SPORTING

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 253, 4 March 1911, Page 7

SPORTING

RACING FIXTURES. Mar. 4—Wanganui J.(J. Mar. 8 and 9—Dannevirke R.C. Mar. 15 and 10—Napier Park R.C. Mar. 17—Opunake R.C. RACING COMMISSION. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wanganui, Friday. The Racing Commission held a preliminary meeting in camera this morning, Mr. J. McVey (Napier) taking the place of Mi'. (!. P. Donnelly, who has resigned. The commission decided to inspect the racecourses between Wanganui and New Plymouth on Monday. NAPIER PARK WEIGHTS. The following weights have, been declared for the Napier Park autumn meeting:— Hack Hurdles, one mile and threequarters—Donzel 10.0, Dorando 9.10, Illustrious 9.7, Burton 0.5, Kildonian and Rabbiter 9.3, Kohupatiki, Artie, Cauldron, Woolongong and Merrie Messenger 9.0. Esk Handicap, five furlongs —Cullinan 8.0, Winning Post 8.12, Bunkum 8.9, Birkline 8.5, San Pluie 8.0, Kathaga 7.13, Magneta 7.9, Miss Sylvia 7.7, Eiya 7.4, Allurement 7.3, Bandalero and Hotana 7.0, Ngakau and Mountain Shrine 0.12, Percler 0.9, Waitoke and Wee Rose fi.7. Napier Cup, one mile and a-quarter— Sandstrea.ni 9.0, Kopu 8.11, Sir Tristram 8.4, Parable 8.0, Rauparaha ''B.o, Woodhev' 7.13, Fort William 7.12, Incy 7.10, Vi 7.8, Ariom 7.2, Julian G. 9," Voetgang, Moree, Peacemaker and All Trumps 6.7. Welter Hack, nine furlongs—Tney f1.12, Toanga 9.2, LamsdorfT 9.1, San Lass 9.1, Golden Water 8.12, Cheddar 8.12, Julian 8.10, Moree, Falsetto, All Trumps, Hirini and Erin 8.7. Sapling Stakes, five furlongs—Bootlc 8.13, Bellah 8.7, Altar 7.12, Blue Lake 7.10, New Guinea 7.8, Royal Scotch 7.8, Our Queen 7.7, Goldbond, War Scare and Divinia 7.5, Red Lock 7.0. Redcliffe Welter, one mile—Floater 9.0, Composed 8.10, Raupare 8.8, Obscurity 8.7, Melologue 8.0, Virtue and All Blue 8.6, Ardifern 8.4, Useful 8.2, Stourton and Manupai 8.2, Polynices 8.1, Entente 7.12, Merry 7.8, Prowess and All Trumps 7.10, Fleet Week 7.0, led, Boyne, Waiter. Kohupatiki, Ultimatum and Mantou 7.7. Flying Handicap, six furlongs—Lord Soult 9.0, Wimmera 8.10, Fort William 8.9, Faunum 8.2, Cullinan 7.13, Lord Possible 7.9, Humming Bird 7.0, Moreykofl' 7.3, Tina Toa and Tigerine 0.12. WANGANUI NOTES. (By. "Moturoa.") Wanganui on Thursday—the opening day of the Jockey Club's autumn meeting—was a day to be remembered. Glorious weather prevailed. The air was clear and warm. A bright sun was shaded by great bunches of filmy clouds. The lawns were green and springy to the foot. The lakelets smiled back at you, as it were, and their sparkling surfaces were dotted with graceful ivhitq swans. to notice the' floating cigarette-butts, 'packets and orarige-skihs. On such a-day one has only an eye for beauty. And what a crowd there was! The gay costumes oi the ladies seemed the lightest and brightest they could wear. The hobbleskirt was everywhere; the "haj;»m" not to be seen. People were there from all parts, and St was surprising how many Taranaki faces one picked out in the crowd. No raucous-voiced Bar Von rent the welkin. The totalizator was a "silent" recorder, and a soothing sense of calm pervaded all things. Not till the horses pranced at the barrier did interest make itself felt. But, with the gallop of tearing feet; the flashing ot gay colors, interest gave way to excitement. Hoarse shouts went up. Our . "fancy" was winning, maybe, or losing, I more likely. Then tongues got loose, the clamor increased to a roar. Horses rushed past, racing neck and neck, and we realised that we were at a race meeting, and no garden party. It was great! But to get back to bedrock.

