RACING AND TROTTING

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21733, 16 March 1936, Page 14

RACING AND TROTTING

mtsjsn news from far and near

RACING FIXTURES 3lafch 17—Ohinerouri J.C. (second <|ay 1. ICKPch 16. R.C. March 16—Opotik! J.C. March 26. M—Mimawatu R-C. 21, 23—Bay of Plenty J.C. March 21. 23— Oamaru J.C. SB—South Canterbury J-c. Maneh 28—Birchwood Hunt Club, fftyyh 31. April I—Pahiatua R.C. April 2. 4— Whangarel R.C. April 4—Hawke’s Bay J.C. April 4—Walmate R.C. April 4—Otautau R.C. April 4. 6—Westport J.C. April 11 —Greymouth J.C. April 11—Tuapeka County J.C. April 11. 13—Auckland R.C. April H, 13— FeUding J.C. April 11. JJ—Wairarapa EC. April 11. 33. 14—Riverton R.C. April 13—Beaumont R.C. April 13— Waipukurau J.C. April 13—Kumara R.C. April 13, 14—Canterbury J.C. April IB—Hawke’s Bay J.C. April 18—Greymouth J.C. April 18. 20—Avondale J.C. April 23—Beefton J.C. April 29, 30—Dannevirke R.C. (at Woodville). TROTTING FIXTURES March IB—Wyndham T.C. March 21—Taranaki T.C. March 23—Roxburgh T.C. Match 28—Cheviot T.C. March 28—Wanganui T.C. April 4—Wanganui T.C. April 11, 13—Hawera T.C. April It. IS-NX Metropolitan T.C. April 15—Rotorua T.C. April 18—Ashburton T.C. April 18. 22- Manawatu T.C. April 30. May 2—Forbury Park T.C. TURF GOSSIP Acceptances for the first day’s programme of the Manawatu Racing Ck M* meeting will close at 9 p.m. tomorrow. A Difficult Doable The foilewing have been afforded nominations in both the Great Easter and Great Autumn Handicaps:—Silver Streak. Variant, Silverßing, Queen ot Song, The Surgeon. Trivet, Great Star, Kinoouli. Cottingham. For Adelaide Hilly Boy is an interesting acceptor Is to-day's high-weight event at TrenHuhl Be has been in light work since lasi' srinter, and is to be given the race to freshen him up before tie leaves fcr Sydney on Friday, en route Vi Adelaide to contest the Onkaparinga Steeplechase, of 3000 sovs, at Easier. Shy, Who will also appear to-

rfay, will accompany him to race in the flat events. Win Hat Be' Overlooked i ‘‘ : ftonty will have plenty of southern followers in his engagement at Trentham to-day. He will be ridden by G finwnphrfe*, who piloted him in his two successes to date. Ponty will meet mueb better hades than he encoumed cn those occasions, but be Is a more than useful galloper. K«t Recovered Summer Hill was costly to investors I on Saturday. He was the victim of a very rough trip by steamer from Gisborne to Wellington early in the week. Sjoumey tetog four days, and there was no doubt the gelding had gnat fully recovered from the effects. Only One Race Impossible may have been a , little unlucky to miss a place in her race «t Trentoam on Saturday, but, in any cast, she was hardly forward enough 19 do hciself fun justice. She was not nominated tor the remaining days of the meeting. (UHStm Expensive ' v»m-v«n made a very poor showing In Saturday’s race, toiling to show any id her turn of speed over the last three furlongs. She will not be raced frgato until' to-morrow. A JOerby Prospect Gustos attracted much attention at Tnwlfaam, and there is no doubt he is the makings of a high-class staying three-year-old. He will race at Awammi this week, and may be takemto Sydney in the spring. His owner, Mr C. Ikaper, of Dunedin, left last week on itmto England, and will be in Sydney tortheloringracing. Qn aprevitsm similar trio Draper raced Oustedten In Sydney without success. Net Bight Oavolo gave a sorry display on Saturday. He drew No. 1, and, following his painful experience at the barrier at Wingatut last month, trouble was experienced in keeping him in his poshlCD. He got away reasonablywriT but soon drifted back to a rear berth, ami finished a long way from the front division. Gomtotcnt Places etler Variant made a bold showing in the Thompson Handicap,' and, with the benefit of the race, she will be more damKrous io to-dgy's mile engagement , Wmm for. Improvement Chteen of Song went down scratchily fn her preliminary on Saturday, and she never looked likely at any stage cf the journey. She will need to improve a good deal to have any chance in to-day’s longer race Net Handicapped Silver King was withdrawn on Saturday evening from his two remaining engagements at Trentham, and was accordingly not handicapped for the Autumn Handicap op to-day s KfMfwMrimg. His next appearance will r Us the Awapuni Cup on Friday, and his presence will, no doubt, have » serious effect on the strength pi toe field. Creek Shepherd was nominated, tor that race only, and a decision ns toms movements will be delayed until after bis race to-day in, which lie will be again ridden by L. J. EUis. The Riccartent colt will undoubtedly be improved by Satimlay’s race, and will have a chance of turning the tables cm Entail Silver Ring will be ihipied to Sydney in July, to, race there during toe spring campaign. Unfortunate Development Cranford showed signs of soreness altec, his first work out at Trentham on Friday, . and be was withdrawn from toe Railway. Handicap. He was paid up to* to-day's sprint, but. being Mitt lame, be will not be produced. Jfpr will he be raced to-mortow. The trouble la due, it is thought, to striking himself. It is nothing serious, but It was deemed inadvisable to risk

