RACING WORLD.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 90, 16 April 1913, Page 9

RACING WORLD.

(By WHALEBONE.) Fine weather prevailed for the opening ____«" T ° ndale 3ocke * Clnb 's Autumn Meeting to-day. Jbe Auckland rider B. Deeley was absent from Avondale to-day, but will be present on Saturday. The Rover has been purchased by G Delnney, who is now _n Australia, and' who was presumc-ly acting for an owner on the other side, The Advance gelding will shortly be shipped across to Sydney. Nominations close on Friday of next week for the Great Northern Hurdles, Great Northern Steeplechase, Winter Steeplechase, Cornwall Handicap, Prince of Wales Handicap, and York Welter Handicap.. Master Ladtlo has recently been schooled over fences at Marton, and Is reported to have jumped in good style. He is to be seen out iv the Hack Hurdles at Hastings to-day. Mr G. G. Stead won the first New Zealand &t- Leger. with the not very celebrated colt Altalr in 1599. I v subsequent rears he scored with Cruciform (a top-notchcr) and Xsolt. The Maoriland-bred pacer Ribbonwood, though not eligible for the class prizes nt the Royal Agricultural Show in Sydney, won the championship for trotting stallions. He has now won more championships at Sydney shows than any other light harness horse,' Cadonia, the winner of the Sydney Cup, is related to several well-known performers in this country. His third dam is Aurelia, who was got by Musket from L'Orient. tbe dam of Aida, Maun, Francotte, Orientale, and others. Aida produced Impulse, a New Zealand Cup winner, and Uhlan, an Auckland Cup winner. Much Interest centred to-day, at Avondale, in the new "walk-up" starting machine invented by Mr Higgins. Tbe machine was erected in front of the Derby stand, and between the races Mr Higgins demonstrated tft interested crowds the principle on which the machine worked. The mnchine was not used in starting to-day's races, but on Saturday next it .rill be given its first official trial in the big event of the day. The support accorded the Invcrcargill non-totalisator trotting meeting, says a Southland paper, is not as good as might have been expected, seeing the large number of trotters in work in Southland, bnt officials of the club are to a great extent responsible for more entries not being forthcoming. A leading local owner informed the writer that no programme had come to Gore, and further, that he had made personal application to the secretary for a programme, which has yet to come to iand, . A unique proposal is under the consideration of the Christchurch trotting clubs at the present time. The idea is to hold an exhibition trotting race in connection with a public demonstration which is to take place during the visit of H.M.S. New Zealand to the port of the Cathedral City. The suggestion is that- the—race should be a handicap one of one mile and a-half, and that the only prizes should be three trophies,, while the field would include seven or eight of the best harness horses in training. It is again stated that it has been definitely decided to retire Lady Medallist, and that she will go to St- Savin. As Lady Medallist's sire, St. Alwyne, is a grandson of St. Simon, and St. Savin is by St. Simon, that, sounds fairly close breeding: but it is only natural Mr "E. .7. Craven" should be Inclined to experiment to some extent with his very fine stallion, which has already been represented by two winners in England, Hortensia accounting for two race 3 and Durbar one last season. Lady Medallist proved a profitable purchase on "Mr Craven's" part, as she wou him well on towards £6,700 in prize-money in her various races, and it Is understood he scored heavily ln the way of bets when she won the Caulfield Cup. A number of brood mares, unbroken horses, and horses in training were submitted at auctiou at Palmerston North on account of Mr I>. Buick, M.P., and other owners. There was a large attendance at the ring side, but buyers were conspicuous by their absence, and a number of the most desirable lots elicited no competition. Nineteen mares and unbroken thoroughbreds were disposed of for 260 guineas, and Papakura, the sire of at least one good one in Abcrbrothock, also of Vibration and Ranglutua, went for a modest tenner. The twenty-year-old son of St. Leger Wfts carrying his years well, and his present owners may be congratulated upon having been made a handsome presentation. Mr Buick placed reserves upon the promising thro-rear-olds Portraiture and Papality, but he _apt faith with the public in every respect, und as neither Rangiatua, Papader, nor AbeArothock was sold it may be taken for granted that the popular dark blue livery wSID again be fluttering In the breeze next seaMn. The progress that trotting is making in public faTour in Auckland is simply phenomenal. Alexandra Fnrk, recently acquired as a trotting course, is fast being transformed into one of the prettiest and best equipped trotting tracks in the Dominion. The management of the Auckland and Otahuhu Clubs is developing on wise and progressive lines, with the result that the sport is being lifted right Into the forefront of racing pastimes. At the recent autumn meeting of the Auckland' Club there was not tbe slightest indication of anything but absolutely clean sport. The stewarde; were quick to seize on any questionable point, and twice riders and owners were summoned before the officials to make explanation as to the why and the wherefore of certain suspected anomalies. In each case, however, the reply was perfectly satisfactory. Terhaps the best criterion of the increasing popularity of trotting ln Auckland is gained In the fact that the attendances are almost double what they were, and ln the further fact that It is not an Infrequent thing to find the crowd cheerlu S the winners as they return to the 'Saddoc-t. A big programme of improvements is cont<anplat-_ by the Auckland Trotting Club &• next season. Details have not yet been fl-cussed by tbe executive, but a progressive policy for Exhibition time is mooted, SSJJ Is likely to be endorsed by every suanber of the committee. With a view to trotting horses from every part , ..M tbe Dominion, it is probable that the ____. _v* t ummer Cu P will be worth not less H. !_ aU fso °' and U k further P r °P° sea tllat H _/ totaJ tor the ensuing sea- _______ _nJ 6boula be increased from £Biooo to / ,00 °- The club is actuated by a desire » Popularise trotting, and, encouraged by ______■ _ti. Splcnflid results of the season just over, __^_MfisP S! ' ay a V* Programme for 1913-14. Iv __________ el . " l 0 ''"'Proving the prize-money, the _____________' " ''* s se ' leme in hand for the imof the course and its appoiiitAlready the track itself, .well

