THE RACING WORLD

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 199, 23 May 1925, Page 4

THE RACING WORLD

SECOND DAY OF WANGANUI MEETING NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By “The Watcher.”) The Taumarunui Chib will bold its meeting, granted under an extra permit, to-day. Desert Glow is expected to run well forward in bis engagement. Mr. R. E. Hatch has been appointed starter for the Manawatu Hunt Club. Carawock’s weight in the Australian Jockey Club’s Steeplechase, which was not cabled, is lOst. 121 b. Mr. Eric Riddiford has decided upon a temporary change of quarters for his horses in training. On account of the superiority of the training tracks at AVanganui, especially in'the winter, as compared with the home tracks at Treutham, the horses are to be taken up immediately, and will remain at Wanganui until after the spring meeting there. The following horses will made the shift:—Royal Divorce, Black Cat, Masrer Peter, Dubious, the two English filhes March Past (Grand Parade—Dolly Dimples) and (Grand Parade—Bright Folly), the Martian— Ayah gelding, Paper Kite (Paper Money—Kitbreeze). Grand Knight and the rcmaindei of Air. Riddiford’s horses at Trentiiaui will remain there in cliarge of A. Qutnlivan. Would Black Art have won the AVanganui Steeplechase had he not run off ? That is a question which numerous racegoers are asking. There is no doubt that if he would not have won he would have gone very close to it. There were still two miles to be covered when trie incident happened, but Black Art was bowling along so freely, jumping so well, and had such a good lead on Master Peter, that all the circumstances, including his undoubted qualities as a racehorse, point

to his backers Having been decidedly unlucky. That Mr. Coyle had no doubts on the question is proved by the fact that he raised Black Art 71b. in to-day’s Grandstand Steeplechase. Carawock gave a poor jumping exhibition in the race for the Wanganui Steeplechase, being in trouble at practically every fence. Only his great pace on the flat got him into the position he occupied at the finish. The AA’anganui steeplechase country is not difficult—it is, in fact, about the easiest-to be encountered during the season—so unless Carawock shows improvement in his fencing he will find difficulty in holding his own with horses proficient at the game. While on the subject of the \A ? anganui steeplechase country, a word regarding the stand double fences would not be misplaced. There is no doubt that both these fences should extend nght across the track, instead of beginning at the outer rail and ending with a wing and a big open space thence to the running rail. . Had it extended right across on Thursday Black Art would not have been' able to run off, but apart from this particular incident, a complete fence is in the best interests of the sport, horses, public, and all concerned. It is the generally accepted opinion amongst* racing men that Finland’s stock are not stayers, but like all other rules, there are exceptions, and nobody

could criticise the staying ability of the steeplechaser Landbird when he won th< AVanganui Steeplechase on Thursday In fact he put in a better finishing nit than anything bar Tuki. Landbird, whe is a five-year-old brother to that good sprinter Chimera, showed great pace and jumping rbility when Jefferd raced him over hurdles, but he is still in the ranks of hacks over the timber fences, and it was therefore not surprising that his victory in his initial steeplechasing effort, particularly of the class of Thursday’s event, should have been unexpected. He made one mistake during the race, three fences from home, and it looked at the time as if it might cost him the race, as Master Peter got away from him. Master Peter, however, made a similar mistake it the next fence, and this enabled Landbird to recover the advantage. Landbird will be taken to Auckland. Master Peter. had had enough at the :nd of the AVanganui Steeplechase, and le is not yet in first-class condition. Considerable improvement can yet be ■ffected in him, although he ran a treat race, and some of the big crossountry prizes later on may come his vay. Passin’ Through was responsible for

a very fine race in the AVanganu Steeplechase. He gave a faultless ex hibition of jumping throughout, am from the six-£urlong post the last tiim round he put in such a great run tha 'many good judges were prepared t< proclaim him the winner. His condi tion, however, gave out a little Intel on and he failed to sustain the effort finishing fifth. The interruption in his preparation evidently had a bad effect, but he should soon be showing up in big races. There is not the least doubt that Passin’ Through is one of the best ’chasers in the country. Tuki was running on strongly at the end of the AVanganui Steeplechase, am' with a trifle longer iourney would have beaten Master Peter for second money. It is considered that Tuki does not like very heavy going, so his connections should be pleased with his forward showing and" strong finish, in view of events ahead. San Forte was always well back in the race for the Wanganui Steeplechase. He ran in heavy bandages in front, and is not the horse be was twelve months ago. Comical made an exhibition of his field in the Hack Hurdles at Wanganui on Thursday. Always a good horse in heavy going, be won with the greatest ease. He made such an impression on the handicapper ‘hat he got list, in the May Hui dies, being placed on the same mark as Maunga, and well above such as Vagabond, Dubious, and Black Art. Mr. Macmanemin admitted he let him in light in the Great Northern Hurdles when he raised him 81b. in that big open event for a win in a hack race.

