SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 295, 22 May 1915, Page 7

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. May 22.—Wanganul J. C. Winter. j June 3, 4—Otaki R.C. Winter. June 3, s—Dunedin J.C. Winter. I June 3, 5, 7 —A.J.C. Great Northern. WANGANUI NOTES. (By "Motwroa.") The Wanganui meeting opened on Thursday in perfect weather. It was more like summer than winter, and the crowd turned up in force. Betting was torrid, £25,050 going through on seven races, an increase of £5807 on last year's figures. The tidy sum of £4094 was rung on in the Connolly Handicap, but the public punted gamely on everything—hack steeples not excepted, and it was not a good day for the public. Hot favorites like Emperador, Birkful, Hereford, and Grey Renown were badly dumped, but well backed ones—notably Bimeter, Client, and Styrax pulled the public out of the soup. The running was fairly clean, though Black Northern, Emperador, Doon, and Gold Fran might have won with —shall we say, better runs! Some of j;he riding was not too good, but the stipendiary passed it all O.K. The four heaviest backed horses in the Borough Handicap—Bimeter, Hoy, Playoff, and Veroneal—finished in front of the opposition, the public showing great judgment. Bimeter won on his merits. Hoy ran honestly, and so did Playoff, but neither were good enough. The much-boomed Veroneal got out first and Had every chance, but she was too excitable before the start to do her best. King Lupin was never dangerous. Peroneal and George got away badly.

Grey Renown carried most money in the Hack Steeple, and led for a circuit, but bad jumping settled his chance. Sandy Paul was second in demand, but didn't jump one fence properly, and threw out after going six furlongs. McFlynn hurt his back, and has gone home. The winner, Soporific, gave a clean display and had the race in safe keeping six furlongs . from home. The Diver jumped well, and ran in a comfortable second. Katua was prominent until he tired four furlongs from home. Howler was outpaced. For some unaccountable reason, the public preferred the chances of Addnought and The Pole to Daylight Bill in the Wangamii" Steeple. It wasn't a race; it was a Cakewalk! The grey did not put a foot wrong, jumping everything in his stride. He finished up as fresh as paint, and on the day could have gone on for another half-mile. Jackman did not look ready, but finished strongly, beating :•,!! but Daylight Bill. Jackman should be dangerous in the Great Northern Steeple. Addnought went well for two and a half miles, but tired to a walk. The Pole and Appin were well licked when they fell, and Vestal was also in a hopeless position when pulled up.' The winner's time was a record for the race.

Blrkful carried 1109 of the best and brightest in the Kaitoke Hurdles, and he carried it badly. Vascular, who runs in Orsnond's cerise, was also well backed, but he was getting his hiding at the end of a mile. St. Gate made most ot the pace, but just failed to see it outAwaliou jumped'- erratically, but his pace stood to him. He needed it ".11 too, for Doon finished resolutely and ran him to a neck. Both horses returned their supporters double figures. Toreador failed to' stay, but Jolie Fille, who finished-fourth, ran a slashing good race for a new chum. She is worth noting. Another strong order in Hereford was outed in the Century Hurdles, finishing almost last. Queen's Post made all the running, and but for screwing badly at her fence 3 must have beaten Styrax. The latter was always near the leaders and came on in fine style when Traill called upon him. Black Northern was badly handled. Three furlongs from home he lost his position, and, though he came with a rattle at the finish, he could not get up in time. This was one race thrown away! Styrax's time equalled the record hoisted by' Wimmera in 1910.

Just 1230 quidlcts dropped when Eniperador failed to run up to form in tlic Connolly Handicap. He was not handled too well, and was either galloping on something else's heels or getting chopped about himself. It was a slow run race, and the craek's failure was hard ( to account for. Bonny Rigg was too much of a handful for little Clarke, pnd did well to finish third after the runaway tactics of the first half-mile. Mauiaroa carried 'Jibs overweight, and ran a great race. Never further back than third, he disputed every inch of lice straight with Lady Louisa, and was clearly beaten by a better noddy. The winner went well in her prelim., and it is a wonder she p? ; l such a price. Gold Soult tired to nothing, and Bonny Helen and Leonta were never dangerous. Multiply was badly interfered with.

Twenty horses started in the last race, which was run in semi-darkness. Client was better backed than Gallupin and Gold Fran, and duly lander! after a good race with Salvia. The latter was ridden by Deeley, and was always in the fighting line. She paid more than the winner. Boldstroke was being held the wrong way rouncl when the tapes lifted. Client finished well, and won on his merits.

Two of the horses in a hack steeple were crawling along about a furlong behind the others when one rider suddenly drew the flail and started to "punch" his tired nag along. "Hold on." shouted the other jockster. ''Can't wait,'' came back the reply. -"The boss will kick up h lif I'm not in in time to feed up at four o'clock!"

Cornelian was one of the slowest to get moving in the Century Hurdles, and he didn't get a decent look at a fence afterwards. He rapped them all hard behind, and was lifting his tootsies as if he was standing on hot bricks when brought into the saddling paddock. Avon Park was running on at the finish of the Borough Handicap on Thursday, but the time, 1.14, was too slick for her.

The Wanganui meeting will be concluded to-day when the Grandstand Steeple (two and a half miles), May Hurdles (one and three-quarter miles), and Empire Handicap (one mile and a distance) will be the principal events.

TROTTING CLUB MEETING. The meeting convened for Wednesday evening at Hawera for the purpose of considering the advisability of re-form-ing the Waimate Trotting Club, was attended by fully fifty persons, who came from all the surrounding districts, Stratford being well represented (suvs the llawera Star). .Air. E. Nulder was voted to the chair, and brieily explained the objects of the meeting. After some discussion as to whether it would be better to re-form the old club or form a new one, the former idea was adopted, on the motion of Mr. R. Morrissey, seconded by Mr. J. Turton. All in the room gave in their names as members, and others who were not present were enrolled, bringing the membership up to seventy-three. The subscription was fixed at £l, and most of those in attendance showed their faith in the movement by paying the first year's dues. The chairman expressed the opinion that there would be no difficulty in securing a membership of fully 200. On the motion of Mr. Morrissey, seconded by Mr. W. .1. Bradford, the election of officers was left over until Tuesday next. It was also decided to appoint the committee and stewards at that meeting.

Considerable discussion ensued as to the advisableness or otherwise of holdmg a meeting this year, it being urged on the one hand that it would be better to wait till February. ]!>V(|, and make a third day in conjunction with the Egntont Racing Club; on the other, the advantages of striking the iron whilst hot were advocated. 'To test the matter, Mr. Morrissey moved that no meeting be held this year. An amendment bv Mr. ,T. R. Corrignn, seconded by Mr. Turton, in favor of holding a mcetin" prior to July 31, was carried almost unanimously.—The date was subsequently fixed for Julv 28.

It was decided that the programme be drawn ur> at once for approval. Appreciation wa= expressed at the renewal of a totalisatnr permit for a trotting meeting in this district, and it was generally believed that the entries would be large.