Northern Notes

NZ Truth, 15 March 1924, Page 10

Northern Notes

(By "Renown.") The initial gathering of the Mnta- , mata Racing Club as a totalisator , meeting took place on Saturday last. ! Favored with 'good weather, a large • attendance of sportß was present to ' see the racing, and with the sum of £15.194 passed through tho tote a . very satisfactory start has been made ' by the clvb — i.e., If It ls fortunate enough to hold its one day permit. t The club possesses a fine property, ■ which 1b m every way suitable for a i course. When the necessnry Improvements m the shnpe of rails and general ! facilities for the public havo been attended to tho course will be regarded 1 us one of the best of tho country , tracks In the Auckland district. The first race carded was the Hlnuera Handicap, for which 3G horses had accepted. After the scratching pen had i done its work a big field ol 27 lined up ut the barrier. Major AbtH'.v. who beKln.v quickly, went, lo ili« front curly and k«d ull mammmaalmmmmmmmmm mmmm m

the way. hanging on long enough to win "by a head from Passionate. . Passionate was well back entering the straight, but made a great run on the outside and Was unlucky not to have won. A yard past the post he was m front. Starbone was bracketed with Passionate. The Quin Abbey mare ran a good race, but ' the big field spoilt any chance she may have had. Alva Rose, who finished third, was always m the leading division, and should improve with the race. A furlong from home Awareka had a winning chance. The last bit found Mr. 'W. McLean's mare out. A nasty feature of the opening event was the falling of Brura and Sphinx, and the subsequent removal of riders G. Holland (Erura) and J. , Stonill (Sphinx) to the hospital, both suffering from serious injuries. The latter died later at the hospital. The general opinion as td the cause of the accident which resulted m the death of Jockey J. Stonill is that the saddle of Erura slipped back, causing the mare to buck, and Sphinx, who was just behind, got oh her heels, bringing both horses down. The result of the judicial committee's inquiry will not be known until the evidence of G. Holland has been heard, but so far as the inquiry had progressed the evidence pointed to the happening being purely accidental. • , Be it what it may, big fields on small courses endanger the lives of riders, and It has always been a point causing much discussion. Arguments against these big fields are: — (1) The riders risk their Jives; (2) the owner risks his horse getting knocked about and perhaps maimed for life, and (3) nine times out of ten the punter, does not get a show for his money. Stonill came, from Australia some years ago, and* has taken an active part m the handling of racehorses m both islands. Deep sympathy is extended to the deceased jockey's parents, who it is believed reside m Melbourne. - When Sphinx fell he broke 'his back ahd had to be destroyed. Peter Rosa won the waharoa Handicap m good style and should be successful m winning another race shortly. Rarangl found seven furlongs too far and seems to show up to j best advantage over a shorter course. ' . Miss June, who was placed third, went well for four furlongs, where she stopped badly. Marble Crag was not well placed ln the early stages, but finished on nicely m fourth position. Out of a field of 14' acceptors only five paraded for the Cup, -In"* .'which Zircon was made an even-money favorite. . The good thing landed after his rider (J. O'Shea) stopped his loafing tactics. Royal Fame, who was second fancy, ran a solid race and covered more gi'ound than any of the competitors. Racing across the top stretch Zircon (on the inner) was jibbing badly and carried Royal Fame out a little, allowing Tinopono to slip up on the inside, but the latter's effort was shortlived. . Glencairn had every chance and half a furlong from home received a run on the rails, but could not' sustain it, eventually finishing third. Gold Kip was a hot favorite m the High Weight Handicap. The old fellow's best days are over, his second to Arran being very poor. Arran.won well and may win again when the fields are not strong. , Rarangl was saddled up for the second time m the Putaruru Handicap, a six furlong event. On his running m his first start he looked. a good..investment, and although he received the verdict he appeared to be lucky to win. „ ' ' Uncle Jack was with the leaders all the way and has Improved with his racing. Dan Quin was m the picture m the straight, finishing close up to the placed horses. Abberfield received third money and was lucky to get It as Passionate, who finished fast on the outside of he course, appeared to be m the money. The supporters of the latter thought that he had won, but from, where the Press was standing it looked like his being second or third. Monastery came In for fair support, but was not sighted at the flnish. Walpoto ran well for five furlongs, but had nothing m reserve at the finish. Starbone showed out early, but did not finish on. Loch Abbey annexed the Railway Handicap easily. Mr. Taylor's little gelding was recently- Inspected by an Australian purchaser, who was In hopes of acquiring him for the pony ranks, but the deal did not come off, the gelding being a fraction too big. Daylight ran a fair race, but did not have a chance with the winner. York Abbey was a good third, only being headed by Daylight over the last few yards. Lord Loppy, carrying 221 b overweight, made the pace for five furlongs. Miss Juno is very bad at the barrier. The result of the Okorolro Handicap saw the decision go to another hot favorite m Dancing Doll, who led all the way. Black Eyed Susan, who finished second, was slow to find her feet. Turning for home, H. Goldfinch applied the whip and she immediately curled up, but came again, on being ridden right out, to get second money from Dorlnda, who stopped over the last hundred yards. The final event attracted another one dividend field, Royal Abbey, the favorite, getting home comfortably from Glencairn. who was going well nt the finish. Glencairn had no chance with the winner. Sans Gene made the pace to the straight, and should run well m hack company. J. O'Shea was m good form at Matamata, riding three winners out of four mounts. In winning the Cup on Zircon he performed a clever piece of riding, as the Merry Moments gelding stopped badly three times during the nice, and it was only O'Shea's vigorous riding that landed the favorite home m first position. R. Thompson alao met with success, two of his mounts winning. S. Henderson will be on Hyttus and Thlganthu at Paoroa. Te Kara, Archibald, and Town Bank aro to be ridden by H. Goldfinch at Paeroa. If Master Doon is started at the mmc meeting he will have tho assistance of A. J. McFllnn. Flnmack. tho Finland — Ia gelding which recently joined T. George's stnble at Ellerslie. does not impress as bolng another Himpo. George has several othor additions to his team m /lew, nnd should not be long ln having a useful string to handle. Syndicate jumps well. King Pellicle jumps his hurdles well, and should go far at this game. The steeplechasers aro being sent •iiong m their work at Ellerslie. Vociferate, Esplanade Glenotus, and Thlganthu jump attractively In their efforts over tlie big fences. Flowing Bowl has made his re-ap-pearance nt Ellersllf. but ban not done work of a serious nature ao far.

After passing the post m the Putaruru Handicap at Matamata, Passionate nearly collided with one of the newly-erected starting posts. In avoiding the crash, he ran off the course, losing his rider. H. Dulieu, who was badly shaken. At the end of the day Dulieu had not sufficiently recovered to leave the course, and a motor had to be commissioned to take him away. Harvest Day, weighted 7st 71b, ; was given a run m the opening event at Matamata. Owing to the shortage of light boys, S. Walls rode him, only carrying 341 b overweight. After his good race at Te Aroha, Tall Timber was accorded heavy support at Matamata. In the big field he was •not sighted. , Starland was given a couple of races at Matamata. Black Mark refused to go with the field when the tapes Were let go ln tho High Weight Handicap. John Dix was fancied by his connections m his race. He finished among tho unplaced division. Tinokaha has had a lot of racing this season, and figures among the hurdlers at Paeroa. He is not harshly treated. i -