SPORTING NOTES.

Shannon News, 11 May 1926, Page 4

SPORTING NOTES.

Track reports from Ellerslie indicate that King Merv is coming along well in his work. The youngster, , Bent, by Cyntoi —Sweet Van, is reported to be looking well after h’er spell. She was a runner at Hastings. Deluge has not fulfilled the good things expected of him, but he will be given an opportunity to make amends at Wanganui. The yearling colt by Daniloff (three quarter brother to Sasanof) from Ristori has been broken iu and is a regular attendant at To Rapa. E. Ludlow, the southern horseman who rode Fresco to victory in the Tirnaru Gup, purposes leaving for Vancouver a few days hence. Diamond Ring is in regular work again and, should the Kilboy mare regain her old form, a race or two should come her way. The hurdler, Greekson, was given a run on tk'e first day at the Franklin meeting. He is now a member of M. J. Carroll's team at Tc Rapa. Vanninia, a full brother to Tc Kawa is in work again, and the son of Mania - poto should pay his way as a hurdler He may be seen out at Wanganui. Shining Armour and Kilia arc in solid work in preparation for Egmont. F. Tilley had intended taking Glen ross and Inferno through to the Hastings meeting but later decided otherwise.

Civilty is reported to be none the worse for her recent racing, but has been treated to a short let-up prior to entering upon her preparation for the Wanganui meeting. Income has won' £2400 in stakes this season, and lameness is not considered serious he may add further to his score before the season closes. The New Zealand-bred Happy Lihk, by Boniform-Khamsin, won the second division of the Nilpena Trial at the Adelaide Amateur Turf Club's meeting on April 17th. ’ Miss Maher, the lady trainer, opened her account at the Hawke's Bay meeting most auspiciously by annexing the first two races on the opening day with Little River and Hillation. The Broadwood gelding, Broad Check; who had won six steeplechases on Melbourne courses, ended his career last month at Caulfield. He was burdened with 13.7 in the Neerin Steeplechase, and he fell at a log fence, breajting his neck. Demure, who was s'ent out favourite on the second day at Bulls, but tailed the field the whole way, was found 1 to be amiss: She is being given easy work at Wanganui, but has not yet thrown off her effects of her trouble. That successful riders can make big' money in Australia was illustrated ; by the fact that as a result of six winning mounts at the Australian Jockey Club’s autumn meeting J. Munro drew a cheque for percentages amounting to £495 5s 6d. Considerable disappointment must have been expressed at the withdrawal of Reromoana from the field in the Stakes, but it was, in any ease, problematical whether he could have accounted for the brilliant sprinter. What doubt there was, unfortunately still remains. The progeny of Black Ada only number four, ’ they being Clandhu, Clarinda, Novar and Piuthair—a useful quartette. Many critics are of the opinion that the last named will prove the best of the offspring. Starland is pottering about the roads and the track in the Waikato. The ex-Auckland Cup' winner is being prepared by Frank Tutchen at Te Rapa and, while not sound, will be given another trial at the jumping business during the winter. The result of the Ormond Gold Cup was not in doubt after the first furlong. Rereinoana simply broke the others up by his brillance, and although he did 1.33 1-5, a race record, he pulled up very fresh, and paid a good price in the circumstances. There lias recently been a notable number of horses who have achieved double victories at the one meeting. Most notable was Grand Knight’s capturing of the Great Easter and Great Autumn at Riecar tony, and lately we have had Bright 'Day,' Degage, Opa, True Blood, Tuki, Ruapapa, Serang, Ned Kelly, the last five at the Waikato autumn meeting. Opa is a hardy little customer that has stood up to his racing well. His new impost of 5.9 in the Patea County Cup leaves linn still to be reckoned with.

In Shirley and Father O’Flynn. S. Waddell has two good sprinters and his success with both at the H.J8.J.0. meeting was very popular with local racegoers. Ruapapa came from the back to beat Princess Ronnie brilliantly by a Ircad in the Storey Memorial Cup at the Waikato Racing Club meeting on Saturday. He then returned a good price, as fourth favourite, but there must have been many lamenting on Monday, when he captured the Tc Rapa Handicap, for which he was eighth favourite in a field of twenty-two. Star Stranger, with his good showing in the Autumn Handicap at Trentham, when he went 3.18 'was first choice of backers for the Hawke’s Bay Cup, and despite his impost of 9.4," he put up a great performance in getting up in time to dead-beat with Opa. Killoch, outsider iu the Hawke’s Bay Cup, made play from the field and was leading by several lengths with the race half over. These tactics proved unavailing, however, as Killoch died away and was well behind the placed horses at the finish. As New Zealand owners bought freely at the Tecent bloodstock sales in Sydney, there will be an abundance of Australian-bred ones racing next season.