MARTON JOCKEY CLUB.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1474, 25 July 1918, Page 12

MARTON JOCKEY CLUB.

SPRING MEETING. The distinction of opening the new racing season in the North Island will again fall upon the Marton Jockey Club, which enterprising body have arranged a highly attractive programme for Wednesday, September 4. The meeting promises to be an exceptionally successful one judging by the number of North Island candidates who are to be specially prepared with a view to competing at the popular Marton fixture. After a spell of close on two months North Island racing enthusiasts are most keen »to renew their acquaintance with the grand old sport, and as the Marton gathering offers them a most favourable opportunity of doing so the club is assured of a very wide share of patronage on September 4 next. Racing will commence promptly at 11.30 a.m., and as the programme of eight events is of a most enticing character, both as regards the possibilities of winning a stake and the remunerative value of same. The chief event of the day will be the Rangitikei Steeplechase, of 260sovs, three miles, in which a representative field of ’chasers, including a fair percentage of Grand National competitors, should be seen out. Next in importance comes the Marton Handicap (open), of 230sovs, one mile and a-quarter, and the probabilities of a strong field contesting this valuable stake are particularly promising. The big sprint event, the Railway Handicap, of ISOsovs, six furlongs, will undoubtedly receive wide attention from owners of eligible candidates, while large fields may be looked for in the remaining four events on the programme, which are com fined to hack performers. The events in question are as follows: — Hack Steeplechase, of 150sovs, two miles; Hack Hurdles, of 130sovs, one mile and a-half; Electric Hack Handicap, of llOsovs, six furlongs; and the Tutaenui Hack Welter, of llOsovs, seven furlongs. Nominations for all events (including the Trial Hack Plate) are due with the secretary, Mr. Arthur Way, Marton, on Friday, August 16, at 9 p.m.