RACING AND TROTTING

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22196, 13 September 1937, Page 12

RACING AND TROTTING

LATEST NEWS FROM FAR AND NEAR

RACING FIXTURES September 18 —Ashburton County R.C. September 18, 20 —Avondale J.C. September 23, 25—Geraldine R.C. September 25—Foxton R.C. September 25—Marton J.C. October 2 —Otaki Maori R.C. October 2—Kurow J.C. October 2, 4 —Taumarunui R.C. October 7, 9—Dunedin J.C. October 9—Hawke’s Bay J.C. October 9, 11—Auckland R.C. October 14, 16—South Canterbury J.C. October 14, 16—Masterton R.C. October 16, J.C. October 21, 23, 25—Wellington R.C. October 23, 25 —Gore R.C. October 25 —North Canterbury R.C. October 25—Waverley R.C. October 25—Waikato Hunt Club. / October 25—Waipawa County R.C. October 29, 30—Poverty Bay Turf C. October 30 —Banks Peninsula R.C. October 30 —Rangitikei R.C. TROTTING FIXTURES October 2—Methven T.C. October 9—New Brighton T.C. October 16—Waikato T.C. October 16, 18—Westport T.C. October 23, 25—Auckland T.C. October 23, 25—Greymouth T.C. October 25—Oamaru T.C. October 30—Wellington T.C. October 30—Invercargill T.C. October 30—Thames T.C. TURF GOSSIP Reminders Acceptances for the Ashburton County Racing Club’s spring meeting will close at 8 p.m. to-morrow. Track Work at Riccarton Conditions were again excellent for training at Riccarton on Saturday, and some interesting work was done, practically all of the horses engaged at the Ashburton County Racing Club’s spring meeting next Saturday being seen in action on the inside of the trial grass, which provided fast going. Over Six Furlongs Wild Chase galloped six furlongs in Imin 16sec. Mulatto accompanied him over the last half, covered in 50sec. Lazybones finished just in front of Nightdress in a similar task in Imin 17 2-ssec, the last four in 51sec. Gaysome and Irish Fiddle were abreast, clear of Rebel Chief, at the end of six furlongs in Imin 16sec, the last four in 50 3-ssec. The first-named has done very well of late, and her track behaviour appears to have improved. Rebel Chief shaped poorly. Screamer and Solpit ran seven furlongs, the last six taking Imin 17sec. There was not much between them at the finish. Rodeur and Wild Career went over the same ground in Imin 17 3-ssec. Waitaka was doing better than Greek Gold after taking Imin 18sec for six furlongs, and Palmyra beat Rousseau in Imin 18 3-ssec, while Elegy finished in front of Ardmayle in Imin 19sec. Attractive Work Sir Hugh and Happy Night galloped seven furlongs in Imin 31sec, the last four in 52sec, the latter finishing in front. Argentic had a slight advantage from Greek Shepherd and Davolo at the end of a similar journey in Imin 30 3-5 sec, the last four in 51sec. Argentic has come to hand well, while Greek Shepherd has been standing up to all the tasks allotted him. Davolo shaped satisfactorily and has apparently had plenty of work of late on his home Sunnyland put up an attractive performance for a hurdler by equalling this time, the last four taking 52 1-5 sec. He will be an interesting runner at Ashburton.

Epic took Imin 32sec for seven furlongs, and is making gradual improvement. Other seven furlong tasks were carried out by Nuipai, who beat Tunneller in Imin 33 l-ssec, and by Rebel Queen in Imin 33sec, Best of Morning Fiord was sent nine furlongs alone, taking Imin 53sec, the last mile in Imin 40 3-osec, and last half 49 3-ssec, an outstanding gallop. His stablemates, Wine Card and Paper Note, did the best half mile, taking 49 2-ssec. Stone Frigate beat Great Bramble in 49 3-ssec, and other similar tasks were credited to Clubman and Gresham in 50sec, Pelmet and Love Affair BO 3-ssec, Dropped Catch Blsec, Parakino 52sec, Redolent and Recollection 52 3-ssec, Golden Dart 53sec, Great Star and Shooting Star 53sec. Private Bunsby 53 l-ssec. Heloise and Moonraker coveted five furlongs in Imin 3 2-ssec, and Mazzini and Drinkup recorded Imin 4 4-5 sec. Emissary was restricted to a threefurlong sprint in 39sec, and is quickly getting into shape. Two-year-olds Some of the juveniles engaged in the John Grigg Stakes were sprinted three furlongs. Great Baby and Raeburn took 38sec and Scuffle followed in the same time, while Gaoler and Godfrey took 38 3-sscc. Over Hurdles Courtyard and Forum jumped four hurdles fairly well, the latter showing improvement on his previous effort. Silver Sight and Chaste raced abreast, well clear of J. B. Pearson’s Robespierre gelding and Gold Boy, over five hurdles. Chaste giving the better display. ' , Top Rank went over four hurdles. He risked the first, but jumped the remainder brilliantly. He will probably make his debut at Wingatui, and his form as a hurdler will be followed with much interest by Riccarton tracjkwatchers. , , . ~ Arrowglen jumped two pony hurdles and then four of the bigger fences at a fast pace.

