RACING AND TROTTING

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20302, 30 July 1931, Page 12

RACING AND TROTTING

LATEST NEWS FROM FAR AND NEAR

RACING FIXTURES. Ji.iy 3i>—'Jiiborne R.C. August 11, 11, 15— Canterbury J.C. AOffUSt if3—Paknrnnga Hunt. August 22 —Hawke's Bay Hunt. August 29—T&ranalu Hunt, feept. s—Otago Hunt. Sept, 6—Birchwood Hunt. .Sept. 10. 13—Wanganui J.C. .Sept. 19—Ashburton County R.C. Sej>l. 26 —G<>raldino U.C. Sept. 26—Hawko's Bay -T.C. fjcpl. 26, 23 —Avondajp .7.C. TROTTING FIXTURES. Awijiui f, 11, ll -X.Z. Metropolitan T.C. TURF GOSSIP. Brilliant Display at Riccarton. Wednesday is one of the off days at Kiccarton for work of interest, but track-watchers yesterday wore treated to one of the best displays of jumping over the schooling steeplechase fences oeen on the course for a long time. This was given by Wiltshire (R. Syme), Laeess (F. Foster), and Wako King (H. Dulieu), who set off together to negotiate two rounds. Wako King jumped the first two fences carefully and was .*oon left behind. The other pair, establishing a fast pace, raced abreast throughout and neither made a mistake. Wiltshire seemed to hold Lucess safe and although the latter headed him when he lost a little ground by striking the first of the double brush, which completed the task, he made a wonderful jump at the second, and landed on terms. Lucess evidently appreciated the firm take-off and showed a marked improvement on his efforts at Trentham. Both finished their work strongly, Wiltshire especially showing little effects. Wako King was outclassed, and his ebowing would not point to his possibilities as a National candidate.

Prince Lu (F. Poster) added interest by negotiating two rounds over the hurdles (eight fences). He was kept in restraint from the start, and was not allowed to set his usual fast pace, but his jumping was faultless, and lie ehowed marked ability in getting away again after landing. With Lucess and Prince Lu, the Cambridge trainer, W. J. McLean, certainly holds a strong hand for the two Nationals. Out of Luck. The hurdle horseman, A. J. Peart, who suffered a broken collarbone when Thurina fell with him at the recent Ashburton Meeting, has been put aside again with a similar injury. He made a good recovery from his early mishap, and his first mount since was on Noteworthy in a schooling task over four hurdles on Monday afternoon. The West Coast gelding negotiated three fences well at a fast pace, but fell heavily at the last, and Peart sustained, a fresh break, which will beep him idle over the Grand National period. Noteworthy was schooled again "iyesterday and ridden by F. Stock, negotiated two hurdles safely, lint showed signs that he will require a lot more education before becoming proficient at the game. Giggleswick (I. Tilson) was also sent over two hurdles yesterday, giving % much improved display. From the Coast. The latest arrivals at Kiccarton are the Beefton-owned and trained Full Crop, Smithereens, and Jael. Cameronian Again.

On the opening day of the Boyal Ascot Meeting last month I the Derby winner, Cameronian, canterea away with: the St. James's Palace Stakes, one mile. Derby winners have often failed in this race owing to the race for the classic having sapped their vitality, but Cameronian is recorded as having "finished as if he really loved racing." ' Bronze Eagle Well. .

The champion colt Bronze Eagle appears as well now as ever he did, and at the rate he is progressing it looks as though he will be on hand early (says an Auckland writer). Bronze Eagle is being sent along a bit now in his work. The preparation he has had has been as thorough as track conditions Dave permitted, and everything to Ms being in the front rank of next season's three-year-olds..

