SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 May 1921, Page 3

SPORTING.

WANGANUI NOTES.

(By

"Moturoa.”)

Satisfactory acceptances for the opening day (Thursday) of the Wanganui Jockey Club’s winter meeting were received on Monday evening, a total of 105 acceptors working out at 15 a race. Taranaki stables are strongly represented at the meeting, and no doubt a large number of sports from this province will make the trip. The recent fine weather has benefited the course, which is now in perfect order. Ten remain in the Wanganui Steeplechase, including a previous winner, Coalition, and forward torses like Slowcoach, Luke, Mattock, Foenian, Khartoum and Manhattan. The Wanganui Steeplechase course is not suited to a large field, but nine or ten runners should put up a pretty race. Slowcoach, who Is meeting Mattock on 51b better terms than in the Egmont Steeples, promises to be a warm favorite.

The Century Hurdle Race has attracted a fine field of of which Slowcoach and Mattock are also engaged in the big steeples. The distance (two miles and a quarter) will probably trouble a number of the acceptors, but Fisher, Multive, Paddington Green, Omahu and Lord Nagar should run It right out. The race looks very open $t present, but Lord Nagar, who won with 14.11 at Hawera, Is most discussed for the event.

The Connolly Handicap has seen many notable defections, and the dozen holding their places are a good, moderate lot. Malaga won with 7.3 and 8.4 at Hawera, and his most dangerous opponents appear to be Kilgour and Tame Fox. Amber Tips, who stays well, may prove to be the best of the light weights.

Punters will be busy when they come to size up the score in the Borough Handicap, Listowel, Bindle, Mustard Pot, Income, Nursing Sister, Ruudy and Bonny Briar all having adherents. Whatever beats Mustard Pot and Bonny Briar may win, but much depends on the send off.

If track form counts for anything Zola must be given a chance amongst the thirteen paid up for in the Hack Steeples, though the presence of Vigilo, Pawerewere and Te Toa will make tho race an interesting one. Fifteen are carded for the Kaltoke Hurdles, and Hyginas, Prince Hal and Whizz Bang appear to be likely to carry big money. The twenty remaining In tte Purua Hack Handicap include good ones like Festivity, Admiral Codrington, No Bother, Veloclform and Equitable, ahd It should be a spirited betting race. Zola has been jumping the big fences at Wanganui in fine style, and Manhattan has also been responsible for good exhibitions. Tarquin treated P. McGuire to a nasty spill on Monday morning through making light of a stiff brush fence.

Mattock was sent back to Bulls after Winning the Egmont Steeples, and will not be railed to Wanganui until to-day (Wednesday). He was given a rousing gallop on Monday morning and shaped well, but his backers would like to see him getting a bit more schooling before taking on the Wanganui Steeplechase.

TJ.C. DISTRICT COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the T..T.C. District Committee was held last night. Present: Messrs. L. A. Nolan (chairman), .1. McLeod, O. W. Sole,' J. Gray, C. H. Washer, and D. J. Malone. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs. S. Pitt, N. King, G. Fraser, A. Good and B. H. Chaney. The chainman welcomed Mr. Malone, a new representative on tte district committee. A jockey’s license was granted to George Johns, subject to the apprenticeship being in order. Owners’ permits to train were granted to Kaho Heremai (Waltara) ; Tupitenaurea (Patea) ; W. Paterson (Patea) ; R. Payne (Inglewood) ; H. W. Brewer (Hawera) ; S. Cleavtr (Kakaramea); and E. Davidson (Whenuakura). The question of dates of the Taranaki and Egmont February meetings was left in the hands of Messrs. Nolan and Gray. The following jockeys’ licenses were cancelled :—Eric J. Reid, and George Ward. Particulars from the Stratford Club for inclusion in the unpaid forfeit list were authorised to be forwarded to the Conference.