SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 July 1916, Page 2

SPORTING.

ISACING FIXTURES. July 27- Bracken field Hunt Animal Aug. 1.-., 17, in—('..i.e. Cmnd National Aug. 23.—Dnnnovirko ILL'. Steeplechase. Aug. 20.—Pnknranga Hunt Annual. An;'. 30—Manawatu Hunt Steeplechase, Aug. 31—North Tarauaki Hunt Steeplechase. Sept. fi.—Marton J.C. Spring. Sept. 13.—Pahiatua, II.C. Annual •■ ~ f TURF TOPICS I (By "Moturoa.") The programme for the North 'Tarauaki Hunt Steeplechase meeting is one that deserves the careful attention of all horse owners and trainers. The gathering is set down for Thursday, August :ilr.t on the New Plymouth racecourse, and the stakes offered are first class. The programme consists of eight events, four of which are limited to qualified hunters. The principal stake is the North Taranaki Hunt Steeplechase, of 135.50v5, run over a journey of about three miles. In addition, the winner will secure tlie handsome cup presented by <\. Alexander, Esq. The Hunters' Flat Race, of -ttlsovs., 1} miles; Ladies' Bracelet Steeplechase, of 45sovs. and a bracelet; and Leppcrton Hunters' Hurdles, of SOsovs, 11 miles, mike up an attractive menu that should attract the best hunters on the coast. The hack events arc as follow:' Stratford Hack Handicap, of 50sovs, 5 furlongs; Wailii Hack Handicap, of 75sovs, 7 furlongs; Urenni Hack Handicap, of GOsova, fi furlong;; and Opunakc Hack Scurry, of SOsovs, 5 furlongs. The handicapping will be in the capable bands of Mr. Geo. Morse, and Mr. C. O'Connor will do the starting. The secretary, Mr. E. L. Humphries, has all arrangements well in hand, and the programme is one that should commend itself to Taranaki sportsmen. Nominations for all events close on Friday, August 11, at 9 p.m. With the close of the Wellington winter meeting the curtain was rung down on the racing season 101.1-10, and it is just that the noble part played by sportsmen during tlie past twelve months of grim war should be given honorable mention. Racing has given freely of its men and its money to the cause, and even greater sacrifices may be demanded in the coming year. That we will do our duty cheerfully goes without saying, but one and all (as the parsons say), will join in wishing the complete extinction of Prussian militarism before another year is completed. The practical absence of eligibles from our racecourses, and the vast sums raised by patriotic race meetings, testify to the fact that the sportsmen of the Dominion—as elsewhere —are wholeheartedly "doing their bit." In his presidential address to the Racing Conference last week, Sir Geo. Clifford had a rattling good slap at the killjoy, anti-sporting minority, emphasising the necessity of carrying on racing during the war in order lo keep up the breeding of thoroughbreds, without which the horses of the Dominion would rapidly decline in quality. As i reply to those who advocated the cessation of racing he quoted King George's continuation in the game, as well as that of Lord Derby 'and other sound leaders of. British opinion. When the horrors of trench warfare are a thing of the past our opponents will taste the dashing attacks of,our British cavalry —tie finest in the world—and when the lr-lory of the war comes to be written the doubters will be forced to recognise how' much they owe to the. thoroughbred English racehorse. Tt is quite unnecessary to quote further from Sir George's address. Practically the same jentiments have appeared in these columns ■ month after month during the past season. Sir Geo, Clifford's figures sliow that 1 the voluntary contributions by racing ' clubs to the various war funds amount- ' ed to .145,042 during the past season, while Government taxation ran to i £201.007, making a total of ,€107,009. In addition, the sporting public has been ' well fleeced, both on racecourses and ' elsewhere, and private stake eontribu- • tions. etc.. must have set the total at a very high figure. As usual, tlie feature of the Racing '. Conference was not the beneficial Icgisla- , lion enacted, but the many beneficial suggestions defeated. The principal work accomplished may lie briefly summed up as follows: (l'l The increase of apprentices' winning rides from five to fifteen, and (2) the granting of appeals in cases of "an obvious pull,'' when the sentence or disqualification is less than fourteen days. The publication of Grand National weights has been the signal For the usual display of double and straight-out ''churls'' with which the poor, unsuspecting public is "netted" bv tlie wilv Bar Vons. Bisogne's withdrawal from the Winter Cup on Tuesday came as a surprise. The local horse had a fair weight, but considering the weakness of 'the field his chance; appeared to be quite brilliant. It is a lonu erv to the New Zealand Cop, but Eligible' is already at a very short price. Blackall. Balboa. Indigo. 1 Marc Anthony, Colonel Soiill. and Uorke's Drift are quoted little better, and Bjorueborg. Chortle, Housewife, John Barleycorn, Koova, Menv Roe. Miillingar, Nones and Revalcnta are all being carefully reserved by tlie Bar Vons. Welcome Nugget is qiuited at a better price, but it will not be for long, once the Unworn ''half dollar" punters get in their deadly work]