THE RACING WORLD

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 89, 13 January 1928, Page 13

THE RACING WORLD

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By

“The Watcher.”)

Acceptances for the first day’s events at the summer meeting ot the Wellington Racing Club will close to-night at 9 o’clock. Acceptances for all first day’s events at the annual meeting of the Foxton Racing Club will close to-night at 8 o clock. Nominations for fill races at the summer meeting of the Egmjnt Racing Club, to bo held on Thursday and Saturday, February 2 and 4, will close tonight at 8 o’clock. Trenthain-trained horses had a good innings at the Christmas and New Year meetings. They won in all thirteen races, and secured also thirteen seconds and ten thirds. Staghunter was the principal winner, securing .£l2OO by his win in the Great Northern Foal Slakes and his third placing in the Auckland Racing Club’s Royal Stakes. Lausanne won three races valued at A'® so, antJ (Jratrix two worth £425. Ring Boy’s Wairarapa Cup secured £350 in stakes, and the handsome 100 sovs. Cup presented by Mr. W. E. Bidwill. In all, the stake money won by Trentham horses during the week amounted to £4450. Fast work at Trentham yesterday morning was all done on the plough, which provided good going. The newlyformed track does not appear to be nearly so fast as the old all-tan one. There was not a good deal of interest in the work, which was carried out under ideal cool conditions. Bourse ran six furlongs in Imin. 20sec. Bourse improved a good deal up to the holiday meetings, and she was expected to win at Wairarapa. However, she was ,not herself on the day, and could only run second, being beaten by a seasoned runner in Volplane. Bourse did not seem to put much heart into her work yesterday morning. Catkin sprinted five furlongs, the last four in 50sec. Catkin has been giving his trainer some trouble with his feet. Irish Lad ran four furlongs in 52 l-ssec. Joy Bird did a good working gallop over a mile in Imin. 48 l-ssec., the first half in 53sec. At no stage was she extended, and it was a good useful piece of work for a very fit mare. Joy Bird will be ridden in the Wellington Cup by C. Goulsbro. Quantum took 51sec. for the last four of six furlongs. Concentrate II pleased better than Salt Petrel over four furlongs in 50sec. 'The former appears to have done best of the Australian-bred colts in J. W. Lowe’s care. Historic and Cosmetic were companions over four furlongs in 50sec. Historic is to start in flic High-Weight Handicap on the opening day of the Wellington meeting, and if Avro does not start, which is said to be a probability, Historic will be ridden by L. G. Morris. Historic has improved a good deal lately, and secured a second placing at Awapuni. Axle was schooled over three hurdles by W. Bartlcct and jumped well at a slow pace. Axle is a great juniper, but unfortunately his wind affliction prevents him staying on. The two-year-old Dancing Slat and Kentish La'dy in D. McCauley’s-stable ran four furlongs in 51sec. Dancing Star, who is a chestnut filly by GreatStar from Irish Jig, has not been long broken in. She had a race at Tauherenikau on Monday, January 2, and sho shapes very promisingly. Concentrate and Tcheka, after playing up and running off the track, especial-; ly Tcheka, ran four furlongs in 50sec., both going nicely. Tile'need of a rail for young horses on one of the tracks is urgently felt by trainers at Trentliam. Several horses have developed bad track habits through the lack of it. Royal Duke worked by himself without being'tisked to do anything strenuous. Oratrix and Kindle Itept together over a mile in Imin. 451 sec., (he first hall in 52scc., both going well. Kindle s recent form following upon her win at the New'Zealand Cup meeting was disappointing to her connections, but sho works well enough on the tracks. Royal Game sprinted six furlongs in Imin. 17sec.—-a smart effort —and he did it well. Royal Game has run in 22 races so far this season and lias won five times and been second twice. He looks as well as when he commenced. Zaragoza has done no racing for a long time, but her track form lately has encouraged the idea that she will be a winner later in the season, bho is under orders for Sydney, where she will be useful iu assisting Limerick in his work. ' The two-year-old Synonym, by Orby’s Pride from Comely, in F, D. Jones s stable, has furnished into an attractive youngster and has shown marked improvement in his track work during the past month. On Tuesday he finished on terms with Zaragoza and Star Raid at the end of five furlongs in Imin. 3 4-ssec. He is to have his first race at Ashburton on Saturday in the Lagmhor Plate, in which his stable mate Island Fastness is also engaged. W. Kirk'has relinquished his position as private trainer to Mr. W. Scholium. It is his intention to set' up as a public trainer at Avon lale. where the training tracks are again available after being closed while the new course was being laid down. Southerners have always held a good opinion of the Tractor gelding Overhau.. Early in the season his form was disappointing, but he was a winner aurin" the holidays, and now that he lias struck form he should be worth making a note of for Trentham. Euphonium has had a suspicious-look-ing knee for some time, and the hard going in the Marton Cup on New Years Day found this out, the horse pulling up sore. Euphonium will not be seen at his best until the tracks become softer.