Successes at Wanganui The Wanganui programme on Saturr day was ol marked interest to South Islanders. Royal Chief and Cerne Abbas won for F. D. Jones’s Riccarton stable, and the remaining representative of the team, the two-year-old. Protector. filled second place in his engagement. Chief Ranger, winner ot the Owen Handicap, although trained bv L. G. Morris, at Awapuni, is owned by Mr A. Young, of Christchurch. Royal Chief duly fulfilled expectations by a convincing win in the Guineas, and a success in the Avondale Guineas should follow. He is owned by Mr A. K. Firth, of Christchurch, for whom he was purchased by Mr D. Gould, at the yearing sales of 1936, for 160 guineas. He is by Chief Ruler from Modiste 11. who was imported from England for the stud. Elegy, by Posterity from Damaris, purchased at the same sale for Mr Firth, is at present showing promising form, and galloped well on Saturday at Riccarton, in the presence of her owner, who was not able to visit Wanganui. Cerne Abbas is owned by Mr C. N. Draper, of Dunedin, who is at present on a trip abroad, and will not be back in New Zealand until the New Zealand Cup meeting. Protector, a well-named colt by Lord Warden from Windshield, dam of Shatter. was the first horse to carry the colours of Mrs J. W. Woodhouse, who thus narrowly missed a win ih her first experience as an owner. Protector had to be credited with an impressive effort, as he has always given the idea that he would require a few races before he would come right. He is in the Avondale Stakes, and with his Saturday’s conqueror. Surmount, not engaged, the Riccarton colt should again be a dangerous candidate. A Profitable Win Chief Ranger was having his first race of the season and evidently this accounted for him being fourth favourite in a field of six, but after a good gallop a few days before the meeting, he was confidently supported. He had only been a few weeks up from his winter spell, but as he was ridden every day during his holiday, he did not take long in getting back to race form.

First Juvenile Winner Surmount, winner of the Debutant Stakes at Wanganui, is a bay colt by Surveyor from Cometary by Day Comet from The Boyne by Merriwee from The Shannon by Torpedo. He is owned by Mr C. W. Boyd, of Palmerston North, who raced Martara. and had Tidewaiter at the last Grand National meeting. Surmount is trained by G. W. New. at Awapuni. Diana Tetrix, who filled third place, is a chestnut filly by Hunting Song from Tractrix by Tractor from Guizark (dam of Karitaije) by Nautiform, and was sold as a yearling for 60 guineas. Desert Gold’s Relative White Gold, winner of the Trial Handicap at Wanganui, is a three-year-old by Hunting Song from Pure Gold (Psychology—Desert Gold), dam of Gold Trail and Desert Chief, and is trained by F. Davis for Mr T. H. Lowry. At Randwick Chief interest to New Zealanders in the Sydney racing on Saturday was provided by the success of Mala in the Chelmsford Stakes, a race won on five previous occasions by New Zealand horses. Mala has 8-12 in the Epsom Handicap and 8-13 in the Metropolitan Handicap, and his chances in both of these and also in weight-for-age races during the Randwick carnival now look bright.

A Hardy Performer Lough Neagh added to his remarkable record by his success in the Tramway Handicap. He is now nine years of age, and has been racing consistently for several seasons in New South Wales. Victoria, and Queensland, where he is owned. In practically all of his successes he has been ridden by the former Queensland horseman, F. Sheaf!, who is now established in Sydney. Lough Neagh is top-weight in the Metropolitan with 9-5, and in spite of his age. he is sure to have a large following. New Handicapper Mr H. Coyle has been appointed handicapper to the Manawatu Racing Club, for which Mr J. E. Henrys acted for a long period. A Good Year Taitoru’s win at Wanganui last week was his eleventh since he resumed racing last October, after a long spell. He has been a winner at the last three meetings at the Wanganui course. His total earnings during the 11 months now amount to more than £2OOO.

A Big Field More than once a division has been necessary in the hack sprints at Orari, and another will be inevitable this year, unless there is a big shrinkage when acceptances arc -made for the six furlongs race on the second day. More than 40 horses have been entered, and the number of starters is limited to 17. In one year, a division was obviated by a temporary widening of the -track at this point, the fence being moved to take in part of a road. Marton Though Smoke Screen was not engaged at Wanganui, D. Marks had him at the course, together with two of Mr W. Duncan’s two-year-olds. Plans are to race him for the first time this season at Marton, after which he will go to Auckland, followed by Trentham and Riccarton. Mr Duncan is still absent from New Zealand on holiday, and it is unlikely that his horses will race until he returns next month. Porotiti’s racing days are apparently ended, as he badly injured himself against a post coming off the tracks during last week.

