SPORTING;

Taranaki Daily News, 2 February 1921, Page 3

SPORTING;

THE TARANAKI MEETING. PROSPECTS FOR TO-DAY. (Notes by “Moturoa.”) The flags will be flying at New Plymouth to-day and to-morrow, the Taranaki Jockey Club’s autumn meeting being the attraction. •Special trains will bring patrons from all parts of the province, and the influx of visitors from Auckland' Hawke’s Bay and other parts promises to make the attendances very large. Fields are fairly good all round, and the secretary, Mr. E. P. Webster, and his confreres have everything in apple pie order for the meeting. The course is in fine trim. In fact, at the present time it has no equal—either for beauty or for good racing—in the Dominion. The club is to be congratulated on 4 the class of horses attracted to the meeting; a fitting tribute to good management and the adoption of goaliead policy in recent years. Much credit is due to the gentlemen at present holding the reins of control, and their efforts deserve all success. Given fine weather, it appears likely that the meeting will be a record one in all respects.. To-day’s racing commences at noon with the Waitara Hack Hurdles, one mile and three-quarters, which has drawn a field of half a dozen. Ngakanui is top weight with 'll.lo, which unay anchor him, despite his staying powers. Te Toa (10 9) will have more friends, and should run a good race, but the pick of the handicap appears to be the uncertain Kipling, who jumps well, but has to be taken on chance for a generous showing. Applaud may be the best of the others.

The Juvenile Handicap, five furlongs, closed with eight acceptors, of which Tommy Rot, Truthful and Oranga have recent form in their favor. Tommy Rot is affected in the wind, but given a fine, clear day, he can be depended upon to run a fast “five.’’

Nine remain in the Mimi Welter Handicap, seven furlongs, and of these Egunont Park and Mangawa! are engaged in other events. Simonides, Delight, Kareao, and Haversack will all have supporters, but absolute favoritism' should be between the two top-weigths, with possibly Simonides public choice. ,/

A small, but select field will contest the T anakl Cup, one mile and a quarter, and each of six acceptors is of good quality. Surveyor. who beat Arrowsmith and other smart ones in the Stead Memorial Cup, run over the same distance, is the aristocrat of the sextet, and it is to be hoped that to will be sent to the post. Even with 9.11, a weight that has only once been carried to victory before in.the race, and that by Lady Medallist in 1911, Surveyor must be given a great show. His last run was the Stewards' Handicap at Takapuna on Wednesday, when he finished fast in third place, and the gallop should do him good. Volo’s form at Trentham was excellent, and Marqueteur is also in good fettle. If the pace is on all the way Warplane may not get the full ten furlongs, though he is a greatly Unproved horse, but unfortunately unsound. Rose Wreath has not been asked to do much lately, but 80-peep should hold her safe When the tote bells stop ringing Surveyor and Volo should be heaviest supported. The Moturoa Electric Hack Race, flve> furlongs, sixteen very moderate horses figure. With a start in. Aotearoa, Festive, and Top Dog should show up. Seven remain in the Flying Handicap, six furlongs, and possibly half a dozen will go to the post. Silver Link carries weight well, and 9 8 may not stop her. However, Blackmail (7.13), Income (6 10) and Solfanello (8.9) can all go very fast, and possibly Blackmail, who is a greatly improved filly, may prove equal to beating the flying mare. Of the eleven engaged in the Okato Handicap, one mile and 110 yards. Lord Ast lea (on Foxton form) must command respect, though Prodigal is sure to run a great race. The Timaru Hack Handicap, six furlongs, promises to attract the biggest field of the day. Canzonet, who was unlucky to only gain second money on the concluding day at Trentham, Malingerer, a treble winner at the Christmas and New Year meeting in Taranaki, and Irapuka should all find good backing. Weights for the second day of the Taranaki meeting will be declared at 8 p.m. this evening, and acceptances close at 9.30 p.m. The Taranaki Trotting Club’s annual meeting takes place at New Plymouth on Saturday next, and although the fields in one or two races are not as lafge as could have been wished, the majority of the events have filled well, and a good afternoon's sport is assured. The Taranaki Trotting Club is “game” in running a non-totalisator meeting, and is deserving of the support of all sportsmen. First favorites were much in evidence at Pahiatua on Saturday Idle Talk winning the Cup, Sweet Memory the President’s Handicap, Passenger the Welter Hack Handicap, and Elcullus the Konini Hack Handicap, while Sunbath and Kildee returned second dividends. The most popular win of the day was that of Passenger, whose owner, Mr. S. V. Rodney, is very popular in Pahiatua. Local sports have followed the Formby gelding consistent-; ly, and must be well ahead of it In consequence. The Canterbury Jockey Club’s summer meeting has slumped until it is now purely a local affair, and a. very unild one at that. On Saturday last the tote investments only reached £2.0,016. which does not compare favorably vtith Opunake’s £29.970 1 There was a slight demonstration against Larkspur (The Lark—Gauze) when that gelding strolled homo an easy winner in the MaKuri Hack Handicap at Pahiatua, after previously finishing outside a place in the Hack Flying. One often hears a horse called a harsh name, but a Manawatu paper went the limit when it (inadvertently perhaps) referred to Larkspur as a “eh. b.” Tho Gisborne summer meeting takes place on Thursday and Saturday. Big fields are carded for all first day’s events. AUSTRALIAN WEIGHTS, By Telegraph —Press Assn—Copyright. Received Feb. 1, 7.15 pm. Melbourne, Fab. 1. Weights for the Newmarket Handicap place Eurythmic top with 9.12. No New Zealand horses have entered. In the Australian Cup Eurythmic is topweight. with 9.9, and Pinmark carries 8.9. Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.