SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 June 1917, Page 7

SPORTING.

AUSTRALIAN TURF. Australian Cable Association Sydney, June 27. Kilowatt and Immortelle have heen scratched for the Epsom and Metropolitan. AUCKLAND MEETING ABANDONED. By Telegraph—Press Association, Auckland, June 27. The committee of the Auckland Racing Club, after hearing a deputation of horse owners, who asked that the spring meeting be retained, announced that it Was unable to accede to the request, The cutting out of the spring meeting provides for two days which the club has to lose, and tho third day will come off tihe summer meeting. TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa") The Hawke's Bay winter meeting takes place on Friday and Saturday. When Montana fell at Napier he broko his back. Incidentally he nearly "broke" a big army of punters. Distance beat Iceberg on the first day, but the grey had too much "toe" for the opposition over a mile and a half on Saturday. "Nuki" Brown scored his first winning ride over the sticks on the Czaronus has been unlucky since winning the Hack Steeples ,at Wanganui, and in the Petane Steeples at Napier appeared to have the race won when he blundered, half a mile from home. Collector had fallen previously and that left the race in the hands of a pretty parcel of "roughs," of which Bodenham proved to have the most pace on the flat. King Chiara raced well each day at Cjreenmeadows, finishing fourth and third on the respective days. He should be worth following now. If. ever a horse was unlucky it was Dingle, who was narrowly defeated in the Bracelet. At the turn out of the [ straight he. was "murdered," dropping back about twenty lengths, but at the finish Flash Lady, who had made all the running, only had a -neck advantage of him. As usual, Dingle wui badly on the second day. The Napier Steeplechase was a great race, and full of incident. Record had drawn clear half a mile from home, but threw out, leaving Marton with a big lead. The veteran made a game effort to win, but there was a gamer (and vnunger). Neddy in the race in the shape rf Braeburn, who tarried his 12st like > champion, and catching the tiring Marton in the last twenty yards, won the fine race by a neck. The winner paid a rattling good "price." Leonta had every chance to win the Ahurlri Hurdles. Five furlongs from home he was in front, but Master Timi made him look a "has been" when it came to racing. Leorita is certainly on the down grade. Perhaps he would do better over country. Taranaki's innings came on the second day, when Collector surprised the natives by running off with the chief steeplechase in good style, Sandy Paul following him home. Montana proved a giod stake earner on the flat, and won the Hawke's Bay Cup, Otaki Cup and other good races. Obituary.—Geo. Morse, aetat 59. (By "Moturoa") The removal by death of such a popular and well-known figure in the sporting world as George Morse, handicapper, is an occurrence that has caused a wave of regret from one end of the Dominion to the other. As handicapper for the majority of clubs in the North Island, as well as for several in the south, he came to be well known by all classes, .and although a quiet and reserved man, he endeared himself to all. A hwdicnper's job is about as difficult to hold down with satisfaction to owners, trainers, pressmen and the general public as it is possible to imagine, but tlie lati Mr. Morse stood out as an exception to the rule that weight adjusters are unpopular, and though ct times all did not agree with him, none could deny his careful and painstaking work. Taranaki sportsmen in particular have had good reason to be thankful for being favored with such an honest and straightforward handicapper, as he prepared the weights for the Taranaki, Stratford, Egmont, Waverley and Wanganui meetings. The progress of these clubs is a standing testimonial to his ability. ° That the late Mr. Morse took to the lacing game was not tn be wondered at. His father, the late Major Morse, bred I and raced horses in the early fifties at Nelson, whero George Morse was born. In the seventies the family moved to Fordell,, where Major jftorse retained his breeding establishment until hie death. George Morse- filled his father's shoes, and about that time was instrumental in forming the Warrengate Jockey Club, of which he was secretary and handicapper. His good work there in the latter capacity led to him being appointed handicapper for the hack events by the Wanganui Jockey Club, and in 1904 lie was appointed sole handicapper to that club. In tli" meantime he had secured a host of minor clubs, and in J? 05 .' lle was - ?fven Auckland. It is Totally unnecessary to mention the splendid work he did for the premier club of the Dominion. His death leaves a void that will be hard to fill. The late Mr. Geo. Morse married a daughter of the late Mr. John Davidson, who will be remembered by the older generation as the proprietor of the old Steam_Packet Hotel (now Foster's), Wanganui. The widow, two sons and a daughter are left to mourn their loss. _ The late Mr. Geo, Morse's mother and sister reside in Hawera with Mr. Alf. Morse, caretaker of the Hawera racecourse. The other brothers are Mr. Ernest Morse (caretaker of the Bulls racer course), Mr. Leonard Morse (farmer. Waitotara), Mr. Herbert Morse (foreman, railway, Stratford), and Mr, Arthur Morse (hotclkeeper, Greymouth).