SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 208, 11 February 1915, Page 7

SPORTING.

■ TARANAKI AUTUMN MEETING. A SUCCESSFUL OI'E.XIXG. Tim Taranaki Jockey Club's autumn meeting was commenced yesterday u liiiCj summery weather. The attcu dance was lariv. visitors < o.iiilie* fron. I al) parts i>f the Dominion, and the horses running at the gathering included representatives of the principal stables of Xew Zealand. The racing was all above board and finishes close, testifying to the good work of the club's handicapper, Mr Geo. Morse. J)espite the fact that the weight adjuster was laboring under the disadvantage of having to declare his weights before form was exposed at the Kgmont and Takapuna meetings, this gentleman set punters many tough conundrums, and in the Taranaki Cup and Okato Hack Handicap, backers were badly beaten. Combustion and Tree Lucerne were the only actual favorites to score, though Patronymic, who won the Welter, was almost as good a favorite as the public's choice —Invader. Mr C. O'Connor showed patience with a number of "outlaws" sent to the starting barrier, and his send-offs were well nigh perfection. Mr. \Y. 11. Hartgill, in the judge's box, made no mistakes, though most of the finishes were close. The up-to-date number board was in the capable fare of Mr L. O. Hooker (Tlawera), and it is one of the. best structures to be found on a New Zealand racecourse. The lawns and racing track were in fine order, their greenness and buoyancy proving a surprise, to visitors from drier climates. The feature of the gathering was the splendid music supplied by Mr. Gerald Van Heck and his orchestra. All day crowds stood round the orchestra pavilion, and the rendering of the various musical gems was greeted with enthusiasm. The catering was in the bands of Mrs Kirkbv (tea kiosk) and Messrs A. Wooller (luncheon) and E. Whittle (publican's booth), and left nothing to be desired. A word of praise is due to the club's secretary. Mr E. P. "Webster, and his staff of assistants, for the very complete arrangements made for the comfort of patrons, and the publie will, look back with happy recollections to the Taranaki ("up meeting of 1015. Small fields limited the betting on two occasion;, but the sum of £lO,420 10s was put through the machines —an increase of .£742 on the total for the corresponding day last year.

WAITARA HACK HURDLES HANDICAP, of 125 sovs.: second 15 sovs. from stakes. On,' mile ami a-half. 2 E. 0. llnllev's b !; Merrv flnv, aged, by Merrie Englanil— Del usion, 9.13 (Tliompsnn) 1 7 R. Hicks' cli g Stvrax, aged, 10.10 (Adams) 2 1 P. W. Scallv's eli g Ascalonji> aged, fl.f) '(,Waril) 3 Winner trained by J. Scott. Also started: 4 Tirohanga 10.0 (Olds); 3 Katun, 0.13 (Traill);' 5 Lady Sabretache, !!.lfl (Rae): 0 Advancer, f1.6 (McFlynn); !) Shining Star, 0.0 (Webb); 8 Armature 0.0 (Henderson). A fine finish, half-lengths only separating tlie placed horse. Time. 2min 47 -i-oscc.

STEWARDS' HANDICAP, of 150 sovs.; second 15 sovs. from the stakes. Five furlongs. 2R. Barlow's S'ntple Sam, aged, by St. Paul—l'oulshot mare, S.l (('. Drown) 1 5 P. Roscmeads' b g Master Achilles, ovrs, 7.1 (H. Young) 2 1 I'. Selwood's b g I'iav-ofT, 4vrs, 8.4 (Xodiler) 3 Also started: 4 (ilenrov 7.2 (R. Reed): 3 l*oldstroke. 7.0 (0. Clarke); (i Lartv Amai (i.12 (inc. 31bs over) Winner trained by owner. {HoldAiieM. Won all the wav by a longth Close thir<l. Time, lmin 2scc.

TIMARU HACK HANDICAP, of 100 govs.; second 15sovs. from the stakes. Six fnrlon<rs. 1 O. Morris' eh » Combustion, syrs, by Bombardo—Combine 7.!) (W. M) ' 1 2 .J. Britton's cb m Sylvan Dale, 4 yrs, 7.!) (C. Brown) 2 4 D. J. Goodwill's cb ni Avon Park, svrs, B.C (0. McCarten) 3 Winner trained by T, Lloyd. Also started: 3'King Chira, 9.0 (McFlynn); 5 Bay Paul 7.0 (A. Reed). Won easily by a lenpth and a-half. Third horse a neck awav. Time, lmtn. lGsec.

