THE RACING WORLD

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 94, 15 January 1926, Page 5

THE RACING WORLD

THAMES MEETING

TRACK WORK AT TRENTHAM

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By

“The Watcher.”!

Nominations for tiie summer meeting of the Egmont Racing Club on February 3 and 4 will close to-night at 8 o’clock. The trotters Countryman and Blue Star arrived at Hutt Park yesterday to fulfil their engagements at the meeting to-morrow. A verv satisfactory feature of the acceptances for the Wellington Racing Club’s first day is that there is no necessity for any race being run in divisions.

Patrons of the lawn at Trentham next week will notice an improvement on the front of the totalisator. On each' side of the “total” dial have been placed two clock faces about two feet in diameter, and plainly visible from all parts of the enclosure. One will give the time of day while the other will indicate the closing time of the machine. Another innovation that will be appreciated is an alteration of the notice board on the totalisator making provision for registering the scratchings in all the eight races. A good downpour of rain will be welcome at Trentham and would benefit the tracks, but they are not any harder if as hard as the tracks were generally during the Christmas racing. The superintendent has’ allowed the grass to grow, with the result that moisture has been retained that in otlier vears evaporated, and it is not intended to cut it so close for the racing as has been usual in the past, so that even if no rain falls there will be a sole of grass for the horses to gallop on. The new grass on the old crossing lias come away well.

Still another feature at Trentham that will be noted with approval by the patrons of the members’ stand . is the lopping of the tops of the trees between the stand anil the totalisator. Hitherto a view of the totalisator during betting has been procurable only from certain portions of the ramps on the stand, wifi’, the result that all favourable positions have in the past been subject to overcrowding. A clear and unobstructed view will now be obtainable from all parts. Visiting horses are slower now m putting in an appearance at Trentham for Wellington meetings than they used to be a few years ago, and apart from the two Gisborne horses, Vivo mid Serenade, who came on from Tanlierenikuu, there arc no new arrivals. Neither of the two named has • been given a fast gallop since the New Year racing, but they have done plenty of. solid, useful work.

Grand Knight was allowed to drop out of his sprint engagement in favour of the Wellington Cup, in which lie will be ridden by B. H. Morris. Grand Knight showed great bi“'liancy yesterday morning in a sprint home after long easy work.

Fool’s Paradise continues to give evidence on the tracks of the line condition in which he is at the present time. All through his gallop with Royal Divorce yesterday morning he was anxious to go much faster, end easily held his companion. Royal Divorce, however, was carrying over 9.0 ns compared with a light-weight on Fool’s Paradise. It is the intention of the stable to start both horses in the Cup. Pool’s Paradise will he ridden by Keesing, who expects to get down to the weight without any trouble. A rider has not yet been engaged for Royal Divorce, but L. G. Morris may get the mount. Modern, who disappointed in her races following upon her victory on the first day of the Mauawatu meeting, appears to have brightened up again, and she worked out well over a mile yesterday morning. Matu was no use to her, and she was under a heavy pull over the concluding stages. The weights, however, were light. Aucklanders appear to be agreed that Gala Day is (favourably handicapped in the Welington Cup, and on his showing at Auckland he is given a chance. He ran well in the Auckland Cup, while he was second in the Grandstand Handicap, one mile and a quarter, on the concluding day. He has been bowling along nicely in his work since the Ellerslie meeting, and even if be does not win on the first day at Wellington, some of the shorter distance events in which he is nominated should suit him. W. Bagby will ride him.

W. H. Tones will be on Martulla in the Wellington Cup, H. Goldfinch will ride Mime. Peneus, and Royal Diadem, while he will be on Muraahi or Tresham ill the Wellington Cup. After doing the Dunedin and Invercargill meetings, the Otaki trainer, D. Webster, paid a visit to the Rtefton meeting, and while there gave his Advance gelding, Bitters, away to a West Coast sportsman.

