SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 June 1916, Page 2

SPORTING.

SU'RF TOPICS.

(By " Moturoa ").

The Hawke's Bay meeting opens on Friday. lncuru showed no pace at all at Napier.

Crawford's efforts last week stamp him as a promising hurdler F Tilley's pair, Austin and iPerrier, were heavily backed on Saturday, but each finished third.

A wag sends in the following:—"Why is Crown Pearl like a match box?" "Becase he is scratched so often!" Pursefiller will not fulfil her V.R.C. National engagement. She was left in the race in error.

An Auckland scribe reports that Lord Multifid, looking big and well, is now a member of Chaafe's team at Ellerslie. The Necklace at Greenmeadows was reckoned to be securely fastened on the neck of the fair nominator of Hylatus, but after that prad had made the running until well u.p the straight Atuatoro (San Fran—Waingongora) and Multum passed the favorite. Czaroims, by Patromis—Czarina, scored a flukey win in the Moteo Hurdles, Bon Reve being right out in front when he emptied out at the second fence from home. Czaronus had the services of J. Deery on the second day, but was outpaced at the finish by Golden March and Crawford.

Golden March has been a puzzle to punters of late, but a first and a second at Napier should reinstate the nag in public favor. Golden March finishes strongly, and should run out a good two miles.

Crawford led for a round in the Aliuriri Hurdles on Friday, and dropping to hack company the next day his chance looked second to none. L. Traill had him in a winning position at the turn, but Golden March finished too fast for the Taranaki-ite.

A poor start sp6ilt the dunces of many in the Settlers' Hack Race. O'Shea got Otara out first, and simply walked in! The runner-up was W G. Stead's imported neddy Cheloma, by IJangwn— Chelys. The latter is worth watching. Ivooya is running great races under welter weight, but 11.4 had her "licked" at the end of the Steward's Stakes at Napier, the lightly-weighted Goldenlyte I (S. Reid) just touching the old mare off. Braeburn's Napier Steeples victory was a very simple .affair. Glenmore made the pace for a spell, Vascular falling ! early. Braeburn then went away from the field, and easily holding Merrie Lad, won with the greatest of case. The runner-up paid a great price. Pursefiller was only started once at Greenmeadows, and although sent out a warm order shaped poorly. Gladful took the lead six furlongs from homo and beat Styrax fairly comfortably. After knocking at the door for several weeks, Styrax broke it for a win in the Poraite Hurdles on Saturday. Aruake made the early running, but Styrax had the field spread-eagled a long way from the judge's box. Traill held the'ribbons.

A lot of good money went astray when Cherry Blossom failed- to land the Newstead Hack Handicap, This unlucky mare was "outcd" by St. Omer (Moral — Energy), who ran in an easy winner. St. Omer won the race last year, and had not scored in the interval.

Rather confusing, the names Korirangi and Korangi, two runners m the Hunt Steeple at the Park. Korangi was strolling home when he blundered at the last fence, 'eaving Waiparapara to win easily. After winning the hack event on the first da,?, nothing but- Beaconafield was enquired for in the Park Steeples on Saturday. The Chef, Bravest and Queen's Post made the pace, but passing the stand the second time Queen's Post was leading from Merrie Lad; Captain Mackay, The Chef and' Precious Metal having fallen. Bravest challenged Queen's Post in the run Ivome, and just got the better of a great finish. Nita, who was running on, at the right end, was a creditable third.

Acceptances for Friday's racing at Hastings should appear this morning.

A racecourse tliat will shortly be one of the best in the North Island is the Takapuna Jockey Club's course iliat is now being formed, the club having purchased' some 36 acres adjoining the present track, which was altogether too small for the large fields. The club, recognising the fact that a larger and up-to-date course was required; got to work with the new formation, in which over 20,000 yards of filling have been put in, scoria being used where requjred to make the drainage ext«i good. The turns all round the course are perfect, great care having been taken in this respect. The course, when finished, will be nearly 110 ft wide, and banked up at each turn lift from the outer rail to the inside, which will be of great advantage, and the chance of horses falling' will be reduced to a minimum. Another matter that is receiving attention at the hands of Mr. Alison (the president) is the railing of the inside of the coursie. which will be the regulation height, with a lean of the posts into the course of 10 to 1? inches.' Another innovation that will be introduced is the measuring of the course for the barrier from the inside and also from the outside. This will give the horses on the far side of the barrier an equal chance with those drawing inside positions, and not have to run an extra chain or more, as they do on most circular ourses. The new formation k being given every chance to get the beneiit of winter rains to settle properly, and will not be raced on. this season." When the final touches of levelling, grassing, etc., are completed the club will possess a course they will justly be proud of, ami are to be congratulated on such a splendid site. The track will be just a trille over one mile round, and up-to-date in every respect. Great attention lias been given to drainage, which will keep the course dry at all times.