SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 June 1916, Page 7

SPORTING.

June 24.—Napier Park R.C. June 30, July I—Hawke's Bay J.C. Win' ter Meeting July 12 and 15.—Wellington E.C.

TURF TOPICS. The Napier Park winter meeting will be concluded this afternoon, the principal events being the Park Steeplechase (2J miles), Poraite Hurdles (1$ miles), and Witoter Oats (7 furlongs). Last season, Sandy Paul won the Park Steeplechase ir hollow fashion, running in a twenty lengths winner from Naupata, Sportsman and a big field. The chestnut's future looked very bright then, and it was unfortunate for his party that an accident put him off the scene shortly afterwards. It is to be hoped that liis enforced spell will not interfere with his ability to come back. The Poraite Hurdles produced a fine finish between Braebum and Sam Pan, the former winning by a head. Black Heart won th 6 Winter Oats, beating the wellbacked Diavolo, Suratiua, Wild Lupin, and others,

The Napier Steeplechase is of comparatively recent origin, the first race being run as late as 1887, and in the years 1891, 1893, and 1894 no winter meeting was held. Mangaohane carried Mr. G. P. Donnelly's colors to victory in 1887, and won the Hawke's Bay Steeples the same year. Others to win both, events wsre Chemist, Whalebone, Ithino, Jack o' Lantern, Nadador, Glenmore and The Spaniard. Mutiny, who won with 12.3, has the weight-carrying record for the Napier Steeplechase, but Kiatere 12.0, Whalebone 11.12, The Guard 112, and Tiritea 11.10, also put iip fine winning performances. The Spaniard holds the time record—6.34— for the race. Probably the very worst horse that ever won the race was Nero, whose name looks very much out of place in a list that includes about half a dozen Grand National winners.

Trainer T. Quinlivan will shortly be shifting to New South- Wales with a big team of horses, which will include Eligible,' Sasanoff. Sweet Corn, Gold Painting Shrill, Chelonia, and Blackall. In addit : cn, a large number of Auckland, Canterbury, and Hawke's Bay horses will bo racing across the Tasnmn next spring, so that racing in that quarter will be full of interest to New Zealanders. What everybody is looking forward to is a meeting between Desert Gold and Woorak, or other noted milers iii Australia.

The latest rider to give up the silk and don the khaki, is H. Webb, wellknown throughout these parts as a first-class rider over the hurdles. "Harry," who leaves with the 18th Reinforcements, will carry the wishes of all Tantßi£'. sports for a safe return.

The weifrknown lmrdle horseman. L Traill, was booked to ride Styrax and Sir Solo in their Napier engagements. "Jerry" O'Connell was to pilot Bon Reve. The latest enlistment of note is that of Mr. G, F. Moore, the owner of Bushy Park. Sir. Moore has- long been identified with the sporting life, and although vo chicken it is not surprising to see that he is determined to give some of the younger men a lead. Sportsmen have done their part nobly, and a story that the writer heard the other day in this connection. is well worth telling. Two Taranaki lads, farmers, decided that it was up to one of them to go to' the front, so they tossed up for it, the one who stayed behind having to look after his brother's interests until his return. "Well, we tossed," said one of them, "and lam off to the front." "You lost the toss?" inquired ft bystander. "No fear." replied the soldier with emphasis, "I won!" AUSTRALIAN RACINO, By Cable—Press Association:—Copyright. Melbourne, June 22. Acceptors for the National Hurdles include Merrimax and Pursefiller, and for the Steeplechase, Tim Doolan.