THE RACING WORLD

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 263, 2 August 1929, Page 16

THE RACING WORLD

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By

“The Watcher.”)

For the past few years the annual meeting of the Christchurch Hunt Club held 'at Riccarton two Saturdays prior to the Grand National has provided an interesting dress rehearsal for the big meeting. Form, and sometimes lack of form, usually had a bearing, or at any rate threw some light on, the more Important events to follow. The Helds this year, viewed front that particular angle, are very disappointing. There are only five acceptors in the principal event, the Homeby Steeplechase, and while It is true that they are all National candidates the only interesting feature that Is likely to be unearthed by the contest is to see how Lord Ranald shapes against King's Guard and Fabriano, and possibly more light might be thrown upon Radiate’s fitness for the big steeplechase. The I.ongbeach Hurdles has drawn only four candidates for National honours, Aberfeldy. Kawlnl, Lancer, and Perle de Leon, and’the latter has also paid up in a flat race. The issue of the Grand National Hurdle rage Is not likely to be particularly well clarified by this race to-inorrow. Tlie Xtrabazon Handicap lias drawn a good lielfl, but again It is disappointing as a Winter Cup trial, for only five horses are engaged in the big mile race. They are King Balboa, Gay Sonnet, Overdrawn, Prickles, and Royal Game. King Balboa’s form is already well exposed, and if any of the other four win it is not likely to cause material fluctuation in the existing market. From the club's viewpoint, of course, the meeting looks like being very successful, but for those who have come to regard it as a useful guide in solving National problems this year’s contests are very disappointing. One particularly disappointing feature Is the. absence of Giendowle. Certain eyents have transpired lately to make him an outstanding National candidate, and it would have been decidedly interesting to see how lie performed at his first trial over Riccarton country in view of the army of friends he has suddenly found for the Grand National Steeplechase.

The cable man who records turf events in Sydney for New Zealand papers appears to have peculiar ideas of our requirements. He left. Hie Rosehill meeting last Saturday till .Monday afternoon, and sent us four results. In the first result he told us that First Acre also started, but made no mention of Royal Duke, who also ran. In two other results New Zealand interest was of a very minor nature. The one event which a New Zealander did win, the hurdles, won by Bonhomme, was not mentioned. Let us hope that somebody ■will remind him that Oratrix and Seatown are in the King’s Cup.

Royal Game and Painting were shipped south last night in charge of H. Pritchard to fulfil engagements at the Christchurch Hunt Club and C.J.C. Grand National meetings.

Weather conditions for training work at Trentham yesterday morning were a great improvement on that obtained during July, and while the trial grass, which was in use for galloping, was still heavy, it provided fair going down the back and in the straight. There was not a great deal of interesting work.

Historic sprinted three furlongs down Hie back and again in tlie straight. He ■went well, and while the rain has interfered with his preparation since the recent meeting, he should be in good order for Riccarton, Rol de Vai sprinted three furlongs, and lie also will be an improved gelding when he strips at Riccarton. Tcheka ran seven furlongs, the last six in Iniin. 241 sec. Tcheka ran a good race’on the last day of the Wellington winter meeting, and has done well since. He looks a possibility for a stake at Riccarton, though tlie Winter Cup is likely to be beyond him. Matu and Last Crust galloped a mile at a good working pace, taking Imin. 45sec. for the last seven furlongs. Matu is progressing all right, and it is not intended to school him before the National. Tourist had an advantage over Otaura Lass at the end of five furlongs, the last half in 55sec. Quantum sprinted and Black Mint worked without going fast. Thurnbell was sprinted twice down the back. He schooled over three hurdles twice on Wednesday with A. Jenkins in the saddle and gave a good display.

B. Burgess has purchased from Mr. W. R. Keiuball bls three-year-old brown gelding Ben Hur. by Hymestra from Miss Gold, and T. J. Daly sent him up to Masterton on Wednesday. Ben Hur started several times last season, but is still a maiden.

Hynanna is now a regular attendant on the Trenthm tracks. So far he lias been kept to pottering about. The Hymestra gelding looks very well, and has freshened up in fine style.

The.heavy going at Washdyke last week assisted Balboa's progeny to' put up a good record. At the Jockey Club’s fixture, King Balboa won the King Edward Handicap, Mount Boa and Ell Boa finished first and second in the Novice Handicap, Red Boa was second in the Temuka Handicap. and Membo scored in the Beaconsfield Handicap. At the Hunt meeting Ell Boa.and Mount Boa were first and third in the Levels Hack, and Membo was narrowly beaten in the Claremont.

Battle Colours will not be a competitor at the coming meetings. He has been suffering for some time from soreness, and it was deemed advisable to turn him out for a six month's spell.

