SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 March 1916, Page 7

SPORTING.

. RACING FIXTURES. March 11.-Napier Park R.C., Autumn. March Ifi, 17 —Ifa'iterton K.C., Autumn. March }7.-opunake KG., ?»i.unJ. March 22, 23,-Rangitikei R.C., Annual. March 29.—Pahiatua R.C., Annual. April 6, B.—Wellington R.C., Autumi. THE OPUNAKIi MEETING. On Friday next, March 17, the Opuliake Racing Club's annual meeting will take place at Pihama. Always a "popular gathering, this year's fixture promises to be a, most enjoyable one, and a, big attendance iB expected. The acceptances and general entries are very good, and some interesting racing may be expected there on Friday. Those who make the trip may rest assured that Secretary P. S. Riley and his fellow-workers will do their best to make the gathering an enjoyable one for all concerned. ~ TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") The Napier Park autumn meeting will be concluded to-day. It looks odds on that Murt Gardiner will lead in a winner at Opunake. Bivouac has been schooled lately, and fences very well for a beginner. Martial Air won a double at both Dannevirke and Nelson. Four wins on end is not a bad record. The Wanganui Jockey Club paid nearly three thousand pounds in Government tax over the recent autumn meeting, and the profits (amounting to £1043), were allocated to the various patriotic funds as follows: £SOO to the Y.M.C.A. War Fund, £IOO to the local Returned Soldiers' Club, £IOO to the Salvation Army War Fund, and the balance ( £343) to the British Red Cross Society. _ And yet the kill-sports reek#n that racing should be discontinued. Peronilla's victory in the Peninsula Cup was of the simplest possible order. Charlie Emerson rushed her to the front at barrier rise, and completely losing her opponents she won pulling up by eight lengths. Mr. Nidd's mare was never reckoned much of a stayer, but she ran the ten furlongs in 2.85, which was a good gallop for the course. When does a colt cease to be a colt, or rather, when does a colt become a horse? At the Wanagnui trots the other day the- official card described as a "colt" an old neddy which had (weathered no less than twenty-sixi summers, but by the look of him one would have thought that lie had struggled through twenty-six very bitter winters! Crossed the Great Divide at Palmerston recently, Edward ("Ned") Doyle, who was one of the best-known figures on New Zealand courses in his time. Deceased took ill on the second day of the Woodville meeting, and never recovered. "Ned" originally came from Melbourne, and his many friends will regret to hear of his death. The Palmerston jockey, A. Oliver, rode the winner of one of the trots at the Akaroa meeting recently, and is reported to have given a good exhibition of horsemanship. After all. the man who wins always does exhibit "good horsemanship"—according to the daily papers. Trainer F. D. Jones has not a very big team under his care, but he wins races regularly. One of his most consistent winners is the hurdler Bore, and inmates of his stable have won sixteen raoe"this season. "Freddie", made his name with Reputation, and he appears to be just as successful with leas brilliant cattle. A "hard head," Freidie, and they say he is putting his shekels aside for a rainy day. Balboa's half-brother, Bourlang, by Bezonian—Nerve, won the Federal Stakes at Caulfield on February JO, beating twenty-seven two-year-oils in good style. Bourlang was bred at Waikanae, and when sent across to the Sydney sales only fetched 250 guineas. Qllinn's Post is said to be galloping in fine style, and the touts are saving up in anticipation. Comment, winner of the Maiden at Dannevirke, is a half-sister to Deviation, being by Provocation—Wailethe. She came from a long way back, and won in promising fashion.