SPORTING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 9184, Issue 9184, 7 April 1910, Page 5

SPORTING.

By "Geeaint."

Tho Multiform —Rumour colt Polymorphous put up a good performance yesterday, perhaps the best he has- yet been guilty of, in running second to Formby in tho North Island Challenge Stakes. Polymorphous was presenting Formby with 211 bs, and was only defeated by half a- length in the really excellent time of Imin 27secs. Further distinction is lent to the performance by the fact that Penates, winner of the Great Easter Handicap, was meeting the Ilighdcn colt at a difference of only 31bs in the youngster's favour, and was well .beaten, whilst the also-started division included the well-performed Gold Lace, Flit aw ay and King Soult. Polymorphous appears likely to verify the late Mr G. G. Stead's expression of opinion when he saw him that he would grow into a good horse. No surprise was felt when Armlet was returned as the winner of the Thompson Handicap, her success being very generally anticipated. The _ mare has during the season been winning six and seven furlong events with such imposts that her weight of 8.1.5 in the Thompson would appeav as a mere postage stamp. Another sprinter in Tumut was second to Mr Greenwood's flying filly, and doubts as to' tho Mcrriwee gelding's ability to get over a mile, which were expressed at the recent \\ anganui meeting, need no longer be entertained.

Influenced, apparently, by the acceptances received for tho forthcoming meeting of the Manawatu K.C. n suggestion has been made that-_ tho Club should consider the advisability of holding its big race meeting in the autumn instead of as now at Christmas time. It is an extremely unwise suggestion, and one that is not likely to receive any support from the majority of tho members of the Club. The Main Trunk line has, of course, made a difference as regards this meeting, but not so great that it is likely to permanently affect its resources, and against this so also has tho cessation of racing in the Wairarapa on Boxing Day, but in this instance in favour of the'' local Club. With the exception of Dunedin and Auckland there is 110 important racing anywhere likely to affect Manawatu adversely, and the suggestion to slacken the attractions of the prize holiday season of the year in favour of a period when wo have to' raco on off days and there is absolutely 110 hope of getting any better days should not be entertained. The proposed alteration would be playing directly into tho hands of an already strong club, and would be absolutely suicidal as far as Manawatu is concerned. It surely cannot be suggested in any earnestness that there are not enough horses in the Wairarapa, Wellington, Hawke's Feilding, Wanganui, and Manawatu districts to keep the Manawatu Christmas meeting going. How many Wellington and Hawke's Bay horses went to Auckland last year? The Porirua stable, the Hon. J. U. Ormond's, and some of Messrs Watts and Lowry. The rest were left to us, and it is our business to attract them to our meeting.