SPORTING NOTES

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10641, 23 May 1912, Page 6

SPORTING NOTES

(By "Also Started.") I FIXTURES. May 23 and 24.—Wangomui J.C.. iter.May 23 and 24.— North Otago J.C. Winter. June 1 and 3.—Auckland R. C. Winter. June 1 and 3.—Dunedin J.C. ; Winter. - June 3 and 4.—Otaki Maori R.O. June 19 and 20.—liawke's Bay J.C. Win tea 1 . The Wangnnui and North Otago winter meetings open to-day. Mv/j-li inteivst is being centred in the jumping events at Wanganui todt.iy, and although several candidates are 'already .pronounced .favourites, it is generally conceded that the steeplechase and hurdle events are cf a very open wppearance.

The il'oc-aliy owned Sir Lt the lias come into (favour for the ■ Wanganui iSteepleelKue, 'and ishould start one of the Ifavc-urites, R. Thoirjpson, the Native horseman, who had a good deal of fAK'cc-s hiPt jaunping season, will ride the Lethe gelding, and also Mr VaiU'rance's other jumpers, Xedra and Hill .Lass. The fatter is jumping well, "and is ■expected' to give. >a good 'account of hcrisei'Jf in the minor steeplechase event's. Afterthought will iraic'e in the colours of Oiei' new owner at Wanganui. The iMerriwce mare has, .as usual, been doing good track work, hut whether she will act 'lip to it in the Borough iHandJcap to-day remains to he seen. Sir Sole was taken through to Auckland this week .by Trainer W. Garrett. There are .not a few who ■exipeot the ISLr Laddo colt to run prominently at the big Northern fixture, as since returning from Egmont he has lbs en doing some excellent .work,, and shows that he is quite 'at Uunne igalikiping the wrong way 'found. Old .Gaelic has iniiproved a good deal-since being taken to Wanganui, and 'has come into favour for the Century Hurdles, If the old fellow is forwihrdi enough, ho ohould run well with his light 'impost. The scratching of !Mulga Bill comrs as something of a shock to doublo- { bettors, as the llaraiiialti ihorse was | looked upo : u to have had a great J change in the Cbnnolly Handicap.

JYlon'ivo-;i.'ia and Eyron will mow ii .-- ide favom'ibisoi, while Men city is also well' fancied. It 'has been rumoured that alt is not right with Byron, l'.,is abse-K'e ifrom the ti'a:'k for a day or two probably {icoounting for the rcpnrt. Wlicn the field lines up, (however, it is .nure than likely that Mr iHarle'.-j gliding, will be ificnmd amongst tlie number. There arc fewer horses in work ;t t Oipaki at the present time than hivt ibeeii the case for /several years. A number of owners rui the "Wairarva, avlio a season or two ago raced fairly extensively, have gone out of raoins, but it is to !be hoped n.ot pcrmanenrly. It is probable that as t'ho spring roils round again, ifresh additions will bo iiiiadc to (the. various training stables in-.and 'around Mastei'ton. A number of 3 faster ten. "sports" left yesterday for Wanganui, to attend the popular steeplechase meeting. ■Weights .for the Otaki Maori ChiVs winter meeting ano due on Saturday next.