THE RACING WORLD

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 86, 6 January 1926, Page 14

THE RACING WORLD

'NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By "The Watcher.”) Nominations for the annual meeting of the Pahiatua Racing Club will close on Friday at 9 p.m. The telegraph office at Pahiatua closes at 5 p.m. Handicaps for the summer meeting of the Wellington Trotting Club are due to-morrow, and acceptances will close on Tuesday next. One of the most discussed runners in the Auckland Cup field was Haze. He was always amongst the short-priced ones, but he did not fill a place, and now he is entered at the Wellington summer meeting in the Apprentices’ Plate, Trial Plate, Douro Cup, and Kclburn Handicap for hacks On the last day, however, he has also been considered worthy of a nomination in open company in the Summer Handicap. The imported horse Grand Knight, who won three races during the holidays, has been nominated at Trcntham for both distance and sprint events. Although it was reported that Wactea was to get a spell, she has been nominated at the Wellington summer meeting. The Dunedin owner, Mr. X. Cambridge, nominated Dos Ambus, Happy Days, and Monoxide at the Wellington meeting, but almost immediately afterwards sent a following telegram cancelling the entries. Four southern horses entered for the Wellington meeting who will command respect if produced in their engagements are Listening Post, Tommy Dodd, Set Sail, and Baldowa. They have all been winners during the holi- " days. Set Sail is nominated amongst - the sprinters, but the other three are Z in the Cup and distance handicaps. Listening Post haa already made the acquaintance of local , racegoers as he . raced here twelve months ago, being successful in the Racing Club Handi- * cap on the second day of the meeting. Tommv Dodd is a four-year-old gelding ■ by Solferino, out of Kilberry, lialf- • sister to Kilwinning and sister to Kill--7 owen. He has earned a reputation in the south as a useful customer, and since his entry into open company he lias acquitted himself with credit. Balclowa is a six-vear-old gelding by Balboa. and has some useful performances to his credit. He is, however, under ; the liability of unsoundness. The Auckland Cup winner Rapine " does not figure amongst the entrants “ for the Wellington meeting, but Count Cavour, The Banker, Clarinda, Grand Knight, Listening Post, Suggestion, i Musketoon, Star Stranger, and Te Mo- ;; naniti, representing principal winning, •"form and the best class in training, rre - rit engaged in the Cup and other principal events: Taken all round, the Cup field is one of the strongest that has ever been entered, a feature being the absence of a “tail.” Long before Parliament stepped in and made the 7st. minimum compulsory, the Dunedin Jockey Club voluntarily adopted the principle, and the southern critics were agreed that it made for better racing. From results since the 7st. minimum Bas been in general operation, it would appear that the opposition to it was mainly theoretical, for in practice 'it has to be recorded that the top-weights have been doing equally as well under it, if not better, than they did under the 6.7 scale. The top-weight should have won the New Zealand Cup, which went to a well-weighted runner, the lour tepweights all ran prominently in the Auckland Cup, which was won by the horse carrying the highest impost, and in all other centres where racing lias been held the horses with the big weights have run well enough to suggest that they have not been so badly crippled as was thought. It would appear from results that the 7st. minimum ■is working in the interests of the best horses, and those who can carry weight. When Radial broke down in.the Flying Handicap at Invercargill on Saturday ir was quite obvious that his tiouble was serious (says a southern writer). 0n examination it was found that he had split a pastern, and he was subsequently destroyed. In his yor.pgei days Radial was a good sprinter Distances beyond the mile were usually just a trifle tar for him, though be won the North Otago Cup over a mile ami a quarter. Redial was by Ail Red fiom the southern mare Aerina, and was foaled in 1914. Seven other owners besides Mr. A. B. Williams reached four figures in stake money won at the Auckland meeting as follows .--Mr G. M. Currie, £*’lo9; Mrs. W. D. Graham, £1700; Mr. G. F. Moore, £1600; Mr. J. S. Barrett, £1300; Dlr. E. L. Riddiford, £1250; Mr. D. J. Barry, £1150; Mr. A. N. Gibbons, £llOO. How very necessary it is for those « engaged in racing horses to make themselves conversant with the rules is exemplified in connection with the I Ellerslie Handicap, which was run on . the third day of the A.R.C. summer meeting. A 51b. allowance was claimed for the apprentice Dunn, the rider of Mosaic, and the horse won the race in question, with the allowance. The allowance was claimed under Rule 4, which sets out allowances and penalties for apprentice riders subject to ‘ the number of winners they have ridden. The new Rule 5 passed by the conference last July, however, ; clearly states that no allowance shall, t be made for horses weighted above - 8.5, and as Mosaic was handicapped at 8.8 the rule, of course, operated in his case against any allowance. The stewards therefore had no alternative but to declare Mosaic out of the race, and they awarded first and second places respectively to Miss Vera and Wenday. In taking the race from . Mosaic the A.R.C. committee decided that the Racing Conference be recommended to alter Rule 4, part 18, by adding after the word “51b.” in the third line the following v/ords: "Subject to the provision contained in Rule 's'of this part.” The effect of this alteration would be .to make it quite clear that the allowance in apprentices’ races is subject to the 8.5 limit. True Blood, who finished second to Limited in the Nursery Handicap at Auckland on Boxing Day, and is engaged at the Wellington meeting, is by Archery from Bonny Helen, a sister to Bonny Portland, the dam of Reremoana and Lady Cavendish. True Blood is said to be a good sort, who is likely to develop into a useful winner. Loughrea performed well at the southern holiday meetings before winning the Wellington Cup, and as soinc of the runners in the Invercargill Cup are engaged at Trcntham the

