THE RACING WORLD

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 286, 29 August 1931, Page 14

THE RACING WORLD

TARANAKI HUNT CLUB Meeting at New Plymouth EVENT WILL END SEASON (By “The Watcher.”) Winter racing will conclude to-day with the annual fixture of the Taranaki Hunt Club at New Plymouth. The meeting is mainly confined to local horses, but there are one or two visitors, while much additional interest is lent to to-day’s proceedings by the reappearance of sojne well-known performers such as Lady Quex and Orapai. The racing should be interesting and recent form worth following, but the several fresh horses engaged are liable to upset calculations. The programme is as follows: — HACK AND HUNTERS’ HURDLES, of 60

engagements:— Hunters’ Hurdles.—Moerangi and Day Lass (if Callapat is reserved). Opunake Scurry.—Tavora and Gibraltar. Members’ Handicap.—Gold DaWn and Seatown. Hunt Cup.-—Gueress and Day Lass. Waihi Handicap.—Kissless and Royal Finance. Stratford Handicap.—Orapai. Hunters’ Flat. —Little Wonder and Moerangi. Urenui Handicap.—Peter Jackson and Moatoa.

SYDNEY STEEPLECHASING

Steeplechasing in Sydney is becoming quite a farce. There were only three entries for the recent cross-country ev.ent at Warwick Fann, and when Prince Arim was fatally injured at Randwick during the week prior to the race only two horses ■went to the post. Next to no betting on the race took place. Scottish March won easily from Ragatzky. For some considerable time the Australian Jockey Club has attempted to foster and popularise / steeplechasing in Sydney, but its efforts have not been rewarded with success, and i now jt is felt that the premier club will in future be forced to delete crdss-country I races from its programmes.

RACE MEETING DATES Rearrangement Made NOTES AND COMMENTS (By “The Watcher.”) The first race at New Plymouth to-day is timed to start at 11.45 a.m. Racing Dates. The abandonment of the Masterton spring meeting set down for Saturday, October 17, will probably result in a slight rearrangement of dates. Otaki, set down for the previous week, October 9 and 10, will most likely take October 16 and 17. This will leave October 10 vacant, and thus afford the Hawke’s Bay club a change from September 26 to October 10, which will be a considerable asset as September 26 is the date of the representative football match in Napier between Hawke's Bay and Wellington. The South Canterbury club, which had October 15 and 17 as the dates of its spring meeting, will race on October 17 only, reserving the extra day for a meeting in June next. A Chance for Two-year-olds. The abandonment of the Masterton spring meeting creates an awkward position for owners and trainers at this end.' They will have now only Otaki as the prelude to the Wellington spring fixture, though some may patronise Napier and Hawke’s Bay. While in this subject, the suggestion is thrown out to the officials, of the Otaki club that they would be doing a good service both to owners and themselves by including a two-year-old race on each day of their programme. Youngsters are not going to get any racing at all prior to Wellington, unless they go to Wahganui and the Bay meetings. There are thirty odd in training at Trentham alone, and if Otaki does as suggested they are certain of big nominations. Worth Trying. The time having arrived when racing clubs must explore every avenue in search of revenue and consider any idea that will advance their interests, the suggestion is made that the Wellington Racing Club could, with advantage, make an experiment. Why not try a meeting at Trentham on Saturday, December 19, using one of the three days usually allotted to the winter meeting in July? To begin with, the three days in the winter is a burden, especially under prevailing conditions, as was' conclusively proved by the last meeting, A Saturday single day. at Trentham could hardly fail to be popular with the public and a success. December 19 is a free date both for racing and trotting that suggests itself as ideal for the innovation. Coming as it does a week before the opening of the Christmas racing, it will interfere with no other fixture, while owners and trainers from the south would appreciate it, as well as giving those en route to Manawatu and Auckland the opportunity of another try-out. Horses Named. < Mr. T. A. Duncan has named a three-year-old half-sister by Nigger Minstrel to Avro, Yola. Other names claimed by Mr. Duncan are: Silent Bill, a two-year-old gelding by Nassau from- Lady Christina; Senegal, a two-year-old gelding by Nigger Minstrel from Kinsem: Arena, a two-year-old bay filly by Cockpit from Wiwini ; Ida Merling, a naif-sister by Robspierre to Red Wink. Mrs. Dwan has named her two-year-olds in A. E. Brown’s stable at Treatham. The Weathervane-Stardancer gelding has been called Volga Boatman, and the Chief Ruler—Comedy Queen colt Michael Angelo. Mr. J, A. Taylor has claimed Prince Pohibal as the name of his two-year-old colt by Pombal —Veil, in J. McLaughlin’s stable. •Seatown’s two-year-old half-sister by Limbnd has been called Seamond by her owner-breeder, Mr. J. Fredric. Class Racing Commenced. The first of the spring weight-for-age events in Sydney will be decided at Warwick Farm to-day. The race is the War-

