SPORTING.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17631, 7 December 1922, Page 10

SPORTING.

Nominations for tne IXunedin J.C.'s Summer Meeting close to-morrow at 5 p.m. Nominations for the "WestLind R.C'3 Summer fleeting close to-morrow at *J p.m. Nominations for the Hawko's Bay and Waikouaiti Meetings closo to-morrow. When being • railed to the Fei ding iloeting, the two-year-old Attractive (Absurd —Finery) was frightcnod by a passmg engine, and, throwing np his head, struck a beam in tho box a severe blow, and in eonsequonee received bad injuries, which may keep him off tho laeeoourso for some time Coming, at such a time, the accident was most unfortunate, as Attractive has a private refutation, and on looks is certainly a promising colt. The Littleton —Missetto mare Polyinnia (dam of The Oypuer) was bold iu England' as a yearling for Csgs, and was actunJ.y only about two an-.l a half years old when she was sent to the stud in New Zealand in 1917. Her fust foal, Solstice (by Solferino) was one of Mr J. V. Buchanan's 1919 yearling draft, and brought 30gs; but the following year the colt now known as Txe Cypher m"ds 35UgA. Last year the latter's brother was sold for 425g5, and during N.Z. --.ip week another brother realised •2000gs. "With a tatal of 2305gs for the four foals Polymnia lias thrown, Mr J. ¥ Buchanan has been fortunate with, that mare, and lie should get a further good return, seeing she will not be actually eight until next year. She was foaled m England in 1010. Apropos the tinkering with tho bet-, ting laws in Eng and, "Field Steward" writes as follows: lam reminded of tlio old story of the small jumping Meeting in tho West of England, where a littlo gang of anutcuns (?) got very busy. It waa the day when paying "first past the post" prevailed outside the rings—which is still often tho rule with men who do not bet in the recognised enclosures at many popular courses. There were only three runners for tho small hurdle, race, and aIL three riders were in the conspiracy. All the long prices against the outsider of the party were quietly picked up by confederates, from, the outside men, and tl:ey promptly drow their ready when this outsider got home after palpably bumping; aaid boring the second. Tho objection which naturally followed was sustained, and then some of the others in it drew over all tho ready-money bets they had made in the rings on tllis horse which got the rao'j—for tho time being. A third lot had backed the horse (originally finishing Inst) on credit accounts, and", within the necessary p&riod, an objection was laid on its behalf against the horse (which had been allotted the spaik) on tb© technical grounds owing to the entry not being in order. Before the end of the week this objection was sustained, so tho gang actually clicked over three winners in turn, without losing a penny in the- process. Judging by the excellent acceptances received the Woodville District Jockey Olub is to have a most interesting meeting. The alteration of dates owing to the original ones including elec-tion-day is not going to prejudice the success of the meeting. Tho form should prove most ' instructive, for many horses engaged have more important tasks at the various holiday meetings at Christmas time. • The Woodvillo Handicap has drawn a very useful .field of fourteen, including Scion, Maioha, and Sunart. Tho last-named showed encouraging form at Foilding, and may provb the best of the trio. Merry' Day, for her dual success at Feiiding, may again make good, but Bitters is coming down in the weights and is a useful galloper. Paoamu has not looked like striking form yet this season, and of the lightweights Beloved may prove to ,be tho best. Sunart, Bitters, and Merry J>ay may prove useful. The class in tho Oete Handicap takes a.wide range and with Statuette at iler best, even with 9st 41b, she would lead this field a merry dance. Royal Box was capable of winning a six furlong race at Masterton just prior to the N;ew Zealand Cup Meeting, but escaped a penalty. *A win at Woodville, however, would render him liable to be re-handicapped for the Auckland Cup. Morose disappointed her connexions when 6ho raced at Aslihurst, but with 7st 3lb she has a good chance to re-oitabheb herself at Woodvillo. As a two-year-old she was more than useful and a return to that form would make her very dangerous. The Nursery Handicap should be a most interesting race tor a big percentage of the starters will, bo making their first abearance in public. Caress should be easily the most seasoned of the field. The minor handicaps are somewhat striking for there aro better_ acceptances,' both numerically and in quality than there have been for similar races carrying much larger etake-money at some recent meetings. The form m these races if carefully weighed-up should prove valuable at the various holiday fixtures. The Trial Plate is no less interesting, containing a number of promising performers. Horses that may race well are, Woden, Wheatfield, Karutahi, Little River, Kao Tane and Pantler. Mr F. S. Easton, the owner of Amythas, almost met his death through the vagaries of the 'cuaser Gang Awa', which he is "hacking" about just now. It appears that Mr Easton was about to mount the big black gelding when he jumped baek. N This threw the horseman from the saddle, b.t unfortunately his foot did not leave the stirrup iron, and the result was that 'Gang Awa' dragged his helpless owner around a rough section for a considerable time. Lucidly for Mr Easton, ho held the reins, and this somewhat acted as a check on Gang Awa'. The rider got off with a bruising and shaking. The Waverley trainer W. Dwyer intends leaving for Australia with a tsam of horses this week, the "sheet anchor" of which will be Still Sea, states the "T-aranaki Herald." Other horses to accompany that gelding will be Wrangle, Spook and Manu. On paper the team is not a formidable one, but well placed should be at least capable of paying expenses, for Still Sea when well is brilliant and much better than public form disslo'ses. Wrangle, too, is a decidedly useful sort, and Spook should be capable of winning 'over hurdles when the company is not select. Manu has beeu off the scene for some time, but goes fast over short courses. In his race on the opening day at Feiiding Snatcber was first to begin, but after going a short distance he was steadied and took fourth place, states a Northern writer. At the home turn Snatcher got into a "pocket," but for which he may have won, as over the concluding stages of the race he was finishing as well (if not better) than any of his opponents. At the monthly meeting of the Canterbury District Committee, held on Tuesday,-the reports of the North Canterbury J.C., Canterbury J.C., and) South Canterbury J.C. were adopted. It was decided that the nominations of Kilbrogan, Passin' Through and Simonides be not accepted at future meetings. Transfers were approved from W. Deans to G. Gerard, two-year-old by Clareneeux—Charmilla; and from W. R, Kemball to P. T. Hogan, ch g Uleaborg