J. H. Jefferd was so pleased with the Manawatu Racing Club tracks (says the “Standard”) that he intended having his team trained at 'Awapuni till the sting was taken out of the going at Hastings. As rain fell there he decided to remain in his old quarters. The Awapuni tracks are now coming into favour, among trainers in various parts of the North Island, and tt is quite on the cards that a couple of prominent owners will have theii teams located at Awapuni shortly. In conversation with several trainers recentlv they spoke eulogistical!? of the tracks and appointments, especially the plough track, which tliev said was easilv the best in the Dominion. Besides the excellent tracks, many advantages arc to be gained by Palmerston North being so centrally situated, an important matter when one taker into consideration travelling expenses. Though Count Cavour has been entered for principal events in Australia, to be decided in the autumn, nothing definite has been arranged regarding the trip. Mr. Barrett’s good horse is at present bothered with the injuries he received on the Auckland visit, and in consequence he will not fulfil his Wellington engagements. His next appearance will probablv be at Dunedin. To date he has contested 28 races. His record is 11 firsts, two seconds, and four thirds. His total earnings amount to £8205. When Commendation was so slow in making up his lost ground in the Royal ‘Rakes at Ellerslie. J. Barry was blamed in some quarters for giving the gelding too long to get balanced. It is now stated that Commendation was struck over the head by a whip at the barrier, and refused to gallop in the earlier stages. Since July Te Monanui lias won £4200 in stakes, as well as a gold cup valued at £lOO, so the I’otoa—Unity colt lias already given his owner, Mrs. W. Graham, a handsome return for the 600 guineas she paid for him in February last. He should add considerably to liis stake earnings before the season closes. C. Emerson has been offered the mounts ott Listening Post, Tommy Dodd, ami Set Sail at Wellington. It is understood that he has accepted for the iwo first named.

On Tuesday morning at Invercargill the three Southland representatives to race at Trentham were galloped on the outside of the course proper, and the work is described by’ “Sir Modred” as follows“ Listening" Post had Soltoe. as « companion over an eight-furlong gallop on the extreme outside of the course proper. The Solferino gelding and his companion ran the first two furlongs in 28scc., three in 42 2-ssec., the half-mile in 55sec., and came home together, the mile occupying Imin. 46 l-ssec. Listening Post naturally’ held the upper hand, and was moving very freely and with marked determination when the win-ning-post was reached. Listening Post is undoubtedly very well at present, and it will not be the fault of his mentor, F. W. Ellis, if he does not get some of the money in his approaching campaign at Trentham. Set Sail was called upon to give Schottisclie and Bran Pic a start of about four lengths over five furlongs. The first furlong was covered in I’2 l-ssec., the second in 24 4-a sec., third in 37 4-ssec., and Set Sail then asserted herself and _ eventually ran home a comfortable winner in J min. 3 l-ssec. The gallop was a very’ encouraging one, but it may be noted that the track was very fast, and the trio ran downhill over at least three furlongs of the trip. Tommy Dodd was galloping away from Bonnie Olive at the close of a six-furlong gallop, when he did better than ltnin. 18sec. for the full distance. Mr. W. H. Broad’s representative moved well, and it was evident that he is leaving for the North Island in excellent shape.” One of Mr. 11. Friedlander’s Iqts disposed of at the recent blood-stock sales in Auckland was Pompey, who will be tried as a jumper. Pompey looked like turning out a real.ly good performer as a three-year-old, (or he won the Avondale Guineas and wound up the season by successes in the King George Handicap o c 750 sovs. and the York Handicap of similar value at the Auckland Racing Club’s winter meeting, beating amongst others such good ones as le Kara, Comical, Illumination, Alaric, Gala Dav, Income, and Musketoou. Last season, however, following upon an operation for wind trouble, he failed to run into a place in five attempts. Money Order has been sent to the paddock, where he will remain for three months. An indication of the great increase in stakes during the last 20 years is furnished by’ comparison of the winnings at Auckland by Air. A. B. Williams, with five winners, and the amount credited to the late G. G. Stead at the New Zealand Cup meeting in .1901 and 1905. In the former year Mr. Stead won six races, including the Cup, the Derby’, and the Canterbury Cup with Noctuiform, the Oaks with Isolt, Electric Plate with Cuneiform, and Jubilee Cup with Isolt. Including place money, he received £3635. In the following year, bearers of the yellow jacket accounted for twelve races—Maiden, Golden Knight; Cup, Grand Rapids; Welcome, Munjcet; Derby, Nightfall; Juvenile I’latc, Sungod; Spring Nursery, Delaware; Canterbury Cup, Martian; Oaks, Nightfall: Electric Plate, Machine Gun; Members, Savoury; Jubilee Cup, Cruciform; Randolph, Machine Gun (11.5 in 58scc.) The total credited to the stable was £4500. For the Auckland Clip (Rapine), Derby and Queen’s Plate (Star Stranger), and Royal Stakes and Nursery Handicap (Joy'King), Air. Williams received a gross return of over £6OOO.

