SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 August 1917, Page 7

SPORTING.

t, RACING FIXTURES. f ' "' AugUat 10, 19-rCanteri»ury J.C. Qrwjd National. September s—Marton J.C. Spring. ETOLESH TORF. Australka-N.Z. Cable Association. ■ London, August 2. The New Oaks Handicap resulted:— Sunny June 1, Diadem 2, Moravia 3. ' , TURF, TOPICS. (By "Moturoa")' The appearance of acceptances for the principal events at the New Zealand Grand National meeting promises to cause a stir in the sporting world, which has been rather dull and lifeless during the past, few weeks. Scratchings were expected to be numerous, and no doubt tho "legs" of several of the much-de-manded "doubles" have gonei the way that spells disaster to the punter and aifluence to the poor, hard-worked Bar Von. Of course the odds are ail in favor of the layer, but it is .urprising how some fellows seem to pick the "doubles" and it takes a lot of "quids" to level up tho ledger when one of these "heads" has got in his "body blow." The socalled bloated bookmaker does not have things all his own, way by a long chalk. Th» Australian Hursll* race (3% mile*) will be run at Caulneld to-day. The acceptors number sixteen, so that a good race is assured. Menuiqua has gone up Tibs for winning the V.R.C. Grand National, but may etill have to ba reckoned iyitb. Lord Grey and Bundong; also have backers, but the New Zcajander, Tenacious, will have to show vastly improved form to have a chance, I though staying in his forte.

Leonta hap been getting through wonderful work at Wanganui, and the first time ha sports silk hs will carry a few pf mine. '

A mare that is rapidly eoming into favor for tho Winter Cup is Miss De Val, who will be piloted by Sid Reid.' Deeley's one regret was that he could not stay in Noo Zee to ride the daughter of All Red, ' " "

Hawks'* Bay scribes report that Desert Gold, Egypt and Estla.nd are in good trim for spring racing. If the trio cross the Tasraan, some of the "walere" and flash English nags will have to do their best.

Handicappers admittedly make bloomera in the Dominion, but none go the whole hog like a N.S.W. weight adjuster, who" made a mistake of something like 301bs, Of course, the nedds won.

•Private advicw are to the effect that the Aucklander, Fisher, has been exhibiting signs of lameness. The unlucky Maniapoto gelding must have had a good chance in the National if he had remained sound.

Ths tricks have been very wet and slushy at Ricearton lately, and unless Jupiter Pluvius is given a spell it will be a case of "mud larks" at the National meeting. Fiery Cross has been. galloping better than any of. the Winter uip candidate* it Ricearton, and if Mr. Roberts decided to start him in preference to Killjoy he will-have a big following on the day. Ben Deelcyi will rido for Messrs Greenwood, Stead and Luttrell in "Stralia, so seems assured of plenty of good riding there this spring. New Zealanders promise to shake things up properly this time.

The English Derby was got off this week, and racing.seemg to be going on merrily in Germany and Austria. In the latter country the other day there was s; race for £SOOO, so things cannot be quite. as bad as the spectacular eablecrammers try to make us believe Still, some people howl about a little racing in Noo Zee, which is about as far as it is possible to get from the main scene of (hostilities.

Thig year's New Zealand Trotting Cup is set. down for horses that hav£. trotted 4.34 for the two miles, which: is 3 sees .faster than last year's Btandv ard. Thk is ample proof that the harnes* horse is on the up-grade in tty. Dominion. Twenty-six horses &f*r eligible for the race, and excluding this "haa beens," at least seventeen Tiave reasonable prospects of seeing the ppss. in November.

Weights for minor events at tha Grand National meeting are due on Wednesday, August 8.