SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 December 1915, Page 8

SPORTING.

ELLERSLIE TRAINING NOTES,

By Telegraph.—Press Association,

Auckland, Yesterday. No work of importance was registered at Ellerslio this morning. All the visitors excepting Mr. T. 11. dowry's horses have arrived. The tracks, notwithstanding a liberal watering, are very hard, and rain is badly wanted. THE MARTON MEETING. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Marton, Yesterday. Rupahu was omitted from the Marton Cup acceptances. Rexer has been scratched for the Hack Hurdles. TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") The Taranaki Jockey Club's Christmas meeting, which opens on Monday, promises to beat all records. The fields carded for the first day's events are large, and the majority of the acceptors are likely to see the post. Patrons will have tile opportunity of seeing some fine horses in action, notably Rewi Poto, Avon Park, Lady Middlcton, and Lady Amai, and, in addition, considerable interest will be taken in the doings of recent winners such as High Jinks, Veto, Crawford, Tirana, Bivouac, White Plume, Jneuru and others. Quite the "veterans" of those engaged arc Euroco, Epworth, Ratana, Florist, Draft, Grattan, Kaniki, and Royal Dragoon, All these have been popular favorites in the past, and their re-appenrance adds to the general interest of the gathering. Mr. T. Cameron will officiate at the starting barrier, and the good form he has been showing lately has only to be reproduced here 011 Monday and on Tuesday to give universal satisfaction, Mr. Geo. Morse is to be complimented 011 the success of his handicapping, and the adjustments for the second day will be in the capable hands of Mr. Ulic Shannon. Mr. E. P. Webster and an (mergetic committee have all arrangements complete, and the club's caretaker lias the course and lawns in fine order. Nothing remains in the balance but the weather, and present indications are for summery conditions. There should be great crowds at the meeting on both days. Stratford acceptances and general entries were easily record ones. The Cup has attracted a fine field of fourteen, including Rcwi Poto, Welcome' Nugget, Lady Middleton, Crawford, Inenru, Play Off, Peroneal, Ratana, and others. A similar number have been paid up for in the Douglas Handicap, and this field includes speedy ones like Crown Pearl, tree Lucerne, Avon Park, and Play Off. The remaining events have all filled well, particularly the "hurry-ups," which have drawn 28 and 27 respectively. Mr. Henrys was the first day's handicapper, am! Mr. J. Chadwick will attend to the weights for the second day. Maniaroa is said to be a certain starter in the Auckland Cup, in which he is nicely treated with 7.3 (Including 31bs pen.). The track is likely to be flint-like at Ellerslie, and it ia doubtful whether the Jnglewood-ownod horse will be seen at his best under such conditions. The Manawatu meeting might have proved a better "spec" after all. Hvginas was omitted from the telepsjwd list of acceptors for the Railway Handicap. Ormond's nag is on the spot. Albert Ward will be up on Tangiwai in the hurdle events at the local meeting. "Alby" is equally at home in the saddle on the flat, over hurdles, or big country, and in such a capable rider's hands, Tangiwai should lack nothing on the Bcore of horsemanship. Two horses that have been getting through great work at Ellerslie are Mullingar and Te Papapa. They are coming into favor for their respective engagents, the Cup and Railway Handicaps. Sir Solo, who will be piloted by J. Buchanan in the Auckland Cup, has not been galloping very attractively at Ellerslie, Merry Roe, although paid up for in the Cup, is more likely to start in the Railway Handicap. Her morning tasks have been mostly of the sprinting nature. Chaminade, who recently changed hands at logns, is in work at Ellerslie. C. Emerson will ride Blackall at Ellerslie. C. Pritehard has abandoned liis proposed West Coast trip with Immer and Co., and will take on the Wairarapa meeting instead. Ronnie Trigger, who had his license renewed by the district committee on Tuesday night, will have the mount on Golden Grafton and Sylviaroa at the local meeting. Being an accomplished rider, and able to go to scale at a nice handy weight, his services should be in good demand by owners. First Glance is galloping in great style, and looks a certainty fo win a race at Dunedin. An acceptance of only fifieen for the Auckland Cup once again advertises the paucity of "distance" horses in the Dominion. Despite increased stakes it seems practically impossible to gather together a half-dozen horses capable of running two miles with Sst (or more) up in respectable time. Warstep and Snub have both been paid up for and other fancied ones holding their ground are Colonel Soult, Balboa. Kooya, Blackall, and Mullingar. Jt is hard to see what ilhance Sir Solo, Castal'a, St. Elmn, El Gallo, Self, and Christine can possibly have. Desert Gold is in the Great Northern Derby. Nuf sed!

Some rattling good two-year-olds will measure strides in tlie Great Northern Foal Stakes. Nystad, Egypt, Tlie Toff. Hyttns, Sweet Tipperary and Lady Jack can all travel fast. What will be favorite ?