THE RACING WORLD

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 256, 28 July 1927, Page 14

THE RACING WORLD

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By “The Watcher.”)

Two Australian jockeys, M. Sullivan and E. Dawson, arrived by tho Ulirnaroa yesterday. Sullivan has come over to’ do the riding lor tho Greenmeadows trainer, W. J. Donovan, and it is understood that Dawson will also go into employment in a Hawke’s Bay stable.

The All Black gelding Master Black has been taken to Biccarton to fulfil engagements at the forthcoming meetings. He has not raced since tho Wellington spring meeting of 1924, when he filled third position in a hack mile to Bonhommo and Quiescent.

Maungamoe’s poor showing in tho south *lasb. week is said to have been duo io a severe cold.

Rumours are current in the South Island that two of the stipendiary stewards now acting for the New Zealand Racing Conference may retire in tho near future.

Ono of tho subjects being discussed in sporting circles (says the Dunedin writer "Sentinel”) is the alleged undesirable attention and interference which a rider was subjected to on the last day of tho Wellington winter meeting.

According to one of tho southern critics Carnot was not beaten on his merits in his races last week. At Waimate bo met with intcrfei-once, and at Washdyke ho got badly away.

Charlatan over-rcaohed and cut himself in tho South Canterbury Steeplechase on Saturday, and Riccarton reports state that ho is feeling sore on it after working.

Peneus, Calluna, Kalos, and Grand National have reached Riccarton to fulfil engagements at tho Christchurch Hunt and C.J.C. Grand National meetings. Mr. G. 11. Currie arrived back in Now Zealand by tho Ulimaroa yesterday, after a two months’ holiday in Sydney. During his visit The Thorn won a couple of races, and was placed twice in four starts. Tho Thorn has been placed in G Price’s stable to bo prepared for future engagements, provided bo is not sold. According to Mr. Currio M. McCarten is anxious to ride Commendation in tho Caulfield Cup, and has left himself without a ride in that race pending the arrival of Commendation in Sydney next wook.

Reports from Riccarton state that Zircon will be ridden in tho Grand National Steeplechaso by IL McSwceny.

Scamp is reported from Riccarton as working soundly again and has fully recovered from the strain ho sustained in tho Wellington Steeplechaso.

Queen’s Choice has been taken in hand again at Hastings, and D. Kemp is also handling a trio of rising two-year-olds.

Hastings reports state that there is little prospect of Kilmezzo racing again. Horses, however, s metimes make wonderful recoveries from an apparently hopeless condition. /

Palcta is reported to have wintered well and is being discussed as a likely three-year-old next season. In his best form there is no doubting his ability and there is no reason to discount him for his Sydney failures as ho was far from being himself.

A two-year-old from whom good things are expected during the season just closing was Royal T.ineage, a son of Limond ami Itoyal Exchange. Ho accomplished nothing out of the ordinary, and he ,is now owned and trained by P. P. Neag.e, who has entered him for tho events at the Grand National meeting for which three-year-olds are eligible. Royal Lineage will probably accompany Kaiti to Riccarton.

Tho’ Lamb has joined R. Brough’s stable again\.aftcr a spell, and will shortly bo prepared for racing. Hawera track reports state that Seatown’s coming two-year-old relative Soabridge will be well forward for spring racing.

Commenting on tho fact that A. E. Ellis has been retained to ride Peter Maxwell in tho Grand National Steeplechase a southern writer says- It is understood that Mr. L. C. Hazlett holds an objection to Ellis riding over fences since the latter got married, and for that reason ho will uot have tho mount on Pamplona.

' Although aware of tho fact that Mr. J. Higgins (chairman of the A.J.C. stipendiary stewards) had received a substantial offer from tho Royal Calcutta Turf Club, and would probably accept, I refrained .from mentioning it because he told me he preferred not seeing it in print for some time (says "Pilot”). It is difficult, i however, to suppress news, and over a week ago I read in a contemporary that Mr. Higgins would go to India. Now, of course, there is no secret about it. Air. Higgins will act in an advisory capacity to the Royal Calcutta T.C. committee, and, as that relieves him of the onus of direct action, it will make his position easier tjian in Sydney. »

It is quite apparent that the suggestion that both galloping and trotting should bo conducted on tho Riccarton course will not materialise for many a day (says the Dunedin writer "Sentinel"). Though the matter was discussed at the annual meeting of_ the Metropolitan' Trotting Club, no decision was reached, it being left to the committee to collect facts and figures bearing on the position. Tho lease at Ad-

dinglon has about Ki years to run, ami this fact, coupled with tho further one that the trainers arc not enamoured of tho idea, points to (he improbability of any of those opposed to tho proposal changing their views. The statement of one member that "never the ■twain shall meet” will, however, not find general acceptance, for the two sports have much in common, and any step that is going to result in benefit to both should be taken unhesitatingly. The barriers of prejudice should not exist.

The appeals of .1. L. Munro (jockey), J. Leech and S. D. Kelly (trainer) against their disqualification nt Canterbury Park recently was dismissed by tho committee of the Australian Jockey Club, as was that of T. .Morgan against (ho disqualification of his horse Songgift. Munro, who is one of the leading jockeys in Sydney, will bo out for a year.

Agrion and I’hillipic have done a littlo sprinting at Raudwiek since R. J. Mason arrived with them (writes “Pilot" in the "Referee"). Though, the former i* uot considered by his trainer as bein? of quite the. right typo of a Derby horse, ho is sturdy and shapely. 1 did not think ho had grown since last year, bui his trainer, who can speak with author ity on that point, says ho has. "What’s his height?” I queried, when looking at him tho other morning. ‘‘About 15.2,’ was tile reply. lie does not look more than 15.1, but the fact of being compactly built, and thick, probably makes him deceptive. He is of the Boniform typo, though stronger looking than that horso was at the same age. Mason’s many friends will bo pleased to hear that the knee he had so badly injured a few months ago is making excellent progress Tho rest on the boat, and special treat mont since his arrival, has had a wonderful effect.