Strong Derby Candidate Apparently Courtcraft has trained on much better at Randwick than his stable-mate, Francis Drake, as the latter has been withdrawn from the Australian Jockey Club Derby. Courtcraft did not appear until late in the season, and won both times in two starts. He won the Sapling Stakes at Woodville, and gave the first real taste of his quality by winning the Plunket Nursery Handicap at Trentham with 8-9 in lmin lsec. Courtcraft was got by Limond from Homage, and cost Mr W. H. Gaisford 1200 guineas as a yearling. He is a brother to Honour, Episode, Courtesy, and Prestige, and half-brother to Worship and Heritage. Avondale Jockey Club Additional acceptances for the first day of the Avondale Jockey Club's spring meeting are as follows: MAIDEN PLATE, of £150; set weights. Seven furlongs—Raana, Prival, Mai de Mer, Lapidarian, Flashing Spear, Cometarium, Balinavar, Grand Dance, Seven Seas, Vaalso. Bronze Wing, Erlick, Bryce Street, Hot Shot. Marie's Acre, Tuinui, High Sea, Backblock, Raepata, Saccone, Forest Acre. Te Poto, Land Girl, Tiverton, Gai Wind, Aero Queen, The Vamp, Privy Seal, Senacre. AVONDALE STAKES, of £300; for two-year-olds. Four furlongs—Nordic Song, Vitement, Native Song, Namara. Kingcraft, Te Hero, Arvakur, Phildale, Eastern Heir, Hot Box, Pidelis, Wynardo, Protector, Little Dorrit, Ruling Lady, Bayamo, Lady Clorane, Empire Action, Jean Quex, Diana Tetrix, Miss Brierly, Dissipation, Waitama, Yed Prior.

TROTTING NOTES Methven Trotting Club Nominations for the Methven Trotting Club’s meeting will close at 5 p.m. on Thursday with the secretary, Mr J. F. Stone. The stakes show a good increase on last year’s programme, and the Cup, of £3OO, for horses that can do 4min 38sec or better, is sure to be well supported. The stake is well worth winning. No race on the programme is worth less than £IOO, and this sum is allotted to each of the two maiden races that open the programme. Other events are:— Avonmore Handicap, of £125, 3mm 34sec class, one mile and a half; Mount Harding Handicap, of £lls, 3mm Isec class, one mile and a quarter: Riverbank Handicap, of £l2O. for unhoppled trotters. 4min 6sec class, one mile and five furlongs: Visitors’ Handicap, of £lls, 2min 50sec class, one mile and a quarter; and the Mount Hutt Handicap (in saddle), of £l2O, 2min 21sec class, one mile. At Hutt Park Although the weather was fine, a cold wind blew at Hutt Park on Saturday for the Wellington Trotting Club’s spring meeting. There was a large attendance, and the totalisator figures showed a satisfactory increase. The track, though not fast was in good order, being a little on the soft side after recent rains, and it carried a heavy sole of grass. Racing of a high standard was the order ri sht trough. The two principal contests, the Weilington Stakes-the first three-year-old classic of the season—and the Bollard Memorial Handicap provided fine races Refund, who won the Wellington Stakes, put up a meritorious performance. The race was little more than a sprint home; but the favourites had every chance, while at the same time Refund gave them a start over the last two furlongs and won with something in hand. His finishing effort was the feature of the race, it was anticipated that the contest would be a duel between last seasons two best two-year-olds —Sandusky . Two’s Loose. For a time it was little more than a duel between this pair, but after they had fought it out down the straight. Refund appeared un thc scene to hold too many guns for SandusKy. who had the measure of Two s Loose. Refund’s finishing run was not to Pc denied, and G. McKondry. behind the Roydon Lodge juvenile, was content to lot the colt do his best while Sandusky was under a hard drive. Refund is a high-class three-year-old—a game son of a great racehorse (Great Bin gen); and as a result of his success he will come into *avom for *lheNew Zealand Derby, to be decided m No vember.

Placing* Reversed An objection was lodged by the stipendiary stewards against Dark Haz ard for galloping the last furlong m the Nai Nai Handicap at Wellington on Saturday, and the judge’s placmgs were reversed. Indolent being placed third and Dark Hazard fourth. Sandusky No excuses can be offered for either Sandusky or Twos Loose for their defeat in the Wellington Stakes, but it cannot be said that the former is having any the best of fortune in his racing. With any luck in the running he would probably have won the Sapling Stakes, and he confirmed this view by his decisive defeat of the Canterbury colt at Hutt Park. On Saturday he was unlucky enough to run up against another crack pacer in Refund just after he had finished a battle royal with Twos Loose. Sandusky is a good game pacer—a three-year-old above the average—and his presence in the .Derbies will add interest to these races. Presentations

His Excellency the Governor-Gen-eral Lord Galway, was at the Wellington Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday, and after Refund had won the Wellington Stakes he decorated the colt with the blue ribbon He congratulated the owner, Mr J. R. McKenzie, on the possession of such a good colt. The Prime Minister (the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage) presented to G. McKendry, the driver of the winner, a gold-mounted whip, and said victory in a big measure was due to the Skilful driving. Mr McKenzie, in reply, said he was proud to own the winner of the first Wellington Stakes, and he gave all credit for the victory to his trainer, R. Dunn. Promising Young Pacer In Taruna the Yaldhurst trainer, M. Holmes, has a very promising young pacer, and after a meritorious third to Refund and Francisco at New Brighton. Taruna won the Hutt Park Trial at Wellington on Saturday. Taruna is a good-looking chestnut colt by Frank Worthy from Megan, who was by Cathedral Chimes from Taruna Mary, who is also the dam of Olwyn and Lindbergh, 4min 16 3-ssec.

