THE RACING WORLD

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 74, 20 December 1933, Page 18

THE RACING WORLD

CROUPIER’S LEG Fills After Boat Trip NOTES AND COMMENTS Horses for Auckland (By “The Watcher.”) Three Riccarton trainers passed through Wellington yesterday en route to the Auckland summer meeting. A. McAuley had charge of Southdown. Guarantee and Variant; C. Emerson had Croupier, and H. Cutts Cricket Bat;, Rocket, and Copyist. The fourth intended member of Sir Charles Clifford's team, the two-year-old Horn’s Reef, did not make the trip. He has not done well lately, and as'one of his joints has been giving trouble it was considered advisable to leave him at home. A. E. Ellis, will do the riding when weights suit. and Voitre will be on Rocket in the Cup, but other arrangements will be made on the spot.

Croupier's Leg Fills. Croupier developed a log on the boat trip. It may not be serious, but there was a decided filling, sufficient to cause his trainer, 0. Emerson, some anxiety. It is hoped that the cause was due only to the standing on the boat, and that he will make a quick recovery, but at the same time it is disconcerting that it should occur at this particular time. Croupier has done exceptionally well since the New Zealand Cup meeting, and up to yesterday had givep his trainer every satisfaction.

All Fit and Well. Sir Charles .Clifford’s trio are all m good order for their northern engagements. The Auckland Cup candidate, Rocket, has progressed satisfactorily since the New Zealand’ Cup meeting, and as he is considered to be a better gelding under a light weight than otherwise, his Cup prospects cannot be ignored. He lacks brilliance, but is a sound stayer. Cricket Bat is well, and Copyist, who has shown very useful form since he commenced his career early in the spring, should pay his way on the trip.

Railway Lightweight. A.. McAulay’ is satisfied with the condition of Variant and Southdown. He docs not train Guarantee, but has charge of him on the trip. Guarantee has been galloping well. He ran a great race in the C.J.C. Stewards’ Handicap, and should be a Railway possible, in which he will be ridden by the successful apprentice A. Russell.

Smart Filly. Variant is not engaged in the Great Northern Foal Stakes! but she, is in handicaps. and also in the Royal Stakes. This daughter of Limond and Motley has had her share of bad luck this season. She caught a cold early in the spring, and was- compelled to miss engagements al Dunedin. She had one race prior to the C.J.C. Welcome Stakes, in which sht ran a close second to Rin Money, anu then an attack of kidney trouble pre vented her from starting again at the Cgp meeting, so she has only limited racing experience. Variant, however, has shown herself possessed of her share of the family speed, and she has good pros peets of picking up a stake at Auckland.

'g ‘ ’* Southdown Picks Up. 1 McAulay says that Southdown' has freshened up nicely since the Nep- Zealand Cup meeting. It was against the wishes of his trainer that he ran in the New Zealand Cup, and it was a hard race that took a good deal out Of him.. Consequently he did. not imnrove upon his winning form at Trentham in October. At his best, and if at all improved. Southdown is well up on the three-year-old ladder.

Autopay Fit. A. Jenkins, who has been riding work on Autopay eince he began to move along in fast work, will ride him in the open sprint at Awapuni on Boxing Day. The Paper Money horse is fit and well, and displays all his customary dash on the tracks.

An Auckland Possible. - Colossical. who was unable to run at Woodville or 'Waipa owing to some difficulty that arose over partnership, has accepted for the Robinson Handicap at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. aud will make the trip if negotiations How in train rych a settlement. He is doing well, aud yesterday morning ran seven the reverse way on tlie'grass in 1.32.

Smart Gallop. ’■ Mr. W. R. Kemball’s Hunting Song two-year-old Wahroonga appears to have benefited by his sojourn and racing in the Auckland district, ahd at Trentbam yesterday morning' put up the best time, 50, for half a mile. Auckland and Stratford. • Alloy and. British Columbia are to race at Auckland on Boxing Day, but it is intended to send them to the Stratfoid meeting at the New Year. Showed Early Promise. The Gisborne two-year-old Sporting Blood, who showed promise in the spring both in Auckland and at Wellington, is back at Ellerslie for the forthcoming meeting. His First Win. Silver Jest showed promise both at Rangiora and Motukarara in October. He failed in his one race at the New Zealand Cup meeting, but his first win was achieved at Riccarton on Saturday, when he beat a big field in the Trial Plate. Dr. M. G. Louisson not only owns Silver Jest but bred him. He is a three-year-old chestnut gelding by Silverado from Comique, by Limond from Farce, by San Fran or Absurd from Cowl, by King Rufus from Our Lady, by Simmer. Comique cost Dr. Louisson 375gns. as a yearling. but did very little racing. Silverado was represented by two winners at Riccarton on Saturday, when Argentic also scored for him.