'following report of the contest is of interest:—“Ravenna and Circulation went out a good fancy for the Invercargill Cup, with Tommy Dodd a strong second favourite. Ravenna strode home an easy winner, and won without being called upon fully to extend herself by about three lengths from Tommy Dodd. Circulation was always running about fourth, and finally finished a fair third. There was a good deal of interference in the race. Tarleton got knocked back on the rails as the field left the straight, and he fell from a good position to the tail of the field. Comic Song was alwavs running with the leaders until about three furlongs and a half from home, when he got sent back from third to second last. Mountain Lion got interfered with when rounding the home turn. Warhaven also seemed to lose place suddenly when reaching the home turn. ' Tarleton made up a good deal of ground on the outside from the six furlongs post, and was up with the leaders three furlongs from home. This hasty run and the bump settled whatever chance he had. Ravenna would, however, have taken a lot of beating, as she gave nothing a chance at the finish.”

The Martian two-vear-olds. Battlement and Torque, in F. D. Jones’s stable, continue to do useful work. Thev mav be raced at Trcntham this month, as Battlement has been left in the Wellington Stakes, and, with Torque, ’ has also been entered for the Nursery Handicap. Battlement is a brother to The Cypher and The Polyminan.

G. J. Pine has the three-year-old Victory Bond and the two-year-old Paper Bov moving along freely in useful tasks. It is probable that this pair will represent Mr. G. Gerard at ■ Trcntham this month.

Limited scored his first success when he won the Nursery Handicap at the Auckland Racing Club’s meeting. He had raced very consistently, however, his record in his previous starts being two seconds, two thirds, and once unplaced. He is bv Absurd from Holyrood, apd he is thus a brother to Absurdum. who was a useful performer in the Dominion before he went to Australia to earn further honours as a sprinter.

F. P. Claridge is paying a good deal of attention to Coupon at Riccarton, hacking the excitable Paper Money gelding on the roads with a view to quietening him. The treatment appears to be acting well, and with his fine turn of speed he should pay his way later in the season. He has been nominated for events at the Wellington meeting, also Gay Queen, who is ieported to be looking in particularly good order. Projector, who won both the hurdle races at the Dunedin Jockey Club’s meeting, was taken to Riccarton for the Grand National meeting in August by Mr. J. B. Gaisford. He ran second to Bachelor Gay in the Hunters’ Hurdle Handicap, and was then purchased by Mr. G. G. Holmes. After a couple of failures, one on the flat and the other over hurdles, he showed improved form at the South Canterbury meeting, where he notched a second and then a win. His latest efforts, at Wingatui, show that he has done remarkably well since he went to Riccarton and he now looks more than a useful pwspect.