wick Stakes of one mile, with penalties and allowances. The. entries include Amounis and Balloon King, also four New Zealand-bred horses—Chide, Veilmond, Concentrate, and the three-year-old Cypress. The Warwick Fam programme also includes the Hobartville Stakes, a seven-furlong event for three-year-olds, in which Ammon Ra, Movie Star and Oratorian are engaged. Ball Dress for Trentliaau. Ball Dress, after showing good form in the summer and winter, went off when the tracks became heavy, and after a succes- , sion of disapnointing efforts she was put out of work, Being spelled through the late part of the winter. Now she is iu commission again, still backward, but in excellent health. It is probable she will have her first race of the season at Trentham late in October. The Winning Hit mare is a good prospect up to a mile and a quarter. Death oft James Barden. James Barden, whose death is reported from Sydney, at the age of sixty-two years, had for many years been a successful trainer at Randwick, and last season he was second to G. Price in the list of winning trainers at meetings held on the Australian Jockey Club’s course. Earlier in his career he was one of Australia’s leading jockeys. He was associated in the two Derby successes of Abundance early in this century, while he rode many other notable performers, until increasing weight' compelled his retirement from race riding. Starting the Season. R. Alexander will be taking his team on tour next month to compete at the spring fixtures of the Avondale Jockey Club and the Auckland Racing Club. Last season the Ellerslie trip was profitable, as the Gordon and Hobson Handicaps were won with Chrysology, and the Liverpool Handicap with Great Charter. The former, it is intended, will make the trip next month, along with other representatives of Mr. T. H. Lowry. Chokebore Youngsters. Some of the two-year-olds in Cutts Brothers’ team have shown useful form in the short sprints to which they have so far been restricted. Drumfire, by Winning Hit from Scrimmage, shapes like being the best of them, but he was not nominated for the Dunedin Jockey Club’s McLean Stakes, in which Fleeting Glance, by Day Comet from Wild Hind, may be the stable representative, leaving Drumfire to make his first appearance in the Wellesley Stakes at Trentham. On Marton Tracks.

A busy scene is presented on . the Marton training tracks these mornings, when the trainers are saddling up their charges for the morning’s work (says the “Wangaiiui Chronicle”). The veteran trainer, J. Morris, has Nightmare, Leisure, Postman, Accra, Jiu Jazz, and a I Winterbourne colt in work. It is a use- , fuLteam. Seven are being put through ; their paces by L. G. Morris, these in- | eluding Laughihg Prince, Cadland, Consent, Count Palatine and Fiji, and two 1 youngsters by Nigger Minstrel and Robespierre respectively. E. J. Murtagh has Habit and a couple of others in training. Mr. T. W. R. Piri Tua is supervising the preparation of Waiforte, Labour Girl, Lady Wangaehu, Monsogne, Ringapoto, Latakia and' Whisogne. Mr. S. J. Gibbons has Interlocutor, and Mr. R. J. McDonald has Redbrae in work, completing a large Marton contingent, to which the latest addition is Mr. G. Johnston’s two-year-old by Humbug. Curtailing Expenses. . Representatives of all the racing clubs i in Southland met in Invercargill on Wednesday under the presidency of Mr. W. T. Hazlett to discuss various matters connected with the sport of racing and formulate some uniform policy of action relative to various details connected with the fixtures of the clubs concerned. The following clubs were represented:—Birch, wood Hunt, Clifden, Gore, Otautau, Riverton, Southland, Wairio, Winton and Wyndham. It. was decided that a conference should in future be held annually at some convenient date following the New Zealand Racing Conference, and that any decisions arrived at that day should apply only to the current season. Dealing with the question of privileges, the conference decided to do away with free luncheons and to recommend clubs to dispense with the granting of refresh-

