THE RACING WORLD

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 62, 7 December 1926, Page 14

THE RACING WORLD

NOTES AND COMMENTS

NOTES AND COMMENTS (By “The Watcher.”) Nominations for the annual meeting of the Stratford Racing Club, to be held on January 1 and 3, will close on Thursday at 9 p.m. The Stratford telegraph office closes at 8 p.m. Nominations for the summer meeting of the Wairarapa Racing Club on January 1 and 3 will close on Friday at 8 p.m. The Featherston telegraph office close? at 5 p.m Special train arrangements have been made for the Woodville races to-mor-row and Thursday from Palmerston North, Masterton, and Waipukurau, including excursion fares. There is a disposition in the south to make Battlement favourite for the principal handicap at Timaru on Frida v. The field is good enough to indicate Battlement’s chances in the Auckland Cup. should he show up. Southern writers are unanimous that Tholomon was unlucky at Winton, and they are anticipating that he will soon make amends.

Clarinda is not generally looked upon as a sprinter, as her best form has been shown over middle to long distances, but she is finding plenty of friends for the Oete Handicap at Woodville to-morrow Australian writers are saying that White Fang was a good thing beaten when he' ran second to Orient Princess at Randwick. On that occasion he caried 8.4 and the time was very fast. Cawnpore was asked to carry 8.8, but bis chance was not good enough for him to start. Tn the A.R.C. Railwav Handicap Cawnpore gets 8.0 and White Fang 7.2. Cawnpore is back from Sydney, and if White Fang returns he should give the others round about the minimum something to do to keep with him. Mrs. Perry’s English youngster Greengrocer is being put through his paces at Napier Park by W. J. Donovan, and is said to be shaping well.

Booster showed great brilliancy in his races at the New Zealand Cup meeting, but being made a little too much use of failed to see the journey right out. Reports from Riccartou state that he is greatly improved, so he should soon be returned a winner.

It is not so long ago, only a couple of months, in fact, since Le Choucas was carrying 9.0 in sprint events, as the result of form equal to anything that has been seen this season. He is in the Railway Handicap with 7.12.

The Grand National winner Peter Maxwell lias done well since being taken up again, and will be a runner in the hurdle races at the Auckland spring meeting. He may hardly be ready to show his best form. At Riccartou on Saturday morning, going the reverse way, Footfall was given a rousing gallop over a mile and a half. He worked alone for a mile, where a companion joined in, and completed the journey with him. The first ten furlongs was run in 2min. 14sec. Running the ordinary way, Fresco and Rapier were companions in a gallop over a mile The first half-mile was run in 50 2-ssec., and the full journey in Imin 43 4-ssec. Battlement finished' clear of Count Cavour at the conclusion of a gallop over a mile. The time was Imin. 44sec. The latter has not done a great deal of fast work lately, and that would probablv account for him stopping a little at the finish. It is probable that Mr. G D Greenwood will have three' representatives at the Auckland Racing Club’s summer meeting. The two-vear-olds Agrion and Eulalie are pretty certain to go north, and Haze mav be the other member of the partv. R. J. Mason has got rid of Precious and Nincompoop, hut lie sticks to Haze, so perhaps one day the disappointing Demosthenes gelding will vindicate his judgment. King Abbev has furnished wonderfully well since his recent trip to Australia (says the “Press”), and A. E. Wormaid has him in splendid condition to undertake forthcoming engagements. In schooling at Riccnrton last week he gave a faultless exhibition. . He will be raced at Timaru in. the Otaio Hurdle Handicap, from which his stable companion, Radiac, was withdrawn owing to being eased in his work for a few days, as a result of a slight injury suffered whilst exercising.

G Murray-Aynsley has decided not to race Footfall at the Timaru meeting, but his stable will be represented by Paperchase, who is engaged in the Fly- 1 ing Handicap on the first day. The winners at Wolverhampton (England) on October 11 included Ronsard, a two-year-old colt, by Son-in-Law from Joie de Vivre. Among others of the latter’s progeny is Joyeuse, dam of Mimetic and joy King, both of whom have won in New Zealand for Mr A. B: Williams. Joyeuse, who was the second foal thrown by Joie de Vivre, is owned by Mr. N. Falkiner. At the Apia Turf Club’s meeting on Saturday, October 30 (says the “Samoan Gazette”), the two chief races fell to the Hon. O. F Nelson’s pair, Loyal Irish and Ruperra. The New Zealand horse Loval Irish conceded from Ist; to 3st 41b to the other runners in his races, and he won in a manner which suggested that he also could have carried two full sacks of copra and then have finished first.