In conversation after he won the Auckland Trotting Cup, W. J. Tompkinson t emarked that to drive Nelson Derby a winner was one of the greatest pleasures of his life (writes “Orion” in the Auckland “Star”). The owner, Mr. G. J. Barton, thought nothing of the prize money. “He told me when I was leaving Dunedin to bring the gold cup back with me, and that he didn’t care ‘tuppence’ about the money,” said Tompkinson. “You can just imagine how pleased he will be to get that beautiful cup ” Happy Warrior was making his- first appearance in a hurdle race when he won at the Southland Racing Chib’s summer meeting on Saturday.

A. Cutts gave Retrospect, Serotina, and Front Rank a let up following on their trip to Wingatui. They will resume work this week, and will be irot readv to race at Trenthani, where Wild Work, a two-year-old filly by Autumnus —Welter Skelter, has also been nominated. The new owner of the English-bred mare Balfyinoy II is Mr. O. Nicholson. Ballymoy II now forms one of the team trained by N. Cunningham.

An outstanding fact in. connection with the Great Northern Foal Stakes is that only three winners of that race have won the Great Northern Derby, viz., Renown (1899), Menschikoff (1900), and Desert Gold (1914). Two fillies bred by Mr. G. M. Currie ran first and second in the Nursery Handicap ou the opening day of the recent summer meeting of the A.J.C. at Randwick. Minjerookah, the winner, is by Limond—Ursula, and she put up a Randwick record of 59fsec. for five furlongs. She was assisted, however, by a strong gale. Minjerookah cost 675 guineas as a yearling. The runner-up, Roseneath, is full-sister to The Thorn (Absurd—Rose Queen). She cost 525 guineas as a yearling. She is described as a verv shanelv fillv, and the good form of The Thorn at the recent Auckland meeting would make 'pleasant reading for her owner.

A very liappv ceremony took place in the Press room at Ellerslie racecourse during the meeting last week, when Air. j. Chadwick and Mr. A. Bruce, two of the oldest, if not. the oldest, sporting iournalists in New Zealand, were honoured by their associates of the Press gallery (says an Auckland paper). Mr. W. Alorton, chairman of the gallery, mentioned that Mr. Chadwick commenced his career as a sporting write, .in 1869, and since 187-1 had contributed to the “Weekly Press,”. Christchurch, under the nom de plume of “Spectator.” Mr. Bruce, “Phaeton” of the “New Zealand Herald,” had written under that nom de plume, and had been in charge of the sporting columns of the paper since 1880. Both of these were remarkable records, and the gathering had been arranged in token of the great esteem in which the veterans were held bv the members of the gallery. The Prime Minister, Hon. T. G. Coates, at the request of Air. Alorton, then presented to Air. Chadwick and Air. Bruce small gifts emblematic of the high regard felt for them bv their associates. Mr. Coates expressed l:is keen pleas ire in making the presentation. and referred to his knowledge of both recipients extending over n long period of rears. The health of Air. Chadwick and Air. Bruce was enthusiastically toasted, and in their replies both gentlemen related interesting reminiscences. Air. Coates, who was accompanied by Mr. H. O. Nolan, vice-president of the Auckland Racing Club, was warmly welcomed on Ins first visit to Ellerslie since assuming office at Prime Minister. Air. W. 1). Graham of New Plymouth, whose wile is owner of Te Alonantii, winner of the Auckland Racing Club Handicap, entertained the members of the gallery, and the success of Airs. Graham’s colours was toasted. In his recently published reminiscences R S. Sicvier relates an incident of how, when practically “broke,” he was paid £2 owed him by a friend, and ran that sum into nearly £BOOO. It was at Epsom, and on the first day he won