U. Scott U. Scott was made favourite in each of his races at Wellington on Saturday, and though he faded out at the finish of the Bollard Memorial Handicap, of two miles, he made an exhibition of vhe field in. the Wellington Handicap, of a mile and a quarter. U. Scott pulled very hard in the big race, and when the straight was reached he had nothing in reserve. The work, however, evidently settled him down, and he raced more kindly later in the day. There are few houses in the Dominion with more speed than the American pacer, and later in the season he may be found competing in the best-class races. He is bred on the lines of a champion, for his sire is the two-min-ute trotter Scotland, and his dam, Lilian Hilta, has blood lines of the best. Will Improve Twenty Grand, who opened his winning account in the Sharpe Handicap at Hutt Park on Saturday, is a four-year-old colt by Jack Potts—Mustapha, and was purchased by Mr R. E. Hall for 130 guineas at the sale of C. S. Donald’s stock in February of last year. In his winning effort Twenty Grand showed extreme speed, and this victory may be only the forerunner of many others. He is trained by M. B. Edwards.

Unhoppled Trotter In recent years R. W. Franks has confined his attention mainly to the training of unhoppled trotters, and for the small team he races there are few with a better average of wins. He added another to his list on Saturday when Prince Harvester won the Wilford Handicap, after a solid display of trotting. Earlier in the day Prince Harvester had put up a good race in the Nai Nai Handicap.

WANGANUI J.C. ROYAL CHIEF WINS GUINEAS SUCCESS FOR CERNE ABBAS (PKCSt ASSOCIATION TSLBOBAU.)

WANGANUI, September 11. The Wanganui spring meeting concluded in fine weather. The course was In excellent order and there was a large attendance. The totalisator handled £20,607 against £15,653 on the second day last vear The total for the meeting was £34,238 10s, compared with £24,926 10s. Results;— DEBUTANTE STAKES, Of £IOO. For two-year-olds. Four furlong and a quarter. 4 SURMOUNT 8-5 .. G. Tattersall 1 I— Protector 8-5 . • •• U. J. Lius “ ft—Diana Tetrix 8-0 .. J- Leac {? f 7 Erin Lad 8-5: 10 Dunmanaway 8-5, 5 Screen Lord 8-5; 3 Amigo 8-5; 0 Ruling Lady 8-0; 6 Dissipation 8-0; 2 Mlnga 8-0 also started. „ , . Won by two lengths; five lengths between second and third. Dissipation was fourth. Time. 53 3-ssec. GONVILLE HACK HURDLES, Of £l4O. One mile and three-quarters 1— DONEGAL 11-4 .. R. Thomson 1 3—Trackman 10-6 .. J. Walsh 2 6—Otakl 9-0 .. • • M. Gilmore 3 2 Even Money 9-7; 7 Master Norval 9-4; 4 True Shaft 9-0; 8 King Pluto 9-0; 5 Mahala 9-4 i also started. Won by a length and a half: three lengths between second and third. Master Norval was fourth. Time, 3min 12 I ‘ 5SeC TRIAL HANDICAP, Of £IOO. Six furlongs. 3 WHITE GOLD 8-1 .. C. Goulsbro 1 2 Aria 8-2 L. J. Ellis 2 5 Scarf Dance 8-1 • ■ • ■ 3 6 Joe Louis 8-7; 8 Helios 8-7; 1 Great Memory 8-2; 9. Cloak 8-11; 11 Amatory 7-9; 12 Mahutai 8-1; 13 Cyclopean 8-1; 7 Royal Treat 8-1; 4 Irish Orders 8-1; 14 Tommy Atkins 8-1; 10 Civil 8-1 also started. , . Won by two lengths and a half; a neck between second and third. Amatory was fourth. Time, Imin IGsec. WANGANUI GUINEAS, Of £3OO. One mile. I—ROYAL CHIEF 8-10 .. L. J. Ellis 1 s—lcing 8-5 .. B. Morris 2 4 Haughty Winner 8-10 A. C. Messervy 3 6 Sigurd 8-10; 3 Lickem 8-10; 2 The Crooner 8-10; 5 Relative 8-5 bracketed with Icing also started. Won by three-quarters of a length: a neck between second and third. The Crooner was fourth. Time, Imin 43 2-ssec.

