SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 October 1917, Page 7

SPORTING.

AUSTRALIAN TURF. BIPLANE'S SPEED. Australian-N.Z. Cable Association. Sydney, Oct. 3. Randwiok critics consider that Biplane is the next fastest galloper to Woorak. Biplane will have an opportunity of comparing his speed to-day in the Craven Plate, in which Woorak created an Australian 1% miles' record of 2min. s<4sec. TOTALISATOR PERCENTAGES. Sydney Oct. 3. A deputation of country racing clubs petitioned the Government to increase their percentages of the totalisator receipts, as many clubs were running at a loss. TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") The presence of a few New Zealand Cup candidates ihvests to-day's Kurow meeting with more than usual interest, and the condition of Rorke's Drift and John Barleycorn, who are engaged in the principal handicap, will be carefully noted by those who hope to pick the big Riccarton "two iniler." It is hardly likely that either of the pa;r will be seriously considered in a seven furlongs race, especially as they are set to concede considerable avoirdupois to seasoned .horses like Daytime and Zuland. Turehaua, who filled the role of run«er-up each day at Ashbufton, reads "well in the hurdle race with 9.11, and will probably outstay San Sebastian over a mile and three-quarters. The ftilbroncy nags appear to "stay" well, and on that account Kilbrogan may be fancied in the Welter, 1% miles. Some speedy sprinters will contest the Bellfield Handicap, 5 furlongs, including Aerial, Zuland, and Kilrea.

"Brilliant Biplane" seems to just about sum up the brown son of Comedy King and Air Motor, winner of the Rosehill Guineas and the Australian J.O. Derby. Bred by Mr. Sol Green at 'Shipley, Victoria, Mr. Greenwood secured his prize" as a yearling for the moderate sum of 375 guineas. As a two-year-old lie started seven times in the Dominion, winning the Juvenile Handicap at Riccarton, the Great Northern Foal Stakes, and the Middle Park Plate. Biplano was three times second and only once unplaced.

In Australia, Biplane ran a shocking race in his initial effort, being well beaten in the Chelmsford Stakes, 9 furlongs, by Prince Viridis and others in l.Stt. In the Roseliill Guineas, run over the same distance, he easily accounted for Prince Viridis, whom he was meeting on the same terms, the time reading 1.52%, which is only a fraction outside the Australian record. Naturally this apparent reversal of form did not suit the crowd, hut according to Saturday's cable there was no lack of enthusiasm when Biplane romped home in the A.J.C. Derby in time that was only onco beaten, and then by [a New Zealander in Noctuiform. The A.J.O. Derby is worth 4000 sovs., together with a sweepstake of 20 sovs. each, and is a race worth winning. Kilboy won it for New Zealand ,last year, and the sequence of wins makes our youngsters out to be a pretty good lot. Hymostra and Simonides stretched 'Biplane's necJc ovfer short courses last season, and Vagabond, Elocution, Chuckle, etc., might keep him busy over the Derby course this year. .However, Biplane is engaged in the New Zealand Derby next month, and the question may then he settled.