MISCELLANEOUS SPORTING.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 3828, 8 January 1929, Page 5

MISCELLANEOUS SPORTING.

[By Gleaner.] Huge totalisatov decrease over the liolitlay meetings. The race-goer taxed to' the utmost prefers to stay at home and punt with the bookies, while a short-sighted Government slowly but surely kills the goose winch lavs the golden egg. Royal Sax-on won the Invercargill Cup easily but was lucky in that Pink Note met with interference at the turn. 'The latter finished very strongly. Blue Metal, an untried ‘Ayr old, was heavily supported on the strength ot a trial with Ncdda. Missing the jump out both days, the Paper Mon-ey-Bo Peep gelding was never in the hunt. Ho will keep, as he is undoubtedly a good sort. Clover and Gascony duly won m Manawatu. Corinax, winner of the Auckland Cup, has only one eye and was debarred from racing in Australia. .yussie, up to a mile, must be one ot the best ever raced in N.Z. By his win in the G.N. Derby, Rea Heckle proved this writer’s contention that he was one o| the most improved 3-yr olds in N.Z. Shady Spot, which raced without luck at Invercargill, is a likely sort to win a good trotting race. The much boomed St. George is too iffy at the post yet. A young horse, he should improve with age. Badly ridden on the first day, Latin Quarter looked the goods for a race on the second day in Invercargill, but was withdrawn. With a good horseman up, a 7-furlong race should come his way. Pukernaori soon now, girls. Battle Flag is ajgoocl ’un. Apache with a good horseman up would win good races easily as lie is a real bulldog up to a mile. He won at Dunedin and Invercargill despite tin* handicap of being badly handled. Prince Pointer is one of the best pacing sprinters seen in N.Z. tor some time.

Kohara was unlucky bumping Gold Jacket in such good form in Auckland Gup. The youngsters seen out at Invercargill and Dunedin were a fine looking lot with one or two exceptions. Erancolm, Stealth, the Graphic and Blue Mctai all showed, great mi--proveineat as 3-yr olds. Night Lad looks like a stayer in the making.

CfiJDOKET.

The bowling of Blackie in the tlura test upset the Englishmen considerably, Without Hammond’s fine score the” Englishman’s total 'would have been a small one.

'Richardson is not a first wicket batsman.

White and Geary are more troublesome now than Larwood. The Aus■sies’ seem to have tire strength ot the latter but Tate’s perfect length will always bo dangerous. It is pleasing to see Bradman and Kippax doing so well. The colt batted in splendid style. Given, say, 350 to get, the Englishmen may find it clillicult especially if Hammond and Hendren go cheaply. Oxenham justified his inclusion, while the lidding of Blaekie and a’Beckett was a revelation. Evidently the example sot by Richardson keyed his mates up to concert pitch.

With the big test,in progress interest in Plunket Shield games is very slight. It will be a light between Wellington and Auckland for the shield.

GENERAL.

Tin.; is decidedly against Miss Coppiestone’s success in swimming Cook Strait. The discussion on Mm doings ol A usl rill uni Olympic games’ loam has brought to light some unsavoury details. The public will bo diary ol providing funds tor another team. Pearson of Invercargill is one ol (he best, sprinters seen in Southland for a long lime. Some oi the country sports meetings were very interesting, while the competitors at some oi the othess were so few that no interest was taken in the running events. Although A. Davidson raced with great dash at several or the meetings, he was unlucky in the big events. .Johnny Weismuller, by turning professional". is following the example oi crack athletes in other branches of sport. Tom IHTeney is hack in training and wih probably meet one of the American contenders for heavy-weight honours in the near future.