TARAXAKI (TP ITAXDICAP. of 500 sovs.; second 30 sovs.; third 20 sovs. from the stakes. One mile and a-qnartor. 4 E. Onton's br <: Phosphorous. Gvrs, by Wairiki —l!ri«\it Spark, 7.2 (fi. Clarke) 1 "2 J. If. Walter's eh (midsize, fivra, by filnteu—floldwel), 8.0 (C. Brown) 2 3 Sir Ceo. Clifford's br f Court Martial, 3yrs, by .Martian—Discipline, 0.11 (11. Youncr) 3 Winner trained by W. Mobberley. Also started: 1 Einperaclor 8.12 (L. Wilson): 5 Byron 5.5 (W. Adams); G Ladify 6.7 (R. Reed). A fine race. Won by a length. Third horse close up. Time, 2min Usee.

PREVIOUS WIXXERS. 187f—J. W. Jackson's Opnwa, 8.4. 1877 T. Rowe's Opawa. 9.0, 3min 55sec. 1878—0. Stockman's Otawa, 7.3, 3-50. 187!) C. E. Brewer's Polly, 7.4, 3-48% ISBO—.T. C.cor«re's Resolution. 8.3. 3-47'/>. 1881— R. Wheeler's Matnu, 0.9, 3-35. 1882— W. Walter's Larry, fi.s, 3-40. 1883— W. Russell's Leonora, 7.12, 3-44. 1884—A. Standisli's Xormanby, 7.3, 3-41 >/ 4 . 1885—. T. Marshall's Turquoise, 8.10,

3-4P.V-.. 1 RRfi—J. All will's Victoria, S.n. 3-50 1-5. 1887-. T. Munn's Eivul.-t. 7.7. 3-40%. 1S8S—(I. Wright's Tamora. 0.10, 3-44. 188!)—C\ Boresford's Escutcheon, 7.7,

3-42. IS!W-H. i'nrke's Dolosa, 7.0, 3-43. 1801--W. 11. Russell's llnorfana. 7.7, 2-40 1892 F. Hill's Prestige. 7.0. '2-30 1-5. 1803—-T. 1!. Williamson's Tulloeh, 0.13,

2-43 2-5. 1 804 -W. T!. Russell's Xovade, 7.5, 2-42 1-5. 1805 -K. X. Calthrop's Monlo Carlo. 7.10. ''mill 40 l-5.--cc. ISOU--.r. Paul's Pmn Pom, 7.4. 2-40. 1807—r. F. Cnddard's Angler, 7.3, 2-40 2-5, IKOS-C. A. Nicholson's Vedette, 7.2, 2-3(i 3-5. 1S00—i;. ,T. Piatt's Castasliove, 8.3 2-30 1-5. 1000--K .T. K vans' Coronet. B.S, 2-30 2-5. Iflnl —F. Wal.son's llattlcaxo. 7.11, ' '2-42 1 /... 100-2-F. "Watson's JlatUoaxc. 0.2. 2-30. 1003 Afoul <i<iiiierv's Slrathavoii. 8.0, 2-30 3-5. 1001 -AY. Voiins's Convoy. O.fi, 2-38. 1005-. T. Oonre's Pari I lit u, 7.1. 2-30. I!)ftis—.T. Ceoru'c's Pari)nlii. 'l.O. 2-38. 1007 Alt vaiid'T & OravV C!eiuiHiii. 7.2. 2-3«. 1008 T.. Kvn's I'lll,l. 5.2. '2-10 2-5. 100!)- -S. 7.12. 2-8 1-5 1010-.1. ||. I'rns-rv'.- bidv .Medallist, 8.1). 2-11 2-5. 1011- .1. 11. T.I lv Meilall: 0.11. 2-7 0 5. l!»l'2-n. <'!.iivl,:iil', T/.-U- Mi'ii-i hikifV. 7". 2 s 3 5. 1013— Trn-itecs .1. ljysir's Con Hi' 7.7. 2 0 1-5. 101 I - r : .M.'. v. 7.5. 2-7 2-5 (111 1 s!-0 the iti-irOi '' \\a: I'C'lllced to n mile and a-half, and in ISO.S to a mile and a-quark'i').

MI MI WELTER HANDICAP, of 100 sovs.; second 15 sovs. from the stakes. One mile ami 110 yards. "2 J. McCartvs b g Patronymic, aged, l>y Patromis— Irma, S.B (0. McO.rten) ] 1 D. King's b g Invader, ovrs, S.l (W, Bell) ' 2 > A. R. Maltbv's b g First Consul, aged, S.S (C. Price) Winner trained by 0. Cox. Tile only starters. Won very easil; J by a length. Five lengths between | second and third. Time, lmin 53sce.

