SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 December 1916, Page 8

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. "• ' Dec. 26, 27—Taranaki J.C. Christmas. Dee. 20, 27, 29—Manawatu R.C. Summer. Dec. 2U, 29, Jan. 1, 2—Auckland R.C. Summer. Jan. 1, 2—Stratford R.C. Annual. Jan. 1, 2—Marton J. C. Summer, Jan. 1, •>—Hawke's Bay J.C. Summer. THE VILLIER^STAKES. Australian-N.Z. Cable Association. Received Dec. 23, 5.5 p.m. Sydney, Dec. 23. The Villiers' Stakes resulted: —Wedding Day 1, Royal Laddie 2, Trinobantes 3. Won by a length. Time, 1.38J

TURF TOPICS. (By "Motnroa.") Before breaking into his stride "Motul'oa' w,'.uld like to heartily reciprocate the many good wishes tendered by fraternal sportsmen, both in Taranaki and abroad. Under all sorts of circumstances —grim war not excepted—sportsmen generally come to light with a cheery greeting, if not a warm handshake, at this festive season. Some of the messages from Egypt and France are particularly cheerful. One good sport writes: "A happy Boxing Day, and may you back the card!" And another: "Good hick, and ma}' you always back a trier!" To these brave lads at the front our first thoughts should go, and it. is at times like this that we should ask ourselves if we have treated them fairiy. Have we neglected to write, or* send a paper, or some such thing? Things easily done are easily overlooked. On Tuesday racing will break out in a dozen places in New Zealand. The Taranaki meeting promises to supply ample sport for Taranaki-ites, but apart from that considerable interest will be taken in the racing at Ellerslie, Awapuni and other centres. Acceptances arc good all round, and racing promises to be firstclass. Already, accommodation is overtaxed in New Plymouth, big contingents coming from Wanganui and other down-tlic-line towns. The presence of so many soldier 'yovs on leave will add a martial air to the gatherings, and attendances (should be record ones everywhere. The question that has exercised the minds of sporting scribes for some time past liai been, "Where should the stipendiary stswa'rd place himself during the ruuning of a race?" The question has novi.r been satisfactorily settled, but one thing all agree about, and that is that the "stipe's" place is NOT in the Stewards' stand. The "stipe" is there to see that no dirty work goes on, and lie would be a very daring rider who would reserve bis effort in this direction until he gets within cooee of the judge's box. The honorary stewards may be relied upon to notice things there. Where the paid steward should be stationed is either at the homo turn or at the starting post, for it is at these places in particular that races are won or lost. The houie turn is the favorite place for a cros/ or a bump, or equally useful for stuflii/g a non-trier in behind a tiring neddy. At the barrier, too, it is astounding the way cheeky youths ride rough shod over the official -tarter. Horses arc knocked about aa much as possible, so that they will not do their best, and you can generally pick whether you are 011 a trier or not by the way the jockey goes about the all-important business of starting. No wonder an exasperated starter yelled to a particularly troublesome field: 'Here. Any of you chaps who are triers jus-t line up here." Another scribe suggests that the triers should be put in the front row, and the "stoomers" can fall in behind.

The Stratford annual meeting taker, place on January 1 and i, and all Taranaki, together with a big sprinkling of Haivera-to-Wanganui sports, promise to be theri. The trip from Wanganui is a very tiresome one, and tS add insult to injury the Railway Department continues to unload racecourse patrons at the Stratford railway station instead of at the course. The consequence is that everybody has to scramble for a car, or such like conveyance, and the less fortunate ones have to "foot it" to the course—a dusty mile walk. At Hawera they land you on the course, at Wavericy sinii'ar action is adopted, and. there is r.o reason why Stratford should not treat its visitors just as reasonably. TH3 TAP.ANAKI .MEETING.

