SPORTING.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 December 1924, Page 5

SPORTING.

THE STRATFORD MEETING. WEIGHTS REVIEWED. (By "Moturoa.”) Saudi capper W. Russell had a wood lot of horaes to weight for the Stratford meeting, and naturally comparisons have been drawn between that gentleman’s adjustments and the handicaps declared by Mr. H. Coyle for the Taranaki Christ ma? meeting. However, winners at New Plymouth are liable to be re-handicapped for Stratford, so the public are left “guessing’’ until the Taranaki gathering is concluded. The principal distance handicaps at New Plymouth and at Stratford are run over a mile and a quarter. Tinokaha, who starts at ftst in the New Plymouth, gets into the Stratford Cup with 231 b less. Esthonia has 181 b less at Stratford; Irapuka and Black Cruiser 191 b; Glencairn and The Banker 201 b; Euchre 221 b; Abbey Bell 231 b; Glengariff 241 b; and Sunshot 251 b less. So Eethonia, „ Irapuka and Black Cruiser are more highly assessed by Mr. Russell, and Sunshot. Glengariff, Tinokaha and Abbey Bell less highly. On the whole, the two handicappers have not differed greatly in their opinions. Apart from the above horses engaged in both events, the Stratford Cup promises to attract fine horses like Admiral Cod ring ton, Avola, Stork and Correspondent, and, of the quartette, Admiral Codrington and Avola appear most dangerous at the weights. Sir Pam has got in nicely with 7.6, and, provided they escape re-handicaps, Tinokaha and Euchre should also run well. Mr. Russell's handicap appears to be a fine one, and thia year’s Cup race should prove a great attraction. A dozen horses claim engagements in the Flying Handicap at New Plymouth, and the Douglas Handicap at Stratford, both being run over six furlongs. Here again the two handicappers practically agree, as a glance at New Plymouth weights, with Stratford in parentheses will show:—Rational 9J (9.6), Orchid 8.0 (7.11), Waimatao 7.8 (7.11), Tinokaha 7.11 (7.0), Big Push 7.9 ((7.9.), Sunny Jim 7.*8 (73), Abbey Bell 7.5 (7.2), Black Cruiser 7.4 (7.0). Muria 7.0 (63). Hori 7.0 (6.9), Pagoda 6.7 (6.7), and Maunu 6.7 (6.7). On these figures Tinokaha and Orchid read well, but the elect of 0. Cox’s etafble and The Lamb will add t© the interest in the sprint. On recent form The Lamb and Orchid are nicely treated. The minor events at Stratford should all draw splendid fields. Blue Peter and Mountain Bell are well placed in the Tariki Welter; Miss Mickey in the Ohura Hack Hurdles; Roburite and Troilus in the Juvenile; Solferange and The Banker in the Midhirst Hack Handicap; and Rehntai and Papaponga in the Railway Hack Handicap. Acceptances for first day’s events are not due Until December 27.

SHRATFORD RACING CLUB. ?he nominations received by the >tratford Racing Club are very satisfactory, and present prospects are for good fields and interesting racing. At -considerable expense the club has improved the entrances to the racecourse, and traffic control has also received considerable attention. For patrons who will be arriving from the north by motor car provision has been made for entrance to the course via Flint Road and Tybalt Street. The south trafficwill enter the course via Broadway, ?enofbroke Road and the club's private road. An extra area of land has been tequired, and in consequence there thould be ample accommodation for prirate car patrons. A special taxi track >as been constructed, and patrons using •ocal taxi service will be deposited on die course at a convenient distance from she turnstiles. Admission to the outude lawn at the principal entrance will »e by three turnstiles, which can conveniently cope with one hundred patrons per minute. Correct change. 2s gentlemen, and Is ladies, will be required at the turnstiles, two for gentlemen and one exclusively for ladies. To avoid congestion on the taxi track patrons and taxi proprietors are requested io arrange for payment and collection fares before reaching the racecourse.

TROTTING. THE HAWERA CLUB. OFFICIALS APPOINTED. (From Our Own Reporter.) Hawera, Dec. 20. A special meeting of the Hawera Trotting Club was held last night to pass regulations controlling the admission of peraons to the racecourse as required by eeotion 33 of the Gaming Act. At a subsequent committee meeting the following officials were appointed for the season:—‘Handicapper, Mr. F. C. Thomas; starter, Mr. A. Morse; honorary judge, Mr. J. Gray; timekeepers, Messrs F. C. Ferry, R. Hicks, W. Slattery and T. F. Goddard; honorary veterinary surgeon, Mr. A. Bayly; honorary surgeons, Drs. J. MeGhie and W. M. ThomJon. The appointment of the totalisator supervisor, the catering and licensed booth were left in the hands of the executive with power “to act.

e TURF TOPICS. The condition of the popular little horseman, T. Tito, has been anxiously inquired about during the week by Taranaki eportsmen, and, while little news has filtered through from Hamilton, it is satisfactory to know that he is no worse, and, unless anything untoward happ?us, will soon be on the road to recovery. Little Tito is a great favourite everywhere, and his many admirers will wish him a speedy convalescence. •Considerable rain fell at Awapuni last week, and the tracks are greatly improved. Sunart’s chances in the Manawatu Cup are favoured by some, and Suggestion is a much discussed candilate in the Fitzherbert Handicap. Only seven have been paid up for in >e Tokomaru Hurdles at Awapuni, rhich points to this class of event being he weakest at the meeting. Waioeka bdc won once at Takapuna, and with ny luck would have repeated the dose F m the second day. With 10.5 his ■ jwner has every encouragement to r lake the trip to Palmerston. ’ The sprinters engaged at the Manama tu meeting are a fine lot, including

Peneus, Suggestion, Mireusonta, Master Sandstone, Startle, Lady Bentinck, Koodoo, The Lamb, etc. Suggestion is a really top-hole sprinter, and 9.2 may not trouble him. At the same time danger will threaten from Startle (7.13) and The Lamb (7.7), both of which go very fast. LougUrea’s owner has gamely paid up for horse in the Otago Handicap, despite the steadier of 10.3. At the •weights, Palestrina (8.9) and Mantua (7.13) should keep the crack southerner busy. The failure of Gaze to reproduce at Woodville the excellent form he showed at Feilding is accounted for by the fact that he developed a cold between the two meetings. Gaze is nicely treated at Awapuni, and may make amends there. ■Crown Coin will be ridden by J. R. Kaan in his Auckland engagements. He. is very fit at present, and should pay his way up north. Count Cavour has been working well lately, and should be heard of in the Great Northern Derby. RACING IN AUSTRALIA. By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright. Received Dec. 21, 5.5 pan. Sydney, Dec. 20. The Villiers Stakes resulted:—Balbus 1, Royal Dighton 2, Colais 3. Twenty-one started. Won by a long neck. Time 1 min. 38sec.

RACING FIXTURES. Dec. 26—Waipukurau J.C. Summer. Dec. 26, 27 —Taranaki J.C. Christmas. Dec. 26, 27 —Dunedin J.C. Summer. Dec. 26, 27, 29— Manawatu J.C. Summer. Dec. 26, 30; Jan. 1, 2—Auckland R.C. Summer. Jan. 1, 2—Stratford R.C. Annual. Jan. 1, 2 —Marton JjC. Summer. Jan. 1, 2—Hawke’s Bay J.C. Summer.