THE RACING WORLD

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 68, 13 December 1933, Page 15

THE RACING WORLD

CUP CANDIDATES Horses at Woodville AUCKLAND PROSPECTS Spiral Not to Start Brambletorn Doubtful .- , (By “The Watcher.”). . Six Auckland Cup candidates raced at Woodville over the week-end, and their fomr provided plenty of interest and material for discussion regarding Ellerslie prospects. .. Before dealing with the form, it may be as well to point out that there is a good deal of uncertainty regarding some of them fulfilling the two-mile engagement. Spiral, definitely, will not start in the Auckland Cup. Mr. Currie made up his mind at Woodville that he would not ask his three-year-old that task. Spiral will run in - the Queen’s Plate on Cup day. and wilt then run in the Derby and Clifford Plate. - ■ Esteem’s form is not likely to be regarded as good enough to warrant a trip north, and he will probably be racing nearer home at the Manawatu fixture." Couthyard is another on the doubtful list. Mr. Lowry is rather anxious to be represented at Auckland, where he has also Senior in the Derby and Coronilla in the Foal Stakes. The latter has been off colour since Riccarton. and the form of the others does not look good enough. Courtyard especially was disappointing at Woodville in his only race. .He had every chance, and while not to be condemned perhaps for one failure, his Auckland Cup prospect does not look a good one. even if he goes to the post. Sore. R. Reed was engaged a few days ago for Brambletorn- in the Auckland Cup. Prior to Woodville his last start had been his successful one' in the C.J.O. Metropolitan handicap.. At Woodville on Saturday he'ran a sterling race under 9.0 into fourth place in the Bolton Me-; morial, a mile l and a quarter/ The -running was not. altogether, in his favour, either, as he had to go to the front with Gold Trail.' All things considered, it was a very satisfactory trial for a wellperformed horse , who;-will have a stone less 1 to carry at Auckland. Over the week-end, however, thd position so far as Brambletorn is concerned became less reassuring. He accepted for Monday, but did not start. It is understood that he has gone, sore, an ailment to which he has previously been subject, and Reed was informed that his services would probably not be required. In addition Brambletorn is engaged nearer home in the Manawatu Cup, so even if he recovers he may not see Ellerslie. It may be better to wait and see so far as Brambletorn is concerned, for he is a good' Auckland Cup prospect on his form, but in the meantime the outlook from this quarter is not bright. Fairway is another on the doubtful list, for he is also engaged-in the Manawatu Cup. The chances are, however, that he will, with Diatomous, race at Auckland. The Manawatu Cup will probably be as hard to win as the Auckland Cup. and there are also other good prizes in the north for a horse of his calibre, while Diatomous has received favourable treatment in the Railway Handicap. These views are also'held by his trainer, so that the chances are with him racing at Ellerslie. Fairway.is in good racing condition. He ran solid races at both Feilding and vV oodville, and although beaten, his form' is good enough to say he is a Cup possible. Gold Trail for Cup. . Gold Trail is definitely going to Auckland to ruin, in the Cup. <rFor‘a long time this mare has been off form, due to some throat trouble, but recently she has been, giving every sign of returning to her, best. At Hastings last month she ran third to Courtyard and Chopin over a mile and a quarter. Between thejj and Woodville she improved wonderfully, both as regards form and condition. She was working exceptionally well just prior to Woodville, where, on Saturday, she ran a sterling race out in front in the Bolton Memorial, being just topped off in the last few yards by Spiral. She did well over the week-end and was confidently backed on Monday. She was beaten into fourth place—rather a disappointment to her party, but it must be admitted-that -. ; she ran a very sound race. Thejpace was very fast, and although beaten she hung on well over the final stages:: The probabilities are that Gold Trail is still a. little bit short’of perfect racing condition,, and there is time to remedy that before the Auckland Cup. In that race she is in with only seven stone, ■so that she will have a pronounced advantage from that viewpoint. The only difficulty that now presents itself is that of a, suitable rider. Efforts were being made by more than one owner to get A. H. Eastwood to go to Auckland, in which case he would have been Gold Trail’s pilot. Eastwood, however, has practically contracted to ride in the south during the holidays, and in view of this uncertainty Wiggins was approached. Wiggins said’. on Saturday that his Auckland Cup ride was Master Brierly, but before the contusion of Monday's racing at Woodville it was reported as nrnctically certain he would be on Gold Trail. ... ... ‘ ■ Gold Trail has now to be regarded as a good Cup prospect. . Nominations for all events at the summer meeting of the Wairarapa-Racing Club, to.be held on January 1 and 2, will ■ close with the, secretary. Mr. N. C. C. Shepherd, to-morrow at 8 p.m. The telegraph office at Featherston closes at 5 p.m., but the telephone exchange service is continuous. • > • . < --

