SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 July 1915, Page 7

SPORTING.

! EACSXO FIXTURES. ■ ■"■;. iil.—l'akuranga Hunt Steeple.August 11!, 12, 1-1. -Canterbury .).C. Winter. August 2(U-Kguiont-Wanganui Hunt Steeple. , September ].—Marton .I.C. Spring. | September 2.—Hangitikei Hufnt AuI nual. I Septembers.—Dannevirke R.C. Steeple. I Victorian i: acini; eicexsfs. I By Cable —Press Association —Copyright. 1 Melbourne, July 20. Mr. Murray, in refusing the request to cancel the license for the Ascot racecourse, said that after the, war the. whole, question of racing would be reviewed by Parliament, which would have to place a strict limit on racing in the interests of the country. He foreshadowed the abolition of proprietary clubs.

('AVmUHTA" JOCKEY CLUB HANDICAPS.

By Telegraph.—rress Association. Wellington, Last Night

hollowing weights have, been declared for the Canterbury Jockey Club's Grand National meeting:— HUNTERS' HURDLES, onco round

and u distance.—Marao 12.11, Merrie Vniet 11.fl, Parawanni 11.8, Curilla. M.o, Crib 10.'1.1, Aha 1 ().(), The Hound 10.8, Dan Cameron 10.7, Ormoloid 10.3, Selwyn. Ta.ft, Flight and Platinum 105, Malta. Tnrco, Traditor, Dardanelles and Dear Annie. .10.(1. TRIAL HURiDIjfiS. one mile and tlireci|unrters. —Awahou, Multiply, Plymouth and lliavolo 10.11. Ruatangata 10.7. Castiron fl.ll, Mriddite, Scrutineer and Vascular li.ii. Silver Shield, Clemency. UoiM.'ora 0.0

.il-'MirivßS* FLAT RACK, ,;ne mile and a half Sonlt and Diavol 0 10.11. Plymouth 10..10, lulmeny 10.8, Sty rax 10.7, Sir Donald 10.5, Harbor bight 10.2. Vi 11.11, The, Rover and Cain-motion !).7, Sam Pan 9.0, Rnat.ane.ata 0.5, Bracburn 9.3. Waipunoa, Caher Da-von. Vascular, Lord Frederick and Ximlblefoot 0.0. KXMEUD .STEKFbEOIMSE, about two miles.—'Bonny, Kim and Bustle. 10.9, Cornelian 10.7, Cousin Jack 10.0. Kingswav, Bandalero. (Jondolier and Northern 10.5. Fritz and Prairie Fire 10.4, Nimble, foot, The Bn-wer and Agatha Green 9.1:1, Grey Renown 9.9, The House 9.8, Stockade, Katua, Clemency, Relwyn, Golden Dawn, Oratonu, Case'shot, Toihy, G-lcnwyo. Dear Annie, Royal Guard 9.7.

AVONHEAD HANDICAP, six furlongs.—Encore .10.11, Petrosiis. Nbomar and Pride o' Clutha 10.9, Snapdragon 10.P. Derby Day 10.3, Prince baddo, CervmiiK. Toki, Maltegarde and Mandoline fl.l-.'i, Veritas 9.12. Lion 9.11, Captain Clossop, Afelford and Potentiality 0.7, Free 9.(1. Bodenha.m. 9.4, Countess Tolstoi n.3 Pcai-'foi-m, Field Force, St. Ewe, .Micky Free, Glcnvar. Bore. Bonnv Maid-J en, Goldring. Somnambulist, 'Listen, Royal Jack and British Rose 9.0. Tragedy King has-been scratched for' all engagements at the flrand National meeting. ,

TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") Taranaki has been well served with race meetings this week, the WaimiKe Plains Trots and North Taranaki Hunt providing excellent sport to large gatherings. Beautiful weather favored each club, and big fields, interesting racing, and a fair sprinkling of favorites "lobbing home" made matters very enjoyable j for the clubs' patrons. Both at Hawera [ and at New Plymouth the meetings were initial totalisator ones, and the success which attended them must have been very gratifying to those enthusiasts wiio worked so hard to attain it. Next year both these gatherings will assume more pretentious proportions. Bigger stakes will attract more outsiders, and provincial horse-owners will also have more inducement to get their horses—whether hacks, hunters, or trotters—properly wound up for these fixtures. This season's meetings have been the outcome of very recent legislation, and, considering the limited time at the disposal of both clubs and horse-owners, the result has been marvellous.

To the majority of Taranaki sportsmen trotting is a branch of sport little known, and it is a pity that more North Taranaki folk did not" make the trip to Hawcra on Wednesday last. It would favc quickly dispelled whatever doubts they had as regards trotting. The sight of a dozen horses, many of them in harness, careering up the straight at top is one that would warm the blood of a wowser. The public bet "shy" on the opening event at Hawcra, biit a neck-and-neck finish in the Normanby Handicap set everybody "on their toes," with the result that the betting improved, and kept on improving as the day wore on. Considering the very mixed lot he had to handicap, Mr. Ulic Shannon's work was very fine. Close finishes were the order of the day, and taking into account the deadncss of the going there were some good performances put up by several winners. The scratch division did not shine to any extent, though Chub and Lady Scfton won from well back. The local horses showed up well against their more doughty "outside'' opponents, and then' is no doubt that Taranaki stables shelter some very promising horses. The management of the meeting was excellent, and visitors were- all accorded a royal good time.

