SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 August 1921, Page 8

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. August 31—Esmont- Wanganui Hunt, September 7—Mari n J.C. Spring. September 10—Rangitikei Hunt. September 14—North Taranaki Hunt. September 17—Pakurangi Hunt. September 22, 24—Wanganui J.C. Spring. September 24, 26—Avondale J.C. Spring. HUNT CLUB’S MEETING. (By “Moturoa”) The Egmont-Wanganui Hunt Club meeting, which takes place at Hawera on Wednesday next, promises excellent sport. Tlrau and Stetson represent class in the Hunt Cup Steeples, and Simple Sam might be dangerous if he jumps well. A line crowd figure in the Hunters’ Hurdles, including Marshal Neil, lemaire and Applaud. Kafour, Sunray and Eying Camp should be dangerous in the Ladies’ Bracelet, and In the Maiden Steeples nothing reads better than Toddy and Flying Camp. Possibly the topweights, Stork and Prodigal, will carry most money in the Wavarley Hack Handicap, and Awake and Sunny Jim will not want, for backers in the Moumahald Back Handicap. Mr. B. 101 l appears to hold a strong hand in the Malden Handicap, and if anything beats the bracket it may be Sunny Jim. TURF TOPICS. New Zealand Cup weights appeared promptly to time, and are now being "digested”. Sasanof and Maloha are well cared for, and it must be remembered that 8.9 is the greatest Weight that has been carried to victory in the race. Rouen should beat Gasbag at level Weights, but Lovematch and Sunart may outstay the pair. Of those weighted below Bst. The Hawk, Strategy, Battle Song, Pente, Esperance and Egotism all strike one as probable stayers. The handicap is a good one, but it looks on paper as if the winner will come from the lightweight division tins year. The going was holding at Dannevirke on Wednesday, and a keen wind and occasional showers did not add to the pleasure of the Hunt meeting, which did not attract a great number of people. The hunters were a fair, ordinary lot, but some good performers were produced in the open and hack events, and racing was quite interesting. The conduct of the meeting left little to be desired. Proceedings opened with the Hunt Club Hurdles, which attracted a good field of eight. Birkenvale (A. Macdonald), Temaire, Tornea and Toddy were best backed. Toddy and Tornea were early in front, but Eldenholmn led the pair passing the stand. Mannikin came down at. the third hurdle, but Alf. Tricklebank was unhurt. Tornea led along the back, but Temaire drew level approaching the last fence. Temaire swerved and lost ground, but came again, ahd Tornea only had a head to spare when the winning post was reached. Edenholm was a good third, followed by Oak Rose. The favorite (Birkenvale) shaped like a hairy goat.

Twenty-two went to the post for the Trial Stakes, and Included Tolerance, a bay gelding by Bonlform—lnnocence, Tinihanga (Absurd — Formless), and Moronla (Feramorz—Bcronia). This trio filled the places. Tinihanga made most of the running, but Tolerance cut her down easily in the run home. Demoness was fourth.

The Hunt Club Cup Steeples was d fiasco. Only fire went to the post, and Coolpan was feettdt backed than Nicomar. Coolpan led Torr.ea and Nicomar as they passed the stand the first, time, in the next round Rococo and Tornea fell, but rhe latter was remounted, and gave chase. Nicomar went on and won, pulling up, by about twenty lengths, and Tornea caught and beat Coolpan for second money. A protest was entered against the winner, which was alleged to have run Inside a flag, but the judge’s placing was not disturbed.

Doric,, Black Art and Makere commanded most support in the Flying Hack Handicap. Doric and Makere were first away, but HaHucination passed them In the straight, ouiy to give way to Black Art, who finished strongly and won easily. Makere was fourth. The Te Mata Hunters’ Steeples was an interesting race. The public sorted out Hurnngl, Taihape and The Hound as the best «of the bunch, but the winner turned up in Master Oriflame, who just beat 'Scimitar, both paying good dividends.

Printemps ((’. Emerson) and Admiral Codrington were well backed in the Oringi Welter, Bonny Brlaj and Tigrinia (who had been well backed in “doubles”) being the only withdrawals Toa Taua, Automoana and Prlntemps were quickest out from the barrier, but when it came to racing Admiral Codrington cleared out. and won easily. Truthful (A. Olliver) paid a fair “price” for second, and Printemps and Automoana finished next.

Royal Gift and Sunray were favorites in tlie Ladies’ Bracelet, and after waiting on the field for six furlongs, ran through and took the lead, with Sir Alba handy. A great race home resulted in Sunray’s favor, the Fort William gelding winning by a head from Royal Gift, who was a neck In front of Sir Alba. Anguish was fourth.

Black Art was produced again in the Kaltoke Hack Welter, and was made a warm order. The All Black gelding justified public confidence by winning practically from end to end. The runner-up, Patuki, is a three-yea: old bay gelding by Solferino—Mazurka. Lady Ulma, who was alwaj’s well up, was almost In line with Putukl at the finish. Penitent (Martian—Plneta) was fourth.