A GLASS FILLY Burnish Promises Well NOTES AND COMMENTS Form at Woodville Meeting (By “The Watcher.”) It would be difficult to estimate the total winnings of the descendants of Mr, G. M. Currie’s great brood mare Eulogy. It runs into many thousands of pounds, and the record contains winners of the best two and three-year-old classics and other races of the highest dass. Eulogy, ,who is by Cicero, herself left Pennon, Humbug, Epitaph, Homage, Commendation, Eulalie and Praise. Pennon is the dam of Motley, Lysander. Damaris, Ceremony, Arisus and Impetuous. Epitaph, a first-class two-year-old. has in turn,left winners, while Homage is the dam of Episode, Honour, Courtesy and Worship. The latest to come into the limelight is Episode’s daughter Burnish, who opened her winning account at Woodville. It is difficult to say just how good Burnish is. She made hacks of her opponents, and has had so little racing experience that the usual improvement would turn her into a really high-class youngster. She certainly gives the impression that she is going to be very good. She is an exceptionally sturdy and well-grown filly, with the powerful, quarters and back of- the Absurds, and her share of the family pace is unquestioned. Coronilla off Colour. Mr. T. H. Lowry’s two-year-old, filly Coronilla developed a cold after her return from the New Zealand Cup meeting, and as a‘result she has done no work since she went into J. H. Jefferd’s stable at Ngatarawa. Mr.' Lowry is anxious to be represented by Coronilla' in the Great Northern Foal Stakes, but her ability to fulfil that engagement is very doubtful, while her prospects, if she does, cannot be taken seriously in view ; bf the enforced lapse in her training.

Senior’s Chance. . Mr. Lowry is also desirous of having Senior to .carry his colours in the Great 'Northery Derby. Senior is improving, but Catalogue ran away from him in the hack race at Woodville on Saturday. Catalogue’s second day’s showing ' enhanced the hack form, but at the same time' Senior’s Derby prospects against Catalogue cannot be taken seriously, to say nothing about several other opponents.

Improved Three-year-old. Catalogue’s improved form was one of the outstanding features of the Woodville meeting, and he is now almost certain to go to Auckland to fulfil engagements, including the Great Northern Derby. He will run in the Queen’s Plate the first day. and will be ridden by R. Reed. Catalogue has come on very rapidly lately, but probably no more than might be.expected from such a well-bred-gelding with winning autumn form. Catalogue gives very definite signs of stamina. His halfbrother Paleta was up to good class, and Catalogue will not be out of place in the three-year-old classie on New Year's Day.