Glenalmoncl, who, in company with Rebuke, was sold a few months ago by G. Murrav-Avnsley, to go to Australia, has raced disappointingly at the pony meetings around Svduev, and now word comes from that cits’ that he was the cause of his owner, R Skelton, the "Ponv Khig” of Australia, being placed under the ban for six months, as a result of an inmiirv into the gelding’s running in the first division of the Maiden Handicap at Victoria Park on November 21. The stallion Argosv (Bachelor's Double—Fragrant, bv Spearmint) was recently boimlit in Ireland for £12,000 bv Dlrs. W. W. Bailev, for her Rathbane Stud. Last rear Argosy’s stud fee was only £l5 10s., but this season’s success of his progeny has made a big

difference. Argosy is the sire of Mr. \V. Higgins’s filly Joy Bird. It is mentioned that Happy Argo, a son of Argosy, was the only horse “warned off” the Irish Turf for unruly conduct. After he was debarred from racing in Ireland —presumably on account of his "behaviour at the post—Happy Argo ' was bought for America for £6OO. He must have quickly mended his ways in that country, as he won a race there, was then sold for £3OOO, and is now reckoned one of America’s best sprinters. WAIPA ACCEPTANCES The following are the acceptances for the annual meeting of the Waipa Racing Club, to be held at Te Awamutu on Saturday

WAIPA PLATE, of 120 sovs. Weight-for-age. Six furlongs. Sand Bag High Rose Elmestra Day Rose Abbey Day Rancruette Royal Day Abbess Ambrosia Day Guido Tea Leaf Autumn Day Cantab Rose Marie Harnouic Miss Spiux Ballacbnlish Shanks Town Bird Hauaua Rose Swift Macroom Royal Archer Velma Day Ahirere Atereria Catclaw Branson Wiltshire Day Comet g. Lunette Marble Arch in. Coma

SOUTH CANTERBURY REHANDICAPS BY Telegraph —Press association Timaru, December 6. The following rehandicaps have been declared for the South Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting on December 10. o o Tycho Hack.—Precious, 9.2. President’s- Handicap.—Economist, 92; John Bradbury, 8.2; Gold Brick, 8.2. ' Nominations for all events at the Marton J.C. summer meeting, to be held on the Feilding racepurse on Saturday and Monday, January 1 and 3, 1927, close on Friday, December 10, at 9 p.m. This meeting follows the Manawatu R.C meeting, which will be held on December 27, 28, and 30, at Awapuni, and as the Awapuni and Feilding racecourses are about ten miles distant owners and trainers will have no trouble in attending both of these meetings. FIXTURES. December 8, 11—W.lllngton Trotting Club December 8, ff—Woodville District J.C December 10. 11—South Canterbury J.C. December 11—Waipa RC. December 10. 18-Dnrgaville R.C. December 27-Waipukurau J.C. December 27. 28— Westland R.C. December 27 2.B—Taranaki J.C. December 27. 28—Du -din J CDeceniher 27. 28. 80— Manawatu R C. December 27. 29. January 1. 5 Auckland December JI. January 4—Greymoutb J.C. • 1927 January 1- Waikouaiti R.C. January 1 Wyndham R-O-January 1. 3- Hawke's Bay J O. January t. 3-M.rattord R.C. January 1 3 Marton J C January 1. 3 Wairarapa R-0. , January 3 4—Southland R-U. January 7 8 Reefton J,C 1 January 8 or 15- Waipapakaun R.C. January 8 10 Vin-ent J 0 January 15 Wairio J O January 18 20 Wairoa R.C. January 20 22 2« Wellington 80. January 21 22 Foxton R-C n January 26 27 Pnbiatua RC. January 29 31 Takapuna R.C. January 22 Bay of Islands 8.0.

TROTTING

WELLINGTON MEETING TO-MORROW Although not in the same class as the New Zealand or Auckland Trotting Cups, the Gold Cup race, to be decided at Hutt Park to-morrow, carries a stake that is verv handsome, considering the comparative positions of Wellington aud the other main centres of trotting. Moreover, the eleven acceptors out of the original 23 entrants are the pick of the horses available for a 4.35 class. There have been some excellent contests for the Gold Cup in the past, and to-morrow’s race promises to be well up to standard Southerners are firm in their allegiance to Tom Thumb, and, all going well, he should run a great race, although lie still has to live up to his private reputation. Brentloc, who is conceding Tom Thumb 12 yards, lias as vet no credentials for a journay, but it is expected that he will be one of the best fancied runners. Those who know most about the Oamaru gelding have no doubt about his staying ability. Hollv Boy will be a very popular winner if he is able to score, as he runs in the interests of Mr. R. A. Armstrong, the president of the club, who has done so much for trotting in general, and the Wellington Club in particular Hollv Bov is very well at the present time, and he is, all going well, expected to run a great race, but Tom Thumb meets him on considerably better tern;s than in

