SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 February 1922, Page 3

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. Feb. 4.—Canterbury J.C. Summer. Feb. 4.—Gisborne R.C. Summer. Feb. 9, 11.—Taranaki J.C. Autumn. Feb. 9, 11.—Dunedin, J.C. Autumn. Feb. 9, 11.—Poverty Bay T.C. Summer. TARANAKI AUTUMN MEETING. ACCEPTANCES TO-NIGHT. Mr. H. Coyle’s weights for the above meeting appeared yesterday, and being based on Hawera form, should give every satisfaction. Now that the railway difficulties have been removed it is expected that a large number of Wellington, Manawatu, Hawke's Bay and Wanganui horses will be brought to the gathering, and, added to the crowd already on the scene, should build up good fields for next week's races. The local course is at its best, and given fine weather some splendid racing should be witnessed. As advertised in this Issue, acceptances for all events on the first day close to-night (Saturday), at 10.30 p.m.

THE EGMONT MEETING. Marqueteur's win on each day at Hawera places P. Besley at the head of-the winning owners at that meeting with £1450, whilst Gloaming’s double win and Egotism’s second places G. D. Greenwood next with £930. Then follow J. B. Gaisford £6OO, j. Barre £330, J. Paterson £3OO, E. Andrews £3OO, A. Alexander £255, G. R. Hammond £250, H. Spratt £250, C. P. Nash £250, McDonald Bros. £230, B. L. Joll £230, Rua Moetahuna £230, Newton King £2OO, R. J. Harper £145, G. M. Currie £l4O, C. Pritchard £lOO, D. J. Goodwin £lOO, A. McDonald £75, H. J. Eaves £7O, P. O’Neill £5O, F. G. Hanlon £5O. W. G. Emeny £BO, O. Cox £5O, W. R. S. Brewer £35, E. Whittle £35, J. Gleeson £35, Gomer and Laurent £3O, Shand and Cardale £25, R. Hicks £2O, .T. J. O’Connor £2O, u. W. Hunter £l5.

The most successful jockeys at the meeting were L. G. Morris and J. Bar it with three wins each, G. Young, S. Anderson, C. Reid two wins each, T. Towfer. A. Reid, D. R. Gunn and G. Clarke one each.

O. Cox was the most successful trainer with three wins (Marqueteur twice and Festive), R. J. Mason (Gloaming twice), J. B. Gaisford (Celmisia and Mark Time), P. Johnson (Trombone and Income) two each, W. Pine (Roman), S. Reid (Still Sea), T. George (Redlogue), C. Jackson (Simonides), M. Gardiner (Lively Fire), R. Brough (Muraahi) one each.

Among the sires King Mark was represented by three winners (Marqueteur twice and Mark Time), The Welkin (Gloaming twice), and Campfire (Lively Fire and Muraahi) by two each, Zimmerman (Trombone), Hymettus (Celmisia), Hallowmas (Festive), Yankee Jack (Te Maire), Guianforte (Income), Absurd (Still Sea), Husbandman (Roman), All Red (Redlogue), and Demosthenes (Simonides) one each.

TURF TOPICS. (By “Moturoa.”) Races at Rlccarton and Gisborne to-day. The Taranaki J.C. autumn meeting opens on Thursday next. Palestrina should run well in the C.J.C. Midsummer Handicap. Vagabond, who is said to jump well, will shortly make his debut as a hurdler. By By was responsible for three winners— Celmisia, Marqueteur and Mark Time—at Hawera on Wednesday. Amythas has been galloping well at Rlccarton, and If everything gees right he will win a race at Dunedin. The Middle Park Plate should be a duel between the Clifford and. Greenwood representatives, and Farceur may do the trick. On recent form Bumptious, Songbird, and Vasilkov should be heard of in the minor events at Rlccarton to-day. It was bad luck for Mr. J. B. Gaisford ttat Celmisia should break down in the Flying Handicap (which she won) at Hawera. Celmisia anc Mark Time were railed home on Thursday morning. Marqueteur was .he hero of the Egmont meeting, winning decisively each day, and paying good “prices.” He has a good load in the Taranaki Cup. but it takes a lot to stop a good horse when in form. Gloaming carried the Greenwood team through the Hawera meeting, the performances of Egotism and Vespucci being disappointing—to say the least of it. Thespian is no use to Gloaming, but The Hawk might keep him busy over “six.” The owners of Trombone had bad luck on Thursday, as the old horse looked to have a great chance when he broke down badly. It is reported ttat a good price /was refused for Trombone after he won on Wednesday.

“Snowy” Morris receiveo an ovation when he won the Ohawe Hurdles on Te Maire. Morris hunted the gelding last season, and (I believe) was merely qualifying himself for riding in jumpers’ flat races.

Opiate Is still running seconds. The sen of All Black always runs well tn the midd’e distances, but seems to lack the final touch of brilliancy which wins races. Fibre and Active will keep him busy at New Piymoutn. Simon was confidently bat-kid by tir party on the second day at Hawjrs, and he went well for a bit, but the going was against a horse with 11.8, and he finished in .he ruck.

Paddington Green stripp?d better on tne second day at Hawera, and ran a good race to the home turn, where nis condition gave out. If “Jimmy” O’Neill kee,» the o’d felloe on his feet .he may win a hurdle race »n ‘he autumn.

