RACING NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 151, 29 June 1927, Page 13

RACING NEWS.

STABLE AND TRACK NOTES. (By WHALEBONE.) FIXTURES FOK THE SEASON. July U—Ashburton County B.C. July 12, 14, Iβ—Wellington R.C, July "Jl —Waimate Hunt Club. July -3 South Canterbury Hunt. July 2S, 30—Uisborue E.C. July HO— Cfcrisicnurch Hunt ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. 2s"EW LYNN.—The Albury Cup was run last year on April 14. Cannot supply an answer to your second question. It is understood that any further developments in regard to the Memsahib case in the shape of an appeal will be heard in Wellington during the currency of the Wellington winter meeting. Merry Mint, the two-year-old gelding, by Catmint from Merry Roe, showed * good deal of promise in the spring. He has not been raced a great deal, but i:. is understood that he will be a oandidate for the Trial Plate at Trentham. Subsequently, if present plans are adhered to, J. M. Cameron will take charge of him for Mr. L. G. Clare, and he will be a stablemate of The Hawk when the movement to Sydney is made. If the Australian engagements of Merry Mint are thus regarded seriously he should be a good Trial Plate candidate. So far, Pilliewinkie is only leading from a hack on the V.R.C. Fleniingtou tracks. In three or four weeks Spearfelt will be in work again under V. O'Neill on Caulfield tracks. AT. Duncan heads the list of winning Melbourne riders with 40J successes, A. Reed next with 26. Importer is doing plenty of good useful ■work at Ellerslie, and \V. Ryan has the bay gelding greatly improved in condition since he was first taken up.

Princess Ronnie is still out in the paddock, but the coming month will probably eee the little Polydanion mare once more among the active brigade at Ellerslie.

The Romeo filly Restaurant, in \V. Gall's stable, is putting plenty of dash into her work of late, while her condition is better than it has ever been previously.

Salamander has built up and improved Tery much since being gelded. At the present time he is being hacked around the roads, and will most likely start ■work at Ellerslie during the coming month.

Arapa (Anderson), the big bay hunter in "Bert" Rae's stable, gave a much im-

proved display of jumping over a couple of hurdles at Ellerslie yesterday, in com- « ipany who was riddea by J. Sharkey.

Clarus ran unplaced in the first division of the Flying Welter at Moorefield on Saturday last, and it is possibly going to be hard to place the Luexdlus gelding to advantage at the suburban meetings around Sydney. The five-year-old mare Serotina, by Autumnus from Glenowkt, has been sold by Sir George Clifford, her buyer being Mr. J. Henry, well kn Xvn in the Dominion, and now a resident of Melbourne. Roy,, who annexed the Ruakawa Handicap on the concluding day of the Hawke's Bay meeting, is a four-year-old gelding by Kilboy from Lady iLouisa. He won very easily, and is stated to be an improving sort. Welkne and Haerera have not been required to do any strenuous work on the track during the absence of trainer J. Thorpe. Both the above horses will most likely be given an opportunity to earn distinction as jumpers later on. D. Moraghan's pair, Kamehameha and Master Doon, are being kept right up to the mark, and were given sound work on the inside grass at Ellerslie yesterday. The going was very heavy, but both horses hit out particularly well in their work. In the cabled results of the Moorefield meeting on Saturday last the name of Lecherous was sent across as running second to Reference in the second division of the Flying Welter. The name, Lecherous, should have been Le Choucas. Passionate (Chaplin) was sent over a couple of pony hurdles yesterday morning at Ellerslie, jumping with plenty of dash. J. Anderton has the chestnut gelding looking very solid at the present time, and with the going to suit him at Trentham, he promises to run well during the meeting. Nankin Blue, the Tea Tray—Ladv Kernan colt, is doin«y well under F. Gilchrist's care at Ellerslie. He is well forward in condition, having done plenty of useful work on the two-year-old track, but until the ground and weather improves, nothing in the way of fast work can be done. Butterscotch, who dead-heated with Coot in the Kidnapper's Handicap, at the Hawke's Bay meeting, is owned by the well-known lady-trainer, Miss G. Maher. The Heather Mixture—Barley Sugar mare had only started on two previous occasions this season, and she finished unplaced both times. Comedy Prince, prior to finishing second in the Turamoe Hurdles at Hastings, on Saturday last, was purchased by the Woodville trainer, H. Connop, for* £50. Second money in the above-mentioned race was worth £30, so Connop had not long: to wait before getting a return on his outlay.

■*■ Schoor is back doing steady work again at headquarters. C. Hodder's gelding has done a fair amount of workaround the roads, and his condition is just right to~ commence a .furthei preparation. Schoor, was not raced very extensively during this season, and has been given every chance to make good during the coming racing period.

San Forte, who finished second to "Woden in the June Steeplechase on the concluding day of the Hawke's Bay meeting, is evidently again striking form. The Guianforte—Lady San gelding won the Wanganui Steeples, and also the Grandstand Steeplechase at the 1923-24 Wanganui winter meeting, and is A very useful 'chaser when at Mβ *8&

Income, who has been retired to the stud, won stakes aggregating about £14.000.

