SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 June 1922, Page 3

SPORTING.

TURF TOPICS. • ‘ (By “Moturoa.”) On a papulation basis Hawke’s Bay is th© province most favored as regards totalisator permits, and Hawke’s Baj - sports have developed the habit of . putting on a lot of “side” when it comes to matters concerning the turf, it is therefore significant that last week’s meeting at Greenmeadows was the poorest for years. To quote a Taranaki sportsman who was there, “there, was hardly anyone at the gathering on Friday, ana ttiings were little better on Saturday, while, in the two days the totalisator only handled’ a matter of £22,ooo—just about what the Opunake Racing Club puts through in one day I” On the face of it the bottom appears to have fallen out of racing in the Bay. The racing carnival will hr continued by the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club to-day and to-morrow, and concluded by the Hawke’s Bay Hunt Club on Saturday. The prospects for these gatherings appear to be anything but promising, and in the case of the Hunt meeting fields will be very small indeed. Quite a number of Feildlng horses were booked to run at the latter gathering, but the Railway Department informed trainers that they could not take horses through to Hastings under two days, and consequently boxes were cancelled. To ask trainers'- to leave home on Wednesdaj’ and return home on the Tuesday following was a tall order, a mere matter of £35 expenses to win a. £5O stake—if they were lucky I Surelj’ the Horse-owners’ and Trainers’ Association will take this matter up, ana aeuana better transport facilities from a department which appears to be doing its best to turn away business. Seven horses remain in the Hawke’s Bay Steeples, but Oak Rose may start in the hack event. Kohu, who ran such a great race to the last fence in the Great Northern Steeples, is likely to be well supported, and there will also be big money for First Line. Barring accidents this pair should give their supporters a good run for their money. Of the thirteen figuring in the Hawke’s Bay’ Hurdles, Whizz Bang and Ruatara will most likely start in the Whakatu Hurdles. This leaves a good field of eleven, and Napier Park form points to Spook, Mill o’ Cowrie, Wamba and Kyoto. Of the quartette Spook and Mill o’ Gowrie may have the most friends. Chillies, who won the Park Steeples on Saturday, is a veteran of twelve summers, but the handsome way’ in which he defeated First Line and Ethiopian draws attention to his engagement in the Woodlands Steeples today. With a stand-up, Goldseene may be dangerous over a short course. Whizz Bang has been responsible for good work at Feilding, and those who saw him win the double at Wanganui will be prepared to give him a great chance in the Whakatu Hurdles, or in whatever races he contests at the meeting. Pitch and Battle Knight may be best backed in the Winter Handicap, Multlfual in the Ladies’ Bracelet, and Tari and Civilform in the Heretaunga Handicap. R. J. Mason will leave Wellington by Friday’s steamer for Sydney with Gloaming, Farceur, Tressayr and Cupidon. All look well. Khartoum is reported to be going well, and will probably be seen out at Trentham next month. Red Cent, who won a race In, good style at Greenmeadows, and returned a good dividend, was bred in 1913 by Mr. J. Buckley, and Is by All Red from the Australian-bred mare Mint Queen (Developer—Minting Queen imp.). Mint Queen is also the dam of Comical and Merry Queen (both by Merry Moment), and of Menthe, by Kilboy. Prior to the Napier Park meeting Mattock ran a good gallop in company with Multlfual, but. in the Napier Steeples he jumped badly, and could not keep pace with the opposition at any part of it. Thanks to Calma falling. Mattock was able to collect 30 sovs. for third place. Matatua won so easily on the first day at Greenmeadows that good judges could not see him beaten on Saturday, but he jumped slovenly, and could only finish third. Nevertheless, he is a horse worth watching. Cochineal has been bleeding badly lately, and was not greatly fancied by her party when she went out to contest the Settlers’ Hack Handicap at Napier. However, she got away in good style, and only went under to Pitch in a great finish. The Waverley filly returned a fine second dividend. Mr. McCabe, a well-knowil farmer of Sandon, has been appointed caretaker of the Rangitikei Racing Club’s course at Bulls, out of twenty-four applicants. It is the club’s intention to go in for more intensive farming of its splendid property, and in Mr. McCabe they have secured a good all-round man. Applications for the position of secretary of the Stratford Racing Club will be received up till 5 p.m. on Friday, June 22. Those interested may obtain full particulars from Mr. A. Coleman, Box 78, Stratford. Wrangle (Hymettus—Snooze) was considered to be unlucky on the first day at Napier, and when made a hot favorite in a sunall field on Saturday just strolled in. Wrangle is a full brother to Husheeai, and claims-half brotherhood relationship to Dream, Napper, Follet, Strike Fund, Prosy and Viyella. He was bred by Mr. Alf. Symes in 1918, and is a good sort. Weights for the first day of the Wellington winter meeting and for the Winter Hurdle 1 Race are due on Monday next.