A few years ago a section of the Australian contingent which invaded the English turf and apparently were not received with nineteen-gun salutes, could find little meriting approval in Old Country racing. Indeed, they were severely critical of the methods of English trainers, and the reverse of complimentary concerning the ability of the crack jockeys. The majority ot _ the overseas professionals who have gained a footing in Britain, however, have had a more pleasing story to relate, and perhaps no one has been more generous in his appreciation of rival horsemen than Frank Bullock, who has just announced his intention to hang his lacing saddle up for good and alt. "Stephen Donoghue is the best jockey I have seen,” is the Victorian’s handsome acknowledgment of the prowess of the latter-day Archer. "Whether ne is on a sluggish horse or a two-year-old, whether riding in a sprint or a long race, it is all the same to him.” One popular belief concerning Donoghue to which Bullocks refuses to subscribe is that the Irishman has any uncanny ability over the Derby course. Rather does he ascribe some of Donoghue’s successes on the Epsom Downs to his rare intuitjon in selecting mounts—a privilege which is enjoyed by no one so much as “Steve.” TRENTHAM TRACK NOTES Thursday. The weather was fine for training work, which was all done on the tan. This track, which had been well watered, was on the slow side. Star Ranger, carrying a light weight, sprinted twice, taking 51. l-sscc. for four furlongs the first time. Kilperon went better than Glen Innes in a sprint over five furlongs in Imin. 4sec., the last half taking 51. sec. Assert, who is not engaged till the last day of the meeting, sprinted halt a mile smartly under a light weight in 49sec.. the best of the morning. Joy Bird, alone, over six furlongs, took Imin. lbscc., doing the first three in 38sec. Black Cat took 50 2-sscc. for half a mile. Minotus and Nadarino galloped five furlongs in Imin. 4sec., the last half in 51 2-ssec. Modern was hard held back to Matu over a mile, run in Imin. 50sec., the first half in 54 3-usqc. Note was holding Climax safely at the end of four furlongs in 51 4-ssec. Note has come </n nicely lately. Royal Divorcp, carrying over 9.0, as against a light weight on bool’s I’aiadise, was comfortably held at the end of a seven-furlong gallop in Imin. 32 2-ssec., the first three in 39scc. and the first half in 51 2-ssee. Royal Pointer and Peggy Ford took Imin. 4 4-sscc. for five furlongs, Misgovern and Indian Sage doing the same distance in a second longer. Tanadees had The Tank as a companion over a mile, and both were going well at the finish in Imin. 50 sec., the first half in 55sec. Treshatn and Zero Hour, with very light boys up, galloped a mile in Imin. 48scc., ijislt breaking 55sec. for the first half. Printemns and Black Mint sprinted four furlongs in 50 2-ssec. Calm Eve finished in front of Tannadicc over six furlongs in Imin. 19 scy. Ilka was let off with easy pacing. Grand Knight, after an easy round, sprinted home from the three-furlong post in 35sec., displacing great speed. Going round again, he sprinted half a mile, going a good deal slower and taking 5.1 3-sscc.

