SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 June 1919, Page 6

SPORTING.

T.J.C. COMMITTEE. ! The. monthly meeting of the Taranaki Jockey Club Committee was held in the secretary's oiliee last night. Mr. L. A. Solan presided, and there were also present: Messrs 0. W. Sole, J. MeLood, \V P. Nicol, A. Alexander, N. King, G. Eraser, B. H. Chaney, and W. T. Hookliam. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs 15. F. Blundell and W. C. Weston. It was decided to hold the annual general meeting at the Soldiers' Club on July 2S. An application for a certificate of character and fitness was declined. Accounts amounting to £(i 3s i)d were passed for payment.

TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa") Some years ago, after a particularly disastrous time at Horowhenua, this scribe nick-named the iplace "Horridwhenua," and this appellation probably comes bade with some force to those Taranaki punters who went down on Lady Black, Henry Clay, and other Taranaki horses there on Friday last.

The little Aiorowhemui Club wa9 one of those tliat went under soma four years ago, but, judging by the recent successful gathering, racing is even more popular there to-day than it was in 1915. The attendance was splendid and gave little indication that it was an off day, and that the majority of punters were Buffering from a vacuum in the hip pocket after two gruelling days at Otaiki. The betting was brisk, £15;896 being machined, as against £11,986 at the previous meeting. Everything went off splendidly; secretary Bull, starter kcith, and judge Cameron doing their work well. The racing was really top-notch. A good field of nine lined* up for the Manaicau Hack Hurdles, for which l''oeman was a good favorite. The Achilles gelding Manu made the pace, but Gold Soult ran past him along the back, and looked like coming in on his own. The last fence proved fatal to the Porirua horse, however, and Manu was left to win comfortably from Dasher Boy and Mclallum. Manu still has a lot to learn about the jumping game, but with Gold Soult and Metallum oomprised. a promising trio of hurdle aspirants. The winner was well handled by returned soldier W. Ayre, who won on Rio at Wanganui. Maraetotara and Utuwai carried the bulk of the money in the Moutere Welter, and the latter proved that his Otaki running was correct by winning from Consultation. May Morn, who has been oft' the scene for some time, was noticed running on strongly in fourth place, and should soon pick up a heat. The highly-bred American Beauty (Demosthenes —Rose Shield) was the screaming hot order in the Maiden, and, quickly assuming the lead, gave nothing else a look in. Hautawa (St. Paul—Ebb Tide) ran a good race, as did Multiplex, but Moutoa Boy shaped disappointingly. The Cup drew nine runners, and was full of mcidcnt tfttaugnoui. Pacific' Slope, Pretty Bobby, and Master Moutoa were best backed, but the winner turned up in Zola, whose victory hit the bookmakers with a resounding jingle on the hip pocket. Zola was always prominent, while Pacific Slope and Master Moutos met with a lot of trouble in the rucls and the Wanganui hurdler never looked like getting beaten- Detroit finished fast in second place, and Master Moutoa, as usual, was ''flying'' at the end. Lady General, who ran well throughout, was fourth, and then came Pretty Bobby, Pacific Slope, and Henry Clay. That the pace was on all the way was shown by the time registered, 2min. 8 l-ssec. being a good "go" for a rail® and a quarter on the Horowhenua course.

A penalty of Gib failed to stop Dainty Step (Lucullus —Adoption) in the Levin Hack Handicap, for which she was a better favorite than Prince Formby, Tonukohe, Prince Formby, and Lady Kilvvorth curried on the running to the distance, and just when the consistent Prince Formby looked like winning, Dainty Step dashed up and won comfortably. Royal Chef was the elect of the four runners in the McDonald Memorial Handicap, and the unlucky son of Coronet, was unfortunatt to lose. Gold Problem began quickest, and, hard ridden, jusfc got home in front of the favorite by a narrow margin.

-Aliika and. Lady Black were heavily supported in the Weraroa Welter, and the former won nicely from Want and Haumakaka. Lady Black shaped poorly. This made JR, Bagby's third winning ride, the crack light-weight also scoring on Gold Problem and American Beautv.

Dismay has been occasioned some "local punters of the working class, remarks the Wellington Times, through the sudden disappearance this week of a budding bookmaker, who started his occupation not far from the waterfront about four months ago. The bookmaker was formerly a barman, and up till this week had made about £350 out of his clients. The races on King's Birthday, however, proved his Waterloo, he being struck by the win of Volo. Betting creditors, with claims totalling £7'2o, have been left lamenting. It is believed the pepciller left for Auckland by the express on Wednesday.