THE RACING WORLD

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 245, 17 July 1928, Page 14

THE RACING WORLD

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By “The Watcher.”) Nominations for the .Christchurch Hunt Club’s annual race meeting at Riccarton, which is now established as a dress rehearsal for the Grand National meeting, will close to-morrow night at S o’clock. Acceptances for the Grand National Steeplechase, Winter Cup, and Grand National Hurdles are due on Friday at S p.m. Nominations for minor events at the meeting are due at the same hour. Four-furlong races for two-year-olds will no doubt be reintroduced now that the. conference has decided that they may rim over a course of not less than half a mile prior to December 1. The remit of the Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club attempting to make fourfurlong races compulsory prior to the date mentioned w*as amended, on the suggestion of Mr. George Gould (Canterbury) to make it optional for clubs to race over half a mile. Mr. Gould pointed out that there would probably be serious opposition to making such a distance compulsory, in view of the fact that several big clubs had closed lists of entries for future classic races over five furlongs. The general opinion of practical racing men is that half a mile is far enough for two-year-olds up to November 1 at any. rate. The opinion of the stipendiary stewards on the false rail, laid before the conference by the Conference Committee last week, is as follows: ‘‘We consider that clubs having a false rail on their course should be requested to have it removed, and the old style .reverted to, as from our observation, whilst it has benefited a few horses, a far greater number have been hindered on account of the gap being closed before they have been able to get through, and many instances could be cited that have nearly ended disastrously to both horse and rider.” The trouble could easily be remedied if the control of racing was strict enough to compel every rider to steer a straight course home from the false rail. The statement that many instances could be cited that have nearly ended disastrously to both horse and rider is a gross exaggeration. Trentham and Riccarton are the only courses in New Zealand that have the false rail, and any trouble that has occurred there is no greater than that usually associated with runners striving for position on ordinarily railed courses. The principle of the false rail is entirely sound. Where the real trouble arises at 1 rentham and Riccarton is in the five and six furlong races, where the horses, in running off one course on to the course projjer, jostle and crowd-one another. There is every prospect o£ T. Green joining up with Mr. E. IJ. Riddiford s stable this coming season, and being hrst horseman for Coalition Lodge. Green s presence will be welcome at ■ Trentham, where there is at present no irestdent flat racing jockey outside apprentices.. Gold Mint showed very moderate form at Trentham. He developed a severe cold on Friday, so probably that had a good deal to do with his disappointing displays. Gold Mint Is raced on lease by Mr. J. Black from Mr. W. H. Mackrow, and Mr. Black has exercised his purchasing clause under the lease, which expires next month. Maunga failed ignominiously' at Treuthani in his only start, and he is said to be a doubtful starter at Riccarton. The going there should be more iu his favour than it was at Ellerslie and Trentham. Amorist must have taken a dislike to Trentham. At the conclusion of his race there last week be continued on and bolted round the course just as he did on the occasion of 'his previous visit. J. Brown has returned to. Hawera with the Parliamentary Handicap winner Bisox, but all going well she will be taken to Riccarton next month for the Winter Cup and other engagements. Pourl will go down for the Grand National in charge of E. Warner, who will ride him in his engagements. Aberfeldy was in a bad way after his fall iu the Winter Hurdles on Saturday. Apparently Kilburn, who fell over him, jumped on .his head. Aberfeldy stayed at J. W. Lowe’s stable over the week-end, and is improving. L. Knapp will probably visit Riccarton next month, with Mr. W. 11. Galsford s hunter Home Made. Askari made a very good showing in the Hack Steeplechase at Trentham on Thursday last, his jumping being excellent, although careful. Askari is a particularly well bred horse for-a steeplechaser, and with experience he looks like turning out a very useful sort over country. His ownertrainer, R. E. Hatch; was quite prepared for the forward showing, for Askari had shown him great jumping ability when being qualified with the Manawatu Hunt. Royal Mint showed improved form at Trentham, and his fourth in the Parliamentary Handicap Indicates that he is not far off his next win. R.. Brough did not wait for the third day, but went home on Friday. Royal Mint will probably be given his next racing at Riccarton, although he does not figure in the Winter Cup. The apprentice .rider, T. Webster, who accompanied his father, A. D. Webster, to Sydney, rode First\Acre in both his successes at Canterbury Park on June 00. The youngster made a good impression on the critics, ‘'Pilot” discussing him iu the “Referee” as follows:—In both races hirst Acre was ridden by his trainer’s son, T. Webster, and the youngster acted up to his New Zealand reputation. I took particular notice of him in the Flying Handicap, and, though at the disadvantage of being among strangers—and that is Otten a great- disadvantage—he handled First Acre' very coolly. After getting into trouble in the Campsle Handicap, he came to the conclusion that the best thing to do would be to go round the horses ahead of him, instead of attempting to get through, and quickly put the idea into execution. As the youngster is eligible for a 01b. allowance, Webster, sen., is going to find him a useful asset over here. R. J. Mackie will do the principal riding for T. F. Quinllvan’s stable next season. -The veteran trainer ,is getting a good team together in Hawke's Bay. The latest addition is the rising two-year-old Ex Dono by Acre from Bess Laddo, a mare with an old-fashioned pedigree, full of'good strains. The youngster is credited with being a very promising sort. The imported horse Greengrocer, one of the team that W. J. Donovan took to Sydney, finished sixth in the Campsle Handicap, the second event won by First Aero at Canterbury Park. A Sydney critic says though ho ran respectably, he will have to drop in the tveights to win.