THAMES MEETING

GOLDFIELDS CUP WON BY SURVEYOR Br Telecbafh —Pbess Association Auckland, January 14. The Thames Jockey Ciub’s meeting opened on the ’.Vakapuna course to-day. The weather was fine, and there was a large attendance.. The totalisator handled .£32,412 10s„ compared with 9120,283 10s. when the club raced at its own ground last year. Results: — TOTARA HANDICAP HURDLES, of 150 sovs. Clue mile and a half. 5 Lord Thurubarn, 9.2...(E. C Young) 1 1 Bustler, 9.0 " 4 Bahadur, 9.2 • 3 Also started: 2 Irish Jig, 9.13; 6 Sea Comet, 8 Flowing Bowl, 3 ..diss Ford, 7 Ngatea, 9 Ehucstra, 9.0. Won by four lengths, third horse three-quarters of a length back. Sea Comet w’as fourth. Time. 3nnu. 39-see. Elmestra, Ngatea, Irish Jig < and Aliss Ford fell.

TRIAL HANDICAP, of 150 sovs. About six furlongs. 11 Genetra, 7.7 (Kcosmg) 1

5 Berintbia, 7.9 2 3 Winsome Boy’, 7.7 • ••••• 5 Also started: 2 Eh Tiini, 9.0; 1 Coconut. S. 10; 7 Mnveelish. 8.0; 15 Bizarro; 13 Mangnpiko. 7.12: 16 Harbour View, 9 Scot Free, 4 Cherry Girl, 7.10; 19 Te Koroke. 17 Some Lady. 20 Nuki Boy, 21 Arch Ouecn. 8 Foreign Fancy 7.9; 12 Arch eno, 14 Appellant, 18 Master Noel, 10 Festina Lente. 6 Tloinai, Native Girl (bracketed with winner), 7.0. . Half a. length each way. Eh Turn was fourth. Time, lmin. 14sec.

HAURAKI PLAINS HANDICAP, of 200 soys. Seven furlongs. 3 Ring the Bell, 7.11 .. (W. Bagby) 1 1 Archeen, 8.1. 1

8 Gold Porn, 7.0 2 Also started: 5 Jov Ride. 8.3; 6 Prince Abbey, 8.2; 4 Charlady, 7.9; 10 Loyal Irish', 7.8; 2 Namutere, 7.3; 9 Uralla, 7.2; 7 Drawbridge. 7.0. Won by a head, third horse threequarters of u length back. Joy Ride was fourth. Time, lmin.. 2Ssec.

BOROUGH HANDICAP, of 150 sovs. Seven furlongs. 2 Scat. 9.0 (Roach) 1 1 Ouincoma. 8.5 -

3 Killute, 8.2 ? Also started : 4 Queen Comet, 7.11; 6 Praiseworthy. 7.9; 5 Thorsby. 7.7. Won by a length, (hird horse a length and a half away. Time. lmin. 29sec. Queen Comet was fourth.

GOLDFIELDS CUP HANDICAP, 0f.500 sovs. One mile and two furlongs and a half. 1 firrveyor, 9.0 (R. AlcTavishl 1 3 Roval Present, 7.0 (M . Jones) 2 6 Right and Belt. 7.0 (Wiggins) 3 Also started: 2 .Daylight. 7.1 : 5 Mount Marta, 7 Tresillian. 4 Aberfeldy, 7.0. Surveyor took command at the hem* of the stiaiglif: and won easily by two lengths and n hall, a neck between second and third. Daylight was fourth. Time, 2miu. 15sec.

NURSERY HANDICAP, of 250 sovs. Five furlongs. 1 Tea Bell. 8.5 (W. Bagby) 1 2 Tea Time, 7.13 2 3 Alapal. 7.0 3 Also started: 6 Calitbc. 4 War Officer. 7.3; 5 Quaker Oats. 7 Macroom, 3 Quinufa. (coupled with Alapai). 7.0. Three-quarters of a length each way. Time, limn. 3si3.

