THE RACING WORLD

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 56, 30 November 1923, Page 4

THE RACING WORLD

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By “The Watcher.”)

Acceptances for all events at the summer meeting of the Woodville District Jockey Club will close to-night at 9 o’clock. General entries for the Auckland Racing Club’s summer meeting and alau forfeits for the Great Northern F'oal Stakes, and Derby and Royal Stakes are due to-day at b p.m. The Fending spring meeting will be concluded to-day when the Tukapuna meeting will commence. Thespian has run his last race. The chill which he sustained at the Wellington spring meeting is still affecting him, and Mr. Currie has decided that the son of Absurd shall go into retirement with a view to taking up stud duties next season. One of the handsomest horses one could imagine Thespian was also a great racehorse, and he has the honour, amongst other things, of being one of the select few who can count to their credit a victory over the mighty Gloaming; and that, too, in record time for Australia and New Zealand. Tlie new six furlong post on the Padding track was used for the first time on Wednesday. It gives the horses a straight run out of the barrier and down the back stretch for nearly three furlongs before they begin to turn for home.

During the running of the Feilding Stakes the rider of Waipatu lost an iron through the breaking of a stirrup leather. It no,doubt made little difference to his chances, but it is another instance of. those happenings which are becoming far too frequent. The racing Muraahi had at the New Zealand Cup meeting evidently did him no harm, and his forward running in the St. Andrew’s Hanoicap at Feilding on Wednesday v ill draw attention to his prospects in the Auckland Cup. He was not too well suited by the small track, but he gathfered his field up in workmanlike style in the straight, and with a little further to go would have reversed positions with Kareao. Marquetour was never in the firing line in the St. Andrew’s Handicap. He looks as if another gallop or two will see him running more prominently shortly. Printemps made a bold bid to win the chief handicap at Feilding on Wednesday. He was very conspicuous in the last five furlongs of the race. The judge placed him fourth, but there was nothing between him and Alarm, the latter if anything having the advantage. Printemps should be better to-day over the shorter distance in the Manchester Handicap. About three furlongs from home in the St. Andrew’s Handicap Zouave looked almost certain to finish well up in the money, but he lost Lis position in the run home, and T™ B ninth as they passed the post. A lule it is true that lie covered a great deal of ground, a lot of it perhaps unnecessarily, on the turn, Zouave leaves the impression that he is a touchy customer, who likes a race made to order.

F. Tilley must have been disappointed with Demand’s position at the finish of the St. Andrew’s handicap, considering the time and trouble it has cost him to bring this horse right again. Demand was early in a bad position;, and while Muraahi was equally as far back before he began to make his run. he was more fortunate over the concluding stages than the Fordell representative. Alarm should not be condemned for his failure in the St. Andrew’s Handicap. It was his first race in open company, and be ran well, although beaten. He did not cover an inch of unnecessary ground, but it looked as if the distance was just a trifle toe far for him.

Diamond Ring promises to pick up a good stake in the near future. She wa.s freely used in the big l-.niidjcap on Wednesday, and fought it out right to the winning post.

Civilform hung out very badly on the turn at Feilding on M T ednesday, and at the distance was the first horse beaten, after leading to that stage and having had. every chance.

Soon after the start of the Flying Handicap, Good Sport, and Ngata, and then Hanpv Days, drifted to the rear of the field, and were standing up a lot of ground in the last two or three furlongs. Happy Days finished on well, and revealed a bit of that promise he gave earlier in the season. AU things considered, particularly his finishing effort at Ashhurst,-he gave' his supporters :i remarkably good return for second place. Good Sport appeared to be a. bit unlucky in Jailing to hold a lending position earlier in the race After his. indifferent beginning ho appeared right up alongside the favourite at’the turn, but Halgina shot through on the rails and left Good Sport no option but to go round. He was close up fourth, and looks to be coming right again. Ngata is carrying a fair amount of condition. A few more gallops should see him capable of running well forward, provided he stands up to his work. He was run in bandages on both front legs. He was going well at the finish of the race, although never looking likely to .fill a place, having been slow to get going.

Island threatened danger all the way in the Flying Handicap, and was only settled in the last hundred yards, and another light weight in Snatcher also made a hold showing. Snatcher, who is a full brother to i-.nomaly, and now four years old, may bo capable of improving on .Wednesday s term.

Cairo carried djlb. overweight when he won the Kowhai Hack Handicap on Wednesday. He is a big chestnut gelding who resembles his sire, Egypt, and he is undoubtedly capable of better things. He won without being extended, and he was supported with confidence by his party and the Gisborne visitors.

Black Cruiser finished well up from a long way back in his race on Vtednesday. 'He had a large field to rub over, and should shortly be doing better.