Nursing Sister was in the market on Thursday, but shaped wretchedly. Capp'*r>g Day ran nicely in the same event, anG should improve on that form at the Taranaki meeting.

Roman paid another fine dividend in the Juvenile Handicap at Hawera, and his party threw in for a good win. Leithfleld looked a winner at the distance, but Roman cut ter down easily in the run home. Pleasure, by Merry Moment—Heatherlen Lass, cost her party some money at Hawera, but she was unlucky, particularly on the second day, and they will get even very A lot of money went “west” on Voluble in the Inuha Hack Fiat. The Mystification gelding had every chance to score, but was not good enough at the weights. Molleen Oge was noticed running on nicely at the right end of the Inaha Flat Handicap, and should be worth watching next week. Volo was an even money bet in the Normanby Welter, and although he came very fast at the finish, Simonides still had a head to spare. Volo’s performance under 10.6 was a good one. Strategy tas lost his punch, and let his party down badly each day at Egmont. He is well’ down in the weights at New Plymouth, but seems to be unable to reproduce his spring form. The Flying Handicap at New Plymouth will take some "picking,” and at present it is hard to estimate the likely strength of the field. Silver Link is flattered by being placed a pound above the record-breaker. The Hawk, but if Absurdum starts he may beat the pair. The Taranaki Cup should attract a fine field, the majority of the horses being on the spot. Marqueteur, Affectation, Egotism. Landslide, and Sycorax wi}l all have to be considered, and Stork and Kula are a likely pair of lightweigths. After to-night’s acceptance the problem may look easier. Lady Nassau appeared to be unlucky in her one run at Hawera, and she is well placed with 8.4 in the Okato Hack Handicap at New Plymouth. Her party do not often miss when ttey put in, and report says that they would have had a “royaler” if she tad won, instead of running second at Hawera. Australian buyers are said to be after the phenomenally successful sire Absurd; also the speedy The Hawk, and Mountain Lion. The poor horse-owner in New Zealand is so soundly (or roundly) “hit up” with Government ’taxes on winnings, increased riding fees and percentages, and increased travelling and accommodation expenses that the game won’t be worth pursuing shortly. Massey is killing the goose that lays the golden eggs—with a vengeance.

Insurrection, who is to fulfil his Dunedin wm b®ok«d right through by

boat. Printemps is another that will miss the Canterbury meeting. Both horses should pay expenses on tt-e southern trrp.

Celmisia arrived home in fair order, her mishap at Hawera not being as serious as at first anticipated. When the whip was applied at the finish of the Flying at Hawera she gave a bound which strained a fetlock, but the trouble is not in the leg that has caused ter owner to go easy with her during the earlier months of this season.

Lively Fire, by Campfire out of that prolific mare Vivandel, is a three-year-old that will win a lot of races, if his showing in the Maiden at Hawera is any criterion. Vivandel (17) was bred by the late T. Morrln in 1900, and Is by Seaton Delaval—Vivandlere, by Musket. Her principal winners were Patronale (by Patronus), ( Glenesk (by Glenullin), Vivarini (by Hallowmas), Aoteroa (by Hallowmas), and now comes Lively Fire (by Campfire). Vivandel dropped a foal to Kllboy in 1921, and is now owned by Mr. H. Hassall.

RACING AND THE CHURCH. Tt Is unusual to read of a horse-owner opening a church bazaar, and in the course of his speech expressing regret that he had been unable to give those present a tip about one of his horses that won the previous day. Sir Francis Price, a Welsh baronet, did this at Cardiff, in December. Referring to the suecess of his steeplechaser. Chin Chin, at Gatwick, he told the assembly; “I have been very lucky and shall be able to spend plenty of money here, but it Is unfortunate the race was not to be run to-morrow, as I could have given you all the tip.” And among his hearers were probably many who would have gladly accepted U even if they had to make their investments very quietly. ND FOAL, NO FEE. - In America the owners of many prominent stallions make the concession that if a mare is barren she can return free of charge the following year, or, as an alternative, the fee will be returned. 1 do not think this idea would appeal to many Australian studmasters, as they believe the owner of a mare should be saddled with all the risk. With good cause owners of mares do a bit of growling on this score. It hurts to pay a substantial fee for a mare, and receive no return, especially when she has proved a sure breeder to other stallions. Even in England the idea of unak-. ing some concession is taking hold, ana tor next year Sundridge (sire of Sunstar, Golden Sun, and Absurd) is advertised at 100 guineas, with tte proviso of “no foal, no fee.” The fact of Sundridge being 25 years old next season is again- him, but the owner who .'s prepared to risk sing a return from a mare for one year at least has the satisfaction of knowing it will cost him nothing if she misses. EURYTHMIC. It is stated that had the West Australian sportsman, Mr. E. Lee Steere, been prepared to entertain an offer for the purchase of Eurythmic last spring, when tte son of Eudorus was at the top of his form, a highlyinteresting addition would have been made to the list of high-class performers that have changed hands. The sum stated to have been submitted to Mr. E. Lee Steere for tt perchase of Eurythmic was £15,000. In resisting such a pronounced rattle of the moneybugs the West Australian sportsman certainly deserves anything that comes his way in the shape of a racing prize with the brilliant chestnut. Recent advices to band from Melbourne credit Eurythmic with training on satisfactorily, and strong topes are entertained that all effects of the mishap that befell him during the running of the Melbourne Cup have disappeared.