SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1915, Page 7

SPORTING.

FACING FIXTURES Sept. 15, IS—Avondale J.C. Spring. Sept. 2a, 25—Wanganui J.C. Spring. Sept. 27, 28—Gtaki R.C. Spring. Oct. 2—Napier Park R.C. Spring. Oct. 9 —Hawke's Bay J.C. Spring. TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") The principal excitement this week „was the Dannevirke R.C. Spring meeting. The weather, a large attendance, and an increase of over a hou, in the tote turnover all helped to increase the Sick and Wounded Soldiers' Fund. Nowadays, the sportsman is doing big things for the various War Funds, and there seems no reasonable excuse why wow'sers should not frequent our courses and enjoy a plunge lite" the rest of ainners! Forelight and Monologue were loaded with most coin in the Hack Hurdles, tnut Negative won all the way. Monologue tried to go with him for a mile, tat a had jump settled his cliance. Glenorchyi then ran into second berth, but could only gain a distant view of Negative in the run home. Rexer and Foreligiht were next. Keynote failed to negotiate the first obstacle. ' The Umutaoroa Hack Handicap saw Carillon and Iceberg most in demand. Starter Sldpwortli sent them oft in fair order, Sea Lord, Carillon and Botanist showing out first. Mystified came fast in the straight and beat all 'but Sea Lord, who paid a fair price. 0. McCartea steered the winner, Tangiwai, with H. Young up, was first choice in the Spring Handicap, liooya (who-was "all very fine and large"), being the outsider of the six. [Tangiwai tried to win all the way, but was beaten into third place in a fine finisl, Hanmakaha just getting home from the fast-finishing Midnight Star, with the 'favorite almost in line. Alees was fourth. Glenmore was an odds-on order in the big steeple, and after playing with the opposition, won easily from Bonny. Appin fell" at the sod wall along the back, and Sportsman at tfoi post and rails. Sportsman was remounted and went after the fifteen shekels that were attached to third place. The Trial Stakes saw Spain and Two Lights carrying the machine. Braemore (A. Olliver) dashed off in front, and was not challenged until within a stone's throw of the post, where Spain (L. Wilson) and Two Lights (W. Young), came up and "outed" Mm. . W. Adams had the mount on Nita in the Hack Steeplechase, and the Taranaki nag carried most cash. Katua and "Merry Lad were next in demand, and *s the trio filled the places in theit order of favoritism the public, for once in a while, was picking them well. Captain Macky sailed off in front, followed by Katua and Nita. Golden Water and Eternity lost, their steersmen early, and Nita, by "riding" the obstacles superbly, got to the front a mile from home, and the rest signalled "5.0.5." Marco Bello (CShea) and Croesus (Deeley) were evenly backed in the Otanga Handicap. A fine start saw the field fighting for positions at the first bend. Peroneal and Marco Bello had the best) of the scrimmage, but Monologue, Croesus and Merrie Gain were going strongly. Merrie Gain was in front as they rounded the turn, and coming on full of running, put it all over tile crack Croesus, with Marco Bello and Monologue hanging on grimly. Wild Lupin made a poor showing. The final heat of the day was the Hack Welter, for which Irish Fusilier and Hikahakeke were very warm. Sir Fisher set a torrid pace from Thoughtful and Carillon. Thoughtful scorched alongside Sir Fisher at the home bend, but Carillon joined issue and made things too sultry for Thoughtful over the last bit. Sir Fisher was fourth. Acceptances should appear this morning for the first day's events at Avondale. The meeting takes place on Wednesday and Saturday, and in addition to the Avondale Stakes and Avondale Guineas, the various events should be particularly interesting. A correspondent wants to know how to improve the speed of his neddy. After considering the nag's inglorious performances the writer is forced to say that the only way to make some horses fast is to starve them!

