SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 August 1916, Page 7

SPORTING.

« «• \ ■ NORTH TARANAKI HUNT CLUB. ENTRIES TO-NIGHT. ! A final reminder ia given to horseowners and trainers that entries for all events to be decided at the North Taranaki Hunt Club's steeplechase meeting, to be held on the New Plymouth racecourse on Thursday, August 31, close to-night at 9 p.m. The programme is a most attractive one, including four hunters' events and four hack flat races. Stakes run from 135sovf to 40sovs, and, in addition valuable cups and bracelets, make up a very liberal menu. As stated before, Mr. J. R. L. Stanford will officiate as judge at the gathering; Mr. Geo. Morse wi)l do the handicapping; and Mr. C. O'Connor the starting. The secretary, Mr. E. L. Humphries, has all arrangements well forward for a most' successful meeting. \ Those interested should peruse the de- J tailed programme, which appeal; in our - advertising columns • ' TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.")' Considering the improved stakes ' offered at the Dannevirke Racing Club's j steeplechase meeting, to be decided next month, >t is not surprising to note that very fine nominations were reeei'ed. On the other hand it certainly is sur- ' prising that Taranaki horse-owners did not enter their horses move freely, for ' the general trend of opinio!) amongst ibosc who look after racing affairs is that stakes should be reduced and the increased profits donated to the various wai funds. Such .a proposition found ' strong support at the Hawke's Bay J.C. committee meeting last week, thougr it was ultimately defeated. Probably the fact that the Dannevirke meeting is only'a one-day fixture influenced some Taranaki owners. Some of them prefer to let their'horses off lightly on the first day, and after sizing up the opposition, go for the prize: on the second day. It is bad luck for such parties that there was not a day to run "stiff" on! Mr. J. Henrys appears to have set punters many tough propositions at Dannevirke. In the Oranga Handicap (1} miles), Orleans and Goldenlyte head the list with 10.7, at which the former should have most friends. The Summit, docs not read badjy with 9.13, and the handicapper's classification of the once mighty Los Angelos as a "has been" may "not be quite eorreetV Multiplication has earned top-weight in the Spring Handicap (li furlongs), and with Rangitero and Waiorewa, should run nicely. The running at Riccarton may alter our opinions, but Bon Reve appears to bo in a class by himself in the Handicap Hurdles (H miles). Riccarton form j may also affect opinion as regards the merit of the homes engaged in the Dannevirke Steeplechase (21 miles), but Marton appears to ba given a. great chance to score with 10.13. He is quite right again, and is a much improved _ horse since racing at Trentham last month. In the minor events no fault , can be found with the weights awarded to Golden Glade, Martyress, Foeman, | Rio and St. Omer.