was unlucky in the Foxton Cup. Chas. Jenkins ride a brace of winners last week. Soultanc was backed all over NewZealand yesterday. Postillion has been galloping well lately and will probably sport silk at Hawera. Gladiole, who has touched top form again, will be ridden by T. Pritchard at the Egmont meeting. Crawford was lucky to win at Foxton. But for Martlet's jockey mistnking the winning post the Taranaki horse would have been second. Wiolctta was rolling all over the course as the field came into tile straight in the Dash Handicap at Foxton. Her quarters swelled up, and after finishing she dropped dead, Belgian-horses are racing with considerable success in England, and strangely enough three, winners from that unhappy country are pure greys. H rses of tin's color are only fit for rushing bridal couples to the church in this dominion.