SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 September 1918, Page 8

SPORTING.

STEW ZEALAND TUOTTING CUP; The following nominations have teen received for tlio New Zealand Trotting Cup (in harness), of 3500 sovs, two miles:—Mr. C. Channing's br g Agathos, Mrs. A. M. Seymour's b li Admiral Wood, Mr. J. G. S. Holmes' 1» g Moneymaker, Mr. 1). Jardcn's h li Author Dillon, Messrs J. Bryce and Cross Bros.' b h Matchlight, Mr. S. G. Lemon's blk g Sherwood, Mr. J. Bryee's b h Cathedral Ciiimes, Messrs Fleming and Allen's b h Hardy Wilkes, Mr. R. McDonnell's b m Evelyn and b h Emilius, Mr. J. >D. Parker's b h Erin's King, Mr. R. E. Hall's b.g Frandoeia, Mr. J. Parkinson's b h Sungod, Mr. M. Edwards' b m Adelaide Direct, Mr. G. Booker's ch li Oinako, Mr. G. Edgar's b h Dillon. A Sydney cable states that Desert Gold and the team of New Zealand horses have landed in good condition. Hymestra has been scratched for the Epsom. *&r:i turf topics. ■.;>}&- WGW- ->-—• (By "Moturoa.")' ""''"•"■' Heavy rain fell at Marton yesterday, and the Marton Jockey Club's course, which has !:ad a continuous soaking during the past few weeks, promises°to he knee-deep in water. Added to this, fields beyond all reason are carded for to-day's races, and punters are in for an unenviable time trying to pick winners. It is doubtful whether many owners will risk starting their horses under such conditions, particularly in the Trial Hack race, Electric Handicap, and Tutaenui Hack Welter, and scratchings are likely to (be very numerous. Wet and sloppy conditions usually mar these early spring roeotinga, and the Marton and Egmont clubs should defer their meetings in future until the proverbial September rains arc over. Racing at present is fraught with danger, and none but the gamest of turf patrons will put up with the discomfort that attendance entails. * "Mudlarks" should be in their element to-day. Kauri King, All Over, and Detroit are a trio engaged in the chief flat handicap that usually show up in heavy going, while amongst the sprinters Hyginasj 80-peep, and Demos favor a holding track. Record has been galloping and jumping well at Wanganui lately, and his party expect to win a race shortly. Last season the Renown gelding went right through without a win, and his chance ai beating horses like Arlington and Gladful does not appear very promising. Possibly he may be started in the hack event. Moutoa Ivanova, the full-sister to Sasanof in Fred Tilley's stables, is reported to possess the characteristic family trait of speed, but whether she will show to advantage in such a big field as is likely to be seen out in the Trial Plate at Mar- ' ton is very doubtful. All depends on the draw for harrier positions. Hyginas is alleged to have registered a fine gallop at Waverley last week, and is likely to have a big following in the railway handicap. The soft going is all in favor of the Hymettus gelding. Kilhopc is being rushed for the Epsom Handicap, and, coupled with Estland for the Metropolitan, Lowry's pair have touched a very short price. Kilhope oftly won one race hist year, beating a moderate lot in the Maiden Plate at Woodville, and he must have improved a lot since then to be one of the fancied division for the Epsom. As far as track form goes Killowen has the better credentials. In his gallops with Desert Gold prior to leaying New Zealand, Killowen went just as well ,as the mare, and it would not surprise (his scribe to see the son of Kilbroney and Success the elect of the Lowry stable on the day. It is amusing to read in the papers long and scholarly letters from exjocksters now on actiw service, and the question often arises, ''who wrote the letters for them':'' The other day a contemporary published a letter from a jockey who couldn't read or write his own name! The Government totalisator inspector delayed proceedings considerably at Riclarton last month, and it is to be hoped he will get through his work more expeditiously at" ; Marton to-day. otherwise the final event will be a mixture of mud, mirk, jostle, and profanity. Some i jockeys shine, in such melees, and of one I prominent jockey it has often been said: i "He can show them all a point in broad dnvlight, but when it comes to dusk or i darkness he is DYNAMITE!"