SPORTING

Southland Times, Issue 17934, 27 January 1917, Page 3

SPORTING

NOTES by SIU MOD RED,

The special attractions of the Forbury Park T.C.’s meeting this afternoon will be the N.Z. Trotting Stakes, for three-year-olds (one mile and a half), the Forbury Handicap, of TOO sovs ( two miles), and an attack on the Australasian one mile harness record of 2.0s and the best figures for the Korbury track of 2.Sit, put up by Emmeline in -May, 1912. It is understood that the profits in connection with the Wyndham R.U. s annual meeting on New Year's Day will amount to a sum round .itout UiOO. The display given by Ug field in the First Amateur Handicap at Forbury on Thursday last was a very indifferent one and a poor tribute to the ahiliti of the riders engaged as saddle horsemen. Ah the race was restricted to unhoppled performers, it would naturally he expected that quite a number of young square-gaited horses would have entered the lists, hut this was not the case. The winner. Happy Jack, stood head and shoulders above his rivals with amateur riders in the saddle. Some of the alleged square-gaited starters were nearly old enough to vote and it is safe to say that few, if any, ■future champions were to be discovered in the field. Punctuality was not a strong point with the Forbury Park T.G. management on Thursday last, hut it would look as if the fault lay with the official starter. Throughout the afternoon, the official in charge of the sending-away department did not attempt to marshal his fields until the (lag was hoisted to deanonstrate the fact tha-t the money in the totaalisator had been balanced, whereas the horses should have been handy to their marks long before the "’all right” signal was given. It is a great mistake to set about this duty aftef the spectators, horsemen and horses have been kept waiting for the "balanced” sign at the lotaiisator for a long time.. It is reported that stay-at-home "woolbrokers" w r ere hit heavily throughout the colony on Wednesday last by the scuccess of Oxonhope at the Wellington R.C.’s Summer meeting. The son of Obligado was very heavily backed In comparison to the support previously extended to biai at the Trentham fixture. The Wairio winner, Olive Palm, was strongly followed for the Stewards’ Handicap at Forbury on Thursday last, but A. Pringle had to force his charge desperately to induce her to head off Robert R. at the finish. Had the winner at the Southland R.C. Summer fixture been handled by a professional, he would probably have beaten the Wildwood Junr. mare, whom Pringle had to drive desperately to get to the winningpost in time to catch the judge’s eye. The foor-year-old mare Parimoana, by Flowerchild —Seacliff, put up a fine showing in this event to gain third place, as she was pacing wide out over th® greater portion of the distance. She is likely to be heard of again, if more Judiciously handled. It is not often that three of the progeny of the same sire and matron win races during the day of the same meeting. but this feat was witnessed at the Clifden R,C.'s gathering, when the Canrohert —Tugeia blend accounted for three stakes, the scorers being Spanish Princess, Verdun, and Lady Buller. The novice performer of the trio, Lady Buller. should develop into a useful mare. The George M. Patchen three-year-old filly, Neatta, displayed excellent pace and high courage in the Trial Handicap at Forbury when she came from a long way back to chase Trix Pointer home. The latter is a very’ promising three-year-old filly imported from America by F. Holmes on behalf of Mr W. H. Norton, of Christchurch. She has a stealthy style of progressing, but can go far and fast and looks like becoming a valuable racing proposition. The Gore-owned Biddy Tracey was also seen to advantage in the same event, and ■would appear to be one of the improving brigade. The green steeplechaser, Palladio, has invariably shown promise in his races, hence it came as a surprise to find him paying a good price when ha won for the second time at the Clifden gathering on Tuesday last. It is quite ■in the cards that P. T. Hogan will turn the son of Pallas out the winner of a valuable cross-country contest during the winter season, as Mr W. Baird, junr.'s. gelding has command of some pace and can jump any kind of country within reason.