Lady Llmond is stated to be getting through fair work at Foxton, and if she goes on the right way she will be a runner in the Winter Cup. When at her best she can run a good mile, not only being a good beginner, but brilliant enough to hold her place with most horses at any part of a handicap, and she stays on well.

The fact has been recorded that Mount Boa passed into his present ownership, in exchange for a sheep dog. That does not mean (says a southern writer) that he was picked up tor the equivalent of a couple of pounds. The dog concerned in the swap was a good collie trial performer, and tlie value of animals of this description runs anything from'2s to 50 sovereigns.

Some of Lord Ranald’s admirers are proclaiming him as a prospective Grand National winner. Possibly they do not realise the task they wish to set a green ’chaser. The Masterpiece gelding had his first race over obstacles (and the second of his career) on June 22, and it will be miraculous if, six weeks later, ho wins the most Important event on the jumping calendar. Until he is beaten no limit can be placed on ills ability, but it can be asserted with confidence that a couple of jumps he made in the South Canterbury Steeplechase would have spelt “finis” over the Riccarton country.

In referring to the promising form displayed by tlie three-year-old Havering (by Quin Abbey from Dreamer), Mr. W. Henry, writing from Mdrrinsvilie, furnishes the interesting item that Dreamer was twentyfour years old when she foaled Havering, and that Quin Abbey was not much younger. Mr. Henry states that Dreamer was a gift made by Mr. W. G. Stead to Mr. G. R. Crawford, and, as Ringdove also came to liini under the same terms, lie had a very liappy experience. When Ringdove was given to Mr. Crawford she was in foal to I.ord Quex, and tlie contribution the English-bred mare made to the Stud Book was that good stake-earner Paganelll. Blended (by All Black from Lily White), who was also included with the gift collection to Mr. Crawford, threw n filly to Lord Quex in 1926, and the youngster raced tills season under the name of Tasty. Tlie filly was taken across to Australia last month with Paganelli.

“Why doesn’t Sydney offer a few short weight’-for-age races for sprinters during the big racing periods?” is a Question often asked bv prominent racing men, and especially by visiting New Zealanders (says a Sydney writer). They would no doubt prove interesting additions to the programmes of our big meetings. New Zealand has had such events for many years, and their distances ranged from the four furlongs of the Kclburn Plate and the Electric Stakes (once won by Gloaming in 40 4-osec.) to seven furlongs of the Challenge Stakes, in which two-year-olds frequently race against older welght-for-age horses. There are several six furlong welght-for-age events there. Thus a really good sprinter can more than earn his oats without having to lump the huge handicap burdens allotted such champions as Fuji San. Bed Gauntlet, and Greenline, in their races in Australia in recent years. Melbourne and Adelaide have Introduced weight-for-age sprint races, but. only two attempts at a trial have been made in New South Wales, once at Newcastle, where it was given a chance in Beaufort’s time, and then dropped, and in Sydney when the American Flent came. In the latter there were penalties and allowances, and Windbag, despite his U.S, won it. That was a special fleet meeting, and although the race was a great success, it was never staged again. The time limit rule is not often mentioned, but it came under notice on two occasions at Washdyke on Saturday (says the “Tlinaru Herald.” Fabriano was the only competitor to get round without mishap in the South Canterbury Steeplechase, and 'sthan Hantta, wJiosa rides sustained a

