SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 August 1918, Page 3

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. Aug. 15, 17—CauLci'lniry J.C. Grand National. Sept. 4—Martoii J. C. Spring. Scpi. 11—Daunevirke R.C. Spring. Sept. I'J—Egmont R.C. Spring. TURF TOPIC'S. (By "Moturoa.") Grand Nationals on Thursday. The Bar Vons' dream—Volo's defeat, feat. Master Strovvan went south ott Thursday. Styrax has been turned out for a spell. The veteran Sir Donald is again in work at Dannevirke. Don Francisco has been galloping well of late, and his withdrawal from Riccarton engagements occasioned surprise. The southerner Zarkoma has been jumping the big fences splendidly at Riccarton, and the touts give him a food, rough show in the National, Sylva was given out, as an unlikely starter at the National meeting, but he has reached Riccarton, and, what is more, has been galloping and jumping in great style. Reported from Wairarapa that neither Black Hill nor Galore will start in the Winter Cup. They had Buckley's phance, anyhow. Wanganui sports rubbed their eyes on Wednesday when the papers announced that Alex. Hall had "gone" for five years over the Ibex incident. The jockey concerned in the case, "Billy" Vfoung, only got two years. In coat and trousers, "Moty," feeling like an 'ero, bustled in before the Medical Board on Tuesday, but was classed C2. This scribe was just reaching out to plant a kiss on the doc's brow when the order came, "Next, please!" What's all this twaddle about Art? First we hear that he is not himself. Then comes the alleged statement of the owner that the prad may not start in the Hurdles. Then a change of trainer. And on Tuesday the nag puts up s sterling gallop, and is backed for a ton of coin. He has only to win now to make Nat Gould look like a thirdrater. Some people pretend to think that Collector may be the one to upset Master Strowan in the big Steeples on Thursday, but if training work counts for anything, the one to do the trick may be Coalition. Sleight of Hand, in company with Kauri King and Gluetanus, gave a good exhibition over four hurdles on Tuesday morning, so must be pretty well. A very dangerous customer when fit is S.O.H. The name "Hytinas" has been claimed for the gelding by flymettus—Martina, but should not be allowed, being liable to be confused with Hyginas. Goodbut it requires to be pronounced carefully to make it sound "parliamentary." Gang Awa' has been sent down to Riccarton and one might have expected his "price" to have shortened, but the opposite is the case, the bigger pencillers being more inclined to lay against him. Possibly, the solid support com-

ing for Sir Fisher, Art, Fisher, and Weight of Hand lias had something to do with f!an»' A.< 1 going out of favor, but iho writer always expressed the opinion that Mr. F. KstsWs hurdler wus quoted at a ridiculous "price." I will be surprised if he gets into a place iu the National. Frank Flyim will ride Waiuiui and Art ill the National double. Waimai appears to have grown careful in his lumping, and he who hesitates is last when it enmes to racing. Branibletye ran into a place in last year's Winter Cup, but her track form has not been so impressive this year. Probably John Barleycorn, Fleetham, and King Star will he the hardest of tile southerners to beat on Thursday.

The news that Biplane is galloping well at Randwick will be received with pleasure by all those who are looking forward to a meeting between the colt and Desert Gold. The latter is always well, and it is to be hoped that Biplano's party will not get stage-fright when the champion mare goes across shortly. Sir Fisher fairly revels in the soft going at Riccarton, and regularly does his bit with the sprinters just as if' jumping wasn't his game. Our Opunake friends did well last season, having wiped off their overdraft and put by a tidy balance for future contingencies. The proposals to curtail the number of complimentary tickets, and to raise the price of admission to the lawn, seem altogether out of order. The public appreciates liberal treatment, and it would be a pity to see such a w T ell-attended and enjoyable gathering as the Opunake annual race meeting lose any of its popularity through ill-advised parsimony.