THE RACING WORLD

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 290, 3 September 1931, Page 13

THE RACING WORLD

DECISION TO RACE

Masterton Spring Meeting

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By

“The Watcher.”)

The special meeting of the Masterton Racing Club yesterday reversed the decision to abandon the spring fixture, reached at the recent annual meeting. The fixture will now be held on its due date, October 17.

At Sir Charles Clifford’s Stonyhurst Stud, Retrospect, by Autumnus from Telescope, has foaled a filly to Rapier, Mr. E. L. Riddiford is the only nomination for the position of president of the Wellington Racing Club. Messrs. I. G. Duncan and J. W. Abbott are the only nominations for the two vicepresidencies. T. Green for Riccartoiu

The North Island jockey T. Green has decided to remove from I J almerston North to Riccarton. He will go into the employ of F. D. Jones, for whom he will ride this season. A. E. Messervey will do Jones’s light riding. For Wanganui.

Cricket Bat and Zeebrugge will be the Riccarton representatives at the Wanganui Jockey Club’s spring meeting to be held this month. They are both intended for the Wanganui Guineas on the first day. Cricket Bat has been nominated for the Higgle Handicap, one mile and a distance, on the second day, when Zeebrugge has an engagement in the Moutoa Hack Handicap, one mile and half a furlong. Cypress and Melbourne Cup.

There is an old saying that moneytalks on a racecourse, and it is the only thing that does talk; without attaching too much importance to what are known as market movements, there may be some sort of guide to the future in the market fluctuations. A few weeks ago tho three-year-old Cypress was rated by the ring as among the most unlikely animals in the Melbourne Cup, but now (says a Sydney writer)’, they have reduced his price by two-thirds, and they have got him on equal terms with Idle Banter as the best of this year’s three-year-olds in the Cup. This market movement may be merely precautionary, and if the New Zealand contingent has invested any money on this horse for the Cup it has not advertised it in the same sensational way as the Jacobin-Phar Lap double has been advertised.

Wellington Stewards. The following are the nominhtions for the five vacancies in the office of stewards to the Wellington Racing Club:— Dr. H. A. H. Gilmer and Messrs. H. P. F, Blundell, K. D. Duncan, J. F. Dyer, W. Higgins, H. L. Nathan, N. McLean and W. G. Riddell. Dr. Gilmer and Messrs. Duncan, Higgins and McLean are retiring stewards.

L. J. Ellis Recovering. z ' The “Southland News” reports that L. J. Ellis has returned z to his home at Invercargill, and he was an interested spectator at the local tracks on Saturday morning. He has still to resort to crutches, but he is making splendid progress, and he hopes to be back riding work in a couple of weeks’ time, and to be fit for race-riding in about a month. Compensation Unlucky.

While his owner was absent at the Cromwell meeting last March, Compensation got cast in his box, and though the injuries prevented him racing at the autumn meeting of the Wellington Racing Club, shortly afterwards, they were not thought to be serious. However, they have since caused his owner a good deal of trouble, and he has not been able to work the Anomaly horse since. Covering the Ground.

Jockeys who do travelling by aeroplane now turn it to advantage in following their calling in England and France. Recently Elliott won a race on Argonaute 11. at Newmarket on a Tuesday. then flew to France, and after winning on Parsee at Le Trembay on Wednesday, flew back to England and scored on Xandover at Newmarket on Thursday. Bad Track Conditions.

Trentham is not the only place where trainers are suffering from bad weather. Dunedin reports that several horses have shifted from Wingatui owing to the bad track conditions. The rainfall this week has interfered with training operations at Riccarton. The tracks are very soft, w'th a lot of water lying in parts. Some of the trainers are giving, {heir horses pace work on the ground inside, while others patronise the sand. Several are contenting themselves with exercise on the roads. With the spring meetings coming on soon, it is to be "hoped the training conditions will improve quickly. Sydney Items.

The New Zealand “Referee's” special cable from Sydney this week discloses that the unruly behaviour of,Cypress on tlie Randwick tracks last week was due to a sore mouth. The same authority says his rider was rathep weak at the finish on Saturday. ■ , Ammon Ra’s stake in the Hobartvillo Stakes at Warwick Farm on Saturday was £1328, and he has now won £9O7G. Felkling Stake Reduction.

