SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 222, 31 December 1910, Page 7

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. Jan. 2, 3—Auckland R.C. Summer. Jan. 2, 3—Stratford R.C. Annual. Jan. 2, 3—Rangitibfti R.C. Summer. Jan. 2, 3— Hawke'a Bay J.C. Summer. Jan. 21, 23, and 25—Wellington R.C. Snnuner. COMING EVENTS. Jan. 2—Great Northern Derby. Jan. 2— Stratford Cup. TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.")

This is the season when the somewhat. worn-out expression, "Happy New Year," is mechanically mouthed by all and sundry. Strange men, in a state of beer, grasp you firmly by the hand, and tire yon with unmeant platitudes/ and in your good nature you suffer everytning. The same old wishes were wished last year. But ordinarily, this is a world of Don't Care. Nobody cares who goes up or who goes down. It is a case ol everyone for himself. The horseowner who will wish you the season's greetings to-morrow, will tell you his horse can't gallop a yard, and on Monday he will pay the limit-at Stratford or somewhere else. The penciller who will cheerfully take your money, at the same time handing you the New Year gag, will, later on, when the neddy wins, count a tenner out to you "like this: "One—two —you blanky robber—three—four—you'd take a blind man down for his trouser-buttons—five—and five are ten—go to the deuce with your 'readies'; l want none of your betting!" The jockey, the lad you helped when he was stranded the other day, will tell you his mount can't lose. It is his New Year tip. And the prad finishes fourth with his head pulled round to his shoulder. I suppose it is the way of the world. Some day we *iay run across the ideal well-wisher. He will blow up, I should say, in a 60 h!-J. motor. His principal speech will be, "Comeanayadrink." His tips will lead up the high road to prosperity. He will be surrounded, by fair! ladies, and they will smile kindly and try to press his hand. And he in his innocence and lightness of heart will forget his wife and kids at home, and really enjoy himself for once. It is a New Year dream, and if it doesn't come true, don't blame me. '

The Stratford Racing Club's annual meeting on Monday and Tuesday offers good sport and the chance to try one's luck in the New Year. Fields promise to be large, and a record meeting is practically assured. Winners at the Taranaki J.C. meeting have incurred penalties as already published. k Solus was the only double winner at the Taranaki meeting. - The trotter, Pearlie Maid, will put her best foot forward-at Stratford next week.

Meroze, Starlike, and Hinekorangi did our Waverley friends a good turn on Monday and Tuesday. Jackpin's turn may come next week. The Great Northern Hurdles winner Bully* is flying at small game. He won both stick events at the Thames meeting- .

Meroze was well handled by L. Nodder in the First Welter, and she finished up gamely over the last furlong. Meroze is a full-sister to Oemora.

Jockeys Monk, B. Olliver and C. Price rode two winners apiece at the local meeting. Others to score were F. Flynn, W. Ayres, L. L. Kemp, T. Pine, J. Morris, T. Trask, A. Ward and Mr. Clout Shannon Lass had the confidence of her party both days, but she does not shape too well when the tracks are hard.

Paul was responsible for a smart gallop when be scored in the-First Hurdles. He will put up a 10ib penalty at-Strat-ford, but that should not trouble him much'.

Bronze, Bracken, Iranui, and Gladiole -were double winners at Awapuni. Bracken scored again at Ashhurst, so must be one of the useful sort

Golden Eagle was caught in a galloping mood in the Christmas Handicap, and nobody begrudged- Albert Rhodes his victory. The mare only scored once last season—in the Manaia Handicap at the Egmont winter meeting—but now that she is well she should win again shortly. One of the most unlucky ones at the Taranaki gathering was that consistent mare, Lady Mensehikoff. She ran two honest races, filling the role of runnerup on each occasion, but perhaps she may'run even better next week at Stratford, 1 where her victors will be penalised. The principal winners at the Manawatu meeting were:—J; Ames £4OO, Sir Geo. Clifford £370, F. Hall £365, "Highden" £250, R. A. McDonald £215, H. McManaway £l9O, M. Ellerton £155, and R. Cooper £l5O. They put the shekels, in on Golden Glow on Tuesday, but had no chance with Starlike, who is a fair sort of a hurdler. '

Theodore paid a hatful on Thursday, and the dogs were barking it away from the course.

After King Soul Fa. brilliant victory in the Summer Cup the Auckland colt went up in public estimation for the Great Northern Derby, but Southerners will not have it that the son of Soult can beat the champion Danube. Con the Sbaughraun is a horse that can go a bit on the tracks, and he had hard luck to strike a smasher like Solus in the Summer Hack Handicap on Tuesday. Con is a good harse, and should not be long without a winning bracket. In at least two races at the local meeting it. is doubtful whether several horses were "all out," and perhaps they mar. show improved form at Stratford. Thv stewards at the latter place are always alive to funny business, and are quick to scent a "joke," so the tricky ones had better beware.

Contralto was landed in New Plymouth, and ran two gooa ces. Mr. Goodwin's mare is very consistent and is always worth a bet.

Continuance is improving with every gallop and should be worth following. On Monday, in addition to the ordinary majl and 7.40 a.m. trains, a special train will leave New Plymouth for Stratford at 9.35- a.m. A "train to connect with this special will leave Waitara at 9.45 a.m. On Tuesday no special train will be run, but the ordinary train service will be observed, the "mail train leaving as usual and also the 7.40 a.m. train.

Fred. Archer, probably the greatest jockey of his time, rode on a number of different occasions for the late King Edward VII.. although Herbert Jones was equally successful. The first -classic race won by a horse belonging to the late King was the One Thonsand Guineas of 1696, and Thais, the winner, was ridden by John Watts. Tnithe same year Watts piloted Persimmon to victory in the Derby. A more magnificent race or a finer piece of riding has seldom been seen,' when, stride by stride, the Royal horse overhauled St. Fnisquin and finally snatched the victory in one of the fastest times ever clocked, Watts wore the Royal jacket more often than any other jockey except Jones. ■ Always a rich man's race, the Derby Aas been won four times by Royalty and <IX times by Dukes: King Edward's first .TriV-r-when,, he.. <was Prince of WalerfiWuieYl, perhaps,, the

greatest scene of excitement ever, witnessed on the famous course. Tire odds against Persimmon were small, but he was supported more out of loyalty towards his owner than faith in his powers. When he won there was a terrifi* burst of cheering, and it increased in volume as the news travelled round to the far Side of the course. There are many brillian jockeys who have never won the Derby, and one of these is Tod Sloan, the famous American rider. In 1899 he seemed to have a fair chance of beating Mornington Cannon on (Flying Fox, but his mount then broke his leg and had to be killed on the spot.