Dubious scored a nice .and clear-cut victory over Otnalni in the Century Hurdles, and it fell out that both big jumping races on Thursday went to hurdlers who were not out of the hack ranks. Dubious will come into favour for events ahead, but it should be remembered that Oniahu has a weakness for being beateii in big hurdle races, and, moreover, one or two <♦ the beaten lot in Thursday’s race will improve vastly in the near future. At the same

time, it must be admitted that Dubious has made good. He has been raised 41b. to 9st. 41b. in the Great Northern Hurdle Race.

It is going to take time to make a hurdler of Glen Canny. He has not improved on his Hawera form, and despite the track conditions being greatly in his favour on Thursday, he was always toiling A number of Auckland people think he has a great chance in their big race, but unless he shows a great and immediate improvement, he has not got the remotest chance of beating the good horses. A'agabond took a long time to get warmed up in the Century Hurdles, but over the last six furlongs he travelled at a great pace, and took the fences in his stride. Had the weather remained fine, he might have been closer than fourth, for, while he can go all right in heavy ground, it does not suit him. Oyer any lengthy journey the old Martian gelding can still give them all a great race, and he is improving.

Nukumai is a great goer in heavy ground. He had all the conditions in his favour on Thursday, but was. the outsider of the field. He finished just behind A’agabcnd. Maunga tan a fair race in the Century Hurdles on Thursday. He finished well back, but the handicapper kept him on the same mark for to-day’s race, whereas he dropped the other beaten ones.

Te Kawa created a very favourable imptession of his - capabilities by the race he ran in the Century Hurdles. The distance found him out, and he will be dangerous over a shorter course, but it would be unwise to infer that he will reach the best class.

Alaric got weights in hurdle races which did not please his connections, but he won the Connolly Handicap with horses like Reremoana, Fool’s Paradise, and Imperial Spark behind him. Mr. Coyle gave him list. 31b. in the Mav Hurdles to-day, on the same mark as Frisco Mail, with only Nukumai (list. 7st.) and (l2st.) above him. Perhaps Ins connections will reluctantly agree that they have a good horse. Archeen was perhaps a trifle lucky to get up on the inside in the opei sprint at AVanganui on Thursday, but against this is the fact that he was last away. Luck therefore evened itself. Archeen is naturally a slow beginner, but he is a really good sort. Lady Bentinck is on the improve. She ran a great race on Thursdav, and met more than her share of trouble during the race. A better effort can be expected from her next time.

Degage was well fancied for her engagement on Thursday. She was greatly upset by the blundering Rafa at the post, and it undoubtedly affected her chances. She ran a very fair race.

Benmure was unsuited by the heavy ground on Thursday. He led into the straight, but then compounded, and finished well back. He is worth remembering for dry tracks.. Rational ran a very fine race in the Borough Handicap on Thursday, being prominent all the way. It would appear that his days of usefulness are far from ended. Bonibrook showed remarkably improved form at AVanganui as compared with his Hawera showing, and Ins

connections were not prepared for it. They backed him at Hawera, but me probable chances are that he han not been up long enough to run a good race first time out.

Akbar, who shaped so at Hawera, completely reversed himselt at AA’anganui on Thursday, and jumped wretchedly. Tliis is no unusual occurrence in a young steeplecliasei, although disappointing to Ins admireis. Rowley and Tempean .are a couple of hacks that should not be long in get--ting on the winning list.

WANGANUI MEETING TO-DAY

(By Telegraph—From “The AVatcher,”) AVanganui, May 22. The fields for to-morrow’s racing are good, both as. regards numbers and class It has rained heavily here all day, and although it lifted about five o’clock the weather has not cleared to any extent, and the going will be heavy. Rowley is expected to run well in the Balgownie Hack Handicap, and as he was unlucky yesterday he may make amends. Euphonium, however, is an improving horse, and he scored well yesterday, ' As the result of his race in the Hack Hurdles yesterday, Admiral Codrington will have plenty of supporters in the Rata Hack Hurdles, and he should show up. The clat s is not particularly strong, and although Glen Canny has not given signs so far of being a firstclass jumper, he may be able to run will toward in to-morrow’s field. All AVind, on his first day’s running, should also run well.