Proceedings opened with the Stewards' ' Handicap, six furlongs. Lethean and First Battery were withdrawn, leaving six runners. North-East was an odds-on favorite, hut Rill (with ''Jenks" up), and Lady MensehikofT (fresh from win- ' ning at New Plymouth), had many followers. Irish Rifle performed circus tricks for a while, but eventually '' Starter O'Connor slipped 'em to a good start. North-East and Irish Rifle dashed off in the lead, Rill and St. Felix following, and Lady MensehikofT, who was badly chopped out, last. The top-weights cracked on the pace, fighting a reckless duel all the way, and at the turn they were still in front. Then Emmerson called on St, Felix, and the latter raced up to the beaten leaders at the distance. Irish Rifle cried enough, but North-East battled on gamely. But the| lightweight, ridden throughout a patient race, had too much in him, and gradually forging ahead, scored by a good i length. Mataari was third, Irish Rifle fourth, and Lady MensehikofT last \ All started but Bow Bells in the Petre. Hack Handicap. Con the Shaughraunl had IT. Gray aboard, and was voted "the pea." Esmeh, Piriwai and Jackpin also found backers. Piriwai hopped oft" like a flash, and was showing three I lengths clear of Taft and a strung-out I field as they raced past the four'furlong post. The favorite improved his position, and at the turn for home was ly-) ing second. At the distance Piriwai still | led, and appeared to be going easily. Not till a hundred yards from home did Gray call on Con the Shaughraun, and I have rarely seen a horse respond more generously. He made a bound and fairly smothered his opponents, winning brilliantly on the post by a head. Esmeh was a poor third, and the rest spread out. Showman dropped out of the Westmere Hurdle Race, eight going to the post. Playmate delayed the start, but the field got off on level terms. Playmate and Waikaraka were quickest to the hurdle in front of the stand, the chestnut taking the lead running out of the straight. Playmate dropped back, and Gold Bird and Hydrant were left to chase him, the favorite, Maidi, being last. Waikaraka led into the straight, but nearly threw out at the next fence. Passing the stand the second time Playmate ran up to Gold Bird, and Waikaraka was perceptibly tiring. Playmate headed Waikaraka five furlongs from home, and Gold Bird and Maidi were close handy. In the next furlong, Pressor's gelding was a couple of lengths clear of Gold Bird and Maidi, and swung into the straight well clear of Maidi, Gold Bird being beaten. Price rode Maidi right out, but the roan could make no impression on Playmate, who won comfortably by over a length. Xaxier was a couple of lengths away third, Hydrant fourth, and Reumae last. Nothing hut Ribstone Pippin and To Whetu carried much coin in the Hack Hurdles. Te Whetu momentarily showed out, but Ribstone Pippin was in the van as the field swept up the straight. Along the back Te Whetu struck heavily and was pulled up. Waitapu was jumping badly, and Telford lot him drop out of it. Ribstone Pippin had nothing to beat, and easily held Torhelle and Euroco in the run home. Then came the Wangnmii Cup, one