mom serious consequences from racing ¥f«- This defection will leave L. j. yuia without a fide in to-day’s race. First Appearances Fresh horses at Wellington to-day include Billy Boy, Earl Colossus. Alloa. win* Bor*. Diamond, Gay Val, TaoriiMtf' Sunee. * Lady Graceful, >nting Cat. jUnnciier, Senior. Argentic, Koiwroi. ©Wri Banger, Shy. Mesurica, iSSS, Filiation, Jubilee Song, Best, endPoflly. defeat ■■ at Greek Shepherd in the «f yjf»f Stakes on Saturday was a ii a* isfow for investors, but there was no doubt be was short of a race. This una tlio trouble with him in the Dunhis effort on' the second improved. Every . waa duo to Entail lo? <** tenaciously, the last-call . who was

the second important success Humphries gained on Entail, the previous one being‘when the Posterity colt won the Great Northern Guineas m the spring. Juvenile Killed The Pacific Handicap was marred by a mishap which caused the death of a well-performed and much-raced two-year-old. Gay Chief. He evidently crossed his legs after a furlong had been covered, and fell against the rails, breaking „Ms t neck. His rider. P. Burgess, suffered concussion, and was removed to hospital. Adelaide Racing At the Adelaide Racing Club’s meeting on Saturday the Sires’ Produce Stakes resulted: Comedy Belle, 8-7 (Slattery),- 1; Siam, -8-10 (Hendry), 2; Malenor, 8-2 (Medhurst), 3, There were 14 starters. Won by two lengths and a half. Time, Imm 22sec.

TROTTING NOTES Timaru Classics Entries for present yearlings for the Timaru Nursery Stakes, 1037, and the New Zealand Trotting Stakes, 1938. will close with the secretary of the Timaru Trotting Club on Wednesday. The Nursery Stakes is for pacers and the other race for trotters. A Popular Victory

No success could have been more popular than the victory of Recess in the Timaru Cup, for the owner, Mr J. B. Westerman, is a true enthusiast of the sport, a breeder of pacers and trotters for many years, and a regular attendant at most, race meetings in the South Island. While Recess won on her merits as the race was run. it was no proof of her staying ability, although it showed her up as a fine sprinter and a game racehorse. The pace was muddling from the start, and any maiden horse could have kept with the field for, the first mile, which was run in 2min 30sec. The majority of the drivers were content to wait in behind the leaders in the knowledge that they were not driving genuine stayers, and they found to their cost at the finish that they were not even driving good sprinters. Feeling the Strain Grace McElwyn disappointed by failing to make any showing towards the finish of the Timaru Cup, and this failure of such a consistent little mare suggests she has had enough racing for the present. Possibly the severe test she was; put to at the recent Wellington meeting has left her a bit jaded. Her trainer, R. B. Berry, believes in regular racing for his horses when they are well; but he is the first to realise just when they have had enough. Grace McElwyn may now be given a short spell and will come up fresh and well tor her next engagement. AH Improving Trotter Discord has at last developed the speed; and staying power that were promised when she -first commenced racing . last season, and her two displays on Saturday were right up to the mark in every particular. She showed too much speed for the others in the mile and a half race, and a 39 yards penalty did not prevent her from winning the two miles eveht. In stylo of going. Discord very much resembles Sea Gift. Both are by Wrack. As she is only five years old, Discord appears to have a bright future. She is trained by her owner, Mr H. Hewson. She was handled by a young relnsman in R. J. Rapley, who exercised very good judgment in both races. Three-year-old Supremacy With the good form shown of late by Bliir Athol and Pot Luck, followers Of trotting are doubtful as to which three-year-old is the best of the year. Double Great won the New Zealand Derby, Valdor the Great Northern Derby, and Frisco Lady the Champion Stakes; and in his last three starts Blair Athol has won each time, and Pot Luck has Row four wins in succession to his credit. The manner in which Pot Luck disposed of the useful pacers opposed to. him in the Seadown Handicap on Saturday made a big impression on- racegoers, and it was certainly an outstanding performance of brilliance and sustained effort. With half the journey covered his chance looked hopeless, and half a mile from home the odds were against him. Then in less than three furlongs he went round a field that was*runnlng up to three sulkies abreast, and he had the race in safe keeping at the top of the straight. When Pot Luck won previously at Washdyke M. Holmes, the driver, was almost caught napping, and he received a few words of advice from the stipendiary steward. This time, however, no risks were taken, and when the whip was shaken at the three-year-old he got down to his work like a proper racing machine. For his brilliant victory, Pot Luck has been penalised 36 yards for the Wyndhajn Cup, to be run. on Wednesday, and big meeting - with Gallant Knight is being awaited with interest. He will now concede 12 yards to the Roydon Lodge pacer, and the mile grass course •at'Wyndham will suit both horses. With Pot Luck and Gallant Knight engaged, Canterbury, staples should ® . . < *. . ,1 . i _ . ♦ * iU a

