SPORTING

Southland Times, Issue 17965, 5 March 1917, Page 2

SPORTING

vfNOTES BY SIR MODRED.)

Owners and trainers are reminded that entries for the Gore R.C.’s forthcoming meeting on March 21 and 22 close this (Monday) evening.

The statement made by a minister (Rev. A. C. Lawry) last week, viz.: ‘‘lf 90 .per cent, of the young male frequenters of the racecourse had enlisted, conscription would have been unnecessary,” was commented upon by the writer, who cannot see why 90 per cent, of the racing community should go forth to die in order to preserve a number of wowsers to nurse their golden hoards and save their skins. Writing in our issue of Saturday a correspondent, signing himself “Be a Sport,” endeavours—after a fashion common to a certain nation in Europe—to place “Sir Modred” in a wrong light as the aggressor. He suggests that comment such as that referred to should be Inserted in the correspondence columns, and “not in sporting notes, which only a certain class reads.” He concludes: “Give the others a chance to defend themselves." Can it be that “Be a Sport” and the rev. gentle, men quoted above are against conscription, which draws fairly from the following of the turf and the adherents of the preacher? Again, as racing people were attacked, the place to point this out to them was in sporting notes. If “8.A.5.” is afraid that his friends will miss anything appearing in the sporting column, what is to prevent him directing their attention to it, as he appears to be an -all-round reader. In the meantime, he might commence by calling upon a number of the wowser class to justify their ill-advised and insulting attacks on men who live clean lives, play their part by their country, and support racing as a means of recreation or livelihood.

A very severe loss was sustained last week by Mr W. C. Hudson, of Dunedin, in the death of the imported American trotting stallion, Copra de Oro, the bestperformed and most expensive animal of his class so far introduced to New Zealand. The deceased stallion held a mark of Imin 59sec to the mile, and could lay claim to a son credited with 2min 7 V* sec. Copra de Ora served one season at the stud in this country, and the first of his Maoriland stock should make their appearance in the breeding paddocks during the coming foaling season.

V.B.C. AUTUMN MEETING. IMPORTED HORSE WINS PRINCIPAL EVENT. (Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.) MELBOURNE, March 3. Received March 3, at G. 50 p.m. The V.R.C.’s autumn meeting opened at Flemington in bright warm weather. There was a groat attendance. Results. PINES HURDLE RACE (two miles). —Thaletas, 9.12, 1; Sir Prim, 10.5, 3; Nick-a-Jack, 9.9, 3. Twelve started. Won by three lengths. Time, 3min 44%secs. ST. LKOER STAKES, of 20sovs each, with lOOOsovs added. For three-year-olds. One mile and threequarters. W. Brown’s b c Colbert, by Tressady— Eloping Lady, 8.10 1 W. Brown’s ch f Tliana, by Tressady —Chaste, 8.7 2 D. U. Seaton’s blk c Wolario, by Kenilworth —Widden Lass, 8.10 3 The winner and his stablemate were always in front, with Thana leading round the home turn, where Bucklaw was noticeably distressed. Colbert headed the field entering the straight and eventually won by a length and ahalf. Time, 3min 7secs. NEWMARKET HANDICAP, of 25sovs, with 2Boosovs added. Six furlongs. J. W. and F. A. Onslow's br hj Polycrates (imp.), by Polymelus— Marmlte, 6yrs, 5.12 1 W. Brown’s ch hj Headwind, by Malster —Fairwind, syrs, 7.3 2 Petracia, 6.10 3 (Winner trained by R. O’Connor.)

Also started Woorak 9,12, Lavendo 9.2, Spurn 9.1, Aleconner 8.12, Balarang 8.12, Highfleld 8.11, Irish Duck and Poltrina B.G, Whitefleld 8.5, Ipoh 7.11, Lord Bobadil 7.7, Bourlang 7.6, Duverney 7.4, Pistolaire 7.3, Sir Paddington 7.2, Tasman’s Isle 7.0, Marchand 6.13, Golden Fortune 6.12, Merrillnga 6.9, Merrl Dora, Bob Royal, King’s Bounty and Itys 6.7. After the field got into stride Aleconner, Woorak, Balarang, Lavendo and Polycrates showed in fropt of the line. Polycrates, who was on the rails, was the most prominent. At the end of another half-furlong the imported horse was seen to be improving his lead. Over the last furlong Headwind, on the extreme outside, came out and put up a great finishing effort. The result looked like a dead-heat, but the official verdict was in favour of Polycrates by half a head, with Petracla half a length away third. Time, Imin 13secs. SIRES’ PRODUCE STAKES, of 20sovs each, lOsovs eacli from owners of sires nominated, and lOOOsovs added. Six furlongs. E. E. D, Clark’s Thrice, by The Wel-

kin —Teppo, 2yrs 1 S. Hordern's b f Pleasant Moments, by Bronzino—My Delight, 2yrs . . 2 C. Richards’ b f Lady Comely, by Charlemagne II Comely, 2yrs 3

