SPORTS & PASTIMES

Waikato Times, Volume 90, Issue 14027, 2 April 1919, Page 3

SPORTS & PASTIMES

RACING FIXTURES. April 3—Matamata Racing Club. April 2, 3—Hawke's Bay .lockoy Club. April 5, 9 —AucKlujKl Trotting Club. April 19, 21 —Auckland Racing Club. April 21—Alexandra Racing Club. April 20, 30—Avondale Jockey Club. May 17, 21.- —Otahuhu Trotting Club. May 31, June 3, s—Auckland Racing Club Winter. SPORTING. In winning the Rangitikei Cup, Star Lady accounted for the opposition as easily as she had done in the Cup race at Woodville. The daughter of. Demosthenes and Lady Lucy is on the improve all the time, and will be closely watched in riew ef the big engagements ahead. Oxcnhope was lame after a gallop at Riccarton las* week, and the probabilities arc that he will need to be spelled. An attempt to get Marc Anthony to stand another preparation at Riccarton is not proving very satisfactory. He went lame after work last week, and has been an absentee from the track ever since.

Menelaus is very well at the present time, and Trentham trainer Lowe is looking forward to him running prominently at nearby engagements. Cooing iw also with the trainer's string at Hastings. The aged gelding Peary, who used to carry the late Hon. J. D. Ormond's colours in steeplechases, was a runner in the Southland Steeplechase on Wednesday. The old fellow has lost all his pace, but he got round safely, and took third money.

It is reported that Glenopal changed hands after the Thames meeting, being purchased by Mr A. N. Gibbons, the owner of Kauri King. The price, it is stated, was 300 guineas. Taiamai, Statuette, Rebekah, Bon Spec. Gay Lad. and Taunah.i are a pretty good half-dozen who have been in hack circles in Dominion racing this season, and who wMI hold them own in open company. Nobleman, who won the Fraser Memorial at Bulls, was expected to run well after his showing in the Rancritiktei Cup. He is a big, strong geldn who carries weight well. At a race meeting many years ago, only two runners went to the post for a race, and the betting was very close. A cunning "Shoenie" punter asked another of the same tribe which of the two runners he was to back. "Back neither," was the prompt rejoinder; "Thev are both trying." The erratic Starengo turned up trumps in the Greatford Handicap at Bulls. He is a most unruly animal at the post, and usually gets left. Mascot's weight in the Great Autumn at Christchurch is 8.8. The early telegraphed reports gave it as 8.0. At the recent Victorian sale of yearlings seven The Welkin youngsters averaged just under 450gns. A Melbourne writer says that at one time Victorians were good buyers in the New Zealand market, but the order of things has changed of late years, and now the New Zealanders buy in the Victorian market.

In addition to The Welkin—Land Rose co't, for which he gave 900gns, the Masterton owner, Mr W. R. Kernball also purchased at the Melbourne yearling sales a Land o' Song—Ransom filly for 300gns, and a Shepherd King— Salopia colt for SOgns. Two yearling colts by Rangag from Irish Rose, and by Larino from Dame '. 'uicklv (imp.) respectively, are being sent to J. Tomlinson, at Randwick, to be prepared for two-year-old racing. Thev are to carry. R. Wootton's colours.