MAKANGAI HANDICAP, Of £250. One mile and a quarter. 4 CERNE ABBAS 7-4 car. 7-6 C. Goulsbro 1 1— Taitoru 9-10 .. L. J. Ellis 2 3 Gold Mission 7-12 .. R. Savage 3 2 Hunting Cat 8-8; 0 Might 7-4 car. 7-0: 8 Maine 7-0; 5 Myrlam 7-4;; 7 Grand Jury 7-0 also started. Won by a length; a head between second and third. Grand Jury was fourth. Time. 2min lOsec. MOUTOA HACK HANDICAP, , Of £l5O. One mile and a distance. 2 MIDDLE 8-5 .. H. Wiggins 1 5 Malibu 7-6 .. .. R. Horne 2 6 All Spirit 7-3 .. H. Callahan 3 4 Hunting Queen 8-7; 1 Tidewaiter 7-12: 9 Tractile 7-9 i: 3 Ngatirahiri 7-6; 10 Brilliancy 7-10; 7 Shirred Ribbon 7-0: 9 Master Limond 7-0; 11 Koura Rua 7-9 also started. Won by two lengths: a head between second and third. Hunting Queen was fourth. Time, Imin 55 3-ssec. OWEN HANDICAP, Of £l6O. Six furlongs. 4 CHIEF RANGER 8-6 B. H. Morris 1 2—Pakanui 7-13 .. C. Goulsbro 2 I—Notium 7-13 .. H. Wiggins 3 6 Reipar 7-2; 3 Airing 7-8; 5 Greenwich 7-6 also started. Won by three lengths: a head between second and third. Airing was fourth. Time, Imin 13 l-ssec.

SPRING HACK HANDICAP, Of £ 100. Five furlongs. 3—JOVIALITY 9-5 .. G. Tattersall 1 X—Cardsharper 8-5 .. P. Burgess 2 6—Dancing Lady 8-10 .. H. Wiggins 3 5 Wlldflower 8-11; 2 Nelumbo 8-9; 4 Bluffer 8-6; 10 Felicitation 7-13; 7 Cute Melody 7-2; 8 Rhodesian 7-4; 11 Free Gold 7-9: 12 Top Hat 7-10}; 9 Racecall 7-2}; 13 Lady Hoariri 7-6} also started. Won by a neck; a head between second and third. Nelumbo was fourth. Time, Imin Isec. NOTES ON THE RACING [THE PRESS Special Service.] WANGANUI. September 11. Juveniles in Action With two-year-old form undisclosed, the public nevertheless placed great confidence in Protector and Minga in the Debutant Stakes. Protector ran well, but Minga was never a possibility. The race was won decisively by Surmount. Protector began very smartly, and had a clear lead in the first furlong. Dissipation and then Surmount ran up very fast on the outer of Protector, with Erin Lad, Screen Lord, Minga. and Diana Tetrlx next, but Minga went further back on the turn. Protector and Surmount had drawn out clear entering the straight, and they went on to go still further away from the others In the run home, where Surmount gradually asserted his superiority, and at the finish was a length and a half to the good. Diana Tetrlx was third, just in front of Dissipation, Minga, Amigo, and: Screen Lord. Surmount won really well, and displayed speed and courage. Protector ran a good race and had every chance. He did not appear to be so forward as the winner. Minga■ ran very green, but displayed a lot of pace and promise. Dissipation also showed plenty of pace. The Hurdle Race Donegal, improved by his race on the first day, always had the Gonville Hack Hurdles in hand. Mahala took him on for most of the journey, and when he tired Trackman went up to Donegal. They jumped the last fence together, but on the flat Donegal went out and won with something in hand. The others were outclassed.

Hopeless Position Great Memory, favourite for the Trial Handicap, was last away and in a hopeless position from the start. She made up ground brilliantly at the right end. but a creditable sixth was her portion at the post. Aria got away well from Cloak, White Gold, Royal Treat, Amatory, and Irish Orders. Cloak carried on with Aria round the turn from White Gold, Royal Treat, Amatory. Irish Orders, and Scarf Dance, but Aria led into line, where White Gold challenged and ran on to win very decisively from Aria, with Scarf Dance coming fast to run Aria to a short neck. Amatory was fourth, then Cloak, Great Memory, Irish Orders, and Joe Louis. The winner won nicely. She is a half-sister to Gold Trail, and is sure to be heard of again. Aria had every chance, but Scarf Dance was unlucky in the running. Great Memory did well to be so close up at the finish and her turn is due. The Guineas Royal Chief justifiably touched a very cramped price in the Wanganui Guineas, and he won well in fast time. There was some crowding going out of the straight. Icing suffering a setback: and Haughty Winner rushed away with the lead from The Crooner, Sigurd. Royal- Chief, Icing. Relative, and Lickem. Icing went up fast into second place in the back stretch, and on the turn Haughty Winner led Icing, Siguard. Royal Chief, and The Crooner. Royal Chief continued to improve his position approaching the straight, where Haughty Winner and Icing were on level terms. Once in line, Royal Chief finished very resolutely to win decisively from Icing, who Just headed Haughty Winner. The Crooner finished strongly into a close fourth, and then came Sigurd. Lickem, and Relative. Royal Chief won impressively. Icing was a bit unlucky. but would probably not have won. Haughty Winner improved a lot and ran a good race, cutting out a very fast first half. The Crooner, having his first race of the season, finished very well. A Decisive Win Cerne Abbas, showing decided improvement as the result of the first day’s race, finished resolutely at the end to win the Marangai Handicap decisively. Gold Mission. Maine, and Might led from Myriam, Taitoru, and Grand Jury, with Cerne Abbas and Hunting Cat next. Gold Mission, Maine, Might, and Grand Jury were all in line entering the straight, with Cerne Abbas coming up. Taitoru and Hunting Cat being denied openings. Cerne Abbas ran on to win comfortably, Taitoru just catching Gold Mission on the post. Grand Jury was fourth, followed by Hunting Cat, Might, and Myriam. Cerne Abbas went very well. Taitoru carried his big weight with credit. Hunting Cat could not get an opening in the run home. Middle Prevails Middle ran very consistently to win the hack distance event fairly comfortably from a fresh horse in Malibu. Middle was always handy and lay second to All Spirit when well settled down, others prominent being Hunting Queen, Tidewaiter, Malibu, Ngatirahlri, and Shirred Ribbon. Middle took the lead entering the straight and won by more than two lengths from

