SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 March 1922, Page 3

SPORTING.

RANGITIKEI MEETING. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Marton, Last Night. Cold Steel (7.d) was omitted from the acceptances for the Scott Memorial Handicap at the Rangitikei meeting. TURF TOPICS. (By “Moturoa.”) The Opunake Racing Club’s annual meeting promises to draw a big attendance to-day, patrons coming from all parts of Taranaki, and from as far south as Palmerston. The acceptances are first rate, and racing should be up to the standard set by the Opunake Club, which is one of the best country meetings in the Dominion. The course is in good order, and provided fine weather prevails the gathering should be a success. The starting will be in the capable hands of Mr. A. Morse, and Mr. C. H. Washer will fill the role of judge. The secretary (Mr. P. S. Riley) has all arrangements right up to the moment. A small, but select field will contest the Opunake Cup. Egmont Park and Kareao are sure to have good follow ings, but the pick of the handicap appears to be Sunny Jim. Last year’s winner, Arrowfield, is not engaged, but Egmont Park, who ran second with 8.5, and Alteration, third with 7.13, are having another “shot” at the coveted prize. Last year Irapuka won the St. Patrick’s Handicap with 8.0, but her form has not been good of late, and punters may prefer the chances of Income and Kareao (if started) to-day. Festive reads best of the others.

Banogue, Fibre and Kato will be well supported in the Hack Hurdles, and probably Fibre will finish up favorite. In the minor events several of the horses have more than one engagement, and scratchings may upsei the fields. However, Big Push. Pouma, Voluble. Velociform and Crossfire may show up in whatever races they are “slipped.” The Ohinemuri J.C. annual meeting opens to-day, and concludes to-morrow. Masterton races will also be held tomorrow. Mr. J. Harle’s horses will not be seen out at the Rangitikei meeting next week. Other notable absentees will be Fibre, Crucelle, Lively Fire and Sunny Jim. The acceptances received on W ednesdav evening for the first day (Wednesday) of the Rangitikei meeting are very satisfactory, the Cup having attracted seven; the Scott Memorial Handicap eleven; the Trial Plate twenty; the Hack Hurdles seven; the Carnarvon Hack Handicap eight; the Parewantu Welter six; and the Ngatiapa Hack Handicap fourteen. The acceptors hail from Taranaki. Waikato, Wanganui, Rangitikei and Manawatu, and considering the stakes offered, owners have made a very liberal response. An exchange estates that H. Gray arrived in England on February 27, and reports “all well.” Gray will have ample time in which to get into form before the flat racing season opens in England.