SPORTING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 4 March 1926, Page 6

SPORTING.

FIXTURES. March 5, 6 —. Nelson J.C. March s—Banks5 —Banks Peninsula J.C. March 6 —Matamata R.C. - March 10 —Upotiki J.O. March iU, 11 —Southland R.C. March 12, 13 —Napier Park R.C. dannevirkF FIRST DAY. OPA WINS THE CUP. (BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION.; DANNEVIRKE, March 3. The Dannevirke Racing Club's autumn meeting commenced to-day in hue weather. 'There was a large attendance. The track was in good order. 'The totalisator investments totalled £15,743, compared with £16,781 for the corresponding day last year. Results: High-weight Handicap, one mile and a quarter. —3 Perle de Leon (L. Morris) 1,2 Kilburn 2, 3 Capitulation 3. Also started: 8 Little River, 2 Many Colours, 5 Santiago, 7 Blue Star, 4 Asleep, 9 Mosthenes. Won by threequarters of a length, a length between second and third. Time, 2.8 4-5 Maiden Plate, six furlongs. —1 Hypnotic (R. McTavish) and 2 Decoy Bird (R. Reed-) dead heat 1, 3 Logic 3. Also started: 4 Hinekapua, 4 Braemar, 6 Del Sarto, 5 Windy Night. Won by a length. Time, 1.14 3-5. President’s Handicap, six furlongs. —4 Epistle (E. Dunn) 1, 6 Mimetic 2, 3 Merry Jest 3. Also started: 9 Lucius, 8 Papaponga, 1 Polyphemus, 5 Koodoo, 2 Archeen, .8 Standard, 10 Tongatotoa, 11 Treadwell. Won by a length, a neck between second and third. Time, 1.13 2-5. Talioraite Hack Welter, seven furlongs.—s Piuthair (T. Green) 1, 3 Wilmoreana 2,2 Imitation 3. Also started: 1 Indian Sage, 4 Bank Draft, 6 The Lodge. Won by about half a length. Time, 1.25. Dannevirke Cup, one mile and a quarter.—2 Opa (N. Trillo) 1. 4. Gauntlet 2, 9 Sanctuary 3. Also started: 5 Martulla, 1 Kilbronsyth, 3 Star Ranger, 6 Malatour, 8 Son o' Mine, 10 De Luxe, 7 Fillette. Won by a length, a length between second and third. Time, 2.7 2-5. Oringi Hack Handicap, five furlongs. —2 Royal Damon (N. F. Johnston) 1, 3 Bonideer 2, 7 Merry Imp 3. Also started: 4 Minstrel Boy, 1 Nastori, 5 Cherry Pie, 9 Sole Mio, 10 Rippling, 6 Idanoe, _ 8 Seakist, 11 Hakuwai. Won easily by a length, two lengths between second and third. Time. 1.0 3-5.

Rakaiatai Welter, seven furlongs. — 4 Willow Wai (J. Barry) 1, 3 Tuahine 2, 1 Archeen 3. Also started : 7 Gaza, 6 Battle Knight, 5 Clandhu, 2 Wristlet Won by a head, a neck between second and third. Time, 1.28. Makirikiri Welter, seven furlongs. — IMy Hobby (R. Reed) 1,2 Othon, 2, 5 Butterscotch 3. Also started: 4 Sarty. 10 Charleston, 6 Desert Knight. 7 Revel, 9 Strongholt, 8 Inoe, 3 Royal Mint. Heads separated the placed horses. Time, 1.29. OTAUTAU R.C. MEETING. INVERCARGILL, March 3. The Otautau Racing Club’s annual meeting was held to-day in good weather. The totalisator figures were £9676 10s, as against £9409 last year. Results: ‘ Crown Stakes. —1 Solzia (A. E. Didhani) 1, 3 Scliottische 2.2 Spearmaid 3. Won bv three lengths. Time, 1.1.8. Bayswater Trot.—6 Leith Chimes. (J. Langford) il, I Liberal 2,2 Ballin Lad 3. Won by three lengths. Time, 3.42. Otautau Cup.—6 Tommy Dodd (J. Andrews) 1, 1 Geranial 2. 3 Full Swing 3. Also started. 2 Ravenna, 4 The Cheat, 7 Kilfane, 5 Francaise, 9 Countersbroke, 8 Flight. Won by a head, one and a half lengths between second and third Time, 2.12.

