SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 May 1919, Page 8

SPORTING.

MANAWATU SCRATCHINGS. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Palmerston N., Last Night. The following have been scratched for the first day: Karere Hurdles. —Diavolo. Autumn Handicap.—Punka, Mascot, Kilrush, Retard, Master Iney. Sires' Produce Stakes. —Stammer, Rose Wreath, Solace. Awapnni Gold Cup.—Battle Song. Telegraph Handicap.—Torfreda, Old Gold. TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa") The Manawatu Racing Club's autumn meeting, which takes place to-day and to-morrow, promises good sport. Unfortunately neither Gloaming nor Desert Gold is likely to be seen under silk at Awapuni, but Sasanof, Nobleman, Gazique, Nystad, Star Lady, Parisian Diamond, Chimera, Demos and other firstclass flat performers are likely to be seen out at the gathering, and in view of the big winter jumping events the running of Sleight of Hand, Sir Fisher, Arlington, Thrace, Municipal and Kahumangu will be closely watched. The Awapuni Gold Cup, which looks to be at the mercy of Sasanof, will only drW a small field, but the other races should all be well contested. If Gazique is a starter in the big handicap to-day punters may not have much difficulty in selecting a warm favorite, while Nystad and Demos are likely to have big fallowings in the sprint event. Pretty Bobby, Master Lupin, Amythas, Neglige, Black Mark and Kahumangu are likely to show up during the two days. Sasanof looks to hold a mortgage over the Gold Cup. "At the distance Gray began to ride one of those finishes which would make his wonderful horsemanship famous in any land."—A bouquet from a writer in the New Zealand Times on Hector Gray, for fighting out the finish of the Thomson Handicap on Sasanof. ■ The scribe goes on to say: "The huge crowd which had been gazing calmly at what they regarded as Spanner's. rather striking victory, was on tip-toe in an instant. Both horsemen were riding hard, but by superb handling Gray drew level I about twenty yards from the judge, I and over the final pinch he forced his 1 mount slightly ahead and got him across I the line a winner by a neck, A great hors? and a great horseman are Sasanof and Gray, and the big crowd gave them a royal reception. The mile was run in the clinking time of 1 minute 38 second?, an easy record for the race, and among the fastest mile performances ever registered in New Zealand. This was Gray's first win in the Thompson." Exit James Munn. one of the Dominion's greatest riders and trainers of jumping horses, on Thursday last. In the early days lie won races on Ranter, Kuclid, Blueskin, Warrengate, and others too numerous to mention. Later on he trained for the late Mr. G. P. Donnelly and the late Mr. W. Douglas, and during those years prepared such noted performers as Primrose, Mangaone, Owaoke. Volcano, Jiawenata, Mutiny, Kapua, Wheriko, Christina, Bonny Blink, Waiters, Douglas, The Brook, Brooklet, and Rosefeldt.