At the Forbury Park meeting on Thursday last complaints were rife amongst drivers in the Dunectin Cup race, in regard to the starting. They say that they were not ready when the signal was given in several instances and this fact contributed to an unpleasant mix-up which had disastrous results for the backers of some prominent horses. One of the sufferers was Agathos, a hard horse to got away at any time, and it was through his turning round the opposite way that Tamarisk came to grief. When getting ready for the start Tamarisk fell, fjut he got away in great style when the flag went down, only to collide with Agathos and in the ensuing scramble threw his trainerguide, K. Reay, from the sulky, with the result that the New Brighton mentor had his left leg broken below the knee. Great sympathy was extended to Reay, as he has been the victim of several had smashes in his time, and. in addition. Tamarisk looked to have a cosy chance in the Cup. After the mishap, the son of Wildwood Junr. was handed over to the care of !•’. Holmes and it is more than likely that he will remain with the veteran to undergo his preparation for future events. Tamarisk was not injured in any way by his doubly unfortunate experience. After finishing second in the N.Z. Gold Cup race at Wellington on Tuesday last Pax was hurried away to Dunedin to take his place in the field for the Kensington Handicap before his starting mark could be restricted by the handicapper. The son of Prince Imperial and Patchwork was backed in a spirited fashion, but could not get into the money, the fast rate of speed set by Merivale and others proving his undoing. added to which he had a difficult field to get round or through. A number of Southlanders supported Wood King for this race, but the hard going did not please A. McLeilan’s mount and >e failed to get into the firing line. First Chime paced well for his Gore owner in the hands of A. Pringle, hut the Wintnn mare. Lady Margaret, was not sighted on the Journey. Eros finished close to the horses in the money. One of the disappointments of the race was Nutwood Junr., who, however, is expected to do better presently. tor Gavin looked bigger and fresher than when raced at the Southland R.C.’s Summer gathering, but his far away mark and the dust nuisance troubled him very badly. The New Zealand Trotting Derby candidate, Marble Hall, was started in the Trial Handicap on Thursday, hut could never get within coo-ee of his field, a fact not of a surprising nature, as the rare was not a favourable one for a youthful unhoppled performer, owing to the balance of the field being more or less well seasoned to hopple work. The son of Elkton dial I, who was brought over from the West Coast by his owner and breeder, Mr W. G. Bright, to contest the Derby, is deficient in hock action and at present Is not of the same class as some of the juveniles ho will be called upon to oppose on Saturday. However, it was the action of a true light harness enthusiast to travel the youngster so far to compete in the first classic unhoppled event to be established in Maoriland. It is stated that Mr Bright has a commission out in the United States to procure one or more horses from the home of the sport.

The Bellman gelding Brookbell put up a good race at Forbury Park on Thursday in the Otago Handicap. Three furlongs from home he looked a very likely winner, but a break s[>oiled iiis chance at a critical moment, as before he could find iiis feet again several of the horses from the rear swooped down upon him and lie again faltered. There was a good deal of Southland money for Moorland in the King Georgs Handicap at Forbury on Thursday last, but tlie son of iVildmoor was not square on to the barrier when the starting command was issued anti this proved almost fatal to his chance. He was making up ground again shortly after reaching the back stretch, but here Mandarene came to grief and caused the southern gelding to tangle, and tills was the end of all things for iiis backers. The trouble which arose at this stage allowed Bacchus to got right away from iiis Held and most people thought it gave him a win, but he was going really ■well at the time anti might have prevailed in any case. Jt is anticipated that the Christchurch tilly Beta Peter will he in strong order for the Ji.Z. Trotting Stakes at Forbury

to-day, but this smart juvenile is not likely to have matters all her own way. ,1. Bryce has a smart youngster called Bhee Wood engaged tend Peter Bell is also reported to he a useful novice. In the Electric Handicap at Forbury Norn jumped out quickly, after shuffling when the signal was given, and looked like winning till the way, but she did not stay too well and Agnes Chief wore her down_some distance from home, while The Bronzewing just touched her off in the last few strides.