A couple of rank outsiders in Azecta and Road Hog were found taking a hand in the finish of the Trial I’latc at Feilding on Wednesday. The former, who finished second, was well up all the way, but Road Hog was not anywhere near the leaders until the last bit. and he was probably unfortunate in not getting a good josition earlier. Azecta is an aged mare by Taitoko —Hennia. Hermia was a good sort, but Azecta is now probably past her best. Road Hog* is a five-year-old gelding by Heather Mixture —Scorch, and may do bettor, but taking them all round the Trial Platers were a moderate lot. Millimetre made amends for her bad luck at Ashhurst by annexing the Trial Plate at Feilding on M ednesday, but she had nothing to spare at the finish, and owes her win to a good jumo out from the inside berth and ‘judicious handling by Barry.,

Rose Martian, the three-year-old full sister to. R-aceful and Zouave, ran prominently in the Kowhai Hack Handicap at Feilding on Wednesday. Turning for home she threatened to be in the money, but the last bit found her out, and she finished just outside a place.

Velvet King is improving with racing, and his fliird to Cairo and Fleeting on Wednesday was quite a good effort, as he came from the back, and was running on.

Civility has a lot of pace, and looked like pulling off the Fitzroy flapk Handicap until the last hundred yards, when Avola buried everything for speed. This three-year-old daughter of Bisogno—Avena has pace above the average, but being on the small side weight will probably find her out

Pantagruel, the three-year-old halfbrother to Warplane, ran creditably in the Fitzroy Handicap, being in the firing line all the way. He drew the extreme outside position in a big field and Olsen had to hunt him along in the early part to obtain a position. Pantagruel was then given a spell until the straight was reached, when he was brought upi on the rails. Getting a good run, he was at the leaders in. the run home, but had to put up with third place, Civility’s initial advantage being too great, and then Avola’s finishing run being too surior.

Cushat and All Marimba were supposed to have met with interference in the straigiit in this race, but the stewards’ inquiry roveaktd jobbing. Dodo was well backed, but was last practically throughout, getting a bad run in the crowded field as they were settling down. Sunny Jim was looked upon by his party as almost a certainty for the concluding event on Mednfesday. Ho lost his chance at the start, but oil I.istowel’s running Sunny Jim would have been up against something pretty solid. Listowel put up a remarkable performance after being left standing, for Rayner was easing him at the post. This good horse is now really well. Helen Rufus did a very scratchy preliminary for the Kiwitea Melter Handicap on Wednesday, but she ran a fair race.

With the exception of the Novice Stakes good fields have accepted in all the events to-day. The distance in the hurdles is a quarter of a mile shorter than on Wednesday. Automoa.ua and Second Choice may like the shorter, journey.

If Listowel elects to take on the Colyton Handicap those who saw him lun on Wednesday will not forget bis great effort. Amber Tips and Happy Days should keep him busy. /

Tine Manchester Handicap has drawn a useful field of 14, and it promises to be a fine race. On the first day s running there should not lie much between Diamond Ring, Alaric, and Printemps. Demand should Le an improved horse to-day. Bumptious, who was prominent in the race won by Listowel on Wednesday, has a light burden in this handicap. A field of 17 hacks has accepted in the Nikau Handicap, the first day s place-getters, Avola, Civility, and Pantagruel being amongst them. Pantagruel may be the most improved by the race. Avola is in excellent form at present. There is a better field in i-he Oroua Stakes than in the Feilding Stakes, amongst them being some two-vear-olds. Tamatete’s victory on Wednesday was most convincing. Cairo has been raised 121 b. in the lien go tea Hack Handicap for his win the first day, but he won comfortably. The extra distance in the Empire Melter Handicap may suit Black Cruiser, who has lieen running on at the end of his races recently. fixtures. Nov. 30, Dec. I—Takapuna J.C. Dec. 5, 6—Lake County J.C. Dec 5, 6—Woodville District J.C. Dec) B—Methven R.C. Dec. B—Bay of Plenty J.C. Dec. 12—Dannevirke R.C. Dec. 12—Taumarunui R.C. Dec. 15— Waipa R.C. Doc. 26—AVaipukurau J.C. Dec. 26, 27—Dunedin J.C. Dec. 26, 27—Westland R.C. Deo. 26, 27 —Taranaki J.C. Dec. 26, 27, 29 —Manawatu R.C. Deel 2G, 28, Jan. 1, 2—Auckland R.C. Dec 29, Jan. 1, 3—Greymouth J.C. 1924. Jan. I—Waikouaiti R.C. Jan. I—Wyndham R.C. Jan. 1, 2—Stratford R.C. Jan. 1, 2—Hawke’s Bay J.C. Jan. 1, 2—Marton J.C. Jan. 1, 2 —Wairarapa R.C. Jan. 2, 3—Southland R.C.