Malibu, who just headed All Spirit on the post. Then came Hunting Queen, Ngatirahlrl, Tidewaiter, and Shirred Ribbon. Middle thoroughly deserved his win. Never in Danger A fresh horse in Chief Ranger was well backed to win first up in the Owen Handicap. The favourite, Pakanul, drew No. 1, but, failing to hold his position. had drifted to last at the halfmile. the pace being made by Greenwich from Airing, Chief Ranger, Refpar, and Notium. Chief Ranger ran to the lead entering the straight, and was never in danger of defeat, winning by a good margin. Pakanui finished strongly to cut down Notium for second, with Airing fourth. Chief Ranger gave nothing else a chance. All the Way Win Joviality jumped away well in the last race, and won all the way. Rhodesian, Cardsharper, Nelumbo, and Wildflower were handy to the straight, where Cardsharper came through on the rails; but he failed to reach Joviality. Dancing Lady finished wery fast to run Cardsharper to a head. She looked very unlucky not to win.

ning. but was pulled to the rear of the field, while Casanova broke. Navy Blue and Ironside were prominent early, and entering the straight the first time Navy Blue had charge from Frisco Lady, Ironside, Lady Fame, Iraq. Little Nelson, and U. Scott. U. Scott was under a hold until the final circuit was entered on. when _he was in second place. Half a mile from home he improved his position and at this stage,. Lady Fame, Ironside, Frisco Lady, an ' Navy Blue were in charge. Lady Fame led into the straight from Ironside, Frisco Lady, and U. Scott. The last-named looked like playing a big part in the finish but his run was short-lived. Ironside came away to win comfortably from Frisco Lady, who finished well to head Lady Fame. Ironside was always in a fighting position and he won decisively. He was always in the leading division, and had too many guns for the favourites over the last quarter. U. Scott was always well back, and Free Holme? had a hard drive. U. Scott made a fast run half a mile from home and was third at the top of the straight, but there was little sting in his finishing run. Frisco Lady finished fast after being in the picture throughout but had no chance with the winner. Lady Fame hung on to be third, and Casanova out up a good performance to be fourth. He began well out broke twice on the journey and was sent back to a rearward position. Each timr he retrieved this lost ground and hif fourth was a fine effort in the ciicums'ances. The Season’s First Classic The Wellington Stakes brought about the defeat of the two favourites —Sandusky and Two’s Loose —considered to be the best of last season’s two-year-olds. Refund won in convincing style after being patiently handled by G. McKendry. Two’s Loose was smartest to strike his hopples, and he led out from Refund, Sandusky, Blaydon, and Horsepower. After two furlongs Sandusky ran up to be a length behind Two’s Loose and Refund, with .Blaydon and Horsepower bringing up the rear. A slow pace was set by the leaders, and passing the stands the first time Two’s Loose was shading Sandusky, with a length to Refund, and Horsepower and Blaydon together two lengths further back. Down the back Two’s Loose and Sandusky were challenged by Horsepower, who put in a fast run from second last to be on terms with the leaders three furlongs from home. Round the home turn Horsepower was done with, and the issue looked to be between Two’s Loose and Sandusky. Just as the latter had the measure of Two’s Loose Refund put in his claim, and in spite of Sandusky’s determination the Roydon Lodge colt was not to be denied. Refund received a great ovation on returning to the bird-cage. His finishing run was a magnificent effort, and McKendry was content to let the colt do his best, while Sandusky was under a hard drive. The honours of the race all went to the winner, who greatly enhanced his Derby prospects. Refund gave both Sandusky and Two’s Loose two lengths’ start over the final half and won decisively. Sandusky was not disgraced. He began as well as the remainder, and while he covered more ground than Two’s Loose, and fought out every inch of the journey, he had no chance with the winner. Two’s Loose suffered his first defeat. He was beaten on his merits, and the opinion that he was lucky to finish in front of Sandusky in the Sapling Stakes was confirmed. Two’s Loose was always in charge and paced truly throughout. Blaydon was slow to begin, and while he made up ground at one stage he did not threaten the leaders. Horsepower was disappointing. He was in a rearward position early, but five., furlongs from home made a fast run. At the straight entrance he was well beaten. Heather Queen’s Good Race Dark Hazard was the only defection from the Railway Handicap field, in which Oversight was selected a good favourite. Labourman was the first to show .out from Worthy Need, Vanity Fair, Oversight, Ace Pot, Happi, Lady Author, and Pola Negri. With six furlongs to go Happi ran to the front from Oversight, Labourman, Vanity Fair, Worthy Need, and Heather Queen, who was improving her position. The order was much the same to the straight en-