In the event of Bright Glow competing in the Wellington Cup, as at present intended, she will be ridden by apprentice H. Piteon, who handled her so capably in the Stratford Cup. Money Order appears to have benefited by his Auckland trip (says the Christchurch "Star”). He is working in his best form, and he should race well in sprint events at Trentham. Sudden Storm, who is a three-year-old sister to C-hildsplay, will race in open sprint company at Trentham. She proved herself smart when racing as a back, and it will be inteiesting to see how she fares among the better class opponents she will have to meet in future. Magna Charta continues to get through useful work on the Kiccarton tracks, and ho may race well in early engagements. He will be a competitor at Ashburton to-morrow, and bis form there should provide a line to his Trentham prospects. Assurance has been galloping freely since he returned to Riccarton from his holiday racing at Awapuni and Marton. He is booked to compete at Trentham. where he usually can be relied on to show his best form. Mr. F. Smith, of Sydney, who recently returned from England, was not greatly •impressed by the horses he saw there this time. "They did not look as good, nor were they up to the standard of many previous years,” was Mr. Smith's summing up. "The best sprinter was the French bred Highborn II.” said Mr. Smith. "He stood out, but wanted things much his own way in races to be seen at his best. Finglas, though not exceptional by any means, was as good as any of the older stayers T saw. As for prices—well, would-be sellers certainly know how to ask. T had an idea of buying the three-year-old Curialis, a Snion Kop colt, and just of useful handicap class. However, as the price asked was 5000 guineas, and that was quite beyond hi s value, no business resulted.” Sir S. Hordern endorsed Mr. Smith's ideas. Anything worth I buying was either not for sale, or the price was beyond its time value. The Wellington Cup candidate Celerity TT was worked steadily on the nlough circuit on the Invercargill fracks on Tuesday morning. The English, mare moved satisfactorily and when trotted round on the inner grass afterwards moved soundly fsavs "Sir Modred” in the "Southland Times”) All going well in the meantime, Celerifv IT will be sent to Trentham to fulfil her engagements.

Amongst the brood marcs mated with Nigger Minstrel last season was Civilisation (owned by Mr. C. G. Russell, of Wanganui), the result being a brown filly, who has had the name of Colourline bestowed unoll her. Civilisation has been a good brood mare for she has produced Civilform, Wilderness, Civility, Siaosi, Bcrinthin. Calculation, and Population in addition to Colourline.

J. McCombe has accepted with both Amorist and Court Jester in the Moreton Hack Handicap at Ashburton tomorrow, but the latter w’ll probably start in his ‘other engagement, the Winchmore Hack Handicap.

"All’s well that ends well" on the racecourse, as well as in other places. An incident, however, which occurred before the running of the Invercargill Cup ended well enough up to a point—but up to a point only (says a southern writer). A punter ' had been given i“5O by another piinter to put on Countersign in this race and duly obtained the tickets from the totalisator. Conversing about his investment shortly after with a friend, he made the startling discovery that he had put his money on Nincompoop. A hurried visit was paid to the totalisator people, a j nd they agreed to do their best to dispose of the tickets on Nincompoop, taking other tickets c-n Countersign, before tile machine closed. The exchange was made to the full amount in the time at the disposal of the totalisator people, and everything so far had ended well. It only remains to lie added that Countersign ran nowhere and that Nincompoop finished second to Set bail and paid a handsome dividend. WORK AT RICCARTON ASHBURTON MEETING TO-MORROW Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, January 12. A largo amount of interesting work was accomplished at Riccarton this morning in fine weather. The outside of the course proper was again available, but with few exceptions, all the fast work was confined to the plough, which, although in dry order, provided good going. Rigmarole was better than Goblin Market over five furlongs, run in Imin. 4 2-ssec. The former promises to be well fancied in the Laghmor Plate at Asnburton on Saturday. Silver Coot and Noteworthy were sent out to gallop five furlongs, but there was a mess up at the start, and no time was taken. Footfall and Starfiight were companions over a mile task, occupying Imin. 4(1 l-ssec., the last six furlongs in Imin. 20sec. Both went well, the former especially giving an encouraging display. Childsplay comfortably covered five furlongs in Imin. 1 4-ssec. She is in splendid order for her Wellington trip, and looks likely to make amends for her reverse at Ellerslie. Full heather impressed by striding over four furlongs in 4-9 4-ssec. This half-brother to Centrepiece will be seen to advantage at the Trentham gathering. Limerick cantered once lound, and was allowed to run alon-. over four furlongs at a strong pace in Msec. Eair Exchange and Paper Boy took Imin. 19sec. for six furlongs. The latter will accompany Silver Coot and Noteworthy to Wellington. Sudden Storm registered fast time over five furlongs. She will pay her wnv at Trentham. Merivttle and the English youngster, Honeycomb, galloped four furlongs on the course proper in 50sec., and Scoff recorded Imin. 17seo. for six furlongs on the same track. Rapier ami Centrepiece were restricted to strong work on the plough. / Zaragoza finished slightly better than Arikiwni at (he end of five furlongs, traversed in Imin. 3 3-ssec. The former will make her re-appearance nt the Ashburton meeting, but. unless the track is softened with rain, she may not be favoured. Arikiwni looks likely to do well at Trentham. and the Douro Cup may not be beyond him. Provided he races satisfactorily during the Wellington meeting, it may be arranged Io take him to Sidney in company with Limerick and Zaragoza. Stormy and First Sight wore not hurried to run six furlongs in Imin. 21 2-ssec. Magna Chartn had a slight advantage over Nincompoop after covering six furlongs in Imin. Ifi 2-ssec. _ The Lawry cast-off gives everv indication of coming good, and his future racing will -be viewed with interest. Counter sign hopped off at the mile nnd a quarter post, and was ioined by Hotor at six furlongs. The pair finished together, the time for the full distance being 2min. 10 3-ssec.. the last six furlongs taking Imin. 19 2-ssec. It ts practically certain that Countersign will

