SPORTING.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18187, 25 September 1924, Page 12

SPORTING.

AUSTRALIAN SPRING RACING. CHAMPIONS MEET. GLOAMING BEATEN. A.J.C. D7^BY. (BT OCE SrECI.iL COHEEsPONDiAX.) SYDNEY, September 17. Interesting racing was witnessed at Tattersall's Club Meeting at Eandwick on Saturday. Undoubtedly the feature was Heroic's defeat of Gloaming m the nine furlongs weight-for-age event, the Chelmsford Stakes. It takes a good horse, in fact, a great horse, to beat Gloaming, and this was again demonstrated, as Heroie had to put up an Australasian record to gain the victory, and even then he had to be associated with Dame Fortune. He secured a lucky run near the rails once the straight was reached, whereas the "old horse" had to go round two others. Tie Chelmsford Stakes Field. The thirteen final acceptors went to the post for the Chelmsford Stakes, and of course Gloaming was the public choice. At first he was rushed by eager backers, who were only too willing to lay odds on the Welkin gelding. On paper it looked a wonderfully good opening quotation, but notwithstanding that he had displayed fractiousness at the barrier during the previous week, and was also badly left in the weigh t-for-age Warwick Stakes won by Glentruin, Heroic was the medium of a heavy plunge. It was obvious from the confident manner in which the colt was supported that his connexions had something "up their sleeves," for from double figures he was backed to a solid second favourite, and several bookmakers would not take another penny about him towards the close of operations. Here a word of advice to potential jockeys may not be out of place. Ashley Reed had the mount on Heroic. Seed is always at the track of a morning, and ever ready to ride horses an work for any owner. Like Barkis, he is always << willin , ,' , and this has brought him several good mounts. Rivoli was top-weight in the event with 9st 111b, including a seven pounds penalty, and it was generally conceded that nine furlongs was too short for him. He is, however, gradually getting into form, but on Saturday he was practically despised in the ring. The same may be written of Lady Valais, the property of Beauford's trainer, S. Killick. Royal Howard was not suited by the distance, and in. any case he had done nothing to suggest that he was a weight'for-age horse. Arendal, a Derby colt. from P. Poulsham 's Victorian stable, .was "speckled" by a few, but an interesting candidate was AVallace Mortlake, the first horse to - fce started in a race by the ex-jockey, but now trainer, Albert Wood. Bonaparte, Vinstra, and- Golden Voice each hold engagements in the A.J.C. Derby, and while the last-named was prominent for a mile, the other pair failed to show up. Vinstra showed a dislike for the right-handed going, and as his trainer does not consider that he does his best when going this way, he is to be returned to Melbourne. • Director, a New Zealand-bred gelding by Nassau, was out of his class, and on tho minimum was Eoyan, a Derby colt, the property of L H, Andrews, who won the A.J.C. bine riband with BivolL Ballymena was ridden by Con Reed, but apparently . he was not greatly fancied, as his price eased several points towards barrier rise, and the position of third favourite was occupied by Wallace Mortlake, who was confidently .expected to run a good race. Gloaming generally runs on the big side, but pn this occasion he appeared particularly xobust. TUG Sacs Described. As is customary with him, Heroic pranced about behind the barrier, and it was only owing to the great patience of the starter, Mr H. L. Mackellar, and Ashley Beed that h'e was enabled to get away well. It was an excellent start, and the field moved off practically on terms, but when the line was broken it was by. Heroic and Golden Voice, who soon had an advantage of about a length and a half from Gloaming, Ballymena, 1 Director, and Vinstra. New Zealand was well to the fore at this stage of the event, for with the exception of Heroic and Vinstra those named have interests across the Tasman, Golden Voice being by imported Demosthenes from Golden Shoe, a daughter of that onco great maro Golden Slipper. With seven furlongs to go, Ballymena had joined Golden Voice, while Heroic and Gloaming had given way to spasmodic* bursts* of speed by Bonaparte and Wallace Mortlake. Going along the back stretch the field had settled down, and interest was becoming keener. Ballymena had too much pace for Golden Voice, and at the six furlongs intervals of a length separated them, and then followed Gloaming, with Heroic, Vinstra, and Wallace Mortlake together, a length or so farther back. Golden Voice ran up to Ballymena in the next two furlongs, and Heroic, joined Gloaming, each pair "being separated by a length, and the closest of the others was Wallace Mortlake, who was about five lengths to the bad. The remainder were then out of the race. There was very little alteration approaching the turn, but coming into tho straight Ballymena was -clear, and Golden Voice caused trouble to one, hut advantage to another, by falling back. George Young then decided on taking Gloaming to the front, Taut in so doing he lost a couple of lengths by coming round Ballymena and Golden Voice. Gloaming soon showed out, and he was clear two furlongs from home 1 , but again Ashley Reed's judgment bore fruit. He kept to the rails religiously, and a furlong from home the opening came. Heroic, taking advantage of it, galloped through with great determination, and although Gloaming was hailed as the winner half a furlong from the post, Heroic finished fall of running, and beat him by a little over a" length in 1m 50is, which is half-a second faster than the Australasian record established by All Sunshine at Eandwick in April of this year. Ballymena hung on fairly well, bnt in the last few vards he was eat out of third place by Wallace Mortlake, who finished two and a half lengths .behind Gloaming. Bonaparto was last Heroic's Staying Ability. ** £ aS "S" 3 ** a* questionC' - ' T3j* e M her Heroic Would see out tho 6'?' JESS? 9 "? d •* half ' hut h 0 has now Ml[',F eliminated the doubt and ** *"*» «ie Derby ■BISK b£ T tt tl"*** bet^en ■PS^-iJL 1 , reca "«a that Tt«~£? * late ' and °ae |Hh t^^^^^-iV^y-^^Bojan.