mil* nnd three-quarters. Dame Rumor had been busy spreading the tale that Miss Mischief had gone sore and would not start. However, the Tittle daughter of Treadmill came into the enclosure looking fresh, and confidence was, for ■ the moment, restored. Kopu was lookI ing big and well, and his trainer picked him to "fly in." Parable k not a "taking" mare, but Mendip and Goodwin Park looked well. Merrivonia did not look bright, and the others were hardly noticed. When the tnte closed down, Kopu, Merrivonia and Miss Mischief were found best backed. In their "prelims" Miss Mischief moved very short, and Merrivonia was just as bad. Kopu went particularly well. The field moved j off in line, Parable going to the front. Before the straight was reached Shining Star was in the van with Goodwin Park next. Mendip was tearing at the reins and almost dragging F. D. Jones out oi the saddle, running up to Shining Star at the judge's box. Kopu ran up to the leaders along the back, and Miss Mischief set sail after him. The big chestnut led into the straight from Miss Mischief and Goodwin Park, Olliver, on Merrivonia, being blocked in attempting to steal through near the rails. Kopu was quickly collared by Goodwin Park, and the latter looked a sure winner ; at the distance. Gray, on Miss Miseliiei, was urging his mount on, and she challenged gamely. At the half-distance, the weight began to tell on the mare, and she was seen to be in difficulties. "Goodwin Park," roared the crowd. But something was coining on the outside, coming like a flash! Something in blue,' and in a flash it was level with and then in front of the bay son of Sylvia Park. It'was Merrivonia who had come again and just snatched victory on the post. Kopu was fourth and The Reiver and Mendip last. Of the five juveniles, Bronze carried most bullion, Winning Post and Bootle being next in demand. Bronze and Bootle moved nicely in their "prelims," but Winning Post galloped like a machine. The other runners, Grandee (a big awkward Merriwee colt) and Sir Moutoa were practically friendless. Bronze broke the line but was steadied, and Jenkins immediately rushed Winning Post to the front, followed by Bootle. Bronze made an effort to get up at the turn, but it was no go, and Winning Post had no difficulty in holding a length's advantage from Bootle to the end. Bronze was a close third, and Grandee and Sir Moutoa finished a long way back. Punters were puzzled to find a favorite when all eleven carded went out for the Wiritoa Hack Handicap. Ladrone (Gray), Attention, Smilax, and Brown Trout were well backed, the public evidently over-looking Kauroa's recent winning form at Foxton and later at Woodville. Ladrone was last to leave the mark and Kauroa was one of the first. The latter rushed into the lead running out of the straight, and taking hold of the bit, bolted along the back stretch. Billy Price couldn't hold him, and the black came into the straight with a commanding lead from Brown Trout, and won by two lengths. Ladrone came fast over the last two furlongs and was a close third. Had he got away well, he might have troubled the winner. Dearest was scratched for the Flying Handicap, leaving a dozen in. Madam Madcap was a very warm order, Gladioie, A ice-Admiral, Lady Moutoa and St. Toncy being also well supported. It was a spirited betting race. Gladiole, as our Palmerston friends "told us so," hopped out smartly, and was clear of everything in the first furlong. Irish Rifle, Vice-Admiral and Boanerges made efforts to decreas* the gap before the straight was reached, but in vain. Galloping with great freedom, the little chestnut showed a clean pair of heels to the opposition, and ran in a ridiculously easy winner from True Shot, who came with a rattle in the straight. Boanerges battled it out strenuously, getting close up third, Irish Rifle was fourth, and the favorite, Madam Madcap, whipped in the field.

TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") Races at Wanganui to-day. Gladiol« is only a handful, but she can gallop like the wind. The New Zealantler, Broadsword, promises, to run well in to-day's Newmarket Handicap. Miss Mischief "was very sore on Thursday, otherwise the Cup would have been hers. Waitapn could hardly raise a gallop at Wangainii, and fenced like a firsttimer. In glaring contrast to his Taranaki running, Ribstone Pippin won practically all the way in the Hack Hurdles. Mcndip looked very well on Thursday, and Jones could not hold him back in

the first part of the. Wunganui Cupy Consequently he quickly ran himself out. Gray will probably ride the big chap to-day, mid he in mire to be prom-' incnl.

Winning I'ohl. scored a very soft victory in Ihe Juvenile Handicap. They were a poor Jul. mill Hie Merriwee filly wa* in front over the liihl, four furlongs. A lot of money was thrown away on Te Whctii. He wan goin K well when lie struck heavily. Iliii'i'iiig Mi'ik mishap, lie must have troubled JtihMl.one Pippin at. the business end of the journey. Laius was left at the start for the Wiritoa, Hack llandii'iip, and Jenkins flogged him in vain. "JciiUh" loses his head sometimes, and he was still biiHy applying the flail when the winning post, was passed. Brown Trout is still running seconds. The fine-looking son of Tupiilii finished up like a racehorse in the Wiritoa Handicap, but he had no chance of catching such a good one as Kauroa. If you once saw Minura you would never "back" her. She's of the Clydesdale type, and resembles Wirth's "Lizzie." She shaped very greenly at the barrier, and didn't take the hint to move off until the others were hidden by a cloud of dust turning out of the straight. Most people thought that North-East was made too much use of in the Stewards' Handicap. It was just the case of the horse who footed it with Irish Rifle in the first bit having nothing left to withstand St. Felix in the last furlong.

Kareroa was run in "winkers" in the Flying, and the experiment was a success. For once he caused little trouble at the post, and got away fairly well.