SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 March 1922, Page 3

SPORTING.

WELLINGTON RACING CLUB. WEIGHTS FOR AUTUMN MEETING. The following weights have been framed by Mr. H. Coyle for the Wellington Racing Club’s autumn meeting:— FIRST HIGH-WEIGHT HANDICAP, one mile and a quarter.—Battle Song 10.13, Royal Gift 10.11, Alteration 10.4, Sir Roseberry 10.4, Coalition 10.0, Maniahera 9.12, Active 9.10, Eerie 9.9, Grim Joke 9.7, Wamba 9.7, Halcyon 9.5, Rebuff 9.5, Pitch Dark 9.3, Admiral Talbot 9.2, VV ar Loan 9.0, Rimutaka 9.0, Bairnsdale 9.0, March On 9.0, Blue Hall 9.0, Wheel 9.0, Oak Rose 9.0, Belrock 9.0. PLUNK ET NURSERY HANDICAP, five furlongs.—Epitaph 10.9, Mountain Lion 9.5, Uncle Alex 9.3, King’s Trumpeter 8.12, The Emperor 8.11, Killashandra 8.9, Viyella 8.5, Moorland 7.13, Gold Light 7.10, The Dunce 7.8, Lucius 7.7, Kilroe 7.6, Rapine 7.4, Finelli 7.1, Temerin 7.0, Zany 7.0, Waetea 6.9, Vogue 6.7, Stream 6.7, Bonny Nurse 6.7, Deroulede 6.7, Menthe 6.7, The Linnet 6.7.

SILVERSTREAM HANDICAP, one mile.—Spook 9.2, Prince Hal 8.9, Explorer 8.8, Angelo 8.7, Dissertation 8.6, Island 8.3, Redtogue 7.12, Lord Desmond 7.10, All Cerise 7.10, Petunia 7.7, Patuki 7.7, Kyoto 7.5, Liquer 7.5, Five-Eighths 7.4, Te Kura 7.4, Pitch Dark 7.3, St. Waipa 7.0, Lord Usk 6.13, Conflict 6.10, Pahaka 6.7, Wheel 6.7, Good Mark 6.7, Basso 6.7.

THOMPSON HANDICAP, one mile.— Winning Hit 9.0, Silver Link 8.13, Marquetuer 8.10, Gasbag 8.9, Radiant Light 8.7, Anomaly 8.7, Insurrection 8.7, Molyneaux 8.7, Trespass 8.7, Songbird 8.5, Silver Peak 8.3, Sunny Loch 8.2, Mustard Pot 8.1, Foo Chow 8.1, Clean Sweep 8.0, Scrimmage 8.0, Sycorax 8.0, Grotesque 7.8, Aureate 7.8, Sunny Corner 7.6, Quest 7.6, Printemps 7.5, Income 7.3. Martial Dawn 7.3, Strategy 7.2, Still Sea 7.0, Paoariul 7.0, Blackmail 7.0, Roseday 6.12, Backsheesh 6.12, Princess Pat 6.11, Askari 6.9, Fulsome 6.9, Prince Martian 6.7, Esperance 6.7, Matatua 6.7, Mockery 6.7, Cold Steel 6.7, Bagdad 6.7, Halifax 6.7, Canyon 6.7. RAILWAY HANDICAP, six furlongs. —Rational 9.2, Anomaly 9.0, Surveyor 8.13, Songbird 8.11, Silver Peak 8.8, Absurdum 8.8, Mustard Pot 8.4, Bon Spec 8.1, Sunny Loch 8.0. Grotesque 7.9, Miss Mimic 7.8, Sunny Corner 7.8, Still Sea 7.6, Blackmail 7.5, Bachsheesh 7.3, Birkie 7.2, Fulsome 7.1, Roseday 7.0, Tigrinia 7.0, Passionless 6.12, Callaghan 6.10, Mireusonta 6.9, Astinome 6.9, Triboulet 6.9, Capping Day 6.7, Canyon 6.7, Martian Miss 6.7, Mockery 6.7, Royal Blood 6.7.

