TURF GOSSIP

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21363, 4 January 1935, Page 12

TURF GOSSIP

7'a.kins Time The four-year-old till;'. Night (.-rem. (rained by D. O'Connor, has been *cirr , " - hat disappointing, as she ha? been expected to get on the winning list on more than one occasion of late, End has failed. She diowed pr-imin-tnee for a while rounding the home turn in the Trial Stakes at Oaniaru on W'ednesdav. but had faded oul when the business stages were reached. Like more <>: her breed—she is by Night Raid from the Tractor mare, Karitane—she may require more time 1o come right. Not in Form Polvdora was not started at Oamaru on Wednesday, as it was considered that bv her effort at Waikouaiti she would not have much chance with her stable-mate, Scratchmere Scar, who, however, was badly beaten. Polydora looked well at Waikouaiti, but there is evidently either something amiss with her. or she is not as good as considered in many quarters. She will probably now be given a short let-up, and is not likely to make the trip to Trent hpm. Successful Southern Clubs The Waikouaiti Racing Club can justly lay claim to being the most successful one-day club in the Dominion. This position is brought about by no other race meeting being held -within reach of Dunedin on New Year's Day. On Tuesday last, live long trains from and to Dunedin were packed to overflowing, and every available part of the natural picnicgrounds surrounding the track was taken up. A large majority made the trip merely for the day's outing, but speculation was very brisk, and with the gate takings showing a big increase, the club will make a profit of more than £IOOO, after allowing for the liberal stake money allotted. In recent years the Waikouaiti and Oamaru clubs have worked their fixtures on a joint programme, and the arrangement has given very satisfactory results. The Oamaru Club certainly is not nearly as well favoured in the matter of the day, January 2, or of its geographical position as far as the southern districts are concerned; but it "has nevertheless enjoyed successful gatherings and that on Wednesday would come out satisfactorily in spite of some small fields, which affected the totalisator turnover.

The North Otagb body is conducted by a most enthusiastic committee and loyally supported by its members, and F.ny success which comes its way is •well deserved. There is every indication that the existing arrangement between the two clubs will continue to shew improved results for both, and as was the case this year, some of the best of the South Island horses will always be in evidence. The facilities provided for conveying horses by rail from Waikouaiti to Oamaru immediately after the last race at the former fixture has been favourably commented upon by trainers, but it has been suggested that if the Waikouaiti programme could be completed earlier than at present, the horses would reach Oamaru in daylight, and not in darkness, as was the case on Tuesday. This change could be effected by the Waikouaiti card being opened at an earlier hour than 12.30 p.m. It is in the main a picnic gathering, held on a public holiday, and very few patrons would find fault with starting the racing an hour earlier. In fact the majority would appreciate the change, as it would give them the opportunity of returning home at a more convenient hour than at present. No doubt if representations were made to the Waikouaiti executive, the proposal would receive favourable consideration.

Successlul Innovation The totalisator barometer which was in use for the first time in Taranaki nt the races at New Plymouth on December 2C (states the Taranaki "News") created great interest. Tn-r-tead of the number of tickets on f>ach horse being shown on the face of ihe totalisator there was the barometer. When the machine opened for the first race the public appeared just a little bewildered, especially as there was nothing showing on the face at iiii. However, the early betters went in and after the first calculations had been made a white strip made its way upon the number one line and following this a yellow one appeared sbove. The process was then followed along each number. Despite the many explanations many of the public were sorely puzzled, but those who had already grasped the idea were soon enlightening their friends. "The white one shows what the horse is paying for a place," could be heard everywhere, "aud the yellow above shows the win dividend." "See, So and So is paying XI2 for a win and £4 10s for a place." It did not take the crowd long to grasp the idea. Ther« were no longings for the old system. No longer did people have to work out the price before deciding what to back and the tall yellow strips were a great temptation to take a long chance. Another feature was a distinct disinclination to back short price favouiities on the place side. All the place dividends .showed a big improvement on other occasions. The innovation certainly made the place betting more popular Ihan hitherto.

