RACING AND TROTTING

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22253, 18 November 1937, Page 14

RACING AND TROTTING

TURF GOSSIP

Reminders Weights for the Ashburton County Racing Club's summer meeting will appear on Saturday and acceptances •will close at 8 p.m. next Tuesday. Nominations for the Hororata Racing Club’s annual meeting, which Will be held on December 11, will close on Friday, November 26, at 5 p.m. Summer Racing at Wlngatui The Dunedin Jockey Club has issued a very attractive programme for its summer meeting on December 27 and 28. The principal event, the Otago Handicap, of one mile two furlongs and a half, carries a stake of £SOO, and the St. Andrew’s Handicap on the second day of one mile, will be worth £3OO. There will be two races for two-year-olds, the Dunedin Handicap of £l5O, five furlongs, and the Juvenile Handicap, of similar conditions. All other events are well endowed and it is expected that horses will be attracted from a wide area. Nominations will close on December 10. From West Coast

Polistina, a six-year-old mare by Polazel from Note, has been sent to F. Christmas to be trained for a West Coast owner. Polistina is a half-sister to Monipere. The same trainer has just taken Jolly Beggar in hand again, but no arrangements have been made for his future programme. Jolly Beggar is very big in condition after his spell since the Grand National meeting. An Ashburton Candidate

Dracula, who was formerly trained at Waimate, has been in work under J. McLean for the last few weeks with the intention of racing at Ashburton. His sl.abi ornate, By-law. for some time past has been suffering a foot complaint. but he now seems well on the way to recovery.

Week-end Riding Engagements In addition to A. E. Ellis’s engagements to ride Scotland and Mere Haka at Te Rapa, and A. Messervy’s having the mount on the unbeaten Suleiman in the open sprint, R. Eaale is another Riccarton horseman who will be present at the Waikato fixture on Saturday and Monday to ride Patagonia. These three jockeys will leave for the north to-night. Another North Island visitor will be C. T. Wilson, who has been engaged to ride Sigurd. Cricket, and Beau Gallante at Levin on Saturday. At the Southland Racing Club’s fixture to be held on Saturday, J. W. Jennings will ride Milford and Viking, while he has to receive confirmation of other rides; E. Rosewarne will ride Wonderful, Sailing Lady, and Sea Lady, and J. McFarlane’s mounts include that on Ocean Singer. Raced Satisfactorily

Studley Royal stood up satisfactorily to his races at Riccarton last ■week, and he, will have his next outing at Ashburton. Improved by his first run for several months, Studley Royal after a slow beginning was just behind the placed horses at the finish of the Seymour Handicap of seven furlongs on Saturday. He prefers a yielding track to that on which he raced last week. Limited Opportunity While the Ashburton County Racing Club can be commended for providing an opportunity for apprentice riders by the inclusion of the Apprentices* Hack Handicap in their programme to be decided next week, the meeting does not offer much encouragement for regular jockeys to attend as their field is now so limited. In the eightrace programme there are now left only four races in which they can ride as the Apprentices’ and the Highweight Handicaps debar them while the trotting events of course are out of their sphere. Change of Quarters '

Windward was not taken back to Trentham by D. McCauley after the New Zealand Cop meeting, but he has remained at Riccarton under the care of A. McMulian, who will race him at Ashburton. Windward has been purchased by a West Coast owner. May Soon Return Outlay Mr B. L Ede. of Central Otago, did not meet with the immediate success which attends some owners when he purchased his first horse. Sir Hugh, recently. Nevertheless, Sir Hugh ran a good race in the Hagley Handicap in which he finished fifth to : Made Money,, Sovereign Lady, Siegmund, and High Glee last Saturday, and his prospects of scoring in the weaker Ashburton company appear to be particularly bright.

RACING FIXTURES

November 20—Levin R.C. November 20—Southland R.C. November 20. 22—Waikato R C. November 27—Ashburton County R.C, November 27. 29—Takanuna J.C. November 27, 30—Feilding J C. December 4—Otaki Maori R.C. December 11—Hororata R.C. December 11, 13—Woodville District J.C. December 14 or 18—Waipa R.C. December 27—Waipukurau J.C, December 27—Westland R.C. December 27. 28—Dunedin J.C. .December 27 28—Taranaki J.C. December 27. 28. 30—Manawatu R.C. December 27, 29. January 1. 3—Auck-

land R.C. December 31. January I—Greymouth J.C.