rOEBDBY (TROTS. TO-DAY’S EVENTS. The following acceptances have been received for to-day’s races; —- SECOND AMATEUR HANDICAP, 100 so vs (harness); IVi m. —Mona Vale 20 yds behind, Carrie Vue 20, Betty Blue ■to, Calton 20, General Mite 20, Princess Bdl 10, Scottish Queen 100, Ethel Donna 120, Robert R. 120. MUSSELBURGH HANDICAP, M 0 so vs (.saddle*, 2m. Undecided scr. Blackball scr. Leonardo scr, Inchcape Bell 20yds behind, Brown Wilkes 60, Norma TO, Hiroki 90, Sunrise 90, Royal Rothschild 90. Happy .lack 190, Arcadian 160. TELEGRAPH HANDICAP, 200 sovs (saddle), 2m. —Neatta scr, Parimoana scr. First Chime scr, Silver Shoe see, Eross cr, Sobriquet ser, Scenery 10yds behind. Captain 10. Kaweka 10. Lady Margaret 20, Protni.se 30, Merivale 40, Rorkc’s Drift .TO, Bridgewood TO, Sir Gavin TO, Bax 70. FOKBURV HANDICAP, TOO sovs (harness), 2m. —St. Mieiiael scr, 0.1.C, scr, Agathos scr, Bundura 12yds behind. Hardy Wilkes 12, Tamarisk 60, Stanley's Child 72, Reggie Huon 72, Childsdale 84. Snngod S4, Moneymaker 10S, Mintson 108, Evelyn 120. NEW ZEALAND TROTTING STAKES (harness), 2TO sovs. For three-year-old trotters. I'.kni. \V. G. Bright's ch g Marble Hall by Elkton Hall—Ngatawa S. G. Inder's b f Jenny Wallace by Wallace L.—Kentucky mare J. F. Robson's b f Beta Peter by Petereta—Tot Huon W. R. McNarn’s b f Marietta by Petercta—Marietta Huon C. J. Meade’s cb c Kentucky Child by Harold Rothschild —Kentucky mare H. Saunder's b c St- Peter by Fctereta — Violet M. T. T. Ritchie's hj g Swiftwood by Wildwood Junior—Swift T. T. Ritchie’s blk g Peter Ham by Petereta —Ham C. R. H. Hadfield’s hr g Koraki by Massey—Daisy Blackwood H. M. Morten’s blk g Bluewoo.d by Wildwood Junior —Blue Rose F. Hickinbottom’s br c Peter Bell by Petereta —Wild Belle. CRESCENT HANDICAP, 200 sovs (harness), 2m. —Livingstone scr, Jara.es Macldison 10yds behind, Mayfield 60, Parkfield 60, Brookbell 80, Guy Wilkes 120, Lady Patricia 120, Paul Huon 160, Little George 160, Annie K. 190. ROYAL HANDICAP, 220 sovs (harness), Him. —Moorland scr, Daw Chimes 12, Franzalena 24, Stanley's Child 24, Bacchus 24. Colmena 36, Tamarisk 36, Moneymaker 60, Sungod 60, Mintson 84, Adelaide Direct 96. AU RBVOIR HANDICAP, 170 sovs (saddle), 1 m. —Nore scr, Ngaiora scr, Queen Patch scr, Inwood scr, Molly McKinney scr, St. Michael scr, Radiant Morn 10yds behind, Proud Girl 10, Agnes Chief 20, The Bronzewing 30, 0.1.C. 30, Prince Poole 30, General Wilkes 30, Quinaldine 30, Law Chimes 50, Dalwhinnle 60.

TO-DAY’S EVENTS, CWOTES BY SIR MODRED), DUNEDIN, January 26. The weather is fine but overcast. For Uie closing day of the Forbury meeting the track is in good order for the attack on the mile record by Adelaide Direct. A number of New Zealand Trotting Stakes candidates were tried out this morning. Result (Bryce) also won many supporters. Peter Bell who arrives from Christchurch to-night has a strong following. Mr P. G. Inder’s Gore-trained filly Jenny Wallace moved nicely to-day, but hardly seems to be as far forward as the majority of her rivals. Canterbury visitors are very sweet on Mona Vale for the Second Amateur Handicap to-morrow, while southerners say that Sunrise will go well in his engagement. Brantein has been specially retained to ride Sir Gavin in the Telegraph Handicap to-morrow. The scratch Hector gelding moved well at exercise this morning. Annie K. looks well and may rvm forward in the Crescent Handicap, but northern visitors swear by Paul Huon. In the Dunedin Cup race a string from the starting point became entangled in the. sulky and gear of St. Michael, which destroyed an otherwise excellent chance. In the Forbury Handicap to-morrow the Aucklander, and other horses near the front, may provide the winner. It has been discovered that R. Reay is suffering from a double fracture in one of his legs. Consequently, he will not be in a condition to be removed from Dunedin for some time to come. BAexsna- nr n.b/w. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright) (Australian and N.2. Cable Association.) SYDNEY, January 26. Received January 26, 5.25 p.m. The Anniversary Handicap resulted: — Rush ford 1, Fortune Hunter 2, Canzone 2. Won by three lengths. Time, 2min 32 Vi sec, which is a record for the race. svmottrtTa notes. (By “Breaststroke.")