Eleven started. Won by three-quar-ters of a length. Time, Imin 14% secs. ESSENDON STAKES. Welght-for-age. One mile and three-quarters. Mrs E. A. Widdls’s br c Patrobas, by Wallace Sizzle, 4yrs, 9.0 (R. Lewis) 1 H. Powers’ br hj Burrabadeen, by Bobadil Wilari's Sister, syrs .. 2 P. J. Foxe’s blk hj Aides, aged .... 3 Also ran Prince Bardolph, Redfern, Rushford and William the Silent. A mile from home Prince Bardolph led by two lengths from Redfern, Rushford, Patrobas and Burrabadeen. At the last turn Patrobas appeared to be pocketed on the rails. Prince Bardolph led into the straight from Redfern, but Patrobas got through, chased by Burrabadeen. Lewis rode a great finish on Patrobas and won by a head from Burrabadeen. Time, 2min 6% secs.

BRUNSWICK STAKES. One mile and aquarter.

L. K. S. Mackinnon’s br c Court Jester, by Comedy King —■ Aleger, 3yrs, 6.13 1 Miss U. Cleft’s br hj Bombita (imp.), by Fowlingpiece—Brown Bracken, 4yrs, 8.6 2 Polydamus (imp.), 7.4 3 Twenty-three started. Hoprlg made the running. Pplydamus led into the straight from Court Jester. In a good finish. Court Jester beat Bombita by three-quarters of a length. Time, 2min 6% secs. DEATH OF AST IMPORTED HORSE. DUNEDIN, March 4. Mr C, S. Hudson has lost by death his imported stallion, Copa de Ora. This horse was the fastest pacer ever imported into Australasia, and served his only season at the stud in New Zealand at Mr Kitchingham’s stud In Canterbury. Copa de Ora was the sire of several smart performers in the United States. Bowuoro. DUNEDIN CHAMPION SINGLES. DUNEDIN, March 4. The champion of champions final was played to-day, when Bentley (Dunedin) 20; beat Falconer (Otago) 17. suraomra. A YOUTHFUL CHAMPION. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, March 4. At the swimming sports in the tepid baths yesterday, E. G. L. Waterson, aged about eighteen, won the hundred yards provincial championship, equalling Malcolm Champion’s dominion record of 61% seconds. BOXING. LES DARCY IN AMERICA PROHIBITED FROM BOXING CONTESTS. NEW YORK, March 2, The United Press announces that Governor Whitman has directed the State Athletic Commission to prohibit Les Darcy from entering the ring on Monday against Dillon, on the ground that he is nothing but it slacker. Darcy is also prohibited from partaking in any contest within the State. Governor Whitman said he understood that Darcy had run away from Australia, and was afraid to fight for a cause wherein his fellow countrymen had sacrificed their lives; yet he was prepared to give a brutal exhibition at some personal risk for a purse of £6OOO.

THE FIGHT PROMOTER INTERVENES.

NEW YORK, March 2. Grant Brown, the fight promoter, believes that General Whitman has been misinformed regarding Darcy's departure from Australia. He intends to give Mr Whitman correct information in the hope of inducing him to change his decision. SCHOOL CKICKET, On Saturday morning St. George defeated Waihopai by an innings and 18 runs, South defeated North, and Marist defaulted to Middle. Marist have withdrawn their junior team, and the teams drawn to meet it will now have a bye counting a three point win. In the afternoon, notwithstanding the cold weather, some interesting cricket was witnessed. St. George defeated Technical: Waihopai defeated High A; South defeated High B, and Middle defeated Marist. The best scorers were Carnahan 24, Lee 14 (Waihopai), McFarlane 10 (High A); Churchill 11, Brennan 11 (Middle); Fogarty 7, Wills 9 (Marist); Stewart (34) Technical, Welch 27 and Kilby 18 (St. George), Wilkins 14 (South), Gallagher 14, McKenzie 15 (High B). There were some good bowling averages—Lee and Brown (Waihopai) took 3 for 3 and 5 for 2 respectively: Splllane (Marist) ,7 for 16; Wainwrlght and Churchill (Middle) 4 for 6 and 4 for 9 respectively: McDermltt and Welch 5 for 3 and 6 for 12 respectively; McKenzie (Tec.) 7 for 32; Mills (South) 5 for 11. In most cases the bowling .was good but wants a little coaching to bring it up to its highest order.