SPORTING

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6538, 21 February 1928, Page 5

SPORTING

(Notes by “Speculator.”) ©annevirks Acceptances. Acceptances for all flrst-day events ar. the Dannevlrke Racing Club’s meeting close to-morrow night at 9 p m. Opunako Nominations, Nominations for the Opunake meeting, to be held on Saturday, March 17, close at 5 p.m. to-morrow, February 32. Kangitikei Nominations, , Kangitikei Racing Club nominations, for the meeting to bo held on March 21 and 22 are due at 8 p.m. cn Monday next, February 27. Wellington Meeting. The Wellington Racing Club has issued the programme for its autumn niecting to be held on Thursday and Saturday, March 15 and 17. The programme is as follows: First Highweight Handicap, 260 sovs, one mile and a quarter; New Zealand St Leger, 750 sovs, one mile and threequarters, Flunket Nursery Handicap, 300 sovs, five furlongs; Thompson Handicap 1000 sovs (£7OO to the winner), one mile: North Island Challenge Stakes 1000 sovs, seven furlongs; Silver-

stream Handicap,'26o sovs, one mile: Railway, Handicap, 500 sovs, six furlongs. Second day: Tinakori Handicap, 260 sovs, six furlongs: Second High-weight Handicap, 260 sovs, one mile; Hutt Handicap (open), 400 sovs, one mile; Trentham Gold Cup, of 1000 sovs, two miles; Muritai Handicap, 260 sovs, one mile: Pacific Handicap (two-year-olds), 600 sovs, six furlongs; Autumn Handicap, 800 sovs, one mile and three furlongs; Suburban Handicap, 500 sovs, six fur-, longs: Belmont Handicap 260 sovs, six furlongs. Nominations for all events and forfeits for the St Leger and Challenge Stakes are due on Monday, February 27. Waddell and Tilley. Among the trainers at the Wanganui meeting just concluded tho most successful were the veteran Stewart Waddell, who turned out two wlnpers. Polydectes and Shirley, and F. Tilley also responsible for Mandane and Freehold. Other mentors to saddle up a winner each wore B. T. Bennett (King Mart), J. Sullivan (Waicullus), F. Lind (Elysianor), P. J. Garment (Discourse), M. J. Carroll (Paganelli), J. Thacker (Kawhakina), W. JCampbell (Tiega), W. H. Dwyer (Kiosk), J. Morris (Kilburn), W. Hawthorne (Ladykiller) and H. Telford (Dimmer).

Green Three Wins. Afnong the jockeys T. Green was the most successful, piloting, Waicullus, Ladykiller and Dimmer to victory while H. Wiggins (Mandane and Kawhakina), J. Barry (King Hart and Shirley) and J. Campbell (Polydectes and Tiega) were each responsible for two winners. Other successful jockeys were A. H. Burt (Elysianor), K. P. Robinson (Discourse), L. G. Morris (Freehold), R MeTavish (Paganelli), G. Ridgway (Kiosk), P. Corlett (Kilburn) and C. Giulsbro) Joy Bird), At His First Start. Great Star, -the outsider who won Lyttelton Plate at the Canterbury J.C. Meeting on Saturday, is a brown two-year-old gelding by Solfcrino—Theda, ovmed and trained by Mr J. H. Prosser of the West Coast. Great Star is a full brother to the four-year -old The Atom, who could only pick up a race and a couple of thirds In over twenty starts last season. Great Star was making his first appearance on Saturday and It seems he won as easily as unexpectedly. It is reported that he was offered to a local mentor at Christmas time, who refused to take him over, not altogether believing the stories of his remarkable turn of speed.

For Australia. Tho Auckland owner-trainer, W. Garrett, contemplates a visit to Australia with Sir Roseberry. He may go to Adelaide, for the Great Easter Steeplechase, or as an alternative he will be at Randwick for the crosscountry events at the Australian Jockey Club’s Easter meeting. Also Bound Westwards. Tho Wellington owner Mr Ebb Simpson has disposed of his three-year-old gelding Aro de Val, and the disappointing halLbrother to Degage will race in future in Western Australia. Martarma To Spell. The three-year-old Martarma will not do any more racing this season. One of his joints filled after a gallop a Aw days ago and F. Christmas has decided to spell him, rather than take the risk of a scrioils breakdown. He will be turned out for a few months and will not be raced again until the spring. It is bad luck for the connections of the Martian colt to lose his services, at a period when he shaped like earning further distinction. In the absence of Martarma, the field for the New Zealand St Leger will be greatly weakened.

Satrap For St. Leger. Satrap will probably be sent to Trentham next month to compete in the New Zealand St Leger. His owner is confident about his ability to stay and he should be a hard horse to beat in this classic event. Mr. J. S. Barrett was looking forward to another tilt at Martarma, but he will have to wait for this until next season. Rapier Again Soon. There are two disappointing races at the Banks Peninsula meeting to be held on Saturday week, with six nominations for each, but all the other events have filled up exceptionally well. The Peninsula Cup, the leading event at the Banks Peninsula meeting, has drawn a very strong entry, numbering fourteen. Rapier will be a great attraction, while tho threc-ycar-olds, Arikiwai and Satrap, will assist to make it a good class field. 0 Race Over Again* The Akaroa Handicap, the principal race at tho Spring meeting of the Banks Peninsula Racing Club, was won by Rapier, with Satrap and Margaret Birney in the places. These three are engaged .in the Peninsula Cup, at the approaching fixture.