SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 September 1919, Page 7

SPORTING.

WANGANUI PROSPECTS. NOTES BY "MOTUROA." Very fair acceptances are carded for the opening day of tho Wanganul .lockov Club's spring meeting, and Thursday and Saturday next wm see a crowd of Taranakl sports with urgent business in the River City. The larnnakl division endued is hardly as strong or as numerous us usual, lm; some seventeen or so of tlie acceptors hail from this province. The tracks at Wanganul aro In nnn order, and a successful meeting In assured. A dozen remain In the Flying Handicap, six furlongs, with Yolo at the head of the list with !).!). Good one as ho undoubtedly is the handicapper has set him a big task, and punters will probably prefer the chances of Ermine, Kipling, and Jutland. Ermine has been galloping splendidly since her arrival and Is pounds better than when Sweet Corn and Kipling narrowly defeated her at Marton Kipling ran two solid races at Marton, and reports from tho latter placo state that ho is go ng very nicely. Little is known of tho doings of Jutland, but his form of last season cannot be overlooked, and he races best when fresh. With Maoha, Bonny Briar, Carmel Arch, Oratress and other smart one 3 In tho field there Is ample for an Interesting rice The thirteen figuring In the Maiden Race, six furlongs, are a very uneven lot, and nothing outside Nursing Sister and Tome Fox are likely to bo backed very spiritedly. Nursing Sister ran well when she met Egmont Park at Marton, and Tame Fox, who raced consistently at the Wellington winter meeting, "an also be relied upon to go very fast Roports from Fordcll say that Tame Fox is now very well, and big things are expected of him this spring. Warplane's slight lameness has' caused the public to hesitate .before voting the Wanganul Guineas as a certainty for him, but the writer Is prepared to see the Hlghden representotturun a great raco on tho day. Affectation Itetaua and Motulhl should run a good mile and some good judges giro the last-named a big chance. The gallops of the last few days may shed some light on the outsiders' prospects. Only seven remain in the Okehu Hurdles, one mile and three-quarters, and Yankee Jack and Papanul have moat recent form to recomend them. Tosslbly the former will be sent out a strong favorite. Eight very moderate horses figure In the Hack and Hunters' Steeples, two and a halt miles, and Onlpoto, who took the. wrong courso when' loading at Marton, should hold Bullln and Kurapal safe nt the weights. Ten remain In tho Spring Handicap, eight and a half furlongs, and Zola, who Is going splendidly, Is likely to carry most monev. Client, Maioha (If reserved), and Carmel Arch may also have to be reckoned with. Zola has beaten Warplano and other good ones In recent gallops, and should act much better on the Wanganul courso than he did when he ran two good races at Marton this month. Sea Sprite Is nicely placed in the rntlfei Hack Handicap, eight and a half furlongs, and Engarl may bo her toughest opponent Egraont Park Is much discussed for tho Durle Hack Handicap, as Is Rose Wreath, but Farce won so easily at Marton, and has Improved so much in tho Interim that I expect hlni to monopolise the betting and make me racs a procession. THE AUSTRALIAN CAMPAIGN'. The wholesale defoat of tho New Zea'ao.l division at Tuttersall'a meeting at RUndwlck on September 13, far from displrli'nt then worshippers In the Dominion, has rather served to sharpen up Interest in their prospects In the near future, and while the running of the New Zealanders has, at first sight, appeared surprising, It is quite anticipated that bettor things may bo expected nf them wti?n lh« more important events (and bigger stake*) como to be tackled next month. Tho true test of the New Zealanders' ability will be the A.J.C. spring meeting, wVc'i op»ns on Saturday, October 