broken arm, was running loose at the back of the course, it looked as If the time limit might expire and Fabriano’s owner collect the whole stake. However, Handy's trainer caught and mounted the, Poverty Bay horse, rode him over the last fence with about five minutes to spare, and picked up £4O. In the Hunt Cup. Valves was remounted by ids jockey, taken over tlie two last fences, 'and collected £l5 for third place, about ten minutes after the winner had been led in. The rule covering the cases mentioned enacts that no race shall exceed 20 minutes in duration. After the expiration of that period the judge must leave tlie box, and no horse which shall thereafter pass the post may be awarded a place. Another rule provides that in tiie event, of a rider in a hurdle race or steeplechase being disabled, tlie horse may be ridden in the remainder of tiie race by any person of sufficient weight who is not. disqualified, whether he holds n license or not. In such case no disqualification Is imposed for overweight carried. RICCARTON TRAINING NOTES YESTERDAY’S WORK Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, August 1. Conditions were very favourable for training operations at Riccarton to-day. the ground having dried up' considerably, and permitting of tlie outside of the trial grass being thrown open for fast work. The going was sticky after a frost, and no fast gallops were recorded Tlie work generally was of the useful order, and practically every horse in commission at Riccarton ■was given exercise of some sort. Trainers and a fair number of onlookers were present In the hope of seeing some schooling, but there was not much of this, and next week will have to be awaited to provide more interesting operations. Visiting horses are daily arriving, and it is expected that the majority of outsiders will be at headquarters in the early part of next week. Proceedings were opened by Quick Plunge and Desert Song galloping four furlongs in 52 2-5, both shaping well. Honour ran over halt a mile with Pride in 55sec. Leader and The Viscount reeled off four furlongs in 53 3-5. This pair will represent T. 11. Gillett’s stable in the Maiden Stakes to-morrow. La Pompadour and Innisfree covered the same ground in 53sec. This pair were lensed some time back by J. B Pearson from their breeder, Mr. J. F. Reid, and are due to make their initial public appearance in the Maiden Stakes on Saturday. The former is a three-year-old filly by Paper Money from the Stepnlak mare Rose Red, from Madder, dam ot many winners, and Innisfree is a filly of tlie same age by Kilbroney from Mazurka, by Martian from Two Step. Both have shown tlie possession of speed in their work allotted to date. Malmsey, who is in good order at present, beat Kentish Lady over four furlongs, run in 52 3-5. Full Feather and Sudden Storm were together throughout a six-furlong task, taking 1.21 1-5. A rider has not yet been engaged for the former in the Winter Cup. Sarnia, now trained by H. Ellis, showed promising form by reeling off half a mile in 52 1-5. Amor and Elysian executed a useful gallop over six furlongs in 1.26. Gay Jim and Lord Ranald were companions in strong work over a mile, taking 1.54 4-5." Bnlolo and Safety ran half a mile in 54 2-5, Troilus and Frosh Breeze registering slightly better time for a similar task. W. J Tomkinson was on the track with Gold Tinge and Academy, and both were given a spin over four furlongs, taking 54 3-5. Gold Tinge has grown into a big three-year-old, and is in forward order to enter Upon spring racing. Academy is a three-year-old by Leighton from First Class, purchased by Mr G. J. Barton as a yearling at Trentham for 250 guineas. He only had one race last season, running unplaced in the Juvenile Handicap at the Dunedin summer meeting He is an upstanding chestnut gelding, and Is expected to earn distinction during the present season. Rapier had Storm Raid as a mate in a four-furlong task, executed in 52 2-5. Rapier was going well at the finish and is more forward than at this stage last year. ■Storm Raid, one of Mrs. J. Campbell’s team, galloped pleasingly and the indications are that this big gelding will turn out a useful three-year-old. He is to contest the Maiden Stakes at Riccarton on Saturday. Haze, accompanied by Waterlow for six furlongs, covered a mile in Imin. 52 2-ssec. Prickles and Royal Flower were seen to advantage in a gallop over six furlongs, taking Imin. 24 2-ssec. The former will be ridden by A. K. Ellis in the Brabazon Handicap and will not want for support. Grand Song, engaged in the Malden Stakes on Saturday, strode over half a mile in 52 3-ssec. He will carry Martarma’s colours, and his owner hopes to have him as a Derby representative this season. Honeycomb and Huntley went well together over four furlongs in 52 2 ssec. The former has his fair share of. weight in tlie Flying Hack Handicap on Saturday. Huntley has been accepted for in two races, but will probably contest the concluding event. Gay Sonnet, who has made great progress of late, reeled off half a mile in 52 sec. She will be ridden by W. Bush in the Brabazon Handicap, but a rider has not yet been secured for her in the Winter Cup, her usual pilot. C. Emerson, is having a spell from the saddle until the spring. Mime, due to make his reappearance over hurdles on Saturday, galloped four furlongs in 53 2-ssec. Aberfeldy finished better than Perle de Leon at the end of a strong task over nine furlongs, taking 2min. 7 l-ssec. Grand Acre and Chickwheat covered half a mile In 55sec. Tlie latter was recently sold by'H. Nurse to Mr. C. Kaier, owner of Tip Tree, and is now trained by J. W. Jennings. Amorist was not extended to gallop six furlongs in Imin. 25 l-ssec. His next race will be in the Trial Hurdles at the Grand National meeting, an event in which he should be seen to advantage. Arch Arrow and Front Rank comfortably covered five furlongs in Imin. 10 3-5 sec. Heisler registered similar time. Fabriano (D. O'Connor) and Te Hauntti (A. Youngman) negotiated three of the steeplechase fences in good style. Audience finished in front of Solrose and Airplane at the end of four furlongs, taking 52 l-ssec. Oriflainb (I. Tilson) and Kalkaiiu (A. J. Peart) were associated in two rounds of tlie steeplechase fences. Orlilamb gave a very satisfactory display and showed no inclination to repeat, bls novice-like exhibition of last Saturday at Wasbdyke. He had too much pace fo? Kalkahn, who nevertheless jumped well with the exception of the- last fence, wbicli lie struck heavily. Barrington (A. S. Ellis), Paris (G. Dempster), and Taramoa (R. L. Dockerty) were sent over a round of the hurdles. The firstnamed, who lias done a good bit of bunting in South Canterbury, gave a dashing exhibition and outclassed his companions, beating Paris by a big margin, while the latter's stableinnte Taramoa was tailed off throughout. Barrington is a grey gelding by Thurnham. tlie property of Mr. IL Elworthy, of Timarn, and on the ability shown in this effort, lie will keep tlie small field busy in tiie Kennels Hurdles Handicap on Saturday. E. J. Ellis arrived at Riccarton on Wednesday with King Balboa, .Silver Light, Barrington and Pink Coat. The firstnamed was left nt Washdyke by F. W. Ellis, who will arrive from Invercargill for Saturday’s meeting. He and Silver Light were restricted to easy work to-day. Pink Coat was brought up for educational purposes and also to give him some galloping. tlie Waslidyke tracks not permitting this at the present time. Another three-year-old in Night Lad also mndo tlie trip for the same reason, arriving on Wednesday with P. T. Hogan’s other horses, Fabriano and Te Hauntti. Yesterday’s arrivals at Riccarton comprised Mister Gamp. Novar. Horomea. Anolo. Bonogne, Mangan!. Wiltshire, and Fr.nll.a. P. V. Mason lias made tentative arrangements to leave for Sydney with Honour by the Ulitnaroa on August 23. The two-year-old Praise is practically certain to be also taken, while another member of tlie stable, probablv Pride, will be included as a track companion for Honour. Although Honour’s name has been mentioned in Sydney betting circles in connection witli tlie Caulfield Cup. It Is unlikely that lie will be a contestant. against tlie older good class horses engaged. A wiser policy of confining the tliree-vear-old’s efforts to the classics and welght-for-nge events will probably be adopted should tlie trip .to Melbourne be decided upon after the Randwick racing i« concluded.