TROTTING FIXTURES

November 25, 27—Forbury Park T.C. December 4—New Brighton T.C. December 4—Waikato T.C. December 4—Wairio T.C. December 11—Reefton T.C. December 27—Ashburton T.C. December 27—Gore T.C. December 27—Wairarapa T.C. December 27. 28—Westport T.C. December 28, 30, 31—Auckland T.C. December 29—Winton T.C. January 1. 3—Canterbury Park T.C. January 4 —Westland T.C. January 5, 6—Greymouth T.C, January 15—Cambridge T.C. ,

GREAT STAYING BLOOD

STAR LAD’S GOOD LINES

[By CARBINEI

Star Lad, winner of the Trial Stakes at Napier Park, is a three-year-old gelding bred on excellent staying lines. He is by Captain Bunsby from Lady Stcix* Lady Star is a daughter of Star Lady, who won the Great Northern Oaks, beating the New Zealand St. Leger winner. Afterglow. Star Lady was by Demosthenes, who left a lot of good ones, from the New Zealand Cup winner Lady Lucy, who descended from the Musket mare Hilda. Star Lady was the dam of the fine stayer, Star Stranger. Although Star Lad is just out of the maiden class he shapes as though he will become a good performer m middle distance hack races. He will take a while to reach his best.

BACK FROM AUSTRALIA

[By CAHBINE]

F. W. Davis has returned to New Zealand with the team he took to Australia for the spring racing. The team, consisting of Admiral Drake, Courtcraft, Aiwai, and Homily, did not do as well as it was hoped it would, but Homily was a good winner, and proved herself a smart juvenile. Courtcraft was expected to be hard to beat in the V.R.C. Derby, but lack of experience told against him. He ran very greenly. He gave definite indications, however, of being good later. P. Atkins, who went across to ride the horses, also returned. Atkins resumed riding in New Zealand at Napier Park on Saturday. He had a mount in every flat race, but did not return a winner. However, he .was second on Beaupartir in the Juvenile Handicap and second on Mata Hari in the Flying Handicap. ■ . .

UNRACED HORSES AT ASHBURTON

SIX NOVICES ENGAGED

The presentation of new material in racing is at all times interesting, and the Ashburton County Racing Club s meeting, which will be held on Saturday of next week, will serve to introduce to followers of the sport half a dozen horses which have not previously raced. These horses are Ephod. Tea Seng, Shooting Star. Avenal, Perseverance, and Improvident. Possibly most interest will be taken in Improvident, a showy colt by Defoe from Misgovern. He is trained by T. Lloyd for Dr. M. G. Louirson. It is not likely that Improvident will be forward enough to engage the judge's attention next week, as it has been the idea of his trainer to give him plenty of time, more especially as the youngster will not be two until December 15. When purchased at the Trentham sales last January for 120 guineas Improvident was very small: but he has grown into a colt above the average size, and by the autumn he should be a really fine type. Probably because of the ooportunity provided to race him near home and so gain a guide to arranging a programme for him early in the new year he has been entered for Ashburton.

Ephod, a member of F. D. Jones’s team, is a four-year-old horse by Rabbi from the Acre—Arras mare Tapestry. He was bred by Mrs A. Stevenson, of Marlborough, and has been at Riccarton since the close of last racing season. Shooting Star, who was bred by Mrs G. H. Grigg, is a well-grown three-year-old filly by Day Comet from Lost Love, by Shambles from Love in the Mist She is trained by T. H. Gillett; and Perseverance, who is trained at Orari by L. H. Pratt, is a six-year-old gelding by Shambles from Silver Thread, and is owned by Mr J. P. McOuilkin, who raced the hunter Uncle Jim last season.

The remaining two are two-year-old fillies. Tea Song being by Hunting Song from Tea Doll and Avenal by Nightmarch frrm Skv Lass. The former is owned by Mrs G. L. Rutherford and is trained by M. B. Edwards at Yaldhurst. while Avenal is trained by her owner, H. Rigby, at Riccarton.

