TURF GOSSIP

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21811, 17 June 1936, Page 14

TURF GOSSIP

Reminder Nominations for all events at the winter meeting of the Wellington Racing Club, to be held on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, July 7, 11 and 13, will close at 8 p.m. on Friday. Weights lor the first day, and also for the Winter Hurdles, are due on Friday of next week. Track Work at Riccarton Conditions at Riccarton were damp yesterday, but the outside of the trial grass, which was in use for fast work, was not affected to any extent by overnight rain. Practically all of the local contingent booked to go to Wingatui to-morrow were seen in action, but there was nevertheless not a great deal of galloping against the watch. Dollar Bill and Greek Gold were sent seven furlongs, taking 39 3-ssec for the first three and lmin 34sec for the full journey. The latter appears as an acceptor for Dunedin, but is a doubtful visitor. His stable-mate Seafox will not make the trip, and it is not intended to race him until the .August meetings at Riccarton. Royal Gallant, assisted over the last half mile by Cleaner, ran nine furlongs in 2min lsec, the first five in lmin ssec. Cranford was held in restraint in covering seven furlongs in lmin 33 1-5 sec, the first three in 38sec. Madam Pomadour was let off with a strong working gallop over six furlongs. Fast Times Capital ran the first two of a half mile sprint along the back in 23 1-5 ec. and the full journey in 49 3-ssec, and later Fair Weather covered the same ground in 48sec. The latter is to ;'o to Wingatui, and will be ridden on Saturday by R. Beale. Pahu, with Coxcomb as a mate, ran . :x furlongs in lmin 23sec. Not Ri&ht Courtyard and Polygraph galloped M-ven furlongs in lmin 35sec. and their Mable-mates, Royal Limond, Arctic Star, and Lycidas, were given easy work on the sand. Royal Limond still moves scratchily, and will be at a disadvantage at Dunedin. Should he not .Mart on Saturday, R. Beale will ride Arctic Star in the open steeplechase. Red Top again impressed by beating Sisterina by a length at the end of six furlongs in lmin 20sec, the last half mile in 53sec. A Good Gallop

Polydora went well over nine furlongs. She ran the first three in 37 4-ssec, the first five in Imin 2 3-ssec, iho mile in Imin 43sec, and the full journey in Imin 56sec. Initial Attempt Joppa <A. Stove) jumped five of the steeplechase fences in good style. This was his first experience of the country, and he found no trouble with the fences.

Encouraging Work Cerne Abbas showed further improvement by sprinting half a mile home yesterday in fast time. In all probability she will be nominated for the two events for which she is eligible at the Wellington meeting. Riding on Saturday

Seme riding engagements made for the Dunedin programme on Saturday include; —A. Parsons, Capital, Cape Gabo; A. Messervy, Royal Gallant, Dollar Bill: G. Humphries, Red Top; L. J. Ellis, Half Note, Jack Ahoy, Perpetuus; G. Ridgway, Palm; M. Kirwan, Polydora, Polygraph: J. Dooley, Madam Pompadour; R. Beale, Fair Weather, Roval Limond, Lycidas; H. Turner, Wykemist, Free Air; J. Jennings, Milford, Braw Lad, Arabou. At Wingatui The Dunedin Jockey Club has received very satisfactory acceptances for the opening day of its winter meeting on Saturday next. Riccarton stables have a fairly strong representation. the list being as follows;—Pahu, Arctic Star, Lycidas, Cape Gabo, Courtyard, Polygraph, Red Top, Royal Limond, Free Air, High Speed, Polydora. Royal Gallant, Fair Weather, Cranford, Dollar Bill, Greek Gold, Sisterina, Capital, Madam Pompadour. Nocturnus will accompany High Speed on the trip, and will be raced on the second day. In Winning Vein

Pladie’s win at Hastings on Saturday is a further indication of his greatly improved form. He should be one of the leading contenders for honours at the Wellington meeting next month. Pladie has been trained for some weeks past by the former Riccarton trainer R. Alexander, who has had a lucky innings with him. Bright Prospects Omarere, by Iliad, a two-year-old winner at RosehiU on Saturday, is trained by G. Price, and his success over seven furlongs at this stage suggests that he will be well seasoned for tnree-year-old races in the spring. Bred as he is, there is no reason why Omarere should not be top class His dam, Gesture, was New Zealand’s leading two-year-old, and by Chief Ruler from Nottava, by Solferino from Stepka, by St. Leger— Stepfeldt, by Nordenfeldt —Steppe, it is one of the most solid families in the New Zealand Stud Book. Omarere is engaged in the leading events for three-year-olds. A Useful Gelding