Christchurch. Holly Boy will need a bit of luck to hold the limit marker. Young Blake is a splendid trotter, and quite equal to a high-class performance, but be is very erratic, and liable to leave his feet so frequently as to spoil all his prospects. His chances would be greatly enhanced if the track should be heavy, as it steadies his gait, and as he showed at Addington he can handle the. soft ground in great style. Menember failed at Forbury, although he was twice in fourth place, and, with Bing Boy, looks to be safely held by Taurekareka. The latter lias been rather disappointing, but he scored well at the New Zealand Cup meeting over a mile and a quarter, beating Holly Boy. Billy Sea’s last start produced a second to that good horse Prince Pointer in the principal event on the first day at Otahuhu, and as he ran 4.34 on a slow track, he is not badly in on 60 yards. He is a horse who has previously run good races at Hutt Park. Peter Bingen is a brilliant beginner, and is looked upon as one of the most improving pacers in commission. He showed winning form at Forbury, and is expected to be the most dangerous of the back division to-morrow. Sea Pearl showed good form at Auckland in the spring, but is well looked after on 72 yards, and will have to be improved to concede the handicap. Countryman is a good staver, but has no recent form. When Jewel defeated Prince Pointer in the Fergusson Handicap at Alexandra Park last month the judge declared her to win by three lengths. Her time was given as 4min. 27 3-ssec., whereas Prince Pointer, who was conceding her 108yds., ,was credited with 4min. 22scc. The fact of the winning margin being given as three lengths (which is regarded as about equal to a second) left an impression that the times credited to the second and third horses were incorrect, and this matter created a good deal of discussion. Tie following letter bearing on the subject recently appeared in the “Lyttelton Times.” with the appended footnote bv the sporting editor of that paper:—“Sir,—Prince Pointer is credited with doing two miles at Auckland in 4min. 22sec. He covered two miles 132 vards in 4min. 33sec. The timekeepers are in error in deducing 11 seconds for the extra 132 yards. A corect working of the time is 4tnin. 23 l-ssec. Jewel, the winner, is, according to the Press Association narrative, credited with doing two miles in 4min. 27 3-ssec. She had nine seconds’ start, of Prince Pointer, and the latter was beaten by less than one second (three lengths). On the above figures Prince Pointer would have done 4miu. IS 2-ssec. had be won.—l am, etc., A. Holmes.” The sporting editor of the “Lyttelton Times” remarks: “The official times in the Fergusson Handicap do not fit with the description of the finish, in which Jewel is credited with beating Prince Pointer by three lengths. If this is an accurate record of the winning margin, Prince Pointer was beaten bv less than a second. Allowing a full second, it means that if Jewel did 4min. 27 3-ssec., the time of Prince Pointer /conceding 108vcls., estimated at 9sec.) should be 4min. 19 3-ssec. If the official times of the two horses are correct—Jewel 4min. 27 3-5 sec. and Prince Pointer 4min. _2?sec. — Prince Jointer must have finished 3 2-ssec. behind Jewel, which would be a margin of more than a dozen lengths.” As the sporting editor of the “Lyttelton Times” points out, the officialtimes do not fit with the description of the finish of the race. There is no doubt in mv mind (says “Picador” in the “New Zealand Herald”) that the times given are correct, for the first mile and a half of the race was run at a rate of about 2min. 14sec. to the mile The discrepancy was brought about by the judge estimating the winning margin incorrectly. It was nearer 10 lengths than three, and photographs of the finish show clearly that it was much greater than the official verdict.

