SPORTING.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LX, Issue 17078, 4 September 1917, Page 3

SPORTING.

THE MARTON MEETING

BY "MULTIFORM."

Being the first of the Spring meetings, the Spring equine tournament of the Marion J.C. has always been one of the most popular gatherings on this coast. Moreover, during late years it has continued to receive increased support from the Hawke's Bay. Aur-kland, and Wellington districts, particularly from _ Auckland. In 1915 there wiuo practically no Auckland horses at the meeting, whereas this year there will, all going well in the Interim, be no less than 17 Ellerslie-trained horses competing. Owners of young horses in Auckland and Hawke's Bay who are drilling the work into their charges with an eye on the classic events to follow early in the new season, find it both beneficial and educational to give them a bit of travelling and a run in public at this time of the year, and the experience is not lost upon them when they are called upon to undertake longer journeys on more important missions later in the season. A, large number of our best handicap horses were first stepped out under silk on the Marton course, and I have in mind Gang Awa', Rewi Poto, and others as I write. By the way things are shaping now it is more than probable that in years, to come a few of our best handicap horses will havo it said of them that they first carried silk at Marton, as there is a most aristocratic array of equine nobility engaged in this year's Trial Plate, including three from Australia, several by Demosthenes, while Multifid, Signor, Rokeby, Maniapoto, Hymettus, and o^her successful sires are represented. The acceptances for the meeting are very large, and I fully anticipate that, if the weather is fin© from now on, the club will have a record attendance to-morrow. The fact that the Government are not now running race trains may to a certain extent minimise the attlendance, but from what I hear an extraordinarily large contingent of visitors will arrive from Auckland and the Waikato, .which should"^more than compensate for the reduced train service. The Auckland contingent -■ of horses for the meeting contains some fairly strong talent, and I fully expect them to take a good percentage of the stakes back with them.

In the Hack Hurdles the Ormond stables will be represented by the promising Hymettus gelding Swinton, Wanganui stables by Austin, Postillion, Waioture and First Consul (not a very strong lot), and Auckland by Gin Sling, Sylvan Knight, Sportful and Gold Fran. The latter, like Kauri King, always struck me as having the makings of a fine jumper, and he is very Jigntly weighted on his performances on the flat.

From what I hear, several trainers and owners reckon they have a mortgage over the Trial Plate, but among such an assortment of well-bred ones anything may get out in front and stay there. h\ looking for the winner, I would put the names of Lady Beaufort, Cooipan, Rude, Robur, Backfire, Piano, Matilda, Eloquence, Impediment and Monatour into a hat and draw one, and if something outside this lot won I would not be a bit surprised.

Union Jack and Bodenham are leniently enough handicapped in the Hack Steeplechase, but the field is fairly even in merit, and both the abovementioned horses have the habit tf running off at the doubles. The lot engaged in the Marton Handicap this year are very "so-so." If Master Moutoa is really well he should beat all the light-weights. Near the top of the- handicap Lady Louisa, Kiltess, and Orleans look like staying the distance out. ■ .

The Rangitkei Steeplechase should be productive of a good race. The performances of The Channel at the last Great Northern meeting are a strong recommendation in favour of the lightweight. Sandy Paul should carry his weight better than Master Strowan. Marton and Nita. have fair chances. Golden Glow is too old and has lost his pace. Collector is reported to be a vastly impi'oved horse over fences, and he may effect a surprise, but I doubt whether he can get the stiff Marton country alongside horses like Sandy Paul and The Channel.

Acre and Silver Tongue will meet again in the Electric Handicap, where they will have to move to some purpose to beat Lingerie, Belair and Nobleman.

In the Railway Handicap, Kauri King will noi be a starter, but under any ■circumstances lie would be hard put to it to concede the weights he was set to give. to Lingerie, Sweet Tipperary, Elocution, Interlude,' Lady Middleton and Crowhurst. If old Goldtire were hack in his 1915 form he would take a lot of beating. The Auckland horses Bezmar (a good sort by Bezonian—-Marstone), All Talk, and Bi]l;yr Wiggs are engaged in the Tutaenui Welter. Among the others are Woodlark, Rude, Rio, Alteration, and a lot of other good hacks, and the issue in this event is very open.