£llO. On the second 'day Iris first bet was £5OO to £lOO about a winner, and he followed that up with another of £OOO to £2OO. The whole of the transactions were in ready money. Continuing the narrative he says: “I then took 7 to 1 to £3OO Fullerton for the City and Suburban, which was the next race ami on Ben llvams shouting ‘Eight to one.’ I took 800 to 100 from him, while Bob Howett put me a further £3OO on at an average of about 8 to 1. After the horse had cantered to the post', I was further impressed with the fitness and action of Fullerton, so I took another £lOO off mv ‘roll,’ accepting 8 to 1 to the money from the Brothers Drcysey, and. with small sums, I had more'than £lOOO on the horse. He belonged to what was called that astute division, Sir George Chetwynd and Lord Lurgan, but I would sooner have their losses on the Turf than their mythical winnings. From Tottenham Corner to the winning post the race was never in doubt, Fullerton finally winning in a canter bv two lengths. Then came the collection. I had won something like £BOOO in ‘readv,’ a colloquial substitute for cash. I became stuffed like a guy. But a good guv! Success travels as quickly on a racecourse as failure' docs on the Stock. Exchange. I received some very kind inquiries as to whether certain accounts should be claimed on the following Monday.” The annual meeting of the Hawke’s Bav Trotting Club will take place on January 30. Nominations for all events close with the secretary, box 156, Hastings, at 8 p.m. to-morrow.

REEFTON ACCEPTANCES Br Telegiiaph.—Press Association. Creymouth, January 5. Acceptances for tne first day of the Reefton Jockey Club’s midsummer meeting on Thursday have been received as follow:— TRIAL HANDICAP, of 85 sovs. Six furlongs.—Lord Leslie, 9.6; Piccaninny, 9.3; Probate, Some Abbey, Frivolous, 8.8; Hallownoon, 8.6; Marble Bar, 8.3; Gaslight, 8.2; Prince Charleroi, 8.1; Saxette, 8.0 : Gray Lass, 7.11; Hiero, 7.9; Cashbox, 7.7; Jonquil, 7.3. JUNCTION TROT (harness), of 90 sovs.; 2.28 class. One mile.—Ocean Whispers, Trimmer, Legate, Prince Mac, scr.; Ocean Chimes. Smithfield. 24yds. behind; Merry Logan, Golden Locanda, General Thorpe, 36yds. behind; Denver Wood, Nota Bene, 60yds. behind; Jean Vue, 96yds. behind. FIRST HURDLE HANDICAP, of 115 sovs. One mile and a half.— Tenterfield, 11.11; Uncle Dave, 11.3; Cashman, 10.10; Caverock. 9.13; Marble Slab, 9.10; Maunu. 9.6; Flying Master, 9.5; North Inch, Gay Gauntlet. 9.0. REEFTON CUP, of 160 sovs. One mile and a half.—Prince Ferouz, 9.0; Para, 8.10; Fresco, 8.7; Prosperity, 8.6; Lord Leslie, 8.3; Goosestep, 7.12; John Dix, 7.11; Barleycorn, 7.10; Jubilant, 7.9; Caliburn, 7.3; Marble Slab. 7.2.

SHERWOOD HANDICAP, of 85 sovs. Five furlongs.—Piccaninny, 9.4: Barleycorn. 9.3; Deep .Drive. Rene Mavis, 9.2; Probate, 8.13; Some Abbey, Frivolous, 8.10; Fabrinade, B.6;_Voutc, Jonquil, 7.5; Red Heather, Wiffkie, Gay and Good, 7.0.

SOLDIERS’ TROT (harness), of 100 sovs.: 4.45 class. One mile and a. half. —Kreislcr, Trimmer Miss Louie, Queen’s Ferry, Prince Mac, Kebburn, scr.; Ocean Chimes, 36yds. behind; Smithfield, Golden Locando, General Thorpe, 63yds. behind; Nota Bene, Denver Wood, 84yds. behind; Jean Vue, 144yds. behind. WELTER HANDICAP, of (00 govs. Seven furlongs.—Prosperity, 9.6; Caliburn, 9.2; Rapid Rose, 9.0; Saxette. 8.13; Hiero. Jubilant, 8.11; Horatius. Gaslight, 8.10; North Inch, 8.7. Bitters, Maunu, 8.0. PROGRESS HANDICAP, of 90 sovs. Six furlongs.—Prince Ferouz. 9.5; Piccaninny, 9.0; Reno Mavis, 8.13; Some Abbey, 8.5: Hallownoon. 8.3: Flying Master, 8.2 ; Prince Charleroi 7.12; Cairn. 7.5; Cashman, 7.0.

