THE RACING WORLD

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 260, 3 August 1928, Page 16

THE RACING WORLD

RICCARTON TRACK WORK BECOMING INTERESTING

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By

“The Watcher.”)

King Boy. who is being shipped to Australia to-day, won £1165 in stakes for Mr, 11. 11. Iyer.

Tukl is expected to show greatly improved form over Riccarton country.

Sydney reports state that First. Acre has met with severe interference in his races since he opened his account by winning two races in one day.

Excursion fares are advertised in the south for the Christchurch Hunt meeting to-morrow. From Ashburton (53 miles) the fare is Ss. 6d. first class and ss. fid. second. Wellington racegoers patronising the 18-mlle journey to Trenthain are regularly “stung'' for 6s. 6d., 2s. of which goes for'course admittance.

First Sight promises to start a good favourite in the Brabazon Handicap at Christchurch to-morrow. Nincompoop will be troublesome.

When T. Green on Beau Geste got up on the rails to beat Despot at Timaru, Cotton, on Despot, was blamed for being caught napping. Those who should know say otherwise, and that Beau Geste is a good sort. He heads the list in the Flying Hack Handicap at Eiccarton to-mor-row. The field is weak and Kalos looks likely . on his recent form.

Those who saw Dubious at Wingatui in June will not hear of his defeat in the Homeby Steeplechase at Eiccarton tomorrow.

. Ranui will lead the hunters a merry 'dance over ’ two miles in the Lawford Steeplechase at the Christchurch Hunt meeting to-morrow.

Two events at Riccarton to-morrow are advertised to be run over once round and a distance. In other words, one mile and five furlongs.

The Viscount, who is brother to Count Cavour, is expected to race well in his forthcoming engagements at Riccarton.

Star Shell and Vigilance were shipped south last night to fulfil their engagements at the Christchurch-Hunt Club’s meeting at Riccarton to-morrow.

The teams of Captain J. Gage Williams and S. J. Reid for the C.J.C. Grand National meeting will be shipped south on Wednesday night. A. Goodman is not likely to leave with Black Mint till next week-end.

J. Olsen will ride Waihemo at the Grand National meeting.

C. Emerson’s mount in the Winter Cup will be Nincompoop..

Routine work was again the order at Trentham yesterday morning. The spell of fine, spring-like weather continues, and .all tracks are in good order.

Historic and Decoy Bird ran five furlongs in Imin. sJsec.. and Panther six in Imln. 22sec. Black Mint, Royal Damon, Lady Gay, and Standard, who also claim Riccarton engagements, did. steady work. Deluge sprinted half a mile in 52sec. Star Ranger, who has been working along steadily for some time, and showing signs of soreness after galloping, pulled up yesterday morning in a manner which would indicate a good spell from the active ranks.

George Price, who paid a flying visit to New Zealand this week, and leaves on the return trip to Sydney by the Manama today, was on the Trentham tracks yesterday morning renewing old acquaintances. Although he has deserted what is generally credited with being the best climate in the world. Price's geniality beams from a countenance that bespeaks perfect health.

Luke Wilson, with Raasay and Gesto, who are booked to leave for Sydney to-day, broke bis journey at Trentham, and the two three-year-olds were out doing easy exercise on the tracks yesterday morning. They both Took well. Gesto takes the eye as a very likely maiden, and it will be no surprise if be wins an early event of that description.

Matu is recovering from the soreness that affected him during the past few days, and all going well he should be able to fulfil his Grand National engagements.

There Is a possibility that Rapier will go to Australia in the spring. The Greyspear horse has an engagement, on the final day of the Grand National meeting.

The highwater mark in the list of winning stallions in New Zealand was reached In the season of 1921-22, when Absurd was represented by winners of £36,498 in stakes. • f

Passiu’ Through, ridden by his usual pilot, A. H, Burt, was schooled over a circuit of the steeplechase fences at Riccarton on Wednesday and gave one of his customary, displays of safe jumping.'

Erin-go-Bragh (R. Orange) was responsible for a good exhibitloln In a school over four hurdles at Riccarton on Wednesday.

In future the Hazlett Memorial will be known as the James Hazlett Memorial, and in addition to the stake will carry a 100gulnca cup- presented by the members of the Hazlett family. The stake of the Dunedin Cup will be increased to 1000 sovs.

Solferlte has been restricted to light tasks during the last few days (says the Christchurch “Star"). J. B. Pearson had an anxious time with him for some tinie, and it will be bad luck if lie fails to sur-

vive the'final stages of his preparation, ns he has been galloping well lately in his work. '

A. 11. Burt arrived at Riccarton on Wednesday morning. He will ride Passin’ Through in the Homeby Steeplechase and Rangl Sarto in the Hunters’ Hurdle Handicap on Saturday.