ments. As a further measure of economy it was decided that no bands should be engaged. • It was resolved unanimously to give effect to the Rules of Racing in their application to the payment of nomination and acceptance fees for all payments to be made before the commencement of a race; and, further, that the club secretary concerned should furnish a return to all other clubs in Southland of all fees remaining unpaid by owners. In connection with acceptance fees it was resolved that the basis should be 1 per cent, of the gross stake for all events of a value of £lOO and over. After •discussing the question of the salaries of officials it was decided to institute a minimum cut of 20 per cent., whi]e the maximum rate for ticket-sellers was fixed at 25/- and for gatemen at 15/-. It was unanimously decided that the issue of complimentary tickets should be drastically curtailed and that the question of admission charges and the introduction of sweepstakes be left to the discretion of individual dubs. No action was taken with regard to the installation of the 5/- totalisators. DEATH OF F. W. COOMBES Well Known in New Zealand The death occurred at Sydney recently of Mr. F. W. Coombes, A.J.C. stipendiary steward, following a long period of sickReared in a racing and sporting atmosphere in England, it was not surprising that on arrival in New Zealand Mr. Coombes attached himself to sport. He became a newspaper writer on racing, and served on well-known papers of the day, the “Sporting and Dramatic” and the “New Zealand Times.” ’ It was in response to a search for stipendiary stewards by the A.J.O. that Mr. Coombes decided to go to Australia, and he received an appointment to the Far South District of New South Wales, and soon afterward became an assistant metropolitan steward to the late Mr. Abel Hyde's board. He served in that capacity’from 1917 to 1924, and then was appointed a steward of the A.J.C. with full qualifications. His quiet efficiency on the racecourse, together with a policy of giving kindly advice to the younger jockeys, earned the respect of all with whom he came in contact. Duties of a steward do not tend to popularity, but Mr. Coombes was a well-liked man wherever he went (says the “Referee”). Unfortunately in recent years he suffered from impaired health. A trip to England did not result in Sustained improvement, and there followed long leave of absence during which his health confined to decline. His death was regretted throughout a large circle of friends. One of his last duties of importance as steward was the inspection of various courses in company with other officials when limitation of fields was agreed upon for the starting points on the city Like his brother, Mr. “Dick” Coombes, of “The Referee,” Mr. Frank Coombes was an authority on many branches of sport, and one in which te took deep interest was coursing. He shared in the activity which resulted in the formation of the National Coursing Association, and while in Auckland was judge for the Avondale and Auckland Coursing Chibs. He was also at one time honorary secretary of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and Auckland Tennis Club, being in addition closely connected with the Auckland Amateur Athletic Club.

govs. About one mile and a-half. Callapat Evening Hero Moerangi ... Day Lass .. Star Girl .. 10 8 10 0 10 0 0 10 9 2 Lough Neagh 9 0 Sir Moment 9 0 Garrick .... The . 9 0 9 0 OPUNAKE .SCURRY, of 60 sovs.: five furlongs. Goldzone S 0 Psychologist 8 0 Forceful .... S 0 Barbacan .. 8 0 Brown Abibey 8 O Tavora 8 0 Gibraltar 8 0 Lord . Cornerman . 8 0 Merriwea 8 0 MEMBERS’ HANDICAP, of 70 BOVS. Seven furlongs. Seatown 9 5 Balloon .... 7 6 Richfield .. 9 2 Callapat 7 2 Paltonu 8 9 Monoghan .. 7 0 Easter Time 8 2 Gold Dawn . 0 The Swell .. 8 2 Kawhakina . 7 0 Little Doubt 7 6 TARANAKI HUNT CLUB CUP, f 100 sovs. About two miles and a-half. Day Lass .. 10 12 Nlmblefoot . 10 0 Gueress .... 10 7 Royal Reign 10 0 Haeremal ., 10 2 Spanish Michael Prince 10 0 Shlmose 10 0 Winnagan 10 0 WAIHI HACK HANDICAP, of 65 sovs. Seven furlongs. Royal Kissless 7 9 Finance 9 0 Singer ..... 7 9 Gasnapper . Tentcall ... 8 1 7 12 Silver Fern . Constant Snn 7 7 2 2 STRATFORD HANDICAP, of 70 sovs. Six furlongs. Lady Quex . 9 13 Monoghan .. 7 0 Orapal .... Gold Dawn . 9 5 7 2 Kawhakina . 7 0 HUNTERS’ FLAT HANDICAP, of 50 SOVfi. About one mile and a-quarter. Day Lass .. 10 13 Winnagan 10 0 Little Nlmblefoot . 10 0 Wonder 50 10 Royal Reign . 10 0 Puawhato 10 7 Spanish The Author . 10 5 Prince 10 0 Moerangi 10 5 Lough Neagh 10 0 Michael Gasform 10 0 Shlmose 10 0 URENUI HACK HANDICAP, of 65 sovs. Six furlongs. Peter Jackson 9 0 Evening Hero 7 12 Moatoa ... 8 « Little Wonder 7 11 Klssjess ... 8 5 Miss Chatter 7 7 Singer .... 8 5 Goldzone ... 7 5 Silver Fern .. 7 13 The following ma; run well in their