Gloaming's yearling sister was passed in when bidding ceased at 1900 guineas at the Melbourne sales on Monday, the reserve being 2000 guineas. A private sale is probable, and that is not surprising, as any man going to 1900 guineas would scarcely baulk at another 100 guineas knew he had not to go beyond that. The previous prices realised by yearlings by The Welkin from Light were Hare Hatch 85 guineas and Gloaming 235 guineas. The American trainer, H. G. Bedwell, prepared 39 horses last year, and won with 34 of them, finishing the season with 64 wins to his credit. Silent Way has been a failure on the flat in Australia since he annexed the Newcastle Cup last year. The N.Z. bred candidate was sent to Melbourne recently, where he is to b c given an opportunity to distinguish himself over hurdles. Now that he has disposed of his Christchurch. stud of trotting horses, Mr W Kerr is contemplating a trip to Americ-i. The stallion, Wildwood, Junr.. will probably be leased, while the other horses not disposed of by auction, will shortly make their appearance at Tattersall's. Backers of favourites had a great innings at Rangitikei last week, _as their selections won five out ot the eight events. _. . There is little chance of Marc Anthony racing at the C.J.C Autumn Meeting, as h e is again slightly amiss. Almoner was not himself after his exertions at Ashburton, only for which he would have formed one of Mr b. Jj. Stead's North Island team. It was intended that Collector also should have been included, but tfcO injuries he sustained a fortnight ago caused, him to be thrown out of work. Fiom Hawke's Bay is announced the death of Signor, whose name will always be associated with the Canterbury Cup of 1908. When the son of Pilgrim's Progress unexpectedly won that, event h e established a two mile and aquarter record of 3.53 2-5, and proved himself to be one of the greatest stayers ever raced at Riccarton. On being retired to the stud he was not afforded the best of opportunities, but even .so begat several useful performers including Dusky Eve. Winning Shot, Signorella, Silenus. Rio, Rien», Henry Clay, and Battle Song In the States of New York and Maryland the prize money distributed in 1918 totalled nearly '£400 ; 000. There are five tracks for galloping races in New York, and four in -Maryland. ' Prior to Molly's Robe's recent win in the Newmarket Handicap Chantress was the last three-year-old filly to win the event. She carried 8.9. Acting on the suggestion of the Undcr-Socrelarv for Justice -Mr (.. A. Carter) the Kedron Park Club. (Brisl«lno) has decided to pay three dm(Vnd; in connection .'.v-h races in which there are ten or more starters, on the same ratio as is in Sydney, viz., 0 and 20 per cent. Last vear a couple of big sables were destroyed bv fire in America, and. three days nrior to the opening of racing in \ T .'w Orleans on January lof this year the grandstand and administration offices 'were burnt down at th' 1 Pair Grounds the cbmage being estimated at nearly £40.000, partly covered by •"nsvrancte. rr ho grandstand was 122 var 's long and 40 yards wide. The fire was scarcely out before an army ot carpenters was at work on a t mporary structure, which, though rough, was ready bv New Year's Pay. In America last rear a stronr was made arsunst geldings conyvtinfl ni. imrortint races, and towards i.* close some ef the clubs net only de-.d-l i was rdrisable that gekbnsrs shou.d be barred from big set-weight 'wo a"d thiTo-vear-old but con =idored < the question of dosinc some of the princi->-ill hawli'ws to them. Howver, that : dea was modified, but iust after the lHest pa-crs to h-nd left America the Jockev Ohlh was to consider a proposi'ion to debar geldings of three or over from s'art'no- in any race except hnrdican oid «-'!inn; rf ,-,"> s , ertrh* for which closed 72 hours before the day of run--1 ning.

CRICKET. (By “Cover Point.”) The Canterbury Cricket Association’s competitions have finished, Sydenham being in the leading position, with 19 championship points. They won five three-point matches, and won two and lost two two-point games during the competition. Linwood club came second on tire list, with 1C points; St. Albans, 15; lliecarton, 13; West Christchurch, 8; East Christchurch, fi; Boys’ High School, 3; and Christ’s College, <k Boys’ High School and iirisu s College played fewer matches than the other teams, owing to the influenza epidemic and their long vacation. The play-off in the local championshin between Hamilton and Warwick will bo commenced this week-end-The respective elevens are keenly looking forward to the contest, and, with fine weather and wickets, some good cricket should result. It was unfortunate that such an ideal day as Saturday last was lost to players, but the blame was not with local enthusiasts who had been badly- let down. OLD BOYS’ CLUB. With their match against Warwick, Od Boys have concluded what may he regarded as a very- successful season, when it is considered that the club lias been defunct for the last three seasons. Owing to the fact that the chib was without the services of many of its best players during part of December and the whole of January, its position on the championship list is not as high- as it might be. That the team, with its full side present, was capable of extending any club in Hamilton cannot be doubted, and sufficient proof of this is seen in the fact that every other team in the competition has suifered defeat at its hands. Possessed of what is probably the strongest all-round betting side locally, the team has run up the two highest scores, registered in club cricket here this season. Though without a howler of the “demon” variety, the team has a very capable howling side, and with all its members available should do something next season. The following are the hatting and howling averages of th/> various men who have played during the season. BATTING. xt n vr « Att