The May Hurdle Race has drawn a good field—better than the Century Hurdles in most respects Alaric’s form is good, and as he gees so well in heavy ground he should be prominent. The heavy track will also suit Comical, who scored so well under the same weight against the hacks yesterday; Last year Lochson was beaten into second place in the hack race and won the May Hurdles on the second day, so Comical has a chance of going one better. The topweight, Nukumai, cannot be overlooked in any race from now on, and as the distance to-morrow is half-a-mile less than in the Century Hurdles he must be well forward at the finish. Black Art lias switched back to hurdling again, and he will not lack supporters, but his chances are not as good in to-mor-row’s field as they would be in a steeplechase.

The field in the Grandstand Steeple-, chase contains most of the good horses at the meeting. Over the shorter distance, and in the heavy ground, fast light-weights may cause trouble. Puwhero is a fast jumper over hurdles, and he may repeat the performance of Landbird, while on firs': day’s form Master Peter, Tuki, and Passin’ Through can be expected to perform well. Imperial Spark and Fool’s Paradise figure in the Empire Handicap. . Hipo is also in this race.

Form points to good races from Willow Wai and Alabama in the Farewell Hack Handicap, with Tempecgi another who should run well.

'There is a good field in the Winter Oats. Lady Bentinek should run well, and with a better run than she received yesterday should reverse placings with Arclieen. Rational’s race the first day was a good one.

AUCKLAND RE-HANDICAPS Rv Telegraph-—l’nvss .'ssociatio', Wanganui, May 22. Dubious has been rehandicapped in the Great Northern Hurdles at the Auckland meeting, being raised -41 b., to 9st. 41b.

WANGANUI ACCEPTANCES

By Tm.EGRArn-—Phess Association. Wanganui, May 22. The following are the. acceptances for the second day of the Wauiranui Jockey Club’s meeting:— BALGOWNIE HACK HANDICAP, of 200 Bov.. One mile and a distance. nt. lb. «t- lb

Euph mium ... 9 Rowley 8 King Potaiv ... 7 Rangi Sarto ... 7 Kilorum 7 9 12 8 4 0 Novar De Luxe Kilia Roosevate .... . 7 . 7 . 7 . 7 0 0 0 0 KATA HACK BUBBLE HANDKL P. of 200 bovs. About one mile and a half. st. lb st. lb Admiral Askari . 9 Codrinprton .. 11 3 ho ii mark . 9 3 Trespass 10 0 Ma ilia 9 2 Glen Canny ... 9 13 Red Head .... 9 0 Gluenient 9 10 Bon ecto 9 0 Taitaiata 9 8 Lady Dolwill . 9 0 All Wind 9 7 Maunu . 9 0 Goldpiece 9 5 Birkenella .... 9 0 MAA' HUBBLE HANDICAP. cf 350 SOVS. About one mile md three-quarters. St. b. st. in. Nukumai It 7 Black Art 10 3 Alaric H 3 Alteration .... 9 12 Comical 11 0 Comedy Prince 9 5 Maunga 11 0 Glen Canny .. 9 0 Va£<i bo!id 1A 8 Otauru Kid .. 9 0 Te Kawa 10 8 White Ranger 9 0 GRANDSTAND STEEPLECHASE HANDL CAP, of <0 sovs. Two miles and a half. at. lb st. lb Pausin' Tuki 9 10 pick 9 9 Carawock 11 1 Buckeye 9 7 Master Peter .. 10 13 First Line 9 2 San forte 10 5 A! all i a 9 0 Puwliero 10 4 Blue Hall 9 0 Bonibrook .... 9 11 EMPIRE HANDICAP, cf 350 sovs. One mile and a distance. at. lb. st. lb. Imperial Spark 8 9 Archcen 7 5 Hine 8 8 ■Valencia 7 5 Good' Sport .... 8 5 Ruby Ring .... 6 11 Fool’s Paradise 8 5 Pronto 6 7 Para 7 7 Ora's Delight 6 7 Sunshot 7 5 Megan 6 7 WINTER. OATS, of 380 sovs. Six furlongs. fit b. st. lb Rational 9 11 Toma 7 9 Rafa 8 5 Strategy 7 5 Archeen 7 13 Benmure; 6 13 It Kuh io 6 9 7 11 Lipsol 6 7 Lady Bentinck 7 9 FAREWELL HACK ELAT HANDICAP. of 200 sovs. Six furlongs. £t. lb st. lb King Pot 9 8 Ring Potoa ... 7 9 Attractive 9 0 Tenipean 7 9' Willow Wai ... 9 0 Bbauinont 7 7 Alabama 8 8 Empire Camp 7 1 Rehutai 8 3 Kilm.'re 7 1 Padonna 8 3 Tres Bon 7 1