SPORTING

Manawatu Times, Volume XL, Issue 13949, 30 July 1918, Page 6

SPORTING

RACING FIXTURES. 'Aug. 14, 16— N.Z. Metropolitan Trottug Club. 'August 15, 17—Canterbury Jockey Club September 4—Marten Jockey Club. September 11. Dannevirke Racing , Club. Sept. 19 —Egmont Racing Club. Sept. 19, 20 —Ashburton County Racing (Rob. Sept. 23—Otaki Maori Racing Club. Sept. 26 —Geraldine Racing Club. Oct. 3—Kurow Jockey Club. Oct. 11, 12—Dunedin Jockey Club. Oct, 17, 18 —Maaterton Racing Club. Oct. 19 —Auckland Trotting Club. Oct. 24. 25—Poverty Bay Turf Club. October 26, 28—Wellington Racing dub. Get. 26, 28 —Gore Racing Club. Oct, 26—Otahuhu Trotting Club. Oct. 28 —North Canterbury and Oxford Jockey Club. Oct. 28 —Waverley-Waitotara Racing ‘ Club. November 2, G—Avondale Jockey Club. Not. 4, 6, 9 —Canterbury Jockey Club Nov. 6, 7, B—Metropolitanß—Metropolitan Trotting Clmb. November 9 —Auckland Racing Club. Nov. IS, 14 —Winton Jockey Club. Nor. 20 —Ashhurst-Pohangina Racing Clmb. Nov. 21—South Canterbury Jockey Club. November 30—Takapuna Jockey Club. Nov. 30 —Feilding Jockey Club. Dec. 4, s—Woodville5 —Woodville District Jockoy Club. Dec. s—Methveu Racing Club. December 7 —Bay of Plenty Jockey dub. Dec. 12 —Wairarapa Racing Club. December 14—Waipa Racing Club. Dec. 26—Taranaki Jockey Club. Dec. 26 —Dunedin Jockey Club. Dec. 26, 27 —Reef ton Jockey Club. December 26, 27—Manawatu Racing Club. December 26, 28, January I—Auckland1 —Auckland Racing Club. Dec. 27, 30, Jan. 2 —Auckland Trotting Club. NOTES, S‘r ■ tho report has beeu circulated tlit i* an. Reid is likely to ride Yellow and Black in the Grand National Steeplechase, that young 'chaser has been made tho medium of spirited speculation. Yellow and Black can certainly have done no more than he has been credited with as a steeplechaser, for ho has won each of the three times ho has started over country this winter. Ho looks more like a cup horse than a 'chaser, and that he is a great jumper is admitted by all those who witnessed him in action at Hawke's Bay. He is attempting Grand National honours early in his career, but his performances entitle his party to regard tho son of All Black's prospects with some hope. John Barleycorn is evidently fairly well forward in condition, taking hia running at the South Canterbury Meeting, when under 11.11 he finished second to Bellshire (9.8) in the Claremont Welter., John Barleycorn is in, the C.J.C. Winter Cup with 10.5, and of the horses he beat at Timaru which are also engaged at Riccarton, he meets Majestikoff 41b better, Fleetham 21b worse, and Hiero 31b better. V.'. Richmond has leased Impedim .1 ’ for her racing career, and the daughter of Demosthenes will in future be trained at Hastings by J. M. Cameron. White Rose, dam of Cobram, winner of the V.R.O. Grand National Steeplechase, was sired by Mana, a New Zea-land-bred son of Musket. Cobram is thus rather inbred, as his sire, Bundook, was also sired by Musket. Sensational happenings are not rare at country metings in Australia. A recent disqualification of a judge and bookmaker for life is one of the sensations of recent date. Tho Western Districts Racing Association held an inquiry into thq decision of the judge at the Narrowminc races, when he placed Brittox as winner of the Novice Handi- ( cap, although that horse had finished out of a place. Brittox was favourite for the event. The stipendiary steward pointed out the error to the judge, who. however, declined to alter hia decision. As a result of the inquiry W. Elliott (judge) and a bookmaker named J* Connell, of Narrowmine, were disqualified for life. Matters in connection with the New Zealand Grand Nationals continue very quiet, and there will probably be no marked livening up witnessed until the acceptances arc posted next Friday. Gang Awa’ still rules nominal favourite for the hurdle race, while Master Strowan continues a strong fancy for tho steeplechase. Sir Solo is stated to be training on very satisfactorily and hopes are entertained that he will improve on his record in the New Zealand Grand National Hurdlo Race last year, when he defeated all his field save Sleight of Hand. In connection with tho sensational happening which occurred at Townsville, the- Sydney "Sun” publishes the following: “Thp inquiry into sensational happenings at the Turf Club Mooting, when it was found that a mare which ran in thp Farewell Handicap had had her tongue tied with a piece of tape, threw a light on reeont occurrences at the Rockhampton races. This mare, Etal, was brought from Melbourne to Queensland, and at Rockhampton won a race when practically unbacked, and lost badly another race when practically backed for a fortune. Etal was then brought to Townvillo. She was pulled out of tho Flying Welter Handicap at Saturday’s meeting, but started in the Farewell Handicap. It was stated that thp jockey, Thompson, was not well enough to ride, and Myles Connell’s services were secured. Etal. who oponed up a favourite, looked all right, although she was twisting her tongue a good deal; but on being brought to the stewards’ enclosure she was taken possession of by one of tho stewards. An examination showed that tho mare’s tongue was very tightly tied with a niece of tape, at the back near th.- root. The lower portion of the tong"'* ' almost black, and the tape bad {. 1 ■ it with a knife. In tho race Etal sin. 1 a lot of pace for half a mile, and was then knocked up. T*he reputed owner, Cormack, at the inquiry disclaimed any knowledge of the mare’s tongue having been tied. Two indepen-

dent witneses stated that they saw a small fair man tie Etal’s tongue, while Uormack was leaning on the rail with his back to the mare. Thompson was not present. The stewards disqualified Etai, Cormack, and Thompson for life and decided to prosecute the “ small, fair man.' ’

The Hawke's Bay Jockey Club were refused permission by the N.Z. Racing Conference to change their dates from April 25 and. 26 to May 16 and 17, proposed dates being too close to the Wanganui Jockey Club’s May dates, 22 and 24.

Mandrake was very highly tried prior to the Trial Plate at Trontham, and his trainer (Stewart Waddell) throught that event a good thing for him, but he was never prominent, and may not have been able to act in the mud.

Last year the Wellington Racing Club allowed their Autumn Meeting to lapse, but a change has been made, and next season they will hold a one-day fixture on May 3.

Tho winter xs now here in dead earnest, and sportsmem need something warm to keep out the wet and cold. Alf. Mahon has now on hand just the thing required. Call in and make your selection early while the supply lasts. -