The two-year-old half-brother by Tea Tray to Gasbag will, when his* time arrives, race as Boston.

According to a French writer, a million francs was recently refused for Diplomate, a four-year-old son of the English-bred sire Jaeger.

Fool's Paradise, for whom Mr. Faulkiner, the well-known Australian sportsman, paid 2000gs, has failed to come up to requirements, and is now on the sale list.

Master Arch (Henderson) was given a further schooling task over the pony hurdles at Ellerslie this morning. The Marble Arch gelding was jumped by himself for the first time, and again pleased the track watchers by his bold display over the battens.

Money Order is reported to be getting along satisfactorily in his preparation so far as it has gone. The Paper Money gelding has speed to burn, and fit and well should soon rejoin the ranks of the winners. His trouble is a joint which was injured as a foal.

Charlatan is going along nicely in his preparation for the Grand National meeting, says a Christchureh writer. He is still rather backward, but with a couple of races to assist him at the South Canterbury and Christchureh Hunt meetings, he should be at his best for the August jumping carnival at Riccartou.

J. McChesney, for many years connected with P. T. Hogan's stable and latterly with Mr. Theo. Russell at Oamaru, has commenced operations as a public trainer in Invercargill. At the present time he is busy breaking in a fine rising three-year-old gelding by Gay Lord from Naomi, by Vice-Admiral-Cora Dhue.

Malaga and Scion, two winners of the Auckland Cup, are included among a big batch of horses who have qualified this winter in Otago for hunters' races. They may be racing next month at the Waimate and South Canterbury Hunt meet ings, after which, if their form warrants it, they may be sent on to Riccarton for the Christchurch Hunt and Grand National meetings.

Fire Brigade (by Hurry On from the Prince Palatine mare Inflammable), who was bought as a yearling at Doncaster by Lord Dewar for TOOOgs. made a successful debut at Newmarket last month, when he scored a victory in the Norfolk Stakes. Fire Brigade is credited with being a very handsome colt, and he is ticked off among the most eligible aspirants for Derby honours.

It is out of the ordinary for R. Lewis to be questioned by Melbourne stipendiary stewards concerning anything ridden by him, but it happened at Flemington recently. Hβ was on Idle Time, favourite for the Buckingham Weltor, and, after being one of the leaders to the turn, that horse finished last. Lewis explained that Id4e Time knuckled over at the turn, and did not do well afterwards.

When full details come to hand, it will probably be found that the Quin Abbey gelding Stormy started at a very good price when he won the Moorefield Handicap on Saturday last. At a less important meeting, Gosford, on the previous Tuesday, Stormy ran third in the Steward's mile, while Breezy also finished in a similar place in a six furlong event., and both horses started at odds on.

Whenever the jumping season comes along the Hunterville sportsman, Mr. .1. Bull, is invariably kept in the limelight. Of late years he has always had a strong team of jumpers to carry his colours, but this year his horses have not figured so prominently as was predicted. In the more important events over fences Brigadier Bill, Omahu, and Ngata, r«ad

a strong trio for one man to own, but

Brigadier Bill is the only one to do any good this season. Ngata, is a fine hurdler, and is also useful on the flat. He has not contested any of the big , hurdle events this season, but the handicappers take no risk with the son of Maniapoto, and with Nukumai, he shares the honour of heading the handicap for the Winter Hurdles at Wellington with 11.8.

Merry Mint, the two-year-old by Catmint from Merry Roe, figures among the entries for the Maiden Plate at Wellington on the second day. It is understood that he will also be engaged in the Trial Plate on the opening day of the same meeting. Merry Mint, who won the Tiratu Maaiden Stakes at the Daiinevirke spring meeting, will, if present plans are carried out, accompany The Hawk when the latter is taken across to Australia.

Mr. C. W. L. Murchison, who is well known in New Zealand, where he was at one time a stipendiary steward, has not had much luck as an owner in New South Wales, but lack of success has not deterred him when he has fancied a yearling of a proved horse, and he has gone to big prices to secure most of the horses that carry his colours. Yet when he gave 1350gns in Melbourne a couple of months ago for Valdivia it was not in the hope that she would develop into a top-notch performer. Mr. Murchison realised the value. of the blood (she is by Valais from Wakeful's Daughter) and decided to give her a few runs and retire her to the stud. Accordingly he booked her to Moabite (imp.) for the coming season and sent her to I. H. Andrews at Warwick Farm, to see if she could pay expenses during the intervening months. Following a good second at Menangle Park a couple of weeks ago, she was served up as a warm fancy for the seven-furlong Maiden Welter at that cotirse. and wou in good style. Mr. Murchison said after the race that it was to have been Valdivia'a last run, but that now he would give her one more start before retiring her.

Banjuke, who won the Hunt Cup at Hastings last week, is a pretty useful hunter. Early this season he won the Hunt Club Steeples at Marton, which was his first effort over the big fences. Coming on to the Waikato Hunt meeting, he fell in the Hunt Club Cup. At the last Wanganui meeting he finished third in the Hack Steeples, but ran unplaced in the Grandstand Steeples on the second dav.