FOOTBALL Gauged on the enthusiasm displayed at its dinner function at the week-end, the City F.CX is going to have a further very successful season. The Saae Memorial Cup for seniors, the Elliott Shield for the juniors, ard Rugby Union's caps also going to the latter, were concrete testimonials of the standard of success reached by the club's plavers during the 1918 season. Mr F. Buckingham, an ex-City player, who hasi been on active service since the earliest days of the war. recently (returned to Hamilton. Mr Buckingham lost a leg on service, but his enthusiasm tor the national winter pastime is to the maximum permitted bv his disability. " Among the visitors to Hamilton during the past week was Mr E. Huches an "All Black" exponent, who visited Australia with one of the latter Rugby combinations from those shores, and also plaved against Harding's AngloWelsh side when it was here in 1908. Hughes was a capable front row Rucbyit/> He is- at present a Wellington resident, but informed the writer that he may don th e jersey in Auckland fc-otha'l during the new season. . Mr H. Johnston, a prominent member of the City F-C. has returned from active service, and was present on the occasion of the week-end dinner. It must have afforded him much pleasure to note the prominent successes of his club during last season. Whilst on active service, tho wntor, towards late 1917 and early 1918, dropped across an old Frankton X■} •• nlaver in Bert Cassells. He was with th> Second Battalion of the Rifle Brigade, and this prominent footballer has had a very long period with the colours. He took part in several company and battalion games 'over there, and showed all of his old-time dash and resource. "Bert" was a . canal J machine gunner, and had attained the -.-dr of battalion instructor. One concludes that h e will be back to Waikato any day now. where he will meet with a warm welcome from old Kugb> associates.. ' „ . » The Association footballers in oin midst are looking forward to a very successful season. The newly-formed United Club made a start on Saturday, when it held a practice game. Mr Jno. McKinnon, who has been eected president of the new club, has alwaystaken a keen interest in the sport, and with the co-operation of the other officers and players, the gam e promises,to move ahead. During the war period "soccer" was mainly in abeyance in this centre, but there are. devotees in the yicinity sufficient to give the pastime" a re-start on solid lines. "During the past year many oi your members have ably represented you on the Playing grounds of Egypt, Palest:ne France. England, and Wales, with the Expeditionary Forces' teams, and we' congratulate Mr J. Lindsay, the Northern Suburbs three-quarter, for his notable performances on the athletic His success in proving the w ; nner of the English sprinting ohampionshi" is appreciated by all supporters "—Extract from the annual report c{ the Canterbury Rugby Football League . n ~ w i At the annual meeting of the Wellington Rughv Union it was decided to oppose the folio win tr proposed alterations to the laws of the game:—Abolition of the wimr forward: absolute tr—kicks and goal kicks: Jrpferep to mt the ball into scrums; modification ot W governing kicking into touch. Approval was expressed by the meeting ot the rronosal to apply the advantacrule to line-out play. The question oi what action should be taken respecting tho following proposal was left. to thr delegates to th« Now Zealand Union :- "That Northern TTnion nlayers who have been on active service, or who have ro-oi-ed monetary payment for playing football, shall bo. eligible for re-ins'atomont. hut no player over the ntre of ei*rht»*n r-ear<. ln«t who t kes part in the Northern l-uo--1916. shall be eligible for reinstatement."

In. R N.O, , H.! Ay G. Grant ... 2 . 83 1 59 83 H. Gaulton .... .. 4 112 0 72 28 W. Fraser .... ... 8 142 1 61 20.3 H. Laver .. 5 100 0 81 20 H. Fenwick .. 6 83 0 31 14.1 R. Inder .. 5 53 1 28* 13.2 A. Tompkins.. 6 54 1 27* 10.8 W. Smith ..... 21 1 13 10.5 0 Blundell .. 6 40 0 18 6.7 T. Patterson . .. 8 34 1 11 4.9 H. Turbott .. . 7. 24 1 13 4 L. Johnston . .. 6 23 0 7 3.9 R. MacGregor 5 15 1 9 3.7 Also hatted : M. Chninev. 0* ■, 0, 4; P. Harman, 0,0; G. Wrieley. 0 ; L. Brown, 0. 3; J. Niccol, 9. ♦ *Sicnifies not out. BOWLING. o. M. R. W. Av. P. MacGregor 32.0 6 106 7 15.1 W. Fraser 49 5 178 26 6.8 R. Inder ... 65 9 173 24 7.2 H. Laver 10 0 47 4 11.3 H. Fenwick . .. 67 5 227 17 13.3 3. Gaultor ... .. 43 9 142 8 17.75 ALo howled : T. Paterson, none for G. Grant, none for 12.