4, and continue on lh« following Monday and Wednesday, and concludes on Saturday, October 11. Practically tho whole of the Maorllrtftd brigade will be Seen In action at Randwlck on those davs, and they will bo opposed by Australia's beat—Rebus, Biplane, Wolarol, Greenstead, Panacre, Kennaquhalr, Tho Fortune Hunter, Poltrel Prince Virdls, Elgaroon, and the rest The cracks that brought about the downfall of Desert Gold and Estland will prove worthv opponents for what Is probably the finest team of racers that ever left the Domiilon. The opening day of the A..TC ni>>tinz will probably see Golden Bubble (Absurd—Catchfly), Pershore (All Black—Perscls). Rossini (Martian—Grand Opera), Yarraldool (King Ktifus—Eulogy), measuring strides with Bigaroon. Richmond Main, Mlllieme, Artilleryman, and the best of tho Australian three-year-olds in tho A.J.C. Derby, and apart from the honors attached to winning the blue riband a nlca sura of 5000 sovereigns will he divided by the fortunate owners of place getters. At latest advices Elgaroon was a pronounced fav&fle for the race, and Richmond Main and Milllcine were the only others spiritedly supported, though all tho writers agree that the contest bears a hopelessly open appearance On the same day, the Spring Stakes run over a mile and a half at welght-for-age. will seo Gloaming, Afterglow. Surveyor, and Sasannf —or the elect of the stables—up against the leading lights of the older division, and the New Zealanders engaged In the minor events are: Trial Stakes, 1% miles, Rossini, Lady Ball, Golden Bubble, and Taunaha; Kensington Handicap, 7 furlongs, Spanehr. Surveyor, and Taunaha. No New Zealand-owned horses will contest tho Epsom Handicap. On Monday, October 8, tho principal race is the Metropolitan Handicap, V/» miles, and Afterglow,, who Is nicely treated with 8.6, will carry New Zealand's hopes The Breeders' Plate, R furlongs, will probably see Mr. R. J. Watt's Churn (Demosthenes—Lady Delaval) pacing it with the best of their two-year-olds. Spanner, Surveyor, and Taunaha claim engagements In tho Shorts Handicap, 6 furlongs, which should suit the first-named sprinter, and in tho Cllbborn Stakes, 9 furlongs, are Surveyor, Lady Ball, Golden Bubblo, Rossini, and Pershore. Afterglow, Karo, and Impediment figuro in the Squatters' Handicap, 1 mile and 3 furlongs. Tho third day, Wednesday, October 8. promises the best sport of all. Gloaming, Afterglow, Sasanof, Goldon Bubble, Spanner, and Taunaha arc engaged In the Ctaven Plate, run over a mllo and a quarter at weight-for-age; Spanner, Karo, Taunaha, Impediment, and Lingerie are In tho Suburban Handicap, one mile; Rossini. Golden Bubble and Surveyor in the Members' Handicap, 0 furlongs; Delight (Demosthenes—Sunlight) In the Gimcrack Stakes. 5 furlongs; and Afterglow and Impediment In the Sydney Handicap, 1% miles. Tho concluding day will soo the Now Zealanders engaged as follows: Randwlck' Plate, S miles, St welght-for-age 1 , Gloaming, Afterglow, Golden Bubblo, Surveyor, and Sasanof; High-weight Handicap, 6 furlongs. Lady Ball, Spanner, and Taunaha; Waverley Handicap, T.% miles, Afterglow; Grantham Stakes, 1 mile, Rossini, Lady Ball, Ooldeft Bubble, and Surveyor; CanonbUry Stakes, 5 furlongs. Delight; and Final Handicap, I*4 miles, Afterglow, Karo, Snaner, Taunaha, and Impediment. THB FAVORITE DIVISION, The latest Sydney papers give the favorites for the leading spring handicaps, and for the A.J.C. Derby as follows: Epsom Handicap—Shaded IJght, Biplane, Molly's Robe, Gfeenstead, Rebus. Matropoaltaji Handicap— Baaater. Tolaon d'Or, lan 'Or, Brtllle, Kenllford, Arch Marella, Shaded Light. Caulfleld Cup.—Surveyor. Lucknow, Nightwatch, Chrome, Artilleryman, Bigaroon, Gloaming. Melbourne Cup—Nlßhtwatch, lan 'Or, Drumore, New Zealand, Artilleryman, Admiral CotIlngwood. A.J.C. Derby.—-Bigaroon, Richmond Main, Milllcne, Artilleryman, Perohore, Rossini.