He finished strongly in the Chelmsford Stakes a good way back, and he is a half-brother by imported Highfield to Rivoli. In several quarters Heroic is said to be the colt of the century. He brought 1800 guineas as a yearling, and when winning the two-year-old classics was reported to be suffering acutely with recurring ophthalmia. This, however, submitted to veterinary treatment, and Heroie continued in winning vein, and he holds the record as the greatest stake-winning two-year-old. His earnings now amount to £12.841, last year's winnings being £ll,BOl. Furious holds the record for stake winnings up to three years. She annexed £13,262, so it will be seen that Heroic has a wonderful chance of eclipsing that, especially as the A..T.C. Derby will be worth approximately £6OOO, and the Y.E.C. Derby £4500. In addition, there is the (.'raven Plat*, to say nothing of the Melbourne Cup and the Victorian weight-for-age events. It would take a champion to win a few of these events, but then Heroic is a champion. He may be "the colt of a century." Rejuvenated Thoroughbreds. Another pleasing feature of the racing on Saturday was the return to the winning .list of aged horses in Julia Grey and Prince Charles. The former won the Tramway Handicap brilliantly, but it must be said that the field for the event was a singularly poor one. Previously the Tramway Handicap had been looked upon as a good guide to the Epsom Handicap, but few of the horses engaged in the big mile race Mere included in the field on Saturday. Trimaere was one of the shortest-priced favourites for years, but she had to be content with third place, and will have to show considerable improvement between now and October 4th to have a first-class chance in the mile race. Ail Arheat and The Dancer were responsible for most of the pace, with Trimacre in third position. There was little between the trio at the' turn, where Trimaere forged ahead with Otaere, who was fourth from the halfmile, coming fast. Otaere momentarily headed Trimaere a furlong from home, but then Julia Grey came on the scene, and ridden with good judgment and in a vigorous manner by George Young, who is in excellent form, she finished resolutely, and beat Honey Bee by a length and a half, with Trimacre, just in front of Otaere, two lengths away third. Honey Bee got away badly at the start, and four furlongs from home he was in front of but two horses. He finished with Tare speed, and he will have to be watched closely during the spring carnival. Egyptian Mower was the only New Zealander in the field, but she was not fancied. She was third when the field had settled down, and fifth coming into the straight, but she then found the pace too good for her. Encouraged by the success of Heroie, the Tye-Corteen-Godby combination from Melbourne went for another good win on Purser in the Spring Handicap, but after looking the winner in the straight he. found the weight, 9st 111b, too much for him. As one prominent owner remarked, "A nice chance he has of giving Prince Charles 201b." Prince Charles, who has a Sydney Cup to his credit, came at the right end, and with a dogged finish he just got up in time to beat an extreme outsider in Sardine, who had failed at Menangle Park on the Tuesday previously. Albert "Wood has Prince Charles iu fine condition, and two starts for a third and a win is an excellent beginning for the latest addition to the trainers ranks. He also has a Derby candidate and several smart-looking two-year-olds of Mr "J. Baron's" in his stable's. Fighting for a Principle.