WELLINGTON T.C. refund wins classic IRONSIDE’S SURPRISE VICTORY [THE PRESS Special Service.] WELLINGTON, September 11. The spring meeting of the Wellington Trotting Club was held at Hutt Park to-day in dull, cold weather. The track was in fair order, there was a large attendance and the totalisator handled £24,414 10s as against £19,647 last year. Results;— NAI NAI HANDICAP, Of £l5O. Unhoppled trotters. 3rnin 39sec class. One mile and a half. = 3 g W McDonald’s DEBUTANTE 24 .. .. J. Bryce, Jun. 1 4. 6—Winnie Parrish scr B.J.Mackle 2 2, 2—lndolent 24 .. S. C. Wright 3 3 4 Dark Hazard scr: 6, 5 Prince Harvester 24; 1, 1 Swordsman 48: 8. 8 Mabel Chimes 60; 7, 7 Franz Derby 120 also started Won by two lengths; length second and third. Times—3min 38 l-ssec, 3min 42 3-ssec, 3min 42 4-ssec. Dark Hazard finished third, but was disqualified for excessive galloping in the straight. HUTT PARK TRIAL, Of £l3O. 3min 43scc class. One mile and a half. 2 I—O. T. Evans's TARUNA scr 1 M. Holmes 1 8. 6— Adversity scr .. G.T. Mitchell 2 4 B—Snowy Bingen scr G. C. Patton 3 i, 2 Anna Wong scr; 6, 5 lyy Peterson scr: 9. 10 Crystal Chimes scr; 5, 3 Twenty Grand scr; 10, 8 Winning Post scr; 11, 11 Stepson scr; 12, 12 Acora scr; 7. 4; Lombard scr; 3. 7 Charlie Chan 36 also started. Won by half a length; four lengths second and third. Twenty Grand was fourth. Times—3min 37sec. 3min 37 l-ssec, 3inin 39.scc. BOLLARD MEMORIAL HANDICAP, Of £350. 4min 33sec class. Two miles. 5. 5—W. Hoskings’s IRONSIDE } 2 4 —Frisco Lady scr .. J. Bryce, jun. 2 3 2—Lady Fame 12 M. Stewart 3 4 3 Casanova scr; 8. 7 Iraq scr; 6, 6 Navy Blue scr; .1, 1 U. Scott 12; 7, 8 Little Nelson 12 also started. Won by three lengths; two lengths second and third. Casanova was fourth. Times—4min 42 3-ssec. 4min 43sec, 4mm 42 2-ssec. WELLINGTON STAKES, Of £SOO. For three-year-olds. One mile and a half. 3 3—J. R. McKenzie's REFUND G. McKendry 1 1. I—Sandusky F. J. Smith 2 2. 2—Two's Loose .. J. Bryce, jun. 3 4, 4 Horsepower: 5. S Biaydon also started. , . Won by a length; two lengths second and third. Times —3min 35 2-ssec, 3min 35 3-ssec, 3min 36sec. RAILWAY HANDICAP, Of £2OO, 3mln 35sec class. One mile and a half. 3. 7—A. Leggett’s HEATHER QUEEN 36 .. • • • • Owner 1 2. 2—Worthy Need scr C. K. Yeatman 2 7. 3—Trevor de Oro 36 L. O. Thomas 3 4. 6 Rollalong scr; 9. 10 Vanity Fair scr; 8 8 Ace Pot scr; 5. 4 Labourman scr; 1, 1 Oversight scr; 11, 11 Pola Negri scr; 10, 9 Kappi 12; 12. 12 Lady Author 12; 6, 5 Franz Derby 48 also started. Won by half a length; two lengths second and third. Oversight was fourth. Times—3min 32sec, 3mln 35 l-Ssec. 3min 32 4-ssec.