In view of the fact that four-furlong races are now permissible early in the season, the Wanganui Jockey Club has decided to reduce the distance of the Debutante Stakes $o four furlongs aud a quarter. This should lead to a bigger field contesting the event than would be the case over a, longer course, as few youngsters are ready to race five furlongs so early in the season. No doubt the Wanga-

nui Club would hare made the distant four furlongs but for the fact Hint lb half-mile barrier is on a turn.

The following riding engagements have been announced for the Christchurch Hunt Club's meeting on Saturday:—G. Sult, Gay Jim and Lord Leslie; D. Cotton, The Viscount, Amor, and Beaming; J. Campbell, Greyflnch, Claymore, and Tuahine; H. Burt. Passin’ Through and Rang! Sarto; A. Messervey, .Merivale; E. Shaw, Diana’s Lad. Nine of Spades, Message Boy, and Royal Dispatch; A. E. Ellis, First Sight. Page Boy. Sarnia, and Despot; A. McDonald. Peneus. Red Fuchsia (Brabazon Handcap), Kalos, and Locarno; W. Scobic, Mainspring.

Poacher, who on top of his running at the South Canterbury Hunt meeting was given a favourable chance in the Hunters’ Plate at Riccarton to-morrow, has been under a cloud during the past week, and has had to be put out of active commission.

Craigmore will attract a lot of attention to-morrow at Riccarton, as several good judges in the south predict that lie will turn out a hurdler of extra merit. Craigmore is well bred. He is by Saxby from Thistledown, a mare which lias produced some good cross-country horses, by Clanranald from Elusive, by Trenton from imported Eleusls. Craigmore will start to-morrow in the Longbeach Hurdle Handicap preparatory to the Grand National Hurdles, and he will meet several of bis opponents in the big event at the hunt meeting. Craigmore is a hurdler of great promise, but a Dunedin writer who knows him doubts if he will be seasoned enough in the National. For all that, he is given more than an outside chance. He is a natural jumper. Prior to the Dunedin Jockey Club's winter meeting he was trained by C. White over sheep hurdles nt Omakau. Mr. White bought Craigmore for ■lO guineas at the late Mr. A. B. Armour's clearing sale, and after his first trial at Wingatui before the winter meeting, he won so many admirers .that there was a rush to buy him. Mr.' Hazlett secured the gelding for 200 guineas, and. saddled up the next day for the Trial Hurdle Handicap, his first race over the battens, he cleared away from his field, outpacing and outjumping them.

W. Rayner brought Lysander iu from Koatanui on Saturday. The son of Absurd—Pennon is looking big and hearty, but has been hacked about for two or three weeks.

King Mart has been sold and shipped to Australia. .The son of King Mark has raced consistently, and should do well on the other side, as he is sure to improve considerably.

News has been received that Newmarket, a stallion, who. with favourable opportunities might have developed into a sire of some note, is dead. It was only after Newmarket had sired Aorangi, and that horse exhibited good form with a sequence of five wins and a third iu the Epsom to Amounts and Fuji San, that he began to be noticed, as a stallion. With still limited ■ chances, ,he gained many winners in the last two seasons, and the last to win of his stock was N.M.E., who scored convincingly at Canterbury on July 14. He was the sire of Newbury, who was trained by J. Williamson at Ellerslie for a while. Newmarket's death was sudden. He sustained an injury to his foot that was considered not serious, but blood-poisoning set in, and he succumbed.

Several New Zealand two-year-olds were handicapped for the race won by Mithra at .Rosehill last week,, and the way they were treated would be a surprise to anyone knowing their form. Amplifier received 8.13, Perception 8.5, and Mithra 8.0. Compared with the others, .Mithra was very favourably treated, because her form in the Dominion was better than that of Amplifier and considerably superior to that of Perception. As a fact the lust time she met Perception here she had to concede him 291 b. Both ran. unplaced' tJuit day, though Perception finished fourth. Subsequently Perception ran a moderate third at Avondale aud on his performances here he was certainly badly treated through the other pair. The weights must have been received with surprise by J. T. Jamieson, whp trains both .Mithra aud Perception.