TINAKORI HANDICAP, six furlongs. —Danger Zone 9.4, Rose of Athens 8.7, Dissertation 8.7, Landbird 8.7, Island 8.7, War Path 8.3, Jazz 8.3, Jackaroo 8.0, Red Hind 7.13, Wrangle 7.13, Lady Nassau 7.13, All British 7.13, All Cerise 7.12, Sungleam 7.11, Black Head 7.11, Petunia 7.9. Yankee Dan 7.9, Quarrelsome 7.5, Moutoa’s Gift 7.4, Roset 7.4, En Route 7.3, Pink, Rose 7.2, St. Waipa 7.0, Moonstruck 6.13, Megan 6.11, Yellow Hammer 6.10, Conflict 6.10, Merry Day 6.9, Zero Hour 6.7, Maropa 6.7, Basso 6.7. Halloa 6.7, Manchester 6.7, In the Pink 6.7, Solace 6.7, Sagacity 6.7, Peep o’ Day 6.7, Black Arrow 6.7. TARANAKI JOCKEY CLUB. The Taranaki Jockey Club Committee met at New Plymouth last night. Present: Messrs. L. A. Nolan (in the chair), J McLeod, O. W. Sole, A. Alexander, A. Good, H. Washer, J. Gray, S. Pitt, D. J. Malone, B. H Chaney and G. Fraser. A trainer’s license was granted to Geo. S. Powell, subject to the Wlanganui dub having no objection. A jockey appeared before the committee on a charge of misbehaviour. He was reprimanded, no further action being taken. The Opunake Racing Club forwarded the date for their next annual meeting (March 17, 1923) and this was approved. It jvas decided to make representations on the following matters to the Racing Conference: (1) The newly instituted charge made by the Railway Department on racehorse owners for the carriage of horse feed at excess luggage rates, asking that this should be removed; (2) in cases where racing clubs have guaranteed special trains, clubs should be credited with all bookings along the line instead of only from the starting station as at present; (3) a protest to be made to the Government against the excessive taxation on racing clubs. The same committee then met as'the representatives of the different Taranaki clubs to discuss racing matters.

The Egmont Racing Club representative intimated that his club was abolishing both ladies’ and gentlemen’s complimentary tickets at the forthcoming May meeting, but were reducing the lawn and gate charges. The committee passed the following recommendations: (1) That all clubs | the metropolitan district is- ■ sue no complimentary tickets, either ladies’ or gentlemen’s; (2) that all, clubs adopt a uniform gate charge; (3)( that delegates be asked to confer witifl reference to the working of the totali-| sator, with the object of introducing uniform methods; and (4) that a con-, ference of Taranaki clubs be held in' August with the object of further disissing these recommendations, and of curtailing other privileges with a view to obtaining unanimity. RANGITIKEI RACES. (By “Moturoa”.) The Rangitikei Racing Club’s annual meeting takes place to-day and to-morrow, and, judging by all appearances, a further “slump” may be expected. However, the club has taken the precaution of reducing its stakes, and the almost, total absence of “rhe complimentary” will further serve to anticipate and make up for likely decrease in revenue. Usually the course at. Bulls is very hard at this time of the year, but considerable rain has fallen there during the past fortnight, and even as late as Monday night, and Tuesday forenoon. At the time of writing (Tuesday at midday) the clouds show signs of breaking, and a good drying wind has sprung up. The racing track is in good order, though the plough was unworkable this morning. Gaisford’s, Penman’s, Harold Rayner’s and one or two other teams did light work this morning, but the track was against fast work, and most, of the horses are being exercised on the roads. A large number of Taranaki, Palmerston, Wanganui, Marton and Waikato horses are expected to-day. The following have been withdrawn from all engagements: Crucelle, Amber Tips, Eldenholm and lola. The fields in the Hurdles, Carnarvon Hack Handicap and Parewanui Welter will lie weak, but on the whole the racing should fairly interMtiag. Mr. C. O’Conaor wHI

make his first appearance as starter at the gathering. The first race is set down for 11.30 a.m. each day.