Classic Aspirant, Spiral’s win at Woodville atoned in some measure for earlier failures, though it must be said in his favour that he has not been at all favoured by luck in’ any of his races. His future prospects, however, look very ' bright, and all going well he will reach high class. His second to.Rpd Manfred in the Wanganui Guineas, his fourth in the Harcourt Cup aud third in the Great Northern Guineas were indications of his possibilities. ‘Woodville revealed him in his true'colours, and his win was achieved over more than one good class handicapper in clear-cut style. Spiral is a very handsome colt, looking every inch an aristocrat of horseflesh, while his breeding of course is ilnimpeaqhable. By Limond from imported Drax, by Spearmint (son of Carbine) from Suncroft by Sunstar from Miramond by Desmond (sire of Limond), there is class and stamina in every line of his pedigree. He has the additional merit of being a good, even-tempered colt, who runs kindly in a race and does not pull. Spiral will run a great race in the Derby at Auckland, with all due regard to the form of. the fillies Gay Sheila and Golden Hair, and of Red Manfred and the others. Smart Maiden. Debut, who ran away with the maiden race on the opening day at Woodville, races rn the ownership of Messrs. Smith Bros., whoi bred Peter Jackson and Gaine Carrington. Debut is by Diacq'uenod out‘of Avola, a mare by Bisogne, who, when racing for her trainer, W; Pine, won good races, including a Manawatu Cup. , Pine also trains Debut, who looks like,breaking the spell, of bad luck that has pursued the stable lately. Debutgreatly resembles his dam, and as he won so well, in this, his first start, from Red Rufus, .who scored on the second day, he looks like having a bright future before him. Debut will'not return to Hawera prior to the Christmas racing at Manawatu. All Going Well. . k Mr. C. T. Keeble reports that his team for Auckland wiH'be Golden Wings, Lack, Brown Betty, and probably Gipsy Love. The latter, is rather doubtful. The other three are all fit and well. For Manawatu. Although Cadland is regarded as favourably handicapped in the Auckland. Railway Handicap at 9.2, Mr. T. A. Duncan does not intend to change his mind about racing him and the other members of. his team at Manawatu. Cadland he thinks has lost some of his.sppinting dash and it is intended to try 'him out over .slightly longer distances. ■ Luck Will Change. Werohia is racing unluckily but he has only got to run consistently to win very soon, Coming On. / , , Souchong showed improved form at Wo.odyille, following upon his disappointing displays at Feilding. He is running on better, and should win during the holidays. Will Win When Placed. Aston is well on the down grade, but he may win a race during the holidays with stronger opponents well scattered over the Various meetings. He ran on a lot better on the second day at Woodville compared with his recent essays. Tracks Are Hard. Unless rain comes to eas.e the tracks before Christmas the going will bo very hard for the holiday racing, and will keep fields down. No Luck. ® ‘ _ Aiguille looked like having a good chance at Woodville on his recent forjn, but he was always struggling. He did not hit out at all well, and it looks as if he is feeling the hard going. J. W. Nixon has had no luck in his long sojourn down this way. Bred at Rototawai. Confiscation, scored rather unexpectedly in the two-year-old event at Woodville, but she accomplished her task in solid style. The class of the youngsters nt Woodville, outside Burnish, was not good, but Confiscation, Lord Hereford, and Flaxen all look like being solid. Confiscation, as already related, was bred at Rototawai and is by Chief Ruler from Lubrication, by Nassau from Animation, by Provocation from Declination, by Stepniak. Should Improve. Dombey, who nearly brought off a coup at Wobdvllle on Monday, when he wr.s having his first race, carries the colours Mr. H. E. Troutbeck, yrtwi hae been

