SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 May 1917, Page 8

SPORTING.

EfiMONT WINTER MEETING. A final reminder is given to horse owners and trainers that acceptances for first day's events at the Egmont Racing Clubs winter meeting close to-night at 9 p.m. Tiip entries received were very fine, and now that the normal railway eervice, will probably be resumed the acceptances should be equally satisfactory. Horse o\vne.rs are not likely to get many opportunities to race their horses Hext season, so every chance should be taken The Hawera course is in excellent condition, and with the starting in the capable hands of Mr. Clias. O'Connor nothing is wanting to make the gathering a success.

TURF TOPICS.

(By "Moturoa.")

The Pla—ke's Bay autumn meeting .takes place on Friday . and Saturday, and the first day's acceptances, received on Tuesday evening, give promise of excellent sport. The Hawkc's Bay Cup has closed with an acceptance of nine, but of these. Teka, Bon Kevc and Trials are also engaged ii minor events. The> race seems to be "made" for the Melbourne Cup winner, SasanofT, who is in remarkably well with 8.13. The top weight, Chortle, has a big load in 0.!), anil though in good fettle may find it hard to give. 101b to Stead's crack. Multifual appears to hold the others safe, but in good going it is almost safe to opine that the bulk of the investments of the day will be entrusted to the two top weights. The Porangahau Handicap is almost in the same category, tlu.' recent form of Sweet Corn (in particular) anil Gazique entitling them to every ounce of their poundage. An '•'all round" double layer might iind the Hawkc's Bay double a hard one to lay with any margin of safety. A big iield should line up for the Autumn Handicap, thoueh several horses are also engaged earlier in the day. Cleft, Hendra anil Parisian Diamond are not badly treated, and should come in for some support. Maryland, with a tube in her throat, finislicil strongly at Trentham, and on that form will have an anny of backers in hack hurdle events at the meeting. The Karamu Hurdles will reintroduce several fine fencers who did big things last season, and their running will be keenly followed by those in search of likely winners at the big winter meetings. Gladful is reported to lie looking as forward as anything engaged, but the issue is very open. Elocution, on Wellington running, should start favorite in the Nursery Handicap, while Parisian diamond and Carlatour have only to bo produced in the Foukiiwa Hack Handicap to settle the doubts of a large section of the public. "Has Desert Gold ever won beyond a ■mile and a half?" This is a question that has been put to this scribe a dozen times, and "sports'' sc-sm to be still prepared to wager over it. To settle all arguments it may be mentioned that Desert Gold won the Great Northern St. Leger Stakes at Ellerslie- on Easter Monday, last year, the race being run over a mile and three-quarters. Desert Gold won easily by fifty yards from her stable mate, Marco 80110, and the only other runner was Sea De'il. The time was I! miii 7 4-osec,