SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 December 1915, Page 7

SPORTING.

TA-KWZkTCffiflSKffS IIEETIN-G. (Notes 1# "Moturoa.") To-day wilj opening of the Taranaki Jockey Club's Christinas rodet..rag, ft . ■gathering whidi.'to judge'by the first aeceptances,,prftmi9(., to bein every .way a record one. The influx of visitor's from down the line should materiallyTn-: erease'the attendance, there should be big crowds on the local course to-day and ro-lnorjow. The track is in fine ord<* and. if 'Mr. T. Cameron is caught m it* usualJteppy mood-at the Barrier Mr/ «eorge Morse's'adjustments should be. productive of-good finishes. The programme opens with the Huatok; Plate, which will bring together a ivember of useful horses like Syntax, | Whit« Blaze, and Collector. The fonber shasld srart favorite.

The Steward's Handicap presents an open appearance, bnt if Tirana and Depredation go to the post they will be! well supported. Boldstroke, with an' even break, may upset the pot. Probably White Plume -will be the elect of backers in the Kahdtu HtirdlesJ Vladian is talked of in some quarters,, but He is just about as unlucky "as the next "number to-a Tatt.'s prize-winner. - The Borough Handicap will 'bring Bisogne, High' Jinks, Fidelio, Pergola and several other smart horses together; High ■Jinks may be the popular fancy, out. on form bcith Bisogne and '"\feto should finish in front of her. With the-popular idol Rewi'Pot'o 'engaged, there is little doubt-as to whit will finish up favorite in the Christmas Handicap. But 9.2 is a big weight, and It would not surprise many'wise punters if'-Bstana Worried 'the black horse eVen over the final stages. . On-paper Glacier looks'to have more than 'a' rough chance in the' Lepperton Welter, Calais does not travel very fast "over thekst trifle of a seven furlong | jouhley,'and the others—on rfec'elit' firm' i—are just about as 'brilliant wth'e light that'failed! ',

When the 'finished itb deadly work.the field for the Tlkofangi Stakes "will prdbably "be 'reducedto about - a down 'or less. If Zioii was reserved it fright 'set orie wondering what would be'second, though Calais, Golden' Fan, 'and 'Pergola can■all 'travel faat over-five furlongs. . To-day's racing'will close with {he Fly.'mg Handicap, which looks like, a 'duel between the ;top-weights. •On WoodVille form. Avon Park lorks like running prominently. The Auckland' Cup comeg up for 1 decision to'day. About eleven hdrses are .likely to sport 'silk, including the redoubtable Warstep, Colonel Soult, Balboa, Kooya, "Blackall, and Mullingar. Warstep has a great Weight, but 'sh'e .looks like a certain place-getter. "If;she .fails to repeat last -year's winning' performance, defeat may ' come ffffm the quarter of Colonel Soult.

The A.R.C. Railway Handicap looks open.enough for'a punter of'great'tonnage to "fall in" badly. A great crowd of "hurry up" neddies is ' to ! face Starter C, O'Connor, and it - is really hWrd to pick a bad 'un'ln'th'e seventeen'engaged, Track form points to B'inteter, Chakwana and Te Papapa stripping 'as well as anything. . The writer has to acknowledge a'.cTieerful Christmas greeting ,a.nd'a' photo of "Sweet Tipperar'y" from Messrs Bwan Bros. Of Wellington. The hearty "wishes are just as heartily reciprocated. Whether or not this is "the chat" for the Great Northern Fdal Stakes you may judge for yourselves, but the chances of The Toff' and Egypt will 'appeal more to the average punter. The mindr events at Ellerslie will puzzle the punter td some purpose. "Wishful (in the Shortland Plate), Bluefqrm '(Robinson "Handicap), . Prthce vSJddie (Grafton Hurdles), Ba'dy/ElysiiinJXuraerv Handicap), atid Lolom'a rClirisimas Handicap), may all 'be well baclied. Their track form has'TieeVof a prdmising order. , The Maiiawatu Clip has ''it'MtiSd 'fifteen fair'Tiifses, Welcome'Nirg|et, With a M6rseman''db6ar'd, Should showing. Montana will KtWe*the*services '.of'W. Bell and'sTi'd'uld'lose'nblhlfhyt'li.elre,by. 'Square 'De.U "a'.lio 'Has.';a '"f'oigh" chance, tt'sllciuid Be*a Arila'ke' is''an inliKeiy staffer jit';iwaptinl, 'arid the yetera'n.'Gjerfbrc'hy looks like "holding' rtfthir; nVore rtlijtn' his' own' in stick 'eveiits"dt "the ManaWatu "nieet- %. . ~ Dehlse'i)rm'e Is fifthly .tVcomnfel a "big following;'in 'FiteKej'tiert TOidi-, c4p,..iihcl .ptifer "weil-lja.cli.ed IforSesHhere to-day "should 'be '.PanmujS;, Tressida,' RounSanfa, andjtf'is'f.er' iicfnlles".