SPORTING

Taranaki Daily News, 31 May 1919, Page 11

SPORTING

RACING FIXTURE". I SEASON 1919. j May 31, June 3 and s—Auckland K.C. Winter. June 3 and 4—Otaki Maori R.C. Winter. June 3, r> and 7—Dunedin .1.0. Winter. June o—Horowhenua K.C. Animal. June 12 and 14—Gisborne K.C. Steeplechase. June 14—Otago Hunt Steeplechase. June 20 and 21—Napier Park R.C. Winter Aug. 12, 14 and 10—C.J.C. Graud National. NOMINATIONS June 3—A.J.C. Epsom and Metropolitan Handicap. June 3—A.J.C. Classic events. June 13 —Canterbury J.C. (Classic events). June 27—C.J.C. Grand National (princi pal events). • June 25—C.J.C. Grand National (general entries). HANDICAPS.

June 2—Gisborne R.C. Steeplechase. June 9—Napier Park R.C. Winter. July 18—C.J.C. Grand National Steeplechase, Hurdle Race, and Winter Cup. Aug. I—C.J.C. Grand National (minor events). ACCEPTANCES June 7—Gisborne j'.C. Steepleciiase. June 13—Napier Park K.C. Winter. i July 25—C.J.C. Grand National Steeplechase, Hurdle Race, and Winter Cup. Aug. S—C.J.C. Grand National (minor events). FINAL PAYMENTS. Aug. B—C.J.C. Grand National Steeplechase, JJurdle Race, and Winter Cup. THE GREAT NORTHERN MEETING.

The Auckland. Racing Club's winter meeting opens at EUersiie to-day, and will be continued on Tuesday, and concluded on Thursday. This gathering ranks second only to the Canterbury Grand National meeting in the great jumping gatherings o! the Dominion, and by reason of its closer proximity to Taranaki, and the <arge number of Tara-naki-trained horses engaged it probably holds more interest for the sportsmen of this province than the Canterbury meeting held in August. The acceptances received on Saturday last reveal the fact that Taranaki stables will be strongly represented at the forthcoming Ellerslie carnival, and the form recently exhibit ed by Paraoa, White Blaze, Paddington Green, Alteration, >peedwell Mac, Hallow and others suggests that a fair share of the good stakes offering will find their way to the butter province Fields today will be numerous, and ot good class. Fourteen hold their ground in the Great Northern Hurdle Eace; twelve in the Cornwall Handicap; and the miuor events have .filled as follows: Hunt Club Hurdles 12, Haiden Steeples 10, Maiden Hurdles 13, Members' Handicap 17, and Jervois Handicap 40. No fault can be found with the quality of those engaged, including as they do Kauri .King, Art, Euripos, Sleight of Hand, Sir Fisher, Thrace, Master Lupin, Parata, Bedford, KiUard, Mangamahoe, Mullingar, Bore, Tenacious, All Over, Hineamaru, etc. A successful gathering may be confidently predicted.

The principal events on to-day's programme are the Great Northern Hurdles Race, run over two and a-half miles, and the Cornwall Handicap (flat), one mile and a-quarter.

The big hurdle race has attracted eight of the Dominion's finest "small stick" experts, as well as a number of more or less promising fencers, and promises to be a difficult race to pick. Kauri King, the hero of the last Grand National Hurdle Race, holds the post of honor with 11.8, a weight that should not trouble him if caught at his best. He has done nothing sensational of late, however, and his track form, though snowing steady improvement, does not suggest that he will strip to-day in the same fine fettle as at Riccarton last winter. Such a tried and proved stayer cannot be treated lightly, but the impression prevails that lie will not prove capable of defeating liis more seasoned rivals to-day. Art won at the Canterbury Easter meeting, but beat nothing of merit at the time, and the game little Canterbury hurdler has been weighted right up to the hilt with 11.5. Euripos proved himself a smart fencer, a good stayer, and a master of weight in his Wanganui essays, and provided he jumps and gallops "as freely the reverse way at lillerslie must be considered dangerous. Nothing was going freer at the end of the Century Hurdle Race, run in record time, and a rise of 81b. and two furlongs further to go may not seriously affect him to-day. Sleight of Hand had come to be regardel as a light of other days until an unexpected retwn to form at Awapuni disillusioned punters. If back to his form of two years ago it would take a good horse to go with him, but therein lies the doubt. Sir Fisher we know as a stayer of the first water, a~ad his record at Wanganui and Ellerslie show that he is equally at home whichever way they run. But for a recent set-back in. training he would be first favorite, and then again comes the fear that his past unsoundness may reveal itself when the supreme test is called for Thrace has won in his turn, but has never quite reached the high standard attained by those handicapped above him.

