Sporting Notes

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2167, 5 July 1922, Page 6

Sporting Notes

FIXTURES.

July S, 12 and 15 —Wellington R.C. Winter. July 13 —Waimate District Hunt Club July 22 —South Canterbury Hunt Club. July 27—Waimate District Hunt Steeplechase. July 27 and 29—Gisborne R-G. Steeplechase. August 8. 10 andt.l2' —Canterbury J.C. Grand National. NOMINATIONS. July 5—‘Waimate District Hunt Steeplechase, July 7—Gisborne R.C. Steeplechase. ACCEPTANCES. July 17-—S. Canterbury Hunt Steeplechase. July 20—Waimate District Hunt Steeplechase. July 21—Gisborne R.C. Steeplechase. A big contingent of Aucklandtrained horses passed through Palmerston North yesterday morning on their way to compete at the Wellington meeting. The Woodville-tralned horses Strategy and Prince Martian leave for Trentham to-morrow. Both horses are reported to be in good condition. The Awapuni-trained horses that have been nominated for the C.J.C. National meeting arc Passenger (G.N. Hurdles), Calma (G.N. Steeplechase), Passionless, Demos and Yankee Dan (Winter Cup). Tarl and General Raven will be seen out at Trentham on the second and third days. The latter is much improved and may run prominently in his engagements. Passenger and Passionless leave by tliis morning’s train for Trentham. Both of them have a well-trained appearance. It is reported from Foxton that Amythas is quite sound again and will shortly join N, Williamson’s string at Otaki. The Auckland Cup winner Mascot has been booked to visit the imported stallion Tea Tray. "Templar” states that Lady Fisher, dam of Fiscom, V.R.C. Grand National Hurdles winner, is a New Zealandbred mare, being by Cuirassier from Lady Emmeline, by Sommus from Fanny Fisher. She was at the stud in the North Island before going to Australia. Reports from blastings mention the Kilboy gelding Kilbird has been recommissioned by D. Kemp. According to Christchurch reports Falstaff is much improved since the Dunedin meeting and will not lack support in the Trentham Hurdles on Saturday. Wrangle, Taipairu and The Linnet finished In that order over five furlongs on Saturday at Hastings (says the “Barb”). Wrangle galloped most attractively, being on the outside and finishing about half a length in front of Taipairu, with the two-year-old some four lengths behind. Wrangle will have a large following from Hastings in the Te Aro Hack Handicap at Trentham on Saturday next. For a horse not yet out of the paddock twelve months he has done remarkably well. Haurangi was given nice steady work. The son of Feraraorz is just right and with a good horseman in the saddle will make a bold bid for first honours in the Charity Cup, one mile. At Hastings in the furlongs event the first day this horse when heads were turned for home was the whlpper in; down the straight, on the outside of this field, he came very fast and finished a good third, looking as though he would have won had the distance been a little further. Among the remits to be discussed at. the next Trotting Conference (says the "Templar”) Is one from the South Wairarapa T.S., which reads: “Prior to any horse being registered it shall be branded with a distinguishing brand by the person applying for registration.” That there are sufficient grounds for such a rule is evident from the following incident recently reported in the “Australasian”: “A star pony performer in Melbourne which was usually ridden in its races there by a certain lad, and about which the lad was never tired of talking as though he worshipped every hair on its body, was running at country race meetings in the North of South Australia some years ago. The lad happening to be in Adelaide was engaged to ride this pony there figuring under another name. Did he know it again even when it ■won races in his hands and even when one would fancy that any little peculiarities of gait would awaken old memories? No, ho never recognised it, but when questioned as to how it compared for pace with his old love opined that it was about the next best to it that he had ever met. Yet he,wds riding the identical animal.” All day to-day Collinson and Cunnlnghame’s will be “going at top” with the sectional sales comprising men’s suits, ladies’ coats, costumes, frocks, blouses, skirts and hats. Some details are listed page 8. while the firm’s windows are eloquent testimonials of the values procurable.*

BY “AVIS.”

