SPORTING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 26, 24 December 1917, Page 3

SPORTING.

raging fixtures. i *Dec. 26—Taranaki J.C. Dec. 26 —Dunedin J.C. Dec. 26-,-Manawatu R.C. Dec. 27—Manawatu R.C. Dec. 26—Auckland R.C. I Dec. 29—Auckland R.C. Jan I—Stratford R.C. Jan. I—Hawke’s Bay J.C. Jan. 2—Hawke’s Bay J.C. v Jan. I—Marton J.C. THE CHRISTMAS RACING. THE AUCKLAND MEETING. (Notes by Cicero.) Sportsmen throughout the Dominion will have their wants well supplied during the next fortnight when no less than fifteen Clubs hold meetings'. Possibly the most popular fixture held .in New Zealand to public and owner alike,, is the Auckland Racing Club’s Summer meeting, and judging by the jaccpptapces for this year’s fixture, the Club should have no difficulty in holding its reputation. Of the twentyone acceptors for the ShprHand Plate, Silver Tongue appeal to hold a , mortgage over the event, Glendower may beat the rest. The Southerners also appear to hold the key to the situation in the richly endowed Foal Stakes (£1000). InEiumark (a great finisher) and Kilhope, Mr Lowry holds a strong hand, but Pontoon is also a good solt and may be capable of beating Kilhope though,, he toy. meet more ‘than his match in Finmark. A crowd of moderates are engaged in, the Robinson Handicap, possibly Pateonga and Kereone will beat the majority. •(A) large and representative lot of horses are engaged in the Auckland Cup, Menelaus (8.12) holding pride, of place. Under 8.1 tins gelding won the New Zealand Cup, by half a head, hut on third day had no chance with Estland in the, Canterbury Cup under W:F.A. conditions. He evidently stays, and is a very brilliant horse, hut will have to be a topnotchor to win under 8.12. Fiery Cross 8.8 has !his full deserts, as the Glenapp gelding is practically untried as a stayer.

Last season T this gelding stretched Killjoy’s neck iu the Great Autumn Handicap, the champion winning by half a head, time 2.33, which was a great go. The connections of this gelding are quietly confident. Toatere. 8.8, in my opinion, is not genuine and lacks the gameness required for a two-mile race. Teka 8.5 Is nicely handicapped and provided he strips well must take a lot of beating. He finished within a length of Menelaus in the New Zealand Cup, ran- second to Fiery Cross in the Jockey Club Handicap, one mile, and finished up by capturing' the Metropolitan 14 miles under 8.2, time 2.324, defeating all the New Zealand Cup; field with the exception of Menelaus. Adjutant 8.5-will-dole better suited in the Summer Cup. Snub 8.5 has been very sore up till recently, but appears to be alright again now. He is a great stayer, and on this ground is entitled to - respect. Multifual, like -Adjutant, would be better suited over 10 furlongs. Mullingar 8.1 is well in. He bleeds at times, but is a good horse when free of the ailment. Seadown (7.10) is ranch in tlte “boom”, but the writer cannot believe that a ilownshire is capable of running out a solid two miles. The stablemate, Johnny Walker is quite the opposite and Martian’s son always finishes well, and in the hands of Deeley will take a power of beating. He suffered a half-head defeat in the New Zealand Cup, and ridden by a vigorous horseman would surely h%ve won. Under 7.11 hq put up a good fight iu the Metropolitan, but was again unfortunate in the running. Paraoa 7.4 ran a good race at Riccarton. He is getting through good work but looks to have a poor chance of beating several above him. Multiply 7.2 is fancied in certain quarters but is getting somewhat ancient for a race of this description. Of the light weights Red Ribbon and Cynic both have chances. Tlie fol-mer is bred to stay and may create a surprise. However, to hazard ap opinion I will take Johnny Walker, Fiery Cross and Red Ribbon to have something to say in the decision. The Grafton Hurdles field is a weak one, arid if iu a good mood Fisher should pay a dividend. A number of brilliant sprinters are engaged in the Railway Handicap. Hymcstra if at his host must he extremely difficult to boat, whilst the stable also shelters another good one in Nairn a. Simonides may give the Wairarapa most trouble. The Nursery field will produce a number of promising youngsters. Long Range, Cherry Mart and Killowiu all go fast. If reserved for the Christmas Handicap Nanna- will run well. In her absence Polydrimon and Colonel Soult should divide favoritism.

MANAWATU MEETING. Remarkably large fields figure in the various races at Manawatu and the meeting should he a record one. The following horses may have a following there: Trial Plate—Mill Queen and Exclusive; Hurdles—Colorado and Want; Gillies Hack—Comment and Endure; Manawatu Cup*— Client and Impediment; Juvenile Handicap—Torfreda and llisingham ; Tararua Hack— Altercation and Quinn’s Post; Fitzherhert Handicap—Acre and Lady General; Grandstand HandicapTrials and Dribble. AUSTRALIAN TURF. Press Association—Copyright. Sydney, December .22. The Villers Stakes resulted: Cetigne 1, Wedding Day 2, Merimee 3. Won by two lengths. Time, Imin. 38Jsec.