Outclassed. New Zealand's particular interest in the race for the English Derby centred on the fortunes of the two horses run by the former New Zealander, Mr Boyd Davis, who had nominated three. Prior to the race their chances were, contemptuously dismissed by -sporting writers at Hinne, and they were right, for Te Hau and Te Buru were the last to ; finish. reed for Bacehorses. Frank McGrath, trainer of Amounia, is on a "visit to Queensland. When told that H. B. Telford, trainer of Phar Lap. paid 9a a bushel for New Zealand white oats as fart Of the champion's feed, he claimed that no one could wish for anything better than Australian Algerian oats. He considered that New dun oats were superior to the white oats, but to say that the white oats were so much better than Australian was incorrect. Melbourne oaten hay was the best in the world, and New Zealand trainers sent for it just as some of «ur trainers sent to the Dominion for meadow hay. Changes in food were as beneficial to racehorses as lo human beings.

gelling Out. Mr E. A. Connolly, the well-known Melbourne owner, hap intimated that he intends to sell all his horses privately. The horses include Dark Man, a Cop candidate, Obliteration, Ithuriel, Vcridique, Broken Doll, and two rising two-year-olds, one a colt by High Force from Eastern Belle, and the other by Magpie from Medal Queen. The Eastern Belle eolt is a brother to the smart Sydney galioper Martand. Mr Connolly said that there are several reasons for bis decision, but he did not indicate what they are. •. - ■ ' • - ;

Winter Cup Pield Reviewed. The Winter Cup has been recognised for many years past as one of the most difficult races in New Zealand to win and as an event which presents speculators with the most difficult problem of the year. This is brought about mainly by the fact that the race is decided at th> end of the winter season and that practically all the candidates have had a good deal of racing during the winter months, under the winter scalo of weights, and can bo considered to be at the top of their form. An unusual feature in connexion with this year's event is the absence of the usual number of North Island representatives, which total only eight of the thirty-one first acceptors. The tendency is therefore to look to the south to collect the honours, but it has to bo borne in mind that North Island trainers will not be making the long and expensive trip to lliccarton unless their horses have given them every encouragement to continue their engagements. The list as it at present stands does not contain any outstanding candidate on the season's resultß, and this is indicated by the margin of 221b between the topweight's impost and the minimum, and tho evenness of the candidates can be gathored by the gradual drop from the head of the list until tho lowor division is reached, and by the opinion ot : the handicapper in placing twelve of the total on the nine stone mark. Sinco the weights appeared racegoers have had reason to realise the task sot them by Mr Henrys, and the big acceptance can be treated as general approval of that official's effort by the owners interested. In this regard it may be mentioned that the nominations totalled 51, and of those who failed to make the acceptance none could be said to have been withdrawn on the score of harsh treatment by the handicapper. Most; of them were in the lower division, and the fact that the fbst defection was fourteenth on the list enhanced the morit of the scale adopted. Palormo holds the honour of heading the list with 10-8, a weight that has not often been carried to victory in the race; in fact, there have been only nine winners with a burden of 10 stone or over, these comprising Ostialc (10-5) in 1901, Vladimir (10-12) in 1003, Kremlin (10-12) in 1905, Nyland (10-1) in 1910, Gazique (10-11) in 1919, Clean Sweep (10-6) in 1921, Sunny Loch (10-9) in 1923, Historic (10-4) in 1929, and Toxeuma (11-5) twelve months ago. Palermo has proved himself tho best sprinter in tho South Island, but at tho same time there jvas nothing in his pei> forniances to suggest his success over a mile under an impost that has settled probably better handicap horses in the p~st. True Shaft has been highly flattered by his position in having to concede weight to much better winners, but the best has never realH been seen of the Arrowsmith gelding, who, incidentally, is in great order at present, as evidenced by his smart half-mile gallop on a soft track on Tuesday. Town Major will not have Trentham going to assist him, and mueh will