SPORTING

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 5 December 1929, Page 3

SPORTING

SEASON’S FIXTURES. Dee. 6, 7—Taumarunui E.C. Dec. 14—Waipa E.C. Dee. 18, 19 —Egmont E.C. Dee. 26 —Alexandra E.C. Dec. 26, 39, Jan. 1, 2—Auckland E.C. Dec. 26, 27, 28 —Manawatu E.C. Jan. 9, 11—Thames J.'C. Jan. 18—Bay of Islands E.C. Jan. 18 —Ngaruawahia E.C. NOTES AND COMMENTS (By “Maecenas.”). 'Tj’ho annual meeting of the Taumarunui Eacing Club takes place ou Friday and Saturday of this week. The acceptances are poor botli in class and numbers, and the club will be lucky to clear expenses. In her early racing Abbess showed some speed, but subsequently went amiss. Abbess is engaged in the Taringamutu Handicap at Taumarunui tomorrow, and if favoured with luck on this circular course should secure some stake money. The class engaged in 'the Tauinarunui Cup to be run to-morrow is very poor. Of those engaged Oliinemuri, VVendav and Glenstar have recently raced well in .similar class. As Wen day appears to be an improver, she may do best to-morrow. With Xightmarch and Chide engaged in ‘the Auckland Cup, the handicapper framed a “flattering” handicap in an endeavour to secure the pair of chain pious. With Chide sold to an Australian buyer, a very unlikely starter, and Xightmarch scratched on the appearance of the weights, it would now appear that if the handicaps had been cast on a higher scale, more satisfaction must have resulted. Trainer E. George now has old ITipo at his best, and the old gelding has now run four solid races in succession. Hipo’s effort in the principal handicap at Taka puna last Monday was little inferior to his best. When old age comes on racehorses it is difficult to get them to hold their form, but if Hipo remains fit over the holiday meetings he will do well in these parts. Trainer J. O’Neill expected the first day’s race of Orapai at Takapuna to work improvement, but 'while Orapai went well for about .half a> mile on Monday he really never looked very dangerous. As stated in my last notes, 11. Gray was accused by many of being caught “napping” on Orapai the first day of the Takapuna meeting. Writing on Sunday (before the second day’s racing) it was made clear that we did not hold thi s view. On the strength of this wrong impression, backers made Crapai a level-money favourite on Mon.

day, but after holding a good position till the straight entrance, Orapai died righ away, much to the disgust of the ’“amateur stipes.” I Owner-Trainer J. Williamson had a 'good laugh after Corinax had won the I chief principal handicap at the Takapuna meeting last Monday. Before the race every second person appeared to know that Corinax was “set” for the ( Auckland Cup. When Corinax jumped I off in front and led all the way there was much wailing and moaning. He paid over the quarter century. Metremus, trained by .1. Williamson, (and Hampton Park, trained bv P. Gilchrist, both paid double figure dividends to win the two-year-old events decided on either day at Takapunn. Botli youngsters are Australian bred. Bach finished on well to secure victory, and it will come as a surprise if they do not earn further successes. Since the spring successes of New Zealand bred performers in the rich Australian 'races, there are many enquiries for our best handicap horses. At the recent meeting at Eeilding a (well-known agent was particularly anxious to secure Pabbi, and offered a stiff four-figure price. At the time of writing no deal had been made in the I matter. At last year’s Auckland Cup meeting Pegaway won the Christmas Handicap, carrying 5.7. >He was successful in tiie Summer Cup (1 J miles) under B.S. On the third day he succeeded in winning the Auckland Pacing Club Handicap with 9.3 in the saddle (that i event was over l-l miles). Pegaway 'has only started twice this season, and )ha.s won each event, thus showing lie Iretains his form. With 5.4 in the com. ing Auckland Cup, Pegaway appears to be very nicely handicapped, and no I doubt will have an army 'of admirers. I Kven with such a luxurious weight jean Pegaway stay well enough to win ■ over a two mile course? In our opinlion it is very doubtful. ' Amongst the surprise nominations for the Egmont Cup is Silvermine. A brilliant sprinter, Silvermine is now near the top of the handicaps in all short distance races, irrespective of class. As he is on the small side, it usually occurs that the Egmonf-trained gelding meets something just too good. Whether Silvermine will run 'out a ten furlong journey under a lighter 'weight remains to be seen. If he does not lshape attractively over a middle distance Silvermine will no doubt, take his I place in the Pailway Handicap to be l run at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. ( The northern hack, Par fait Amour, 'has threatened.to win on many occas- | ions, but usually meets something just I too good. As his opponents at Tauma--Irumi i are not very classy, Parfait I Amour should notch a win to-morrow. I After being off colour for a long [time. Mucroom appears to be now com. • ing back to form. She is engaged in [the Tnumnrunui Cup and Pangaroa Flying to-morrow, and if reserved for ttm l latter race she will run prominently.