out of the game for some years. Dombey is a three-year-old brown gelding by Mercian King out of Silver Strand, a mare bred in Australia by Blague from Coral Strand, by Friar Tuck- —India, by Splendor, the taproot being Rosemary by Stockwell. Dombey' looks like winning his share, though his form against moderate maidens on Monday, does not make him out any champion. Auckland Scratchings. Kiltowyn was scratched for the Christmas Handicap at 9.45 a.m. on Monday, while Gar, Marigold was taken out of the Railway Handicap at 2:5 p.m. on the same day. A Big Win. Staging a marked reversal on her Armadale Handicap form at Caulfield last Saturday (says a Melbourne writer on December 2), Ruling Light met with a very cool reception on her return to scale after winning the Fund Handicap at Moonee Valley from Rex Aurantic and Yaropian. Eric Connolly was one who expected Ruling Light to improve, and he plastered the ex-New Zealander for over £lOOO. Passing the half-mile Glideaway was a length clear of Ruling Light, with Royal Rest, Rex Aurantic and Mural Crown losing ground. However, Ruling Light came again with a fine burst to score running away from Rex Aurantic and Yaropian. - Riding at Ellerslie. L. J. Ellis has decided to ride at the Auckland meeting, and his mounts for the first day include King’s Knave in the Auckland Cup, and he will have the ride on Southdown in the Great Northern Derby and Variant in her races. A. E. Ellis in addition to riding Pin Money in the Welcome Stakes, will pilot Puss Moth in the Railway Handicap, while he will have the mount, on Peter Jackson in the Auckland Cup if it is decided to start him. , Waipa Racing Club. It is now stated that Tondaleyo is in the Hurdles and also the Plate at the Waipa meeting on Saturday. An Exhibition Gallop. Nightly will not be a etarter in the Hororata Cup, owing to the risk involved in incurring a penalty for the Auckland Cup, the conditions for which provide that a winner bf any race after the declaration of the cup weights may be rehandicapped. This was overlooked when Nightly was nominated for the Hororata fixture. He will, however, be seen’ in action at Riccarton on Saturday, as arrangements are being made for him and ■Rocket to give an exhibition gallop during an interval in the programme. Not Producing. Contempt, dam of Silver Scorn, has proved not to be in foal this season. This is the second successive occasion on which she has missed, and she has thus failed to produce since Silver Scorn was foaled in 1929. Answers to Correspondents. “Tenakoe,” Wellington : There are two horses, one named Kopurere and one named Kurapae. Kopurere contested the Trial Stakes at Waikato. She is a six-year-old chestnut mare by Day Comet from Flying Nell owned by A. H. Storey and trained at Te Awamutu by A. Cook. Kurapae is also trained at Te Awamutu by his owner, G. Paul. He is a four-year-old half-brother to Awarcre, being by Musketoon from Sibford. ■ “Adza,” Dannevirke: 11/-. The correspondent who inquired the scratching time of Whakapara for the Cheltenham Handicap at Takapuna is informed that it' was 12.25 p.m. on the day of the race, December 2. i “Subscriber,” Palmerston North: 10/-. /■ ” ■ STRATFORD MEETING List of Nominations The following nominations have been received for the summer, meeting of the Stratford Racing Club on January 1 and 2; First Day. GHUR A HURDLE HANDICAP, of £l3O. One mile and a half.