Eleven remain in the Scott Memorial Handicap, but probably Kuia will be reserved for the open welter. Passionless and Lady Kotiripo threaten to maintain their favoritism, and whatever beats the last-named will have to travel very fast. Twenty figure in the Trial Plate, but the dangerous division can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Whiz Bang, Pam, Complimentary, Adrina and Released may supply the winner, but Pam will undoubtedly be a warm favorite. If the Awapuni prad is beaten, it may be by the elect of Penman’s stable, Adrina or Complimentary.

Only six remain in the Ohakea Hack Hurdles, but. a stronger field may be expected on the second day. War Loan appears to be in a class of his own, but Tornea and Naughty may make things interesting.

Seven are carded for the Cup, the bulk of them being hacks, and some of them poor hacks at that. Egmont Park is a warm favorite, and on paper looks to have a royal chance. Equitable and La Paloma have a few friends, and the first-named may be the Hawera horse’s toughest opponent. It is hard to understand why a maiden like Pantier should be flattered by an acceptance.

The Rangitikei Cup originated in 1875, in the same season as that in which the Auckland, Hawke’s Bay and Wanganui Cups were inaugurated, and only one year later than the Wellington Cup (1874). Originally run over two miles and a half, the distance was gradually reduced to a mile and three-quarters, and again in 1898 to a mile and a half, at which it remained until 1905, when lack of stamina or different methods of race-riding caused a still further reduction to a mile and a quarter. Truly the race has lost some of its glory, and by no stretch of imagination could the quality of to-day’s field be compared with that of past days, when horses such as Opawa, Administrator, Foxton, Rangipuhi, Irish Twist, Blarney, Lorelei, Bona Fide, Strathnairn, Convoy, Armistice, Nonette, Tangimoana, Apa, Merrivonia, and Rewipoto raced for the prize. Top weight in to-day’s contest is under Bst, and apprentice allowance and reduced stakes may bring it nearer 7st than Bst. No doubt the fact that Ngata was entered for the race spoilt the handicap, and it is a pity that our rules do not allow of an all-round rise, so that the topweight would carry 9st, and thus permit of capable horsemen riding in the race. Amongst the weightcarriers of the better days were: Convoy, who won with 9.8; Strathnairn, with 9.6; Administrator, with 9.4; Fair Helen, with 9.1; and Opawa and Apa with 9.0. Since the distance was reduced to ten furlongs Marguerite, who won in 1907 in 2min 6 3-5 sec, holds the record as far as time is concerned. Foxton, who carried the late J. Paul’s colors, did the hat-trick by winning in 1890-1-2, and amongst the successful jockeys Geo. Price, who won four times, also accomplished the three-in-succession feat. Probably only half a dozen will be produced in the Carnarvon Hack Handicap, but if Hallowroz, Lady Nassau, Matareka, Satin and Adrina go to the post the winner may be hard to’pick. Lady Nassau may be the public’s choice, with Hallowroz next best. Scratchings will reduce the fourteen in the Clifton. Hack Welter, but Velociform, Te Maire and March On are considered likely runners, and Velociform may be best backed. A numerically weak field will contest the Parewanui Welter, and the issue appears to lie between Passin’ Through and old Detroit. It is expected that the Opunake Cup winner will have a big following, but, taking into consideration the* state of the going, the writer expects Detroit to finish in front of him. To-day’s racing concludes with the Ngatiapa Hack Handicap, which should attract a good field. Matareka, Some Red, St. Waipa and Gallia may be the pick of the bunch. St. Waipa won the Frankton Handicap, six furlongs, at the Hamilton meeting with 7.10 A in Imin 16}sec, beating Wish Wynne 7.3, Wanigan 9.0, Smoke Concert 7.12, and ten others, and appears to be “fired into” this race at Bulls.