Death in Melbourne The dcavh occurred last week oi* Mr K. L. Spry, well known as a racehorse owner and business man in Melbourne. For mauy years Mr Spry had taken an active interest in racing, ard in partnership with his brother, Mr H. K. Spry, usually had a horse or two in training. He raced Flair with iair success and other horses to carry his colours were Glideaway. Count OrlotT. and Treasury Bond.

Radiant Star A splendid performance was registered by Radiant Star in winning the Three-Year-old Handicap, of six furlongs, at Moonee Valley on December 22. There were 18 starters, and the Hunting Song colt was made a firm favourite. Waltzing Nellie and Lady Burnewang had most support of the others. When the field settled down Radiant Star was a long way out of his ground, and when only half a mile remained to be covered was so far back that his prospects seemed anything but bright. Sonitrice was then leading front Your Honour, while Litlirene, and Devoncourt were all well placed. Sonitrice was still leading when the field entered the straight, but she dropped back shortly afterwards, and Bute-

man quickly gained her measure. Momentarilv it seemed that Buicinan might win, but Radian! Star and Last Rub came with well-sustained runs in the straight, and engaged in an exciting finish. Radiant Star fought en determinedly, and, drawing away over the last rev varcls, won nicely from L-st Rub by half a length Battery Discovered Following the finding of an electric battery in a portmanteau owned by the jockey P. O'Loughlin in the jockeys' room at Callaghan Park racecourse at Rockhampton on December 26, O'Loughlin was brought before the stewards. After O'Loughlin had made a statement the stewards disqualified him for lite. O'Loughlin gave notice of appeal. He contended that the battery had been placed in his portmanteau by someone else, and that lie knew nothing about the affair Homer's Success The December Stakes at i-iandwick on Boxing Day proved to be a race right up to expectations, providing a wonderful finish, with six of the eight starters locked together. Although Homer won and battled on in great style, he was perhaps lucky to beat Strathardale. After beginning smartly Strathardale lost several lengths approaching the turn, where Homer and Wise Boy had drawn right ahead. Homer had the measure of Wise Boy a furlong from home, with Strathardale finishing again under pressure. The last-named was set too great a task, however, and went under by half a neck.

TROTTING NOTES

Reminders Nominations for the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's Royal meeting will close on Thursday, January 10, at 12 noon. Nominations for the Forbury Park meeting will close on January 15, and for the Timaru meeting on the following day. A Greymouth Prospect General Sarsfield ran a capital race in the Wakanui Handicap at Ashburton, when he was narrowly defeated by Midshipmaid and Mystery Yet after pacing a mile and a half in 3min 22 2-5 sec. On this form he should have a rare chance in the Guinness Handicap at Greymouth to-day. He will be driven by F. G. Holmes. Promising Young Pacer Truman, a winner at the Greymouth Jockey Club's meeting, is the first of the Truman Direct stock to win a race, and he made the third victory gained by A. Hendriksen on the West Coast circuit. Truman is only three years old and should add further successes to the credit of the Islington trainer.

Capable Young Trainer Morning Sun is now 10 years old, and has done a lot of racing; but it id doubtful whether he has ever been in better condition than at present, and his second to Queen Author in the Final Handicap at Addington was full of merit. His young trainer-driver, A. Fairbairn, handled the gelding very judiciously, keeping a nice position on the rails, and making a very determined effort over the last part. Fairbairn is to be complimented on the excellent condition in which he turned his horse out, and with any luck at all he should soon be on the winning list. At Addington he has a small team in work and besides Morning Sun he is training three young horses in a three-year-old filly by Key de Oro, a two-year-old filly by Grattan Loyal, and a three-year-old gelding by Wrack. These juveniles are being put through their early education and all give promise of making up a most useful team. .