—Ruby Meteor. St. Ames, Don Erma, Calamine, March Alone, Revision, Silver Division, Count Lendroff. TRIAL STAKES, of £lOO. Five furlongs. —Lla Fail, Hikutaia, Leo Colossus, Matorni, Kaolu, Adept, Paparua, Pol panee, Pelagia, Lebanon, Sir Rua, Haunui, • Weatherzane, Sandlark, Silk Sox, Tahurangi, Binduli, Consummation, Round Table, Flying East, Oriel. Mehal, Boy Sand, Argument, Starstream—Enid gelding, Wharaurangi. DOUGLAS HANDICAP, of £2OO. Six furlongs.—Royal Routine, Arvada, Green Linnet, Refresher, Knollmere. Mtladi, The Tiger, Merry Way, Orapai, Princess Star, British Columbia, Limex, All Humbug, Korokio. , STRATFORD CUP, of’£3oo. One mile md a quarter.—Desert Star, Lucky Alice, Havering, Gibraltar, Grand Jury. Cereal, Arikira, Davlstock, Lovecourt, Miladi, Revision, Carfex, Easter Time, St. Clara, Baroscope, Alloy. Limex. Richfield, All Humbug. Musquil, Korokio. Aga Khan. Chopin. JUVENILE HANDICAP, of £l3O. Five furlongs.—Lia Fail. Etiquette, Pelagia, Radiant Stan Superior. Aussie Ra, Debut, Synagogue, Zloness, Consummation, . No Doubt, Round Table, General Quex, WalWetu, Hunting Song—Carniola gelding. TARIKI HACK HANDICAP, of £130.. Eight furlongs and a half.—Prince Colossus, Werohia, Lalla Quex. Dark Marble,' Bugle Call, Benedictine, Chief Line, Headmistress, Lovecourt, Korero, Revision, Bold Bld, Boudoir, Lone Raider, Artful Dodger. Icier. MIDHIRST HIGH WEIGHT HANDICAP. of £l5O. Seven furlongs and 80 yards. —Prince Colossus. Lucky Alice, Arvada, Saltspray, Dark Marble, Bugle Call, Calamine, Chief Line. Amyrll. Knollmere, Desert Star, Easter • Time, King Win. Sanguine King, Taitoru. Alloy, Blacksmith, Korokio. RAILWAY HACK HANDICAP, of £l3O. Six furlongs.—•Matorni, Leo Colossus, Millian, Courtega, Pelagia, Clembrony. Princess Star, Ingenuity, Phiakuo. Haunui, Weatherzane. Sandlark, Binduli; Cereal, Pheon, La Crown. Korero, Consummation, Merry Way, Oriel, No Doubt, Dlagano. Second Day. MAKURA HURDLE HANDICAP, of £l2O. One mile and a-half.—Ruby Meteor, St. Ames, Don Erma, Calamine, March Alone, Singer, Revision,; Silver Division, Count Lendroff. v . CARDIFF MAIDEN HANDICAP, of £lOO. Six furlongs.—Lia Fail, Hikutaia, Matorni, Leo Colossus, Kaolu, Adept, Paparua, Pol Dance, Lebanon,, Clembrony, Sir Rua, Ingenuity, Benedictine, Haunui, Weatherzane, Sandlark, Silk Sox, Tahurangi, Binduli, Consummation , Round Table, Flying East. Taitoru, Oriel, Bay Sand,. Argument, Wharaurangi, Artful Dodger, Dlagano, Starstream—Enid gelding. MALONE MEMORIAL HANDICAP, of £230. Nine furlongs.—Prince Colossus, Desert Star. Luck? Alice, Havering. Gibraltar, Headmistress, Grand Jury, Cereal, Ariklra. Davlstock, Miladi, Revision, Carfex. Easter Time, Sanguine King. Baroscope. Alloy, Limex, Richfield, All Humbug. Musquil. Korokio. Aga Khan, Chopin. NGAERE HANDICAP, of £l6O. Six furlongs.—Royal Routine, Arvada, Pelagia, Princess Star. Green Linnet, Amyril, Refresher, Knollmere, Miladi, 1 . The Tiger, Merry Way. Orapai, British Columbia, Limex, No Donbt. Korokio. ■ STRATFORD HACK PLATE, of £2OO. Eight furlongs and a half.—Dark Marble, Prince Colossus, Werohia, Lalla Quex, Pelagia, Bugle Call, Don Erma. Ingenuity, Bonedietlne, March Alone, Chief Line, Headmistress, Tahurangi, Pheon, Davlstock, Lovecourt, Korero, Revision, Round Table. Bold Bld, St. Clara. Taitoru, Boudoir, Musquil, Lone Raider, Count Lendroff. Artful Dodger. Icier, Pararua.

