SPORTING.

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 1372833, 6 August 1917, Page 6

SPORTING.

FIXTURES—I9I7-18. Canterbury Jockey Club, Augnut 16, 11. Daunevirke Hunt Club, August 28. "larton Jockey Club, Septomber 5. Ashburton County Racing Club, September 13, 14. Otaki Maori Racing Club, September 24. Geraldine Racing Club, September 27. Kurow Jockly. Club, October 4. Masterton Racing Club, October 11, 12. Dunedin Jockey Cllub, October 12, 13. Wellington Racing .Club, October 20, 22. »,orth Canterbury and Oxford Jockey Club, October 22. Waverley-Waitotara Racing Club, October 22. Gore Racing Club, October 22, 23. NOTES. The first acceptances for the Grand National Hurdles, Steeplechase and the Winter Cup made a big hole in the original nominations. There are still, however, decent fields if all the acceptors stand their ground. It is expected that there will be one or two more out of each race. St. Elmn and Crib have accepted in both hurdles and steeples. The most notable defection from the hurdle race was Fisher, who is reported to have gone lame.

All our local and district candidates have stood their ground, and on present appearance Sleight-of-Hand, one of the Notional Hurdle candidates, will start first favourite. Sir Fisher, who is now on the spot, had a fall on Thursday last at Awapuni, but neither jockey or horse suffered any ill effects.

George Scifort's team at Awapuni is now in steady work. King's Armour and Polynesian, two recent purchases, are looking particularly well and the colt by California out of Lady Frisco's dam has made lots of friends. Lady Frisco, who made quite a name for herself last season, is in foal to Aberbrothock. King's Armour and Polynesian well placed should win some good handicaps this season.

Mr M. F. Baird, who has held the position of treasurer for the Hawke's Bay Jeokcy Club for the past 35 years, has resigned the office, and at the annual meeting of the club he was accorded a vote of thanks for his services.

Nominations for the offices of president, two vice-presidents, honorary treasurer and four members of the committee of the Manawatu Uacing Club, close wtih the secretary, Mr J. M. Johnston, at the club's office at 12 noon to-day.

Mr G. L. Stead will have several horses quartered at Randwick before long, R. D. O'Donnell having completed arrangements for an Australian campaign this spring with a useful team from the laldhurst stable. It will be headed by The Toff, who will probably contest weight-for-age events, as well as the big handicaps, while Plymouth will go for steeplechases and the three-year-old filly, Ample, for sprint races. The two-year-olds Melee (Martian Formless) and Almoner (Boniform —Cassock), both of whom are understood to show considerable promise, will also be included in the team, engagements being made for them in some of the leading two-year-old events. The Yaldhurst horses will remain in Sydney till after the spring meeting of the Australian Jockey Club, after which they will probably go on to Melbourne for the Victoria Racing Club's fixture. Should this programme be carried out it will mean missing the November carnival at Riccarton.

The following officers have been elected by the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club for the ensuing season:—President, Mr H. M. Campbell; vice-presi-dent, Mr P. Hunter; treasurer, Mr J. H. Colebourne; committee, Messrs T. E. Crosse G. Ebbett, H. Hassall, M. Johnson, T. H. Lowry, J. S. McLeod, H. A. Russell, W. Richmond, W. G. Stead, and E.J. White.

Sportsmen will soon be making arrangements for their annual outing at the Grand National. Alf. Mahon has a special selection of goods, including raincoats, overcoats, suits, ties, socks, shirts etc. now on hand which are just the thing to wear on the trip. Give him a call before you go.*