First Acre is given credit' for two smart performances when he won a double at the Canterbury Park meeting,' where the Otakl trainer, A. D. Webster, opened his Sydney campaign. He should win some more races on the trip. .

Beau Cavalier is remaining at Trentham for a few days and will then he shipped south to run in the Grand Nationals at Riccarton. Beau Cavalier is an outstanding example of a horse who can sttecessfully mix steeplechasiug aud hurdling.

Commendation was to have joined George Jones’s team at Awapuni some time ago, but it has been found necessary to vary the plans. - He takes some looking after, and until a suitable man- can be secured he is being kept at Mr. W. 11. Gaisford’s station, where his owner is superintending his preparation. The I.imond gelding is getting through plenty of strong work, on which he is thriving, and when he is shifted to Jones's stable he should soon be brought Into racing shape. Commendation is due at Awapuni this week.

Black Mint ran three excellent races nt. Trentham and the long Iticcarton straight should see him putting in some of those giant strides at the finish of bls engagements there.

King Lu has won the Members’ Handicap on the second day of the Wellington winter meeting three years in succession.

Although Taboo failed on Saturday he Is ut present at.the top o£ his form, and lie should get some more money nt. Klccarton.

Hack races at Trentham meetings nrn usually very hard to win, and generally trainers do not give themselves nirs over

their prospects in such events unless they have got something pretty good. Last week, however, the average hack seen out was of very moderate class. An exception was Gold Cure. This three-year-old won both his races with ease, and is evidently better than either of these wins Indicates. His dam, Engari, does not appear to have been good enough to be listed in the Stud Book, but bis sire. Gold Soult, was a very useful racehorse. Gold Cure is a solidly-built, gelding whom a bit of weight will not trouble. Rory Mor, purchased by Captain Edkius from Mr. J. S. McLeod last week, has gone into the Stable of H. Lorigan at Trentham. It was previously announced that he was to join H. Telford’s team. The Gisborne Racing Club has received record nominations for its winter meeting. Probably „the fact that the races will be bold on the same day as the Heeney-Tun-ney fight, and that Gisborne will be en fete if the decision goes tho right way, has prompted tho liberal response by owners and trainers.

THE GRAND NATIONALS WEIGHTS DECLARED The following handicaps have been declared by Mr. J. E. Henrys for the Canterbury ' Jockey Club's Grand National meeting:— NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL ' STEEPLECHASE, of 1600 sovs. Three miles and a half. ’ st. 11). st. lb.

