SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 January 1922, Page 3

SPORTING.

ROTORUA RACES. TRUTHFUL WINS THE CUP. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. There was fine weather and a record attendance for the Rotorua races today. The totalisator handled £37,485, an increase of £655 compared with last year. Results:—

HACK HURDLES.—Snake 1, Signorella 2, Wharepoi 3. Also started: Stilts, Silver Pine. Tekapara, Ring Lupin, Glucean, Spook, Roller. Won by three lengths, six lengths between second and third. Time, 2min. 48 2-ssec. HOT SPRINGS HANDICAP.—Loch Abbey 1, Rippling 2, Poet 3. Also started: Ihapotoa, Shell Shock, Royal Fancy, Potoa Queen, Lady Petain, Archquil, Waikaretu, Gold Star, Fina] Effort, Allwin, Manhaven, Sailor Boy, Marble Top Rosiante. Opium, Euthora, Abberfield, King Neva. Mia Be.lla. Won by a neck, a head between second and third. Time, Imin. 15 2-ssec.

ROTORUA CUP.—Truthful 1, Night Time 2, Tamaroa 3. Also started: Starland, Tinohoro, Perfect Day, Prince Charleroi, Guerre a Mort. Won by two lengths, two and a half lengths between second and third. Time, 2min. flsec.

WAIMANGU HANDICAP.—Queen Abbey 1. Tieki 2, Anon 3. Also started: Maunu, Caballero, Shortland, Golden Abbey, Peter Maxwell, Ring Lupin, Conemarra, Gidgi. Won by a length and a half, the same distance between second and third. Time, Imin. 1 3-ssec.

HACK WELTER. —Waikaretu 1. Polini 2, Bright Light 3. Also started: Broderick, Dactylis, Master Rohan, Wareka, Commission, Arizona Maid, Tiupa, Great Form, Dont. Won by a length, the third horse half a length away. Time, Imin. 42 2-ssec.

MOKOIA HANDICAP.—GIen cairn 1, Pengwen 2, Sussex 3. Also started: Wanigan, Ihapotoa, Ann's Queen, Motrin Abbey, War Ribbon, Gold Star, Elysian, Mia Dolce, Opium, Jolly Gay, Rosinante. Raymond. Won by a neck, one and a half lengths between second and third. Time, Imin. 28 2-6 see.

ARAWA PARK HANDICAP.—Esthonia 1, Mumble 2. Prince Carl 3. Also started: Corregidor, Queen Abbey, Night Time, Persian King. Won by three-quarters of a length, half a length between second and third. Time, Imin. 42sec.

FAREWELL HANDICAP—Prince Abbey 1. Princess Charming 2, Anon 3. Also started: Infante, Tieki, Waiatapai, Gidgi. Won by a nose, three-quarters of a length between second and third. Time, Imin 14 2-ssec.

THE REVENGE OF GLOAMING. When Gloaming was defeated in the Islington Plate by Thespian in record time for Australasia, numbers formed the opinion that the champion had seen his best day and was on the down grade (writes the Auckland Star’s sporting writer). When saddled up for the Auckland Plate on Tuesday, Gloaming did not appear any the worse for his effort in the mile race, and w<th the defeat of Thespian in the Derby bringing him into the light as a possible nonstayer. Mr. Greenwood’s champion was sent out an odds-on favorite, Rouen claiming more support than Thespian. The pace in the mile and a half race was fairly solid in the early part, for the first five furlongs were run in 1.5, but it was not nearly fast enough for Thespian, who was fighting hard for his head, McFHnn being unable to keep him from getting to the front. In the meantime Gloaming was running along quietly in behind the field in last position, and when Young let him run along entering the last half-mile he went through the opposition in the easiest manner possible to get within striking distance of the leader. Thespian, when the entrance to the straight was reached. Thespian still appeared to be going strongly when the final struggle commenced. but once Gloaming ran up to him he was unable to respond, and the champion had his revenge, running home an easy winner by three lengths and a half, while Sasanof and Rouen both beat Thespian in the last half furlong. the colt being very tired when the post was reached.

A HIGH-CLASS COLT. At one period before the A.R.C. summer meeting Sir George Clifford’s colt Winning Hit gave his trainer some cause for anxiety, but the ailment was nothing serious, and on two mornings during last week, as has already been recorded in these columns, he galloped a verv fast mile on the outside of the course proper. These gallops pleased the course watchers, and his trainer made no secret of the fact that he was satisfied with the condition of the colt, and despite the brilliant form of Thespian in the Islington Plate he was confident of beating him in the Derby. The connections of Thespian were equally as confident, and as a result the betting between'the pair was fairly even, the consequence being that the supporters of Winning Hit got a price ten times beyond anticipation of a few weeps ago. The race was run entirely different, to general expectations, and it came as a big surprise to see Sir George Clifford’s coTt go ont to w * n f roTn the stand the opinion was formed that the other horsemen were surprised also, and with three furlongs covered Winning Hit had a break of at least a dozen lenoths. Gray made a forward move croinn- along the back, but even then did not "appear to be anxious to get too close, and it was not until the last halt was entered on that he really let Thespian run along. He quickly decreased the and when he ran up to Winnin<r Hit in the straight and appeared from the stand to actually head him it looked all over. One kick from Young, however, reminded Winning Hit that he had to race, and this was all that was required, for he shot away from Thesnian as if he was anchored, and won very easily. The general opinion was that 1 hespian was kept too far out of it in the early stages, but the fact remains that he caught Winning Hit without being hunted along, but failed to finish on. and the only excuse that can be advanced is that Winning Hit was too good, and will always be so fit and well, at least over a mile and a halt.