SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 November 1915, Page 7

SPORTING.

TRACK WORK AT ELLERSLIE. By Telegraph.—'Pre** Association. Auckland, Yesterday. The weather was fine for work at Ellerslic this morning. The work was principally confined to sprinting on the grass and sand. Kitty Bellairs heat Independence over four furlongs on the grass in 48. 4-flsee.; Eligible covered six furlongs on the sand in Imin lflsec: Sweet Corn ran four furlongs on the sand in 50 3-ssec; Play Off did the same distance in 52see; Crawford ran six furlongs on the sand in imin 23sce; Lady F.lysian did four furlongs on the grass in 4 ( J 4-ssoc; Master St rowan was schooled over the big fences, performing in good style. After breakfast Marco Bello sprinted four furlongs on the grass in 49sec; Lady Killworth did the same distance in 50 l-ssec; Rakanni ran five furlongs on the two-year-old track, in Imin 2 4-ssec; Tinkler, who was slightly amiss, did slow work; Rewi Poto beat Ngapoto over seven furlongs on the grass in Imin 33spc; fllenroy covered four furlongs on the grass in iiOsec. A lot of others were exercised.

TURF TOPICS. (By. "Moturoa.") The Auckland Racing Club's spring meeting, which opens at Ellerslic to-day, promises to be of more than usual interest to Taranaki sports. The Taranaki contingent, which was shipped north by the Rarawa on Friday evening, included Rewi Poto, Ngapoto, Astor, Playoff, Crawford, Olcnroy, and Expedition, and on paper it looks a fairly formidable team. The running of these horses will he followed with considerable interest.

Racing will commence with the Maiden Hurdles (li miles), principal interest centering on a meeting between Toreador and Ngapoto. The Auckland horse appears to have gone off a little since winning at Marton, and anyway he is set a hard task to give Ngapoto Ulbs over the distance.

Quality is not an outstanding feature of the Guineas Field, and the usual duel between Auckland three-year-olds and the Southerners—with the balance in favor of the latter—looks like being repeated. On this year's form Mareo Bella and Hydrus appear to have every chance of beating the best of the home division. The Welcome Stakes should be an interesting flutter. Hyllus, Lady Jack, Lady Elysian. Independence, and Rekanui have all shown pace, this season, and track form points to Hyllus and Independence being 'particulrlay fit. The Onehunga Steeplechase (three miles) is likely to draw a good field. Waimai, the top-weight, has been showing great form at the "smalls," but 11.7 looks a big weight to win with at Ellerslie. Okaihau is treated as a 'has been," and probably the handicapper knows best. Expedition is a great jumper, but three miles of up and down country may give him a pain. Tarero, with 411 is less, looks a far better proposition, though his jumping is erratic at times. The best handicapped horse is Ambassador—an unfortunate neddy, which always seems to strike trouble when victory appears within his reach. Ambassador and Tarero' are likely to have big I'ollowings.

AVith Playoff, Astor, and Olenroy engaged in the Shorts Handicap (five furlongs), this province is well represented. There are some speedy engaged, including Gpldfire, Tact, Prince Soult, Sweet Corn, and Hydras. Much depends on a start and a good passage, but if Tact gets out well it may keep Glenroy, Sweet Corn, and Co. very busy chasing the' flying Aucklander. A high-class dozen figure in the City Handicap (one and a-uuartcr miles), the purse of a thousand of the best and brightest proving a great attraction. Rewi Poto has 8.11, and on the same mark is Colonel Soult, while Jack Delaval and Merry Roe are only giving the New Plymouth crack 21bs and 41bs respectively. No doubt Rewi Poto will carry a ton of Taranaki money, lint he is asked a very big question to defeat the Aucklanders at the weights. Goldsize and Mullingar will not lack backers, and Eligible is the "can't lose" one of the light-weights. If Eligible tsyrtes defeat it may be at the hands—or rather "de feet"—of Colonel Soult or Mullingar. Twenty-sis arc carded for the Hobson Handicap, and the horses that have proved themselves may be counted on the fingers of one hand. Mandoline may be the favorite, and Gallupin, Glittering Sands, and Hadj also well backed. Scratehings may reduce the Flying Handicap field very considerablv, Rewi Poto, Tact, Prince Soult, and Astor being engaged in other events. Soultane, Astor, and Bluestone have been galloping well enough on the tracks to recommend their, chances.

B.'Deeiey will ride Mullingar, Te Papapa, Lady Jack, and Soultane in today's engagements, and will then leave for Riecarton, where he will be riding 111'. 6. D. Greenwood's horses on Saturday.

Roy Reed will pilot Eligible in the City Handicap, and W. "Rvan will be on Goldsize.

The Hawera trainer, .1. Fryer, has engaged accommodation for three liorses at Riecarton, so there is a chance of Tree Lucerne starting in the Stewards' Handicap on Saturday.