SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 April 1916, Page 8

SPORTING.

WAIMATE TROTS. " ' ■ By Telegraph. —Press Association, Hawera, Last Night. The following are the acceptances:— AUR.OA HANDICAP. Miss Havoc scr., Stratetgy, Meadow, Wild Daisy, Tim .Walkin, Orangeman 4sec, Proud Bess, Whiil'ler Boy, Fair Puritan, Nukumai, Lincoln Star, Zambok, Chumwood, Commanding Girl, Xavier, La Bassee 8. NORMANBY HANDICAP.--.Bpbalink ssec, Greywood 0, Lady Sefton 7, Tattles, Her'iot, OUT I), Rio Grande, Hanruia 10, Bellagana, Maud H. 11. WAIMATE PLAINS CUP. Huia Gray «sec, Stone Beldon 10, Celtic ,13, Tod Bells 14, Flora Tracey 15, Imperial Princess, St. Leo" 1(1, Rexcordium, Nancy Patch, Tim Doolan 17. TARANAKI HANDICAP.-Cliff scr.; Capelose 2sec, Proud Bess, Whiffler Boy, Mawhiti, La Bassee 12, Takaka, Jimmie, Peralta, Highland Mary, Norsemaid, Miri, Motamai, Albert Chain 15. MANAIA HANDICAP.—Huia Gray, Prinzora scr., Stone Beldon 3sec, Troubador, Celtic, Flora Tracey 5, Imperial Princess. St. Leo ti, Rexcordium, Little Bess 7, Bobolink 9. HAWERA HANDICAP—Tod Bells scr., Parole Bells, Greywood (isec, Monsoon 10, Tattles, Lavinia, Cliff 12, Leo Grande 14. STRATFORD HANDlCAP.—Tronbador 4sec, The Weaver 11, Miss Havoc IS, Strategy Bell, Meadow. Orangeman, Wild Daisy, Tim Wilkin 22. ELTHAJf HANDICAP—CeItic scr., Tronbador lsec., Rexcordium, Tim Doolan 4, Bobolink, Nancy Patch, Manscienita 5, Lady Sefton, The Weaver 7, General Advance S, Tattles, Lavinia 9, Hatirhva 10, Maud H., Ardath, Bellgana U. TURF TOPICU (By "Moturoa.") Egmont entries, totalling 282, and averaging 20 per heat, put in the shade all previous "iiguars"—as the Parisian modistes say—for a Hawera winter meeting, and if Secretary Tnrton got writer's cramp on Monday evening It was not to be wondered at! It is pleasing to' note that the generous actions of racing clubs in helping along the various patriotic funds is being heartily supported by the rank and file of racehorse owners and the public generally. Readers of the "News" sporting columns may think that this scribe is harping too frequently on the old. frayed-out string, but when one reads pars such as have been going the rounds since the totalisator turnover showed a drop at the Manawatu autumn meeting one cannot refrain from striking up a lively tune when patriotic meetings are in the boom. Quite a lot might be written of the Manawatu meeting, which, by the way, was not by any means a failure. In the first place "complimentaries" were not issued, and many big punters (whose purses are bigge; than their hearts—if they possess such things!), geve the gathering the go-bye. In addition, the presence of Desert Gold reduced two events to a farce, less than one hundred pounds being invested on the Gold Cup, and quite a trifling amount on the Manawatu Stakes on the second day. The weather was not by any means Bates' best, and the downfall of many solidly supported "morals" divided the investments of the many into the dividends of the few. Palmeiston, like any other town, owes its prosperity to the earnings of its backblocks, and any Augustus Algernon—though ignorant of the bracing properties of a "Starboard Light," or the soothing sensation of an Ardath, or >vho jiasn't even heard ol Desert Gold—will tell you that flax isn't booming in the Manawatu this season; that the "sodgers" camp isn't there this year, and that most of the good sports are away in Pharoah's sunny land; in the country of the "steaka d'oyst" person; or "somewhere in France," taking a hand in the greatest struggle of ours or any time. But to get back to those Egmont entries. Hack events have drawn immense entries, hurdle races ditto, and open events just fair. The "big horses'' engaged include Rewi Poto, Leonta, Harbour Light, Los Angelos. Play Oil'. Tree Lucerne, Awahou, Astor, Lord Lupin, Zetes, etc. The hurdlers are also a good lot, Parawanni, Queen's Post. Collector, Crown Pearl, and others being entered. Writing from memory this scribe is doubtful whether Parawanni is eligible for "hacks." Perhaps his owner overlooked the conditions of •the stick events. The hack flat events have attracted practically every horse of that class in the province, as well as several from down the line. The handicapper will be busy when he comes to size up Coropet, Depredation. Ilnshman, Ticino. Royal Chef, Golden Grallon, Durane, Silver Web, etc. Taking the lists from all points of the compass there should be fine racing at Hawera on Mav 10th and 11th.