WANGANUI JOCKEY CLUB Dominion Special Service. Wanganui, July 31. The annual meeting of the Wanganui Jockey Club was attended by a very large number of members. Mr. E. A. Campbell, president of the club' referred to the loss tlie club bad incurred in the deaths (luring the year of Mr. J. F. Cutti,‘ld, for 16 years bon. treasurer of the club. Mr. 11. W. Wilson, for eight years a member of the commitee, Mr A. o.' Hardy, for many years auditor of tlie club. Mr. T. F. I’lillipson and Mesdatnes W. IL Foster and M. Kellick, life members of the dub. , , , - , Mr. W. Glenn spoke appreciatively of the work of I lie committee during a diflicult year in the racing world. After providing for depreciation on buildings and plant, tlie loss foi‘ tlie year is £132 7s. 2d. An addition to the members’ portion of tlie stewards’ stand to provide accommodation for about 250 members on the first floor will lie completed before the" spring race meeting at a cost of £938. The inclusion of the 10s. totallsator has proved a popular step, and it Is hoped to provide betting facilities on tiie members' stand in tlie near future. Mr. W. Kellick was elected a life member. The following officers were elected for tlie year: —Patron. Mr. Campbell; president.’ Mr. E. A. Campbell; vice-president, Mr. C. G. Russell: lion, treasurer, Mr. H. C. Lewis: lion, time-keeper. Mr. T. Currie; lion, surgeon, Dr. J. W. Anderson: lion, veterinary surgeon. Mr. A. Bayly, M.R.C.V.S.: committee. Dr. M. Earle, Messrs. S. M. Davis, J. Donald, and R. Russell: auditor, Mr. C. S. Swan. A motion was carried that it be a recommendation to the committee to introduce postal voting for all officials. GOODWOOD STAKES Australian Press Assn. —United Service. London, July 31. The following is the result of the GOODWOOD STAKES, of 1400 sovs.; about two miles and three furlongs. Clear Cash, b c, by Dibs—Proud Issue, 3yrs 1 Troubadour, b c, by Gay Crusader— Wynyard, 3yrs 2 Dazzler, ch g, by Grey Fox ll—Nilgbal, 4yrs 3 There were fourteen starters. Won by a head, five lengths separating the second and third horses. IL Sutton’s colt Mountain Lad (by Alan Breck—Maid of tlie Mountains. 4yrs.) won the race, but was disqualified for bumping and boring. ARIKIWAI SCRATCHED By Telegraph—Press Association. (Rec. August 1, 10.30 p.m.) Sydney, August L The New Zealand horse, Arikiwai. has been scratched from the Epson Handicap and two cups.