SPORTING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 6 February 1926, Page 3

SPORTING.

FIXTURES. February 6, B—Te Kuiti R.C. February 11, 13 —Dunedin J.C. February 11, 13 —Taranaki J.C. February 11, 13 —Poverty Bay T.C. February 13, 15—yRotorua R.C. February 17 —Clifden R.C. February 18 —Tologa Bay J.C. February 18, 20 —Wanganui J.C. February 20—Canterbury J.C. February 24, 25 —Gore R.C. February 24, 25 —Woodville J.C. February 25 —Waiapu R.C. February 25, 27—Marlborough R.C Feb. 27. March I—Te Aroha JC. March 3, 4—Dannevirke R.C. March 5 6 —Nelson J.C. March 6 —Banks Peninsula J.C. March 6 —Matnmata R.C. March 10 —Upotiki J.C. March 10, 11—Southland R.C March 12, 13—Napier Park R.C March 13, 17 —Ohinemuri J.C. March 17 —Opunake R.C. March 17—Otautau R.C. March 18—Waimate R.C. March 20—Bay of Plenty J.C. March 20—Masterton J.C. March 20, 22—Westport J.C. March 23, 24—Oamani J.C March 24, 25 —Rangitikei R.C. March 27- —Hororata R.C. March 27 —-Franklin R.C.

DUNEDIN MEETING. FIRST DAY'S ACCEPTANCES. (by TELEGRAPH- —PRESS ASSOCIATION.) DUNEDIN, Feb. 5. The following acceptances have been received lor the Dunedin Club’s meeting : Autumn Hurdles, one mile and three, quarters, —Adjutor 11.10, Happy Warrior 10.6, Coastguard 9.5, Soldier’s Pride 9.0, Mirtlimaker 9.0. Publicans’ Handicap, six furlongs.— Set Sail 8.5, Baldowa 8.2, Comic Song q.2, Eaton Bells 7.10, Circulation 7.10, Nincompoop 7.9, Arpent 7.9, Sun Up 7.8, GeraniaJ 7.7, Volant 7.4, Dancing Days 7.2, Lava 7.1, Valdamo 7.0, The Harp 7.1), Corn Money 7.0. President’s Handicap, one mile and a quarter. —Apaclie 9.2, Tione 9.0, Full Swing 8.8, Soltoe 8.7, Obligio 8.3, Roman Archer 8.2, Goosestep 8.1, Kaikaku 7.10, Courtley Rose 7.0, King Cup 7.0, wise Counsellor 7.0. Dunedin Cup, one mile and a half. —Count Cavour 9.8, Ravenna 8.2, Tommy Dodd 7.11, Tarleton 7.8, Man. tua. 7.7, Haze 7.7, Happy Days 7.3, Overdrawn 7.0, The Cheat 7.0, \ iewpoint 7.0. Berwick Handicap, seven furlongs.— John Bradbury 9.3, Celerity II 9.2, Silver Lining 9.1, Rob 9.0, Receipt 8.11, Paris 8.7, Windshield 8.5, Arrowmir 8.4, Pink Note 8.0, Gay Bird 8.0, Margaret Birney S.O. Stewards’ Welter, one mile. —Monoxide 9.0, Will Oakland 8.13, Corn Rigs 8.8, Bright Mark 8.4. Enare 8.2, Retrospect 8.0, All Style 8.0, Viewpoint 8.0, Queen Balboa 8.0, Rene Mavis 8.0, Hall Mark 8.0. Trial Stakes, seven furlongs.—Carnot 8.4, Clantoi 8.4, Kapuna 8.4, Roseuor 8.4, Tholomon 5.4, Gay Bird 8.2, Pink Note 8.2, Cornstalk 8.2. Black Duke 8.2. Clareinar 7.12. Champagne Stakes, six furlongs. — Front Rank 9.3, Papercliase 9.0, Countersign 9.0, Pink Terrace 9.0, Dismantle 9.0, Young Lochinvar 8.10, Liinerick 9.0 ; Paper Boy 8.10, Battle Flag 8.7, W'ingatui 8.7. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

(By Maecenas.) Trainer P. Johnson is moulding Frizzier into a jumper, and the grey gelding should win over the battens when the class is not strong. The Lamb does not begin quite as brilliantly as of old, but his staying powers have developed, and a good mile handicap may fall to him this autumn. Oration began very smartly at Egmont, but the soft track Avas not. in his favour, and over the last few chains he stopped quickly. Oration may prove harder to beat at New Plymouth next week. The well-bred Koval Mint Avas running on at the close of his races at the recent Egmont meeting, and if better placed over the early stages on Thursday must have Avon Bonona showed a lot of speed at Egmont last Wednesday, and ridden more patiently must have done better than finish third. The state of the race track at flaAvera was all in fa\ r our of Income, hut the gelding failed to do as Avell as expected, although he might have got some prize money in the Cup hut for meeting trouble in the straight. * But for the threatening weather on Wednesday morning last the Egmont Pacing Club’s recent gathering might have been a record one for the club. Although much rain had fallen at Hawera prior to the recent race meeting the track wore exceptionally Avell, and reflected credit on. caretaker Morse

