SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 239, 18 March 1915, Page 8

SPORTING.

OPUNAKE RACING CLU'B AXXUAL MEETING. A POPULAR FIXTURE.

'Undoubtedly, the advent of the motor has been the means of infusing fresh life ■nto the Opunake Racing Club. The annual meeting of this club held at Pihama on St Patrick's Day was always popular among Taranaki race-goers as the 'premier picnic meeting of the province, and with the motor-ear affording each year better facilities for rapid transit there is no doubt that each year the meeting will become more and more popular particularly if it is controlled, as is tlie case at present, by officials eager to cater for the comfort and convenience' of both horse-owners and the general public. The weather was kind to the elub yesterday. The morning dawned beautifully, and, though threatening about midday, the weather held fine until after the fourth race, when a slight drizzle set in, not sufficient to interfere with the racing, but culminating in a downpour after the last dividend had been collected. Very early the crowd began to arrive from all parts of Taranaki, every make of motor-car motor-'bus and motor-cycle being pressed into service; whilst horse-drawn vehicles brought their freight from the rich farming neighborhood of which .Pihama is the centre, so that the attendance must have constituted a record. Indeed, the new grandstand proved too small at times to cope with the crowd, and it will need to be considerably enlarged. The public were in a speculative mood, is is shown by the fact that the totalisator receipts increased by £1.307, being ,€13,182,. as against £11,575 last year. This record, would easily have been beaten but for the fact that " tons" of money was shut out, the totalisator fichu-: unable to cope with the demand. The fields were good—a tribute to the work of the handicapper, Mr G. Morse, and the racing was very interesting, the judge, Mr W. V. Young having some close finishes to adjudicate upon. Mr A. Morse got bis fields well awnv, and is to be complimented on his handling at the barrier. The timekeepers, Messrs E. B. Stohr and W. J. Knell, were assisted in their duties bv a clever contrivance invented by Mr .T. Bennett—himself a past-master in the art of chronography. It consists of a white flag which flies to the top of the barrier when the horses are despatched, and signalises that fact immediately to the time-keepers, Tt should be a boon to correct time-recording, and will no doubt soon be a fixture at all barriers. Mr L. O. Hooker, of TTawcra had charge of the number-board, and, no doubt, j will suggest improvements for future meeetings. The secretary, Mr P. S. Riley, had made complete arrangements to cone v.'th every detail. ITe had responsible men in every position, and kept his controlling hand on the lever, so that everything worked like machinery. He was uniformly courteous to all inquirers. >Mr J. Burton, as totalisator steward, deserves a special word of praise. Mr E. P. Webster, secretary to the Metropolitan Club, was present at the meeting, and Mr C. Patterson, of Wanganni, was the stipendiary steward, but could find nothing to quibble at. There was a very strong force of police, including Suh-Tnspector Fouhy, Detec-tive-Sergeant Cassells (W&figniraD, and several constables. Pacing-Detective S. Kraetzer was also in attendance, The crowd, though a jolly one, was orderly, | and the services of the police were not | requisitioned. The Knnonga Brass Band under Conductor F. Woods provided a fine programme of music between the races. The catering arrangements were in the hands of Mr G. Foster, of Eltham, and Air Russell, of Manaia, controlled the publican's hooth. . The racing resulted as follows:—■ MAIDEN PLATE, of 70 sovs; seven furlongs. Weight-for-age. 4—A. A. Narbey's b g Manifest, by Merry England—Sweet Oil, aged, S-12 (Conquest) 1 1 F. Hoskin's ch m Patronata, Gvrs, 8 -' 2 _ (W. Adains) 2 9 IT. A. Nodder's g g Iceberg, 4vrs, S-l' (Xodder) 3

( Winner trained by J. Phillips.)

Also started—s Warea 8.12 (K. Lamhess), 11 ltownet 8.12 (Cordue), 10 Cornice 8.12 (Cathro), 3 Joybells 5.12 (W. Price), 0 Top Twig 8.12 (JL'Cartcn), 8 FlyingCampß.il (A.Ward),. 7 Antwerp 8.11 (\\ eller), 10 Henekaha 8.11 (Stevenson), 12 Deeside 8.3 (Goldfinch). Won by a length, a length and a half separating second and third. Time, lmin 32sec. " HANDICAP IfCRDLES, of 90 sovs; half a mile.