Far more rosy appear the prospects of Master Lupin, who, after demonstrating beyond doubt his staying ability, has given exceptional ] romise over the small sticks. His recent victory at Awapuni was registered in the easiest possible fashion, and 10.10 should be a luxurious weight for Mr. Bull's representative today,

Paraoa ia the most discussed horse in Taranaki, and apparently little notice is being taken of his defeat at Wanganui In the Century Hurdles he failed to concede Olbs to Euripos, but in to-dav's race he ia set to meet the Hymettus gelding on lOlbs better terras. Whether this will turn the scale in his favor remains to be, seen.

Those weighted at 10. H and under are not a likely looking lot though the history oi the race is full of surprises effected by lightweights. Ditto can jump well, but the distance may prove a stumbling block, and Te Onga, Cynic and Colonel Soult savour too much of the crowd that "lag superfluous" on the Turf. Cynic has given occasional promise in training essays, but his form on the whole has not been good. Gunwale could not win in hack company at Wanganui, and neither he nor ICinkora read at all dangerous. A careful survey of performances and training work (up to the time of writing) lends the belief that Euripos, Master Lupin and Sir Fisher nave strongest claims to public support this afternoon. Ih past seasons more aristocratic fields have lined up for the Cornwall Handicap -itan r ~—-

al rush of race meetings this autumn has ; rendered stale and listless the majority iof our best middle distance horses, leaving but a moderate lot to race for this good stake. Bedford, who shows his bestform in the autumn, has practically been I kept up to the collar for six months, and can hardly be equal to the task of carrying 9.12 with distinction at this, stage. Killard never was a good horse,, and his recent track form has been deplorable. Mangamahoe won at Easter, and may keep the top weights very busy. Mullingar may not "come back," and the same remark applies to Sir Ralph. Hylllis is well in with 5.12, and should hol.l i All Talk safe at level weights Paddington Green reds out of place in such a race, and botli White Blaze find Alteration should beat him at a difference of 21b. White Blaze looked really wol) when raced at Hav.'era this month, arid has improved in the interval. Alteration, through his Win with Marqueteur in the Atkinson Memorial Stakes, must be given a chance with 8.7, but Housewife and Lady Energy do not merit favorable consideration. Alangamahoe may strip fittest to-day, but the best of the Taranaki trio should keep the northerner busy. The minor events may not trouble the majority of Taranaki punters much. If Peneton gets round in the Hunt Club Hurdles he should prove too fast for the others, while Tenacious and Bore may divide favoritism in the Maiden Steeples, The last-named should be benefited by his four solid races at Hawera and at Wanganui, in which he was not out of a place, and his prospects in the minor steeplechases at Ellerslie look exceedingly bright. Munster and Gunwale may be depended upon to set a merry pace in the Maiden Hurdles, and Hallow, Taiamai and Hineamaru read as well as anything engaged in the minor flat handicaps.

THE LATE MR. CHAMPION. There passed away last in Auckland a well-known and widely respected sportsman in the person of Mr. "Bert" Champion, one time liorse-owner and penciller, and in later years a popular representative of tobacco firms. "Bert" was well known in New Plymouth, being a game bettor, and at one time a leviathan in the mctalliciana' ring. As an owner only moderate luck lollowed his colors, but Cavalry, Full Cry and other hones won good handicaps. Cavalry, it will be remembered, won the Century Hurdle Race for him. Full Cry, on the other hand, nearly did for Mr Champion, and on one occasion helped himself to a goodly portion of that gentleman's fingers. The writer conversed with Mr. Champion quite recently, and though it was well known that "Bert" was not physically strong, he bore no outward symptoms of serious ailment. His sudden demise will be regretted by a lar"e circle o£ friends. ° DESERT GOLD'S PLACE.

