SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 232, 10 March 1915, Page 7

SPORTING.

TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") Acceptances and general entries for the Opunake annual meeting, which takes place this day week, more than fulfill .'d expectations. ' Of the nine entered for the Opunake Handicap, six hold their ground, Draft, Patronata, and Silver Flood dropping out. Patronata is reserved for shorter races, and Silver Flood is defunct, so that the response has been very good. Thirteen were entered for the" President's Handicap, and only two are missing from the final payment. 'These are Classis and The Reiver, both of which have been paid up for in other events. Eight are in the Handicap Hurdles, the most noticeable absentee being Ascalon, who has been withdrawn in favour of his stable-mate, Master Sylvia. The race now looks more open, Katua, Advancer, and Master Sylvia all being given a chance. Rosalvs has been paid up for the Welter in pruferencc to the Flying Handicap, a good field of nin" figuring in the latter event. Ten is the main in the Welter. The handicap events are nicely supplemented by the Maiden Plate (sixteen entries), Electric Stakes (seventeen), and Farewell Stakes (nine). The gathering promises to be a most enjoyable one from all points of view, and the attendance should be very large. The Nelson Jocky Club's annual meeting opens tn-dav, and will be concluded to-morrow. Cold Soult is top-weight in the Cup, but the rest are not much class. Coldstream, on Wanganui form, should 1 keep the others busy in the Grandstand Handicap. Want may come in for strongest support in the Hope Hack Handicap: Haj Dha and Lady Vladimir in the Telegraph and RcreTiau in the Wei tor. The Maiden Hack Race and a brace of trotting handicaps complete the programme.

Trainer J. Prosser took Hold Soult and ■Coldstream over to Nelson at the beginning of the week. The pair are very fit, and will be ridden by M. McDonald m their ecngagemcnts The Maiden candidate The Ferry (Achilles —Bulbul) did not make the trip. The brood mare Dolly (Seaton Delaval —Dorothy), dam of Tree Lucerne. was recently purrchasnd by Mr. H. Clelaud for 35gns. Mr. Cleland r.-.ecs Tree Lucerne, ai.d he lias no reason to do otherwise than like the breed. The veteran Whakaweira, who owned up to being an "aged" neddy when ho won the Great Northern Hurdles in 1011. is in work again. How long he will stand is problematical, but anything on four legs is being jumped at present in view of picking up the plums of what looks like turning out a poor jumpers' season. The hurdlers seen out at recent meetings I on this coast did n[ strike me as vflry jifoin",r.g, and Royal Arms wift have a big say in matters about •Tune next. Kew is a fair horse, and Styrax, Tirohanga, Leapuki, and Ascalon arc useful. Naupata could be improved in condition, and may be amongst the first flight before the season closes. Good reports come to hand of the condition of Croesus. This much boomed neddy will be given a pipe-opener at Napier, ami will then lie sent down to tackle the big guns at the Canterbury meeting at Easter.

SALE OF BLOOD STOCK. By Cable—l'res3 Association—Copyright. Melbourne, March 9. At the blood stock sales the nrices obtained averaged 92 guineas. Abbey Craig fetched top price, 340 guineas, Persian Light 300 guineas, and Mint Sauce 250 guineas, TINOPAI SCRATCHED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, March 9. Tinopai was scratched for the Easter Handicap at 1 p.m.