SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 January 1917, Page 3

SPORTING.

STRATFORD ANNUAL MEETING.

A SL'CCESSFiUIL OPENING. Glorious summer weather favored the Stratford Racing Club for the opening day of the annual race meeting yesterday. A coo! breeze tempered the .summer's heat, and rarely lias the club's popular gathering been opened under such auspicious eir. nmstanccs. In the latter part of the afternoon the smoke from bush fires partially obscured the runner*., oil the fai side of the course, but the racing' was of a high order, and finishes remarkably close. The. linish for the Douglas Handicap was probably the finest ever witnessed on the Stratford course, at least eight horses crossing the finishing line within heads or necks of each other. Hi. R. 11. Skipwith was in good form at the barrier, though lie had a number of fractious horses, and a greater number of inexperienced jockeys to handle. Mr. J. R. L. Stanford hoisted his decisions promptly, and they gave general satisfaction. The course was in good order, fa=t times being the ordei of the day. The Stratford Cup, one mile and a quarter, was run in 2min ft 4-sscc., and the Douglas Handicap, ix furlongs, in lmin. 15sec.—both fast times for the. course. Winners were hard to pick during the day, Movement being the only actual first favorite to score. Taranaki form was good to follow, Movement, Captain Miro, Madam Rist.ori, Crawford, Veto and White Blaze all running prominently again. Unfortunately, the totalisator arrangements were wretched, though matters improved somewhat during the afternoon. Investments were not correctly registered in seine cases, and the stall' of ■"sellers" were not equal to the rush of buyers. The consequence was that there was an indescribable confusion in the "races" to the machine, and a heap of money was shut out. The club is not in any way to blame for this contretemps, the whole fault lying with the ''imported" totulisator staff. Mr. H. Havi, jiuir., lias bad considerable toinlUator experience, and no doubt things will work better on the second day. The machine put through £21,034 10s, an increase of £274S on the figures for the corresponding day last year. Mr. T. Pringle (Palmerston] North) actef as stipendiary steward, but no oflicia! notice of inquiries (if any) was given to the Press, though in .several instances it appeared as if some of the riders might have been questioned regarding the. handling of their mounts. Possibly the inartistic horsemanship was caused'more by ignorance than by malice, but a word or two here and there might have done a lot of good. The WaugaMii Garrison Band was in attendance, and the music supplied was of a high order. The secretary, Mr. Alt'. Coleman, and 'his assistants kept everything moving smoothly, and did till poessible to eilsure the comfort and enjoyment of patrons. The luncheon, afternoon tea, and publican's booths were eondir.-ted in first-class stvle.

Following are the results:— I TARIKI WELTER HACK HANDICAP, of 125 sovs.; secon.i 15 sovs., and 'third 10 sovs. from tlie stakes. Seven furlongs, 1 iP. Johnson's b m Movement, by Advance—Officer mare, oyrs., 9.5 (O. MeCarten) 1 2 J. Crowley's br g Prince Paul, 4 vrs., 5.7 (Lambess) 2 4 F. Jewell's gr g Iceberg, tivrs., 9.1 (R.-Brown) 3 (Winner trained by owner.) Also started: G Fidelio 9.7 (Ilealy), 7 Silver Webb fl.O (Ward), 8 Draft S.ll (C'opestake), 9 Poka 8.0 (McDonnell), 3 Deeside B_.S (Anderson), 5 Crown Head 8.7 (Monk). From an excellent start Iceberg, Silver Webb and Movement were quickest into their stride, and as they passed the five-furlong post Movement was well clear of Silver W T ebb, Prince Paul, and a bundled lot. Movement showed the way into the straight, followed by Prince Paul and Iceberg, with Fidelio and Deeside handy. Prince Paul challenged the leader at the distance, but Movement- finished the better of the pair and won nicely by a length. Iceberg, who was blocked at the distance, finished fast in third place, a neck away, and Deeside and Poka were almost in line. Time, 1.30. BOROUGH STAKES, of 100 sovs.; second 15 sovs., and third 5 sovs. from the stakes. Five furlongs. 2 H. Spratt's b m Inah, bv Coronet — j lna.ha, 3vr?., 8.0 (0. MeCarten). 1 1 C. Elmer's b .111 Pergola, Syr.s., 8.7 (Monk) 2 4 J. Gryer's b g Fair Paul, oyrs, 8.7 (Lloyd) ' 3 (Wiqner trained by T. Pine.)