Travelling Agent has been working Steadily at Te Rapa in preparation for engagements ahead. He is set down for a reappearance at the 0„ 'tiki meeting, and in view of being engaged at the Wellington winter meeting, interest will attach to his showing on June 23. at Wanganui The single-pool totalisator will be operated at the Wanganui Jockey 'Crab's winter meeting, with dividends in the proportion of 75 and 25 per cent, on first and second horses respectively, where the number of start.ers is five or more. For the Wanganui Bracelet, the opening event on Saturday, a bracelet valued at £2O has been given by g member of the club who desires to remain anonymous. The race is con-

fined to gentlemen riders, and conditions are on similar lines to those associated with the Duke of Gloucester Cup. Banks Peninsula R.C. The report of the president, Mr W. F. Parkinson, to be presented to the annual meeting of members of the Banks Peninsula Racing Club on June 27, states that the last season was successful in every way, and a profit of £347 15s 9d was made. This would have been greater but for the expenditure incurred in repairing the grandstand roof, which suffered considerable damage by storm. The race meetings were again most enjoyable, with large attendances and excellent racing. The owner of the winner of the principal event at the summer meeting received a handsome silver cun, generously presented by Mr A. Louisson. The necessary attention was given to the maintenance of the track and grounds, and several additions and improvements to buildings etc., were carried out. The new semaphore was greatly appreciated by patrons, and satisfied a long-felt want. An up-to-date win-and-place barometer indicator has been ordered, and turnstiles are to be installed at the enclosure entrance. The deaths of the following members are recorded with deep regret:—Messrs S. Bennett, J. Connolly, J. Ccssar, H. G. Goodman, and C. M. Ollivier. The balance-sheet shows the income for the year to have been £4331, including members’ subscriptions £133, nominations and acceptances £543, gate receipts £494, totalisator £2429, totalisator tax rebate £SOO, and the expenditure was £3983, including takes £1640, repairs and maintenance £252, Government taxes £894, and depreciation £435. The assets of the club are set down at £5912 11s 4d, including land and buildings £4022, plant and furniture £139, improvements £221, deposit account £650, general reserve account £251, and credit at bank £540.

Licensing Officials Under English racing law, the clerk of the course, clerk of the scales, starter, judge, and handicapper, as a qualification for office, require a license to be granted annually by the stewards of the jockey club. Racecourse gatekeepers and check-takers also require an annual license if employed at more than one meeting. The handicapper must attend the meeting to which he is appointed either personally or by licensed deputy. The remit being brought up before the conference by the Wairarapa Racing Club asking that the selection of starters be the duty of district committees is a step toward the* adoption of what obtains in England, where the appointments do not rest with the various clubs.

Well-bred Yearlings Further additions to F. Davis’s already large team of youngsters are £wo from Mr T. H.. Lowry’s Okawa stud. A typical Hunting Song is the brown colt from Fintry, a daughter of Desert Gold by Chief Ruler, while the o.aer is a half-sister to Gold Tfail by Hunting Song from Pure Gold. This one is regarded as one of the most attractive rising two-year-old filles seen this season.

The Derby Market Australian papers disclose that the actur! favourite for the Derby was the Guineas winner Pay Up, who supplanted Taj Akbar and Noble King at the final call-over. Boswell was fourth, Bala Hissar fifth, and Mahmoud sixth favourite. Everything else was at a good' price. » The Oaks winner, Lovely Rosa, was one of the less-fancied candidates. Barowby Gem, the second filly home, was also little fancied, but she was better backed than the winner. Feola, who finished third, was one of the favourites. Cheeses as Prizes

Races with farm and dairy produce as the prizes were held in all parts of the Dominion in the early days, when the enthusiasm of the settlers demanded merely a more or less level piece of ground, properly flagged, a scale, and the chance to support a fancied runner for a modest amount. Such occasions were the real foundation of many country clubs that are flourishing to-day, and any suggestion that prizes in kind should be part of the winner’s rewards would be regarded as retrograde and, possibly, insulting. Not so in England, for in addition to the valuable money prizes and trophy attached to the famous Chester Cup, won this year by ChoSen, a champion Cheshire cheese, valued at £5, is given the owners of the three placed horses. A Remarkable Record

