RACING AND TROTTING

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23412, 20 August 1941, Page 9

RACING AND TROTTING

RACING FIXTURES August 23—Pakuranga Hunt Club. August 28—Egmont-Wanganui Hunt v Club (at New Plymouth). August 30—Taranaki Hunt Club. Sept. 4, 6—Wanganui J.C. Sept. 6—Otago Hunt Club. Sept. 13—Ashburton County R.C. Sept. 13—Carterton R.C. Sept. 13. 15—Avondale J.C. Sept, 18. 20—Geraldine R.C. Sept. 20—Marton J.C. Sept. 20, 22—Poverty Bay Turf C. (at Te Aroha). Sept/27—Foxton R.C. Sept. 27. 29—Ohinemuri J.C. TROTTING FIXTURES August 23 N.Z. Metropolitan T.C. August 30r-Auckland T.C. September 6—New Brighton T.C. September 13. 17—Wanganui T.C. September 18. 20—Wellington T.C.

TURF GOSSIP Winning Qwners at Biccarton For the two days’ racing at Riccarton last week, the list of winning owners was headed by Messrs J. S. and W. E. Hazlett, owners of Astral Flame, with £IOSO, and Mr J. Drozdowski, owner of The Dozer, was next with £755, and Mrs T. Stone, owner of Treasurer, was third with £550. Successful Trainers The list of winning trainers was headed by B. Burgess with two wins, and those with one each were Mrs A. McDonald, A. McAulay, G, Fielding, J. M. Paul, W. H. Dwyer. H. Gray, H. Dulieu, S. Barr, H. Nurse, R. Pentecost, A. Didham, H. S. Greene, C. Emerson. D. P. Wilson, and W. E. Hazlett Leading Riders P. Burgess and C. Wilson, with two wins each, were the most successful horsemen, and those with one each were A. E. Ellis, D. Hamill, T. Kilgour, A. Jenkins. J. Strathern, R. Mackie, M. Caddy, L. J. Ellis, P. Atkins. F. Cleaver, A. Leach, P. Spratt, and A. Didham. Wellington Spring Meeting Rumours have been circulating in both islands regarding the possibility of the Wellington spring meeting not being held. The rumours no doubt originate from the abandonment of the winter fixture. It was officially stated yesterday that the spring meeting would definitely be held at Trentham on the dates fixed.—P.S.S. In the News A Press Association cablegram from Sydney states that Kindergarten continues to show progress in his preparation for the coming racing season. Yesterday morning he moved along in great style in readiness for his first race in Australia, at Randwick on August 30. He covered half a mile on a heavy track in Slisec, which was only a quarter of a second slower than the fastest time of the morning for that distance. Interviewed, R. S. Bagby, the trainer, said that he was not aware of any substantial offer being made for Kindergarten. When the horse left New Zealand he heard that an offer of £25,000 was going to be made but nothing had eventuated. He was unable to say whether Kindergarten’s owner, now in New Zealand, would entertain a lucrative offer. A representative of the owner in * Sydney said it was unlikely 'that anything above £19,000, which was the record price paid for Talking, would be forthcoming for Kindergarten. , Master Horsemen ’ If a vote were taken among regular racegoers in Australia, the result probably would show that D. Munro stands alone as a jockey in Sydney, and that veteran A. Reed is still the best in Melbourne. In recent months the limelight has been shared by the apprentices, but the public like their seasoned favourites best. D. Munro made his comeback by winning a dotible at Moorefield on August 2. He had been out of the saddle since January. Evidently it was to the liking of the public, as he was cheered to the echo. . ... . Reed’s decision to resume riding is all to the good of Victorian racing. Unfortunately ridefrs of his calibre are few. Last season he forsook the turf for the hotel business, but decided to resume in June. He quickly, proved that he had lost none of his ancient cunning, as in 26 rides he has scored five wins, two seconds, and two thirds. His win on Portico in the last race at Flemington was a great effort, and it was due to him that the 20 to 1 chance got home. There are many good young riders in Sydney and Melbourne, but they still have a lot to leam, and they would benefit by attempting to model themselves on the old masters like Munro and Reed. Omapo’s Win ,;, ' The former Riccarton gelding Omapo proved a costly : proposition to bookmakers at Ascot on July 26, when he won the second division of the Three and Four Year Old Handicap. They paid out approximately £BOOO -on the New Zealander., Owned and trained by V. P. Bernard, formerly of Greymouth, who was instrumental in Gold Salute changing hands for £9OOO to Mr Alan Cooper, Omapo, a son of the Melbourne Cup winner, Nightmarch, recorded a sterling performance to beat the pacemaker, Brunswick Joy, and Regina Mea, says a Sydney correspondent. Omapo came from New Zealand in April, and though he had won only a Trial Stakes in the Dominion, his Sydney form had been encouraging. He just missed a place in a Flying Handicap at Kensington. Recently he ran third to Dawn Mary and Innisfail at Menangle, When betting opened at Ascot he was quoted at 4 to 1, but quickly firmed to 7 to 4, when he was backed to an almost impossible quote. Many of the leading bookmakers could not offer a quotation. During the running of the race, Omapo gave his backers thrills galore. He tried to savage several runners half a mile from home, and again at the home turn. Bookmakers were in high glee at the, top of the straight, where Brunswick Joy was clear, and with the race seemingly in his keeping. However, Omapo responded to the whip, and secured the verdict in the last stride. He has 6-12 in the A.J.C. Metropolitan, and he may develop form good enough to enable him to be considered among the lightweiahts for that race.

