SPORTING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10201, 31 March 1911, Page 7

SPORTING.

TURF NOTES. (By "Zetland.") The running of Full Rate at the Masterton meeting clearly . showed that The Officer gelding will have to improve quickly to have any chance of winning the Great Easter Handicap at the Canterbury meeting. After the Wellington summer meeting he was spelled, henoe his failing to run out six furlongs at Opaki. Between now and Easter he will doubtless be kept well "up to the collar," and of course his efforts in public last week will probably have 'improved him considerably.

At Woodville a tew weeks ago, AimwellN showed undeniably good form, and x from being among the lower divisipn of weights he was quickly, putVto ; 'the top of the list. At Dannevirke and Masterton his efforts, were not of a very convincing nature, and it would appear th; t the Soult geldingvis.vat his best when not required to race frequently. '"* There is every reason to expect a really successful meeting, to eventuate at Tauheremkau ..atj Easter. The racing traces are in •exceptionally good order, and that the general ap- ( are"iup-tb-date HnJevery j respect :is generally,; acknowledged. .; !;; ';■ -A' r ferdiidstiind -t6 'cost V&15O0 • '■is---| .how being erected, at ■ Avondale; 'The Takapuna Club is making a steeplechase course. It will be about a mile round, and a variety of obstacles will be erected. : ..

The weights for the Great Easter and Great Autumn Handicaps are 'now attracting the attention of sportsmen generally, and the present favourites are Los Angelos, Gold Lace, Obsono, and My Lawyer for the seven furlongs, ancPLbs Angelos, Danube, Miss Mischief, "-Merrivonia," Tranui, and Kopu for the mile and a half events. Several entrants are engaged in both races, and the acceptances will throw a clearer light on the prospects of leading performers. Equitas is expected to >go to Auckland, and Danube will probably contest the Great Autumn. Miss Mischief, Bst 111b, is not a weight carrier,. but Iranui, Bst 91b, reads well, and on the last Wellington Cup weights has the best of the winner of that event. Prim, Bst 51b, won the 'Metropolitan Handicap at the last'C.J.C. meeting, beating a good field; arid Rose Noble, Fasnakyle, and Colleen Mary have performed well recently. In the Great Easter field those who follow form will incline to Obsono, Gipsy Belle, Vice-Admiral, "Wauchope, and My Lawyer, but a return to form on the part of Gold Lace, Penates, Effort; Madam Madcap, and Formby would leave the issue a much more open one.

The acceptances for the Easter Handicap at Auckland are sufficiently numerous to ensure a really good race. Equitas, winner of the Stewards' Handicap, is in pride of place with 9st lib.'Fancied candidates, are Royal Soult, Santa, " Rosa, j,Salute, Wauchope;'Flying Soult, and First Wairiki. Both Gipsy Belle ,and Dearest are accepted) for, so may not go South at Easter.