Epigram Finished Well. Epigram is given credit by northern writers for running a good race iu the Hack Cup at Waipa on Saturday. According to all accounts he did not have the best of luck in the running, but he was finishing on very solidly. Gallop by Ammon Ra.

With T, Webster in the saddle, Ammon Ra was galloped six furlongs with the colours up during an interval between races at Te Awamutu on Saturday. Ammon Ra was not fully extended and, af-

ter going slowly in the early stages, increased the pace in the last few furlongs to complete the task in 1.20. Ammon R a looked a trifle pretty, but pulled up sound. Pay to Follow.

Mr. H. A. Knight and F. D. Jones should not have to wait long for a wiu by Imperial Spear (ways a Christchurch writer). Having his first race since the autumn, Imperial Spear put in a strong late run iu the Trial Plate at Riccarton on Saturday, and was beaten by only half a length. He is a four-year-old baj- gelding by the Spearmint horse Greyspear, from Imperial Molly, by Crown Imperial II (son of. Mnrtagon) from Molly, by Mystification (son of Aprcmolit). Good Auckland Trial.

Silver Streak's performance in running second in the Racecourse Hill Handicap at Riccarton on Saturday impressed the critics. He carried the steadier of 0.5 and began slowly, but soon worked his way to a good position, while lie finished very strongly. Silver Streak comes down to 7.10 in the A.R.C. Railway Handicap, and his chance cannot be ignored. His inability to begin brilliantly may be a disadvantage on the Auckland track, which favours smart horses, but he will be finishing on when others are tiring, and even if he missed the Railway’ he should win on the trip. Silver Streak is due hi Wellington this morning en route to Ellerslie. Due To-day.

F. D. Jones is due in Wellington this morning on his way to the Auckland meeting. He will have Nightly and Shatter. The two-year-old Control bruised a foot recently, and it has been found necessary to ease him up and leave him at home. Likely to Return.

Although Mr. W. T. Hazlett arrived back in Invercargill last week, he may not stay at home very long. He has left F. J. McKay in Melbourne with his big team, and it is probable that Mr. Hazlett will return to Australia soon, to continue his racing campaign there. So far Ruling Light is the only horse in his stable who has shown form in Australia, but it will come as no surprise if some of the three-year-olds develop goood form in the autumn. There are three of this age who were regarded, prior to leaving for Australia, as likely to make useful gallopers with time. Returning to Form.

“Impressive” is the term one Christchurch writer uses to describe Silver Ring's performance at Riccarton on Saturday.

Riders at Auckland. Riding engagements announced .for the first day of the Auckland Racing Club's summer meeting at Ellerslie on Boxing Day include: —

K. Voitre: Rocket, Bambury, Epigram, Brown Betty.

R. Reed: Croupier, Whennakura. Catalogue, Dollar Prince, Rerepai, Golden Hair. Golden Wings. S. Tremain : Sea Fox. Mungatoon. A. Tinker: Gay Marigold, Arch Ruler, Gay Blonde.

E. A. Keesing: King Briefly, King Mestor. Gay Egypt. C. Simpson: Solanio. «' L. Clifford : Bellkyrian. R. W. McTavish: Alpinus. G. Connor: Killadar. G. A., Baker: Gold Trail, Pomp. Supreme Ruler, Spiral, Royal Appellant. N. R. McKenzie: Master Norval, Sinking Fund. W. J. Broughton: Speedmint, Gay .Sheila. Pound Sterling. iiSfeA. Russell: Nightly, Guarantee. L. >T. Ellis: King’s Knave, Variant, Silver Streak, Southdown.

A. E. Ellis: Pin Money, Cricket Bat, Red Manfred.

Polydora. ' So that he .can keep her under his eye, 11. Nurse will take Polydora with his team to the West Coast. There is a possibility that she will be given a race at Reefton, where she was a winner'last January, but she will not be racing at Trentham later in the month. Plans at present include her running in the Dunedin in February.

