THE TURF.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 14133, 12 February 1910, Page 8

THE TURF.

FIXTURES. (By “Field Glass.”) Feb. 16 and 17—Taranaki J. C. umn.Feb. 16 and 17.—Rotorua J.C. Annual. Fob. 23 and 24.—Woodvillo District J.O. Autumn. Fob. 23, 24, and 26.—Dunedin J.C. Autumn. Feb. 25 and 26—Tologa Bay J.C. Annual. Fob. 25 and 26—South Auckland R.C. Annual. March 3 and s—Wanganui J.C. Autumn. March 3—Akaroa County R.C. Annual. March 9 and 10. Daunevirke R.C. Autumn. March 16 and 17—Napier Park R.C. Autumn. March 17 and 19.—Westport J.C. Annual. March 17.—Opunako R.C. Annual. March 23 and 26. Greymouth J.C. Autumn. March' 28 and 29. Fcilding J.C. Easter. April 20 and 21— Nelson J.C. Annual.

Racing is to be held at New Plymouth next week. Given fine weather the fixture should prove a record lor the club.- The acceptances are the best yet received, and the horses taking pail in the open events are the finest quality lot that have met on the local course. , , „ , The summer meeting of tho Egmont Racing Club passed oft very pleasantly, and was in every way a success lw o-ate for the two days was worth L32U, and the chib had issued _ 1000 complimentary tickets, so that it will readily be seen the attendance was on the big side Tho investments on the machine for the first dav totalled £6866, as against- £7306 on the previous year. This deficit was, however, more than wiped out on the second day, when the amount passed jJirough the machine was £7908, as against £6848 last year. Ihefalling off on the first day is accounted- for in a large measure by the fact that the field for the Cup was so small. Twelve bookmakers were licensed on each day at a foe of £ls 10s. The club is to he heartily congratulated on the improvements effected to the saddling paddock, and also on tho excellent stabling accommodation provided for the horses. The area of the saddling paddock has boon considerably increased. he old stables and tiiv rather unsightly fence which ran obliquely from tho entrance gates and formed .an accommodation paddock, has been removed, and tho whole space thrown into the paddock. A new entrance has been provided tor horses, and a separate entrance is provided tor the members of. the chib. All the stables -now- stand at the far end from tho stewards’ stand, and extend almost from the boundary of the clubhs property On one side there are' 25 stalls with loose boxes for tho starter and clerk of the course; on the other sum there are 15 loose boxes. In the centre of the block there is a big sand bos and a bosing box—all under one roof. - The accommodation in this respect has been brought, quite up-to-date, and will serve the club’s purpose tor a considerable time to como. Whilst dealing with tho question of improvements, I have been wondering whether sonic scheme could not be devised whereby the horses could enter the bird cage from some other point than that used at present. Now tho animals are lead around, and have’ to pass by the entrance to the stewards’ stand, secretary’s office, jockeys’ room, and so on, where naturally many people are continually running about. Then again the horses have to pass through a' crowd which usually congregates about this gate copying tho names of riders and other particulars from the boards. It is only a small matter, but at the same time it is very desirable that something should bo done. The racing on both days was very interesting, and there wore several very close finishes, which evoked _ a groat deal of excitement and enthusiasm. In one instance the finish was so close that a very considerable number in the crowd questioned the judge’s decision. Tins was in tho Hack Scurry, on the second day, when Speedy Meg was placed second and St, Kildare third. Tho stewards were called together, but, of course, could not interfere with tho judge’s placing, oven had they been disposed to interfere. From the position in which 1 was standing at the time the two horses passed the post, it certainly looked as though the black son of St' Clements just managed to gat through by about a nose. No one except, the judge, however, can get in a direct line with the post—it is just as well. Though many hold this opinion—that St. Kildar was second, the decision of Mr. Hartgill was generally accepted as the correct one. Golden Eagle was considered to bo a good thing'in New Plymouth for the Flying, hut she finished out of a place. There'can be no doubt as to the maro’s ability to gallop; but she invariably plays’up at the post, and then gets the worst of tho start. The same thing happened on Wednesday, tho maro being so fractions that she had to have the “blinkers” on. Clomora was just good enough to bent North East and paid a nice little dividend. Percy Johnson, who is responsible for the colt’s training, had him in excellent trim. On the first day he carried 6.10, as against North East’s 9.0, and on the second day in the Waimato Handicap. over a similar distance, he had 7.7, including tho penalty, and North East 9.5. Had he not been in tip-top order I don’t think with the extra weight he would have repeated his first day’s performance. Ho had a very hard struggle, and it was only by’inches he won, North East again being bis keenest, rival. To Roti won tho More Mere Hack event in good style. It was unfortunate Golden Loop could not fulfil his engagement in this race, hut during preparation the previous week he hurt himself a little, and it was very wiselv decided not to rim any risk. A meeting between the two with tho same weight up would no doubt have been productive of a great struggle. Kini, who came second io To Roti, galloped in good style, and should win a race before long. Playmate won tho Wlinrcroa Hurdles all the. way on tho first day, and the same might bo said of Rcnmao in connection with tho Eltliiiin Hurdles on tho second day. ’ On the first day ho

was not iu it. On tho second ho was “on his own.”

As with tho opening race on each day, when the placing of tho first two horses was tho same, so it lia])poned with tho Hack Hurdles, Maggie Paul taking tho stakes on each clay, and tho Aucklander Prophet coming second. The latter might have won on the second day had Tie not made a faulty jump at the last hurdle. He was coming very strongly after Maggie Paul when ho almost fell. This naturally caused him to lose a lot of ground before,-ho got into stride again. Some big wagers wore lost on him. >

Young “Mick” Russell had his first rido over hurdles in public on tho first day. when he rode Hero. Tho gentlemen riders’ races were, interesting on both days. Mac Ariko put up a good gallop for his race,, and Chase Mali had all hor work cut out to keep her colours to the front passing the judge. / Unfortunately there wore only six starters for the Gup. The New Plymouth representative, Bismarck, led for tho greater part of the distance, lint the pace told, and ho eventually finished fourth. Milan just got tho best of Tiptoe, and possibly Sir Prize would have got ahead of the two had he not gone sore. Ho came back to the bird cage very lame, this accounting for his sudden slackening of speed at tho fin? ish. Mr. A. Stnndiah appears among the previous winners of the Cup. Ho won in 1883 with Norraanby, and in 1884 with Wit.iora. Mr. J. George has won the Cup on three occasions. The time this year, 2min. 365e0.. is a record for tho event, being a fifth hotter than .the time in which Mr. William Young’s Convoy hnooked out tho distance in 1904. In the big race on tho second.day the New Plymouth representative Uhlando ran prominently until after entering the straight, when he had shot his holt, Tiptoe coming out on top this time. Glenullin was among the starters, and I am told pnllod up very “crook.” . '

Lord Soult, winner of tho Manawatu Stakes at Palmerston and the Newmarket Handicap at Foxton, repeated his success by winning the Hawera Stakes. A very promising two-year-old finished third in Patriotic, a real little fiver over four furlongs. Ho should make up into something good. Lethcaii created a surprise by the easy manner in which he carried off tho Normanby Welter. He got the best of tho start, and then never gave anything else the chance. Ho paid a fine dividend—just' about double tho next two best.

Mr. Turton is to ho congratulated on his arrangements for the meeting. They wore complete in every detail, and’ carried out without a hitch by a willing band of stewards.