There is just about as much need to remark that the world is round (with an occasional bump for the fellow whose luck is out) as to start to remind Taranaki sporting "fans" that the above meeting takes place in New Plymouth today and to-morrow. The gathering has befn well advertised in these columns, and not only have provincial punters got the winners all "sorted," but visitors from as far south as Wanganui have hastened to the spot, attracted probably by the apparent "dry goods" to be served up. Saturday's and Monday's trains brought great crowds, and further reinforcements are due this morning from all part.i of the province. With fine weather, fine fields and fine racing, there could be no better holiday attraction. .'fudging by to-day's acceptances good fields should'line up for the majority of cv.yits at the meeting. The "open" division might 1 be stronger, btit possibly "fresh blood" introduced on the second .'lav. Zola and Sunbird may run well in the distance handicaps, and Veto and Zete? in the sprints. The hurdlers eng-iged arc a fair lot, and include The Golfer and Delage. As usual, the hacks have rolled up in good numbers, and amongst the number are speedy ones likt Analogue. Starengo, Antwerp, Munition, Fidelio and Hiero, who should all run well in their engagements. THi: AUCKLAND MEETING. The apovo, gathering promises to bring together the finest array of equines seen E.ilrr.slif course for many a long day, and some stirring battles may be anticipated when Desert Gold, Sasanof. Kilboy, The Toff, Chortle, Egypt, and the best of the two-year-olds meet. The

principal weight-for-age events, the Islington Plate, Derby, Auckland Plate, ami ltoy.il Stakes are therefore all brimful of interest. In addition, interest centres on the running of The Toff, Chortle, and Depredation in the Auckland and in the meeting between Bisogne, King Lupin, and Koesian in the Railway Handicap. The best of the two-year-olds engaged at the gathering appear to be Sinionides, Biplane, and Hymcstra. and amongst the lesser lights Chclonia, Ayah, Thurnham. Fabriquette. Tenacious. (Jlenroy, and Cleft may all sh.vv up during the four days' racing. A memorable gathering this!

liic Manawatu H.C. summer meeti:--i opens to-dav, will be continued on Wednesday. and concluded on Friday. Today's fields- are large. The Cup has at- [ tracted fifteen, but Taringamutu has since been withdrawn. Indigo appears to be the most "elassy" of the lot. though danger may threaten from the liahivoights Client and Bronk Delaval. The Fitzherbert Handicap will be contested by Astor—and others! Nicomar, I'ohelie, f-weet Tipperarv, and Ararat are mentioned as horses likely to show up at the meeting. Trainer R. Johnson has paid up for his team at Marton. and therefore •Tewipoto. Hinetoa, and Record Breaker are not likely to sport silk at Stratford. Zola is reported to have broken a blood vessel recently wfyile galloping at Waijrani'.i, but the trouble is not considered serious.

There will be some Very sore horses racing at the holiday meetings. Down the line trainers have been praying for rain, but the tracks remain like flint, and "the prayers of the wicked," etc. Talk about luck- Many 'a chap who has patronised "Tatts." for years without drawing a prize has had the luck to get "landed" in "Jimmy" Allen's ballot at the fi'.st try-

Mnster Lupin has been galloping well lately, and is a Wanganui favorite for the Stratford Cup. Turangapito, in the same stable, lias contracted a severe colcl, and is an unlikely starter at Stratford.

Mr. Chis. Patterson will probably act as stipendiary steward at the Taranaki and Stratford meetings. Mitniaroa lias been paid up for in both the Stratford and Wairarapa Cups, run on New Year's Dav. .

'/here are excellent train arrangements for the Stratford meeting, visitors from Nev Plymouth down to Wanganui bo'.ng enabled to leave home and return on either day. A record attendance is anticipated. 'I lie attention of Jiorse-owners and trainers is directed to the programmes for the Ti'gmont li.C. summer meeting, which takes place 011 January 31 and February 1, and the Taranaki J.C. autumn meeting, which comes on the following week. Generout stakes are offered at both gatherings, and the programmes arc well wortl» perusal.

' It is an offence now to administer whisky i". a horse prior to a race, a fact which trainers should not overlook. Stewards, both paid and honorary, do not conic under the "dope" laws!