Also started: 3 King Shimose 8.7 (Manson), 9 The Gleaner 8.7 (Cordue), 5 Ivurutai 8.7 (R. Brown), 10 Kickapoo 5.7 (Cook), 13 Festoon 8.7 (Bowden), 11 Rifle Fire 8.7 (-Myitis), G Zimmerere 8.7 (C'opestake), 1G Fiyeless 8.7 (Lambess); 8 8.7 (C, Brown), 12 Trombone 8.7 (McDonnell), 7 Rawakore 8.0 (McDonald), 14 Robur 8.0 (Clarke), 15 St. Helea S.O (McGuire). The big field caused a lot of trouble at the post, and when the tapes lifted four horses stood 011 the mark. Trombone and Festoon in particular showing a disinclination to move oft with the others. MeCarten hopped Inah out first, and the Coronet, mare was quickly two lengths clear of Pergola and a strungout field. Inah made every post a. winning one, and scored by two lengths from Pergola, v.ho heat Fair Paul by three-quarters of a length. Then came Rawakore, King Shimose, and Zimmerere. Time, 1.3. STRATFORD CUP HANDICAP (Open), of 500 sovs.; second 75 sovs., and third 25 sovs. from the stakes. One mile and a quarter. 5 F. Selwood's br g Crawford, by St. Paul—Lilly, aged, 8.2 (O. MeCarten) 1 3 J. E. Palmer's b h Analogue. syrs., 7.3, inc. lib. over (C. Monk) ... 2 2 11. S. Wilson's br g Soldier, Gyrs., 7.13 (C. Brown) !! (Winner trained by T. Pino.) Also started: 7 Sunbird 8.11 (Healy), 1 Master Lupin S.O (C'opestake), 4 Paraoa 7.A (Manson), 0 Peroneal .7.4 lAnder.-on), 8 Ratana 7.2 (McDonnell). The field moved oIV in line, Analogue 'fling a hot pace, followed by Peroneal ! Ratana. The trio were bunched in-i the slam', and along the back ..- 1 hers c!cscd up. Tii/.ee f :r'.ongs A ".".loir-f'e: and • sai - p'.'f::'.!r.<:ii'. lint coin'"2 to 1..- v:l 1 .:i tjrouirh the CcM. sr. • '..-.iue v.-" e«ar •t An-Vc:;:.'. "■ '' ! -'y -.veiled

won easily by .a length and a half. Soldier, who was not pushed over the fftial bit, was half-a-dozen lengths away, third, and Ratana, Master Lupin, and Peroneal followed. Time, 2.9 4-5. OHURA HACK HURDLES HANDICAP, of 130 sovs.; second 20 sovs., and third 10 sovs. from the stakes. One mile and three-quarters. 3 W. E. .Jones' eh g Captain Miro, by Captain Webb —Miro, aged, 9.9 A. Ward) 1 4H. Spratt's big St. Kiel, Gyrs., 9,0 (E. C'opestake) 2 1 Hall and Leahy's b g Moulu, svrs., 10.11 (A. Gordon) 3 (Winner trained by P. Johnson.) Also started: 2 Combustion 10.9 (Bowden), 5 Korero 9.0 (Clarke), St. Kiel set the pace, followed by Captain Miro, Korero f Combustion, and Moulu. The order was the same passing tlie stand, where'the leadei struck heavily. At the six-furlong post Moulu had run into third place ,but a faulty jump sent him back. Captain Miro joined St. Kiel before turning for home, and Moulu (under the whip) strove hard to reduce the gap. Captain Miro easily disposed of St. Kiel in the run home, winning by two and a half lengths. Moulu was four lengths away, third, and then came Combustion and Korero. Time, 3.17 3-5. MIDIIIRST HACK HANDICAP, of 175 sovs.; second 25 sovs. and third 10 sovs. from the stakes. Eight furlongs and. a ha-lf.

5 W. .T. Bowman's br <> White Blaze, by Campfire—White May, aged, "&13 (I-lealy) 1 5 F. Selwood's br g Dingle, 4yrs., 7.10 (Anderson) 2 1 R. Hicks' b h Syntax, Gyrs., S.B (O. MeCarten) 3 (Winner trained by W r . Mantle). | Also started: 3 Golden Grafton 9.11 (Clarke), 2 Camp Guard S.B (R. Brown), G Seaport 7.3 (Cook). Dingle sorted himself out from a perfect line, and led White Blaze and Golden Grafton passing tlie stand. The order was the same at the six-furlong post, Syntax being fourth. Before Entering the straight White Blaze ran up to Dingle, and, .coming 011 strongly from the distance, won easily by a couple of legnt'hs. Syntax was a poor third, four lengths away, an<l then came Golden Grafton, Camp Guard, and Seaport. Time, 1.50 3-0. DOUGLAS HACK HANDICAP (Open), of 250 sovs.; second 30 sovs., and third 20 sovs. from the stakes. Six furlongs. 2 M. Franklin's eh m Veto, by Coronet—St. Clements mare, syrs., 8.5 (Anderson) 1 G O. Cox's br g Zetes, aged, B.G (Lambess) 2 3 A. W r . Ogle's b g Astor, <3yrs., 9.2 (R. Brown) 3 (Winner trained by R. Brough.)