■" FIXTURES. julv 19 Waimato Dlst. Hunt y Club July 21 8. Canterbury Hunt ■ Club July 26, 28... Glsborno R.C. Auer. 4 Christchurch Hunt Club Aug. 4 I’oi.rty Bay Hunt Club Aug. 14. 16, 18 .... Canterbury J.C. Aug. 25 Ha' e’s Bay Hunt b Club Sept. 1 ....' Marton J.C. Sept. 1 ant Club. Sept. 5 Dannevirke R.C. Sept. 6 Dannevirke Hunt C. Sept. 8 >‘it C. .1. 15 Wanganui J.C. Sept. 22 Ashburton Cty. R.C. Sept. 22 Napier Park R.C. Sept 22 24 Avondale R.C. Sept'. 27’, 28 Geraldine R.C. Sept. 20 Hawke’s Bay J.C. Sept 29 Pakuranga Hunt C.

5 Maunga .... 9 32 Glendowie .. 11 9 Greenstone .. 9 11 Pamplona .. 10 Matu 1 Tuki 10 9 Kamehameha 9 0 Pouri Comical .... 10 10 9 Frisco Jack . Passin’ 9 0 Wiltshire .... I) it Through 9 0 Brigadier Bill 9 13 Ranui 9 0 The Babe ... Dubious 9 13 9 13 Rang! Sarto .. 9 0 WINTER CUP, of 7 st. lb. 30 sovs. One mile. st. lb. King Lu 10 12 Gold Mint .. 9 0 Black Mint .. 10 11 Bonogne .... 9 0 Taboo 10 6 Rascal .... 9 0 Thorndale .. 10 Chelone .... 9 0 Duke Abbey 10 o Kilperon .... 9 0 Paitonu .... 10 4 Rotor 9 0 Royal Damon 10 3 Tuahine .... 9 0 Solferlte 9 It Malmsey 9 0 Haiti 11 10 Nucleus .... 9 0 Nincompoop . 9 9 Sprinkler 9 0 Bennanee ... 9 9 Don Jose .. 9 0 Ring Boy .. 9 8 Cynt’hia N. .. 9 0 Lady LImond 9 8 Miss Winkle 9 0 Royal Game 9 6 Antrim Boy 9 0 Town Bank 9 0 Hoy lake 9 0 Bisox 9 6 Decoy Bird .. 9 0 Panther .... y 6 Ballymoy II . 9 0 Overdrawn ... 9 c> Teri 9 0 Wayward ‘ .. 9 1» Vigilance 9 0 First Sight .. 9 4 No Favours . 9 0 Beaumont .. 9 J, Tione 9 0 Horomea .... 9 1 Kalos 9 0 Master Doon 9 0 Royal Saxon 9 0 Hulkai .... 9 0 Pangolin 9 0 The Swell .. 9 0 Locarno .... 9 9 0 Catkin 9 0 Amor 0 Orazone .... 9 0 Lucre 9 0 NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL HURDLE miles and RACE, a half of 1200 sovs. Two st. lb. st. lb. Nukumai 11 11 Atareria .... 9 1 Beau Cavalier 11 6 Beaumont .. 9 1 Red Fuchsia 11 G. Bonatic .... 9 0 Comical .... 11 4 Scion 0 0 Glendowie .. 10 G. Nucleus .... 9 0 Gaze ...... 10 3 Kilburn .... 0 0 Perle de Leon 10 Heather Lad 0 0 Aberfeldy .. 10 1 Tintoretto .. 9 0 Pouri 9 13 Panorama .. 9 0 Brigadier Bill 9 13 Craigmore .. 9 0 Peneus 9 10 Star Shell .. 9 0 Mia Bella .. 9 ij Patuki .... 9 0 Kalkahu Maunga .... 9 9 4 1 Braeman .... 9 0