SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 February 1922, Page 3

SPORTING.

TURF TOPICS. (By “Moturoa”.) The Woodville, Hamilton and Tapanui meetings take place to-day, the two first-named concluding to-morrow. R. Bagby will ride Volo in the Woodville Cup. The Hawera horse is sure to run well, but Aureate and Esperance may run better. The Woodville secretary promptly corrected the mistake by which Viyella’s name was included amongst the acceptors for the Sapling Stakes. So far the writer lias noticed nothing about Maniahera being Incorrectly posted as an acceptor for the Waimai Hurdles at Hamilton. When Rowan ran a good third in the second hurdle race at Foxton he only carried a little over a score on the tote. To-day he will be backed down to "evens”, and will probably meet with bad luck, and “miss”. Chimera is being barked about for the Ruahine Handicap at Woodville, but she has not done anything startling for a long while, and followers of form may prefer the chances of Birkie and Mireusonta. Rada has been galloping in fine style at Wanganui, and on Foxtpn form _Jwhere she should have won each day) looks to have a good chanee of making amends at Woodville. Sunny Jim and Active figure amongst the acceptors at Hamilton to-day. On recent running they should give a good account of themselves if started. The Hamilton Cup, run over a mile and a half, will test the staying powers of the majority of the runners, but Uncle Ned and partial Dawn should see the distance out to the bitter end. Mr. H. Coyle put it all over punters on the concluding day of the Taranaki meeting, not a single favorite winning a handicap event on the day. Punters have gone back to Jockey J. Barry has been riding well lately, but quite a number 4g>f Redlogue’s backers were not enamoured of his handling of that filly on Saturday. Redlogue’s party thought they had a "moral”, and did their money "The Dunce” is hardly a complimentary name to give a horse, but It Is nothing to the nasty names his army of backers used after he was beaten into third place in the Nursery Handicap on Saturday. A good field of sprinters will be produced In the Cambridge Handicap at Hamilton today, and Blackmail, Golden Bubble and Infante will carry big money. The Linnet, a full-sister to the successful Songbird, will be scalding hot in the Sapling Stakes at Woodville this afternoon. Mr. J. Fryer’s horses had the finish of the Electric Hack Race at New Plymouth to themselves, Ardath winning comfortably from his stablemate, Rangiata. The latter is said to have been most fancied by the Hawera owner - Little River, March On, Dissertation and Lady Kotlripo should get amongst the money in the minor events at Woodville to-day ar to-morrow. Those few punters who preferred Awake to Silver Link at level weights in the Taranaki Stakes should take a look at any six-furlong handicap in wXL the pair were weighted, and should then consult a doctor. As one spectator remarked: “If I was to start my Jersey bull some cranky coons would back it 1”

When Mr. J. Harle sets a horse for a race he generally takes out, and such was the case when Eerie landed home first in the Kawau Hack Handicap on Saturday. Voluble ran his usual game race, but he could not give the filly nearly two stone.

Molleen Oge Is a bit of a conundrum for followers of form, but probably she is best over six or seven furlongs, the latter distance for preference. Look out for her at Opunake next month.

Kato is a promising hurdler, but does not jump every fence alike. But for striking one obstacle hard on Saturday he would have been closer up at the finish of the Okoke Hurdles. He is only young yet, so there is a ehance for him.

Indifferent horsemanship was noticeable in the Omata Hack Handicap, and D. Gunn cer tainly gave the best exhibition on the winner, Fabrinade. Gunn will be on Princess Pat if she starts in the Woodville Cup to-day.

Mockery has cost punters a lot of money this season, but she showed up prominently here on Saturday, and returned two fair dividends.

Income was in the boom away from the course for the Farewell Handicap, but hardly looked as bright as at Hawera, though he ran a respectable race nevertheless. At first glance Rude, Rouen, Trespass, Ngata and Sycorax look to be well treated In the Wanganui Cup. The Flying Handicap will take some sorting out, but Silver Link, Tamatete. Awake and Inah may be amongst the early favorites for the race. Mr. G. F. Moore has a nice filly in Valerie, by Hallowmas —Bonny Portland. She has wo« twice now, and good dividends have gone hand in hand with handsome victories.

A northern scribe reports that First Salute has been added to the list. The son of Marble Arch will carry Mr. H. Neagle’s colors in future.

Battle Song has changed hands, being now owned by Mr. J. L. Nlcolls, the fortunate owner of Explorer. Battle Song will be ridden by B. Wormaid at Woodville.