PURIKI HACK HANDICAP, of 175 sovs. Nine furlongs. 1 Miss Vera. S.ll ......... (McTavish 1 2 Brushwood Boy, 7.7 2 3 Ilolvmoml. 7.13 3 Also started: t> Wcmluy, 8.0; 5 Merry Ann. 7.12; 1 Dorinda, 7.9. Won by three-quaiters of a length, half a.length between second and third. Time, lmin. 57sec. FLYING HANDICAP, of 300 sovs. Six furlongs. 3 King Pot, 7.13 (A. Driscoll) 1 2 Day Gtiaid. 7.4 2 !■ Musca, ri, 7.0 3 Also started: 1 Nancy Lee. 7.13; 6 Exactly, 7 Judge’s Box, 5 Lc- Clioucas, 4 Quiuettc, 7.0. Three-parts of a length each way Time, lmin. 11 3-ssec. SECOND DAY’S ACCEPTANCES. Acceptances for second day will be found on Page 10. WAIROA HANDICAPS

The following weights for the Wairoa Racing Club’s meeting have been framed by Mr. H. Coyle :—

TROTTING NOTES Owing to the death of Mr. R. A. Parrant, senior, the Hal Zolock mare Golden Morn lias been scratched for all engagements at Hutt Park to-mor-row. Countryman and Blue Star, who arrived yesterday in charge of W. Warren, were given light exercise in the afternoon. Countryman looks well and has evidently thrived since he won his double at the New Brighton meeting last month. S. August’s charge 'Tranquil has not done too well since arrival. She will contest both races in which she is engaged. Dreamalion has been given solid work since arrival and has been striding along freely.< lie is considered nicely handicapped for the Gold Cup, but his supporters should bear ii: mind that it is his first appearance of the season. .. Rita Rye, who claijns a double engagement 10-morrow, is bearing a welltrained appearance. The Aucklander Nelson Tasker has been working well since he arrived, and lie moved well with the straps on yesterday morning.

TRIAL HANDICAP. Six furlongs. Manutai ... 9 6 Shake Hands .... 7 12 Royal Damon .. 8 10 Kingi Pita 7 10 Break o’ Day ..8 6 Hinekapua 7 5 Whai Korero . ... 8 5 Evensong 7 5 Princess Nata ..8 2 Patna 7 5 Merckara ... 8 2 Night Gambler 7 5 Carr.iola ... 8 0 Cluster 7 5 WELTER HANDICAP. Seven furlongs. Man u tai .10 5 Othon 9 9 Tino Mawtga. . jO 5 Mark Over 9 7 Crishna 10 1 Sonny Bsy 9 7 Garzon . 10 1 Purse Proud ... 9 5 Wilmoreana .. . 9 12 Kiugi Pita 9 0 WAIROA HANDICAP. One mile and a quarter. Theic . 9 o Tari 8 5 Highway ... 8 11 Malatour 7 12 Blue Jay ... 8 9 TELEPHONE HANDICAP. Six furlongs. Huikai ..> 9 7 Sonny Boy 7 13 Manutai ... 8 13 Mark Over 7 13 Tino Maunga .. 8 11 Whai Korero ... 7 12 Crishna ... 8 4 Merekara 7 9 Royal Damon ..8 3 Gurnion 7 A STEWARDS’ HANDICAP. Six furlongs. Civilform ..9 3 Malatour 7 6 Terawhiti ... 8 7 Manutai 7 4 Huikai , k ... 7 12 RAUWA HANDICAP. Seven furlor IgS. Garzon . ... 9 0 Princess Nata.... 8 3 Wilmoreana ... .... 8 11 Marekara 8 3 Break o’ Day . 8 9 Carniola 8 1 Othon ... 8 8 Kingi Pita .... 8 4 Three K*ngs .... 7 13 Purscproud .... 7 9 HURUMUA WELTER HANDICAP. Seven furl oners. Haurangi ... 9 11 Highway 9 1 Tairawhiti ... 9 5 Blue Jay 8 11 Theic ... 9 3 Malatour 8 0 FIXTDRES. January 14. 1G—Thames J.C. (at Taka- • puna). January !<’—W nirlo J.C. January 10—\\ ’elliiigton Trotting Club. January 20. 22 , 23—Wellington R.C. — Foxton R.C. January 22, 211 January 23—Bay of Islands R.C. January 27. 28—Paliiatua R.C. January 2(1. 28 —Walroa R.C. January 29. 30 —Takapuna J-C.