RACING.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1916, Page 7

RACING.

FIXTURES. To-day.—Dunedin J.C. To-day.—South Auckland R.C. To-day— Tolanc Bay J.C. Feb. 23—Rotnrua -J.C. Feb. 24 ;uid 2C—\Yaii£in« ; . J.C. TROTTING. Ifrb, in.—Maiwwatu T.C liVo io an;!. 2C— Wangan.ii TC. WANGANUI TROTTING CLUB. ACCEPTANCES TO-NIGHT. The '7sngamii Trotting Club's annual meeting, which fits in with the Wanganui Jockey Club's autumn gathering next week, promises to be the most successful held under the management of this rising Club. The entries were very lar?e, and included representatives from almost every province in the Dominion, Taraimki being well represented. Mr. Ulic Shannon's handicaps leave little room for grumbling, and the acceptances, which fall due -to-night, should be first-claBS. Mr. Ryves Webb baa been engaged to do the starting, and the secretary, Mr. Sid Moffett, and an energtie committee have all arrangements well up to concert pitch. TURF TOPICS. ' (By "Moturoa.") On Monday next, horseowners and trainers will" be called upon to make their entries for the Opunake Racing Club's annual meeting, which is set down for March 17. This year's programme is framed on a liberal scale, as a glance at our advertising columns | will show, and includes the Opunake R.C. Handicap, of 150 sovs., ]\ miles; President's Handicap, of 110 sovs., one mile; Flying Handicap, of 110 sovs, six furlonga; Handicap Hurdles, of 100 sovs, 1J miles; and Welter Handicap, of 100 ,sovs, seven furlongs. In addition, the Maiden Plate (seven furlongs), and Farewell Handicap (five furlongs), the Electric Stakes (five furlongs), are well endowed. Mr. Geo. Morse will do the handicapping. Those interested should note carefully that the Opunake telegraph office closes at 5 p.m. on Monday. The most noticeable feature of this week's racing has been 2he sudden return to winning form of the New Zealand Cup winner, Tangihou. The Riecarton victory, though accompanied by a very moderate dividend, had begun to be regarded as a fluke victory, and the horse's subsequent string of failures certainly lent color to the idea. At Woodville, however, Tangihou ran a really fine race in the Cup, and but for being blocked in the straight would have finished much closer up than fourth. His easy victory on the second day, though nothing to crow about, showed that he was on the up grade again, and naturally his Wanganui Cup prospects are being roundly discussed in consequence. Wanganui touts await his advent at headquarters with unfeigned interest, and Tuesday's final gallops may influence the betting market very considerably. But of that more anon.

Every mother's son of Wnnganui's puntcrdom went nap on Interlude's chance of beating Hyginas on Wednesday last, and, of course, had to be content with a microscopical second dividend. In the absence of Hyginas and Multiplication on the second day, the filly just strolled home in good time—61sec. She can always run that on the tracks, so must be classed as useful. When Panmurc was weighted for Egmont there came a howl of dismay and prompt scratching of the imported flier. Now that he has added to his sensational and meritorious win at Trentham by running off with a brace at Dunedin his party may not be so loud in their howl next time.

Weights for the minor events to *)■> decided :-.i Wanganui on Thursday next show that Handieapper Morse has set the public some pretty conundrums. With so ir.any Taranaki horses engaged the adjustments are of especial interest. In the Petre Hack Handicap, old Tavistock anpenrs to have eaiisrlit it hoi \>-.'!li 10.?, 'iii'L lTu;iiman !».S, Mandoline 8.8, Parana 8.5. Gang *A\va 7.9, and Royal Chef 7.8 all read better. Possibly the last-named pair will have many friends. The Tayforth Welter will not be contested bv a very select field, but Florist fl.ll and Collector 8.12 are as nicely weighted as anything in it. King Chiara "(10.1) is very highly assessed in the Wiritoa Hack Handicap, and the pick of the bunch appears to be Ararat 8.1(1, Sylvan. Dale is well in with 7.9, and the same remark applies to Henry Clay. Acceptances close on Monday night.

Colonel Soult is said to he a certain starter in the Wanganui Cup on Thursday, and all being well with the Aucklander he should start first favorite. Other Northerners hooked to make the trip include Black Northern, Lady Penury and Marconi. Housewife and' El Gallo are already on the spot. On Thursday morning some interesting work was witnessed on the Wanganui tracks. Empcrador went a mile and a half on the sand, and though the pace was not on in the early part of it ho finished up very well. El Hallo moved freely over seven furlongs in 1.34, and Master' Lupin pleased the touts by the way he ran ten furlongs. Nones and Denise Orine finished abreast at the end of a smart five furlongs in 1.21, and liimetor kit half a mile behind in GOsec. The Toft' held Bonny Dream safe in ."ilscc. which time Thoolonii and Zola equalled. Monlu and Recorder were together at the finish of five furlongs in 1.4 J. Housewife ran live in 1.2 1-ssee, moving splendidly. The hurdler, Marton, went two rounds at a solid pace, and looks the picture of health. His mentor. Billy Higgins, took him over the small sticks earlier in the week, and both rider and horse showed that they had not lost their old time dash. Ariiake, Vladiau. Bivouac, St. Gate. Starengo. Silver Rose and others did serviceable tasks.

llr. J, Fryer Ims purchased Dood, with tlio idea of trying the gelding over hurdles, they say. Astor lias been in ft lind way since the Egmont meeting, and may he written out. of nearby engagements. Racecourse beer in Taranaki is, happily enough, of the very best, but the amber fluid dished »]> at some places defies analysis. It may be the fault of the brew, or the fault of the publican who pays a big price for racecourse privileges," but', nevertheless, it is—well, putrid. But it goes down, and u little growling slides oil' the backs of the cunning ones without doing any harm. Not so in 'Stralin, though, and recently a publican there had to publicy apolojgise for adding aqua pura to a brewer's J ale on a certain racecourse. Now just | fancy accepting an apology for a "crime'' like that! In the name of all good beer-lovers this scribe demands the villain's scalp;