depend on the elements as to his place in tho betting list. Mahora justified widespread confidence by his decisive win in tho Whyto Handicap, one mile, at the recent Wellington Meeting, and will again carry much North Island support. Bnyal Saxon has disappointed too ofton of late on good and bad tracks to make him anything but a possibility, and Arikiwai has lidt had the racing to bring him into discussion. Groat Charter is considered in Hawko's Bay circles to be well treated, and it is stated his owner, on receipt of tho handicaps, cancelled an earlier resolution not to make the trip. Great Charter is a bold galloper when right and has shown his liking for tho roomy Kiccarton track by his victory in the Great Easter Handicap of 1930. Cliarmeuse is deemed to be in her right place with 10-3. She has received a special preparation for the race, and although beaten in her engagement at Washdyko last week, she would not lose any of her admirers. The only drawback to her chances" is her inability to move off as smartly as may be desired in a "big field, but, provided sho is given time to settle down, her prowess becomes evident at the right end, especially on the, long Riccarton straight. With judicious racing and track work, she is likely to be produced at her best, and, favoured with reasonable treatment in the early stages of the race, racegoers can expect her to take a prominent part in the final tussle- Kahikatoa's recent form in Hawke'a Bay and at Trentham entitles him jto every consideration. A roport recently appeared in Hastings that his Native owner had decided on giving his useful stake-earner a spell after the Trentham Meeting until the spring, and time will decide whether this idea has been abandoned in-favour of the trip south. Great Star has been in steady work for some time and doos not require much galloping to bring him into light condition. He has invariably .faced well first time up, and can be classed as one of the best beginners in the field from any position. He is one likely candidate who has not solicited much discussion, but investors will be well advised to keep him in mind during the week's proceedings. Mount Boa is another who ig not being seriously regarded, but he will be racing oyer his favourite distance, and there is no doubt about his telling finishing run if at all handy in the run home. The Melbourne Cup entrant, Compris, hks not been up long enough to make him dangerous over a mile, and Red Bo i is hardly up to the class pitted against him. Straightcourso • will probably suffer by the want of racing, and will be seen to better . advantage later in the Meeting. Rational 11. is reported to be doing everytning required of him on the secluded track at Levin, and a surprise may be forthcoming from the well-bred Australian gelding. Knollmere has been one of the top line fancies for some time. He was produced only once at Trentham, and in spite of his known inability to handle heavy going he executed an attractive effort in extending the useful Manawhenua at the end of six furlongs. Knollmere's final gallops will bo closely followed, and he has only to show some good track form ti make him favourite on the day. . High Court completes the list above nine stone, but he can be dismissed in the meantime. The minimum division contains several distinct possibilities, and, judging by publi- opinion already expressed, thero are many early speculators who have relied on that quarter to provide the winner. The recent form of all listed on the bottom cf the scale is well known. A few may be selected to warrant mention. Boyal Love has proved himself a hack above the ordinary, and but for inI sistent lee troubles would have reached higher class by now. He ran a sterling race at Washdyko on Saturday, his first for some time, and this and the intervening track gallops he will havo should land him at the post a fit horse. He can be r ju a moderate beginner, but his real asset lies in his powerful finishing run. Sharp Thorn has been iost c.nsisteiit during t- . past few anil has to be taken into account. He is smart to find 1 3 feet, ana his effort in holding off Cliarmeuse at Washdyke on Saturday loft no doubt as ;to his staminf. It is worth noting, however, that he, has been nominated for the Avonhead Handicap on the first day, r his chaiacri may be considered better in that event run over seven furlongs. Rascal's runaway victory over Sharp Thorn and c..armeuse at Vv shdyke would make it appettr likely that ho would beat them again. He is as smart as anything.in the race out of

