SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 September 1915, Page 7

SPORTING.

TURF TOPICS. (By "Moluroa,") Big fields are carded for practically every event at Die Dannevirke Racing Club's spring meeting, and punters may find tlie task of sorting out Die winners a very disheartening one. Winners at Marton will be required to put up penalties as follows:—Umutaora Hack Handicap: Discussion (71bs.), 8.4; Hack Welter: Discussion (71bs.), 9.3; Hack Steeples: Katua, (lOlbTj; 10.7. In eonjunction with the Dannevirke Hunt meeting, which takes places to-morrow on the same course, there should be a big crowd of visitors at Dannevirke this weet, and successful meetings appear probable.

The smallest field on the day will be in the Spring Handicap, for which only half a dozen have been paid up. Kooya tops the handicap with 9st, and would be well up to the weight if really well. The public may prefer the chances of the three-year-old Sicily, as she generally finished strongly in her races last season, and should be an improved filty now. Midnight Star won a double in the autumn at Woodville, and may also have a fair following. Glenorchy looks to be in a class of his own amongst the hurdlers, but a dangerous opponent should be Rexer, who ran a really fine race at Marton, finishing just behind Toreador and Rua, tangata.

Jacknran has been turned out owing to a family bereavement, but still a good field should face the starter in tn» Dannevirke Steeplechase, run over three miles. The Mouse is nominal favorite, but Glenmorc is certain to run prominently, as he is very fit at present. The Hack Steeplechase looks open, but Katua and Merry Lad have been running well of late. The hack flat events will be contested by large fields, and possibly Mystified, Spain, Iceberg and Irish Fusilier will be well supported in their engagements.

A select lot figure in the Otanga Handicap (one mile and fifty yards), tat Croesus, who is set to carry top-weight, may not be ready. Wild Lupin shaped well at Marton, but reads badly alongside- Marco Bella The latter is likely to go out a strong order. The average totalisator ticket requires more nerve than ingenuity to fake, but the 'hand-stamps used at Marton would defy the efforts of even an expert at the game. Part of the stamp was a pretty picture of a maiden fair, and surrounding it was a varied collection of type—numerals, Chinese characters and such-like hieroglyphics It was unfakeable! The Ashburt'on Racing Club's spring meeting takes place to-morrow and on the day following. Wanganui weights are due on Friday.