Matters in the Royal Despatch case have taken an almost unexpected turn of events. Mr Knight has decided not to race his horses under the A.J.C, or at least at A.J.C. meetings, and they are to be returned to New Zealand after next Saturday's meeting at Eosehill. Mr Knight has adopted this attitude because of his implicit faith in P. D. Jones and M. MeCarten, and it would appear that he has excellent grounds for his action. [A cable message published yesterday states that Mr Knight has changed his plans, and Ballymena will remain for the A.J.C. Meeting.] The writer was informed semi-official-ly that Mr Knight asked that the whole of the evidence in the case should be put before the public. As was only to be expected, this was not granted, and as a matter of fact Mr Knight was not allowed to discuss the evidence at all. When informed of this, he stated that he did not wish to say anything further. He considers that there was not the slightest bit of evidence to convict Jones and MeCarten _ of improper practices. Although it is stated officially that New Zealand horses are always welcome over this way, it would appear that every obstacle is placed in their way. One official of the A.J.C. said the other day that they would be pleased to see the best from New Zealand, but when here New Zcalanders would have to conform with the local club's rules. There has been very little, if any, cause for complaint in years gone "by, but officials of the A.J.C. would appear to be inclined to court trouble. One can recall a dispute not so very long since about bandages, and it is pin-pricks such as these which apparently mako New Zcalanders feel that they are not wanted here. So far as the general public is concerned, they are welcome in the true sense of the word. Colts on the Track. Special interest was taken on Tuesday in the work of tho Derby colts. Nigger Minstrel (A. Reed) went at: tractively for a mile in lm 435, and he finished strongly. He ran the first three furlongs in 365, four in 50s, five in lm 2Js, and seven in lm 29Js. Heroic (A, Reed) had as his companions another Derby oolt iu Bonaparte (K. Godby) and Purser (H. Cairns). They took lm 47s for the mile, and although Bonaparte had his head iu front at the finish, it was evident that Heroic was being restrained by his pilot. Leslie AVallace, who was bred at Willis Gully, went comfortably over seven furlongs in lm 3615, and Spearfelt, another Derby colt from Victoria, tool; the same time as Heroic for a mile. Queensland's representative is Serelot, a half-brother to Kingslot. He was let off with six furlongs, which he negotiated in lm 181s. Sir Dighlock, another from the Southern State, started off his mile gallop very smartly, but he tired towards the finish, and although he ran the first half in 50s, the full journey took him 'lm 46is. BALLYMENA'S PROGRAMME. (BI CABLE—r-BESS ASSOCUTIOX—COPTEIGHT) (ACSTBALIA2J AXD X.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) SYDNEY, September 24. Mr Knight states that he intends to bring the evidence in the Roval Desoatch case before the New Zealand Racist: "Conference. ' ''lt was only when Jones suid MeCarten assured me," ho cays, "that if Ballymena stayed hero to race they would not bo there, that I agreed- to change my nhuis. Ballymena ran bo well on Saturday that naturally I feel he has a good chance in the coming events.'" Ha pointed out that Eeed rode him differently on Saturday from what ho did in the Chelmsford Stakes. He was told instead of taking him to the front to wait until they got into the straight. The result was evident, and h© was not forgetting Gloiminc's bad luck in- the race. Asked if Ballymena would fill his encasement in the Melbourne Cup, Mr Knight eaid that it was unlikely. The Cup was a very hard race to win and Ballymena had a lot of weight to carry. Ho wanted to be back in Christchurch for the first week in November and would not like the horse to go to Melbourne if he were not there him-

LOCAL AND GENERAL ITEMS.

Nominations for tlie Auckland T.C/s Spring Meeting close to-morrow at 5 p.m. A second payment is duo at 5 p.m. to-morrow for the Auckland T.C.'s 1924 Great Northern Derby. Realm appears to hare become sound again, and there is every possibility that he will surriro a Cup preparation. 'in connexion with the Geraldjne Racing Club's Spring Meeting to-day and to-morrow, special trains will leave CSiristcJiurch at 5.30 a.m., and the return trains are due back in town at 8.43 p.m. Very good fields ar6 engaged in all events to-day, and in the First Hurdlo Handicap, with which proceedings commence. Pompeso will probably be favourite, after his good: showing on the first day at Ashburton. Ho has gone up about 31b under the scale adopted for today's race, but that does not by any means represent the distance* intervening between him and those finishing behind him at Ashburton. . Gorgeous, who heads the list in the Handicap, showed plenty of pace when working at Riccarton as a two-vear-old last season. The Martian fißy would not need to show much improvement on what has been seen of her in public to win to-day, but Lord Scadown, among others, has raced recently and in this_ will have an advantage over the top-weight Lord Seadown showed some pace at Ashburton.

On the runnins in the Ashburton Cup ou Saturday, Deucalion must be considered well "treated in the Geraldine Cup, and if Kilfane"s two races there hate had any ill effects, Happy Warrior roav be the top-weight s most formidable 'opponent. Prince Ferouz will run out the distance- with only 7st 61b, and afc 6st 01b Kukume may run up to some of the work she has done lately at Riccarton.

The Harp will bo well supported in "the Squatters' Handicap, but though "there are oulv six engaged m the race, the North Island-bred gelding is not likely to have an easy task. Los Ambus roads well at 7st 131b, and the Boniform gelding Fulmar, who beat a pood fie!d of two-year-olds at Trentham last autumn, may not bo at any serfoiis disadvantage for not having appeared in public recently. The Raukapuka Handicap is another race bearing a fairly open, appearance, though Heather Lad is likely to be entrusted frith most money. TVaetea has been racing well this season, and lias already won three times and been in minor places three times smce August Ist. Both Solferite and Bonatic showed form last season, but may want a race or two before reproducing it.