Mountain Bell jumped several of the fences well at Egmont on Thursday, but she chanced others, losing ground that cost her a Avinning chance. After meeting Avith interference during the race, Giengariff put in a wondorfwl run over tlie concluding stages of the Mcrcincre Hack Handicap at Egmont last Thursday, and only failed by inches to get First Acre. When Orcadcs Avon at the Taranaki Jockey Club’s Christmas meeting she showed sneed and gameness, traits the filly again repeated at the Egmont meeting on Thursday last. Although Windbag Avon at her only appearance at Egmont. she did not have much in hand, and is certainly not as good as her breeding would suggest. Sleet was another runner at the Egmolit meeting that did not gather up speed as quickly as in her past races, but on Thursday last she finished better than any of her opponents, and can be counted nn'ucky. After showing such excellent form in two-war-old events at Ellerslie. it certainlv pointed to Seatown being a ••good thing” in the Maiden Scurry at 'Vniiont. but. contrary to expectations. Hoy Peed had to bring ah his riding powers into use to. win on Seatown .

A. Downing, who Avas suspended for three months for causing Bonogiie to cross over too auickW. has had the sentence .’•educed to oiip month by the Wanganui District Committee. Pro son t indications point to the Taranaki Jockey Cub having a splendid fneetimr next week. In addition to most of the horses that raced at the •-mt meeting just passed, there will ho frosh competitors from Auckland and Wanganui. After hebig verv slow to move in the JiiA’onile Handicap at Egmont, Tin Tree confirmed the good opinion formed

of him at Stratford by finishing very fast to win. Seeing that Diogenes ran such a great race with eleven pounds more on his back on Thursday as compared with th e Nolan Cup weight, it is now clear that the best horse on the day non the Nolan Cup irrespective of tlio accident to some of the runners. For a. novice at the jumping branch of racing, Sunny Vale went really well last Wednesday till he fell at the final obstace. He ’will compete at the hurrdle races at the coming meeting of the Taranaki Jockey Club.

Over a fairly long racing career we have witnessed some great racing at times, but nothing more exciting than that at Egmont on Thursday last lias been witnessed. A tribute to the good work of the club’s handieapper, Mr H. Coyle. Up till the last few months the Egmont Racng Club could boast of a good track, but now the grounds look most picturesque and reflect great credit on the club’s gardener, Mr. Stevenson, who, in a few months, has worked wonders with flower beds, etc., and to-day the grounds more than compare favourably with, most eomses in the Dominion.

That the Egmont Gup of Wednesday was a falser run race is shown in the fact that the hurdle race run over a similar distance on the second day was done in faster time. "While agreeing that the course was a little faster on the second day, the comparison of the time of tlie races is most remarkable. Alfter winning the principal handicap on the .second day of the recent Ejgiiioiit meeting, old Surveyor rightly received a great reception from those present. Recent rains have made "The race tracks to Surveyor is fancy and he may again run well next week at New .Plymouth. The more the writer sees of racing, the more convinced lie is that judges boxes placed almost or on a line with the race track increase the difficulties of the official in the box. It k now an established - fact, vouched for by judges who officiate umky different conditions, that when the box is placed Homo distance hack fro mi the race track judging is more simple. Willow Wai won in. a decisive manner at Egmont on Wednesday, but on the second day of the same meeting he did not figure in a place for the reason, that Barry allowed Argue and Co. to open up too big a lead. On Egmont form, Willow Wai looks like developing into a. fair hack this season. Over the concluding stages of the Electric Handicap at Egmont on Thursday the rider of Gold Collector was not allowed, over-much room, a factor that may have cost that gelding a win. Gold Collector is very well just now, and should run prominently in future races.

Jockey L. A. Fine, who was unfortunate to break his arm last October, was a spectator at the Egmont meeting, and still carries the arm in a sling. There is little or no chance of this capable light-weight riding again this season, which is not only unfortunate from a financial point of view, but is a loss to owners, since capable riders are scarce. Just here it may be stated that Mr. G. Currie generously paid the lad liis retaining fee in full. Wednesday’s Egmont Cup was a most unsatisfactory race, run at a snail-pace over the first seven furlongs. Even R. Reed, on the favourite (Star Ranger), failed to show average form, lor although on a. gelding that would run right out the full distance, he failed t<> take the advantage of opening up a good “break” when Star Ranger was cantering in front of his field over the’ first mile of the journey. Waiting for a final sprint on one like Star Ranger was an absurd policy.