SPORTING.

Colonist, Volume LVIII, Issue 14338, 14 February 1917, Page 7

SPORTING.

NELSON TROTTING.CLUirS RACES

The Nelson Trotting Club's annual race meeting will be veld at Riciimouu Park this afternoon. The .programme, which comprises eight events, will commence at 1 p.m., and the last race js timed to start at 5.35 p.m. A special railway service has been arranged, and the JViayor has requested citizens to observe the usual weekly nalf-hoiiday from noon instead of 1 p.m. Refreshments and afternoon tea will be obtainable on the course.

The acceptances received are very satisfactory, and if all the horses go to the post there should be gome interesting- racing. The course- is m splendid order, after the rain experienced ten clays ago, and some fast times should be recorded. The yard system of starting will be tried for the first time. Eleven horses have accepted for the Pioneer Handicap, !■& miles: Tofua, 36 yards behind, appears to be well treated, and will probably start favourite. Bay William, who won the Ladies' Bracelet last year, and scored in both trots at Takaka last week, is on the limit (scratch), and being a much improved horse, may run well, while the chances of Alex, * avlio won this event last year, cannot be overlooked. In the Waimca Handicap, 2 miles, there are eight acceptors, and Taumata, 1U yards behind scratch, is considered to have a good prospect of running into a place. Adroth, 48 yards behind, is also a horse that is coming on well, and may be hard to beat. The Nelson Trotting Club's Handicap, \) miles, has a very open appearance. In the event of Peter Mac not starting, Osier, on scratch, "who won a double at Gieymouth recently, may carry most of the money, while Fernleigh, who has also been winning on the Coast, should be well supported. The distance may find AVinstono M. out, and Miss Marion, 9G yards behind, lias nothing m her favour. Skvkrk l-ias been off the

scone for some time, and may not have struck form yet, and T'odd Bells, 1.68 yards behind, may find the distance too great to make up. The Ladies' Bracelet, 2 miles, for local horses, has attracted » field of sixteen horses. If reserved for this event Bay William may. be expected to run well, while on breeding Zita should get into the money. Tom Tit is a consistent performer, and a win for the pony would be popular. In the Brightv.'atev Handicap, 1^ miles, there' are thirteen acceptors, and as all will have appeared ii>. the races "firlier on the programme the lyn'blic will have some guidance as to their form.

Although tuere are only seven horses accepted for in the Richmond Handicap, 1-J; miles, the race should prove n very interesting one. The bracketed pair, Peter Mac and Mabdwood,, should they start, will no doubt be backed down to a short price. The' Jatfcer failed to show her true form at Blenheim.

The inclusion in the programme >of two races for district horses has been justified, there being thirteen acceptors in the Waken eld Handicap, l£ miles. On the form displayed in the Ladies' Bracelet, the public will no doulbt make a selection.

Tho programme will conclude with the Dash Handicap, 1 mile, which invariably provides an' exciting contest. There are ten horses carded, and a handicap of 5 seconds only between the scratch horses and those furthest behind indicates that the contestants are evenly matched.