WAIMATE PLAINS TROTTING CLUB. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of members of the Waimate Plains Trotting Club was held, at Hawera on Friday evening, Mr. B. McCarthy (president) presiding over an attendance of about. 30. COMMITTEE’S REPORT. The committee's report was as folldws “The operations during the year, though resulting in a loss, are considered satisfactory. The loss is attributed mainly to the fact that we distributed £4C3 more In stakes, anil to the decrease In our totaysator investments by £4259, resulting in a loss of revenue from that source. Also to depreciation of £93 1.5 s in the value of war loan slocks, these being written down to current prices, and to an expenditure of £196 ifis Od for the New Zealand Trotting Association’s enquiry and appeal. With the exception of the decreased 1 totalisator Investments, our meeting held last ■ Easter Monday was a. very auceeasful gathering. The substantial increased gate receipts, the high standard of racing witnessed, and the large crowd assembled, is evidence of the popularity of this club’s annual fixture. The yards system of starting was adopted at the meeting in place of the “seconds” system. During the year the Racing* Commission visited the course, and a deputation (.insisting of the president, Mr. D. J. Goodwin, and the secretary, waited upon them and urged this club's claim for an extra permit. It is With much pleasure that your committee have* to report that the Racing Commission has included our club in its list of recommendations for an additional permit. This recommendation now awaits adoption by Parliament. In formally moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheof, the chairman said he hoped that the various members of Parliament would be interested in advocating the Commission’s recommendation, and the local members would interest themselves in their case. The committee were indebted to the Egmont Racing Club for their generosity, and also to the custodian, who had given them same good suggestions, which they had appreciated very much. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Tie following officers were elected: President, Mr. B. McCarthy; vice-president, Mr. E. A. Washer; honorary treasurer, Mr. B. McCarthy; committee, Messrs. C. Arden, A. Dunlop, W. Duggan, .T. Grant, D. ,T. Goodwin, B. C. Gibson, .1. C. Hobbs, C. J. Kirk, M. J. Lynskey, R. P. Atorissey, W. Slattery; stewards, Messrs. C. Arden. W. .1. Bradford, W. J. Bailey, A. Dunlop, J. Grant, B, C. Gib-

hod, J. c. Hobbs, A. C. Johnstone, M. J. Lynskey, R. P. Morissey, W. Slattery. Messrs. T. J. Liston, H. E. Sutton, and J. M. Mills were elected members of the club. GENERAL. After some discussion on the condition of training tracks, a resolution was passed to the effect that It be a recommendation to the committee to approach the Racing Club with a view to having an improvement effected.

In reply to Mr. Gray, the chairman stated that the yards system of starting which had been adopted at tlieir last meeting, had not been universally adopted, but had been left to the discretion of each individual club. Considerable discussion arose over which day the extra permit, if granted, should be used for. Finally the matter was left in the hands of the committee.

A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the cla.Tman and the members of the committee who waited on tbc Racing Commission. Mr. T. C. Gormley thought that they' should take off their hats to their chairman and his friends for the way they had met the Commission. The members of the Commission tad said afterwards that there was less time taken in dealing with the Waimaie Plains Trotting Club’s case than that of any other in New Zealand.

A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the secretory, Mr. V. B. Stratton, for the manner In which he had conducted the club's affairs.

Mr. Gray suggested that an arrangement be made between the two clubs so that trotters and gallopers should arrive at an understanding on times of training.

RANGITIKEI RACING CLUB. SOME EARLY HISTORY. By an Act of the Provincial Council *f Wellington, passed on .lune 19, 1862, provision was made for the appropriation and management of certain lands for the * purpose of forming a race course in the Rangitikei district. This unique action on the part of the Provincial Council was a graceful compliment to those worthy pioneers who fought and bled for the safety of tteir homes and families, and finally settled down in Rangitikei. Notable amongst, th© early (members of the Rangitikei Racing Club (culled from the records prior to 1874) were Majors: Willis, Marshall, Morse, Mcßarnett, and Gray. Captains : Daniell, Pennington, Richardson, Trafford, Jordan, Russell, and Pringle; Sir James Wilson, John Stevens, M.H.R., John McKelvie Senr., Jas. Bull Senr., David Scott, Donald Fraser, and many others who did much to make racing history in New Zealand. The programme of a meeting held on the Rangitikei course on March 17, 1870 makes interesting reading and shows the stout class of horse catered for by the pioneers of .he district. Nine races figure on the card, of which one was for trotting horses. Two hurdle races each of a. mile and a half over hurdles 3ft. 9in., supplied the jumping sport. The Produce Stakes, a weight-for-age race, “For horses that had never run for public (money and which had been bred in the colony," extended to a mile and a half. Then followed the Stock Horse Race, “For horses tie property of stock owners In the province, which had been regularly ridden after stock for at least twelve months previously to the meeting.” The distance waa two and a half miles. The Ladles’ Purse, one mile and a half; The Rangitikei Flax Mill Plate (open), two miles; The Rangitikei Stakes (open), two miles and a half, and the Consolation Race, one mile and a distance, completed the galloping events. The trotting race was twice round the course. “Catch weights.” Next year the programme was the. same except that the .following rule was added:— “The Rules of the late Wanganui Club will be adhered to.”

Racing flourished in Rangitikei when sport waned in other districts, the spirit of th? pioneers being reflected in their descendents right down through Hangitikei’s long record of sixty five years of racing.