Well Merited Win. Manetho’s win in the Racecourse Hill Handicap was the most popular result at the Hororata meeting on Saturday (says the Christchurch writer “Argus”). This was not due only to the fact that he was favourite, another factor being that it broke a run of ill-fortune which has dogged him in his recent races. He was second in a race at the Grand National'’meeting. A win aud a third at Geraldine were followed by a second at South Canterbury and a win at Motukarara. Twice he was third at the New Zealand Cup Carnival aud a fortnight ago second at Ashburton, with bad luck on each occasion. Saturday’s success, therefore, was well earned. It whs the best field he had met and he disposed’of the opposition in summary fashion, demonstrating clearly that he was a much improved horse, liable to go on to much more important performances. His sire, Diacquenod, has left some speedy horses, most of them non-stayers, but Manetho has inherited stamina from his dam. Lovelorn, whose earlier progeny included Menelaus, winner of the New Zealand Cup: Left, dam of Peter Jackson and Gaine Carrington; and Prince Paladin, a winner over all distances in Western Australia.

A Good Quartet. Mr. C. T. Keeble’s team for Auckland finally included Gipsy Love. H. E. Russell also took Golden Wings. Lack and Brown,Betty, leaving Woodville yesterday. They are all in good order, especially Golden Wings. Has Won on Course.

■ Red Sun rather impressed northern critics by his display at Waipa on Saturday. Some of Red Sun’s form has been very good, but on the average he has been disappointing, lie lacks nothing on the score of racing condition, and as he is a winner of an A.R.C. Handicap he may race well at Ellerslie again this year.

Answers to Correspondents. “Sinking Fund,” Waipukurau : Pha’r Lap, at his last start in the Melbourne Cup. carried 10.10 and finished eighth. “Burn,” Woodville: £4/0/6: £l/6/-. “C.J.8.,” Waipukurau: £7/16/-. “F.F.L.,” Petone: £2/14/6.

AUCKLAND GALLOPS Ellerslie and Takanini SEVERAL GOOD EFFORTS Dominion Special Service. Auckland. December 19. The course proper, where the flags were out 40 feet, was available for galloping at Ellerslie to-day. and the best efforts were recorded by Kiltowyn. Jewelled Girdle, and Master Brierly. Ridden by T. Webster, Kiltowyn went seven furlobgs in 1.32 3-5. He was carrying a good weight, and finished on solidly. Webster will probably ride Kiltowyn in the Queen’s Plate, in which he can be relied upon for a solid performance. Jewelled Girdle ran a way. from Baroscone over seyen furlongs in 1.3« and also defeated Lady Diana, who 30111ed in over the last five furlongs, run in 1.5 2-5. Jewelled Girdle finished strongly, and it was a nice effort for a horse in his class. He is to contest the Waitemata Handicap on the second day. and should race prominently. Baroscope is feeling the hard ground, and is not hitting out with any freedom. He is to be taken to Awapuni for the Manawatu Cup. but unless he strikes an eas3’ track, may not be capable of showing his best form. , > . . Ridden'by his cup pilot, H. _N. Wiggins. Master Briefly covered a mile and a quarter in 2.16 2-5. the last half-mile in 53 4-5. It was a satisfactory piece of work, and Master Brierly is showing no ill effects from the kick he received last week. The visitors. Red Sun, Epigram, and Limbohm, were restricted to useful work. Red Sun and Epigram came through their racing at Te Awamutu splendidly. The middle grass, with the poles out 20 feet, and the plough, were both in use at Takanini.

On the grass, Greek Gold beat Exaggeration over six furlongs in 1.17 2-5. Exaggeration looks a picture, and too much notice need not be taken of her defeat, as she is inclined to loaf at times. On the plough. Gay Marigold and King March ran seven furlongs in 1.37 4-5. Both finished on strongly, with Gay Marigold, who Jias never been better, going impressively. King March is also doing well, and hopes are entertained that be will make a forward showing in the Auckland Cup. Mr. J. A. Phillips, owner of Gaine Carrington, and the Melbourne trainers, C. T. Godby and P. Quinlan, arrived this morning by the Mariposa. They are on a short holiday, and hope to see a couple of day's racing at Ellerslie before returning home. The latest arrivals include Gold. Trail, Catalogue. Acervale, and Bodyline. FIXTURES. December 26—Poverty Bay T.C. 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—Waikou.-iti R.C. January I—Wyndham R.C. January 1, 2—Greymouth J.C. January 1, 2—Hawke’s Bay J.C. January 1, 2—Stratford R.C. January 1, 2 —Marton J.C. January 1, 2—lVairarapa R.C. January 2—Oamaru, J.C. January 2, 3—Southland R.C.