Riugwa.v Hack Handicap. —4 Sehottisclie (L. J. Ellis) I, 6. Spearrnaid 2, 7 Clothilde 3. Won by a neck, threequarters of a length between second and third. Time, 1.4 2-5., Otautau Steeplechase.-- L -2 Karanga (L. E. Smith) 1, 7 Greenstone 2, 3 Mettle Drift 3. Won by half a length. Time, 5.30. Wallace Trot. —9 Wee Spark- (H. Burrows) 1,2 Gov Bells 2, 3 Peterville 3. Strathmore Hack Handicap.—3 Jack o’ Lantern (A S. Ellis') L. 5 King Cup 2, 4 Navy Cut 3. Won by a length. Time, 1.7 2-5. Waikouro Welter. —2 Soltoe <T. Aletca.lf) 1, 5 Obligio 2, 4 Bloom 3. Also, started: 1 Queen Balboa,- 3 Dazzling Light, 6 Hallmark, 7 Flight. Won by eight lengths, a neck between the second and third. Time, 1.45. AUSTRALIAN NOTES. ay CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—C-OPYIUOUT MELBOURNE, March 3. -j. Pike has arrived. He rides Night Patrol and H. Cairns rides Heroic. Pillievvinkie is engaged in the Cover nor’s Plate to-morrow. N()TES AN D COM i\ 1 ENTS. (By “Maecenas.”) Town Bank looked all the better for his recent trip to the West Coast meet, ings when sent out to race in the Her.ri.es Memorial Cup last Saturday. He had some difficulty in heading oil" Mount Marta, but over the last few chains was going much better than bis opponent. Trainer Julian has had a lot of trouble with Town Bank, but bis efforts have been well rewarded during the last few weeks. There were many cases of rough, incompetent (or jierhaps vicious is the correct term) riding at the Te Aroha. meeting last Saturday, and in the last event the writer witnessed the roughest race seen by him over a -lengthy term at racing. First one and then

another horse was sent back to the rear, and it was noticeable that the most competent riders were taking no risks in stich a scrimmage. In face of these facts the incident passed official notice.

Kingfield, sired by the once brilliant King Lupin from a Field Battery mare, showed exceptional speed when lie lie at a large crowd of horses at the Te Aroha meeting on Saturday last. It is reported that Kingfield beat York Abbey in a trial before the meeting, and, judged on tlie pace he showed in the race and the easy manner in which he won, even that achievement was possible. Polonett ran a particularly good race last Saturday, so, with some of our best handicap performers off the scene during the autumn, this useful gelding should secure some stake money. R. Reed went to Te Aroha to ride Desert Glow in the principal handicap. He got his mount into a good position oyer the first furlong, but a

little later a certain rider brought his charge along and deliberately cut across Desert Glow to push him back and spoil an excellent chance. The Australian-bred Aussie (Forlnfix —Fortune Betty) won the two-year-old event at Te Aroha very convincingly, and is the makings of a useful performer. ■ _ ■ . The combination Town Bank—York Abbey was backed for a lot of money last Saturday, and their successes would be very palatable to the “woolbrokers.” Mime ran two good races at tlie recent Woodville meeting, and is worth remembering for events to come. Bright Day looked, in need of a short spell at Wanganui, but it has been decided to race him and. Blight Kniglit at the Rangitikei Racing Club’s meeting. , When Bright Knight returned to the saddling paddock after falling m the Nolan Gup at the Egmont meeting it was feared that the gelding was badly hurt but a close examination and work proved Bright Knight to be quite all right . , ... Scat is a much improved gelding since he won at Christmas at New Plymouth, and it would not be surprising to find him winning good races in the future. , Curraghmore was backed with, confidence to win the open mile at the Te Aroha meeting, and, but for getting a very bad run. might have pulled her backers through. That once promising handicap performer Lord Star (Lord Multifid— Uranium) made his reappearance at the Te Aroha meeting. Lord Star was very robust and was heavily bandaged, and his standing a preparation is problematical .