Fine weather was again experienced nt flic Hawera tracks on Tuesday (says (he "Star”), but little fast work was accomplished, most of the horses being relegated to pace work ou the sand track.- R. Brough is keeping Royal Mint tip to the collar, and he was sent six furlongs on the trial grass with Captain Gazeley joining in nt the five. Royal Mint worked well, getting the six furlongs in Imin. 23 sec., and finishing well. Polyphemus mid Cold Steel were companions over a similar journey on the same track, run in Imin. 2-lsec. Cold Steel is keeping sound and ids trainer has great hopes of him facing the starter again. Black Odin sprinted three furlongs by himself in 40sec. Troilus did a couple of rounds of the sand, working well. Bisox and Paitonu were not galloped fast, doing pace work. Denier did a strong working gallop over live furlongs without making time. Buster Cut, Calapat, Mendip, Reremoana. Glengariff, mid Sllverinine ail accomplished their exorcise work on the sand track. Kalia and March did a round, sprinting home the last three furlongs. Silver Rule is growing into a nice mare, and is doing her preliminary work in an attractive manner. An arrangement has boon made for a transfer of (lie horses Denier mid Calamine to J. Startup, in whose name Ihey will race this season. C. Jackson is still working Benzora, Vivo, and Partnga. on the privately-owned property adjacent to the golf links. Opportunity was taken a couple of mornings ago to view the horses nt work, and although the team lias nor been up long, the suitability of the bill work they are doing Is very apparent, nil these horses showing remarkable muscular condition, and the result of this preliminary work will doubtless show itself when these horses return to the regular training tracks. The chestnut mare Vivo looks a picture, and it will occasion no surprise to' see her perform her best tills season. Partaga and Benzora are in great condition to start fast work when wanted. The team promises to strip well for early spring racing. The Hawera horses for the National meeting, Paitonu, Polyphemus, and Bisox, and possibly Bonogne, will leave on Monday next.

INTERESTING TRACK WORK AT RICCARTON

RED FUCHSIA AND PENEUS GIVE FAULTLESS DISPLAY FIRST SIGHT A MUCH-IMPROVED HORSE; CHILDSPLAY RUMOUR CONTRADICTED Dominion Special Service.

Christchurch, August 2. Mild conditions prevailed for training operations at Riccarton to-day, and a large gathering of track-watchers was rewarded with some interesting work, both an the flat and over the jumps. The outside of the trial grass was in general use, and this provided fast going. The times recorded were an improvement on those ruling on Tuesday. Hurly Burly, a four-year-old filly by Autumuus from Scrimmage, one of the Chokebore team, ■ who will make her first public appearance in the Maiden Stakes nt Riccarton on Saturday, covered six furlongs comfortably in Imin. 17 l-sscc. First Sight Shows Marked Improvement. First Sight strode over the same distance in Imin. 10 4-ssee„ finishing strongly. He has made marked improvement in the past fortnight, and is one of the prime fancies for the Winter Cup. lie will be a runner in the Brabazon Handicap on Saturday, and is certain Io be in strong favour. Don Jose beat Paper Boy comfortably over six furlongs in Imin. IS 3-uscc. lb' will be the sole representative of <■'. •' Pine's stable at Saturday's gathering, and t will depend on the form shown as to whether his engagement in the 'Winter Cup will be continued. Greyfinch ran clean away from Nincompoop in a five-furlong ' task, executed ,jn

’ Imiu. 5 2-ssec, The latter lias I he reputation of being a bad track worker, and little notice need bo taken of this disappointing display. The Viscount finished slightly in front of Amor at the end of six furlongs run in Imin. 20 2-fisee. Both of Gillett's charges arc to contest, the -Maiden Stakes on Saturday. Lancer and Gold Mint were together after .galloping six furlongs in Imin. If) 2-fisec. The latter is gradually getting right again, but can hardly lie expected to be at Ids best for Saturday's engagement. Hoylake beat Passin’ Through in a strong working gallop over a mile. Toawai, a younger brother Io Arikiwal, who is engaged in the Maiden Race on Saturday, sprinted Cour furlongs in 51 -1-5 see. Fair Exchange easily accounted for Crossbow after covering live furlongs iu Imin. 5 3-ssec. Kalos. Locarno, ami Grand National registered Imin. 34sec. in a useful task over '■even furlongs, the two first-mimed finishing together three lengths clear of their stable-mate. Balder finished miieh belli r Hian Claymere over Hi" furle'igs run iu Imin. 8 1'..-) Tarleton yr.rpriscs. Tarleion erenlcd a mild surprise by beating ciiiekwlioat by a lengih nlTIm end of .tlie besl sev.-n liirlemrs gallop of llm