INTO HIS OWN

The Horse Coming Back The horse is coming into his own again in the metropolitan area as a means of healthy outdoors recreation. Young and old people of both sokes have awakened to the fact (says a Melbourne paper) that motoring, while delightful and iu the case of long journeys almost indispensable, brings no bodily exercise. It is a lazy way of filling iu the hours of leisure that are available to the majority of citizens. Hence the renewed popularity of riding on horseback. There are schools of instruction' throughout Melbourne and suburbs, each advancing in prosperity to a remarkable degree. A retired military officer whose life has been spent in the saddle charges £2 for eight lessons of ;an hour each, everything supplied. - and his daily engagement book is as well filled as that of a Collins Street specialist. Adam Lindsay Gordon, whose fame as a poet will never end, wrote :— Yet if once we efface the joys of the chase From the land, and outroot the stud, Good-bye to the Anglo-Saxon race. Farewell to the Norman blood I The following fine prose tribute to the horse, on Gordon’s lines of thought, comes from the pen of John Trotwood Moore, of Tennessee. (U.S.A.) :—- “Out of the past, the dim, bloody, shifting past, came this noble animal, tne ' horse, side by side with man, fighting with him the battles of progress, bearing with him the burdens of the centuries. Down the long, hard road, through flint or mire, through swamp or sand, whereever there has been a footprint, there also will be seen a hoofnrint. They have been one and inseparable, the aim and the object, the means and the end. And if the time shall ever come, ns some boastingly declare, when one shall breed away from the other, the puny relic of a once perfect manhood will not live long enough to trace the record of it on the tablet of time.” ELLERSLIE SCRATCHINGS By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, December 19. Scratchings are: Railway Handicap, Sea Fox: all engagements. Lagoon. WAIRARAPA TROTS Acceptances for first day events of the annual meeting of the Wairarapa Trotting Club, to be held on December 26 and 27. will close with the secretary. Mr. 11. Mortenson, at Carterton, on Friday next, at 9 p.m.

