SPORTING

Taranaki Daily News, 5 April 1927, Page 4

SPORTING

AN UNFORTUNATE RIDER. FATALITY AT WHANGAREI. There was no more capable and popular hurdle and cross-country rider during recent seasons than Edward Copestake (“Copey”), who died at Whangarei as the result of injuries received while following his dangerous calling at the northern township on Saturday. The deceased was only 35 years of. age, and comes of a well-known Taranaki racing family, one brother also being a jockey. His father lives at Pukemiro; a brother at Westfield; and another brother at Wanganui, where the unfortunate jockey spent most of his time. after completing his apprenticeship. His most notable success was on Sir Roseberry in the Great Northern Steeplechase of 1924, and he also won the Wanganui Steeples and Marangai Steeples (twice) on Khartoum; the Hawke’s Bay Steeples on Polthogue; the Napier Steeples on Ranui, and a number of other important events.’ Taranaki sports will have many recollections of his victories at Hawera on Khartoum, Zola and a host of others. His most recent victory was on Gold Peak at Wanganui, where, after a long absence from the saddle owing to accident, he rode with all his old-time ability. As far as was known yesterday the interment will take place at Wanganui today (Tuesday). . TURF TOPICS. (By “Moturoa.”) Limerick’s victory over Windbag, Valicare and Amounis in the Rawson Stakes on Saturday makes the prospects of the New Zealandter look bright in the St. Leger, and he is likely to be amongst the favoured division if started in the Sydney Cup. # # # * Windbag, who was second in the Rawson Stakes, filled a similar position last year, being beaten by Valicare. Regarding the Sydney Cup it is interesting to note that Windbag is weighted at' 10.2, while Limerick got in with 8.4. The winner of the A.J.C. St. Leger has to carry w.f.a. in the Sydney Cup, if handicapped below that weight. * • * • Apparently the crowd behind White Fang have not despaired of winning a good race in Australia, for they have the horse back at Randwick again, where he is reported to be galloping well in view of Easter racing. White Fang is engaged in the Doncaster Handicap (one mile) with 7.10, as well as being entered for the principal sprint events at the A.J.C. autumn meeting. White Fang is still under R. O.’Donnell’s care. » » * • Paleta is due to make his first appearance in Australia at Warwick Farm on Saturday next in the Fairfield Handicap, six furlongs. The maximum weight is 9.5, but Paleta does not appear to be troubled by big imposts. He is engaged in the A.J.C. Sires’ Produce Stakes, run at Randwick on April 16. This race is worth £5OOO, with a sweepstake of £2O, and an additional £lO from the owners of the sires nominated. The nominator of the sire of the winner receives £250. #** , * When Count Cavour was shipped to Sydney on Friday, report says that the foot which he injured in the Dunedin Cup looked anything but first-class, and Bert. Gillett will be lucky if he gets the crack distance performer through without a breakdown. F. C. Porter went across to do the riding. « • • •

Southern horses usually pick the plums at Ellerslie, and, probably because races are easier to win away from home, a big contingent of Aucklanders have been nominated for the Feilding meeting this Easter, amongst the number being Royal Blood, Ruapapa, Golden Autumn, Royal Flight, True Blood, Hangawera, Joy Ride, Archeen, Te Kawana and Town Bird. Last Easter the northerners had a good innings at Feilding, Bright Day winning the Manchester Handicap easily, and paying a fine price, while New Moon ran Sovena to a head in the Taonui Hack Handicap on the same day. On the second day Pendennis ran Second in the Kimbolton Hack Hurdles; Dobbin won the Rewa Hack Handicap; Bright Knight the Makino Welter; and Wiltshire returned a tall second dividend in the Hack Cup. * * « « Acceptance night saw a big falling out in the principal handicaps at Riccarton this Easter. Of 36 handicapped for the Great Easter Handicap, only 15 hold their ground, but the average in the Great Autumn Handicap is better, 16 of th e 24 weighted being paid up for. Final payment for both events are due on April 13. • • • • Very good acceptances have been received for Thursday’s races at Masterton. Tanadees and Hynanna appear to be in a better class than their seven opponents in the Autumn Handicap, and, of the pair, the three-year-old may be the more reliable. Eleven remain in the Flying Handicap, and, at the weights, Standard appears to be dangerous. * * * • Killocra and No Favours have been paid up for in the High-Weight Handicap at Masterton. Both run a good mile. Jemidar, Addlepate, and Imitation are good class sprinters in the Telephone Hack Handicap. Arrow Lad and King Midas are engaged in the Juvenile Handicap, five furlongs, at Masterton, while Bonhomme and Black Mint figure in the field for the Stewards’ Mile. The improving Henna will probably sport silk in the Dash Handicap, run over seven furlongs. * * * * Bert. Russell will probably have Siaosi, Berinthia and Mount Marta racing at Tauherenikau at Easter. « * • • The New Zealand-bred colt, The Wensum, by Paper Money-Philomela, went on and won in good style at Rosehill on Saturday, and he will probably be one of Paleta’s toughest opponents next Saturday. * # * # Other New Zealand-bred horses to win races recently on the other side of the Tasman include Tea Leaf (who won at Victoria Park), Otauru (a good winner in Westralia), Coinah (Imperial Spark’s stable-mate won a Welter at Wyong), and