ELECTRIC juvenile HANDICAP, ot ■ £l2O. Five furlongs.—Lia Fall, Hikutaia, Etiquette. Pelagia, Radiant Star, Superior, Aussie Ra, Debut, Synagogue, Zloness, Consummation, No Doubt. Round Table, General Quex, Waiwetu, Hunting Song— Camlola gelding. TOKO IHGHWEIGHT HANDICAP, ot £135. Seven furlongs and 80 yards.— Prince Colossus, Mldlan, Lucky Alice, Arvada, Saltspray, Calamine, Chief Line, Green Linnet, Amyrll, Knollmere. Desert Star, Easter. Time, King Win, Sanguine King, Mehal, Alloy, Blacksmith. Korokio. COUNTY HACK HANDICAP, of £l2O. Six furlongs.—Leo Colossus, Matorni, Courtega. Saltspray, Lebanon, Princess Star. Phiakuo. Haunui. Weatherzane, .Sandlark, Silk Sox, Prince Reno, La Crown, Korero, Consummation, No Doubt, Flying East, Merry Way, Oriel, Cereal, Wharaurangi, Dlagano.

PHANTOM JOCKEY Archer Still Rides TALES OF NEWMARKET Late in the evening of May 29, 1927, two frightened women returned to tneur home in Newmarket (England). lhey talked about a tall thin man on a pale grey horse who came upon them suddenly round the corner of the Hamilton Stud Road, writes Mervyn Hall tn the "Daily Mail.” The Newmarket folk nodded their heads wisely. “They <lo say Fred Archer rides Hamilton Stud Road of nights still,” said someone. "They say rightly,” maintained the elder of the women. “I knew I red Archer well alive, and it was he I saw to-night—it must be thirty years since I saw him in the flesh, but I shall remember him as long as ever I live. If it is true that the poor restless rider is still chained to the earth we live on he must know how the people are talking of him to-day, totting up the figures ot his bygone records and setting them by the side of Gordon Richards's steadily mounting totals. They say of Fred Archer that he was found, as a boy, in tears because he could not ride both winning donkeys in a dead-heat. It would be like him to want to be Gordon Richards and Fred Archer both together. From Line of Jockeys. He came of a line of racing jockeys. His grandfather ‘William let out horses in the Cheltenham of King George’s golden days, when yellow curricles and spidery Stanhope gigs used to go bowling along the stucco curves of its terraces. The name Archer was always coming up in sporting gossip from the days of Nimrod to the days of Surtees. . His father, who when he retired used to keep the King’s Arms at Prestbury, saw “Old Q.” drive up in such-a saffroncoloured coach and four that the villagers all took him for the Prince of Wales. Here Fred Archer, who was born in Cheltenham on January 11, 1857, passed his childhood, gaped at the pictures of classic winners which his father cut out of “Bell's Life,” and rode his first race (unsuccessfully) on a pony against a donkey on the green. ■ From Prestbury he went in 1868 to the training stables at Heath House, Newmarket. It was a model and a moral establishment; but he was abysmally miserable. Fred was homesick, and the other boys bullied him. _ It is a polite fiction of English Society that a sportsman is blissfully happy in any society of English boys. In fact, Fred Archer at Heath House was as abysmally’ unhappy as Nimrod was at Rugby. _ But once mounted nothing frightened him at all. To the end of his life’he took risks which- set other jockeys gasping. His particular brand of courage showed itself also in other smaller things. Once he separated a bull terrier from a bulldog before ‘an admiring but fearful circle in an inn yard. Yet he was always nervous and highly strung. He hated to be left alone in the dark. , On 5.7 Winner. In 1872 Fred Archer won his first big race. Weighed in at the minimum impost of 5.7, he rode a colt called Salvanos to victory in the Cesarewitch. He was 15 years old. From that date till his death in 1886 he had a fourteen-year .run of continued glory, each year adding to his records of wins .as it went by. In those fourteen years he won every race of importance except the Cambridgeshire and the Ascot Gold Cup. So resolutely did he ride his races that among his enthusiastic supporters he was known as “the Tinman” —which meant that he always went for the “tin.” In one season he rode as many as 246 winners, and over the 14 years of his active life he struck an A-erage of two wins out of every five races. In 17 seasons he rode more than 2700 winners. Five Derbys and two St. Legers stood to his credit. When he won the Derby on Bend Or he rode with a disabled right arm.' This injury, caused by a horse which “savaged” him above the elbow, kept him long out .of the saddle and interrupted his astonishing sequence of victories. His peculiar qualities were a genius for taking risks and an inspiration for understanding his mount. Fie could size up the idiosyncrasies, of a horse almost infmediately. As one of his patrons put it, “Fred Archer knows all there is to know about a horse after riding it once.” Having grasped the knowledge, he was not too gentle to a horse’s defects. If it would not go at once, he forced before he coaxed. He was not sparing with whip or spur. Could Not Lose. He never seemed to care what happened to a horse after he had ridden it to victory. It was always his weakness that he could not bear being beaten. “You look put out,” said a friend after he had failed to win the Cambridgeshire on St. Mirin in 1886, the last year of his life. One can hardly blame him. He was banking on victory to make good a loss of £30,000 suffered that year. And three pieces of dried toast and two half-pint bottles of champagne in 24 hours are not the best sustenance for a man in the state that he was. Not long after, in a party at thq, Albion Hotel, Brighton, his friends commented on his depression. For a fortnight he had been riding losers, and he could not stand it. “Well, I’ll bet you £lOO you win every race you ride in to-day.’ said one of the partv. That cheered him up. In fact, he rode three Winners and lost his £lOO. Closing Scenes. But it was only a flash in the pan. Black depression swallowed him up again —he got a chill, then typhus. Brooding over a bad patch had weakened him, but Lord Alington came near the truth when he wrote: “No man can live on two oysters, one prawn, three doses of physic, and three Turkish baths a day.” Actually his extravagant efforts to keep down to his Bst. 71b were too much for a man of his outstanding height, especially when added to the nervous energy that the shattered framework had to hold. On jlqrdny, November. 9, 1886, at 2 o’clock in the afternoon, he crawled out of bed. took'a revolver from a drawer, and holding his sister with his free hand, fired it into his own body before she could stop him. HURDLERS FALL Jockey Badly Bruised By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, December 12. While ■ .schooling at Riccarton this morning Don Jose (G. Barr) and Fleeting Glance (H. Turner) fell heavily at one of the hurdles. Turner was unhurt, but Barr required medical attention, being found to be severely bruised about the chest, though no bones had been broken. FIXTURES. December 16—Napier Park R.C. December 16—Waipa R.C. December 16—Hororata R.C. (at Riccarton). December 26—Poverty Bay T.O. December 26—Waipukurau J.C. December 26, 27—Westland R.C, December 26. 27—Taranaki J.C. December 26, 27, Dunedin J.C. December 26. 27, 29— Manawatu R.C. December 26. 28; Jan. 1. 2—Auckland R.C. January I—Waikouaiti R.C. January I—Wyndham R.C. January 1, 2—Greymouth J.C. January 1, 2—Hawke’s Bny J.C. January 1, 2—Stratford R.C. January 1, 2—Marton J.C. January 1, 2—Walrfimpa R.C. January 2—Oamaru J.C. January 2. 3—Southland JEW.

