SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 248, 25 February 1911, Page 7

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. Mar. 1 and 2—South Canterbury J,C Mar. 1 and 2—Nelson J.C. Mar. 2 and 4—Wanganui J.C. Mar. 8 and 9—Dannevirke R.C. Mar. 15 and IC—Napier Park R.C. Mar. 17 —Opunake R.C. AUSTRALIAN JOCKEY CLUB. Sydney, February 24. The Australian Jockey Club hag decided to increase the prize money at Randwick during 1911-12 by £SOOO, making the total, with added money, £57,400. OPUNAKE NOMINATIONS. By Telegraph,—Press Association. Opunake, Friday. The following are the nominations tor the Opunake Racing Club's annual meeting: Hurdles. —Silver Cluse, Kotare, Mississippi, Sir Prize,' Zante, Silver Slipper, Te Roti, Clemency, Waitapu, Lady Heroine, Master Lethe, Lothair, Lochguard. Flying Handicap.—Watine, Sandy Paul, Cornelian, Bay Paul, Valentine, Clemency, Bonny Lass, Ambergris, Rawinia, Sinn Fein, San Pan, Makahu, Lady Loo, Silver Spur, Pavo> Joey. Maiden Trot. —Alpenstock, Mersey, Virago, Flywheel, Baron D, Lady Rose, Little Maid, Vanity V, Dolly W. Ella Bell, Echuca, Kaiwarra, Huon Berlin, Nightlight, Pihama, Erin's Tracey, Kate, Allerton, Cliff. Opunake Racing Club Handicap. — Mallet, Valentine, Clemency, Manawakaha, Royal Arms, Sinn Fein, Lady Heroine, Tam Glen, Monsieur Soult, Darby Paul, The Mystery, The Reiver. Handicap Trot.— Alpenstock, Mersey, Virago, Flywheel, Lady Rose, Till, Nancy, Katie G, Echuca, Ella Bell, Elsie's Child, Huon Berlin, Flasher, Nightlight, Pihama, Murad, Erin's Tracey, Singlet, Kate, Allerton. Welter.—Silver Cluse, Kotare, Sandy Paul, Mallet, Bay Paul, Silver Slipper, Clemency, Bonnie Lass, St Venton, Manawakaha, Maroo, Ambergris, Ra- ; winia, Sinn Fein, San Pan, Lady Loo, Silver Spur, Dover Straits, Haydn, Park, Tam Glen, Monsieur Soult, The Mystery,

TURF TOPICS. I (By "Moturoa.") Opunake weights are due early next week. The Wanganui J.C. autumn meeting will open on Thursday next. Clifford's flier, Antagonist, is engaged in the A.J.C. Derby. The Dunedin J.C. autumn meeting, which promises to be a record one, will be concluded to-day. , Waiju went lame early in the weeki and had to be scratched for the Dunedin Cup. More or less reliable records credit Jockeys Whittaker and Gray with riding 42 winners apiece, to date. Te Whetu won both hurdle races at Woodville, a feat which Maku performed at last year's autumn meeting'. Of the last eight races for the Dunedin Champagne Stakes, bearers of Clifford's "chequers" have won no less than six.

Ex-bookmakers are very strong on "doubles" these days, but it is reported that the success of the Los Angelos— Obsono combination on Wednesday made many of them weep. Astrnea and Maori Rifle are regular track attendants at Wanganui, and both horses arc jumping fairly well. Melbourne papers announce that Tanekaha, Hautapu, War Song and Duart have arrived safely at the Victorian capital. Rose Noble, who ran third in this year's Dnnedin Cup, filled a like position in the Cup of 1909—Prim's year.

Allurement seems to be wedded to illluck, and the Highdcn cast-off finished second twice in big fields at the Woodville meeting. The Canterbury trainer, R. Mason, has arrived at Wanganui, bringing with him Miss Mischief, Pierene, and ViceAdmiral. Several of Prosser's team arc already at Wcbbtown, but their track work has been quite tame this week. Byron lost the Dunedin Champagne Stakes through running back at the start. By the time Gray had got the favorite going, Counterfeit was a dozen lengths ahead, and the race resolved itself into a miserable (for punters) procession.

A coincidence! Te Whetu, Sunray and Millienial filled first, second and third places respectively in both hurdle races at Woodville.

