SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 November 1915, Page 7

SPORTING.

' OPUNAKE RACING CLUB. At a meeting of the Opunake Racing Club, the programme for the ensuing meeting was drafted, and the smu of £B2O is to be given in stakes, an increase of £GO on last year's total. The amount has been proportioned as follows—Maiden £75, Hurdles £IOO, Flying £llO, Cup £l5O, Electric £9O, Welter £IOO, President's £llO, Farewell £BS. The following appointments were made:—Clerk of scales, Mr. D. Markham; clerk of course, Mr. G. Newshnm; stewards: Messrs. J. M. I-lickcy, A. Good, A. Clarke, M. Callander, G. Newsham, M. J. Brennan, H. J. Eaves, J. P. Burton, R. Lambie, junr., D. Campbell, J. Young, R. P. Malcolm, E. S. Forsyth, W. C. Dudley, A. Lusk, T. Covkill, F. Julian, C. L Kaspor, E. B. Stolir, and L. E. Jackson. TARANAKI CHRISTMAS MEETING, Horse-owners and trainers will be interested in the programme (published in another column) for the Taranaki Jockey Club's Christmas meeting, which is set down for December 27 and 28. The Club's go-ahead policy is once more reflected in this year's programme, increased stakes being the main feature. No race is now worth less than 100 sovs., the increases affecting the Huatoki Plate, Tikorangi Hack Stakes, Fitzroy Hack Handicap, Warea Ilack Stakes, and Electric Hack Handicap. In addition, the Christmas Handicap (open) has been raised to 200 sovs.; the Flying Handicap (open) to 150 sovs.; and the New Plymouth Handicap (open) to 150 sovs. These figures speak for themselves, and those interested should note that nominations for all events close on Friday, November 2(1, at 9 p.m. Mr. Geo. Morse's weights for first day's handicap events are due on or about Friday, December 10, and acceptances for all races on the first day close on Friday, December 17 at 9 p.m. Mr. T. Cameron has been engaged to do 'the starting. Full particulars will be found in our advertising columns. TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") The remarks of Captain Simson mads at Riccarton on Saturday last have caused no end of comment, and while admitting that the gallant Captain said much thai was only too true, the fact remains that a portion of his harangue was not only "out of place," but illogical and untrue. It is admitted that there are shirkers on our racecourses, just as it is agreed that 'there are shirkers in the streets, in the black-blocks, at bunscrambles, and everywhere else. Whomever you gather a body of men, whether it is in the field of sport or at a Sunday school spread there are found to be a big number of those whose aural appendages have not been properly tuned up to eatcli the strident and urgent note of "The Call." But to assert that the high-and-mighty 'stooards" of the Canterbury J.C. were responsible for fese young men not doing their duty is rather tall. Racing folk have not been backward in rallying round the colors, and those who are hindered through unfitness or otlier reasonable causes can do their bit by patronising everything patriotic—be it carnival, bazajy, or race meeting. The racing clubs are donating all profits for the season to the war funds, and the vast amount of money raised that way sets one wondering what the kill-joys have given. If Captain Simson disapproved. of thait race meeting why was he there? Was he enjoying the position of a guest of the Club? And was he identical with the Captain Simson who appeared to be

enjoying himself in the birdcage at tll6 Waverley meeting on Labour Day? Desert Gold's 'triple victory at Eiecarton last week, together with her wins iu the Hawke's Bay Stakes and Champion Plate, raise her winnings to nearly three thousand pounds for the last two months. She is engaged in practically every weight-for-age race of importance this season, and on present form should win whatever they send her for. A nice, handy sort of lilly she is to have about [ the place! | After winning the Canterbury Cup Warstep continued on for half a mile, so there can bo nothing wrong with her breathing apparatus. She was badly shut-in in the Gold Cup on Saturday, otherwise she might have given Desert Gold a better race, AVelcorne Nugget's share a't Eiccarton was a first and si brace of seconds. Strange, to say, the second dividends were better than the first. According to a southern writer, Country Belle's performance in winning the New Zealand Trotting Cup was 'the best yet seen at Addington, and her effort stamps her as the best pacer in the Dominion at the present time. Another writer, however, sta'tes that the honors of the race rested with Our Thorpe. Through some misunderstanding at the start his driver was late in bringing his charge up to the post, witli the result that the son of O.Y.M. was fully three seconds behind his right bell. The latter writer would appear to hold the big end of the stick, for Our Thorpe decisively beat Country Belle over a mile and a quarter in the Free-for-all on the second day of the fixture.

The Marlborough meeting is attracting little interest outside Blenheim. Fields are not large, and the Taranaki horses entered were not paid up for. Aruake won the Cooper Hurdle Race on Saturday very easily. He was in front half a mile from home, and altogether his performance was a distinct improvement on his first day's form. The ex-Taranaki horse Encore won the Cressy Welter very comfortably. Second place saw Scadown, Gold Soul't, Charlotte, and Tree Lucerne all finishing in a heap. Three tried to win the Members' Handicap from end to end, but Chakwana and Bee drew up in the straight. A stirring finish saw Chakwana beat Bee by a neck, with Three (appropriately enough) a head away third.

Thirteen fliers lined up for'the Electric Plate, Nystad being favorite. Tatterley and Veronal were in front early, but Tete-a-tete caught them inside the distance and won by a length from Veronal, with Tatterley a similar distance away third. Bimeter, Nystad, and Sweet Tipperary finished next. If Three had been reserved for this event the winner would not have been hard to pick.

Halina, winner of the Seymour Handicap, is a three-year-old filly by VarcoTemba, both parents being English-bred. She is a good sort, and should win a better race shortly.

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