SPORTING NOTES.

Clutha Leader, Volume XL, Issue 73, 20 March 1914, Page 6

SPORTING NOTES.

By Vladimir. Bronze's win' in the Napier Cup was somewhat overdue, as it must be close on two years since this mare last won a race. She ran into second place on several occasions, but up to the Napier Cup she has not been enrolled as a ■winner since leaving New Zealand for Australia at the end of her three-year-old season, where she failed to reproduce her form. The field at Napier was not only a very large one, but also had some excellent performers, and therefore her success is all the more meritorious; and now that the long sequence of failures has been broken it would not be surprising to hear of her success before the season closes. Moutoa Girl was made first favourite, with Marshal Maedonald second choice, but both of these finished out of a place, Ladoga and Fair Kosamond being the other place-getters. The time, 2min 7 3-osec for the mile and aquarter, shows that it was a very fast run race. Bronze was not started on the second day, and very possibly may be reserved for the Great Autumn' Handicap at Christchurch.

Ventura, who is a popular pick for the Great Easter Handicap, and who last year proved the winner, was also running at Napier, and finished second to Zeus in the Flying Handicap, the time for the six furlongs being lmin 14sec, which should be encouraging to Ventura's admirers, as she must be in very good form to be able to gallop at this gait.

Zeus, a three-year-old by Martian — Stephanie, is evidently something out of the ordinary. Tt is wonderful what a lot of good howncs Martian is leaving, and.as lie is practically a young sire his services will no doubt be in great request by breeders. From a private source the writer hears that Sister Radius, Pure Gold and Jack Ashore made a good passage across to Melbourne, the three of them giving little or no trouble on the journey. Sister

Radius and Pure Gold were entered for the V.A.T.C. at Oaulfield last Saturday, and the results were eagerly awaited by quite a number of enthusiasts, but as no

word has come through it is surmised that the meeting was not held. Mr Flaneur expected a cable in the event of Pure Gold running, aiid not having received any advice he thinks that this must be the reason. Sister Radius has been allotted 7.5 in the Doncaster Handicap, run at Randwick on April 10. She should not be overburdened with this impost, and although the distance (one mile) is further than what she has so far attempted

she should be able to get the extra furlong, as the Hazlett Memorial Plate was a seven-furlong race, and she simply romped honre in ]min 28sec. Some followers are reported as having cabled to Sydney on the announcement of the weights, and were somewhat surprised to find the price much more restricted than they anticipated. Considering the si/.e of the field and seeing that the fastest horses in Australia are nominated, it seems somewhat venturesome to risk anything at this early stage of the race.

The weights for the Great Easter and Great Autumn Handicaps have beeu published, and cursory perusal of the list leads one to think that Emperador B.i;>, First Glance 7.9, Sauei 7.9, Peg 7.6 and Stardancer 7.0 have no reason to complain of their treatment. In the Great Autumn Handicap Flora Macdonald S.M, Marshal Macdonald 7.13, "Warstep 7.1.'5, Ladoga 7.9, Gapon 6.i>, Peg 6.9 and Bronze 8.10 are all in at nice handy weights. The party with Pure Gold, Sister Radius and Jack Ashore had an unpleasant experience on landing at Melbourne,. where they lost some of their gear, rugs and feed, which, it is presumed, was taken from the wharf. It will .make them more careful in the future, and they doubtless ca.ll realise that it is not safe to leave any goods lying about unless they are carefully guarded—rather different to what they have been in the habit of doing in the Dominion. Autumnus pulled up lame after a recent gallop. This is decidedly unfortunate for Sir George Clifford, as the most of his lengthy string are at present oa the easy list. Vocation, has been scratched for the Easter and Autumn Handicaps. A Tapamii correspondent writes 1 : "F. Stivcn (trainer for D-r Robertson) ia busy at work with Brooksdale, which is still a long way from being in racing trim, ana it is questionable if he can be made fit for' the t Southland Club's meeting. Palisade is still enjoying his speU <and seems nothing the worse for it. The filly by Charlemagne out of Red Peohy is being schooled and if looks are any indication there ia something in store for her in the future.''

Sinapis seems to be exceptionally well treated by the A.J.C. handicapper who has p<ut Bst 41b on her in the Sydney Cup, to bo run on Easter Monday. Wangamii Oup form has evidently been overlooked, and her owner must'be accounted very fortunate in .getting the mare in so well. It will not be a surprise to find her rushed into the position of favorite.

Goldseeker, which won the Hurdle Handicap at Motukarara last week, has been placed: under the care of the Riocarton trainer, J. A. Bridges, to prepare for future engagements. He will probably make bis next appearance at the autumn meeting of tne Canterbury Jockey Club >at Easter. One of the most improved horses which raced at the Wanganui meeting was Marshal Macdonald. Mr T. H. Lo\vry"s oolt is _ a lazy track worker, and the race in the Cup worked a marked improvement in him. Those who noticed his condition in the bi mileage on Saturday supported him, and Trainer F. Davis was very confident that the colt wouldi win. He has already been picked out in more than one quarter as a- likely sort for the next New Zealand Cup. He is by Soult>— Hesper, by Lochness (Ingomiar—Albatross), from Dreamland, by Cadogan- - - Siesta, by Traducer—Hammock; Tbere have been several accidents recently, luckily not of •> serious nature, to riders. trainers and drivers in the hotting line, and some substantial' claims will be. made shortly on the Provident Fund of the New " ■ r ' ci V v