SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 February 1916, Page 7

SPORTING.

OPUNAKE NOMINATIONS.

Following are the nominations for the Opunakc Racing Club's meeting:— HURDLES— Nita. Simple Sam, Tlrobangu, Clemency, Calais, Vestalis, Epworth. Iceberg. Royal: Patron, Royal Dragoon, and Kiwi. FLYLXG HANDICAP.—Avena, Zion, Veto. Antwerp, Coropet, and St. Luap. OPUNAKE RACING CLUB HANDlCAP.—Collector, Sylvan Dale, Henry Clay, Analogue, Belle Paul, and Maid o' Cowrie.

WELTER HANDICAP.—Dood, Lad o' Gowrie, Flying Camp, Clemency, Culais, Maid o' Gowrie, Vestalis, Antwerp, Kiwi, Mahlstiek, Coropet, St. Kiel and Captain Miro;

PRESIDENT'S HANDICAP. Dood, •Sylvan Dale, Henrv Clay, Analogue, Newform. Belle Paul,' Veto."

FAREWELL HANDICAP. Simple Bob, Avena, War Nurse, Zion, Royal Divorce, Miss Sylvan, Flying Camp, freckles, Coronita, Roderick, Newform, Antwerp, Leah Kleshna, Mary Maid, Silver Web, Coropet, St. Luap, Captain Miro and Martingale.

WAXGANUI NOTES

(By "Moturoa.")

The Wanganui Jockey Club's autumn meeting takes place on Thursday and Saturday, but the acceptances received on Monday evening for the first day's events arc very disappointing, and considering the good stakes offered many of the races might have filled much better than they did. It is gratifying to note, however, that the Cup, Flying, and Westmcre Hurdles have drawn well, and these races promise to be. very keenly contested. The weather has been ideal, and the track is in fine order for this week's racing. A dozen hold their ground in the Cup, including fancied horses like" Colonel Soult, Welcome Nugget, Master Lupin, Slullingar, Tangihou, and El Gallo. Bee, Balboa, and Kooya were scratched last week, and Monday's defectors were Nones (Emperador representing the Greenwood stable); Square Deal and Thoolomi (both of which have been paid up for in minor events), and Maniaroa, Housewife, Ineuru, Byron and Bertrada. It is likely that Colonel Soult and Master Lupin will divide favoritism on the day.

The Flying Handicap has closed with fifteen acceptors, and with Chortle, Nones, Avon Park, Flying Start, Denise Orme, Tree Lucerne, Centre, etc., engaged a fine race should result. There is an inclination to rush Nones for this race, but Flying Start, Tree Lucerne and Denise Orme all. have friends.

Lconta, The Rover, Marconi, and Scrutineer have dropped out of the Westmere Hurdles, and the "live." crowd '■nelude well-known stayers like Black Northern, Marton, Styrax, Vascular, Flingot and Master Strowan, with the addition of likely lightweights such as Collector and Vladian. The race looks very open, though Flingot is at present the favorite of track watchers.

The scratching pen has been very busy in the Stewards' Handicap, no less than fourteen names being missing, and the field now stands at a- moderate eight, Lady Penury and Multiplication being tho most discussed candidates at headquarters. Seven have been paid up for in the Juvenile, including Interlude, Bushman, Bjorneborg, Moutoa Queen and Jack Jellicoe, and of these Bjorneborg and Moutoa Queen are locally favored. Six only remain in the 'fay for Hi Welter and five in the Wiritoa Hack Race, and sera tchings may further reduce the number on tho day, Ararat and Florist ImviHg apparently frightened the opposition out.

A better crowd—fourteen—have cried content in the Petre Hack Handicap, and if Husliman, Mandoline, Veto, Gang 'Awa, and Bonny Dream go to the post an interesting race is promised. Tree Lucerne arrived on Saturday afternoon, and Lady Penury and Black Northern arrived the same day.