SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 October 1915, Page 7

SPORTING.

TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") Tlip Masterton Racing Club's spring meeting takes place to-day. The acceptances wired through on Monday were very satisfactory, though one amusing item was included. This was Rewi Poto in the Trial Stakes—a lace for noddies that haven't mustered up enough energy to take oIF a heat worth twenty-five quidlets! The quality of the horses engaged in the Spring, Flying and Stewards' Handicaps is first class, and there should be some interesting finishes at Opaki to-day. Eleven have been paid up for in the Spring Handicap, including •Pavlova, Sinapis, Rinaldo and other noted' per l formers. Pavlova ran nicely at Otaki and Horowhenua, and will probably carry most money. If anything troubles the mare it may be Maniaroa. Vcroneal is top-weight in the Flying Handicap with 8.1, but has to be taken on trust for a spring engagement. Peronilla is running out her races better this season, and will be entrusted with heaps of coin to-day. The Stewards' Handicap (seven furlongs) looks very open. Mia Oara has scored twice recently, and in both her races finished very strongly. She is partial io the soft going, however. Bertrada 13 reported- to be fit, and she is well treated with 8.4. The hack events have filled well. Seddel Bahr, 011 Wanganui form, will be well supported in the Trial Stakes, and Botanist, Bronk Delaval, and Papuira will not lack followers in the other heats. Waverley weights are now the topic of the hour. Imarose, Welcome Nugget, Deniße Orme, Master Lupin, Bivouac, and King Ohiara are popular fancies, The man in the street reckons that Master Lupin has got in at least a stone too light in the hurdle race. Toa Tere was up against it at the A.J.C. spring meeting, but showed fine form. The Taranaki gelding was backed down to a short price in the Trial Stakes {l l / 4 miles), on the opening day, but could only finish third, a length away from the winner, the imported horse William the Silent. The latter afterwards ran St. Carwync to half a length in the Metropolitan, beating 'Reputation at the same time, so the New Zealander (Toa Tere) was meeting something solid. Toa Tere was again made favorite on the second day, hut La Balfour left him standing at the finish, Mr. J. Hawkins takes 150 sovs in place money, but it is safe to wager that his winnings would have been worth collecting if the nag had scored! It is hard to get away from the old namcß! In the Breeders' Plate at Bandwick were horses named Heatherbrae, Kilmarnock, Gallipoli and Tres-' sada—all names used in the Dominion before. Tree Lucerne is the only Taranaki horse entered for the C.J.C. Stewards' Handicap. Maniaroa is a noticeable absentee from the other big events. Is that New Zealand Cup engagement to be allowed to lapse? Sweet Corn paid a surprisingly good price in the Flaxmere Handicap at Hastings, and Marco Bello also rewarded backers with a healthy dividend. The public made Marco Bello very hot at Napier 'Park, but they would not have him on Saturday. These short memories again! It is time somebody chatted the Hon. J. D. Orrnond about the way he na,mes his neddies. The style of nomenclature adopted is more than confusing, and it takes a shrewd man to recollect when Hyllus isn't Ilyettus, or vice versa. And then he can have ft tussle with Hydrus, Ilylami, Hylatus, Ilyginas, Hymcttius, Hvia us, etc., etc. Reputation was beatefi into third place in the Metropolitan with 8.13, but with' olbs off his back he looks "hard" in the Caulfield Cup run over the same distance. S£a Pink has run second in moat of the big raves he has contested, and still another second was recorded against him on Saturday, when Scoutmaster beat him on the post by a head in the Waverley Handica-p at Randwick. The mile and three-quarters was cut out in 3min dead—which is easily an Australasian record.