SPORTING.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 1638, 17 September 1920, Page 6

SPORTING.

FIXTURES, 1920-21. Sept. 23, 24 —Wanganui J.C. Sept. 27, 28 —Otaki-Maori R.C. Sept. 30, Oct. I.—Geraldine Racing' Club. Oct. 2—Napier Park Racing Club. Oct. 6 —Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club. Oct. 7—Kurow Jockey Club. > Oct. 14, 15 —Masterton Racing Club. Oct. 15, 16—Dunedin Jockey Club. Oct. 15, 16—Whangarei Racing Club. Oct. 23, 27 —Auckland Trotting Club. Oct. 23, 25—Gore Racing Club. Oct. 23, 25—Wellington Racing Club. NOTES. I) is important that horse owners ami trainers should remember that to-day is nomination day for Masterton, Napier Park and Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club spring meetings, also acceptance day for Wanganui and Otaki. Consequent on Arrowsmith being slightly amiss, F. Christmas has abandoned his proposed trip to the North Island. Kilruslx, Arrowsmith and Counter-Attack were consequently scratched on Tuesday for all engagements at the Wanganui meeting. After being in retirement for nearly three months. Punka has been taken in hand again bv W. Kirk at Wooded le. Mr M. H. Strahan has been elected president of the Napier Park Racing Club, a keen contest between him and Mr .1. Vigor Brown. M.P., for the position resulting in the latter’s defeat. Mr Brown has been president of the club for many years. The mishap to Gloaming was particularly unfortunate, as, prior to it, he had been recording some phenomenal gallops at Randwick. Writing of one of these, ‘ Pilot” says:—‘‘Gloaming’s seven furlongs in Imin 251 sec on the grass sent some trainers home disI gnsted with their horses. This was not surprising, when such good gallopers as Greenstead and Bigaroon took Imin 15?. sec for six furlongs, and, if they had travelled an additional furlong, they would not have got within two and a half seconds of Gloaming’s time. The latter may not have carried more than 7st 91b, and was not heavily shod, but still a training track spin that gets within almost half a second of the Australasian race record for seven furlongs is something remarkable. R. J. Mason has trained some good horses in his time, but I think he is prepared to admit that Gloaming is superior to any from seven furlongs to a mile and three furlongs.”

A Christchurch writer says: “Amythas continues to get through some solid tasks, but there is a difference of opinion regarding the manner in which he is shaping. He certainly does not show the extreme brilliancy that characterised him during the second half of last season, and this probably explains some of the opposition to him. It should not bo forgotten, however, that Amythas had had several races as a three-year-old before anyone suspected what a great hox - se he was, and it may be that wo will not see the best of him this season till he has had a few runs in public. Tu the meantime he looks well, and there is plenty of time yet for him to be strung right up.”

Vespucci, who carried Mr G. D. Greenwood’s colours to victory in the Novice Handicap at Randwick on Saturday, and who was making bis first appearance under silk, was purchased in Australia when a yearling, for 350 guineas, by the Canterbury sportsman. Vespucci was sot Varco from the Eagar mare Far Away, and he is regarded as a promising colt. On Saturday next Vespucci will have an opportunity of winning classic honours, as he figures among the entrants for the Rosehill Guineas.

H. Gray will be a busy man during the next fortnight. Ho will be riding at Wanganui on Thursday, and will then come north for the first dav at Avondale, leaving for the south again on the Sunday evening, riding at Otaki on Monday and Tuesday, to be back in Auckland again on the Wednesday morning for the second day of the Avondale fixture. He will then probably go south for the Napier Park meeting on October 2, and the Hawke’s Bay fixture on October 6.

The next meeting to claim the attention of local punters will be Wanganui and Otaki, two very popular meetings. The days are now getting warmer, and some lighter clothing can be safely worn. Alf. Mahon, the sporting mercer, has all the latest in men’s spring fashions. Give him a call before the meetings.*