SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 November 1916, Page 8

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. Nov. 4, B.—Auckland R.C. Spring. Nov. 4, 0, 8, 11.—Canterbury J.O. Metropolitan. Nov. 22.—Aslihurst R.C. Annual. K T ov. 25, 2D—Takapuna J.C. Spring. Nov 29, 30.—Feilding J.C. Spring. CHRISTRCHURCII SCRATCHINGS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, Yesterday. The following scratching'are notified: For the Spring Plate, Pourparler; Stewards' Handicap, Hesitate (?Tete-p.-Tete); New Zealand Cup, Balboa and Marco Bello. ; TURF TOPICS (By "Moturoa.") To-day is New Zealand Cup day, and the eyes of the sporting world of the Dominion (and of a large section of the New Zealanders fighting abroad) will be centred on Riccarton. To-day's Cup has filled well, no less than eighteen horses being fully paid up for, anil m point of quality as well of numbers this year's premier long distance handicap is well up to the average. During the past few months favoritism has played battledore and shuttlecock between many horses, and the Bar Aons have reaped their usual harvest, but now the race is boiled down to practically certain starters, and the game is started in earnest. Unfortunately, Taranaki does not claim a single representative in today's race, a matter to be regretted, particularly by those who remember the past distinction earned by our horses in the Cup. Waiuku, Star Rose, Paritntu, and Sir Prize did well in their day, but the stamina of Taranaki horses has seriously declined since then, and practically we have no "distance" horse in the province. The racing clubs nowadays do not cater for useful horses, as is evidenced by the" fact that there is only one flat race of more than a mile and a quarter to be run for in the season here. The solution is evident.

The following are the likely starters and their riders in the New Zealand Cup:-Balboa, 0.2 (J. O'Shea); Merry Roe, 8.9 (R. Hatch); Indigo, 8.3 (L. Wilson); Marc Antony, 8.2 (C. Emerson); Multiply, S.O (A. Oliver); Rorke's Drift, F-13 (W. Robinson); Snub, 712 (L. H Hewitt); Mullingar, 7.11 (]}. Deeley)-' ■lohn Barleycorn, 7.7 (W. Bell); Ri'nc*. form, 7.5 (J. Olsen); Marco Bello, 7?3 ( ); Ardenvhor, 7.3 (H. Young); Fiery Cross, 7.3 (N. Shore); Montana, 7-2 ( ) ; Rose Pink, 7.0 IC. Reed); Sedd-ul Bahr, 0.12 (G. Clarke); Toki, 0.12 (E. Lowe); Ladify, 0.7 (T. Lowry). Favoritism for the Cup is only a matter of environment, Aucklan'ders being divided between the merits of Merry Roe and Mullingar; Wellin°--tonians voting Balboa a "moral"; and southerners prefer the chances of Fiery Cross, Snub and Marc Antony. Balboa lias a solid impost in 9.2, and there are many who point to the fact that the Cup has never been won with more than 5.9. Against that argument may be-quoted that Nelson (9.10), Euroc'lvdon (9 5) Wairiki (9.2), Achilles (9.G), and Los Angelos (9.3), all "knocked at the door," and after all records are being broken every day. This scribe is prepared to see Balboa run a great race. He won the Auckland Cup with 8.5, and judging by the way lie galloped over the°op° position in the Hawke's Bay Spring Stakes recently with 9.7 in the saddle must be as well as ever he was. Merry Roe, who gave Taranaki sportsmen a taste of her quality at the Egmont Cup meeting, must also run well. She scored a meritorious victory under :).12 in the Wainui Handicap (one mile; at Trentham the other day, and if properly wound up might be going as fast as anything at the finish. Should rain fall prior to the meeting her chance will be much enhanced. Indigo appeared backward at Trentham, and Marc Antony also shaped disappointingly there. Multiply is said to be lame'in front, and Rorke's Drift's recent form has not been up to that of last season. Snub and Mullingar have more to recommend them, and the latter will lose nothing by having Deeley in the saddle. John Barleycorn and Ringform are all right in their own class at Duncdin and in the extreme south, but even with midgets up their chances do not dazzle. J. Olnen, who rides Ringform, could only get down to 7.9 at Trentham, so the chestnut may have to carry a few pounds over. Fiery Cross reads best on paper of the lightweights, but his jockey is not a fashionable one, though smart enough in sprints. Much may happen in a two mile race, and a cool head is wanted more than anywhere (outside a "twonp" school). When the totalisator bolls stop ringing to-day the chane-"? are that Balboa will be favorite, and those most likely to upset him may be Snub, Mullingar or Merry Roe.

The Stewards' Handicap will draw a magnificent field, tho only defections on Wednesday night being a few of the little fancied lightweights. The "heads" say Chortle can win with 9.5, and they may not be far wrong, though Bimeter, Chakwana, Egypt, and Findhorn have only to got away well to make it an interesting race. Vladimir won the race with 9.0. and Penates and Equitas both carried S.lO to victory. If Chortle succeeds he will cap the lot, and few better horses ever stepped out ever that ''straight six" at Riccarton. Nothing but Colonel Soult is in the air for the City Handicap at F.llevslie to-day. With a smal field the Auckland crack is not likely to meet with interference, and possibly 9st. may not stop him. Bisogne (8.0) looks the most likely one to get the big pencillers out of trouble. Taranaki horses arc spread about today. Rewi Poto, who reached Riccarton on Tuesday, will cavrv local money in the Riccarton Weltei, while Astor nntl Roval Chef (who were sent North on Tuesday 'evening) will command support in minor events at Ellevslie.' C. Jackson does not have much success as a rule at Ellorslie, and he might easily have picked up something softer nearer home. Deviation and filadful are said to be as fit as anything engaged in the smaller events at Riccarton. Tragedy King will have n, big following in the Onenunga Stepeleehase, and Kitty Bellairs and Bisogne (if reserved for the Flying), will not want for backers. The Melbourne Cup comc3 up for decision on Tuesday. Amongst the numerous acceptors are Kilboy, SasanofF, and Bee. Kilboy is a hot favorite for the Victoria Derby to-day. Weights for the' Ashhurst meeting are. due on Monday. Jockster AY. Price will ride Bjorneborg and Bagdad in their Auckland engagements, both horses being much fancied candidates. The Canterbury Metropolitan meeting will be continued on Mondav, Wednesday and Saturday, The Auckland meeting concludes on Wednesday, '"i."..