SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 March 1917, Page 8

SPORTING.

OPUNAKI RACING CLUB, ANNUAL MEETING. A RECORD GATHERING. For many year,; past the annual race meeting hc!4 under the auspices of the Opunaki Racing Club at Pihama has been regarded as one of the most popular racing fixtures in Taranaki, the pleasant, drive from any part of tlio province.causing it to.be regarded somewhat in 1 the nature of a country picnic. Motor cars have still further popularised the gathering, with the result that on Saturday there was a record attendance, visitors being present from as far away as Wanganui and Ohura. The takings at the gate were between £ GO and £7O better than any previous year. Speculation also was very brisk, the sum of £19,055 being put through the totalisator, as against £10,006 the previous' year. Over £3OOO was put through the machine on tho last race, which is easily a record. The sport provided .was good, fields in tho majority of instances being satisfactory, a tribute to the handicapping of Mr. Geo. Morse. Though there were one or two troublesome horses at the barrier, Mr. A. Morse dispatched his fields well. The judge, Mr, W. V. Young, gave liis derisions promptly and correctly. Mr. B. H. Chaney also occupied the judge's box. The course was in good" order, though on the hard side. The arrangements ipr the meeting were complete, the capable secretary, Mr. 'P. S. Riley, having attended to every detail of organisation. He also had a capable and courteous sot of officials; The committee have effected several improvements during the year, including the enlargement of 'the totalisator and of tlio publican's booth. Next year it fa intended to effect further improvements, so that in a year or two the club should have one of the best appointed courses in Taranaki. Stipendiary Steward Paterson was present. W. Young, the rider of Dee-' side, the winner of the Welter, ava* fined £5 for crossing. Senior Sergeant Bowden; Detective Siddells, and a. staff of policemen, as well as Racecourse Detective Kraetzer, .were present, but found very little to do, the crowd being very orderly. The Kaponga Brass Band provided a splend'd programme of music,j Trlrjch frequently evoked applause. The following are the detailed results:— ' HANDICAP HURDLES, of .130 sots.,' eccond horse to receive 20 sots, and third 10 sovs. from the stake. One mile and a-half. 1 Mr. P. Johnson's cli g Simple Sam, aged, St. Paul—Foulshot mare, 10.9 (A. McDonald) j' 5 Mr. C. H. Washer's eh m Nita, aged, 9.5 (L. Graham) ...-: 2 £ Mr. G. Lupton's bile g Camp Guard, 1 aged. 10.11 (G. Lupton) 3 Also started: 2 Ascalon 10.9, 3 Waioture 9.2, 7 King Simon 9.0, 0 Zimmerere 9.0. (Winner trained by owner). Sylvandalc was the only withdrawal. Simple Sam was made a hot favorite. After a little trouble at the barrier Ascalon was momentarily promiment from a good send-off. Camp Guard and Simple Sam soon drew up and the trio jumped the first hurdle ia line, with Waioturi next, and then Nita some distance back. Camp Guard held a slight load round the back where Simple Sam took command, Entering the straight Simple increased liis lead and Camp Guard dropped back. Nita coming strain mowd into second place. Simple Sam won easily .'by five lengths. Camp Guard, who got up in time to heat Ascalon by half a length, was five lengths further tuck. Time, 2min 49 4-ssec, MAIDEN PLATE, of 100 sovs., second horse to receive 15 sovs. and third horse 10 sovs. from stakes, Seven furlongs. 4 Mr. E. J. Fearon's eh m Gipsy Gem, 4 rnrs, St Paul—Roma, 8.11 (L. Noddcr) 1 2 McDonald Bros.' br g Trombone, 4 years, 8.11 (C. 'Prise) 2 5 Mr. C. G. Ay ton's br g Cordon, 0 years, 8.12 (K. McDonald; 3 Also started: 14 Simple Bob 10.9, including 251bs over (F. Rowlands), 1 Luke Eel 8.12 (O. MoCarten)|f*7 The Ranch 8.12 (A. McDonald), 10 Princess Lucv 8.12 (Cordue), 3 Interval 8.1-2 (H. Young), 15 Wee Paul 8.12 (Cathro), 10 Laura 8.12, (A. B. Clark), 9 Compel 8.11 ■(W.. Pr'-o), 10 Monument. 8.11 (W. Young)', 6 Lady Ora 8,11 (R. E. Brown). 10 Waiteaka 5.3 (A. Rowlands), 12 Tiranga 8.12, including 91b over (E. Copestake), 13 White Ranger S.O, including fllb over {Miles), 3 Lady Boauford 8.0 (F. Cook). . (Winner trained by H. Noddcr), There were •seven'scratching*. Lake Eel was made the popular fancy. Simple Bob caused considmb'.c trouble at the barrier, but finally the field were despatched to an even start, Gipsy Gem was the first to become prominent, and nmmtinihg the lead' throughout won by a length from Trombone, who came with a burst in the straight, beating Cordon by half a length. Interval wa's fourth. Time, lmin 3 61-ssec. FLYING HANDICAP, of 140 sovs., second horse 20 sovs. and third horse 10 sovs. from the stakes. Six furlongs. 3 Mr. J. M. Currms km. Munition, 3 yeare. by Sylvia Park—Tottie, 5.9 (R. E. Brown) 1 2 Mr. W. C. 'Philips' br m Fidelio, 4 years, 7.13 (W. Price) 2 1 Mr. F. Sehvood's br g Dingle, 4 , years, 9.4 (C. Price) '... '3 Also started: 4 Bay Prince 7.0 (H, Young). (Winner trainer! by D. -J Goodwin.) Revocation, King S;> >sc and Trombone were scratched. Munition was first to show out, followed by Bay Prime and Fidelio, with

