SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 December 1918, Page 8

SPORTING.

■1 AUSTRALIAN RACING. I A JUDGE'S MISTAKE. '• Received Dec. 22, 5.5 p.m. Sydney, Dec. 22. The principal events at the A.JC. meeting resulted:— HURDLE RACE.—British Arch 1, Larabine 2, Basilic 3. Won by two lengths. Time, 3s 4isec. VILLIERS STAKES.—Rebus 3, Weddinv Day 2, PFanacre 3. Won by two lengths. Time, lrain olisecThe Viliiors Stakes produced an extraordinary incident, Owing to the confusion of colors, the judge placed Panacre third, wherea? Sydney Damsel was actually third and Panacre was about fourteenth.' The mistake was not noticed in time to rectify it. The time U a record for the race, and equalled the Australian mile record.

T.J.O. CHRISTMAS MEETING. Given a continuance of the present fine weather, tiie forthcoming meeting of the Taranaki Jockey Club on Boxing Day is certain to prove a record meeting in the history of this progressive club. During the past year, as visitors will be able to note, various improvements have been effected at the course and'its appointments. The course itself is in splendid order, whilst other improvements include the drive at the entrance, the enlargement of the paddoek for parking cars by the removal of the caretaker's cottage, and the erection of a new concrete bungalow in a commanding position. Other improvements include the provision of two 10s windows for totalisator patrons on the lawn. Nothing has been left undone by the committee and the painstaking secretary (Mr. E. P. Webster) that could ensure the comfort of patrons on the day. The catering is in the hands of Mr. Wooller, the tea kiosk under the control of Mn. May (of May and Arrowsmith)), and the refreshment booth will be again run by Mr E. Whittle. Train arrangements should prove very suitable for South Taranaki patrons, as, in addition to the usual 7.25 a.m. from Hawera, a special train will leave Hawera at 7.55 a.m., arriving at N*w Plymouth at 115. In the evening trains will leave New Plymouth at 5.25 and 6 o'clock.

The acceptances in every event ensure good fields, whilst the handicapping appears to have brought the horses well together, and so should ensure splendid racing. Mr. A, Morse will officiate at the (starting barrier, and Mr. J. R. LStanford v;i!l occupy the judge's box, so that these responsible positions are in safe hands. .

A special feature of the meeting will be the musical programme, which is being provided by the Citizens' Band, the conductor of which (Mr. McLeod) has prepared a most pleasing programme.

EGMONT R.C. SUMMER MEETING. The programme for the Egmont R.C summei meeting appeir* in this, issue, and as it has again been framed on liberal lines, £4195 being given in stakes on the two days, it should receive attention from owners and trainers. The principal events are the Cup I £600) and Plying. (£300) on the first day, and the Atkinson .Memorial Stake 3 ( £500) and Waimate Handicap (£250) on lhe second day, in addition to the classic race set down for each day Nomina-' tiens for. the races,' which are to be held on February 12 and 13, close with the secretary, Mr. V. B. Stratton) on January 17, at 8 pm. RACING FIXTURES. '

Dec. 26—Taranaki J.C. Christmas. Dec. 2(5, 27—Manawatu E.G. Summer. Dec. 26, 23, Jan, 1, 4—Auckland R.C. Summer. Jan. I—Stratford EC. Annual. Jan, I—Marton J.C Summer. « ; TURF TOPICS. (By "Moturoa.") After a spell of about seven weeks. horse-owners and turf patrons will be well catered for at the holiday meetings Commencing on next, there will be 15 race meetings for gallopers and 12 for harness hffrses within the week, the number of racing days aggregating 38. From Auckland to Invercargill the sport of kings will be in full swing, offering pleasure, excitement, and the best ol health-giving, fresh-air sport to hundreds of thousands. And what Better recreation is there? Matters in connection with the Taran&ki Jockey Club's Christmas meeting bear a rosy appearance, and a record gathering on Thursday is anticipated The acceptances received for the various events are very good, and read as follows: —Huatoki Plate 23, Stewards' Handicap 10, Hurdles 13, Borough Handi cap 19, Christmas Handicap 11, Lepperton Welter 18, Tikorangi Stakes 18, and Flying Handicap* 13. A good class of horses is engaged, and with winners" well concealed, splendid racin" is assured. In this week's Xew Referee appear a belated article lifted from the Bloodstock Breeders' Review of July. 1918, which professes to be an English opinion of the Biplane incident at Awapuni- The writer frankly admits that lie is not wholly conversant with v dctails of the incident, but nevertheless he gets off his chest some foolish remarks about "the hasty and ill-considered action of the Manawatu stewards," -'the sufficient excus:" of R. J. Mason, and "the longclaimed rights of the public which they do not possess." This article, by the way, is published as an advertisement:, by wham it may easily be guessed, but its production at this late stage missss its purpose, and only erves to resurrect Sn unsportsmanlike affair that was better lying dormant. The owners of Hyginns, 'White Ranger, and Army Service elected to new their ."barges at Awapuni on 80-am; Day In preference to 'New Plymouth. Neither one of the trio has so far shown more than moderate form up to the present, and their chances here looked better than at Awapuni. Biplane has been purchased by Murray Hobbs on behalf of an Australian sportsman, and will be put into work pending shipment to 'Strdlia. The price is not mentioned.