have a-big band in the decision of the Wyndham Cup, tpe most valuable race of ifs class on the New Zealand trotting calendar. When the Wind Blows At one stage of the Timaru Futurity Stakes the Derby Lodge two-year-old. William, \yas pacing really well and looked like finishing in a place. He then went to a break and it is said this was caused when he became frightened by a piece, of paper that was blown across the track. The wind was very troublesome and it is a wonder that more inconvenience was not caused horses and drivers. A number of drivers lost their caps in the different races, and spectators also had difficulty in retaining their hats. At one stage of the afternoon when keen interest.was being taken in the parade three hats were blown into the . birdcage. Fast Finishes Had Bingen Palm made his run earlier he might have won the Timaru Cup, for after a great run from the top of the straight he was rapidly overhauling the leader. Recess, as the post was approached. Both Bingen Palm and Battlefield finished at a great rate after being badly placed in the middle stages. Barrier Manners One of the most exciting finishes of the day took place in the Washdyke Handicap, for which Graham* Direct was made a warm favourite. With a furlong to go he looked like pulling his backers through; but Supertax

then tackled him in determined fashion. No sooner had Graham Direct been disposed of than Craganour came with a great burst and Willow Wave fairly flew over the last part.' The task of the judge was made difficult, for only the narrowest margin rested in favour of Supertax, and it was difficult to separate Craganour and Willow Wave. Although Supertax ran a fine race and fought on in the gamest manner possible, both Willow Wave smd Craganour would probably have beaten him had they had better barrier manners. Willow Wave refused to begin when the signal l was given, and soon he was tailed off in practically a hopeless position, and it would not have surprised anyone had his driver, O, E. Hooper, pulled him up., Craganour also lost a lot of ground, but was favoured with a very lupky run on the rails. ■He passed horse after home without Jjaving to coyer any extra - ground, and while his driver, M, Stewart, might have taken a risk in sticking to his course, hick favoured

him and possibly it was the only thing to do. When he, did get clear in the straight he showed great dash. Willow Wave’s exhibition suggested that he would provide a good match for any horse in New Zealand if he could be depended upon to leave the mark promptly. He has let his supporters down so often that he cannot now be relied on. Though he has ‘extreme speed, Willow Wave cannot be regarded as a really good racehorse until his present failing is rectified. A Promising Youngster Amontilado, the two-year-old by Cadiz from Lady Huntsbury, is not a big one; but he is a determined pacer with speed above the average, and a racing temperament that will help him considerably. He was going particularly well in the Futurity Stakes when another horse broke «n front of him and caused him to lose a big stretch of ground. He will certainly pay his way. Loss of Form When Don Giovanni raced at Washdyke in January he struggled home in front of his field at the end of two miles; but in his two attempts on Saturday he gave his supporters no encouragement from the start. His was as poor a display a? could be imagined. Driving Ability A. Butterfield Can still be regarded in the first flight of the Dominion’s reiiismen, and on Saturday he was seen to advantage behind Prince Harvester, In the Temuka Handicap he almost Stole the race from Discord, The pair were racing together 50 yards from home, with Discord apparently holding the upper hand and Butterfield sitting perfectly Still behind the chestnut. To make his effort any sooner would have meant certain defeat for Prince Harvester was very tired. At this stage, however, the driver asked for one more burst and Prince Harvester could just respond. Discord won by a head and Butterfield almost snatched a victory from a horse that was superior.