SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 December 1917, Page 8

SPORTING.

| doli,en Grafton was scratched at 2.30 p.m. on Saturday for the Christmas Handicap. Munster has also been scratched for this event. Dasher Boy has been withdrawn from the Rahotu Hurdles. | TURF TOPICS. (By ''Moturoa.") ■Racing enthusiasts from pne end ofthe Dominion to the other wi(l be well catered for to-day (Boxing Day), and the Taranaki Jockey Club's meeting offers as good sport as any of the gatherings set down for the holiday. Large lipids are likely ,to be seen! out in the various events, and Mr. Coyle's adjustments should produce excellent finishes. The course is in fine order and all arrangements splendid to ensure a splendid day's sport. Racing commences with the Huatoki Plate, 7 furlongs, for which a score have been paid up. There are several promising maidens engaged, and the opinion appinion appears to be that Beauforte, Trombone, and Lady Mylchrest are a bit above the average. The Stewards' Handicap, six furlongs, attracted a dozen, including sprinters like Cora. Ora, and Movement. Volo ieat t, good one in Paddington Green at Woodville, and being only engaged in one race may be sent out favorite.

The field likely to be seen out in the Rahotu Hurdles. 1J miles and 100 yards, is one of the best ever carded for the race, and this promises to be a most interesting contest. Collector and Paparess have shown winning form this season, and Simple Sam. Veto and AScalon have run prominently. Collector and Veto may be the public's elect. Madam Ristori will paralyse the betting il' started in the Borough Handicap, five furlongs, but she is also engaged later in the day. In her absence a good race may eventuate between Munition, Piano, and Movement (if Reserved), The Christinas Handicap, one nnd a quarter miles, will be contested by an even lot. most of which have, run'well over the distance. White Blaze, on recent form, is likely to have a big following, but Hushman, 'Dingle, arid Alteration ina_v lie depended upon to give the grey a good go for the money.

Tin- Tikorangi Hack -Staifes, five furlongs, will see Madam Kistori (if started) made 11 warm order. Revocation and Hawakore may also have good following*. t 'lay's racing concludes with the I'lying Handicap, six furlongs, and the race appears the most open event of the day. (llenrov is in good fettle, but Tree Lucerne and Starengo are also very fit. The forty-fourth Auckland Cup will bo run at Ellcrslie to-day, and the presence of Toatere and Paraoa in the two miles race invests it with considerable interest for Taranaki sports. Opinions differ as to which is the. better of the pair, and the better will require to travel very fast up at Kllerslio to beat horses like Johnny Walker and M Ribbon, whose ti'ack form has been of the best. The Taranaki dijo may win «t the meeting, but a shorter distance may prove more to their liking. Following are the likely starters and their riders m to-day's race: Menelaus (Robinson), Fiery Cross (Campbell), Toatere (Gray). Teka (Emerson). Adjutant (F. E. Jones)' Snub (Lee), Multifual (J. O'Shea). Mullingar (Goldfinch), Seadown (A. Reed)" Johnny Walker (Deelcy). Paraoa (c! Reed), Multiply (Browne), Red Ribbon Conquest), Rebel (Rennie), Sir Ralph (Ferguson), Cynic (R. Reed), Gold Fran (1). O'Shea),

rhe A.R.C'. Railway Handicap wiTl bring together the best sprinters in the Dominion, and with such a big -field there is likely to be a bit of bumping and scrambling for positions, and luck in running may make all the difference. Whatever happens, it is certain that Hymestra has only to get a clear run to SfP- <• the opposition such a J '\varniin fr up'' that won't know whether they are in the Railway or the next, race. If anytiling "downs" the favorite it may be Birk'.mvalc.

The Great Northern Foal Stages will go a" long way towards settling ? lot of arguments as to the, superiority 1 of Informal, Bo Peep. Cherry Mart. Finnmrk, and Pontoon. Bo Peep and Cherry Mart have beaten the -best horses, but two-year-old form is not too reliable. Large fields will be the order of the day at Awapuni, when the Alanawatn Cup and Fitzherbert Handicap will be the chief stakes. Devotion has won three times on end, and 8.10 may not stop her victorious carreer in the' Cup. Lingerie and Acre will meet agahi in the sprint, but Feilding form may a"ain I prove correct. Mill Queen, Colorado, I Comment, Coolpan. and Nobleman should J run well at the meeting. The Wanganui horsedengaged here arc Stnrengo and Dasher Bov, Harrv Ravnors pair; and Ruby Paul. Reparation, and Awarua, who are in "Jimmy" Feaehey's care. "When Cynic won the Te Awamutu Cup he carried 7.4, and won easily in *' rin. - V ro<le t,lle imported horse, r i r'°S rflmmo for Taranaki •Jockey Clubs autumn meeting, to be held on February 6 and 7, is published in this issue Owners and trainers will note that r stakes ln the minor events show an increase in practically every case