A reduction of 25 per cent, in the stake money for the spring meeting is announced by the Feildiing Jockey Club, this action being the result of a close investigation by the committee of the club Into what the immediate future meetings may be expected to produce in the way of revenue. Decidedly Unusual.

It is unusual for a Derby winner to be gelded after proving impotent on being sent to the stud, and then put back to racing, yet this happened in the ease of Whiskery, winner of the 1927 Kentucky Derby. The operation must have affected him adversely, as on resuming racing he did not show any of his earlier form and his owner, C. A. Stone, of Charlotteville, Virginia, has decided to use him in future as a hack.

MASTERTON RACES Decision of Club Stewards PROGRAMME PASSED Dominion Special Service. Mastorton. September 2. The recent decision of members of, the Mnsterton Racing Club to postpone the club’s October meeting was discussed at a meeting of, the chib’s stewards this afternoon, when a motion in favour of holding the meeting on the allotted dates was carried. i A programme was submitted by the secretary for a turnover of £5OOO, end stakes of £535. This would allow a profit of £lOO on the meeting. The programme was discussed, and after amendment to permit of an eight-race meeting with a maximum of £6OO stakes was passed. If a loss were made on the meeting it should be borne proportionately by the club’s guarantor*.

BETTER THAN EVER

Reappearance of Phar Lap

MAGNIFICENT HORSE

Commenting upon the win of Phar Lap in the Underwood. Stakes at Williamstown recently, which was his first appearance since last autumn, the “Australasian” says:—

The horse everybody wanted to see in the paddock was Phar Lap, but /is he was kept well rugged it was impossible to get a good look at him until he was stripped in the'.mounting yard. When the clothing was stripped from him it was at once apparent, why Telford was not hopeful of l J har Lai> avenging his Flemington defeat by Waterline in spite of the fact that the crack was meeting his conqueror on 211 b better terms. The Braeside tracks have been waterlogged all the winter, and Telford found it impossible to give Phar Lap fast work. He was restricted to pace work and exercise about the roads, but Phar Lap needs plenty of galloping to bring him to his "best.

To the eye Phar Lap looked, as one man said, “as big as a cart horse,” but lie was evidently more forward than he looked, and must have been pretty clean inside, as he blew very little after his race. Few people really wanted to back him when they looked at him, and Phar Lap started at 2to 1 against. It will be a long time before anybody will get another chance of backing him at anything like those odds in a weight-for-age race.

Phar Lap has built up and furnished right up to his great frame, and he is now a really magnificent horse in every way. He looks a better horse than he did last season, and has now probably reached the of his development. He has been entered for the Memsie Stakes, but it is quite possible he might be in Sydney before the Caulfield meeting comes round. If the weather improves and gives the Braeside tracks a chance to dry he will remain here until after the Memsie Stakes, but if there is no improvement Telford will go to Sydney almost at once. Phar Lap needs galloping, and if he cannot get it here an attempt will be made to get it in Sydney. It is possible Rondalina will accompany him, but on that point Telford has not reached a decision. Waterline Fails. One of the first men I met in the paddock told me all was not well with Waterline, as helsaid the black horse was showing decided indications of lameness. He was examined by a veterinary surgeon, who could not see any cause of the trouble, and thought possibly the lameness was due to rheumatism or something of the sort caused by the cold weather. That there is something amiss with him was shown in his running, as he missed a place, and was never going like a possible winner. The betting was limited to three horses, as backers did not go beyond Phar Lap, Wise Force, and Waterline. Mulcra is not anything like ready, and nobody wanted to back Rondalina and Glare. Yet Rondalina who is also trained by Telford, defeated all but the crack. Pike came to Melbourne to ride Phar Lap on Saturday, but as he had engagements to fulfil in Sydney on Tuesday be returned on Monday, and Telford entrusted the riding of Phar Lap to Elliott, who had ridden him in most of his races as a three-year-old when Pike could not get down to the weight. Elliott rode him in much the same way as Pike usually does. He allowed the horse to become nicely balanced before he allowed him to stride along. Wise Force was out in front in a few strides after the barrier rose, and went on clear of Rondalina and Waterline, with Phar Lap a couple of lengths 'farther back. As they ran along the back stretch Elliott gave Phar Lap his head, and it was a treat to see the manner in which he gathered up Waterline and Rondalina and joined Wise Force in the lead. It was a short brilliant dash which none but a really great horse could have made. Waterline was hopelessly beaten turning for home, and it was clear as they swung into the straight that Phar Lap had the race well won. He left Wise ’Force, and went on to win comfortably from Rondalina, who outstayed Wise Force and beat him for second place. Waterline was finishing on in the straight, but his usual brilliance was missing. The form of Rondalina was rather impressive. She might not be up to classic standard, but she is going to win good races for Telford during the spring.