mornlug. Botli these horses will bn engaged in the Jumpers’ Flat. Race on the Opening day of the Grand National meeting. ’ , , Merivale strode over live furlongs in Imin. 5 l-ssec., and Buoyant beat. Lytup over the same journey iu Imin. 6 3-ssec. Maunga and Hyperion were restricted to strong work over seven furlongs. The three-year-old Starshooter (brother to Starflight and half-brother to Starland, .Limelight, and Paperchase), m G. Murray Aynsley's stable, galloped a smart five furlongs in Imin. 3 3-ssee. He was joined at the half-mile post by Quaecee (a three-year-old sister to fecoft), who also showed much promise. Starshooter is engaged iu the Maiden Stakes on Saturday. Master Garland (J. Pickett) and Faloose (IT. Anderton essayed a round of the schooling country, but the latter fell beavilv at the second fence, the sod wall. Master Garland completed the circuit iu satisfactory style. Pencils and Red Fuchsia Go Mell. Pencils; (A. .McDonald) and Red Fuchsia (K. Bakerl gave a splendid exhibition over a round of the hurdles, finishing together. The pair were later galloped live furlongb in Imin. 7sec. , , Ned Kelly lE. Shaw) started off behind the above pair and jumped four hurdles well. Amorist (G. Salt) and Diana s Lad (L. Shaw) were also responsible for a clean display in a similar task. The Hunt Club Cup candidate Rhoboro (A. J Peart) negotiated a round of the country in a faultless manner. Goldtown (C. Dawson) lumped two of the steeplechase fences well, but ran off at the double. A Record-priced Two-j car-old. The record-priced two-year-old Honour, bv Llmond from Homage, has been acquitting himself well in short sprints at Riccarton of late, and has shown a marked ability to get over the ground. He will make his first appearance in public in the two-year-old parade at the Christchuich Hunt Club meeting on Saturday, and is certain to be the centre of attraction. The big steeplechase course at Riccarton will be available for schooling ou Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday of next week. The course proper will also bo thrown open for flat races if required. Ranui and Goldtown arrived at Eiccarton on Wednesday in charge of their owner-trainer, F. J. Conn. , , Count Cavour had his first fast work for some months at Eiccarton this morning. reeling off four furlongs in tinie that compared more than favourably with the average registered over the distance during the morning's operations. This Avar's National Course. The steeplechase course at Riccarton will be practically the same as that erected twelve months ago. The dimensions of the fences are as follow:—Cutts s brush. 4ft. lljin.. 4ft. on top; first sodwall, 3ft. Tin., 3ft. wide; second sod wall, 3ft. Bin„ 4ft. wide, with ditch 4ft. in front; kennels double-first, 4ft. Sin. broom over sodwall and post and rails, with ditch 4ft. in front ; second. 3ft. Pin. broom over post and rails, with 78ft. between the two fences; brush at top of the straight 4ft. 9Mn.; in the carriage paddock there is a brush 4ft. 41n., and double brush hurdles in front of the stand. The carriage paddock brush will be the first -and last to be encountered In the Grand National Steeplechase, and in the three and a half-mile journey the candidates will have to negotiate 21 jumps. Childsplny Quite Sound. Childsplay galloped the best half-mile of the morning at Riccarton to-day, and trotted away quite soundly. By some means a paragraph appeared in a southern paper to the effect that after recent fast work Childsplay showed distinct signs of lameness in front and there seemed little chance of the filly undergoing a preparation for three-year-old racing. Evidently her trainers do not share that view, and they should be In the best position to judge, as they are quite satisfied wit* her progress and entertain every hope that she will give a taste of her two-year-old form before the new season is far advanced. A contingent of southern horses was due to arrive at Riccarton to-night, comprising Craigmore, Dubious, Loughrea, and Overdrawn in charge of J. Cassells; Scion and Umtali (F. Shaw), and Royal Saxon (J. Carter). J. Ross, with Taboo • and Meadow Lark, is expected to-morrow. Pamplona did not accompany Casselis's team, but will put in an appearance next week. ' The arrivals this morning were Radiate, Brigadier 818. Kilburn, and Rang! Sarto. Indian Chief was not brought down from the north with .Miss. G. .Mailer's team. WHITE WINGS CASE APPEAL DISMISSED., By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, August 2. The Racing Conference appeal judges, .Messrs. O. S. Watkins, 11. F. Johnston, and J. G. Duncan. have dismissed the appeal of Mr. G. A. Reid, owner of Lucy Rose against the Onslow Stakes at the Auckland mitjinin meeting being awarded to White Wings on the ground that she was not. trained under the personal superintendence of her owner.'Mr. W. Scholium, ns provided under part 20, rule 3, Rules of Racing. RACING IN ENGLAND THE GOODWOOD STAKES. (Australian' Press Assn.—United Service.) London. August 1. Following is the result of the GOODWOOD STAKES, of 1000 sovs. About two miles and three furlongs. Arctic Star.' br. g., by Arehtoi—Skypress, 4yrs ' 1 Steel-point, br. h., by Spearmint—Laragli. oyrs. 2 Goodwin. 11. h„ by Galloper High—Lindoiya; syrs. ' ■ 3 Tbere wore nineteen runners. ' Won by a length, with the same distance between second mid third. . ; : | WINNING SIRES IN, ; AUSTRALIA VAI,AIS AT HEAD OF LIST. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Sydney, August 2. 'Die notable, sire Valais is again at the head of winning sires in Australia, for Ihe fifth year In succession. Valais, who is now dead, retired to the stud in 1911). Ills progeny since have won approximately a' total of £208.000, their winnings last year being £36.000.