SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 June 1918, Page 6

SPORTING.

TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa") That the Bar Vons have been getting a good "warming up" over doubles at recent meetings no better evidence is required than the ridiculously short prices quoted about the Hawke's Bay Steeples and Hurdles, to be run this afternoon. On the appearance of the weights Bon Reve and Collector, coupled with half-a-dozen horses in the small Bticjc events, were marked down to such a small price that it simply amounted to this—the layers did not want to lay them at all. The acceptances received on Wednesday evening made no appreciable difference to the fields in the two big races, though the pen was put through th'e names ot Sir Fisher and Kauri King. The withdrawal of this pair and several lesser lights will probably reduce the odds further still—if that were possible. Nine horses hold, their places in the Hawke's Bay Steeples, but a 600 govs, stake should have attracted a better field all round. The only horses of any proved ability are Bon Reve and Collector, and, forgetful of possible mishaps in country events, punters will probably confine their investments to this pair. Both won at Napier laßt week, though they did not meet, and an analysis of their performances is therefore interesting. Collector carried 11.1, in the Napier Steeples, and won in hollow.fashion by fifty yards.

The distance to-day is the same, and the Conqueror gelding has only 131b more to carry. Bon Keve, who (report says) ran unbacked by hia. party, carried 12.0, and won the IPark Steeples, run over 2J miles, very easily. Diavolo chased Bon Keve home, btifc the. former l could only run a poor fourth to collector on the first day. On the face of it Collector appears to have put up the better performance, and ha may start favorite to-day. With ten paid up for the Hawke's Bay Hurdle race, 2J miles, bears ,a more open appearance. Sleight-of-Hand is | quite equal to running 'a good race under 11.9, but his party may fancy, him better when he has had a race or two, He has done plenty of work during the past few months, but it takes more than track gallops to fit a horse to run out a long journey under such a steadier. Both hurdle races at Greenmeadows were run over a mile and three-quarters, and the extra six furlongs may make a lot of difference to-day. Gladful is a proved stayer. In his only start, last, week he carried 11.6 and finished fast, two lengths behind the lightly weighted Golden Glade. Art, with the samo weight, was a good third, and on the second day carried a pound more and ran Kauri King to a neck, Pursefiller may be troubled by the /distance,- and Wishful has hardly had enough experience to show up amongst such good horses with 10.12. .Golden Glade reads best of the light-weights, but the Sylvia Park gelding does not ifeem to run two races alike. Possibly Gladful and Art will be travelling fastest over the last half-mile to-day. Good fields will line tip.for" the minor eventß. The Winter .Hack .Handicap looks very open. Betard, Bio,-and Cross Words may find the distance to. their liking. The big fences at Hastings may trouble some of the hunters, but Advancer and Northland are fairly safe fencers, and the former should start favorite in the Hunt Cup Steeples, wfhile j Atuatoro is opposed by a moderate sextette in the Hunters' Hurdles. If Wei-1 come Nugpett was at anything like his best the Ladies' Bracelet would be a soft thing for him, but on recent form Cynic and All Over should hold him safe. The Heretaunga Handicap will trouble the public. Hydras beat all but Lady Louisa on the second. day at Napier, and a rise of 51b' may not trouble him much. Hiero reads most dangerous of the rest. The sinking of the WimmeVa is the principal topic at present. The disaster and loss of life is to be deplored, and amongst those to go tinder were prob-i ably a number of well-known Auckland i sportsmen. It is likely that Hymeona, Gluepot, John Bunny, and Other horses were on the boat. .. . .