the barrier and once he hita tlie front is a liard horse to settle. Punchestown disappointed at Trentham, but this could be put down to the heavy going. He commands a good turn of speed and should show prominence at some part. Toperc, On Top, and Dunraven can be included in the section having moderate ehances only. Some of the light-weights may be missing at the next payment, duo on Thursday noxt, but there is every reason to expect an almrst. unanimous response from owners of horses on the first half of the list. Public opinion is naturally verv divided with such well-balanced material available, but six who make most appeal at this juncture comprise Cliarmeuse, Knollinere, Mahora, True Shaft, Kahikatoa, ancl Boyal Love.

TROTTING NOTES.

Reminder. Acceptances for tho first day of the Metropolitan Club's August Meeting close on Tuesday. Tenedos. Tencdos is to have another try io win a two-mile race, judging by tho appearance of his name in the list of handicaps for the 4min 35sec class two-" mile race on Saturday week. His previous best form has been shown over courses up to a mile and a quarter. He has disappointed several times when well fancied for longer races, but he has shown ability on all sorts of tracks —grass or clay, heavy or fast. Width of Sulkies. With so much discussion taking place regarding the width of sulkies used, it is interesting to note that the committee of tho New South Wales Trotting Club recently decided that the maximum width of sulkies used in rac/js .shall not exceed 4ft 2in. An inspection of the sulkies used revealed that the width varied from, 3ft Bin to sft 2in. Good Recovery. After having shown evidence of the effects of a cold last week, Mountain Dell has apparently mado a good recovery, as on Tuesday morning sho gave a much better display over two miles than she had done in her previous trial. Sho will bo driven at Addington by her trainer, L. Mitchell. New Zealand-bred Winnor. A Now Zealand-bred horse to be successful at the latest Meeting of the Australian Trotting Club is Prince Lightfoot, a gelding by Brent Locanda j from a Prince Imperial mare. Brighton Candidate. Happy Land appears to bo tho most likely of A. E. Bussell's team to earn any stake money at tho August Meeting. Since ho returned from Auckland i this horse has done exceptionally well j in his work at New Brighton and should bo in fine ordor by tho time the Meeting comes round. At Hutt Park. Wellington reports state Glonrossio to be in forward condition for his next week's engagements. Tho Hutt Parktrained - horse performed disappointingly on his last visit to Addington, but will have lost few friends, as he retrieved his lost prestigo by winning tho Mark Memorial Handicap in his noxt outing at Auckland. Tarndale's Torm.

Tarndale, who is due to compote at the August Meeting, will bo remembered by hia convincing victory on the second day of the corresponding Meeting last yeaT. Since then he has not raced with a great deal of success, but in the interim has won the President's Handicap, tho chief event on tho Timaru Trotting Club's summer programme. J. McLennan had him looking as fit as hands could make him when last raced, but his form was poor. Perhaps he may race better on the Addington track.

From Auckland. T. J. Smith's pair, Jewel Pointer and Great Ballin, are pleasing their trainer by the way they are completing their work. Both horses are expected to race woll at the Metropolitan Meeting. They will probably leave for the south early next week.

Temperament of Champions. "Marque," in the course of an articled on the temperament of champions, when dealing with Peter Manning, writes as follows: —

Peter Manning I would liken to one of those modern business "efficiency experts"; a veritable equine machine of which every part was carefully coordinated. No fast trotter ever gave less outward evidence of possessing intense nerve force, his absence of parade or self-consciousness in public appealing to every horseman who observed him. The same afternoon that Tommy Murphy gave him his first world's record' of lmin 57Jsec, Afiori Guy, lmin 59} sec, also was given his mark by Tommy, and while there was some two seconds difference in the speed that they performed at, everyone present gained the impression'.that the stallion was trotting faster than the gelding, Peter was stepping along with about the same evidence of being nerved up or excited as a inason would display in laying brick; while Arion Guy gave us thr,ill upon thrill, so spirited and vivid was thp spectacle that he provided.

Peter mado occasional breaks in going into the first turn, but these transgressions were generally due to the fact that an effort was always made to shoe him as lightly as possible so that he Would be able to carry his speed more advantageously, and at times this tended to unbalance him. The number of trainers that drove him in exhibitions forms a lengthy list, and for all of them he did notable things. I saw him lose his temper once, however, that being in Canton, Ohio, when Mr Geers had him. Ho was just recovering from a trifling ailment, 'and when Mr Geers 'tried to get him away, he would shake his head and decline to strike his stride. Part of the fault, as Mr Geers told me, was to be blamed upon himself, for he should not have tried to score Peter with the running pacemaker at his side. Peter was another horse that liked company when in his quarters, and was always r kindly disposed towards his grooms.

LEADING JOCKEYS. (UNITBB " PRESS ASSOCIATION —BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH—COPVIHQHT.) (Received July 29th, 7 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 29. -W. H. Cook, with ( 57 wins, heads the winning jockeys' list this season. M. McCarten is second. E. Bartle, who held pride of place for three years, is thitd. ■ J. Pratt is fourth. George Young begins training at Randwick at the commencement of the new rdclng" season. A RACEHORSE KILLED. (Received July 29th, 7 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 29. The jumper Prince Arim, while training at Randwick, struck a fence and turned a somersault. Ho broke his