AUCKLAND GALLOPS Te Awamutu Runners Dominion Special Service. Auckland. December 12. Considerable interest is being centred in the Waipa Racing Club’s meeting, to be held at Te Awamutu on Saturday, and the presence of a number of Auckland Cup and Railway Handicap candidates among the runners is sure to prove a strong attraction. The Te Awamutu Cup bears an open aspect. The course is favourable _to horses capable of securing good positions early, and popular fancies at present are King’s Knave, who has been getting through some solid work. Mungatoon and Red Sun. The Flying Handicap has attracted some very speedy sprinters, and should be a very interesting race. Some who may find favour are Bambury, Lucidus, and Chief Cook. The course proper, with the trestles out 55 feet, was available for galloping at Ellerslie this morning, and the best effort was credited to Chief Cook, who stood on the mark and ran six furlongs in 1.19 1-5. It was a solid effort and Chief Cook, who is usually a lazy worker, went pleasingly. He is to be ridden at le Awamutu by H. N. Wiggins, who was successful on him at Avondale. The Auckland Cup candidate, Master Brierly, was kicked by another horse after working at Ellerslie this morning, and received a nasty cut on the forearm, an artery being severed. How the injury will affect Master Brierly will not be known for a day or two, as there is a possibility of the leg being badly bruised and soreness developing. The mishap is unfortunate, as Master Brierly has been doing nicely and showing signs of regaining form. The inside grass was used for fast work at Takanini this morning, and one of the best gallops of the season was recorded by Gay Sheila and Gay Marigold when they sprinted five furlongs in 1.1 3-0. They carried light boys, and both worked pleasingly to finish together. They are in great heart for their engagements at Ellerslie. Speedmint and King March, after running the first half in 52see., completed a mile in 1.44 4-5. Speedmint: finished on solidlv. and is giving every satisfaction in her Auckland Cup preparation. She .m--ished fifth last year, and is a distinct possibility this yean TROTS AT ASHBURTON Handicaps Declared Christchurch, December 12. Handicaps for the Ashburton Trotting Club’s meeting on December 26 are: MITCHAM HANDICAP, of £125; 3.51 class. One uiilo aud a half. —Billy Sunday, scr.; Car Bingen, scr.; Chudlelgh, scr.; Endurance, scr.; Fluke, scr.; Gayuor, scr.; Harvest Lady, scr.; Kotlnga, scr.; Master Wrack, scr.; Lord Eru'leigh, scr.; Mothers Boy, scr.; Nelson’s Lady, scr.; Renegade, scr.; Shaun O’Farrell, scr.; Tiny Guy, scr.; Tyrone Lass, scr.; Wahuooka, scr.; Win Thru, scr.; Harvest Dillon, 24yds. behind; Idanoe, 4«yds. behind; Impostor, 48yds. behind; Mataunga,' 48yds. behind; Great Wood, 72yds. behind.