Mr. J. Buckley's filly Landrose (Finland—Roseshield) repeated her last year's victory in the Berwick Handicap on the first day at Dunedin. Strangely enough, she did not win a race in the interval.

The victory of Hinekorangi in the Telegraph Handicap at Woodville was well received in these parts. The Waverley mare was first away and was never headed. She can go like the wind for a few furlongs, and races well in front, but does not shine in a neck-and-neck struggle.

Altear, winner of the Maiden at Woodville, is a full brother to the defunct 'chaser Audax (Birkenhead-Te-meraire), and showed great dash for a two-year-old. TTe was making his first appearance under silk, and thougl bored all over the course, got clear at the distance, and won very easily.

After seeing the Advance gelding, Tlio Hover, win at Fox ton, this scribe placed liim as a promising horse, but hardly thought lie would secure Cup honors so soon. However, he won the Woodville Cup in good style and in fair time on Wednesday, and is said to have been running on at the finish. The topweights, Sandst.reain and Kopu, were not nearly ready, but no excuse could be made for the favorite, Parable, who cut up very badly. The unlucky Teotane and The Rover ran practically together until well in the straight, when The Rover, with the freshness of youth, dashed ahead and made the placing easy for the man in the "little wooden hut." If you want to know what foolishness these Gaming Acts are responsible for just read this par from the Wauganui Herald, February 23, 1011, in reference to the programme suggested for a garden fete: —"No Donkey Race.—The committee managing the Garden Fete and Motor Gymkhana, to be held on the racecourse on Thursday, March Oth, in aid of the funds of the Watignnui Beautifying Society, regrets that it has been compelled to abandon the proposed donkey race, which would have been one of the most amusing items on the pro-

gramme. The reason is that horses, riders, and all taking part would have been acting contrary to the rules of racing, and would have.been disqualified, but what is more serious is that the Wauganui doekev Club and its course • would probably "Tie "disqualified also for! allowing it to take place." Now, don't | yon think that's the limit? According' to law you can't race donkeys! Whe- j titer the hobble-skirt race is barred by the wonderful gaming legislation this scribe doesn't pretend to know, but he l\o|«es that Parliament will make baste to repeal ridiculous Acts which prohibit such sublime sport as ne.ddy-pushing, hobble-skirt flutters and greasy-pig Citciicg. LJ I

, Trainer 11. Cutts is due at Wanganui to-day with Madam Madcap. Withsdalc burst a hoof a few days ago, and wa» left at home. Lupulite has ran two seconds at Duncdin meeting, each race being a six furlongs event. The veteran is said to be in great nick, and should do better in a shorter event very soon. As a rule, Lupulite is out in front for the first few furlongs, but on Wednesday Obsono made the pace a merry one from the word "go." and the son of Lupin for once in a, whl i experienced the novelty ot a stern chase. Inglewood sports are quite pleased with themselves over Pearlie Maid's dual victory at the Otalmhu T.C. meeting, and the marc's popular rider-trainer came in for hearty congratulation on his return home on Wednesday. This scribe has always had a good word for "The Maid," and she doesn't owe him a penny, you may bet your life. 'Stralisin files record that Bridge and Maori King have settled down to steady work at Randwick, and that Lady Lucy is galloping like a Wellington zephyr on the Flemington tracks. They should pay their way at the autumn meetings. An exchange reports an unparalleled case of ill-luck. Each of the six foals of the brood mare Ripa Ripa has broken a leg and been destroyed.

The veteran Cyrene was taken to Auckland on Monday evening to race at the South Auckland meeting. Trainer J. Peachey is now looking after Epsom Downs at Wanganui.

Byron's defeat by Tannhauser at level weights on Thursday lends color to the opinion that the Canterbury sprinter has gone off since racing at Trentham.

Pelorus Jack has received further advertisement by the fact that a fine colt by Positiino—Citronella, in Frank McGrath's stable, has been named .after the finny monster. Nobel, winner of the Bond Cup, of 400 sovs, is a five-year-old horse by Seaton Delaval, from Solution's dam Problem, and was bred in Auckland. Mon Ami is still a trifle lame as the result of being kicked by Kareroa, and is to be spelled for several months. Wanganui acceptances are not to hand at time of writing, but should appear this morning, and punters will then have plenty to do studying the card for i\ext week's races. The Wanganui course is in good order, and the forthcoming meeting promises to be the usual howling success.