A DRAMATIC WIN Made Archer Weep VETERAN’S REMINISCENCES . The great event of .the English racing .eason was Gordon Richards’s chase after Fred Archer’s record. • In this connection an interesting story was written for the “Daily> Mail” by F. G. Prince-White, of Eastbourne, who wrote: — When Gordon Richards, the champion jockey,' has surpassed Fred Archer's, record of 246 winners in a season, he ought, I think, to come here and receive the blessing of a certain pink-faced little his feats as a jockey—of how, again and indeed, has- not been near a racecourse for more than a decade. That man is Charles. Wood, rider ofthree perby winners, and the famous Archer’s greatest .rival in the'saddle, anil his b?st friend out of it. . “Daddy” Wood, as he was called even in his teens, has never cared to talk about his feats as a jockey—of how. again and again, he beat Archer by a short head,. and times out of mind ran him neck and neck; of how he finished second to Archer so often that the latter developed a reah- and lasting dread of him as an opponent. For in 1883, two years, before Archer gained his highest • total of winners, Wood rode 186 winners. . . ■ jMarried 57 Years. To-day "Daddy” .Wood-talked to me of the “grand old days.” We sat in a room in his house near the sea, which is full of' substantial .‘memories of his thrilling past —paintings’.of him on his most famous mounts, and big silver cups presented to him by grateful and admiring owners. With us sat Mrs. Wood, who told me with .pride’that they had been married 57 years, and that all their children, five girls and one boy, are married and doing well in the world. Although “Daddy” Wood Jias never seen Gordon Richards, he said to me: “I can. if anybody. _ appreciate_ what ne has done in equalling Archer’s record. ■ It is a splendid feat. “Fred himself took his successes' soberly enough. He was the nicest man you could ever wish to meet, , Wife's One Race Visit. “He and I were always the best of friends, but when we were riding, well—we rode! Each of us was out to win, and that was all there was to.it. “I well remember the excitement when I just beat Archer for the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood in 1883, <.I was on Hornpipe and Archer" was riding Geheimiiiss. He was on one side of the course, and I was inside on the rails —almost shut in. “It looked hopeless for me. Getting near the post, however, I saw an opening and made one last big effort. Bang through I shot, and Archer and I went past the post almost together. “ ‘Which of us has won?’ he gasped, as we slowed down. ‘I am afraid you have,’ I said, but I was wrong. The race was mine. “Poor Archer! It was a sad blow to him. When he went to weigh in he sat down and cried like a baby. “And that,” “Daddy” Wood recollected, “was the only big race my wife saw me ride' in.” A Peer and a Sweep. “Daddy” Wood told me an amusing story concerning the late Lord Rosebery, for whom he won many races on Velasquez, including the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown in 1898. • “Lord Rosebery,” he said, “always insisted on walking in the middle of the road when he talked to me about the forthcoming races, because he feared that passers-by - might overhear. We were walking along a country road like this one day when a sweep .drove by in nis cart. I raised my hat. ‘And who was that?’ Lord Rosebery demanded suspiciously. . . “‘A sweep, my lord, I said. “ ‘But why did you raise your hat to him?’ , . “•Well, it is supposed to bring luck, my lord.’ “ ‘Well, bless my soul,’ the earl cried, ‘and so will I, then,’ and he doffed his hat a half dozen times to the startled sweep, who stared back at us. • “Two or three days later I won the Edipse, Stakes on Velasquez.” SORE TROTTING CLUB List of Acceptors The following acceptances have been receives for the Gore Trotting Chib’s annual meeting to be held ou December 26: CROYDON HANDICAP (in saddle), ot 11120. Class 3.50. .One mile and a half. _, z , ' Molly King ... scr Imperial Waves; scr Taiyang .... scr Great -Patch ..'scr Western Front sec Daytona, scr Clipped Wings scr Beatrice'ruingen scr Bon Haven .. scr Sylvia Moko .. scr Mahliierangi scr Orphan Blugcn 36 Biltaue .... scr Kippazh ~ 3d Blue Bonnet ■ scr Fernice .... 60 Peter Conquest scr TRIAL HANDICAP, 'of £123.. - Class 4.5. Thirteen furlongs and a half. Fairhaven ..scr nappy-Go-Chevaller .. scr *• Lucky scr Parrish Chimes scr Bright Voyage scr Green Mantle . scr Kibo .... scr Biugen Wrack sc.- Electric Chimes sc Hard Times -■ scr Lucy Leo .... scr Monty Chimes scr Firecrest '- ..scr Winnie Lee ... scr Sunny Ready Money . scr . Southland scr Vacation .. scr Black Shadow . scr TELEGRAPH HANDICAP (in saddle), ot £155. Class 2.22. One mile. 4 Logan Brae .. scr Onoto scr Dusky .... scr Margaret Bell . 12 Nelson Pointer scr Derby Vale ...<l2 Nellie Osborne scr Erin's Boy .. 24 Lena Bingen . scr Willow Wave . 24 King Mac .... scr GORE CUP, of £323. Class 4.45. Two miles. Tangatu .... scr Grey Girl .-. 24 Blue Mountain Bay Admiral . 48 Queen . scr Young Frank . 48 Marie Celeste scr Mocast .... 60 Desert Malden . scr Raider .... 72 Lady Voisin ..12 CHRISTMAS HANDICAP, of £l6O. Class 3.55. Thirteen furlongs. Sure .... scr Chechalico . 12 Dusky .... scr Lindrum . 12 Erin’s Chief . scr Margaret Bell . 24 Man o’ Franz . scr Sergeant Lena Bingen .. scr Dallas 24 Highland King 12 MATAURA HANDICAP, of £155. Class 5.4. Two miles. Triangle .. scr Paul Bingen .. scr Western Front scr Helen’s Boy .. scr Tourney’s End scr' Beatrice Bingen scr Lady Norris .. set Fernlee .... 24 Bon Haven .. scr Royal Stan .. 36 Orphan Bingen scr Bell Norris .. 72 Beltane .... scr Teviot Downs 103 Kippagh .. scr Sunny Gold .. 108 Great Patch .. scr PRESIDENT’S HANDICAP, ot £135. Class 3.42. One mile and a half. Parrish Chimes scr Regina Derby scr Green Mantle scr Jane's Bell .. 12 Rocks Ahead . scr Azure .... 12 Carillon Chimes scr Vologda .... .24 Master Lee .. scr Jimmy de Oro . 24 Moko Child .scr Ozanam .. 36 Scot Free .. scr Frank Mac .. 36 Wynross .. scr Chiming Lou .. 48 Bright Sun .. scr Chiming Wave 43 FINAL HANDICAP, of £lBO. Class 2.55. One mile and a quarter. Logan Brae .. scr Sunbloom .. scr Tangatu .. scr Lady Volson . 12 Wee Scotty .. scr Young Frank . 36 Marie Celeste . scr Grey Girl .. 36 Derby Vale .. scr Raider .... 48 Desert Maiden rcr Mocast .. 48 Onoto .... scr Coldwood .. 43 Wairarapa Acceptances. Acceptances for first day events of the Wnirarapa Racing Club's summer meeting, to be held on January 1 and 2. will close with the secretary. Mr. N. C. C. .Shepherd at Featherston, on Friday next, at 8 p-m.