SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 January 1918, Page 8

SPORTING.

AUSTRALIAN TURF. NEWMARKET WEIGHTS. A.ustralian-N.Z. Cable Association. Melbourne, -Inn. :iO. The weights for. the Newmarket Handicap include 'Desert (!old (lf\i wcighl) 0.13, Biplane 9.4,- Killem o.la, and lkltane 0.11. Australian Cup.—Lanius (top weglit) 9.8, Desert Cold i). 4, Kilhoy 0.1, Biplane 8.0, Red Pennant 7.5, Killom 7.0. Oakleigh Plate.—Colugo (top weigiit) 9.12, Beltane 7.6. TURF TOPICS. Quantity, if not quality, is a feature of the Pahiatua card for to-day's races. and the gathering will occasion, little interest outside the local village. The Pahiatua Handicap, iy 4 miles, bears a very open appearance. *Smvb would only have to 'ho at his best to render a good account of himself, though Quinn's Post and Botanist have been running well of late. Jean Laddo and Merrie Poto arc well treated in the Telephone Handicap, and Hastie, Arihia. Gold'bearing, and The Golfer in the minor events It seems practically certain that Biplane will remain in the Dominion this autumn, in which case he will fulfil his engagement in the 'Wanganui Guineas next month, which classic looks to be at his mercy Taranaki punters went nap on Silver Link at Takapuna, with the result that several layers are reported to he asking for time. Silver Link won each day in easy fashion, a rise of 171b making no difference on Monday, and the dividends were splendid. Silver Link is engaged freely at forthcoming meetings, and looks like winning further distinct ion shortly, Mr. H. Coyle's weights for the Taranaki .T.C. autumn meeting appear to be framed on equitable lines. Chortle has got his deserts with 9.10 in the Cup, and, good horse as he is, punters may pass him over for several lower down the list. Toatere is about right with 0.0. though Aucklandera will prefer Mullingar, who has 71b less. Trials did not shape like a stayer at Foxton, and reads badly against an improving horse like Wishful, who, with Paraoa. is the pick of the handienp. Vagabond does not stay well, and Municipal is not at his best. Dingle is well in with 7.9, and should hold the light-weights safe, though Alteration may shape better on the local course than he did when his parly fancied him at Stratford. Koesian is on the up-grade, and even with 9.0 may not be counted out of the Flying Handicap. Inah is well cared for with 8.12, and may find Xystad (8.9) a tough nut to crack. ""Anyway, the mnre is too near Koesian to have nuieli chance. Tree Lucerne and Shiela may shape as well as anything lower down in the weights. The hurdlers are a fairly good lot, but the Taranaki division should hold the outsiders safe. Calais reads well with 10.0, as does Ratana 9.9. Inah is sot to carry a welter weight in the Stewards' Handicap, and may find it difficult to give away so much avoirdupois to smart beginners like Royal Chef and Bond' Or. Mr. Coyle did not see the racinjr at Stratford, otherwise lie would have more respect for Royal Park, who has dropped into the Timaru Hack Handicap with 7.8. Paddington Green and Yolo are Doth on the 9.3 mark in the Mimi Weitor, at which weight New Plymouth sports would plump heavily for the former. On 'his form in the Douro Cup he must be given a great chance. On the whole the weights should give satisfaction, and owners and trainers should bear in minrl that acceptances are due to-morrow (Friday) a.t 0 p.m. According to yesterday's Press Association wire "satisfactory prices were realised at the Karainu stud dispersal sale." Well, that is a statement which the figures do not hear out. Slraga, the dam of Hymestra and Co., only brought 000 gns. Why, the other day a cool thousand was refused for Ukraine. King Mark, a proved! sire, only 'brought, 400 1 gns., while Hymettus, whose stock have had a phenomena) run over sprint eours»s, went for 325 gnu. Good prices, indeed!