MR. O’CONNOR DEAD Famous Racing Starter INTERESTING CAREER The death occurred on Monday morning at his residence, Omahu Hoad, Remuera, Auckland, of Mr. C. O’Connor, the well-known starter, aged 71, after a long illness. Mr. O’Connor was born at Penrith, New South Wales, in 1860, and his first introduction to racing was when he went into the employ of Mr. T. Lamond, who was private trainer to Sir Hercules Robinson, at Randwick. There he did some riding on the flat; also at other meetings about Sydney, and at Flemington, Melbourne. In 1872, when 12 years of age, and scaling sst. 71b., he won for Sir Hercules Robinson" the V.R.C. Handicap on I'itz-Yattendon, and later on, for the same owner, rode Valentin to victory in the Waverley Handicap, at Randwick. Mr. O’Connor came to New Zealand ■with Sir George, a brother to Chester, who had been purchased by the Middle Park Stud Co. at Christchurch, ami shortly afterward he joined E. Cutts at Riccarton, with whom he remained until he became connected with Patsy Butler, who had at that time the hurdle and steeplechase horses Agent and Te Whetumarama, and also Luna. It was at that time that he took to riding over fences, and he was on Agent, Te Whetumarama nnd Clarence when the weights suited. Mr. O’Connor took Clarence to Auckland for Mr. J. Pilbro’” on several occasions, and took him and Welcome Jack to Sydney, having trained both of them when they accounted for the Auckland Cup and Steeplechase double. For Mr. Hobbs he rode Borderman, and won races for Mr. 11. Lunn on King Arthur and Kingask, and he was up on Peter Osbeek when the grey gelding ran second to Garibaldi in i lie first New Zealand Grand National Hurdle Race. Another good horse Mr. O’Connor rode was Macaroni. Among others lie piloted may be mentioned Crackshot. About 1895 Mr. O’Connor commenced ns a starter, and for a number of years acted in that capacity for all the trotting dubs in and around Christchurch. He then resigned and became starter for galloping meetings on the West Coast, and during subsequent years started for many southern clubs, including Dunedin, Omnium,' Timaru, Geraldine, Ashburton, and Horarntu. Subsequently he became starter for the Auckland Racing Club, Avondale Jockey Club, Takapuna Jockey Chib, Wellington Racing Club, and practically every one of the smaller clubs in the Auckland province, while he was also starter for the Wanganui and Hawke’s Bay clubs, and the Auckland and Otnbuhu Trotting Chibs a season or two ago. He was without doubt a great starter when at his best. The late Mr. O’Connor leaves a widowand two daughters, his son having died 1 at the war.

TROTTING

New Brighton Meeting

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By

“Overcheck.”)

Except in the case of the mile saddled race the acceptances received by the New Brighton Trotting Club for its meeting on Saturday are quite satisfactory; in fact, in the first two races the fields are rather too large, over thirty horses being engaged iii each race. A brief review ot the programme will be made in Saturday’s issue. Three on End.

By winning the principal handicap at Auckland on Saturday, Ayrmont Chimes did tho “hat trick.” Produced later in the day he again ran a good race over 10 furlongs, being defeated by Great Parrish, who is a brilliant young horse who appears to be certain to reach the very highest class before the season closes. On Saturday Great Parrish lost about a couple of seconds at the start of the race, and throughout the journey was forced to cover a good deal of extra ground. The fact that he defeated Ayrmont Chimes in such circumstances considerably enhanced his performance. Won Attractively.

Kewpie’s Guy was a very staunch favourite in the Onehunga Handicap, and her supporters were on good terms with themselves throughout, as she led from start to finish, and was never seriously challenged. She will go on to better things as she appears to be improving all the time. A Narrow Victory.

Valloden was backed down to an odds-on favourite for the Royal Oak Handicap, and although successful had little to spare from Jock Bingen when the deciding line was crossed. Wimmera King, the veteran of the party, put up a good fight, leading to the straight, with Valloden and Jock Bingen handy. Wimmera King broke under pressure, Valloden going on to win by a neck from Jock Bingen. The latter is reported to have trotted very soundly, while Valloden also gave a good display. He went to a break about three furlongs from home, but recovered very quickly. A Tight Finish.