tlie favorite, Dingle, last. This was the order to the turn, where Bay Prince dropped hack. Munition, maintaining the ],eftd, won by a length from Fidelio, who beat Dingle by three lengths. Time, tain 16 l-iJsro, OPUXAKF. R.C. HANDICAP (open), of 200 sovs., second horse 40 sovs., and third horse 15 sovs. from the stakes. One mile and a-quarter, 1 Estate late J. Davidson's br g Hushman, 4 years, Husbandman—■ Generosity, 7.12 (Cordue) 1 2 Mr. 0. Cox's br g Zetes, aged, 7.13 (W. Price) 2 4 Mr. CI. 11. Gibson 1 .-, eh g Henry Olay, 7.7, including' Sib over 3 Also started: 3 Crawford 9.0 (C. Price), Draft 0.13, including f>lb over (A. McDonald). (Winner trained by J. G. All carded started, Hushman Hieing made favorite. Hushman .was first to show out, followed by Zetes and Henry Clay, the last-named shortly afterwards giving place ,to Draft. Passing the stand the order was: Hushman, Zetes, Draft, Crawford, Henry Clay. At the back Henry Clay moved up" into third position, there was no alteration to the finish, Hushman winning easily by two lengths, with Henry Clav "eight lengths further back. Crawford was fourth. Time, 2min 9sec.

ELEC.TEIC STATCKS. 100 sovs., second horse 15 sovs. and third horse 5 sovs. (Weight, 8.0). Five furlongs. 1 Mr. I-I. Spratt's b m Inah, 3 years, by Coronet—lnaha. (C. Price)' 1 4 Mr. E. J. Fearon's ch m Gipsy Gem, 21b over (L. Jfodder) .'.....' .' o 2 Mr, W. James' br g King's Armor (W. Price) ,

Also started: S Festoon (W. Youn") iWßoyal Divorce (K. McDonald) ° 7 Staccato (R. E. Brown), r, Otonga (0 McCarten), 10 Larvol (A. Foreman) 3 'Pergola H, Young), 9 Caesar's Son (Cordue), 13 Merry Paul (P. Healy), 0 Key (Cathro), 12 Kittogue (A. B. Clark) (Winner trained by T. Pine). There .were ten withdrawals. Inah was made a warm favorite. Staccato and Otonga delayed the start. Inali was first to show out, followed by Royal Divorce, King's Armor Iving fourth At the back Royal Div.oree fell back, Kin«'s Armor moving to second place. Inlh improved her position and won by three lengths from Gipsy Gem, who was half a- head m front of King's Armor. Pergola was fourth. Time,, lmin 3see. WELTER HANDICAP, of 150 sovs second horse 30 sovs. and third horse 10 sovs from the stake. Seven lunongs. 2 Mr. W. Slavery's b g Deeside, 5 years, by Cheshire—Vanila, 9.5 (\V. Young) .

