SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 April 1916, Page 8

SPORTING.

TURF TOPIC'S. (By "Moluroa.") The Manawatu Racing ClubV autumn meeting takes place at Awapuni to-daj anil to-morrow. First day's acceptances are • vury big, but possibly failures' at Trentham may result in several horses being scratched for Ralmcrstoii engagements. The chief draw of the meeting will be the battle between Desert Gold and Eligible in the Awapuni Gold Cup. Both horses showed fine form at Trentliam, and though few people will be prepared to see Desert Gold's long list of winning performances broken, the contest promises to be full of interest. Olenorehy and Tararua Jack are engaied in the Karere Hurdles, and this pair will probably carry mo?t money. The ground will be ratlier too hard for Aruake.

The Autumn Handicap will see I>nnta, Montana, Multiply, Sir Alba, Adjutanv, and other good performers in action. Recent form should send Adjutant out favorite, but pood reports come to hand of Leonta's track work, and he may trouble the southerner.

The Linton Welter will be an interesting race, if Cello, Cleft, and Spain so to the riost.

Seratehings may materially reduce the field for the IVoodhey Hack Handicap, though Revalenta, Golden Grafton, and Gang 'Awa are considered likely starters.

Tete-a-Tete has only to be produced in the Telegraph Handicap to command support. Astor may be the elect of the others. Winners at Trentham will be required to put up 101b extra at Awapuni to-day.

Mr. 11. Brinkman's handicaps for the Waimate Plains Trotting Club's meeting arc due to-morrow. Bill Price had Dip mount on Vladian in the Jumpers' Flat Race at Trentlmm on Saturday, and after riding a waiting raee and keeping well clear of trouble at the turns he had no difficulty in landing his mount a winner by a couple of lengths from Harbor Light". The latter is not.nearly ready, and it, says little for the field that an odds-on shot like Vladian can hold it at any stage of the distance.

Taringamutn could not finish under a welter weight in the Hutt Handicap, and it fell to the sixth favorite of the field of seven to gain first berth. This was Ormond's Hygia, who showed vast, improvement on her, recent form, and won very easily. Sea Down was voted a "moral" for the Muritai Handicap, but Deeley got HcelTap out smartly, and the bay gelding downed the favorite rather ras:;y. Sea Down is capable of much improvement however, and is worth watching. The Autumn Handicap saw the betting remarkably even. The winner, Adjutant, was only sixth choice, but the. dividend attached thereto was nothing to write home about. Adjutant was always handy, and when G. Clarke gave him liis head at the distance he went on and beat Montana (favorite) by a length. Red Ribbon, a chestnut filly by Elevation—Blue Ribbon, ran a fine race and was only beaten by half a length for second money. Multiply was fourth.

Hyllus flattered a whole army of punters right up to the distance in the two-year-old event, but both Cease Fire and Bjomeborg finished faster, the Highdcn youngster winning comfortably. The Trentham Gold Cup was merely a procession, Eligible leading from end to end and winning in a common canter.

Astor had'the services of O'Sliea in the Suburban Handicap, and was served up very warm. Hyginas and tlie favorite were first into the straight proper, but the little fancied Battle Eve came to light with a brilliant sprint and won toy a good margin from Hyginas, who just pipped Astor. The defection of Shrill and other early fancies let Ohiwai in the place of honor in the Belmont Handicap. The hot stiifr was always handy, and won without ail effort from Lady Black and a poor lot. Tame Duck is "cronk" in the legs, and on her form at. Trentham should be renamed "Lame Duck."

Amongst the entrants for the Fcilding Cup are: Rewi Poto, Harbor Light, Maid o' Oowrie, Maniaroa, and Analogue. Astor, Tree Lucerne, Tirana, Pntronale and Calais figure in the Mangaone Stakes; Simple Sam, Zetes, Florist and Royal Simon in the Hack Hurdles, and Dood, Vcstalis, Belle Paul, Captain Miro, Analogue, Royal Chef, C'oropet, Durane, Veto, Antwerp, Tieino, Bisogne, Paraoa, Kaniki, Crawford, Ineurn, Wild Lupin and others in tlie minor fint events. Taranaki i 9 well represented.