Also started: 1 Tree. Lucerne 9.3 (MeCarten), 4 Kauri King 5.5 (C. Brown), 8 Tirana S.l (C. Monk), 7 Bivouac 7.8 (Manson), 5 Revocation 7.2, inc. 21b. over (Lloyd), 9 Simple Sam 7.0 (McDonnell). Tree Lucerne's colors were prominent from an even start, but- the chestnut was soon headed by Bivouac and Veto. The field ran, in a bunch to the turn, where Tree Lucerne, Astor, Veto and Bivouac were all flattering their supporters. A slashing race home saw Veto, Zetes and Astor cross the line in the order named, heads apart, Tres Lucerne was a neck away, and Kauri ICing, Bivouac and Revocation were abreast. It was the finest finish of the day. Time, 1.15. FARMERS' 'PLATE, of 100 sovs.; second horse I's sovs., and third 5 sovs. from the stakes. Eight furlongs and a half. G A. Grove's eh m Waioture, by Ahri —Miss Beckwith, 'Gyrs., 11.0 (Mr. 'Davy) 1 2 W. Hookham's 'br g Normanby, 5 yrs., 11.0 (Mr. Brewer) 2 3 11. Weston's br g Cordon, 6yr.s, 11.0 (Dr. Paget) 3 (Winner trained by B. T. Bennett.)

Also started: 1 Interval 11.0 (Mr. Vivian), 13 Sportronas 11.0 (Mr. Barry), 7 Mahopoto 11,0 (Mr. Cathro), 10 Bnivo 11.0 (Mr. W r ebb), 12 Gravel 11.0 (Mr. Wade), 5 Compel 11.0 (Mr. Fowler), 4 Merry Paul 11.0 (Mr. Crook),'l4 Slipshot 11.0 (Mr. Periett), 0 Zinimerera 11.0 (Mr. Appleyard), 15 King Simon 11.0 (Mr. Anstis), 11 The Mystery ILO (Mr. Shields).

With the exception of Maliipoto, wilio refused to hop out smartly, the. field moved off in line. Cordon led past the stand from KingvSimon and a strungout field. King Simon showed the way to Waioture along the hack, but the latter wrs in front at the turn, with Kormanby coming fast. Waioture forged ahead at the distance, and von by two lengths from Normanby, who beat Cordon by four lengths. Time, 1.54. RAILWAY HACK HANDICAP, of 150 sovs., second 20 sovs., ami third 10 sovs. from the stakes. Six furlongs. 3 J. McKean's b m Madam Ristori, by Marble Arch—Ristori, 4yrs,, 7.9 (McDonnell) 1 1 W. .T. Lile's b m Cora Ora, 4yrs., 7.9 (Clarke) 2 1 M. Mills' b g Sylviaroa, 4yrs., 7.11 (Anderson) 3 (Winner trained by P. Johnson.) -Also started: 4i Trickery 7.11 (}'"-Donii'i'l), 7 Shandon Bells 7.2 (Manson), G Zimic-lo 7.2 (Monk). Madam Ristori dashed off in fronfcj P.ntl won by a length and a half from Cora Ora, who was similar distance i.i front of Sylviaroa'. Zimicle was fourth, and Shandon Bells, who got a'.vav badly, finished next. Time, 1,16 S-5,

TO-DAY'S ACCEPTANCES. MAKURI HURDLES, one mile and a half.—Captain Miro 10.12, Combustion 10.9, Moulu 10.0, St. Kiel 0.10. COUNTY HACK HANDICAP, six furlongs.—Bivouac 9.0, Starengo 8.6, Clavis 8.4, Volo 5.2, Hiero 8.2, Fidelio 8.1, Sylviaroa 7.12, Pergola 7.12, Bay Prince 7.0, Shandon Bells 7.3, Starforte 7.0, Marina 7.0. STRATIIMORE HACK HANDICAP, five furlongs.—Movement 0.0, .Silver W'ebl) -S.lfl, Inaii 8.2, Hiero 5.2, Trickery 7.12, Poka 7.10, Maymorn 7.7. MALONE MEMORIAL, eight furlong's and a half. —Sunbird 8.9, Master Lupin 5.7, Vko 8.2, Soldier 7.13, Zetes 7.12, Antwerp 7.12, Paraoa 7.11, Analogue 7.9, Golden Grafton 7.8, 'Peroneal 7.7, Flying Camp 7.5, Ratana 7.0. TOKO WELTER, eight furlongs and a half. —Paraoa 10.8, White Blaze 10.8, Syntax 9.8, Dingle 8.12, Waiotura 8.7, Iceberg 5.5, Prince Paul 8.5. NGAERE HANDICAP, six furlongs.— Tree Lucerne 5.12, Astor 8.12, Zetes 8.9, Kauri King 8.0, Tirana 7.7, Bivouac 7.5, Simple Sam (i.7. LADIES' PURSE, seven furlongs.— Royal Park 11.9, Nonnanby 11.7, Interval 11.0, Cordon 11.4, Cornice 11.2, Compel 11.0, Mahipoto 11.0, King Simon 11.0, Huzza 11.0, Bravo, Whakamoa, Paul Moore, Crown Head, Slipshot, Merry Paul and The .Mystery 10.10.