BOXING NOTES

(By Left Hook.) 'file North Island tournament is over, and was a decided success. “Left Hook" congratulates the M.B.A. on the arrangements and working of the tourney—it worked like clockwork- — no delays, no hitches and no regrets. Beg pardon! Yes, there was one regret, and that was that the Palmerston people take a lot of stirring up—more power to those who attended: they had their money's worth, but there was room for another four or five hundred each night and this after the committee had exhausted every possibility in securing every available chair or form in the town. The stadium seats were a great success. “Left. Hook" sat on one and was never more comfortable at a “big mill” in his life. The decisions of the various judges were well received, except Hewson (Auckland) and Willis (New Plymouth). Hewson certainly scored heavily in the last round with heavy body blows, but "Left Hook" thinks that Willis should have been given the verdict. ■ Taking the boxing all round, it was a revelation, the flyweights were very good—the feathers excellent—lights very good—same of the, welters. The middles, with the exception of Meale of Auckland, were only so-so, while the exhibitions of the cruisers and heavies were decidedly poor —there wasn’t a good boxer or lighter among them. A short critique on the performances of the Manawatu boxers will not go amiss. Clinton was unfortunate in meeting Hatton in his first bout. Hatton is one of the best of his class in New Zealand, and was last year’s New Zealand champion. Clinton put up an excellent fight and worthily upheld the Palmerston North reputation. He is rapidly improving, and can be classed among the best six feathers in New Zealand. He extended Hatton to the utmost. Levy also met a hard man in Pearce, and had he been able to overcome his very bad habit of running away (it is not side-stepping), he might have proved the winner. Levy does not take advantage of his opportunities when he gets his man in a corner; infact, the writer even saw him walk back to the centre of the ring when he had Pearce hemmed in his corner. This is bad judgment and had tact. Leo should use every opportunity ho gets in the future. With a little more attention to “attack" and more aggression he should win many fights and may be amongst next year’s winners. He showed clever defence, footwork, ducked well and was very fast on his feet. O'Keefe apparently has not got over his attack of influenza. He is not boxing like the Bert of twelve months back. Had lie done so we could easily have expected Palmerston North to annex the North Island light weight championship. What he wants is a good spell, and then come again, and “Left Hook" is sure he will be a N.Z. champion. That snappy left of his is missing, and he did not show the confidence lie used to. Perhaps he tries to get down too light—am told that he fought with 51bs to spare under the. limit v Strange put up a very good show against his more experienced opponent Meale. “Left Hook” was pleased to see him protect his head more than he. usually does. That is Bill’s weakness. but he is improving and his showing on the Friday night proved that if he can put up a very good three rounds against an Australasian champion, he should be able to beat more middles than will lick him. Bill is still a bit on the stiff side and his defence wants watching, but he is deveoping a better left and wants to get a wallop in his right when a few of his opponents should see stars. Corbett, our heavy-weight, against a comparative novice, put up a, rotten exhibition. It’s a great pity that Tyree was not allowed by the regulations of the Police Force to fight in this section. Tyree would have mopped up the present N.I. champ. “Left-Hook” can't understand why Stratton and other members of the ‘force” can fight and Tyree is banned. Evans (his name is “Little .Tim”) put up a good show against a heavier boy, and planted a very nice right now and again, but Jim should learn that it is the left that wins more fights. The right should not be used too often —it takes a tot more energy to use the right than the left, and besides it's handy for defence, and if you use it both ways your right arm gets, very tired. Three of the fights at the, tourney were as good as any seen in Palmerston. The best three “goes” in “LeftHook’s” opinion were between Pearce and Cann, Overend and Hatton, and Overend and Purdie. Another good fight was between Hewson and Cann. and the judges disagreed. However, Cann did the cleverer work, and he earned his victory. Purdie is a beauty, the shining star of the feather-weight division, but Hatton. Ovcrend and Clinton are all champions, and there is very little to pick between the last three. Purdie, by the way, is only seventeen years of age. When he develops a good punch nothing will stop - him. Blackburn (Taumaranui) the winner of the light-weights, was a very popular boxer with the crowd. In his fight with Pickard he put up a fine showing, and several times used Bob Fitzsimmons’s famous “shift" and con. nected with his man each time. He has a great smother, too. “Left Hook" was glad to she Quirke (Wanganui) in the finals. He has boxed here often is always unassuming in his manner and always puts up a good fight. His condition did not seem to be too good, but he put up quite a good performance. Many were surprised to see Rewl Grey knocked out by Hewson, and not a few of those present saw the punch that did the trick. It is a case of youth again, but Hewson did not show up quite so well the second night—he was lucky to get the verdict over Willis. Willis has a peculiar style, but is hard to hit. He has plenty of pluck, and “Left-Hook" wishes him the best of luck next time. “Left-Hook” heard that this was to be his last fight, as he is preparing for his final examinations as a solicitor. Geoff. Watchorn judged ten-of the

fights, and with a little, more experience will prove A.l as a referee. It is interesting to note that on the occasions when the judges differed the referee's casting vote went with Geoff’s judgment. It is pleasing' to see Jack Louisson back in P.N. Jack was secretary to the M.B.A. a few years back, and may be persuaded to take up boxing again. Corbett, our rep. in the heavies, is opening- an up-to-date gymnasium in P.N. Rumour says he’s got a fine room in Church street. Kid Harris keeps up his training in view of having a fight soon. Ike Kutnor manager for Mendlos, who was defeated by Harris in seven rounds at Port Said wants to arrange a return fight with Harris. Paul Dempsky,»anothcr of Kutner's protegees, wants a fight with Harris. Dempsky beat Harris on points in Brisbane in a 9-round fight. Leon Downes (Deafy) is a good sport—he has two or three good boys in training, just for the love of the sport. There is a movement on foot to get Harris matched with Alt Lewis at Palmerston North, for a percentage of the door money. The M.B.A. should look into this, and. if possible, sool ’em on to one another. Whit about “Pippy” Edwards as our next heavy—he’s game enough to tackle Jack Dempsey. Get into con- ! dltion, Pip, you’ve got a lot in your favour. The Zealandia Club have secured a new gymnasium for their training operations in a building at the back of Hopwood’s. in Main street. It is to be fitted up with a ring, punch bags, shower bath massage tables, etc., and they propose to christen it. next Monday night. Boxing is getting a move on in the Manawatn.