SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 October 1917, Page 8

SPORTING.

TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa."). The Masterton Racing Club's spring meeting takes place to-day and to-mor-row, and, judging by the acceptances carded for to-day, fields should be large fight through, and racing interesting. An exceptionally large number of New Zealand Cup candidates will be seen under silk, and their appearance, and running will be keenly watched. Racing opens with the Hack Hurdles (1% miles), in which Sir Solo tops the poll with 11.5. Probably Mattock and Moulu will prove more brilliant over the distance. Thirty figure in the Trial Stakes, but Bcratchings may reduce the field to respectable proportions. The best-perform-ed horses on the track appear to be Turangapito and Coolpan, but much depends on positions at the post, and luck in running. A nice field of twenty is engaged in the Flying Handicap, including a recent winner in Merrie Poto. If Gray rides the son of Maniapoto it will be easy to' pick the favorite, though Cardrona and Gazique are reported to be very fit. The Masterton Hack Handicap (1 mile) ■has drawn twenty-one horses, including Arrowfield and Nobleman, whose recent track gallops have been of a high order. TheMasterton Cup (1% miles) carries no penalty for the New Zealand Cup, so that a fair number of the runners are likely to be "spun up." Client and Orleans appear to be in most demand, and will be ridden by C. Price and H. Gray respectively. Another big field will face the starter tn the Ruamahunga Hack Handicap (6 furlongs). Cora Ora is expected to run well, hut the Taranaki nag will be lucky to heat Endure. Signorella and 8100. mine at the weights. The Opaki Welter (1 mile) bears an open appearance. 'Paraoa is engaged, and also seasoned horses like Undecided and Johnny Walker. If punters have anything left they will have an odds on chance of losing it pver the Dash Hack Race (5 furlongs), in which twenty-nine more or less modcrates are engaged. Astrophel, Acre, lingerie and Turangapito can all travel fast, and it may be a case of "first out, first home."