OKATO HACK HANDICAP, of 100 sovs , second 15 sovs. from stakes. One mile and 110 yards. 5 Messrs I.ile and Leslie's 1) g Ngapoto, 4yrs., by Maniapoto— La Jesse. 7.0 (11. lieed) 1 1 T. Lloyd's b m Te Hou Hou, fiyrs., 813 (Henderson) 2 2 I!. lirough's b g Quo Vadis, 4yrs., 8.3 (W. Bell) 3 Winner trained by R. Johnson. Also started: 3 Draft, S.fi (Webb); 7 John Willie, 7.12 (Xodder); (i Harbour Light, 7.11 (W. McDonald); 8 Captain Miro, 7.10 *(C. Brown); 4 Belle Paul, 7.10 (Goldfinch). Wo n by two lengths, with a similar difference between second and third. Time, lmin 50 2-ssee.

FLYING HANDICAP, of 200 sovs,; second 20sovs.; third lOsovs. from stakes. Six furlongs. 1 11. Cleland's eh h Tree Lucerne, (iyrs., by J.npin—Dolly, 8.4 (A. Heed) 1 3 S. Brick's br g Crawford, Oyrs., 7.11 (G. Clarke) 2 2 A. W. Gillies' I) h Sir Moseley, 4yrs„ 8.1 (W. Bell) 3 Winner trained by J. Fryer. Also started: 4 Gladiole, 8.12 (W. Young); 7 Simple Sam, S.B, inc. 71bs. penalty (C. Brown); (i Ineuru, 7.11 (H. Young); 5 Glenroy, 7.4 (E. Reed). Won bv half a length. Fair thi:\* Time, lmin 15sec.

MOTUROA ELECTRIC HACK RACE, of 100 soys.; second 10 sovs. from stakes. Five furlongs. Weight Sst. (! F. 0. Roe's br m Improve. 4yrs., liy Advance —LYonesse (If. Young) ] 1 I). King's b g Fortify, 4yrs., (A. Reed) 2 2 T. F. Goddanl's br g Tirana, 3yrs., N. Goddard 3 Winner trained by F. .J. Camiont. Also started: 12 Tarero (R. Trigger); 13. Crown Head (A. Neale); 8 Fluke (W. Bell); 7 Arras (C. Price); 5 Rongaro (R. Reed); 3 Yestalis (O'Halloran); !) <!o On (Nodder); 11 Lad o' Cowrie (MeFlynn); 4 Fidessa, 2llbs. over (L. Wilson); 14 Miss Potae (Catliro); 10 To)) Twig (T. Fryer). Won by a length. Third horse half a length away. Time. Imin 3fce.

110W THEY RACED. Proceedings opened with the Waitara Hack Hurdles. IWarea, Wee Paul, Nita, Millbanks and White Plume were scratched, leaving nine runners. Ascalon and Merry Guy carried the bulk of the totalisator investments, but Katua and Tirohanga were well backed. Merry Guy and Ascalon momentarily showed in front from a good start, but Ascalon was clear of Merry Guy and Advancer as they took the first jump. Ascalon turned into the straight in front of Katua, Advancer and Merry Guy, and passing th, stand the order was the same. Running out of the straight Katua was interfered with, but he was up with Ascalon at the next fence. Katua led Ascalon and Merry Guy along the back, with Styrax coming fast. Styrax jumped badlv at the second fence from home, as did Katua, and the order entering the straight the last time was Ascalon, Styrax and Merry Guy. The former pair \vere fighting out a neck-and-neck finish wii"n Merry Guy. vigorously ridden, came fast on the outside and got up in time to win by half a length from Styrax, who 'beat Ascalon by a similar distance. Lady Sabretache was a bad fourth, Tirohanga fifth, and Shining Star, pulling up, last. Half-a-dozen went to the post for the Stewards' Handicap, Playoff being a very warm favorite, with Simple Sam next in demand. Boldstroke was on i'er worst behaviour and delayed the start for about twenty minutes. Eventually Mr. O'Connor sent them away in good order, Simple Sam being tile quicke»t on his feet. Master Achilles and Playoff were Simple Sam's closest attendants as they came to the turn, Glenroy being last. Simple Sam stalled off challenges by Master Achilles and i'lavoll' in the strait and won easilv by a good length, Master Achilles beating Playoff bv a neck.. Boldstroke, Glenroy and Lady Ainai were right up on Playoff's quarter. Five sported silk in the Timaru Hack Handicap, Combustion being sorted out as the pick of the quintette. King Chira broke the line and was followed by Avon Park and Sylvan Dale along the back. At the four furlongs post Combustion made a forward move, and he was level with King Chira and Avon Park just befen. entering tl'.c straight Combustion was the first to straighten up, and coming on full of running easily beat Sylvan Dale, who came from a long way back, and necks only separated the last-named, Avon Park and King Chi>-a. Bay Paul was ten lengths away last.