WILFORD HANDICAP, Of £175. Unhoppled trotters. 4min 54sec class. Two miles. 6. 6—A. S. Gurney’s PRINCE HARVESTER 36 R. W. Franks 1 2. 2—Debutante 60 inc. 24yds rchandicap .. J. Bryce, jun. 2 5. 4—lndolent 36 .. S. C. Wright 3 3, 3 Dark Hazard scr; 4. 5 Winnie Parrish scr: 1. 1 Swordsman 60; 7, 7 Mabel Chimes 84 also started. Won by half a length; two lengths second and third. * Swordsman was fourth. Times—4mln 58 2-ssec, 4min 56 3-ssec, 4min 59 l-ssec. SHARPE HANDICAP, Of £l3O. 3min ssec class. One mile and a quarter. 22 R. E. Hall's TWENTY GRAND scr .. .. J. Bryce. Jun. 1 1. I—Bayard scr .. F. G. Holmes 2 11. 11—Guy Zolock 12 .. J. F. Cotton 3 4, 5 Anna Wong scr; 8, 9 Ivy Peterson scr; 14. 15 Accra scr; 5 7 Lombard scr; 13, 13 Playful scr; 7, 4 Snowy Bingen scr; 13. 14 Crystal Chimes scr; 9. 8 Sewana scr; 12, 12 Winning Post scr; 5. 6 Taruna 48 inc. 48 pen.; 10. 10 Ropata 36; 3. 3 Charlie Chan 36 also started. Won by six lengths; four lengths second and third. Ropata was fourth. Times —2min 57 2-ssec, 2mln 59sec, 3min 0 l-ssec. WELLINGTON HANDICAP. Of £215. 2min 47sec class. One mile and a quarter. 1. I—J. R. McKenzie’s U. SCOTT 12 F. Holmes 1 3. 3—Lady Fame 12 .. M. Stewart 2 6, 6—lraq scr .. .. M. J. Clare 3 5, 5 Casanova scr; 4, 4 Navy Blue scr; 8, 8 Little Nelson scr; 7, 7 Purser scr; 2, 2 Southern Smile 12 also started. Won by two lengths; a length second and third. Southern Smile was fourth. Times—2min 51 2-ssec, 2min 51 4-ssec, 2mln 53 4-ssec. NOTES ON THE RACING Warm Favourite Beaten Swordsman was sent out a solid favourite in the Nai N ai Handicap, but he failed badly and the winner. Debutante, owed her success to a big extent to patient handling by J. Bryce, jun. Winnie Parrish was first to begin and she led from Dark Hazard, Debutante, Indolent, and Prince Harvester, with Swordsman heading the remainder. Down the back the second time, Franz Derby had moved up, but Swordsman broke twice in running up to the leaders. At the straight entrance. Winnie Parrish was still in charge from Prince Harvester. Indolent. Debutante, and Dark Hazard. The last-named did not get a clear run in the straight and galloped past the post in third position, to be later distanced bv the judicial committee. Debutante finished too strongly for Winnie Parrish. Taruna Shows Promise

Anna Wong and Taruna were the best backed in the Hutt Park Trial Handicap. The confidence in Taruna was not misplaced, for he won under difficulties. Stepson led out from Snowy Bingen, Adversity, Anna Wong, and Ivy Peterson and the order was much the same passing the stands the second time, but Charlie Chan challenged the leaders, and had charge by two lengths with five furlongs to go. Anna Wong broke half a mile from home, while Twenty Grand also broke when making a fast run. Into the straight the leaders had enough and Taruna and Adversity showed up. Taruna was too good for Adversity, although the latetr’s challenge was a strong one. Snowy Bingen hung on to be third. and Twenty Grand was doing good work to be fourth. An Outsider Succeeds The Bollard Memorial Handicap saw the downfall of a warm favourite, U. Scott, who pulled hard in the early stages and was left without any reserve at the end. Ironside won decisively to return a good double-figure price. U. Scott made a good begin-

trance, where Heather Queen was third to Happi and Oversight, with Trevor de Oro doing good work in fifth place. Heather Queen and Worthy Need drew away, for the firstmentioned to gain a narrow decision. Trevor de Oro finished well to be third, and Oversight was fourth. The favourite was beaten on his merits. Swordsman Again Falls Swordsman was sent out a sound favourite in the Wilford Handicap, but he again failed badly. Debutante was penalised to 60 yards and was only narrowly beaten. Winnie Parrish began well and led from Indolent. Prince Harvester, Dark Hazard, Debutante, and Swordsman. This was the order for more than a mile, and at the far turn Indolent led from Winnie Parrish, Debutante, Prince Harvester, and Swordsman. In a keen finish Prince Harvester just headed Debutante, with Indolent securing a narrow verdict over Swordsman for third money. Swordsman held a winning position in the straight, but two breaks extinguished any chance he had. Dark Hazard was pulled up after a furlong, and Mabel Chimes was never a strong challenger. Twenty Grand Improves Twenty Grand made amends in: the Sharpe Handicap, when he won really well in a race full of incident. Ivy Peterson, who was always. one of the leaders, looked a winner half-way down the straight; but she broke badly and finished out of a place. Accra looked assured of third money, but she also broke up badly and failed to finish in the money. Bayard and Twenty Grand were smartest to begin, but passing the stands Winning Post led from Ivy Peterson, Bayard, Twenty Grand, and Playful. Three furlongs from home Twenty Grand ran up to second place. Ivy Peterson broke, and Twenty Grand went on to win well by six lengths from Bayard. Guy Zolock came from a long way back to be third. Ropata ‘was fourth. It was a good performance on the part of Twenty Grand, who did not get the best of passages. The field was well strung out at the finish. An Easy Win U. Scott won the Wellington Handicap with a lot to spare. Going to the front six furlongs from home he was never afterwards challenged, tattle Nelson, Purser, and Lady Fame lost ground at the start. Navy Blue was the first to show from Iraq, Casanova, Southern Smile, and U. Scott, and this was the order into the straight. U. Scott ran to the front passing the stands, with Iraq, Navy Blue, Southern Smile, Casanova, and Lady Fame next. Iraq, Navy Blue, and Southern Smile followed U. Scott down the back, and this was the order at the distance. U. Scott was not troubled in the run home, but there was a keen tussle for the minor money. Lady Fame finished with a great run after making up a lot of ground. Iraq was always one of the leaders, and his display was a solid one. He cut Southern Smile out of third place.