1-iP. L. Jury's b g Kat.ua, by Obligado—Tim Whifi'ler mare, aged . (W. Adams)' 1 - A. Advancer, Oyrs, 9,0 (E. Copes take) 2 3—C. H. Washer's cli m Nita, Oyrs, ! \ < J r (If. Tlionipson) 3 (Winner trained by J. Harlow.) Also started—4 Master Syh ;a 9.7 (A. Ward) and 5 Captain Dick 9st (H. Eva). Won by six lengths, the second horse being three lengths away. Time, 2min •>1 2-o.scc. FLYING HANDICAP, of 90 sovs- six furlongs. I—D. J. Goodwill's ch m Avon Parkby Sylvia Park—Tottie, svrs^ 1 r . . . (M'Carten) I -> li. Ciawford sb 111 Lady Amal, fiyrs, 8.1 p rk . 0 J 2 4 Mrs Jr. Jliscall's ch g Captain iMiro, syrs, B.o'/, (inc. "4% over) j . (11. Webb) 3 (W miter trained by owner.) Also started 2 Calais J)st (K. Lain•"r 7/2 and (> holle Paul (U3 (.T. Cordue). Won by a long neck a head separating second and third. .I.line, lmin 17sec.

OPHXAKK ItACiNTi OLUB JTAXDTCAP 01 100 SOVS: one mile and a quarter. ' 1 —R. Hicks eh g Stvrax, bv Patronns Convolvulus, aged, 8 s'/. (inc. 3y.11> o v,,r) ( w. Adams) 1 «'in r S \fi I °' Gowri0 ' 5 - vls ' OT i ,"r 3 . ,, . oV( ' r) (T. Fryer) 2 - At am] Leslie sb g Xgapoto. -h-rs, (W. Price) 3 (W inner trained by J. Brown.) Also started—: 1 , Clianiinade !),5 (M'Carten) and a Led Coral 7.0 includim' 71b penalty (Cordue). Won bv a length and a half, three lengths between second and tluid. Time, 2inin ] ( 4-sscc

ELECTRIC STAKES, of SO sovs; five furlongs. '2— F. Selwood's br m Zion, by St Clements—Pomery), oyrs, 8.0 (L. Xodder) 1 o—II. W. Joluiston's b g Coropet, Uyrs, 8.0 (M'C.clen) 2 4—J. Paterson's b g Escort, aged, S.O (YV. I'r-ie) 3 (Winner trained by J. Johnson.) Also started—3 I'atroon S.O ('A. Ward), 7 Miss Sylvan S.O (Cathro), 10 1-iike Eel 8.0 (J. Olds), 11 Cornice 8.0 (IT. Webb), (i Antwerp 8,0 (Goldfinch), 1 Glacier 8.0 (Stevenson), 8 Welcome. Nugget 8.0 (T. Fryer) and !) Tahora 8.0 (Iv. Lambess). Won by two lengths, a similar distance between second and third. Time, lmui 4 3-osec,

WELTER HANDICAP, of 90 sovs; seven furlongs.

3—A. G. Crawford's b m Lady Amai, by Lupin—Amai, 0,10 (W. Price/ 1 2—,' A. A. Narbcv's b g Manifest, aged, 8.7 " (H. Webb) 2 s—Mrs C. Ruscoe's oh g Flying Camp, 4yrs, 5.7 (A. Wavd) 3

(Winner trained by owner.)

Also started—l Classis 5.12 (Vl'Carten), 4 Patronata 8.12 (W. Adams), 0 Warea 8.8 (Nodder), ,S >.i ; ,a 5.7 (K. Lambess), and 7 The Reiver 8.7 (Goldfinch). Won by a neck, x ne.id between second and third. Time, niiei 32 2 lsco.

PRESIDENT'S HAXDIv. V!', cf 110 sovs;

one nun.. 4—E. Knights cli m li.u'.e Pa:ii, by

St Paul —Lebel mar ■, (iyrs, 'i.:i

inc. ialb over we'glit) (Goldfinch) 1 3—Mrs M. Miscall's Ca/.:i<n Vliio, syrs, 7.11 (inc. 2!b over) v-M. S.'aiten) 2 1— It. Hick's ch g Styrax, aged, 9.0 inc. 1011) penalty) (Adams) 3

(Winner trained I; owner)

Also started—2 Xga.isiio 'Jst (\\\ Price; and 5 Kownet ti.lo (inc. 31b over) (Gordue). "Won by a long ljoyV. heads separating second and imrd. Tw.e. lmin -15 4-osec.

FAREWELL STAKES, of 80 sovs; weight 9.0 (winne;- .jf Hying or KUctric to carry 141b penalty; live furlongs.