banked and of a wonderfully even grade throughout. Is an ideal one. Last -week, however, as a result of the loug continued «ry weather, there was considerable dust during the progress of each event, and the club means to cope with this effectually nest season. To do so it is proposed that a four-inch main should be laid all round the course, with hydrants at a distance of every 150 ft. The improvement scheme also provides for the enlargement of the stewards' stand, and the alteration of the totalisator houses. The outside "tote" will probably be rebuilt entirely, and the inside machine much altered. At present able inconvenience is caused to spectators because of the indicators not being sufficiently high to bo seen over the heads of those in front. Nest season it is intended that this shaLL,be remedied, and other desired improvements will also be carried out. Altogether- the club has a big programme in hand, and although, as stated, details have yet to be discussed by the committee,' it is likely that the poluts above enumerated will bo readily approved. TURF TALK FROM THE SOUTH. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") a CHRISTCHDRCH, this day. It has become customary for several years for some of the West Coast trainers to make a trip over here at the conclusion of the racing season on the other side of the ranges with a view ox picking up a race or two with their charges at the meetings held in Canterbury and Otago during. the. months of May aud June, and thus earning their support for the close season. These annual visits of our West Coast friends are welcome in giving foreign support to our suburban fixtures, aud although their representatives generally speaking do not rankas high-class, they have included several useful performers, of whicu during recent years Koseal and Rurin have been notable examples. C. Stratford," in'charge of Corrle and The Nut. was the tirst of the visitors to put In an appearance. He Is quartered ill the city, but may make New Brighton his headquarters. Stratford, who has had €orrie on lease from 3d. Hobbs. has handed the daughter of Cora Lynn back to her ! owner, as the lease has expired. Corriewon several races on the Coast, and 1 should say that Stratford will regret partIng with such a useful performer. Another familiar West Coaster, W. Donnellau, put in an appearance during the week, bringing with him North Pole, Irish Gift, and AVaipukl. Considerable iuterest is being manifested locally in the coming meeting of the South Canterbury -Jockey Club, which will come up for decision next week, and local trainers are particularly uusy getting their charges in readiness for the battle. The fields promise to he large and competition -will be keen, while good racing should be the result. If the club is fortunate in getting fine weather, it does not rt-qulre a lively imagination to sec it having a record meeting. The weather, which remained fine until Sunday, has been suitable to the trainers, but the change shonld also prove acceptable; although, of course, it will render the "regular tracks" unlit for fast work for a ifew days there. However, satisfaction Is to be derived from the Tact that the caretaker- may bo expected to. rise to tha oceaslou aud open one of the grass gallops for fast work. The rain will be gladly welcomes by trainers of jumping horses, for It will relieve the schooling track of the "jar" that has been so pronounced during the dry spell, and as the track is not quite as level as might be desired, it will provide the custodian with an opportunity of harrowing and rolling it, thereby putting it in sucn order as will remove any cause for i adverse comment. Tills is especially desirable in view of the fact that the schooling work may now be said to have commenced in real earnest. Mr Duncan Rutherford seldom visits the local training ground, but on Thursduy he was present to watch his horses I>jylight Bill and Andrea doin:; wome schooling work. The former, which had Gold Pin for a companion over the hurdles, performed pleasingly, and Andrea,and Gnome together gave a creditable display for novices over the pony hurdles? Andtlfer local aspirant for jumping honours. Lass Ashore, which Is trained by W. Fnller, has also been giving creditable, displays, but Ibis . diminutive daughter of Castashore scarcely looks the sort to develop into a successful hurdler E. Cutts, in charge of Autumuus, Nlglitwatch. Briar latch. Glcnfinnau, aud Scottish Star, R. D. O'Donnell, in charge of Bon IteTe, and Sir .T. B. Reid's horses Salzberg aud Ogler returned on Saturday from Palmerston" North. 11. Hobbs journeyed on from ilauawatu to Hastings with Rinalclo to claim an engagement In the Hawke's Bay Stakes, and on his showing at Awapuni the son of Charlemagne 11. should taker a power of beating. R. J. Mason is also at Hastings Mr G. D. Greeuwood"s representatives Canute. Zeus, Kmpcrador. and Historiettc, so that local interest will bo stronger than usual at this fixture. Coroniforni was brought back' from Palmcrstou iNorth on Sunday, but It is now understood that the son of Helen Ifauclt has been sold to a North Island sportsman, so that he will probably be shipped North again during the week. Recently J. A. Bridges made a trip to Mr J. A. Holmes" Bangor Estate for the purpose of breaking a filly by Terrapin from a mare by Royal Artillery—Crown Jewel. Bridges brought her back from Bangor, and will put her into training immediately. With the conclusion of the Manawatu meeting thtj majority of the ChokehorelLodge team hare finished thfilr hiird tasks for the present season, and will now go into winter quarters. Those who are to be kept in commission during the winter months will be Winning , Way. Scottish Star, and probably G-leirCnnan. -nhile Glencannieh will bo given a run at the Ashburlon meeting, to be held next month. W.R.C. PROGRAMMES. ST. LEGER RESTORED. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The stewards of the Wellington Racing Club have decided to increase the stakes for the winter meeting by £400 over last winter, and have also resolved to restore the St. Leger Stakes on the autumn programme.