The success attending the North Taranaki Hunt Club's meeting exceeded all expectations, and those responsible for this success are to he highly congratulated. Winners were not hard to pii-k. and short prices were paid by Expedition, l-'ortify, and W'area, but the victories of flying Camp and King Victor came as surprises. 'The forward ruiining of certify shows that he is in good nick to lachle his Winter Cup engagement. Thursday's win docs not entail any penalty 'in the l-liceart. venj. As slaied after Alauawalii running. Expedition proved himself at home over the bin; fences, and Lis win in the Hunt Cup was very popular. His la.lv owner is a line sport, and she did the honors in good style, as those who were fortunate i't:ou;ih (o share in the "refrohnienC' afterwards can testify. W'area's brace of victories were also' well received, his owner licin-' on., of the straighiesl-eei;:-; hounds followers in the district. Altogether the gathering was an ideal one. Old Otaorua was produced again I'm' ii,e ||u. : ( tup Steeple, but was very sore, and had no chance with the opposition. The veteran has won the ra •:• lhr.-e times. Inn his days of usofuhios.l.eiwcen the lines; miis( |„. nearly spenr, Keilh l.ambess rode l-Ajiediliou in a

vrv confident manner, which aluin-l proud his undoin- Coii'iil came with a nil's! rat lie a! the lini.-'h, ami if Ward i::,i ,-,■ i bom aliiio-d de.cc v.]t ha niig'ii: hev "pipp'd" Kxpedilion mi the posi. Kiihliu (biulaia'-Cautatrirei showed a vn it diva of so I in {lie Opimakc :-'c. fiv. :■:;.! Welcome Nil-gel ju -i- got, (o hi'V w.'l! up tin' running. The lillv i-loadi! turn out some good next season. Lift. !.y Iflcvutmn—Kdiuim, half-sister to l.alioor Day, was another nice twoyear old ,11'i.d'H'i'd in the race. Both she and lii»h links (Cyrus- The Tart) look 1IS( fill. riving (.'amp paid a .stunning price, in the Stratford Hack Handicap, and Zion's. supporters were also lucky to get rather more than their money back. It was a good race, and Tceherg, though defeated, was not by any means disgraced.

Expedition struck himself during th.running of the Hunt Steeple, ami wa, slightly lame yesterday. The injury should not prevent him troni saining at tlic Egmont-Wanganui Hunt meeting next month. {\W Omaki.) The Hunt Club's meeting on Thursday was a decided success, one that augurs well for the continuance of a totalisator meeting hero in what is, practically, midwinter. It was a genuine sporting gathering that just served as a relaxation from the business worries of all who attended.

Bar (not Bar A'on) those zealous—l was almost tempted to call them incomparably zealous -ullicials who worked so hard throughout the day. To use the usual pafTaiue, it is "rotten' 1 to individualise, but let me say that there was not an official found wanting. Tin- North Taranaki Hunt Club, in this re.-pe.t, is i'. very live body.

The kindness of the T.J.C. in aiding this meeting in every possible way is a matter all true sportsmen appreciate. What a hot favorite Expedition was! And how he led the. field throughout, it really was a hunt race, for tile six other starters were on an expedition—to hunt for the leader! The cheers that greeted Expedition were fully deserved, for lie fenced faultlessly, and as he is owned by a popular lady sport none begrudged the. big bay's win. Least of all his backers! Admirable little speeches by Mrs. Wheatley (wife of the club's president) and Mr. Hitlcombc (master of the hunt! wen it'ully endorsed by the spectators when Miss Brewer "levied" the fine cup given by the T.J.C. Warea was a "hot pot," and this horse should soon bo heard of in much better company that he ran with on Thursday.

Fidelio's owner made no secret of the fact that his pretty little filly was "after'' the Hack Scurry, and she went out a strong favorite. However, slie could not last the distance, being rather green. Fidelio will be worth watching as a three-year-old.

High .links, an Australian-bred liily, which is said to be owned by a wellknown horseman, was a disappointment. No cleaner "turtle." could have been turned than that turned by Alor Star at the )irs;t fence in the. big race. The first steeples partook rather of the nature of a fiasco, but had all the nags got over the obstacles no one, except, perhaps, Royal Trophy, would have troubled the winner.

One could scarcely gather the reason J for that game mare Belle Paul being j scratched for her events. True, she did not look quite fit, but she is class enough. I Consul's eil'ort was not made soon enough; otherwise Expedition would have had to foot, it a wee bit more sprightly. | Smokers should have backed Welcome Nugget. A number did, but the "c'r.-jct pen" came too late for many. Fortify and Harbor bight were easily the best of the bunch in the Waihi Hack. If the former goes to Riccarton liis Winter Cup chances are not to be despised.

EGMONT RACING CLUB. (From Our Own Correspondent.) I The annual • meeting of the Egmont Racing Club was held on Thursday at the secretary's office, the attendance of members being very poor. The president, Mr., R. H. Nolan, occupied the chair. The; report and balance-sheet showed a.. very healthy state of the club's affairs. The total assets amount to £11,082 (is Id, with 116 liabilities. During the year the club had made the following donations: —War Fund £2OO, Hospital Ship .€IOO, Salvation Army £2O, Egmont-Wanganui Hunt Club £2O. The following officers were duly elected: —President, R. H. Nolan; vice-presi-dent, J. Davidson; lion, treasurer, J. Quin; stewards: Messrs J. H. Baker, A. Good, J. Crocker, A. S. Tonks, R. Hicks, W. C. Adamson, J. Gray, R. Mbrrisey, and W. Good; committee: Messrs W. C. Adamson, J. H. Baker, J. Crocker, JL A. Forster, A. Good, J. Gray, R, Hicks, R. Morrisey, H. Spratt, A. S. Tonks, and C. H. Washer.