I—M. Gardner's b ,</ Calais, by !>mronus—lsenlt, syrs, !),0 (K. Lambess) 1 3—J, Barlow's eh .l glacier, .i.'J j\V. Adam-1 2 —F. Sel'.vood's 'ji* -iyrs, 10.0 (Nolle.-) 'a

Winner trained bv ewiiir

NOTES OX "i.TIF ItACry

Also started—l in;' Prim.' ; 4. Ward), 0 Palroon -9 0 ..Vl'Carten) and 4 Escort 9.0 (W. Price) Won !;y half a length, the sj.ond hors3 uvo lengths away. Time, j.i:in ;i 4-osec.

Twelve faced the barrier n the .Maiden Plate, the defections being Silver Jim, Lad o' Cowrie Joey and Miss Fisher. Patronata was made a warm order. They were despatched to a fair start, Iceberg being first to show out, followed by Patronata and Joybells. The favourite did not get a good run along tlie back, where the order was the same? Kntcring the straight, Iceberg was in the lead, followed by Patronata, with Manifest close bandy. Manifest put in a great run and won by a good length. Clemency, Joey and Tahora were scratched for the Hurdles, which produced a field of five. Kat.ua was the popu'ar fancy, though Advancer, Xita

and Master Sylvia were all well supported. Advancer was first away, followed by 'Xita and Master Svvia, Captain Dick being last. This was the order to the stand the first time, where the favourite, ivho had been making up a lot of ground, went to the front, and, jumping well—as did all the field—was never headed, winning easily by six lengths. Master Sylvia was last, Six of those carded faced the starter in the Flying Handicap, the scratching being Glenroy, Pay Prince and Fortify. Avon Park carried just a third of the money 011 the machine, Calais being next favoured. Vestalis was left at the harrier and Lady Amai was quickest away, followed by Avon Park and Captain Miro. .At the back Calais had replaced Captain Miro. Calais and lAvon Park entered the straight just in front of Captain Miro and Lady Amai. A ding-dong race saw Calais beaten out of a place, Avon Park iust maintaining the lead bv a long neck from Lady Amai, who had come fast from the dis-

tance. and just headed Osptatn Miro. Hello Paul was fifth and Vestalis last. Quo Vadis was Withdrawn from the Opunake Cup, and of the five starters Styrax was a. slightly better favourite than Nganoto, Chaminade also being well supported. Styrax, who won the onp last year, was the first to

show out, from a sood start, but was

soon displaced by Ngapoto. Parsing the stand, the order was Ngapoto, Styrax, 'ad o' Cowrie and Chaminade. At the back, Lad o' Cowrie improved his position, and Styrax now set after the leader. At the mile be had reversed the positions. Entering the straight, Styrax still led. and staving off a hot challenge by Lad o' Cowrie, won by a length and a half. "Red Cora! was'last. The Electric Stakes, a five-furlong flutter, drew a field of eleven. Phor-

miiim, Waitaiore, Miss Fisher, Relock

' ide and Tiora being the withdrawals. Glacier was made a warm favourite, Zion being next in demand. Nodder jumped away from the barrier on /.ion, followed by Coropet, ;Patroon and Escort. This was the order- throughout, Z'on winning comfortably by two lengths. The- favourite was fourth, a head further back.

Rosalvs and Hod Coral wove withdrawn from the Welter Handicap, leaving eight to face the barrier. Classis was* sol-ted out by the public as a likely winner, but was never sighted. Manifest arid Lady Amai were backed in that order. From another good start, Lady Amai took the lead, followed by I'l.ving Camp and Warca. The Waitara mare maintained the lead all the way, and entered the straight followed liy Patronata and Flying Camp with Manifest close handy. In the run home, Muni test {rot within a neck of the leader, with Flying C'amp.a, head away. Patronata was fourth.

The scratching pen was busy in the President's Handicap, half the number carded not facing the barrier. The defections included Chaminade, Quo Yadis, Lady Amai, Patronata and P.av Prince'. Styrax. Ngapoto and Captain Miro carried the bulk of the money, the Cup winner being installed as favourite. The race effected a surprise. The little-fan-cied I'i'lle Paul, who lay handy throughout, came with a burst at the finish, and got home by a long neck, returning her supporters a vorv handsome price.

Avon Park, Miss -Sylvan mid Jov Hells were withdrawn from the Farewell leaving six to breast file harrier. Calais was made a very hot 01ilei'. Hay Prince, who had not sported -ilk- previously 011 the day, bein" next in demand with about half the support that was accorded the favourite. Mr ••ioiso despatched bis field to an even start. Zion was first to show out. followed by Fscort, Clacier and Cain is. 11 nl, rt ('lacier entered the straight on farms, with Calais coming strow». f ", t ' l - Calais came with "a "»d got home bv ) w !f i. f,. n - n (lio,y; llm fr( . rrvi)){t , 'liaHvl being twn Ioiil'!!;--, awav (hird Lay I'rjacc wa3 fourth.