SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 August 1916, Page 7

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. Aug. 20—Pakuranga Hunt Annual Aug. 30-Manawatu Hunt Steeples. Aug. 31.—North Tnranaki Hunt Steeples Sept. C—Marton J.C. Spring. Sept. 13—Pahiatua E.G. Annual. Sept. 13, 10.—Avondale J.C. Spring Sept. 21, 23.—Wangamii J.C. Spring. ROYAL RUFUS.-Australian-N.Z. Cable Association. Sydney, August 23. Mr. Currie intends to race Royal Rufus in New Zealand. The horse was shipped yesterday. TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") A final reminder is given to racehorse owners and trainers that acceptances for all events to be decided at the North Taranaki Hunt meeting on J'hursday next close to-night at 9 o'clock. The weights appear to have given general satisfatcion, and Mr. E. Humphries should be kept busy this evening. Ar- ; | rrangeinents are well in hand for Thursday's meeting and those who attend are assured of a good day's sport. The trio of Taranaki-owned horses entered for the New Zealand Cup are particularly well treated by the handicapper, though with the exception of Welcome Nugget their chances do not appear dazzling. Welcome Nugget has got in a' 191bs under weight-for-age, and Maniaroa and Kirunga at 3Glbs and 131bs under, respectively. Trainer "Dick" Johnson has a big string of horses in work, including two of Mr. E. Short's. Record Breaker, by Advance—Lake Placid, is a likely looking sort, and, of course, the stable "crack," Rewi Poto, is looking in the pink or condition. With several promising maidens in commission, Johnson should have a good innings this season. A down the line publican has a good story to tell. On the evening prior to the Grand National Hurdles there was a big crowd of stock buyers; all "hard beads," who reckoned they could "pick the race in one." The discussion became animated, cheque books were produced, and as the result of a dozen or so side wagers the publican was called in as stake holder. Excitement ran high, until next day, when the result came through. Then the publican had the pleasure of handing back each "know all" his own cheque. Between the lot of them they didn't pick a .placed horse!

Marton weights are now attracting a good deal of local attention. A large number of Taranaki horses are likely to sport silk at the gathering, and on paper Harbor Light and Lady Amai (in the Marten Handicap); Depredation and Rewi Poto (in tho Railway), and Crawford, Analogue, and Captain Miro (in the minor events), appear to be nicely treated. Keep it dark! George Nieholls is "warming up" Hot Cross Bun (by Formby) at Inglewood, and when the "dough" is in H.C.B. will just "cake it." After all there are some drawbacks in such a cognomen as Hot Cross Bun. There are no races on Good Friday, and possibly by Easter Monday, the Bun will have gone stale! New York was sold tbe other day for 500gns. Well sold, I should say. Another member of the same team, Awahon, was also sold to a South Canterbury sportsman. The principal winning owners at the Grand National meeting were: T. Wilson £IOSO, G. Fulton £987, F. Armstrong £BIO, A. Carroll £420, J. J. Corry £385, "Mr. -Loring" £3BO, N. Brown £350, Hunt Bros., £350, and T. Welch £3OO. , Okaihau is jumping with all his old cleverness, and should show up at the Pakuranga Hunt meeting to-day. Desert Gold and Egypt are in steady work again. The champion mare has wintered well, and promises to make things warm in the w right-for-age line this season.

Marton was served up a very warm favorite in the Daiinevirke Steeplechase on Wednesday, but the winner turned up in Lady Bibbero, who showed such good form at the National meeting. The race was a chapter of mishaps, Segis and Surtax falling at the first fence, and Kew carrying Marton off at the next. Fond Memory then fell while leading, and Kirkby came to grief at the same obstacle. Lady Bibbero led over the last mile, and just had enough wind left tp reach the winning post. Bandalero, who was a bad second, could hardly raise a gallop; and Silver Monarch staggered home for third money. The soft going evidently suited Obiwia, and the public made the/ daughter of Elysian a strong order. She and Master Achilles (another mud lark) had the finish to themselves. During the journey there was a lot of bumping, Montana in particular being a sufferer thereby. A big field of seventeen lined up for the Trial Stakes. Rio was said to be the "pea," but was well beaten after getting out well. A good finish saw A. Oliver push Bayswater home a head in front of Lady Edith, who beat Royal Park by half a length. Then came Rio. Orleans, Los Angelos, and Amical were absentees from the Otanga Handicap, the public going for Goldcnlyte and St. Omer. The favorites were never in it, Merrie Gain and Rouinania going to the front and staying there. Les. Traill had a most uncomfortable ride on Mt. Victoria* at Daiinevirke. The prad got left at the post, but setting sail after the field got over two fences only to fall at the next. Traill suffered injuries to his hand. Ormcsby and Hymen fell, and Bon Reve, who would have been second, got tied up in a gap in the last fence and was knocked about somewhat,