SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 February 1919, Page 8

SPORTING.

T.J.C. AUTUMN MEETINII OPENING TO-DAY. ; Yesterday saw the steamer Ijtom. tie ii'irili and all trains bring crowds of. \ isitors into New Plymouth for tins' T.J.C. autumn meeting, which opens to- : uay. In addition, numerous motor-eaw arrived from various parts of the North Island. Accommodation in the town is fully taxed, whilst the accommodation at all towns within easy motor distance of New Plymouth has also been taken up. To-day will see crowds bock, into town from every direction by team, ear. and trap, arid there is certain to be a record attendance when the first race starts at noon. Complete arrangements have been made rn the conduct of the gathering, and an expert stall has been placed in the totalisator, which is certain to he exceptionally busy, if patrons wish to avoid the risk of heing shut out they would be wise to-niake their investments early and not wait until the last) bell commences to ring. Yesterday afternoon's train brought a<i big contingent of horses from southjTaranaki. Writing of the meeting of the two champions, Gloaming and Desert Gold, in the Taranaki Stakes, the Dominion's writer stated yesterday: The three-year-old has earned a 10lb pcnaltyj making his weight 9st., against the Bst. 111b carried hy the mare, who has escaped a penalty. P. Davis professes to be most confident of the mare, but as the two-year-olds were able to beat her last year, and as Gloaming is able to heat the best of the youngsters this year, it certainly points strongly to a victory for the three-year-old. It will he no disgrace for the six-year-old to give ways to youth. The old maxim, "Youth will be served," applies moßt especially to horses. NOTES BY "MOTUEOA." The Taranaki Jockey Club's autumn' meeting takes place to-day and tomorrow, and it requires neither the clothes of a,prophet nor the imagination of a Kougemont to forecast that this gathering will be a memorable one in the racing history of the province. Not only are the two most noted performers in Australasia engaged, hut "class" Is strongly represented all round, and racing promises to be of a very high order. The course and appointments are at their best, and the exceptionally large influx of visitors ensures a record attendance. The racing public of Taranaki has to thank the metropolitan club for bringing together on the local coilrse such equines as Besert Gold, Gloaming, Croesus, Rewi Poto, Ladogeur, 80-Peep, and Silver Link, and Taranaki "sports" may be depended upon to grasp the opportunity offered of seeing these "cracks" in action, A great meeting J3 imminent Racing opens at noon with the Waitara Hurdle Knee, for which a good field of nine is carded. Paraoa fills the role of honor with 11.8,, which is not such a great impost for a good performer on the flat. Golden Grafton, who vou a double at Taknpuna last week, has corned a 121b penalty" ivhicli briri[;.i her weight up to 11.4. At Taknpun.i she beat good horses like Tenacious, Loyal Arch, Otter, 1 and Master Lupin, and she has uiilv to run up to that form to take a lot of healing. Those >vlij follow form may icuk-i the uiai'e a solid favorite Ten remain i;i the juvenile Handicap, and the question that scemti to be troubling most people is whether a reallv good one like Silver Link can concede from 251b to 4Slb to her nine moderate opponents. The general opinion is that Silver Link will pull through with Hying colors The Timaru Handicap has drawn eleven horses. Active will only have to run up to Douro Cup form to keep the others busy The consistent Carmel Arch looks good for a place also. Itewi Poto threatens to start a warm order in the Taranaki Cup, ami he has often proved his ability to carry D.7. If anything troubles the local crack it may be Form Up, who showed a glimpse of his old form at Takapuna recently. Hyttus will not want for backers in the Mimi Welter, and Marqueteur is also well placed in this event. I The Flying Handicap should be a givai ' iace. Croesus and 80-Peep have earned all thelV poundage, and both are sure to : run well. Madam Histoid is fancied in some quarters, but it is hard to pass the top-weights. The lloturoa Electric Hack Race is sure to draw a big field. Cotillion appears to be a cut above the others as regards condition, but much depends on the send-off. DUNEDIN CUP SCRATCHING. I Duncdin, Feb. 4. Red Ribbon was scratched for the Dunedin Cup at nine o'clock this morning.