WAIRIO HANDICAPS Br 'lzlegrafh.—Peess Association Invercargill, January 4. Following are the handicaps for the Wairio Jockey Club’s annual meeting:— OIIAI MAIDEN PLATE, of 100 sovs. Seven furlongs.—Balglory, Balvasco, Benjamin, Bilbo. C’antra, China, Divinial, Grand Fleet, Gilrain marc. Lady Balboa., Maunganoa, Obcdio, Rippling Lake, Schotischc. Similitude, Solzia. Strathnovcr, Swimashirc, Triumphator—My Beauty gelding, Warseer, 8.0. NIGHTCAPS HARNESS TROT, of 125 sovs. One mile and a half.—Canute, First Water, Lady Freeman, Pance Lao, Postmark. Sunshade, Ten Bells, scr.; Dixie Dil. lon, Morning Chimes, Secret Link, 12yds. behind; Harvester Queen, Peter Ville, 24 yds. behind; War Chimes 48yds. behind; Joy Chimes, 72yds. behind. WAIRIO CUP, of 200 sovs. One mile and a half.—Baldowa, 9.13; Overdrawn, 9.0; Geranial, Valdamo, Beauty Light, 8.4; The Cheat, 8.2; Bloom, 8.1; Francaisc. Arbour, Vice-Grand. 7.7 Marmont, Enarc, 7.5; Fairy Ring, 7.2; Soldier’s Pride. 7.1; Blue Dragoon, Soltoe. Obligio, 7 0 WOODLAW HACK HANDICAP, of 100 sovs. Six furlongs.—Queen Balboa, 9.12; Blue Dragoon, Soltoc, 9.0; Jack o’ Lantern, 8.12; Navy Cut, 8.8- Bran Pie, 8.0; Bonnie Olivo, 7.11; Divinial, 7.8; French Belle, Haphazard, Swimashore, Warsccr, 7.7. APARIMA STEEPLECHASE, of 150 sovs. Two miles and a half.—Uncle Bob, 12.6; Mettle Drift, 10.7: Barrister, 10.5; Blazing Light, 10.2; Dick Travis, 10.0; Flag Licuten ant. Scamp, 9.13; Ngarata, 9.5; Avispado, Barricon. 9.2; Herbert, Irish King. Harmony, 9.0. BIRCHWOOD SADDLE TROT, of 115 sovs. One mile and a half.—Dixie Dillon, Liberal, Logathete, Moonglow, Pance Lao, Perfect Pointer, Post Mark, Prairie Chimes. Turi Chimes, scr.; Ballin Lad, Our Star, 12yds. behind; Marvindale. Snow Cap, 24yds. behind: Joy Chimes. 36,vds. behind; Landlady. 60yds. behind; Silbon. 84yds. behind. WAIRAKI HACK HANDICAP of ICO sovs. Five furlongs.—Schottische, 9.0; King Balboa, 8.5; Solzia, 8.3; Haphazard, Obcdio, 8.2; Ballymena Lass, Balvasco. Benjamin, Bilbo, Bright Pltimo*. Computer Controversy, French Belle, Golden Fleet, Jolly Flower Kilrain mare. King Balboa, Lady Balboa, Minaflores, Similitude. Soearmaid, Stratlinever. Triumnhator— My. Beauty gelding. Wallflower 8.0. WREY’S BUSH WELTER HANDICAP, of 150 sovs. One mile.—Geranial 9.3: The Cheat, Bloom. 9.0; Beauty Light, 8.12. Ardour, 8.3; Francaisc, Vice-Grand. 8.2; Enare. Marmont, Queen Balboa, 8.0: Blue Dragoon. Fairy Ring, Jack o’ Lantern, Sweet Melody, 7.10 : Soldier's Pride, 7.9; Counterstrokc, Highborn, Flight, Navy Cut, Obligio, Soltoe. 7.7. FIXTURES. January 7, B—Rcefton ,T. C. January 8. 9—Cromwell J.C. January 12, 13—Vincent J.C. January 1-1. Hl—Thames J.C. (at Takapuna). January 10—Wairio J.C. January 10—Wellington Trotting Club, January 20, 22, 23—Wellington R.C. January 22, 23—Foxton R.C. January 23—Bay of Islands R.C. January 27, 28—Pahiatua R.C. January 20, 28—Wairoa R.C. January 29, 30—Takapuna J.C.