WAKANUI HANDICAP, of £125; 3.45 class. One mile and a half.—Argolis, ser.; Attorney, scr.; Bar None, scr.; Bide a Wee, scr.; Blandford, scr.; Blondie, scr.; Cannonshot, scr.f Chiming Day, scr.; Chudic, scr.; Coral Prince, scr.; Corona, scr.; Nelson Eddystone, scr.; Edgar Wallace, sen; Epilogue, sen; Gold Claim, scr.; Golden Cross, ser.; Great Horatius, scr.; Great Seaman, sen; Guy Mauritius, scr.; Irish Peach, sen; Malvena, sen; Mapula, sen; Marie Dillon, sen; Midshipmaid, sen; Peter Parrish, sen; Playwright, sen; Recorder, sen; Red Gold, sen; Replica, ser.; Rewal, scr.; Royal Crescent, scr.; Satin Lass, sen; Stella Derby, scr.; Travis Pringle scr.; Tricliff, scr.; Vanity Fair, scr.; Elffelton Lass, 12yds. behind; Pekara, 24yds. behind; Colene Parrish, 48yds. behind; Elvo, 72yds. behind.

ASHBURTON TROTTING CUP HANDICAP, of £400; 4.30 class. Two miles.— Ayrmont Chimes, sen; Blue Mountain, scr.; Brentlight, sen; Roddy, scr.; Tactless, sen; Wrackler (T.), sen; Arethusa, 12yds. behind; Belinda, 12yds. behind; Royal Again, 12yds. behind; Gold Tinge, 24yds. behind; Silver do Oro, 24yds. bel-ind; Muriel de Oro, 30yds. behind; Regal Voyage, 36yds. behind; Kingcraft, 48yds. behind; Sunny Morn, 48yds. behind; Lindbergh, ,72yds. behind.

McDEAN HANDICAP, of £150; 3.34 class. One mile and a half.—. Betty Wrack, scr.; Elvo, scr.; Gunmetal, scr.; Lady Antrim, scr.; Lord Lupin, scr.; Lucky Guy, scr.; Ruth Logan, scr.; Tatsy de Oro, scr.; Vagabond King, ser.; General Wrack, 12yds. behind; Great Minto, 12yds. behind; Plain Silk, 24yds. behind; Real Huon, 36yds. behind; Little Nelson, 84yds. behind.

WINSLOW HANDICAP, of £175; 3.40 class. One mile aud a half.—'Don Giovani, scr.; Enigma, scr.; Germanicus, . ser.; Great Harvester, scr.; Merrijlgs, ser.; Norman Fox, scr.; Our Bingen, scr.; Radley, scr.; Gyrate, 12yds. behind; Nelson Prince, 12yds. behind; Raclalm, 12yds. behind; Resound, 12yds. behind; Sea Mist, 12yds. behind; Silk Coat, 12yds. behind; Ruin, 24yds, behind; Honeymoon, 36yds. behind; Scuttle, 36yds. behind; King Oscar, 48yds. behind; El Merit, 60yds. behind.

MIDSU.MIMER HANDICAP, of £175; 3.15 class. One mile and a halt.—Reporter, scr.; "Worthy King, scr.; Bracken, 12yds.. behind? Girvan, 12yds. behind; War Paint, 12yds. behind; Wild Guy, 12yds. behind; Arabond, 24yds. behind; Black Lion, 24yds. behind; Ciro; 24yds. behind; Editor, 24yds. behind; Manoeuvre, 34yds. behind; Wrecker, 24yds. behind; Gay Gordon, 36j'ds. behind: George Key, 36yds. behind; Gunfire, 36yds, behind; Craganour, 36yds. behind; Master Roy, 30yds, behind.

BOXING DAY HANDICAP, of £200; 3.20 class. One mile and a half.—Arethusa, scr.; Ayrmont Cihtmes, scr.; Blue Mountain, scr.; Brent Zolock, scr.; Great Logan, scr.; John Noble, scr.; Tactless, scr.; Gold Tinge, 12yds. behind; Muriel de Oro, 12yds. behind; Regal Voyage, 12yds. behind; Silver de Oro, 12yds. behind; Harold Thorpe, 24yds. behind; Lindbergh, 48yds. behind.