SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 August 1915, Page 3

SPORTING.

TUfiil'' TOPICS. (By 'Moturoa,) To-day the flags will be. flying at ißiccarton, the occasion being the opening of the dominion's premier jumping gathering, the New Zealand Grand National meeting. To-day's events include the Grand National Steeplechase, of 1500 sovs, run over three and a half miles of the solide3t "country" in New Zealand, as well as the Winter Cup. of TOO sovs, one mile; Trial Hurdles, one mile and three-quarters; Jumpers' Flat Race, one mile and a half: Enfield Steeples, about two miles, an<l Avonhcad Handicap, six furlongs. The acceptances are fairly good, taking them all round, and winners may not be easy to pick. Racing will commence with the Hunters' Hurdles, for which a dozen very ordinary horses are carded. t'arewanui and Merrie Valet 'may carry the bulk of the investments, as the others are very " rough." Another moderate field will sport silk in the Trial Hurdles. Diavolo has only to run up to Pahiatua form to give his opponents , the " stitch " early in the piece. In his absence the public may go for .Multiply. In view of the prospects of the National Hurdles, the Jumpers' Fiat Race will mop up considerable attention. Di. avolo is also engaged in tiiis heat, but is giving away considerable weight to equally well performed horses. Harbor Light and Sa.m Pan are not harshly treated.

Then the public will pick out a decent "possio" 011 the stand and wipe its collective field-glasses in order not to miss one -fraction of the trump card —the Grand National Steeplechase. The fifteen engaged are not up to the average, either as jumpers or as stayers, and the race is quite likely to provide plenty of incident. There is a (food deal of " if" hanging on the chances of quite twothirds of the likely runners. They may do wonder-—if they don't "throw out." or develop tired feeling, or something of the sort. The chart--, show that- Tim Doolan, Morning. PngoL and Xga'tiruanui are the nominal favorites. Tim Doolan has a fair weight,'ll.7. but some hefty loads have bc-cn carried to victory in this race, the winner generally coming from near the top of tTie handicap. Tim is such a line fencer that lie is sure to run prominently, and Sandy Paul and Captain Maekay may prove his most dangerous opponents. The Tally Ifo Steeple, two miles and a half, look* open. Tliev are a bad lot, though Joiieiir is said to be a likely sort.

The Winter Cup promises to attract a great field. Of the twenty-six still holding their ground, fllenroy is a. pronounced favorite. Eanksia, Bluestone, Fortify. I'.uapani and Eirkline have backers, but, according to the figures quoted by the Bar Von.s. tllenroy is generally voted a moral. The \ew Plymouth' horse jumped into prominence after making hacks of Royal Arms and Ruapani ov'-r a. mile at Rice.irlon on Thursday morning. It was a stinging gallop, The first four fiir'ongs were rung oil' in 'HI :i .'see. and the clock had only got tn 1 -!<1 when fllenroy passed the post an easy winner. Wth a good inn lie should bo very hard to beat. Tlliic-toiie and ftanksia read best, of the other-.

Another big field of possibilities is opened up in the Fnlield .Steeple, run over two miles. The seventeen carded include The Mouse, Tionny and Banda--1 eio, and they should supply a pretty race.

T-woiiiy-thrpo |inw<« Mil their ground iii tliti .Yvuiiliead Tlamlinip. and if Xirtiiiiiir (lots not win a big dividend seems probable. Milndolinc also lias friends. Harbor Light lias liccji galloping well sin.'obi-ing taken lo Hiecnrton. ami on Thursday easily held Sam il T an «i,f»> over a. mils yuu ju J.-(8 The. Ilaweia horse foiilil liavu Improved upon that tiine ier.y materially. Whin Canard won the. Chati'l Steepk.lia.sf lie carrot Other fine from » wi-iyTit-carrviii" poult o view were -put up bv Agent 12.7, Ohunrtt 12.7, Levanter 12.fi. Mutiny P4 Clarere 12.2 and Norton' 12.8. Vent won -ith 12.0. 12.7 and 12.0—a wonderful rc-ord!