Speedy but Unsound Village Guy is a most useful pacer —only four years old —and it is unfortunate for his owner, Mr B. Grice, that he cannot be given the work necessary to fit him for more than one race. In the Prebbleton Handicap at Addington on Wednesday, Village Guy showed himself to be one of the best pacers of his age, and he was not unduly extended to record 3min 20 3-5 sec for a mile and a half. Village Guy is by Guy Parrish from Colene Pointer by Logan Pointer—Queen Cole, by King Cole—Norice. Village Guy is a very well-bred pacer and his dam, Colene Pointer, won a number of good races after having produced King- ! craft. As a three-year-old she was re- ! garded as very promising; but she met with a sei'ious accident and her owner thought seriously of having her destroyed. Her excellent breeding, however, made her valuable as a stud matron, and she was retained in Mr B. Grice's stud. She was mated with Quincey. The result was Kingcraft, who proved himself a brilliant three-year-old and later won a division of the New Zealand Cup. Colene Pointer was then put into training and won a number of races. If Village Guy could stand the work that is given his halfbrother he would be one of the best horses in New Zealand. Trotting- in America Trotting in America stiii retains its popularity and the results of the Old Glory Sale, held at New York early in December, show that owners are prepared to pay good prices for wellbred yearlings and older horses. The three-year-old colt. Lord Jim. by Guy Axworthy—Selka, by Peter the Great, was purchased by the Walnut Hall Stud Company for 8100 dollars, and the best priced yearlings included the following:—Bay colt. The Master, by Peter Volo—Margaret Arion, 7300 dollars; bay colt, Peter Zombelle. by Peter Volo—Zombelle. 5000 dollars) bav colt. Decision, by Protector — Isola's Worthv, 4600 dollars; brown filh-, Erla. by Peter .Volo—Cila Worthy, 3300 dollars, and Friseomite, by Volomite, 3500 dollars. While big prices were realised for the choicest lots, plenty of bargains were to be had, and well-bred mares were on offer at 40 to 50 dollars, and yearlings could be purchased at 80 to 100 dollars. The yearlings by Protector. Iniin 59Jsec, his first crop of foals, were ihe sensations of the auction, the 11 youngsters sired by him averaging 1693 dollars. Five of the 11 brought in excess i of 2000 dollars each. i

Driving Tactics Driving tactics did not assist either Harold Denver or Somberby in their efforts to win the Final Handicap at Addington, and both were asked too much before the straight was reached. The tearaway tactics adopted suited Queen Author, who was handily placed throughout, and finished with rare determination.

Silver de Oro Silver de Oro was given two races; at the Canterbury Park meeting, but evidently the little mare is not quite ready for serious business and the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's summer meeting on January 19 may find her improved.

Trampfast The one-eyed trotter. Trampfast, is in splendid order, and in the Final Handicap at Canterbury Park, he showed his ability to begin as fast as the pacers. He was actually the quickest to leave the barrier, although ho lost his good position before three furlongs had been covered.

Worthy Queen When J. S. Shaw returns to Addington from Auckland he will decide whether Worthy Queen is in a condition to stand a solid preparation for her match against Nell Volo. For some time Worthy Queen has been troubled with a splint, and it is doubtful whether she can be got ready to race this month. The programme presented for the meeting provides for only seven races besides the match race and this leaves the club with the opportunity of substituting another attraction for the two-horse contest. Such success was attained over the Invitation matches last Easter that the club might well consider the advisability of arranging a race between the six best pacers in New Zealand. The public is anxious to see another meeting of Harold Logan, Roi l'Or, and Indianapolis, especially after Roi I'Or's brilliant efforts in Auckland.

An interesting; Appeal A. W. Cooper, a well-known trainer and driver, was recently disqualified at Harold Park. Sydney, for not trying to win the Tramway Handicap with Marble Bath. He has lodged an appeal with the New South Wales Trotting Club, and the basis of his appeal is that he did win the race, and the judge made a mistake. The following account of the race is taken from a Sydney paper of December 29: "In the closest finish of the afternoon, the judge's placings in the race were Royal Linda first, a head in front of Marble Bath, with Rock Charm threequarters of a length away, third. Tf was a finish in which Royal Linda ended up on the inside of the track, with Marble Bath wide out, and that Marble Bath won was the concensus of opinion. Long odds on were asked about him being declared the winner. Unlike most race tracks, the judge's box at Harold Park is so constructed that spectators can stand directly behind the official in the box, and through the opening at the top train their eyes on the line on the winning post, thus getting the same view as those* situated in the box. Men so situated declared for Marble Bath, and included in the group were trained journalists. A. W. Cooper is not alone in his opinion that he won the" race. The judge, Mr W. Lamrock, says he did not, and the stewards alleged that he did not even try. It will be a most interesting appeal."