The finish tn tho Dominion Handicap was a particularly good one, half-heads separating the placed horses. Derby Vale, another importation from Australia, was made favourite, and making a good beginning ho led for about a mile, when he was joined by Kewpie’s Tripmpli. Just when the latter appeared to have the race won Derby Vale challenged resolutely and got the verdict by half a head. Great Fame showed speed and should do better later on. A Good Effort.

Parrish Belle was responsible for a very good display when she won the opening event at Auckland on Saturday. With Carl Mack she made up most of her handicap in the first round. Carl Mack broke in front of the stands, while Windchat, who was piloting the field, put in a couple of skips down the back, where Parrish Belle went to tho front, to lead into the straight. Wlndcbat and Cprl Mack again brokcat this stage, and ruined their chances. Tho latter, however, finished very smartly and waa within two lengths of the second horse at the conclusion of the race. Had he gone steadily throughout he would Probably havo been returned the winner. Ihe favourite, Bessie Parrish, extinguished her chance at the beginning of the race. On the Up-Grade.

As was generally expected, Auto Machine gave an Improved showing In the August Handicap at Auckland on Saturday. He was rather Blow In getting speed up. and was In the rear most of the way, but he finished fast to get third money. Had he not received a check when Stanmoor o ro^ e after about a mile had been covered he would possibly have paid a dividend. A northern.exchange expresses the view that he was not well driven, and It would certainly seem that this was the case. Kewpie’s Triumph.

Kewpie’s Triumph, after running second to Derby Vale earlier in the day, again showed good form In the Grey Lynn Handicap, winning from end to end. The win was very well received, as It was the first one registered by J. Gee for about la months. Erin’s Fortune.

It is reported that Erin's Fortune has been passed on by W. J. Tomkinson, and is to be prepared in future by 8. A. Edwards. Stud Matrons.

It is understood that Elzear and Happy Rosa are to be put to Surprise Journey this Beason. The latter Is to do a light stud season and will be restricted to a few trotting mares only. Expected Arrival.

F. J. Smith has received further particulars concerning his maiden trotter, Nell Gwyn, who is now on the way from America, and Is due to reach Auckland early next month. The four-year-old novlca has a wonderful trotting lineage, being by the great American horse Peter Volo, z... from Katy O'Neill, and is a sister of Nelli Volo, 2.8}, and half-sister to Neil Frisco, 23. Katv O’Neill is by Walnut Hall, 2.81, sire of The Harvester, 2.1. She is the dam of seven who have already broken 2.10 tor the mile, while her sire, Walnut Hall, has left many horses who have gone —lO and better, and In turn produced several performers to have approached tho --minute class. Nell Gwyn will be the first of Peter Volo’s progeny to reach New Zealand, and as she has taken part only at matinees, which do not constitute performances, she will be eligible for slow class events when she commences her racing career In Auckland. j

Fixtures. September s—Otago Hunt Club. September 12—Dunedin J.C. September 17. 10-Wanganui J.C. September 10—Ashburton County R.C. September 24, 26—Geraldine R-C. September 26—Hawke's Bay J.C. September 26, 28—Avondale J.C. October 3—Napier Park R.C. October 3—Kurow J.C. October 3, s—Auckland R.COctober 0. 10— Otaki-Maorl. R.C. October 10—Dunedin J.C. October 17—Masterton R.C. October 17—South Canterbury J.C. October 17, 19—Dargavillo R.C. October 24, 2(l—Wellington R.C. October 24, 26—Gore R.C. October 2G—AVaverley R.C. October 26—Waikato Hunt Club. October 2(l—Waipawa County R.C. October 2(l—North Canterbury R.C. October 20, 31—Poverty Bay Turf Club. October 31—Banks Peninsula R.C. October 31—Carterton R.C. November 4—Marton J.C.

Owing to Lingfield (Eng.) being a downhill track, little importance attaches to fast times made on it from five furlongs to a mile. In winning a selling race there in July, a four-year-old marc named Noranda (8.2) made a track record of 57J. Despite her fast time she was sold for 260gns. on being submitted to auction immediately after the race. On the same day Dr. Dolittio won the Lingfield Park Plate, one mile, with 8.8 up, in 1.34. Dr. Dolittle ran unplaced in the Derby.