SPORTING.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8742, 31 March 1890, Page 2

SPORTING.

TARANAKI ANNIVERSARY RACES.

TO-MORROW AND WEDNESDAY. Everyone who takes an interest in " the sport of Kings" is aware that the Anni versary Races" come off on Tuesday and Wednesday. Everything at present indicates that the meeting will bo most successful ; the fields right through will be much above the average on our course, and given fine days, the attendance promises also to exceed the average considerably. Besides the town and district attendance, there will be a fair contingent from Auckland as the steamers will run to suit at special fares, and the down coast brigade will be more numerous than ever they were, according to all accounts. The racecourse is in capital order, thanks to the caretaker, Mr J. Claffpy, who keeps everything on the promises in tip-top style; and the late rains have made the racing track quite the thing for galloping on. As usual an additional attraction will be in the attendance of the Rifles Band, who most pleasantly fill up, by their excellent music, the intervals between the events. TIPS FOR EVENTS. (By " Hummer.") The programme commences on Tuesday with the Maiden Hack Hurdles, 20 soys, about 1 mile, for which iivo horses have entered. These are Zareba, (a Ilawera horse), Moderator, Waipipi, i Tattler, and Delusion. For this event I think that Moderator is the correct tiling. i with Zareba and Tattler to fill the places, and I put them Moderator Zakeba Tattler The. next race is a Novel Race, 25 soys, one mile, entry at the Judge's box. Following comes the big race, The Taranaki Jockey Cluu Handicap, of 200 soys, H miles. This race hitherto has been two miles, but owing to owners of! racehorses showing of lato a disinclination to start for Kiich long races, the fiold for the Handicap for years past has been a very small one, only four facing the starter last year. The club decided to shorten the distance to IA miles this season, to see what effect it would have on the size of the field. The result is certainly encouraging, as 8 have accepted this time, and thero is every prospect of every one starting. The field is composed of Antelope Bst 51b, Loch Ness 7st 3lb, Montrose 7st lib, Dolosa 7st, Vendor Gst 121 b, Jenny 6st 81b, Weka. Gst 71b, Eileen Gst. The top weight's show looks the best, considering her recent performances, and although her wins have been over sprint distances principally, I think she is quite good enough to get IA miles in her present company. Loch Ness has a nice racing weight, and should be somewhere about at the finish. Montrose and Dolosa are also both nicely handicapped. Vendor is a game fellow, and will not be wanting on the day, but like Jenny, this will be his first appearance in big company. Weka is a good mare, and should be about. The bottom weight Eileen should furnish the winner, but report says she is not fit, but still I shall stand her for a place. To make a selection I go for Antelope Vendor Eileen For Ihe First Handicap Hack Race, 1| miles, there are nine entries, namely, Vision, St. Michael, Lodore, Blue Mountain, Duras, Moderator, Tuna, Nap, and The Orphan. I like Duvas best of the field, with Vision and St. Michael as next best. Tho pUiuutj might bo filled by DURAS Vision St. Michael Thd Welter Handicap, one mile, is the next event, and for this Cyclone, Weka, Ruapehu, Rewa Rewa, Jenny, Lodore, and St. Michael, have accepted. I prefer the chances of Jenny in this race, with St. Michael and Ruapehu as her nearest attendants, and therefore place them Jenny St. Michael Ruapeuu Flying Handicap 6 furlongs, should bring out the best field of the day as 10 have accepted. The weights arc so nicely adjusted that the race is a very open one, but on recent performances I like Loch Ness, as she is credited with being beaten by a head at Napier Park in the smart time of lmin 1(3 4-sthssecs. She has certainly Gib more to carry in this race, which will make a difference. Antelope will hardly start for this if she wins the handicap, as her weight would be brought up to 9st 13lb. Cyclone and Boulanger will make a pair of " hummers" at their weights, and Dolosa, Vendor, Weka, Jenny, Fishmonger, and Macaroni have a say at their weights. To make a final selection, I go for Loch Neks Cyclone Boulanger. The Selling Pony Race Avill conclude the first day's programme. For this eight ponies have entered, namely, Butterfly, Sepoy, Good Night, Little Dick, Lady, ! Skipper, Fryingpan, and Uno. I think the field should pass the Judge's box in this ■ order — Fryingpan | Skipper Little Dick. For the second day's racing tho pro gramme of events should prove as interesting as the first day's. Arrivals. — Mi W. Elliot, of Waitara, brought Moderator and Fishmonger into town on Saturday, and the same evening Mr Belcher brought up Boulanger, Fleta, and Vision by train from Wanganui. The other outside horses were expected by train to-day. FINAL PAYMENTS. The final payment for the Taranaki Jockey Club Handicap is due oefove 8 o'clock to-night. By the train this (Monday) morning, the following horses arrived : — Antelope, Loch Ness, Weka, Nap, Rewa Rewa, Zareba, Ruapehu, and Pnkaka. The rest of the outside horses are expected by this evening's train. Hilda will not come here. Horse owners and jockeys are reminded that passes can be obtained from tlia Hon. Secretary at the White Hart Hotel at half-past 7 o'clock to-night.