SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 February 1918, Page 8

SPORTING.

TARANAKI AUTUMN MEETING. NOTES BY "MOTUROA." The Taranaki Jockey Club's autumn meeting, which takes place to-day and 10-morrow, promises to be the most successful gathering in the history of the club. The acceptances carded for today's races are good all round, and the presence of such horses as Estland, Chortle, Finmark, Toatere, Koesian, Nyctad, and the best of the Taranakitrained division give promise of two days' interesting racing. The course is in fine order, and at the time of writing t!ie weather conditions promise to be favorable. The influx of visitors has been greater than usual, "sports" from Auckland, Wellington, Hawke's Bay, and nther centres arriving yesterday. Last evening's mail train was crowded, fimongst the passengers being Messrs Macinahon (stipendiary), Coyle (handipapper), and Hartgill (judge), as well 9S a number of turf patrons from Palmerston, Feilding, Wanganui, etc. In addition many motored across from Taumarunui on Sunday The attendance phould be bigger than usual, and the totalisator should register fresh figures this week. This is only in keeping with the progress which' has marked tlie plub's operations, and the result should be decidedly satisfactory to those who have done so much in recent years for the 'betterment of racing in the province. Proceedings open at noon with the Waitara Hack for which a splendid field of thirteen are carded. Paparess, whose ability as a jumper has jjeen amply proven, bas been showing Rood form on the flat recently, and the daughter of Papakura will probably be well up in the order of favoritism. Calais, who will have the services of F. Flynn, and Otter, who raced well at the holiday meetings, will also have good followingg Polthogue will be ridden by Henderson.

Inah is reported to Tie an unlikely 'etarter in the Stewards' Handicap, in which case there should he a run on I Royal Olief The aptly named son of Coronet and Cuisine won very easil? with 5.13 at Stratford, and, though meeting better horses to-day, should cut out a fast five furlongs with a stone less in the saddle. J. Howe brought Interlude through from Marton on Monday, but the mare has not been doing too I well of late, though, at her host, rwould have a good chance, llyginas has been galloping nicely, but Bond' Or. who represents the powerful Stead string, Ahould have more admirers The race promises to he an interesting one. Scratchtags may materially lessen the number of runners in the Timaru Hack Handicap, hut Robur and Royal Pari have only to go to the post to command a deal it respect. Madam Rlstori may be reserved for the Flying "Handicap. Then eomes the Taranaki Cup, the i3rd event of its kind, and it is satis factory to note that this old-established race lias again attracted a select field. Chortle fills the roll of honor with ft.H, a weight that seems almost prohibitive, good horse as he undoubtedly is. Tlie race has only been won on one occasion with a greater Impost, wl(ich was when that champion mare Lady Medallist scored with 0.11. Opawa won with 9.0, Battleaxe with 0.2, Convoy with fl.fi, and Paritutu with 9.0, but the average winning weight is just a shade under 7.10. Toatere was first home last, year with a.G, 'but whether he can get his name amongst the double winners—Opaw», Battleaxe, Paritutu, and Lady Medallist —is a moot point. Certainly his Filerslie form does not point that way. Wishful is generally regarded as the pick of the handicap, and some blame Mr. F. Coyle for letting the Boniform —Drought horse in with 7.12. He won at Trentliam recently with Dst., and harking further back, his brilliant running in Depredation's Auckland Cup, when he made most of the running under 7st., and his dead-heat with 7.94 with Colonel Snult in the grandstand Handicap, 114 miles, ,it the same meeting, are still green in the public memory. Wishful has given his trainer ft heap of trouble, but lie now to be at the top of his form; in which case he must he labelled dangerous. Paraoa ran a good second in the Stratford "Cup with 8.0, and is well placed at 7.12 to-day. Dingle with 7.'l is a much-discussed candidate, but is sot to meet Paraoa on 51b worse terms than at Stratford. Lord Kenilworth would be better suited with a shorter distanco, and White Blaze and Alteration may not strip as fit as when they won at Waverley and New Plymouth respectively previously in the season. Wishfill may hold his position as favorite |.o the end, but Paraoa and Dingle may give the southerner an interesting race. Harold Young is mentioned as Dingle's probable rider. The Mimi Welter Handicap will only attract a small field, and chief interest 1» centred in the meeting between Paddingt.oll Green (11. Gray) and Volo (C. Price). Both horses are very fit, and they ma take some; separating at the finish. ' The Flying Handicap will see the Taranaki crack, Inah, opposed by a pair nf the 'best sprinters in the Dominion, namely, Koesian and Nystad. The visitors have done big things in the past, and in placing the mare so high in the handicap she seems unduly flattered. Koesian is very fit, and Nystad is also reported to have shown good form 011 the tracks at Awapuni. If anything upsets the craeks it may be Madam Ristori, who will find 7.5 a dainty impost after the welter weights she lifis been tarrying so well in hack company. The Okato Hack Handicap should not occasion' punters much brain fag. Royal Park and Trombone showing the best form of late. To-day's racing will conclude with th? Moturoa Electric Hack, for which a numerous field of 2" are carded. Nothing stands out particularly, though Piano, Xeniflline, and Winning Shot showed up at Stratford. Rawakorc has run some good races at odd intervals, and Oika, on recent track form, would only require to get out smartly to have more than a rough chance. The big string of horses that were railed through from Hawera yesterday had a rough and tiresome journey of five hours. It is to be hoped that they do n"t get the knocking about to-day that they underwent yesterday. Trainer J. Bridges, who has charge of Mr. T. H. Lowry's team during F. Davis' absence in 'Stralia, has brought up Eitland and Finmark, who will contest the Taranaki Stakes on Thursday, and the classics at H&werfl. next week. TOTALISATOR INVESTMENTS. AFTER TIME FOR STARTING RACSE. ItfLUB SECRETARY BEFORE COURT. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christ church, Last Night. A case of an U«tfs»a' nature was <mentioned in the Court to-dft.Y.

before Mr. Bailey, S.M., when W. H. E. Wanklyn, secretary of the Canterbury Jockey Club, was charged with permitting investments to be put on to the totalizator after the time rfor starting a race, He was further charged with taking into account money put on the machine after the time for starting a face. Chief Detective Mcllvcney appeared for the police, and Mr. Donnelly for defendant. On Mr. Donnelly's application the case was adjourned until Friday.