The Invercargill Swimming Club brought down Professor E. H. Olds for their afternoon carnival held last Wednesday. The professor came here with a big reputation and proved to be a decided draw. That he rose to the. occasion in his 35 foot dives, as well as In the springboard diving and fancy swimming, and that everybody present was thrilled and satisfied, speaks volumes for Mr Olds as a performer, and pleases Pleasure Eayites immensely. The Pleasure Bay people introduced Mr Olds to boost swimming locally and with performance and lecture he has done so to a degree pleasantly unexpected. He is bigger than his reputation. Invercargillites who saw Professor Olds were duly thrilled and startled have to thank three active members of the i.S.C. for this visit. First, Mr A. W. .Jones, hon. secretary, who initiated the business and took a special trip to Dunedin to interview Mr Olds. Mr ■lories' enterprise and enthusiasm carried the club with him, and turned what might have been a sorry failure into a brilliant success. Then comes Mr W. A. grown, who looked after the entries and rendered invaluable service in other directions. Lastly, Mr C. S. Stewart, club captain, who measured the courses, and controlled the starting so capably. To this triumvirate the club owes much, and the public interested in swimming generally owes more. Competition was good and with the exception of an event or two there were few foregone conclusions. Special praise must go to Mr S. A. Lindsay, whose humorous turn was remarkable and original from every point of view and hilariosuly funny. Mr Lindsay went on the wharf cel-ttshing but as these slippery denizens of the deep failed to bite he took a dive in and secured the fish with his hands. For some reason or other he had sparrows and pigeons hid about his person which were escaping at most inoppotune times. Altogether the funniest humorous turn ever seen here, and one proves what possibilities lie in this section of an aqnatice programme. -Mr Frank Woodward’s impersonation of a lady was good. The ladies did well. Mrs J. Moffin (nec Beatrice Miller) won the ladies’ race in good style. .She swam a simple but effective breast stroke, and while most of her rivals used overarm strokes Mrs Meffin’s win was a vindication of the time honoured breast stroke. Miss Grace Raoside (2nd) and Miss Grace Jones Gird) each did good work. In the ladies’ dive Miss G. Jones was first and -Miss Martha Forbes 2nd; -Miss Rita Butler, who also competed, is a very promising performer. Ladies who swam without competition were Miss Olive Small (girls’ race) and the I.S.C. relay team. But the most popular ladies’

win was the clever performance of Miss Martha Forbes in the longest dive under water against all comers. Miss Forbes is certainly fulfilling the promise she began to show last year. I must congratulate Mr E. Sherbourne on his successful diving and commend the work of Mr H. Munro. An incident in regard to the diving events being worth noting. Mr C. S. Stewart judged the first event and on the first dive made Sherbourne and Munro equal, on the second dive he divided them by one point. Mr Olds judged the next evel>J and could not separate the two performers on two dives, lie asked a third dive, and then made a difference of one point in Slierbourne's favour. The hoys' diving was good. Masters C. Woodward, W. Matheson, and P. Meffin, being the winners in the two events. The greasy pole may eome under the diving head, but was the toughest proposition and funniest exhibition seen locally, Sid Lindsay and Ted Sherbourne being placed in order.

'The male swimming events brought out Mr 11. Mupnro, a capable Core swimmer, and Mr .1. McDonald (North) who ran scatter with effect. Other names well in were Messrs M. C. Butterfield and R. Barry. Hoy swimmers to the fore being Masters W. Matheson and C. Woodward. Mr .las. Leonard swam for the Old Buffers and as usual showed a good serviceable speed. In the gents relay race North represented by Sergt. Kelly. Messrs A. E. Budd and .1. McDonald beat 1.5? f‘. with Messrs M. I'. Butterfield, .1, .), Finnerty and R. Barry, Altogether the boys proved themselves good sports, those swimming or divng without places being as keen as mustard to be in the running next carnival. A splendid spirit of camaraderie permeated the proceedings as regards local and outside clubs. Special mention must be made of assistance in variousydireetions: —Messrs Fred Suet, Stan. Fuller ami .1. Pore ran a band of pierrots which received a splendid hearing, the Southland Pipe Band also did good work in the musical line. An ice-cream stall was run by the Mesdames W. A. Brown, S. Ritchie, and Frmihart, and the Misses A. Biakie, Dolly Walker, .1. Raeside and'Teviotdale. Misses Couland, McLaren, and Lye, also helped. Sports’ help was rendered by Messrs F. E. Barnes, .1. McNatty, 11. Broad, H. Gifford, R. McCornbe, and C. K. Borne. Quite a number of T.S.C. flappers .sold sweets for club funds, and were successful to a marked degree. The Club also thanks Messrs Jno. Stead and Sheehan (councillors) and D. McFarlatie (mayor) for speeches. North Club made the following impression at P. B.: Ist in gent’s 100 yds; Ist and 2nd in boys’ dive; Ist in restricted hoys’ dive: Ist and 2nd in boys 100 yds; Ist and 2nd in humorous turn; Ist in greasy pole: Ist in relay race; and Ist in trick dive; that is eight first and three seconds. The North will hold a grand acquatic carnival at Waihopai Pool on V ednesday, Tth February, starting at 2.30 p.m. A largo programme will be presented and something special in the way of prizes will be offered. The Northites are good snorts and will certainly receive the support of other local clubs. Avenal was busy with special tides this week, Thursday evening being especially good for swimmers, when quite a number enjoyed the water at this popular resort. The morning bathing still continues apace. Avenal’s enthusiasts are Messrs R. Day, H. Dunlop, 11. Smith, H. Ashley, A, Kidd, Arnold Wesney, and a number of ladies and gentlemen who are certain that Avenal is "out on its own” as a bathing place.