The Absurd gelding Bosh won his first race in Australia when he accounted for the division of the Maiden Stakes at the Ascot pony meeting, Sydney, this month. Bosh, according to a .Sydney writer, was meeting a very poor field. On one occasion he was favourite for an open sprint at Randwiek with a field of brilliant horses opposed to him, but few people would care to back him now in a similar class of race.

Wild "Work and Card Trick, who will represent Sir George Clifford at the Wellington Racing Club's meeting next month, have not done much track work lately, having been chiefly confined to ro:\d exercise during the past week. owing to the heavy state of the. tracks, says the Christchureh '"Star." Wild Work, who is a speedy galloper, does not require a great deal of galloping, so the easy treatment may not prejudice her prospects. These two are engaged only on the liist and second davs at Trentham.

BACKED AND FINISHED LAST

The Sydney "Morning Herald' , commenting upon the June Stakes, said: "Several big betting transactions were associated with the June Stakes, the most notable being that on behalf of the New Zealandcr Le Choucas, a member of J. T. Jamieson's team. Two of the biggest operators accommodated clients with £2000 to £200, and another laid £1000 to £100, with the result that at the finish it was impossible to secure bettor than 7 to 1, while in a number of places a point shorter was the best available. This wagering, however, had little effect on Quan Tart's backers, and the gelding was always a solid favourite. Bravery and Boaster also were in great demand, and as the horses were going to to post several bookmakers were backing Absurdum "back." Ariedon was fractious, and got underneath the tapes, but when in line again a good start was effected. Lc Choucas did not show any exceptional speed, and he was the last to pass the post."

C.J.C. NATIONAL MEETING

Owners who intend to be represented ill the principal events at the Canterbury Jockey Club's Grand National meeting on August 9, 11 and 13, should not overlook the fact that nominations close with the secretary, Mr. F. C. Cother. on Friday of thisweek at 8 p.m. The races lor which nominations close are the Grand National Steeplechase of 1600 sovs., and the Winter Cup, of 750 sovs.. one mile, both of which are run the first day, also the Beaufort Steeplechase of 500 sov?., and the Grand National Hurdles of 1200 sovs run on the second day, and the Sydenham Hurdles of 500 sovs and the" Lincoln .Steeplechase of 500 sovs, which arc decided on the final dav.

TOTE IN ENGLAND

There was a large and fully representative attendance at the Turf Guardian Society's Conference recentlv (s.avs an English writer). The business included the consideration of some new proposals for dealing with the Bets Tax as between bookmaker and backer. The figures of the Turf Guardian Society, it was stated, prove definitely that by far the greater part of the yield of the Bets Tax has been collected throiio-h them, and the society'., method of doling with the tax is now thoroughly understood hy the racine public. It enables the S.P. backer to escape the tax on his losing bets in consideration of the deduction from the winnings of a sum equal to three and a half per cent of the winnings and the winning stake. ° No Better Terms. Figures carefully prepared by accountants were submitted by several members, and the conference was forced to the conclusion that uo better terms could bo offered by any bookmaker with fairness to the State, his clients, and himself. The Turf Guardian method was, therefore, confirmed by the conference, and it is hoped that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has now realised that the present rate is too high. Apart from the reduction of the rate, the Turf Guardian Society is appealing to the Chancellor of the Exchequer to place the tax on backers , winnings instead of on their stakes. The General Committee of the Turf Guardian Society hope to have an early opportunity of making certain representations to the committee which has been set up by the Jockey Club to inquire how betting may best be made to contribute to the maintenance of sport. Practicable Measure. The indication that the Jockey Club is at last taking a very dfinite cognisance of betting is satisfactory, and it is sincerely hoped that the authorities of the Turf will proceed to the extent of a practicable measure to supply the deficiency of the Betting Duty Clauses of the Finance Act under which a bookmakers certificate can be held even by a bogus bookmaker who has been declared a defaulter by Tattersall's Committee and "warned off" by the stewards or the Jockey Club. With a scheme of this kind in operation betting might reasonably contribute to the sport of racing a much more substantial sura than could possiblv He sot for this purpose out of the-tpta lisa tor. Jhe totalisator percentage would have to be strictly limited to suit the stern business conditions of English racing which are very different from the holiday conditions of French racin" It is doubtful whether any net profit could be made on the average by the totalisator in England. To be at all practicable, or desirable, the totalisator must be officially controlled in the sight of its patrons, and the machine could not possibly take the place of the office bookmaker, who is a verv essential part of the English racin« system. °

DOMINION HORSES. ARRIVE AT SYDNEY ALL WELL. SYDNEY, June 2S The rapehorsos White Bird. Whakarite Spoony. Nucleus. Tidal and Princess Lupin arrived by the Marama from New Zealand In good condition.

SOUTHERN HORSES SOLD. (By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.") DUNEDIX, this day. Mr. J. Henry, of Melbourne, has purchased Soldier's Hope. Mountain Lion, and Serotina for Australia. The Wingatui contingent next week "for the Wellington Racing Club's winter meeting at Trentham will be Tuki, Honey Cartooq Belie, Bonena, Pamplona, Arpent, and Boyal Head.