SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 November 1917, Page 8

SPORTING.

EAOING FIXTURES. (By "Moturoa"'). Nov. 21— As'hurst R.C. Annual. Nov. 24—Takapuna J.C. Spring Dec. I—Feilding J.C. Spring December 5, C—Woodville R.C. Summer. December 20—Taranaki J.C. Christmas. BIPLANE'S RETURN. Australian-N.Z. Cable Association. Sydney, Nov. lfi. Biplane, Almoner and other New Zealand horses were shipped today. TARANAKI CHRISTMAS MEETING. As will be seen by a glance at the advertising columns, the programme set out for the above gathering, which takes place on Wednesday, December 20, is framed on very generous lines. Eight events are carded, and include two open flat events, a hack hurdle race, and five hack flat races. The Christmas Handi-. cap .carries with it ■ 250 soys, and the Flying Handicap and Hack Hurdles of 175 sovs. each. The other events are also well .provided for, no stake being less than 125 sovs. Mr. H. Coyle will attend to the handicapping, and Sir. R. E.; Hartey ' the starting. Nominations (1 soy.'each) for all events close with Mr, E. P. Webster on Fridav, November 23.

.".'turf topics; (By "Moturoa.") Ashluirst races on Wednesday The Takapuna spring meeting lakes place on Saturday next. Orleans appears to be very nicely treated in the Ashluirst Cup with 8.3. Turangapito is a likely starter at Ashhurst, and at present is "quite well, thank you."

Desert Gold; who was given 9.9 in the {few Zealand Cup, is-set to carry lib more in tho Auckland Cup. Taranaki sports returned from Ellerslie all consider that Chortli 1 , who finished under the judge's box, won the City Handicap. The Demosthenes gelding Informal won the Welcome Stakes on three legs, but he had nothing to beat. Handieapper Maemaneniin lias given Menelaus S.l'2 at Auckland, a rise of 121b on his N.Z. Cup weight. Johnny Walker lias gone up 14.11), anil Snub 31b. Client has been dropped lib, just as an encouragement to punters to. saddle up for the Recovery Stakes.

■Desert Gold seems quite capable of carrying 10.0 in tho Railway Handicap, though Mr. Lowry may not risk his champion in such a big field. Form Up is flattered by being placed within 131b of the wonder mare.

Croesus had a heap—in fact two heaps —of bad luck at Riccarton, and has paid tho penalty in the Railway Handicap. Most people will doubt his ability to givs away so much weight to Hymestia, Acre and Co. The stallion San Fran had to be destroyed at Wangaimi on Monday last. He was kicked by a newly-shod mare, and was in such a bad way that there was no chance of saving him, During Carnival Week at Cliristchurch the sum of £294,457 was put through the totalisators at Riccarton and Addington, which easily beats last .year's figures. Things are still booming in the racing line. The principal winning owners at the Canterburv Metropolitan meeting were: T. IT. Low'rv £2703. E. and V. Riddiford £2075, IT. E. Troutbeefc £1720, and J. Hart £1075.

Ashley Reed piloted four winners at Rieearton, H. Gray three, and 0. Clarke two. A. Reed lias ridden fifteen winners this season, and H. Gray fourteen. Inah's victory at Ellerslie was freely anticipated, and a limit dividend hit Isaacs a severe blow in the liip pocket. The Hawera mare just got home, however, for another stride saw Rekanui's nose right in front.

The Avondale Guineas and Great Northern Guineas were very soft snaps for Vagabond, and Roy Reed had an .easy ride each day.