SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1923, Page 3

SPORTING.

THE CHRISTMAS CARNIVAL SEVEN RACE MEETINGS. -SPORT OPENS ON WEDNESDAY. (By ‘‘Moturoa.") Dec. 26.—Waipukurau J.C. Summer Dec. 26.—Kaikoura R.C. Annual. Dec. 26, 27.—Taranaki J.C. Christmas. Dec. 26, 27.—Dunedin J.C. Summer. Dec. 26, 27.—Westland R.C. Exhibition. Dec. 26, 27, 29.— Manawatu R.C. Summer. Dec. 26, 28, Jan. 1, 2.—Auckland R.C. Summer. Sportsmen throughout the Dominion will have plenty to engage their attention next week, the Christinas racing carnival being In full swing from one end of New Zealand to the other. Taranaki enthusiasts will be well supplied with sport in their own province, the Taranaki Jockey Club’s Christmas meeting promising to -be even more successful than past gatherings. Splendid fields are assured, and the quality of the runners is also good. The kcal course is in fine order for next week’s meeting, and patrons may rest assured that excellent sport will be provided.

Income and Kareao promise to take a big hand in the settlement of the open distance handicaps at New Plymouth, and in the open sprints Ecuador, Pouma and Snat.cher should ail show up. As usual, the hack events have all filled well, and the acceptors include most of the best hack performers on this coast, together with a strong Auckland contingent. Mr. Bert. -Coyle has done his work well, and punters will not have too easy a time on Boxing Day.

With Ngata out, and Admiral Codrington a doubtful starter, Mark Time looks to have a great chance at Manawatu, and his owner is admittedly very keen on winning such an important distance handicap. The chestnut has won up to a mile and three furlongs, outstaying Surveyor and other good horses at the finish, and the extra furlong should not trouble him If he is as fit as when he raced at Trentham. Rational is a great horse, with a big weight in a field of moderates, and It remains to be seen if 9.3 will stop him on the day. Re Is used to plenty of avoirdupois, and possibly he may pull through with flying colours.

‘ From Auckland we hear that Highland is going to be "hard” in the Cup. Southerners pin their faith to Ballymena and Roseday, and It is impossible to wean Taranaki sports oil Muraahi. By the way, I notice in an Auckland paper that J. Barry will ride Ballymena. This can hardly be- correct. Barry has been doing Mr. J. B. Qaisford’s riding lately, and Is more likely to be on Mark Time at Awapuni on Boxing Day. It is said-that A. McCormick will have the mount on Ballymena. Wanganui stables will be represented at New Plymouth by Malingerer, San Franette ans Gaiety Girl. Malingerer covered seven furlongs In Irnin. 33 4-ssec. one morning this week, and appears to be in good fettle. San Franette has been sprinting nicely, and may earn a stake before returning home. Gaiety Girl will contest hurdle events, but so far her efforts over sticks have not been brilliant.

Gaillard has been galloping well at Wanganui recently, and it is about time that the chestnut son of Absurd rewarded Mr. Alexander with a win. The two-year-olds engaged ?! Awapuni are not a good lot, ana the Wangn-ul trio. Gaillard, Slaosl and Dangle should prove as fit as anything engaged. The Aussie-bred Alfort. having opened his winning account in the Dominion, is likely to score again shortly. ’Stralian scribes marvel at the leniency shown to Alfort by New Zealand handicappers, but his showings in this ccuntry have been miles below his great form on the other side of the Tasman. Alfort will he ridden by R. McTavish in the Railway Handicap. 1 Trainer “Tom” Quinlivan has reached Ellerslie with Scion. Quest, Gazeworthy and Royal Divorce. The quartette looked and ran well at Woodville, and no fitter horses will be produced at the Auckland meeting. It is safe to say that Quinlivan will lead in more than one winner during the coming fortnight. The Auckland owner, Mr. Job. Gleeson, has applied for, and secured for racing purposes, the colours of the late Dan O’Brien. It is to ne hoped that bearers of the rose and black stripes will be more successful in the future than they were during the last few years of Dan’s long connection with tne turf. During the holidays Taranaki sports will probably make the acquaintance of the Eng-lish-bred Lapidary, which is owned and trained at Te Awamutu. Lapidnry star-tea on nearly a dozen occasions at two years in England, but failed to gain a place.

The recent rains have been welcome to those trainers faced with the difficulty of keeping tender footed equines on their feet at the holiday meetings. Black Ronald is one that comes under this category, the Aussie-bred colt being very sore. However, with the sting out of the ground, he may show up in the Great Northern Derby, in which he will be meeting Ballymena and Razzle Dazzle. One thing is certain, Black Ronald will find wauymena a much hotter proposition at Ellerslie than he dio at Riccarton. Mr. Angus Keith has been re-appointed starter to the Foxton Racing Club. Trainer E. Watson lias Birkte and Passionless going well at Awapuni, and the former in particular should race prominently at the forthcoming meeting. Another that is doing fine work at Awapuni is Island, In Rowley Hatch’s stable. Island has been racing consistently lately, and being well treated by tile handicappers, should not go through the holidays without earning a winning bracket or two. • Alaric and Velociform are likely to race at Stratford in the New Year. Both are very forward at present. Motley, Explorer and Battle Song are the Wanganui horses engaged at Ellerslie. Fordell will be represented by Inferno, Tukla, Enthusiasm, Para and Shiniug Armour. Lord Multifid is now under C. Coleman's care at Ellerslie, and is to be tried over hurdles. The winner of the Marton Cup secures a nandsomp silver cup In addition to £425 in stakes. It is quite on the cards that Mr. Jas. Bull will be after that cup.