Something in the nature of a record must be claimed for Mr Jack Langford’s mare Lady Chicken, which competed at the Birchwood Hunt meeting at Parawa (says the “Southland News”). According to figures and facts supplied by Mr Langford, Lady Chicken has competed over 13,800 jumps, and has fallen only five times. These figures are exclusive of schooling jumps. In addition to the foregoing, she has built up a formidable reputation as a show mare, as the following list of successes will show: — In her 18 years of jumping (she is now 20) she has won the Maiden Lteeplechase at Riverton, the Lumsden Hurdles, Birchwood Cup, Mossburn Local Hunt five years running among large fields, and has won two firsts and a second for jumping at the Ashburton show, a championship at Dunedin show, Ladies’ Hunt Cup at Dunedin, Otairi show open jump, ladies’ hunt and championship at Balclutha show, ladies’ hunt and championship Gore show, championship Invercargill royal show, ladies’ hunt Invercargill three years in succession, open jump at Winton shew on numerous occasions, and the open jump and championship at Otautau show. TROTTING NOTES For Auckland De Soto left for the north last night to fulfil engagements at the Auckland Trotting Club’s meeting, which will commence on Saturday. De Soto’s running at Ashburton showed him to be in fine order, and he will fully extend the best of the North Island horses. J. Bryce, jun., will drive De Soto, and the owner, Mr C. Johnston, and the trainer, T. Logan, will also be present at the meeting. An American Colt F. C. Dunlevy has received a further addition to his team, the new arrival being Bill 8., who was imported from America, and is by Single G., one of the greatest horses ever raced. Bill B. is owned by the Dunedin sportsman. Mr J. R. Brown, and has been trained by B. Jarden at Wingatui. Bill B. is regarded as a very promising two-year-old, and at Addington he will be given every opportunity. A Popular Classic Although the public had little in the way of form to guide them in their investments on the New Zealand Sapling Stakes, the most spirited betting of the Ashburton meeting was on this race. The sum of £4583 10s was invested on the 11 chances, and in the Ashburton Handicap only £2617 was handled. Sale of Levity

Mr W. J. Morland has sold the four-year-old Levity to Mr W. Hoskings, of Auckland, and the gelding will go into F. J. Smith’s stable. Levity has not done much racing, but he is a pacer of distinct possibilities. As a two-year-old he showed the greatest promise, and he might have won the Sapling Stakes had his preparation not been interrupted at a critical period. Levity is by Key de Oro from Escapade, one of the best trotters in New Zealand a few years ago*

A Useful Pair Mr E. F. C. Hinds, who recently set up in business in Palmerston North, was a visitor to Ashburton on Saturday. where his two pacers, Effie Parrish and Llewellyn’s Pet, were racing. Although neither earned stake money both put up creditable performances. Effie Parrish was close up behind the placed horses in the Sapling Stakes and Llewellyn’s Pet was a good fourth in the Tinwald Handicap. Llewellyn’s Pet has raced very consistently during the season, and his latest performance was an especially good one. He- should soon be on the winning list. An Improver

The four-year-old Subsidy, in W. J. Doyle’s stable, has developed into a fine pacer, and he went a sterling race in the Winter Handicap at Ashburton.In a fast run race he finished third to Noble Prince and Rongomai, and was less than half a length from the winner at the finish. Subsidy, is a good mannered pacer and with age is developing stamina. A Successful Sire

Wrack was easily the most successful stallion represented at Ashburton on Saturday, for four of his progeny in Cloudy Range, Casanova, Discord, and Noble Prince were successful, and third place in the Sapling Stakes was filled by Southern Chief. The Closing Year

Although trotting events are included in several racing clubs programmes during the next few weeks, the Auckland Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday and Tuesday next will practically end the 1935-36 racing season. Most interest in trotting will now centre in the conference of trotting club delegates, which will be held in Wellington next month. In the absence of Mr H. F. Nicoll, who is in England, Mr B. S. Irwin, of Dunedin, will preside. The Sulky Fund At the annual trotting conference, to be held in Wellington next month, the Methven Trotting Club will introduce a remit asking for the establishment of a sulky fund. The object is to insure owners against loss when sulkies are damaged in a race and, to provide the necessary capital, it is proposed to impose a tax of one-quarter per cent, on stakes won and to collect from each trainer the sum of five shillings each year. The fund is to be administered by the New Zealand Trotting Association, whose officers shall decide the amounts to be paid out. This remit was first proposed by the Canterbury Owners’ and Breeders’ Association, whose members are actively engaged in racing. The members of this association are representative of owners generally, and as they will have to pay whatever is required to establish the fund, there should be no objection from anyone else. The passing of this remit will be a progressive move and it will give the owners a much-needed protection against severe loss. Intervals Between Races