Giantkiller lias been working well lately and apnears likely to dispute favouritism with Mountain Lion m the Belfield Welter. Ophir, too, will carry money, and lower in the list Prosperity and Petunia are assured of lair support. The usual big fields are engaged in the trotting races, and speculation will take a fairly wide range. lhe three-year-olds Sea Pearl and Whetu, Jimmy Chimes, Moonlit, Mafcagouvi, and Bruce mav bo starters during the day, and their form will be watched closely by followers of the light-har-ness sport. MANAVTATU HUNT'S ANNUAL MEETING. (PMSS ASSOCIATION TSI.XGSAU.) PALMBRSTON NORTH, Sept. 24. The Manawatu Hunt's Annual Meeting was held on the Awapuni course to-day, in dull weather, rain supervening before the end of the day. The course was heavy, but good fields' provided excellent racing. The total'isator investments amounted to £11,362, as against £12,762 f&r the meeting held at Feilding last year. Itcsults:— RAUMAI HUNTERS' HURDLES, of 100 soys; ljm—Diamond Nap 10 7 J. B. Kaan 1; Kaika 10 12 2; Chesforte 10 3. Ruatara. 11 i; Oak Rose 10 11; Manchineel gelding 9 11; Kaiorte 9 9; Rajut 9 8; Uncle Retaua 9 7; and Donnybrook 9 7 also started. Won by two lengths; sis lengths between second and third. Time, 3iu 34 l-ss. FOXTON MAIDEN FLAT RACE, of 75 sovs; weight 9; 6f—Kanaka' It. Reed 1; uirthraark 2; Newbury King S. Lieutenant Bill, Bravato, Red Glow, Pratique, Freeola, Sirto gelding, Sanctuary, Pikfcka, Luarne, Miss Hupana, and Captain Wai also started. Won by a head; three lengths between second and third. Time, lm 11 4-ss. MANAWATU HUNT CUP STEEPLECHASE, of 150 eovs. About 3m. H. Hiroti's br.g War Loan by Zimmerman— Omokura aged 11 1 W. Bowden 1 J. R. Wicks'* ch m Adrienne aged 10 11 2 P. Johnson's b g Te Toa 11 5 ..3 Blue Hall 11 7; Ah Fu 10 7; Ga-ekwar 10 2; Craigowan 9 7; Tonukohe 9 7; and Taihape 9 7 also started. "Won by two lengths; bix lengths between second and third. Time, 6m 21s. TE MATAI HACK HURiDLES, of 120 sovs; l>.m—Bonibrook 10 10 L. U-. Morns 1; Ay«n Kara. 9 5 2; Atapo 9 10 3. Pitwhero 9 13; Goldpioce 9 13; EJvaette 9 5; and Birkcnella 9 ajao started. Won by half a length; three lenglhs between second and third. Time, 3m sfi l-ss. KIWITEA BRACELET HANDICAP, of 50 sovs; ljm—Gay Bobbie 11 Me McPhcrson 1; Punishment 10 0 2; Havana 10 7 3. Coon Can 10 7 also started. Won by three lengths; same between second andi third. Time, 3m 1 2-3s.

KAIRANGA HANDICAP, of 130 eors; 7f —Happy Days 8 B. J. Maciie 1; Tussoro 7 12 2; Santonia 8 11 3. Santiago 7 8; Aekari 7 S; ITartullsi, 7 3; Birkie 7 2; and Hallovrvonia. 6 10 also started. Won l>y half a length; two lengths between second and third.

PARORAXGI STEEPLECHASE, of 103 sots; 2m--Oneroft 9 11 A. H. Burt 1; Ringi 30 5 2; To Toa 11 8 3. Oak Roso 11 6; Cheeforte 10; Rapid Stride 9 9; and Craigowan 9 7 also etartcd. "Won by four lengths; three lengths between second and third. Time, 4m 3 4-Ss.

NEWBURY HACK HANDICAP, of 100 sovs;_ 7f—Sir Pant J. Barry 1; Strong Holt S 1 2; Bon March 7 5 ?,. The Emperor 7; Red Glow 7; and Capitulation 7 also started. Won by half a length; eix lengths between second and third. Time, lm 35 2-ss. GIGGLE SCRATCHED. (BT CABLE—PEESS ASSOCIATION—COPTRIGHT) (AUSTBALUK AKD K.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received September 24th. 8.10 p.m.) SYDNEY, September 24. Giggle lias been scratched for all Randwick engagements.