TROTTING NOTES Answer to Correspondent Enquirer.—Ferry Post was nominated for the 1940 New Zealand Cup. Horses Registered Among the horses registered atthe last meeting of the board of the New Zealand Trotting Association were the following:—Abel Tasman, 2yrs, by Calumet Axworth—Tasman Flight; Ben Direct, lyr, by Dan Direct—Benefice; Joanee, 4yrs, by Baron Ohenault— Snips; Keswick, 3yrs, by Jewel Pointer —Agnes Bond; Motto, 3yrs, by Rey de Oro—Kate Logan; Noble Anchor, by Nobleman —Blue Mountain King mare; and Sir Rey, by Rey de Oro—Drusus mare. Wet Weather The continued wet weather has caused uneasiness among' owners and trainers as to whether the postponed day’s racing will be held at Addington next Saturday. Racing at the present time would be out of the question,' but the Addington track dries quickly and it needs only two days’ favourable weather to put it in racing order again. There has been a suggestion that the meeting should be held on the grass track at New Brighton, but it is doubtful whether such a move would be an advantage. Change of Stables The Auckland-owned trotter Vain Lad, who has lately been in D/ Bennett’s stable, has joined V. Alborns team. Vain Lad is an 11-year-old gelding by Winn Alto from Vain Lass, and previously raced in Mr E. E. Cressey’s nomination. A Comparison In the 1930-31 season Harold Logan won £2655; G. J. Barton, £6OOO, was the leading owner, and H. F. Nicoll second with £4965; C. S. Donald was leading trainer with 43 wins, and M. Holmes the most successful horseman with 35 wins to his credit. Going back another 10 years to 1920-21, H. F. Nicoll headed the winning owners’ list with £4161; Willie Lincoln won £2800; J. Bryce was the leading trainer with 21 wins, and J. McLennan and B. Jarden divided the reinsmen’s honours with 25 winners. Winning Sportsmen C. S. Donald and M. Stewart have had a battle royal for first position in the winning trainers’ list, and while in the 1939-40 season Stewart led by 32 wins to 29„ Donald last season reversed the position and with a total of 34 beat Stewart by one victory. While R. and C. S, Donald were sharing the drives on the Belfast horses, Stewart handled all his own, and for the second year in succession has finished at the head of the winning reinsmen’s list. In- the 1939-40 season Stewart had 30 wins to his credit, while P. P. Gallagher was in second place with 27. In the season just closed Stewart is well out in front with 40 wins, no fewer than 13 ahead of the next on the list, D. C. Watts, who has 27. F. J. Smith is in third place on both lists with 26 as a trainer and 23 in the sulky. L. A. Maidens has trained 21 winners, only 10 of which he has driven, while next in the trainers’ list are P. P. Gallagher and M. C.»McTigue, each with 19, and R, J. Humphreys, R. B. Berry, and T. H. Gunning all level with 18 wins apiece. R. Donald is level with F. J. Smith in third place in the reinsmen’s premiership, and then follow P. P. Gallagher 22, and M. G. McTigue, J. B. Pringle, and M. Holmes with 20 each. • ■ Owners and Horses In the 1939-40 season C. S. Donald headed the winning owners’ list with £3220, and in the season just closed M.'C. McTigue won £3842 10s. . The best money-winner in 1939-40 was Great Jewel with £3OOO. Last season Zincali was at the top with £2164. Saddle Race Deleted Apparently owners have not supported saddle races at New Brighton Club meetings as solidly as they should have done, and at the meeting to be held on September 6 no race of this class is included. In its place will be the Wainoni Handicap, of one mile, in harness, 2.14 class.