The exodus of joeksters and apprentices to the country ruled over by Sultan Mahomed V. has made numerous vacancies for promising youngsters in big training establishments'. Recent arrivals at Fred Tilley's include a younger brother to the famous Young family, and Dick McCarten, whose brother Owenj is riding so well at present. Weights for the principal events at Wanganui appeared yesterday, and by this time have no doubt been torn to pieces by Bar Yons, punters and pickers. The Spring Handicap (B'/, furlongs), is headed by Expect 9.0, and the Highden horse is well up to that weight Rinaldo has a fair load, and Lady Louisa and Sunbird also. The Winter Cup winner, Banksia, is very fit. and is nicely treated with 8.3. Fortify, on this same mark, wiil have friends, but on Riccarton form Banksia appears to have the pull. Battle Eve looks the best of the lightweights.

Tree Lucerne is set to give Expect 21bs in the Flying Handicap—a tall order if the latter is as fit as they say, but Bimeter 8.10 reads woll ( and is in great heart at present. Glenroy must have a cliance over six furlongs, and if the going is at all soft Mia Cara 7.8 would have to be reckoned with. Of the lightweights Master Achilles reads best.

Mr, Morse did not have a very numerous field to weight in the Okehu Hurdles (1% miles). Royal Anns would have to be caught at his hest to have a show with 11.4, and Aratiatia 9.4 and Sty rax 10.10 may have most friends. Weights for the minor events are not due until Friday next. Otaki entries include Wild Lupin, Soultiform, Veto, Zion, Tangiwai and Iceberg. The meeting trips just on the .heels of the Wanganui spring gathering. Tangiwai should be kept in mind for a good sprint race. She has been running beyond her distance lately. Monologue's allowing at Danuevirke was distinctly good, and lie should have something to say in the settlement of a good welter one of these bright spring dayj.

Talk of thousands! The Auckland Cup will he worth "2050 sovs this year, and the Railway Handicap, Summer Cup, Rating Club Handicap, and Grandstand Handicap, will each carry a thousand of the best and brightest (if the banks are not still paying out in greasy notes).

Jockey "Skipper" Ryan, who now breathes the oxygen in Auckland, will do the riding on the flat for T. Lloyd this season when the weights permit. A. Oliver has been engaged to ride the Wellington mare Pavlova in the New Zealand. Cup. Mr. B. E. Harley has been n pointed starter for the Hawke'a Bav Jockey Club's Spring Mating.

The New Zealand Cup candidate Sinaffut is stated to be striding along in good style on the tracks at Trentham. * The New Zealand-bred Sea Pink, which has been carrying Mr. E. J. Watt's colors in Brisbane for some time, is now working at Rapdwick under the supervision of H. Raynor. Mr. B. J, Watt's filly Del Monte waa sent out favourite for the Pace Welter Handicap at the recent Warwick Farm (Sydney) meeting, t)ut after showing pace in the early stages finished out of a place. Reputation continues to please the touts by the manner in which he hits out in his work at Bandwick. One morning last week ho moved attractively over a mile and a quarter, leaving the last six furlongs behind in 1 21, winding it up with a dash of brilliancy. The New Zealand sportsman, Mr, J. Hawkins is having a run of luck with the Maniapoto gelding Toa Tere, for in addition to winning the Canterbury Handicap last Saturday, the same horse won the Liverpool Mile at the Warwick Farm meeting the previous week.

Details of the Adelaide Grand National Steeplechase to hand give the information that the ex-Aucklander P. Tutchen had the mount on the winner, Forest Prince, which notwithstanding his big weight was one of the favourites. El Progre&se, which finished second to Forest Prince, weighed in short and waa disqualified, Southland being placed in that position. At the Williamstown meeting on August 28, the ex-New Zealand horse Paoli, starting second favorite and carrying 8.0, won the Spring Handicap. In commenting on the event, a Victorian writer says:—"The most important event on the card —Spring Handicap—waa productive of a most sensational finish. There were only six runners, with Abdicator favorite, at 3 to 1, while Paoli was backed down to 4 to 1. There was a good battle to the post between Paoli and Oscillate, the respective riders being G. Harrison and J. Lane. Only the judge could say, and his verdict was half a head win for Paoli, which did not agree with the opinion of some of the public. For a time there was qoite a noisy demonstration; but those near the post agreed with the judge.