When Mr H. F. Nicoll at last year’s trotting conference introduced a remit limiting the interval between races to 35 minutes, he had in mind the interests of the public, who expect to have their entertainment provided without undue waste of time. It can be said that a number of clubs have not made a serious attempt to observe the rule, and long delays have irritated racegoers. On the other hand, several clubs have proved that the rule is workable, and have kept their programmes running to the advertised times. At the coming conference, the Auckland and Gore Trotting Clubs will seek to have the time limit between races extended to 40 minutes. Mr Nicoll will not be present to offer his very strong objection to the alteration, and it is quite possible the remit will have the support of many clubs. Whatever the difficulties that have arisen through the shorter intervals, it can be said the rule has brightened up racing, and it has spurred officers of clubs and totalisator proprietors to observe some degree of punctuality. The 40 minutes’ interval would not be too long if the totalisators were shut p/:mptly at the advertised time, but some clubs there will still be the usual delays. At present no penalty is provided for a breach of the rules, and certain clubs have taken advantage of this, while others have acted up to the spirit of the rule with satisfaction to all. METHVEN T.C. ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting of members of the Methven Trotting Club was held on Monday evening, Mr S. G. Holmes presiding over a large attendance. The annual report referred to the successful year the club had passed through. The club’s anticipation of securing an extra permit during the season had not been realised, but, with the proposed issue of extra trotting permits by the Government, an extra day’s racing seemed assured. Before the annual meeting a definite scheme of improvements was adopted. Substantial repairs were effected to the grandstand, and during the coming season the work would be completed. The total cost of the work would be £479 19s lOd. In addition, Holmes avenue and Mount Hutt read frontages had been fenced and planted with trees at a cost of £BO 13s 3d. The financial position of the club in view of this expenditure was satisfactory and with an additional permit the bank overdraft would soon be liquidated. With a view to creating a fund for the extinction of the club’s mortgage a life policy for £.2000 was taken out on the life of a club member. This would cost approximately £93 16s 8d yearly, and in 20 years the club would be in a position to liquidate its liabilities. The club was indebted to owners and trainers for their liberal support. During the year the training track was reconditioned and was now in good order. The principal items of the balancesheet were:— Receipts—Credit balance May 31, 1935, £2Ol 10s 4d; subscriptions, £165 17s; nominations and acceptances, £458; totalisator receipts and rebates, £1628 8s: sale of race cards. £7O 0s 4d; gate money, £203 12s 6d; privileges, £75; rebate stake tax, £4O 12s; debit balance May 31, 1936, £139 12s 3d. Expenditure—Stake money (less stake tax), £964 ss; taxes, £825 14s 4d; salaries and race day officials. £ll3 Os sd; insurance, £llO 7s 4d;‘ l association and conference fees. £6l 3s; luncheons and refreshments. £SB Is; interest. £l3B 19s 8d; refund stake tax. £4O 12s; sundries, £62 7s 6d; plant, buildings, and improvements. £479 IDs 10d; fencing and trees. £BO 16s 3d. , The statement of assets and liabilities showed that there was a balance of assets over liabilities of £2749 4s 4d. The report and balance-sheet as presented were adopted. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows; President, Mr S. G. Holmes: vice-presi-dents, Mr T. S. Harrison and Mr H. Green; honorary treasurer. Mr H. Green; honorary auditor, Mr S. Smith; committee. Messrs C, Goodwin, F. S. McDonald, R. D. Millar. L. L. Richards, A. E. Henderson. S. G. Lemon. J. H. McKendry, James McCloy, George Kelly, James Campbell, J. MeAnility, S. M. Jackman, J. Wootton, and James Mauger. A suggestion was made that the one mile and a half races should be increased to one mile and five furlongs cr reduced to one mile and 100 yards to avoid starting too close to the bend, and a recommendation that the incoming committee consider the matter was carried.