SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 November 1915, Page 7

SPORTING.

JURF TOPICS. ffly "Moturoa.") The Foikling Spring meeting taken place to-day and to-morrow. A slight drizzle set in yesterday about noon, and the glass was then inclined to fall, so that it is quite likely that the course may be a trifle holding to-day. Acceptances are splendid, and winners look hard to pick. Racing will commence with the Aorangi Trial Plato, five furlongs, in which such smart beginners as Interlude and Need are running. A very select field should contest the Flying Stakes, six furlongs. Postillion bends the list, but being trained on his owner's station little is known of his condition. Taranaki is represented by four horses, and of Hie quartette Astor (who always runs well on that course) should shape, well. Ardent is well fancied in Wanganui. The St. Andrew's Handicap will see the New Zealand Cup winner, Tangihou, and others in action. Tangihou and Montana are likely to bo well backed, and the Square Deal crowd also like their chance. Probably Montana will strip as fit as anything in the race. Sixteen remain in the Hack Hurdles, one and a-lialf miles, with St. Gate on top with 11.0. White Plume should have won at Ashhurst, and will probably carry a ton of money to-day. Cyra ran nicely at Riccarton, and may give White Plume a good "go.' Scratchings will reduce the field carded for the Feilding Stakes, five furlongs, but if Bimeter goes to the post—and lie is reckoned a certain starter —the public will not find it difficult to sort out a favorite.

A fine field of twenty-one should puzzle punters in thp Khvitca Welter (one mile and fifty-four yards). It looks very open, but Lady Amai and Patronnle are fairly well treated. It looks like ft raee for a big dividend. Twenty-nine have been paid up for in the Fitzrov Hack Handicap (seven furlongs, and here again the punter is likely to strike disaster. Tavistock and b'eddttl-Balir have recent form to recommend them. The entries received on Friday night for the Taranaki Jockey Club's Christmas meeting were splendid, and give promise of a great meeting. It was decidedly encouraging for the Club to receive 287 entries for the sixteen races—an average of about IS per race. The qpen events lmve attracted good horses like Rewi Poto, Welcome Nugget. Lady Middleton, Playoff, Tree Lucerne, and Avon Park, ami the cream nf the hacks on the Coast are engaged in the minor events. Good fields should also contest the Hurdles each day. Mr. Geo. Morse's weights are due on December 10.