SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 March 1916, Page 7

SPORTING.

TURF TOPICS. _r"-'' (By "Moturoa,") The Rangitikei Racing Club's annual meeting, which takes places to-day and to-morrow, promises good sport. Not only are the first day's acceptances good, but the course is in fine order, Tuesday's rain doing a lot of good. Providing the weather takes up to-day everything should be in fine trim. A large number of Taranaki horses are engaged at the meeting, and a fair share of the stakes should come to this province. The Rangitikei Cup has drawn a nice handy field of a dozen. Rewi Poto (8.9) may hold the top weight (.Square Deal) safe, but Tangihou, El Gallo and Master Moutoa all really dangerous, El Gallo has been getting through fine work at Wanganui, and being at his best on a heavy track should give a good account of himself to-day. The Scott Memorial Handicap has closed with a disappointing acceptance of seven. Downham, for whom Mr. H. Delatonr gave 450gns, appears to be ali to pieces, and Depredation is given a great chance to score. Lady Middleton is being boomed, but she has failed So often that few will stand her at all. The minor events have all filled well. Penniless, Madame Rjistori and Mick are speedy ones engaged in the Trial Plate, and Tarero and Brunswick are in the boom for the Hack Hurdles. The Carnarvon Hack Race should be. interesting if Paraoa, Miss Kelly and Whisperer -go U the post. Zola is topweight in the Pukenui Welter, and on \Vauganm form deserves every ounce of his .poundage. Veto carries a 71b re-handicap—the only additional weight at the meeting—but Analogue has only to reproduce his Opunake form to beat the Hawera horse.

The Parewanui Welter has drawn a very even, crowd. If Jneuru could be depended on to finish with her old dash she might be troublesome, but at Opaki on the second day she closed up most unexpectedly when'the race looked to be in her keeping. Perhaps the going m;iy suit her better to-day. Stepney and Roumania ran well at Nelson, and will not want for friends. The Ngatiapa Hack Handicap is also an open event. If Rewa Rewa is reserved she will carry plenty of Wanganui money, and Miss Kelly and Carlysian are also nicely treated. lyeonta was nearly down twice in the Masterton Cup. and at one stage his rider thought the horse had broken a leg. He could not stand up on the track, and his party did their money hard. Ohiwia, who lias been booked for a win for some months, got there in the Electric at Masterton, hut the Slaughter of Elysian only returned her supporters a short price. The Wanganui sportsman, Mr. W. Duncan, had a good winnings nt Masterton. Cello won a double; Ararat won once and .'ten a second, and Perrier (Golden Gate—Tahua), also got home in front. Jean Laddo, winner of the Final Bradamante, with a slbs allowance, won the Grandstand Hack Handicap very easily. She paid over a score, which was' Surprising after her Winning form at Nelson. Perhaps the touts reckoned seven furlongs was beyond her measure.