SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 August 1916, Page 8

SPORTING.

KACING FIXTURES^ August 10—Canterbury Grand National. August 23—Dannerirkc R.C. Steeples. August 20—Pakuvanga T-lunt Club. August 30—Manawatu Hunt' Club. August 31—North Taranaki Hunt Club. September o—Marton j.C. Spring, TIM DOOLAN. Australian-N.Z. Cable Association. Keccii'ed August 18, !) p.m. Sydney, August 17. Tim Doolan, the steeplechaser, is returning to New Zealand. t TUBF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") Concluding day at liiecarton, The Dannevirke meeting takes place on Wednesday. Crown Pearl went lame on the eve of tile National.

Weights for the Xorth Taranaki Hunt meeting are due about Wednesday, -Most people are wondering what weight Lord MiTltifid will get in the Waihi Hack Handicap. Regio, from Te Kuiti,-and Royal Loop, from Etlerslie, are the only outsiders engaged at the Taranaki Hunt meeting. KoyQl Loop is n. full-brother to that consistent performer' Coleraine, and is trained by ,J. Williamson.

Mr. PL Russell has Korero engaged l'.ere. 'lie is by Waikaranga—Katikara, I am told, and is therefore a full brother to Tarero.

Mr. .1. George's contributions to the Hunt Club entries are Royal Red '(King Kut'us—St, Ada), and lverung (Elevation Eduam).

The bay mare Crimea (Cordon Kouge —Linkshot) will in future race as Key. Whether ''Pill-builder" Ogle has found the key to winning races with the inarc is not known!

As regards the Jumpers' Flat Race and the Grand National Hurdles, ''form" was proved to be absolutely true, Art narrowly defeating Master Kegel in both events, and the pair of them making the rest of'the field look poor "cattle."

For some unaccountable reason the public made a change in their selections at the last moment for the two Nationals, Idealism and Koova being the eleventh hour favorites, idealism could only finish fourth, while Kooya was in hei worst humor, and unkindly stood at the post. When tile news filtered through on Thursday morning that Crown Pearl had been withdrawn from the National Hurdles there was consternation in the local camp, hut it was nothing to the debacle when Wanganui-ites found out that the local "can't lose," Lconta," had failed to run 1, 2, or 3. Pyjama was an odds-on order for the Woolston Plate on Thursday, but the Martian-Bloomer gelding just scrambled home by the narrowest of margins. Pyjama "pants" terribly at the end of six furlongs! If ever a horse deserved to win a race it was Queen's Post, and her party are to be congratulated on landing suc-h a good stake as that attached to the Beaufort Steeples. Last season the King's (iue»t mare filled a place on six occasions, but failed to win. She ran seconds to Tarero and Austin at Bulls, second to Tararu Jack at l'eilding, mid second to Bravest in the Napier Park Steeples.

Gold Soult and Seadown, both of which were badly interfered with in the Winter Cup, scored comfortably on Thursday. Seadown paid a handsome price, and Gold Soult also rewarded backers with p nice dividend.

The two best prices of the day wore those paid by King Star (Martian— Rosiphcle) and Traditor (tannic Cliicl — Betrayer). Both showed fair form last season, but on Thursday not one in twenty-live on the course could have backed them.

.Sir Solo's forward running in the Grand National Hurdles was 11 distinct improvement on anything shown in publie by the Sir Laddo horse, but judging by the way some of the "hard heads" coupled him with Wainmi, Braeburn and Idealism 'lie must have shown them something extra good. Art, by Sarto—-Mist, was only started eleven times last season, finishing up with a good record of four firsts and two seconds. 'He won the Hurdles and the Styx Hurdles at last year's Grand National meeting; the Suburban Hurdles at the New Zealand Cup meeting; and the Pfcerswick Hurdles at the Canterbury J.C. autumn meeting. It is another case of ''horses for courses,'' and Riccarton is certainly Art's "happy hunting ground." Dannevirke acceptances are. very numerous throughout—the. best yet, 1 should say. In the Dannevirke Steeples (i'/n miles) appear M'irokino aiid Marton; and the Spring Handicap (G furlongs) Multiplication and Montana. The Otnnga Handicap (l'/i miles) has closed with an acceptance of fourteen, including Orleans, Bon Revo, and The Summit. Bon Revo is also engaged in the Hurdles. In the minor events are nicely treated ones like Martvrsss, Koriranga, .Hylami, and Bairnsdale. No less than *2S figure in the Trial Stakes. The meeting takes place 011 Wednesday next. Los Angelos has been paid up for in his Dannevirke engagements. There does not seem much hope for the old fellow, though the soft tracks may help him slightly. Mr. W. K. Jones has purchased the hurdler Captain Miro outright, and the chestnut son of Captain Webb —Miro will in future race in that owner's interests.

The acceptances for the concluding day at Riecarton are larger than ever, and good racing should ensue. Braeburn,"who was not produced on Thursday, may start favorite in the Lincoln Steeplechase, though Queen's iPost appears very leniently treated. Master Regal and Art outstayed the opposition in "th? National Hurdles, hut over the slitter distance to-day Pursefiller and Leonta may give them all they want. Sleight of Hand has only to start in the Styx Hurdles to be a very warm order.

Rorke's Drift finished just outside the placed division on Thursday, and may do oven better in the Heathcote Handicap to-day. ])crby Day and Yes have been running prominently during the meeting, and their chances in the Sclwyn Handicap will occasion spirited wagering. Nita, on her first (lay's form, is leniently treated in the Aylesbury Steeplechase, and the same remark applies to Prenez Garde.