1 Mr. P. Johnson's b m Movement' 9.9, 5 years (C.,' Price) ... <i ■1 Mr. H. Eva's eh m Shaudon BeilV, "•7» o years (W. Price) 3 Also started: 5 Union Jack 8.10 (E CVpestake) 0 Interval 8,9 (H. Young)! Compel 8.7 (Cathro), 4 Poka 8.7 (O Mcuarten). l '

(Winner trained by R. Brou»h) Deeside was first to show" out, folowed by Movement, -who was made a cd-hot _ favorite, , and Shandou Bells, that oroer being maintained to the fin!; I=., Deemde winning by a length, the thud horse being two. lengths away Compel was fourth. Time, lmin 29 4*5 sec, ' * . PRESIDENT'S HANDICAP, of 150 .ov second horse 30 sovs. and third 10 sovs. from the stake. One mile. 2 Mr. lV Jewell's g g Iceberg, 0 years Coronet—Snowflake, 8.10 (Re' Brown) ' , i J Ul '' C- o ?', Aj ; to,l ' s l>r S Cordon" 6 J ears, 8.0, including IKb over (Mc- ' Donald) _ g 3 Mr. J. Kovluski's b g Clavis "3 years, 7.0 (H. Young)' 3 Also started: 1 Revocation 9.G (W Young). (Winner trained by C. Jackson). The scratching pen was busy in this race', there being seven defections. Revocation was the heaviest backed horse with Iceberg the ne \i, A good start sa.w Iceberg and Revocation prominent, Clavis lying last. After a furlong Revocation went to the front, with Iceberg lying handy. Clavis improved his position and the three leaders raced round the back neck and neck. Iceberg entered the straight in the van. Here Cordon came with a rattle, and, amidst great excitement, got to within a length of the leader, Clavis being a similar distance behind, and defeated Revocation for third money by half a length, Time, lmin 254-ssoc.'. Had Cordon won he ivould have paid out the biggest dividend of the dav.

FAREWELL HANDICAP, of 130 sovs; second horse to receive 20 sovs, and third lior-:e 10 sovs from the stakes, Five furlongs, 2 Mr. \ 3 . Spratt's km. Inah, 3 yours, by Coronet—lnaha, 5.7 (inc. .141b penalty I (C. Price) ■] G.Mr. C, Elmer's km. Pergola, 5 years, 8,1 f/H, Young) % 3 Mr. J. Casserloy's b.g, Revocation, 5 years, 0.9 (V\. Young) 3 Also' started: o Movement 9.0 (McCarten), 4 Fidelio 8,1 (L. Nodder., 1 King SliitnoH' 7.13 (W. Pjve, l , ; Key 1. 9 (inc. 71b ov), Cathro, Winner trained by T, Pine. There were scoral scratching!!. "lung Sliiiuose and Inah were almost evenly supported. Revocation, wlio was also in trong demand, was the first to show out, only to the displaced by King Shimosc, who was also -'lisplaeed by Inah. Rounding the bond Inah Increased her cad and was never displaced, winning by three length? from Pergola, who was a similar distance in front of Revocation. King Sh-lniosc was fourth, lime, imm 2 3-ssec,

OHINEMUIU J.C, MEETING, By Teleoraph.—Press Association. Paeroa, Mar.-h 17. The first day of tlio Oh nenr.iri Jockey Club's meeting \v;',s held in fine weather and there was a record attendance. Results:— MAIDEN HANDICAP.—Lady Paula I, Mpndpn a. All Tail; 3. Scratched: Bozivtar, Sleepy Jack, Time', limn 4 1-5 -ee. Also started: Velma, Ethros, 'Ka,ni:i, Lodge Star. ' XETHERTON WELTER;—Pcndoon 1, (.'orrogidor 2, Soulthie 3. Time, lniin 'S l-s»ec. tjAJJDICAP lIUttDLES.-Glendalough Yankee Doodle i, Paramahone 3. no, gniin i\ 1-osec. aARAAYIABAKE' HANDICAP-Ring ::)in }',. Brown Loch g, Excavator 3. !10, }l)li() 2 lnjsop, lIIXEiHURI J, Fi■ala 2, Bedford 3. Tinio, gniin - ee. , 'MATA HACK.-Uncle Ned 1, Bez- >. Sip Halph 3, . KrU'LIiCHASE.-Pip 1, . Captain -It i, Slain 3, Time, omin 2s l-asog,