BOWX.OTG. The following players will represent Southland against To Rangi to-day at 2.30 p.m. on Te Rangi green:—Stewart, (s), Dunlop, Martin, McKay; McAlpine (s), Petrie, Roscow, Woolictt; T. Kingsland (s), McLean, C. Brass, l.ambeth; Walker (s), Ayling, .1. Martin, Fleming; Ersktne (s). I'inlayson, Stcans, Forbes. Emergencies: England Bissett and Clark. SHIELD RINK COMPETITION. The following clubs have entered for the Shield Rink competition to be played on Wednesday, 31st January, on Northend green Mataura, Gore, Winton, Bluff, Te Rangi, Southland, Northend,, Invercargill nad Wyndham. In the first round all have drawn byes with the exception of the Mataura and Te Rangi clubs which play their games at S a.m. sharp. Tlie draw for the second round will he made by the executive at 10.30 a.m. in Northend pavilion. ANGDXHG. (By “Rod.”) Weather conditions during the past week have, been suitable both for the fly and minnow fisher. The rivers are not ••up" to any great extent as the result of the, rain showers. The high wind brought down* a fair amount of snow water in the Orcti and this, probably, is the reason not many favourable reports have been received from that quarter. Night fishers using the natural as lure have been doing some great execution—s, 6 7 and 10 pounders being landed by lucky ones. An angler is said to have had an interesting experience recently (says the Oamaru Mail). He was making a long cast behind him, but to his astonishment he got the distinct and unmistakable thrill that denotes life at the end of the line. He had foul-hooked a rabbit with his Devon, and recovered from his astonishment barely in time to prevent its regaining the safety of its burrow. The resulting struggle among the toitoi and gorsc, though it ended victoriously for the fisherman, rendered it necessary for him to discard a nearly new trace. An angler on. the Waiwakaiho river the other evert* (reports an exchange) found a large 41b nr 51b trout lying in a backwater and evidently in distress. On securing the fish and investigating it was found that both eyes had been destroyed. This was evidently the work of large gulls. These birds frequent the river in considerable numbers at this season of the year, when the water is low. and attack the fish. The Taranaki Acclimatisation Society has endeavoured to gain the consent of the. Government Maxine Department to have the protection covering gulls removed in the case of Hie Waiwakaiho river, but without success.

A hatchery for quinnat salmon is to be established at Wanaka, and it is considered probable that within three oifour years the lakes and rivers of Otago will be fully stocked with this desirable fish. Quinnat salmon are great travellers and have gone northwards from the Waitati, where the first fish were acclimatised, to tlic Wairau River, in Marlborough, and have been observed southwards as far as the Taieri. At present the West Coast is receiving attention, fry b>«ing liberated in the Hokitika river, and a hatchery is also being erected in -Marlborough.—Exchange. Local and district anglers have experienced a very successful time dning the past week. Mr J. Gerrard, of Winton. accounted for a nice fish, which turned the scales at 91 bs. while a Limehills angler is reported to have landed a 12-pounder in the vicinity of Lady Barkly. Mr C. Bloy, of Centre Bush, who has been securing some exceptionally fine bags of late, broke all previous records on Saturday last, when lie landed five fish weighing no less than 501b, the heaviest scaling 101b. RUSHING RIVERS. The following is the state of the fishing rivers in Southland as received yesterday at 10 a-m. by the Tourist Office; Fairfax —Aparima normal and clear. Weather dull. Riverton —Pourakino in good order. Weather perfect. Utautau —Aparima clear. Weather dull. , «, • i Clifdcn —Waiau good fishing order. Weather dull. Wyndham —Rivers in fair order. Weather'clull and threalening. Xew River —Slightly discoloured. Fair fishing order.