SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1921, Page 3

SPORTING.

TURF NOTES. (By “Moturoa.”) The Auckland Star thus describes the running of the Avondale Cup:—There was some delay at t'he post, and when the harrier was lifted Spanner was left altogether. Sasanof being first to find his feet, but, Khublai Khan eoon ran to the front, followed in order by Tinotioro, Volo, Admiral Codrington, Molyneaux, Mies Muriel, Sasanof, Slangamahoe, Sylvan, Glen Canny. Pine Arch, with Strategy last. Racing past the stand, Tinohoro had assumed command, with Admiral Codrington, Khublai Khan and [ Miss Muriel in a bunch, and then came , Volo, Glen Canny, Molyneaux, Alangamahoe, Sylvan, Pine Arch, Sasanof, Starland, Stork and Hyllus, the last pair being Strategy and Woody Glen. Admiral Codrington ran through as they le c t the straight, ani, running along the back, was out a coaple of lengths clear of Mies Muriel, who wes followed in order by Tinohora, Khublai Klian, Volo, Molyneaux, Alangamahoe, Sasanof, Starland, Sylvan, Stork, Pine Arch, Strategy, Glen Canny, and Hyllus, with Woody Glen at the rear of the field. Crossing the top, the second division bunched up, and as they swept round into the straight, Khublai Khan, Mise Muriel, Mangamahoe, and Molyneaux were within striking distance of the leader, while Sasanof and Starland had improved their position. At the distance Admiral Codington was headed fiy Mangamahoe and Molyneaux. and the pair had a great battle over the concluding stages, Molyneaux getting the decision, after an exciting finish, by a head. Admiral Codrington was half a length away third, and then, three-quarters of a length away, was Khublai Khan, with Sasanof, Starland, Tinohoro, Strategy, Pine Arch, Hyllus. Stork. Sylvan, Volo, Miss Muriel and Glen Canny finishing in that order Woody Glen being last. Admiral Codrington was favorite.

The Absurd’s are again carrying all before them in juvenile and three-year-old events, and all three placed horses in the Avondale Guineas were by Mr. G. Currie’s successful stallion. With Rational, Mermin, Grotesque, Tamatete and promising young ones like Epitaph, VirJella, etc., to do hattie for him this season, Absurd should nearly top the winning sires’ list. Although the fences were not formidable at Otaki, they accounted for Scimitar, a promising hunter by Ghoorka, who broke his neck. Scimitar had only recently been secured by a patron of D. McCauley, of Foxton, and showed considerable promise. Describing the race for the Avondale Guineas, the Auckland Star says:—After a little delay at the post they left to a good despatch, Grotesque and Mermin being the first to find their feet, the latter leading out of the straight followed by Grotesque, Rational, Young Thurnham, and Rose Thum ham in that order. Going along the back Rational ran through to the front, making the

[ pace two lengths clear of Mermin. while five furlongs from home Yeung Thurnham ran up third, with Grotesque and Rose Thurnham following. Crossing the top Rational was still the pilot, but the others, with the exception of Rose Thurnham. were handy, and they came into the straight all well placed. At the distance Mermin and Young Thurnham. were almost on terms with Rational. Then Grotesque challenged on the outside, and Rational failing to respond, Grotesque drew out to win by a length, Rational struggling on to beat Mermin by a neck for second honors. Young Thurnham was a length away, fourth, and Rose Thurnham last. Rational was favorite. An inquiry for alleged interference by R. Reed, on Grotesque, with Rational n the straight, was held. The explanation offered was satisfactory. This story is told of a West Australian horse trainer. He is an illiterate r man. unable to read or write. A punter , fancied a horse the trainer had in work for a Saturday meeting on tie Goldfields. "How’s that mare of yours?” he asked. If you tell me she can win on Saturday PH lay you the odds to £100,” he added. “Right-oh,” replied the trainer. "Ring me on Saturday morning and I’ll tell you.” Saturday morning arrived, and the punter ’phoned. "Hello! Is thit you, i ?” he asked. Getting an affirmative reply, he said, "How’s the mare?” I There was no answer. Half an hour later the punter rang, and there was a repetition of the furmer occurrence. The punter, puzzled, searched for the trainer on the course, but failed to locate him. The race was run and the horse won. Almost immediately afterwards the trainer approached the punter and asked him what odds had been secured. "You’re a nice man, you are.” shouted the punter. "Don’t come that game and tell me I’m not on.” retorted the trainer. "You didn’t tell me that everything was in order when I rang you, so I didn’t back the horse,” said the punter. "No, but I gave you the office,” was the answer of the trainer. "When you ran me there were a lot of people about, all trying to find out what I had to say. I couldn’t say yes, so each time you spoke I nodded my head!”

From all accounts, states a recent Sydney Morning Herald. Lord Northefiffe had a good day at Randwick. Tn the morning a Sydney friend lianded Lord Northeiffe a race book from Mr. Joe Browne, one of the best-known bookmakers in Sydney. Air. Browne gave Lord Northcliffe the winner of the first, second, fourth and last races. As all these were at a long price (the last at 20 to 1), the distinguished visitor is not likely to forget his first day at an Australian race meeting.