TROTTING NOTES

Reminders Acceptances for the first day of the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s meeting will close at 5 p.m. to-morrow. Nominations for the New Brighton Trotting Club’s meeting will close today at 5 p.m. Reassessments Reassessments made after the recent meeting at Addington include the following:—Aide de Camp, 2.12. 2.46, 4.29; Blair Athol, 2.12, 2.46, 4.31; Frisco Boy. 213 2.47, 4.33; Gamble, 2.11, 2.44, 4.25; king’s Play 2.11 2.44, 4.26; Lady Farne. 2.12, 2.45, 4.30; Lucky Jack, 211. 2.44, 4.24; Parisienne, 2.12. 2.46, 4.28; Pot Luck, 2.9, 2.42, 4.25; Plutus, 2.12, 3-45, 4.33; Supertax, 2.8, 2.41, 4.31; tempest, 2 8 2.41, 4.25; Village Guy, 2.9, 2.42, 4.27; War Buoy, 2.10, 2.43, 4.25.

Roi I’Or for Auckland Roi I’Or pulled up perfectly sound after his hard race in the Free for All. and his second placing represented a great performance after a long spell. He is now back at Waimate in the care of his owner, Mr P. Brown; but he will later be sent north in Quest u* B second Auckland Cup. Tire Auckland Trotting Club has shown the right initiative in confining its big race to 4min 25sec class pacers, and it seems there will be a big exodus of the best, oacers to Auckland tne Christmas and New Year meetings. Mr G. J. Barton will possibly be represented by Indianapolis and besides Roi I’Or the following will be afforded rare opportunities: —De Soto 4.24. Gamble 4,25. Graham Direct 4.25. I uckv Jack 4 24, Pot Luck 4.25, Tempest 4.25. War Buoy 4.25. and Willow Wave 4.55. It is not expected that all these good pacers will be taken to Auckland: but with a tight class and a rich stake a good number will make the trip. The Ashburton Trotting Club, in making its cup on Boxing-Day a 4min 29sec class, has not obstructed the northern club in its effort for the very best class, and it almost seems that the Mid-Canterbury club has gone out of its way to help trotting in the North Island—a commendable spirit. Unless the Canterbury Park Club for its New Year meeting frames a fast-class programme it is possible that Auckland will attract most of the best class pacers.

Harold Logan According to a writer in the “New Zealand Sporting Lire and Referee," there is a possibility of Harold Logan being prepared for the Inter-Dominion Championships to be decided at Addington at Easter time. When Harold Logan won the Free for All 12 months ago and was decorated with a garland of flowers it was stated that he had definitely retired from the race track, and while the little champion was as popular as any horse that has graced a track in New Zealand, the majority of racegoers would be well satisfied if Harold Logan were left to enjoy the peaceful life that every really great horse deserves. “At present he is in the hills at Apiti with two of our young horses, and on going up to see him I am pleased to say that Harold looks as fit and well as ever he did. .stated Miss Hinds. “Whether he will be prepared for the championships we are not prepared to state at the present time If a decision is made to compete in the championships a race or two would be in his preparation for same.

A Fine Record M. B. Edwards in the last few years has established a fine record in the preparation of classic winners, and his victory with Twos Loose in the New Zealand Derby was the third that he has attained in that race. Twos Loose is owned by the Dunedin sportsman, Mr G. R. Hudson, who imported Mercedes. the dam, from America, and, selecting another American in Jack Potts as a mate for the mare, Twos Loose is the result. Mercedes herself was a failure as a race mare or rather she did not show the necessary promise to be sent to the races more than once or twice. She was very small well under pony standard—and was a trotter. In her very restricted racing career she gamed a place m bury Park Trotting Stakes won by Manhattan in 1928. She was trained by W J. Tomkinson and was a lull sister 'to Dolores, who won a number of 1 races at the trotting gait in the colours of Mr J. R. McKenzie. She was by Peter Chenault from Esperanza, by Carlokin from My Irene S, by Petigru. Thus the Peter the Great strain has greatness in yet another classic.

Timaru Trotting Club An increase in stakes of £215 to a total of £1375 for the January meeting was agreed to at a fneeting of tnG Timaru Trotting Club on Monday, A letter was received from the Canterbury Owners’ and Breeders’ Association asking if the committee would consider allowing the owners of nominated horses at the meeting free admission for their cars. It was decided that the request could not be granted.