Admirers of Now Zealand's greatest mare will be interested in a table comby a northern scribe showing the position held by Desert Gold amongst the woilds best of her sex. Her stakes winnings total £23,074, and bring ber into fifth position, her record onlv being beaten by Sceptre ( £38,230), Pretty Polly (£37,597), La Fleche (£34,585), and Seabreeze ( £24,268), Considering that the highest stake won by the New Zealander was only £1202, as against the tens of thousands open to mares in the Old Country Desert Gold'? record, is wonderful.

CONCERNING SPANNER. When Mr. W. Richmond, gave the aura of three thousand guineas for the run-ner-up in the Thompson Handicap, Spanner, most sportsmen considered that he had paid full value for the handsome folt. The same opinion lias been voiced h Y Sydney scribes, one of which describes the sale as "remarkable," and "causing a sensation." Spanner was bred in New South, Wales by Mr. H. 11. Dcnison, and at the dispersal sale of the Kumaralla Stud was sold aa a foal for 75 guineas. At the same sale his sire, The Nut, was sold for 230 gns., and his dam, the imported Dudu (Wolf's Crag—Cythera) changed hands at 3SO gns. Tlio Nut was only considered lit to do duiy on an upcountry Queensland station Lut now that one of his sons has found a buyer at a cool three thousand there are likely to be some inquiries for the discarded sire. Spanner may be worth the price paid for him, but when a horse like i)emos can be purchased for one-iifth of the money it sets one thinking seriously. The fact remains that the sale caused a sensation in Xmv Zealand as well aa in New South Waled.

TRAFALGAR MAKING GOOD. A pWsing feature of Victorian racing during the last few weeks has boon the prominence of Trafalgar as a sire. Of late, Speedy Gleam and Falgar liave each won twice for him, and at Wangaratta on Saturday week May Nelson (from Miss Mayfair) won the Wangaratta Cup, and Scerry, a gelding from Bozra, took the Hurdle Race. On the same day, at Adelaide, DiomedUt, a iillv from Ladv Pilgrim, added one more to Trafalgar's total.

Now that Trafalgar lias had time to shake oq the effects of his strenuous racing days, it is quite on the cards that his stock will keep on improving for some years, for he is still a young stallion—l 4 next August. His progeny at first were very disappointing, but there is now a hops that we shall yet see a Trafalgar carry some of the classic races. It may, perhaps, he asking too much to expect him to turn out one like himself, but if he can only produce one to win a Melbourne Cup—a race which should have gone to him —that will be some Satisfaction.

It is surprising that English racing men do not agitate for the alteration of' the Jockey Club rule which voids entries on the death of the nominator. Before they come up for sale in England yearlings are nominated freely by their breeders. The buyer taken tjver all liability in Hie matter of future payments, and therefore it ia not equitable that lie should be at the loss of all these engagements in the event o£ the death of the nominator. No doubt something further will be heard on the subject, consequent on the death of Sir Mark Sykes in March All the Sledmere yearlings sold in England last September were nominated by him, and one of ihese, a colt by The Tetrarcli, was bought by Mr A. E. Barton for 4'2oogns. Now all his engagements are void, as are those of the other Sledmere youngsters sold at the same time. Touching on the position, an linglisi.i writer says that Sir Tatton Sykea L w "° died some time ago) tried to anticipate any such catastrophe by making Mr. Uiolmondeley a partner, so that he, a .vouu-aer man, could enter the stock, but »sir .Hark Sykus. being younger than | .ui\ (Uiolmondeley, made the entries himscii. In Australia a horse's engagements are very properly not voided by the