SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 July 1922, Page 3

SPORTING.

TRENTHAM TRAINING NOTES. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, July 5. A heavy fog hung over the course this morning and practically suspended fast work and jumping. A large number of over-night arrivals from -north and south put in «n appearance. • TURF TOPICS. (By “Moturoa.”) Fewer Taranaki sports than usual will "do” the Wellington winter meeting this year, which necessitates an absence from home of eleven days, the club racing on Saturday, Wednesday and Saturday, instead of (as last year) on the latter two days. Possibly our Wellington friends are to be commended for putting on an extra day for charitable purposes, but the gathering is too long drawn out, and racing on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday would Have atlfradtedi a. greater number of "outsiders.”

The principal event on Saturday is, of course, the Wellington Steeplechase, which was last year held on the second day of the meeting. The second "leg” of the double, the Winter Hurdle Race, was run on the opening day last year, but this time has been relegated to the third day, and in this connection it appears to be a mistake to declare weights for the race when the majority of the likely runners will have their form exposed in 'the Trentham Hurdle Race (run on the first day), the conditions of penalties only . applying to horses that have won "any race or races on the same day.”

Taranaki stables are not strongly represented at the Wellington meeting, though a glance through The records shows that our teams, though numerically small, have generally picked up a good stake or two at the gathering. Last year Alteration won the Winter Hurdles; Silent Dick won two hack steeplechases; and Kareao earned second money, and incidentally returned a nice dividend. In 1919 Rewi Poto won the Final Hurdles; the little fancied Paddington Green ran two seconds; and Paraoa finished third in the Winter Hurdles. In 1918 Royal Park won the Te Aro Handicap; Delage gained a second; and Piano a third. The previous year Iceberg landed the Jumpers’ Flat Handicap, and Lady Beaufort (second), and Rewi Poto (third) got amongst the money. The writer will be excused if he goes back further—to 1916—which saw Taranaki In the ascendant. Bisogne won the Liverpool and Onsldw Handicaps that year; Patronymic the Corunna and Talavera Hurdle Races; while Darby Paul (two seconds). Harbour Light (a second and a third). Maid o’ Gowrie (second), and Styrax (second), all did yoeman service.

At the forthcoming meeting Taranaki ' does not.claim a single representative in the Wellington -Steeplechase, but Volo, Alteration, Kareao, Polthogue. Ngakanui, Hipo, Cold Steel, Stork, Big Push, Banogue and one or two others will be on hand for various minor events, and possibly a.’ fair share of the stakes will find their way into Taranaki accounts.

The mortal remains of the late Mr. W. J. Phillips were followed to the grave at Sanson on Monday last by the largest crowd of sportsmen friends ever congregated in the district. As showing the respect in which the late gentleman was held, it may be mentioned that there were amongst the . followers representatives of every racing club on the coast. Mr. "Tom” Cameron, of New Plymouth, was there, as well as Hawera, Waverley, Marton, Hunterville, Bulls, Pending. Palmerston and Woodville “sports,” and numerous wreaths came from outside sources. In the demise of “Billy” Phillips the racing world suffered a grevio.us loss. Latest. Sydney papers report that the New Zealander Chrysostom (Demosthenes — Golden Ball) was sent out a prime favorite for the Maiden Hurdle Race, which he won at Williamstown on June 24. Weighted at 9.9, and having the services of the erstwhile New Zealander Stan. Reid, Chrysostom took the lead five furlongs from home, and ran in an easy winner by eight lengths, in 3min. 44 sec. for the two unlles. By the way, Sydney papers give Chrysostom’s dam ns Golden Bell, whereas he was the third foal of Golden Ball (4), by Gold Reef—Pearl Shot, by Torppdo—pearl Powder, by Captivator—Pearl Ash (imp.), by Lord Clifden. Golden Ball was bred by Mr. G. P. Donnelly in 1998, and her other foals were Sweet Tipperary (by King’s Guest) and Demoiselle (by Demosthenes). Chrysostom was bred by Mrs. Perry, and is rising five years, so that he should have many seasons of usefulness before him. Mr. George Price was farewelled at Palmerston on Tuesday evening, on the eve of his departure for Australia. There was a large and representative gathering of owners, trainers, jockeys, and the general sporting public. Mr. “Ted” Leyden occupied the chair, and he and Messrs. E. J. Barnes, W. I. Lovelock, C. P. Nash and D. ' O’Reilly (owners) ; E. Watson (for the trainers) ; and J; Turner and J. (rmawetuag th*

business section of the community), spoke in the highest tenms of the respect in which Mr. Price was held. “George” was a popular and successful horseman, and afterwards a successful trainer. For thirteen years he acted as mentor In Mr. Goring Johnson’s. (“Highden”) stable, during which time he prepared winners of £38,000 in stakes. On behalf of his sporting friends Mr. C. PNash presented the departing guest with a handsome Maori greenstone tiki. Mr. Price suitably responded, and when the crowd rose to sing "For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” you could have heard the noise in Opunake. Reported from Foxton that Amythas- appears to be quite sound again. The old crack Is to go Into work at Otaki, and provided all goes well with him, he may be measuring strides with Gloaming in November. Wrangle put up a great gallop at Hastings on Saturday, and though well catered for as regards weight, will carry a. ton of Hawke’s Bay money in his Trentham engagements.

Lady Jellicoe was amongst the number mounted, which followed the Rangitikei hounds pn Monday and again yesterday. Her Ladyship rides side-saddle, but no fence daunts her, and her fearless horsemanship (or is it horse-woman-ship?) earned her universal admiration.

Passenger is in the boom, for Wellington, and rumour says that the Formby gelding will have the services of Alan McDonald in the Vittoria Hurdle Race on Saturday. Fiscom, who won the V.R.C. Grand National Hurdle Race on Saturday, is out of the New Zealand-bred enare Lady Fisher, by Cuirassier' —Lady Emmeline, by Somnus F;-,nny Fisher, so that the victory had a New Zealand favour. At latest advices Fiscom and Hol sei, who ran first and selcond, were equal favorites for the race. Mountain God has only to win the V.R.C. Grand National Steeples on Saturday next to give “the ring” a very bad thrashing.