■Scratching* reduced the Taranaki Cup field to six, the top-weight, Kmperador, apparently having frightened out a number of those paid up for. Op paper it looked a mnral for Fmperador. but the uncertainty of racing was again exemplified, the favorite failing to even gain a place. After some delay caused by the vagaries of Kmperador and Bvrnn the field got away in line. l.adify was just clear of EmpeTador. C.ohlsize and a bunched lot as they swung into the straight. Passing tile stand l.adify and Coldsize were together, with Emperador most prominent of the otliers, and Phosphorous (who was chopped diit) av.siv la=t P.vron headed Emperador lit the seven furlongs post, but fioldsize anil l.adify were still well clear. lUulify fell back live furlongs from home, and Court-Martial made a forward move. At the High School <loid size was just clear of Byron, with Court-Martial, Phosporous and F.miierad»r foil the rails) close up. Phosphorous joined Cohlsize at the home turn, and Byron fell back beaten. Phosphorous, Coldsize and Court-Martial ivere first to straighten up, and Eniperiidor dashed for the inside berth and got hopelessly blocked. A fine struggle saw Phosphorous win bv half-a-lcngth from fioldsi/.e. with Court-Martial a neck

away third, and Fmpcrador a neck further hack. T.adifv was fifth and Bvron last.

Only three horses were saddled up for the Miini Welter Handicap. Invader and Patronymic lvir.!; nearly evenly hacked. The race ivipiires little description, being nothing but a procession. Patronymic led past the stand from Tuvader and First Consul. The order rem: lined uin-hanged throughout. Pat ] 'H!_\ mic winning in»a canter by a good I'-ngtli from Invader, with First Con--ii! a poor third. \ fj.-M <T ••itrhi lined up in the O'cat.i

!!: k 1!:i11;!ii-up. 'IV Hon Hon being a \ ■ i y ui ;in favorite with Quo Viidis in".! It - i. baekid. \ganoto canseil a i'ii!.- (M.n- ;it tiie ].ost, but an excel- !■ nt s I a •■{ was i iiei-ted. Te lloii Hon 1..' Cant-iin > : ii',l pas| rlv stand, (.hiri Yadi-. (v.!n, was interfered with) being !si the mar. A'ong the back Te Hon lluu cleaved oal fioiu Cantaiu Miro, and

then cam- Draft and Ngapoto. Th.; .latter ran into second place at the High School bend, but Te Hou llou showed dear -gain us they turned into the straight. Quo Vadis then came fast on .-.lie rails, hut Lis spurt w;i: only -a siß'-inodic ell'urt,-and Te lloi llou and .Vprapoto worn left in It at th lislauc:. Ti.e we : ght told on the furn •r in the run home, and .Xgapoto wen u to win by a couple of lengths. Qu . ailis was two lengths further back,, and then came Captain Miro and Draft. The Flying Handicap attracted a smart field of seven, including the Mi'.uawatu Stakes winner Gladiole, Tree Lucerne (who won at llawera), and St Moseley. Simple, Sam, who won the Stewards' Handicap earlier in the day,' put up a penalty of 71bs. The betting showed that the public expected a duel between Tree Lucerne and Sir Moseley, and. thev were not far -\vron<*. Crawford splitting the pair. The held moved ofT in a perfect line, and ran for a furlong without change. Then Tree Lucerne showed in front of Gladiole and Ineuru, with Sir Moseley last. Three furlongs from homo Simple Sam run up to Tree Lucerne's quarter, and S : r Moseley could be seen threading his wav through in fine style. Tree Lucerne was first into the straight, Sim-, pie Sam falling back beaten and Sir put in a strong run from the turn, r.nd Tree Lucerne, had to be shaken up to win by half a length. Sir Moseley was two lengths behind Crawford, and Gladiole, Ineuru, Glenroy, and Simple Sam followed. A good field of fourteen went to the post fo" the Moturoa Electfic Hack race. Tarero and Yestalis caused considerable trouble at the start, and the former stood on the mark when the | tapes lifted. Fidessa, Arras and Tirana were the first to find their feet, and Ifd to the turn, Fortify and Im"iv,ve being the most prominent of the i then. improve finislied strongly and •• on raihei easily by a length from Fortify, who hat Tirana by half a length. Then came Rongaro, Lad O'fiowrie and Arras.