not fulfil her Wellington Cup engagement, but will contest the Anniversary Handicap, in which she will be ridden by 11. Wiggins. Silver Raper gave a pleasing display over five furlongs in Imin. 2 l-sseo. 'ibis two-year-old is improving with every gallop, and cannot be left jut ot calculations for the Wellington Stakes Money Order was sprinted tour furlongs in the good time ot 48sec. Thorndale was too strong for Jarretiere over six furlongs, run in Imin. I‘Jsec. Hoylake and Assurance went well over live furlongs in Imin.' ssec. Skyquest beat Wild ork over six furlongs in Imin. 18 l-ssec. It is almotst certain that Rapiers name will be missing from the acceptors for the Wellington Cup. All is well with the Greyspear horse, but his trainer is of the opinion that a big task has been set him over a mile and a half journey, and there are more favourable races in view for him, more especially weight-for-age events at the forthcoming meetings. PAHIATUA HANDICAPS The following handicaps have been declared by Mr. J. E. Henrys for the first day of the Pahiatua Racing Club s meeting on February 1:— BALLANCE HIGH-WEIGHT HANDICAP, of 120 sovs. Seven furlongs.

FIXTURES. January 12, 14—Dargaville R.C. January 14-—Ashburton County R.C. January 14—Wairio J.C. January 17, 19—Wairoa R.C. January 19—Waipapakauri R.C. January 21—Ngaruawahia R.C. .January 21—Bay of Islands R.C. January 21, 23 25—Wellington R.C. January 21. 23—Fox ton R.C. January 25—1’lnc Bush Hack R.C. January 23, 30—Takapuna J.C.

Lipsol 10 9 Capitulation . 9 5 Horomea 10 0 Moepai 9 4 N ucleus 10 0 Ladv Gay 9 Ardfinnan 9 13 9 4 Gordon Swift Willow Wai .. 9 13 9 0 9 8 March On 9 0 Starboard Light 9 7 Card Trick .... 9 0 Birkie 9 6 CornhiU 9 0 Wilderness .... 9 6 HAWERA HACK HANDICAP, of IOC BOVS. One mile and 110 yards. Tintoretto 9 0 Land Rent 7 6 i.ieutenant Bill 8 8 8 3 Sneerer Fallow 7 7 3 Discourse 7 11 PAHIATUA CUP. o 200 sots. One mile and a quarter. Novar 9 0 Ardfinnan 7 3 Uoval Game .. 8 12 7 3 Bent Waicullua 0 .1 7 G Oratrix 8 3 Capitulation .. 7 0 Cerf 8 0 Lady Gay 7 0 7 12 Vigilance 7 0 Henna 7 6 L’wink • 0 KONUI HACK HANDICAP. Of 100 BOVS. Seven furlongs. Vigilance 9 0 Hypnotic 7 11 Ladykiller ..... 8 13 Clavers Volplane Kindle 8 6 4 8 6 Royal Black .. 7 2 Lin Arlington I 0 MAKURI HACK HANDICAP, of 100 SOVS. Six furlongs and 55 yards. The Raider .... 9 9 Moa Bird 7 7 Imitation 8 10 Dainty Ways . 7 7 6 Ruakura 8 2 Grev Mist ...~ 7 ' ady Cynthia 11 Plane 7 4 Tanagra 7 12 Hine Horo .... 7 3 «m trail en .... V 11 Tatrina 7 2 Desert Lad ... 7 <1 Jazzy 7 0 Air Force •1 11 Vindication .... Golden Shadow 7 0 7 7 7 0 Hypnotic ' 7 7 Miss Scandal .. 7 0 Tom Byrne ... 7 7 PRESIT) ENT’S HANDICAP, of 130 SOVB. Six furlongs and 55 yards. Mireusonta 9 0 Arch Arrow .... 7 8 Dobbin H b Birkie 7 7 17. Miss Pat — 7 7 7 11 Moepai 1 Standard 7 11 March On 7 0 Lady Ideal 7 9 EKETAHUNA HACK HANDICAP, of HO 6OVS. Seven furlongs. 9 3 Grey Mist 7 13 Ladykiller 9 2 Discourse 12 Lin Arlington Gordon Swift . 8 3 Aro de Vai ... 7 1 8 1 Miss Scandal 7 11