SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 290, 17 May 1915, Page 7

SPORTING.

TURF TOPICS. (By "Motnroa.") The. Waugaiiui Jockey Club's winter meeting takes place on Thursday and .Saturday, niul, boiiijf tlie (irr-t steeplechase meeting of the winter season, the running of the various cracks (alleged or real) is always wateheil with close interest by punters in view of Great Nui'thern or Grand National probabi'ities. The crowd engaged ' n t -' u - various jumping events are the usual mixed lot. Of the 'chasers, Jackmun, Addnought, Dorando, The Pole, (iolden (How. Appin, Vestal, Waterworks, Daylight Hill, and S]iorlsi:iau are all tried horses, and promising novices include Sandy Paul, Soporific, Leapuki, Morning, and others, Jackniau, Addnought, and Dorando are nominal favorites, but Daylight liill, Appin, and Vestal may keep the topweights busy. The juni])s, with the exception of the hencoop, which lias proved fatal to Pleiades and other good horses are not dillicult. Thursday's field for the big steeple promises to be well up to the usual standard, and a line race should result. The Century Hurdles lias drawn most of the best horses in the Dominion, notably Sir Donald, Hereford, Black Northern, Lennta, Come, The Hover, Aruake, and Styrax. Sir Donald, Hereford, and Leonta comprise the short-priced division, but there seems no valid reason why the prospects of such horses as Black Northern, Moutoa Girl, Styrax, and Aruake should be overlooked.

Bimelcr, Hoy, and Vcroneal have been backed for the Borough Handicap, six furlongs, but Hawera running points to Play Off carrying plenty of Taranaki coin on the day. Play Off won easily with S.B on Thursday, and, with a penalty of Tibs, will only have 8.4 at \Vangauui. It is stated that U. Dec-ley will again ride the Hawera crack. King Lupin reads well with 8.12, and Astor 8.4 is not badly treated. When the tote bell rings out backers may "dip" mostly for Play Oil', Bimeter, Hoy, and Veronoal.

The Connolly Handicap also boars an npi<n appearance. The charts say that Cold iSoiilt, Bonny Helen, Merry Roe, and Kmperador are the early favorites. If Kmperador is started lie is sure to he well backed, as will Mummer 8.1, Maniaroa 7.0 (including Tibs penalty), ami Leonta. Bonny Helen will have to shape much better than she did at Foilding to have any chance. The minor events all promise to attract flood fields. Harbour Light fI.S and Ngapoto !).7 are a Taranaki pair that read well, but if Birkful 10.13, Killaloo 0.11, and St. Gate 10.4 sport silk the stake may not come this way. St. Gate is very fit at present. The Pole has a steadier of 12..~> in the Hack Steeple (two miles'), and Soporific 10.11, Leapuki ll.}, and Grey Renown 0.12 may all trouble him. The Puma Hack Handicap, eight and a half furlongs, looks like giving Gallupin 8.5, Maltegarde 8.5, and Gold Fran 8.0 a chance to distinguish themselves.

Dorando is going well at Wanganui, and his jumping is as dashing as ever. The question is, "Can he come back?" Immediately after winning at Hawera on Thursday El Gallo was scratched for all engagements at the Wanganui meeting. El Gallo has been paid up for in the Great Northern Hurdles, and a penalty of 51bs only hoists his weight to 0.5. The racing at Hawera should tune Royal Arms up properly, and with 10.13 in the Northern he does not read badly. Ho will be galloping when some of the others are walking. Appin, Golden Glow, Jolie Fille, Bla.-k Northern, and Salvia have already made their appearance at Wanganui, and Black Northern in particular hears a well-trained appearance. Merry Roe is due to leave Auckland for Wanganui on Monday next. Toreador is jumping well at Ellerslic and if his wind is any way good he may win a hurdle race shortly. Somewhat of a record was established by the late Mr. James Chuter, "Father of Epsom," who is alleged to have witnessed no less than seventy Epsom Derbys. Reads like a "never-missed-

sehoo.l-a-day" testimonial, doesn't it? Although in tin l middle of the Tasman, the Egmont Racing Club's popular president, Mr. R. 11. Nolan, did not forget to "wireless" the club good wishes for a successful meeting. ''R. H." is one of the best sports in the Dominion.