SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 February 1918, Page 8

SPORTING.

AUSTRALIAN TURF. Australian-N.Z. Cable Association. Received February Hi, 8.40 |i.ni. Melbourne Feb. 2ii. There are acceptors for the Ncwmarket Handicap. OPUNAMIC NOMINATIONS. Calais was niuilteij from the list of nominations for the Opuiiake meeting published yesterday. Calais should he added to the list of nominations in (he Optinake Racing Club Handicap and the Handicap Haek Hurdles. > , , TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") Dannevirkc races to-day. Silver Tongue will speak soon. All Over is a haek worth following. Opuuake weights are due on Monday next. ■ Black Ada should atrip very well at Dannevirke. Client and Staccato were double winners at Wanganui. Paddington Green was paying a hatful in the Autumn Handicap, and was only a neck behind the winner. Staccato, with a rise of Slbs, and Deeley in the saddle, won the Matamwa Hack Handioap in hollow fashion. Some people doubted the filly's ability to see out six furlongs, but she won easier than over five furlongs the first day. Otter won the Fordell Hurdles nicely, but his backers looked anxious when lie fell back, to fourth place three furlongs from home. Mattock then looked like winning, but Otter came again in the last furlong and won by a good length. On Glendalough's showing at Wanganui the Auckland hurdler must be a very poor lot.

Walter Rayner sprung two surprises on the public at Wanganui, Zola and Zela paying the best dividends at the meeting. Ninety-nine out of one hundred people at Wanganui are certain that Toatere ,beat Client in the Wanganui Stakes. Twenty yards from home Toatere had headed.the Wanganui horse, and O'Shea was smiling confidently. Client again in the last few strides, and when the numbers went up the smile was on the face of Charlie Price.

Alter all Client would have been unlucky to have lost first prize on Saturday. Three furlongs from home he was liut on the fence, and Charlie Price's foot was so badly crushed that he could not do justice to his mount from there on. Trice i 9 still laid up, his foot being about twice its normal size, and he will have to forego his riding engagements at -Pahij)tua in consequence.

Henry Clay proved what a good little miler he is by gamely battling the finish out with the lightweight Dusky Eve in the Harrison Hack Handicap, the judge being unable to separate the pair at the post. R. Johnson's recent purchase cniried 9.4, and waß giving away 25lbs to Duskv Eve.

Although Estland gave Biplane a solid trouncing in the Guineas the writer declines to accept that form as correct, and the next time they measure strides, possibly over seven furlongs at Riecarton, positions may be reversed. Biplane is not- nearly fit for a gruelling mile race with such a good horse as Estland. while ihe latter was a different equine altogether to the 6ore and sorry colt that won at Hawera. The time was not fast, though it stands as a record for a race that formerly was run under winter conditions, and Biplane would only require to be fit to chop several seconds oil' it. The scene .that took place after the Guineas was wonderful. Practically everybody had backed Biplane, but Estland's victory sent the crowd mad with excitement. The cheering lasted for ten minutes, and no greater outburst could have, greeted Desert Gold had the idolised mare been the one to down Mr. Greenwood's wonderful colt.

Desert Gold's defeat in the Futurity Stakes came as a shock to New* Zealanders, but the mare must have run a great, race under adverse conditions, The winner, Wedge, figures as topweight in the Newmarket Handicap, and is one of the best sprinters in 'Stralia. Mr.W. Duncan was the principal winner at Wanganui with £11(10.- Mr. G. L.. Stead took £SGO, and Mr. G. D. Greenwood £520. Mr. T. H. Lowry won £405, but the poop stakes offered in the minor events were spread over a number of "battlers." The principal Taranaki winners were Mr. B. E. Laurent £215 and Mr. S. Sales £IOO.