SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 July 1919, Page 6

SPORTING.

TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") Grand National weights are dirt; on Friday. Waimai has made many friends for the Grand National Steeples. Gang Awa' and Canzonet were the only double winners at Trcniiiam. A large number of Taranaki sports motored back from Wellington on Sunday, and were favored with splendid weather. Owing to the difficulty of transport, Percy Johnson left Movement at Trentham, where she will be hacked about by Mr. Bert. Russell. Trainer R. Brough arrived in Wanganni on Saturday by steamer, bringing Seaspritc with him. The latter was walked through to Waverley on Sunday, and reached homo on Monday. The Palmerston horses racing at Trcntliam will probably be shipped to Foxton, from where a walk of 24 miles will bring them home. There will be a lot of footsore horses resting this week. Three horses, Battle Array, Client, and Probity, each returned dividends of over a score last week, but, on the whole, punters picked the winners,remarkably well. Nine first favorites got home, while second favorites were first five times. Backers of the absolute favorite would have collected thirteen dividends in the three day 9. Client, usually a favorite with Wanganui punters, was almost neglected on Saturday, and although he had run two good races at Trentham he was allowed to pay a great price in the Winter Oats. A lot of people who usually back Rewipoto when he wins missed the bus on Saturday. The Bon Rcve—Loyal Arch double was hot-stuff in Wellington, but at the last moment one shrewd bettor snapped up all that was offering about Bon Rcve and Rewipoto, and in consequence had a royal win. Rewipoto's easy victory draws attention to his Grand National prospects, hut the extra distance may find him out at Riccarton. The proposed Sydney trip may not take place until after the National meeting, if at all.

It was intended to sell all of the Busliy Park bloodstock at Wellington last week, but the lack of railway transport caused the sale postponed until the end of the year. Mr. .Tack Hay, who looks after Mr. Moore's stud, Informs me that he has secured a farm at Kai Iwi, and has leased the sfcallion Hallowmas for the coming season Waimai's superb jumping in the Wellington Steeplechase was the feature of the race, and when faced by the bigger fences at Riccarton nest month the Auckknder is sure to show to greater advantage. He is a much improved horse now, and looks like a v safc proposition to follow at the National meeting. What a great horse Parisian Diamond really is he proved on Saturday when he got home in the Onslow Handicap under the steadier of list, ,121b, boa tins a smart field in heavy going in 1.21-5. Madam Ristori and Astinome set a torrid pace, but the topweight was never far away, and, finishing with a great burst of speed, just got up in time to beat Astinome on the peg. Wild Pilgrim, one of the few Pilgrim's Progress horses racing at the present time, was very unlucky at the Wellington meeting- On the first day he finished a close third; on the second a bad stumble at the last fence caused him to go under by a bate head; While on Saturday he beat all but the speedy Gang Awa'. Wild Pilgrim should be worth watching at Eiccarton next month.

There was not much behind Lochella when the unlucky Grafton Loch gelding scored in the Hack Steeples on Saturday, bu.t he is reported to have given a fine display of jumping, and in moderate company he should go on winning. The imported Tame Fox looks like turning out a useful horse next season, At Trontham he ran a third and two (seconds, and on Saturday he was unlucky in being "pipped" on the post. Canzonet, whose running at Trontham was questioned, started sixth favorite on the first day, and finished outside a place. The Bezonian gelding was warmly supported on the seeona day, being sent out first favorite, and won easily by three lengths. On Saturday, despite 11.4 against his name, he was again made favorite, and again won easily. His victories were well anticipated away from the course. Paddington Green had stiff luck not to win a race outright at Trcntham, but the two fine second dividends he returned must have been appreciated by Mr. Emcny. Paddington Green is a, wretched beginner, and has to cover a lot of ground getting round his field. On a course like Kiccarton pne might not put. a Winter Cup past him, especially if ridden by a vigorous horseman like AJ. McFlynn.

At the S.M. Court, Patea, on Thursday, a person named W. Blyde was charged with betting with two youths of 15 and 17 years respectively. In delivering judgment, Mr. Wyvcrn Wilson stated that it was a notorious thing that bookmakers looked upon fines as a license fee, and went on with their calling. The fines had consequently to be very substantial. The accused was fined £SO and costs. - The architect of the Canterbury ■Jockey Club is reported to have estimated the cost of rebuilding the grand stand at Riccartou, destroyed by five recently, at £IO,OOO, but several builders estimate if jat from £12,000 to £15,000 at least, and perhaps move owing to the great advance in the cost of materials, particularly girders and plate glass.