SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 December 1917, Page 8

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. •Jan. J—Stratford R.C. Annual. Jan. I—Auckland H.C. Summer. Jan. I—Martun J.C. Summer. Jiiii. ), 2—llawke's Bay J.C. Summer. Jan. 1!), 22 —Wellington R.C. Summer. Jni). 22 —Foxton B.C. Annual. Feb. G, 7 —Taranuki J.C. Autumn. Feb. 13, 14 —Egmont H.C. Summer. AUCKLAND TROTS. FIRST DAY'S EVENTS. Auckland, Dee. 20. The Auckland Trotting Club's summer meeting opened to-day in glorious weather, and with a record attendance. The sum put through the totalisator was £31,104 10s, against £24,584 10s oil the corresponding dav last year. Results: INTRODUCTORY TROT (saddle).—l Armentieres (12yds behind) 1, 8 Bella 2, 2 Miss Murphy 3. Won by a neck, Time, 3min 01 2-ssee. DECEMBER HANDICAP (harness).1 Breadalbane (12yds behind) 1, 3 Huon Grattan 2, 9 George the Fourth 3. Won by a length. Time, 3m in 32 2-ssec. AUCKLAND TROTTING CUP (harness). —2 Steel Bell (96yds behind) 1, (i Waverley (scr.) 2, 5 Asturio (scr.) 3, Also started: 7 Mahinga, 12 Brown's Nugget, 11 Pax, 1 Chid, 10 Derby Dillon, 9 Whispering Willie, 4 Harold Junior, 3 Peter Mac, 8 Sir Fulham. Steel Bell took the lead three furlongs from home and won comfortably by two lengths, with three lengths separating second and third horses. Time, 4min 33 4-ssec. EDEN TROT (harness).—S Hova (96 yards behind) 1, 9 Scientist 2, 5 Grattan Chimes 3. Won by a neek. Time, 4min °°PARNELL HANDICAP (harness) .-3 Scottish Queen 1, 2 Miss Rolfe 2, 5 Lieutenant 3. Won by twb lengths. Time, 4min SOsec. GREAT NORTHERN TROTTING DERBY.—I President Wilson 1, 2 Queen Chimes 2. The only starters. Won by a length and a half. Time, 3min 34 3-ssee. GREAT NORTHERN HANDICAP (saddle).—2 Dorothy Dimple (scr.) 1, I Beckman 2, 3 Fashionwood 3. Won by half a length, a head between the others. Time, 2min lflseo ST. HELIERS HANDICAP (harness). ~2 Queen Chimes (24yds behind) 1, f Treanac 2, 11 Victor C. Won by a head. Time, 2min 24 l-ssec. STRATFORD RE-HANDICAP. "Wellington, ]sec. 23. Alteration, has been re-handicapped as follows:—Stratford Cup, 7.8; Douglas .Handicap, B.S. THE AUCKLAND CUP. Writing of the Auckland Cup, the New Zealand Herald says that when the numbers went up for the big event it was found that the whole 17 colored on the card were to be saddled up. As the horses eame into the birdcage there was a rush for points of vantage in order to get a sight of the contestants. It was on all hands voted a well-condition-ed field, and with the issue well obscured, a very keen interest was maintained throughout. It was anticipated that the Messrs. Riddiford would supply the favorite with the bracketed pair Menelaus and Johnny Walker, and this was borne out. Toa Tere ruled second in demand, and the others were backed in the following order: Snub, Cynic, Rebel, Red Ribbon, Mullingar. Seadown, Parana, Fiery Cross, Adjutant, Teka, Multiply, Multifual, Sir Ralph, and Gold Fran. Mr. O'Connor did not keep the horses long at the post when the line up was ordered, and as they dashed away the colors of Mullingar were seen in the van, but he was soon steadied, and half way across the top stretch Adjutant was in front, and he led at the mile and a quarter post; but shortly after passing that post he met with trouble, which culminated in his rider being unseated. Fiery Cross and Red Ribbon were racing almost level in the lead at the stand, but Fiery Cross had the best of it at the bottom of the straight, and the son of Glenapp was equal to coping with all subsequent challenges. As they ran across the top Red Ribbon came again, while Mullingar and Multiply were making Strong efforts to get up. Red Ribbon seemed likely to get the best of her southern rival for a few strides inside the distance, but Fiery Cross responded gamely to the last call, and drawing away, won his race nicely at the end by three-quarters of a length. That the pace was a cracker throughout the time (3min 25 4-fisee) recorded amply proves, such constituting a fresh standard so far as Kllerslie is concerned. Fiery Cros;; had previously placed some important events to his credit, but something like a strong opinion prevailed that a journe/ extending to Ifi furlongs would prove beyond his powers, Eiery Cross settled that matter*, entireh" in his favor, and he is now to be accepted as a proved stayer.

The Railway Handicap brought out a field of 15, and a very keen interest was manifested in the contest. Mr. W. R. Kemball, who had a double string to his bow with Hymestra ftlid Nanna, started the pair, and the bracketed pair were backed in such strong fashion as to always make it clear that the Mastevton sportsman would furnish the most favored selection. King Lupin was second in command. Hymestra, who was next the rails, commenced very quickly, and the chestnut colt, carrying the field along at a great rate, he looked like an outright winner. Inside the distance the son of Hvmettus showed evidence of distress, and King Lupin, keeping up a fine run, just got up in time to make a dead heat of it. The six furlongs were cut out in the fast time of lmin 13 2-nsec, which is only l-ssec outside of the record for the race held by King Lupin. %,