The Tauhcrenikon-lrained Mouiac and Occasion ivill race lierc this week. The former won three races last season, ami Occasion had her number hoisted once Both aye fairly speedy, and their work has been of ,tfie promising order lately. Otara is reported to be jumping in .STeat style, and the chestnut son of fiazeley may keep the hurdlers busy at Awapuni—that is, all but Zola. Sasanof is reported to be goin<: 17611, and, in company with Lady flail and a Demosthenes filly, was slugged to Auck-

land on Wednesday. The New Zealand Cup winner's lamenes3 appears to be a myth. If the writer was asked a horse to follow during the holidays, he would promptly mention Torfreda. The daugh-ter-tif Hymettus has only 7-12 in the Fitzherbert Handicap at Awapuni, and 7.13 in the Railway at Marton. It is seven years since <in Auckland horse was successful in the Auckland Cup, and the northern horses engaged this year are a poor crowd. Achilleus ha 3 been disqualified for the race he won at Winton, being noneligible through having run out of hacks. The race has been awarded to Kiimeedy, but the crowd behind Achilleus got away with the substantial dividenr;, .which is some consolation.

Gazique is galloping so well that lie looks like winning a race at Ellerslie, though it may not be the Railway Handicap. Whatever heats Onslaught will have to he fitted with wings,

Tlic veteran Blackall is said to be pleasing trainer, Harry Hickey, and the disappointing son of All Black and La Notte is to contest the Auckland Cup Blackall is in his seventh year. The Oaks winner, Punka, is breaking the watches at Riccarton, and promises to run prominently at Dunedin and luvercargill. This year's Wanganui Cup stake remains at 1000 sovs, but an all-roupd increase in the minor events will be made, principal ; of which is the Flying Handicap, which has been raised from £SOO to £6OO.

Harry Rayner is bringing Starengo and Carmel Arch up to the Taranaki meeting. Both horses have been working well at Wanganui. Hiero is an unlikely starter here this week. The Hierarch gelding will rae*e at Dunedin.

The erstwhile New Zealander, Canute, was sold by auction in 'Stralia the other day, and changed hands at 14% guineas —not the price of a decent cow! It is a long while since Robur won a race, but they are keeping her up in the weights.

Racehorse nomenclature as met with at "the smalls" at holiday time:—The Nark, Cowspanker, American Beauty, Young Weary, Odd Socks, The Tank, Strop, Waihine Pie, Good Defence, First Carbine, Lord Agapgnthus, etc.

Sir Solo won the Grafton Hurdle Race at Ellerslie last year, carrying 10.11This time the veteran has only lib more to carry. It is reported that C. Browne is to have the mount on Rose Pink in tho Auckland Cup. Claude won the race on Santa Rosa in 1911. Other previous winners who are engaged to ride next week are B. Deeley (Putty), C. Emerson (Warstep), and R. Reed'(Depredation). In the past 17 years the Auckland Cup has been wou by four-year-olds on no les than 11 occasions. Bonnie Maia. Kilrush, and Bingham are the four-year-olds engaged this year. Ariel and Nelson each placed three Auckland Cups to their credit, while Blue Jacket and All Red scored twice. Nowadays the handicappers "murder" a horse, that wins a New Zealand or an Auckland Cup.