TURF TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 March 1921, Page 3

TURF TOPICS.

(By

“Moturoa.”)

- Taranaki’s popular picnic gathering, the Opunake Racing Club’s annual meeting, takes place at Pihama to-day, and judging by the big fields and good class of horses engaged in all events, a fine day’s sport should be provided. Sportsmen will be present from all parts of Taranaki, and from Pa tea, Waverley, Wanganui and Marton, and a record attendance is expected. There is little to add to the review of acceptances published in this column, but on a hard track Egmont Park, Irapuka, Munition, Vagrancepiere, Skylight, Halcyon, and Big Push should run well. Acceptances for the Rangitikel Racing Club’s annual meeting, which opens cn Tuesday’ next, are hardly as numerous as usual, though the hack events have filled well. Possibly through the Masterton meeting being i-eid on Saturday, and the Easter meetings commencing at the end of next week, horseowners have been reluctant to run their horses at Bulls. The tracks are hard everywhere at present, and unless considerable rain falls shortly a, good number of horses will remain in theis boxes. Seven have been paid up for in the RangiLikei Cup. Nobleman has only 8.9 against his'' name, but he showed a strong dislike to hard going at the Christmas and New Year meetings, and may be passed over on that account. Simon, who acted as pacemaker for nearly a mile and a half in the Wanganui Cup, is a prime fancy, and a decent horse■man can be secured to ride 8.8. On form, recent or otherwise, he should finish in front of Rose Queen, who has the same weight. Railand has been running well lately, but may be better over a shorter journey on the second day. Rose Wreath does not relish hard going, though on a springy track she would be very dangerous. Paonul and Beloved hardly appear to be class enough. Six remain in the Scott Memorial Handicap. Simonides is not overweighted with 8.13, but Crucelle, with a pound less is certainly more reliable. Murlhiku's form at Greenmeadows was not attractive, but Ngata and Voluble, if started, would need to be taken into consideration. On paper Harry Rayner’s pair, Simon and Crucelle, appear to have more than a rough chance of landing the double. The v twenty-one in the Trial Plate are a mediocre lot, of which Miss Elva, Princess Marion, and Super Six have fair credentials. Persian Prince, Hautawa, and Sail Home look as dangetous as any amongst the dozen hurdlers paid up for. Eleven remain In tte Carnarvon Hack Handicap, and Voluble, American Beauty and Bestir should strip as fit aa any. Eleven also figure in the Pukenui Hack Welter, and Y’ankee Dan, Velocifonm\and Gay Patron may be the best of a poor lot. Only six have cried content in the Parewanui Welter, and of these three are also engaged in other events. If Simonides is reserved he should carry big money. Punters will have to put on their thinking cap when they come to the Ngatiapu Hack Handicap, in which nineteen hoid their places. Birkie, Flying Master, Tigrinia, and Gallia can all go fast over five furlongs, and it Is hard to say which will start favorite.

As anticipated, Ponte has proved equal to winning a good race in good company, her victory over Gasbag and a select lot in the McVay Memorial Handicap at Napier on Saturday being her best performance to date. She has been running consistently, though without much luck of late, hence the short price she returned her backers at the Park. Old Rorke’s Drift dashed into the limelight again at Gore recently, where he won the principal handicap from Tin Soldier, Melee, Linden, Palamon, Bengeroop, Glenshine, Jock, and Mettle Drift. Although ten years of age, Rorke’s Drift gave his younger opponents no show, and won easly in 2min. Bsec. —very fair time for ten furlongs. Very numerous entries were received on Tuesday evening for the Manawatu Racing Club’s autumn meeting, and good number of Taranaki horses, notably Silver Link, Marqueteur, Simonides, Irapuka, Kareao, Voluble, Prodigal, Molleen Oge, Ngakanul, Danger Zone, Amorel, and Interest. The following horses have been entered for the Awapuni Gold CupSasanof, Duo, Surveyor, Gasbag, Warplane, Maioha, Marqueteur. Rude. Klirush, Eleus, Halifax, Listowel, Royal Stag, Winter Wind, Rouen and Sunart. A Canterbury scribe states authoritatively that Gloaming is to contest the Challenge Startas at Riccarton, and after doing the Weilingtoo autumn meeting will be taken over io Randwick. As Mefrmin is to contest the Challenge Stakes the meeting between such a brilliant pair will be a great draw. Another effort is being made to train Vascular, but those who have seen the old 'chaser in work do not give him a 100 to 1 chance of standing a preparation. The Masterton Racing Club’s autumn meeting takes place on Saturday. Acceptances for the Waimate Plains Trotting Club's annual 'meeting close on Friday