Many of the visiting horses were out doing exercise yesterday. W. J. Touikinson. was first on the scene and rode Whakuku a mile in saddle. His mount did not go too comfortably, and may have wanted introducing to the track. Holly Boy was given strong cantering exercise, and was then strapped up and sent two miles. He made a skip and tried to stop at the end of half a mile, but was kept going. He is a bit on the big side, and was blowing when pulled up. He evidently was badly In need of strong work. The southern tracks have not been fit to work on during the past week or so. Pete Peter, showing the reverse condition to his stablemate, moved freely over a couple of circuits. Prince Pointer, after jogging a couple of rounds, hopped off from the mile post. He gave.- a perfect exhibition of pacing and considering that he was out wide of the trestles registered fast time. Waitaki Girl was indulged in lengthy jogging without the straps. Bing Boy went well over a mile and a half and then jogged and sprinted quarters at intervals. W. J. Tomkinson’s maiden, Amazon, gave an indifferent display when going a mile and half with Jingal (O’Neill). T Roe’s charge, Roamer, was jogged steadilv. He looks a solid customer. Hohora did not seem to go kindly. Great Elect (Edwards) hit out well in strong work, as did Wakefield (Nyhan) and Hardy Grattan (Maidment). The maiden trotter Reta Huon, a full sister to Reta Peter, showed herself capable of covering the ground in good style; but broke repeatedly. Festive Morn (Mills) paced beautifully while covering a mile and a half in good time without the straps. This horse has won more than once in uuhoppled company. A large shipment of horses is expected bv the Maori this morning, including Onvx, Logan Chief, Great Bingen, Acron, Willie Logan, and Peter Bingen. . . For to-morrow’s races a special train time-table has been arranged, and patrons will be able to journey from Lambton Station at frequent intervals from 9.10 a.m. The club has spared no pains to provide for the comfort of visitors and if the weather is favourable, a record attendance is anticipated.

PIRONGIA HURDLE RACE, ot 150 BOVS. One mile and a han. Pendennis .. . 10 5 Highflovn 9 0 West Abbey . 10 5 Sea Comet 9 0 Greekson . 9 12 Zanua 9 0 Cureaform .. 9 12 Ahirere 9 0 Advent . 9 8 Stammer 9 0 Tree Ron ... . 9 6 Hangawcra. ... 9 0 Gold Rep ... . 9 2 Pepin 9 0 Ulva’s Isle .. . 9 0 KIHIKIHI HANDICA P, ot 125 sore. Seven furlongs. Royal Box New Moon . . 8 5 Miss Vera 7 2 _ 8 i Flying Jvliet 7 0 Barometer . 8 1 Te Koroke .... 7 0 Scat .. 8 1 Papal u 7 0 Arch Opal .. ..8 0 Jov Germ 7 0 Tall Timber .. 7 12 Potoanui 7 0

TB AWAMUTU CUP. of 525 sore, mile anti a quarter One Te Kara 9 12 Gold Jacket . 7 8 Desert Glow . 8 7 I’haoia 7 2 Star Ranger . 8 4 Delightmerit . 7 1 Day Guard ... 8 5 Curraghmore 7 0 Gala Day 8 1 Hyde Park ... 7 0 Lord Star .— 7 9 PATERANGI WELTER HANDICAP, of 130 BOVS. Gala Day Nine furlongs. 9 13 Black Oruiser 8 11 Forest Gold •• 8 13 Peter Maxwell 8 8 Qtiincoma 8 13 Potoanui 8 1 Transformer . 8 12 Day Lass 8 0 ORAKAU HACK HANDICAP, of 125 sovs. Seven furlongs. Paddon — 10 3 Lady Cintra . 7 7 Pegaway Rangitahi 9 0 8 6 Town ..rch ... Rina Mangu . 7 7 7 7 Air Queen ... 8 3 Roa - 7 Winsome Boy 8 3 A water© 7 7 Joy Germ Ngarara Bright Comet 8 3 8 3 7 13 Plain Pearl . Lord Guy ..... Glen Maree _.. 7 7 7 7 7 7 Wiltshire 7 8 Hauaua ...... 7 7 Macroom 7 8 Branson 7 7 Ladv Spalpeen 7 7 Town Hall .... 7 7 FLYING HANDICAP, of 200 t-ovs. Six Chairman furlongs. 9 0 Quinette 7 a Archeen ...... 9 0 Dan Quin .... 7 7 Kingiield Aussie 8 10 Bright knight 7 7 8 1 Value 7 0 Ned Kelly 7 13 Te Koroke ... 7 0 ■Heisler 7 10 Green Bonnet 7 0 OHAUPO HANDICAP, of 125 'ova. Seven furlongs. Day Guard .. 9 0 Arch Opal .... 8 0 Bright Day .. 8 6 Tall Timber . 7 2 New Moon ... 8 3 Miss Ver i ... 7 2 Eh Timi 8 3 Joy Germ .... 7 0 Barometer ... 8 1 Day Rose 7 0 Quincoma 8 1 Flying Juliet 7 0 Miss Egypt .. 8 1