Kilbroneen, by Kilbroney-Merry Margaret, a winner at Wallsend. At the same meeting a six-year-old mare named Plain Queen won a race. She is by Mountain King, out of Martuk (MartianriJkraine) 1.0. U., who was first home in a division of the Royal Juvenile Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday week, is identical with the Paper Money-Esther colt which realised 525 guineas at last Sydney sales. * * * •

Reremoana is not overweight 1 in the A.R.C. Easter Handicap with 10.2, although only nine of the big field of 47 are weighted above 7.12. As usual there is a heap of “rubbish” in the race, but with Reremoana, Te Monanui,. Lady Cavendish, Hipo, Merry Jest, Oration, Lady Bentinck and Beuzora engaged, Taranaki holds a strong hand. Reremoana won with 8.6 in 1925, and with 9.11 last year. He may be our best representative—even with slbs more than he carried in 1926—and the lightweights likely to offer most opposition may be Joy King. (7.12), Hipo (7.1), and Whenuanui (7.0). AUCKLAND PROSPECTS. (By “Hurry On.”) Reremoana, with 10.2, has his full ■share of weight in the Easter at Ellerslie and it is hard to see him 'pull off this race for the third time in succession, but he is such a great weight carrier and such a proved miler that he must command respect if fancied by his trainer on the day. * « « • e Mana has been schooled over the hurdles and shows promise of proving useful in this department later on. # # # • J. O’Driscoll, who has just returned from a visit to Queensland, intends putting Tawehi into work again shortly. It is to be hoped that the Kilbroney gelding has quite recovered from his mishap as he was promising to develop into a top notch hurdler. * * » • High Pitch has a partiality for the reverse way, having spread-eagled two good fields at Ellerslie and, with 7.4, eannot 'but be regarded as very favourably treated in the big Ellerslie mile. T. Green will probably have the mount. * # # # A very promising hunter in Hurangi Girl was seen in action in the jumping events at Waihi last week. This four-year-old daughter of Silva is a fine natural jumper, and is said to be endowed with a fair amount of pace. Her owner is said to have refused several good offers and her future will be watched with interest. * # * * Lady Desmond looks promising in the Great Northern Oaks. If she accounts for this race in easy fashion the St. Leger will be more interesting than it promised to be. Nevertheless it is hard to see her defeat Commendation. What with Commendation. Limerick, Agrion, etc., Limond is well in the limelight this season. WARWICK FARM RACES. HANDICAPS ANNOUNCED. By Telegraph—Z-oss Assn.—Copyright. Received April 4, 5.5 p.m. Sydney, April 4. The weights for the Warwick Farm races on April 9 include the following:— Liverpool Handicap.—Fujisan 10.7 (topweight), Fool’s Paradise 8.6, White Fang 8.0, Giggle 6.13. CHIPPING NORTON . STAKES.— Windbag 9.9 (topweight), Amounis 9,4> Limerick 8.10. Cup—Pantheon 9.13 (topweight), Naoa 8.2, Imperial Spark 7.7, Rawhetu 6.10. CABRAMATTA HANDlCAP.—Waran‘ton 11.3 (topweight), Rconui 9.2, Battlement 8.7, Quondong 8.0, Giggle 7.11.