SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 December 1917, Page 8

SPORTING.

, RACING FIXTl'i. Dec 13—Wairarapa R.C. Summer. Dee. 17 —South Canterbury J.C. Summer. Dec. 20—Taranaki J.C. Christinas. Dec. 20, 27—Maimwatu I!.C. Summer. Dee. 20, 29, and Jan. I—Auckland K.C, Jan I—Stratford R.C. Annual. TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa ") Rac;s at Tauherenikau on Thursday. Johnny Walker the favorite Auckland Cup gargle. Styrax will contest stick events at Ellerslie this month. False alarms, Analogue and Tatterley are in at Tauranga to-day. Balloted this week: Trainers C. Jackson and M. Gardner. Tyson and Lady Middleton left Wanganui for the West Coast this week. Veto's second to Calais in 2.47 3-5 suggests that, she will be handy at the holiday meetings. Vagabond was backed for a ton of money on Thursday, but ran tip to his name. Horses trained between New Plymouth and Marton took, off six of the eight events at Feilding. There wasn't much said about Inali last week, hut a lot of good punters had their sprinting boots, on on Thursday. Gray had six mounts and Deeley two at Feilding, but neither of the cracks "cracked it" for a win. Turarigapito changed hands at aOOgns. before Feilding, but there was nothing on the race card To indicate the change of ownership. Square Deal, looking big and lusty, ran well for a mile at Feilding,.and paid a wonderful price at. Woodville. Tlandieappers were much in evidence at Feilding, J. E. Henry. "Jack'' Henrys, H Coyle, and F. J. Maemaneinin being there to spot the triers and non-triers. "TTopfield i? coming into favor for tne Railway Handicap," says a Northern scribe. Is this the same old Bar Yon's joke? Punters must be about sick of ''Hoppy." Not more than a couple of Taranaki j horses will be racing at Ellerslie during the holidays, and only four or five are likely to lie taken to Awapitni. The Taranaki and Stratford meetings offer sufficient, inducement to local owners to stay in their own province this year. AVith anything like decent handling Iviide would have won at Woodville on Wednesday. Harold Young, who returned home tliis week, will pilot the CyrusCheeky gelding at Awapuni. Ascalon and Otter showed some pace in the Hurdles on Wednesday, hut Portland Lady, Tatimi and Calais were in front at the turn. Tatimi .just outstayed the mare, but Calais turned it up completely. Considering that form Portland Larfy paid a. good price on the second day. Mr. T. 11. Lowry produced a speedy maiden at Woodville in the shape of Kilhope (Kilbroney—Angcle). The colt carried 1211> over, was first out, and won in hollow fashion. Some people are nlwavs growling about a reduced "limit" for maidens, scurries, hurry-ups, etc.. but rarely does a vinner of such an event pay much better than evens: Take the Maiden at Woodville. There were twenty starters, yet the first, second, and third favorites filled the places in order, and the dividends would hardly buy a round of drinks. Len. Nodder, on a 'twelfth favorite. (Hastie) nearly effected a surprise in the Grandstand Handicap at Woodville. He was in front at the distance, but just failed to stall off Mystified over the last bit. Cello has now run three really bad races, and may be struck right off your visiting list. First Line U another For-dell-trained neddy to which these hostile remarks apply. Considering her meritorious win at Feilding, Devotion was allowed to pay a false price in'the Woodville Cup. Ashlev Reed rode her at each .place, and scored cleverly H-Mie right end. Devotion has "come back." Namur rail a good second to Dingle last week, and scored a well-earned victory on Wednesday, paying a good price. Pennon ran well in this race, but Rude got into all the trouble that was floating around. The flying Nanna did not Ibegin too well in the Electric at Woodville, but once she got her head in front the race was all over. She is a rare bargain for Mr. Kemball, and should add considerably to his accumulated wealth during the next few months. I know of no better horso to follow. Paddington Green gave his 'backers a scare in the Welter Handicap on Wednesday. He was a hot order in a field of eighteen, and v.'ith half the distance gone looked "hopeless.'' Gray rode him Very patiently, and, catching Quinn's Post fifty yards from home, won a good race by a 'bead. Sweet Tippcrarr showed at. Feilding that she was staying better than last season, and '"Billy" Young had a comfortable ride on her at Woodville. where she ran out seven furlongs strongly in 1.28 2-5. Incidentally, she returned her party a false price. Mr. TT. Coyle appears to have done his work well as regard*-the weights for the Taranaki Christmas meeting. White Blaze and Dingle appear to be favorably treated in the Christmas Handicap, and no fault can be found with the weights apportioned to Rewi Poto and Tree Lucerne in the Flying. Paparess and Collector read well in the IRahotn Hurdles, and in the minor events Madam Ristori, Paddington Green, Vol/i, and Movement stand out. Acceptances are due on Friday next. 1