RACING NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 20089, 1 February 1929, Page 14

RACING NOTES

GALLOPS February 2.—Matamala R.G. February 6.—Tapanui R.C. February 7, 9.—Gisborne R.C. February 7, 9.—Taranaki J.C. February 9, 11.—llolorua J.C. February 14, 16.—Dunedin J.C. February 14, 16.—Wanganui J,C. February 14, 16.—Poverty Bay Turf C. February 16, 18.—Tc Aroha J.C. February 20, 21.—Woodvillc Dist. J.C. February 20, 21.—Gore R.C. February'2l.—Tologa Bay J.C. February 23.—Canterbury J .C. February 27, 28.—Dannevirbe R.C. February 28.—Waiapu R.C. February 28, March 2.—Marlborough R.C. March 2.—Banks Peninsula R.C. March 6, 7.—Rangitikci R.C. March 8, 9.—Napier Park R.C. March 9.—Franklin R.C. March 13.—Oiautau R.C. March 14.—Waimatc K.C.

TOO MUCH SECRECY Since the Forbury Park Meeting last week there has been a great deal of talk, sonic perhaps a little wild, about inconsistent running at the fixture, ami one race in particular is very frequently referred to as not being right. This race, the Crescent Handicap, was won by Bonnie Belmont, who carried 1,986 tickets on his chance as compared with 790 when he started in the Otago Handicap, and finished a long way back, fifth. As everyone expected, his trainer-driver was asked for an explanation of the improvement in this horse’s form in Saturday’s race, but the refusal of the stipendiary steward (who conveypd the information to the Press room to the effect that the trainer’s explanation had been accepted) to explain what the explanation was has not helped to satisfy the public. It was not generally known on Friday that Bonnie Belmont ran in the Otago Handicap, a race for unhoppled trotters, without too weights, a very necessary part of the gear required by straightout trotters when asked to do their best. Under a rule of trotting whatever gear a horse is raced in in its first race at a meeting, unless permission is asked for and granted by the stewards, that horse must race in the same gear in any subsequent races at the fixture. Permission was granted Kenncrley to race Bonnie Belmont with toe weights in Saturday’s race, but this information was not made known to the general public. Those who look for all these small points before making up their mind what to back-, ~' ... ‘ ’ v were the only ones who knew, and no doubt they made good use of their knowledge. __ It is generally presumed that when Kennerley was asked to explain the improvement in his horse’s form after Saturday’s race, lie said that the horse went much better with toe weights, and the stewards, having previously given him permission to use them in this race, were not in a position to say anything else but that that explanation was satisfactory. The inevitable reports in circulation that certain other drivers in the race were backing Bonnie Belmont may be unwarranted, but no judge of trotting could help noticing that at least one or two drivers in the race were not as busy as they might have been. The improved form, and the much heavier backing on Saturday, and talk, idle and otherwise since the race, all tend to make the case look bad, and the reticence of the Judicial Committee is onlv making the public continue to talk about, and to exaggerate, the inconsistency. If the stewards made a mistake in granting permission to use different gear on Bonnie Belmont on Saturday they should say so,_ and by publishing tile explanation given by Kenncrley they would give the public a chance of forming its own opinion ns to whether that explanation is satisfactory or not. There is no surer way of cutting down a club’s tota lisa tor investments than losing the confidence of tho public, and the management of the Forbury Park Trotting Chib has certainly strained the public’s confidence in this case. A SOUTHLAND COMPLAINT Southland visitors to the recent meeting of the Forbury Park Trotting Club were not at all satisfied with their day’s sport on Saturday. They complain that the races were started too late in the afternoon to have given them any chance of seeing all the programme, even had the races been rim up to time. But with the programme running half an hour late those who had to catch the south express had to leave prior to the running of the sixth race, so they only saw five races during the afternoon. The Southland express that afternoon was also running half an hour late, and had this information been posted on the grounds many of those who left before tho running of the Crescent Handicap could have seen that and the next race, mid then caught the train. Gradually the attendance from Invercargill to meetings at Forbury on Saturday afternoons is dwindling, and it is solely on account of the few races patrons can see before having to leave the course on their return journey. The club may get a little extra local money on the first race by delaying tho start until 12.60 p.m., but would that equal the extra support that southern patrons would give he last two or three races if they could see them? Many of the Forbury stewards may not realise the strong support from Southland that is given their meetings. Let any one of them travel iqi on the morning express from Invercargill, and he would then realise that the followers of the light harness sport and their money are worth catering for. The management at Wingatui realised this some years ago, and have altered the starting times of their races to suit the Southlanders, who, by the way, don’t leave home unless they have the money with which to back their fancies, in their pockets. As a resident of Southland for,, many years until four years ago I can assure the management of the F'orhury Park Trotting Club that the fullest patronage from Southland is well worth catering for. JOTTINGS Owners and trainers are reminded that nominations for tho Gore Mealing close on Monday afternoon at 5 o’clock. The Tapanui Meeting will lie Told next Wednesday. The Otautau Racing Club has ’joeii granted permission to change the date of its annual race meeting to Saturday, March 16. The Wairio Jockey Club has ’decided to apply for' Saturday, January 11, 1930, for the date of its race meeting next season.

[By St. Clair.]

March 16.—Opunake R.C. March 16, 18. —Wellington R.G. March 16, 18.—Ohinemuri J.C. March 19, 20.—Southland R.C. March 20. 21.—Manawalu R.G. March 23. Bay of Plenty J.C. March 23. —Hororata R.C. March 23, 25.—Westport J.C. March 23, 25.—Oainaru J.C. TROTS February 2.—Nelson T.C. February 9. —N. 50. Metropolitan T.C, February 16. —Wellington T.C. February 23. —Kaikoura T.C. February 23, 27.—Otahuhu T.C. February 27, 28.—Invercargill T.C. March 1. —Marlborough T.C. March 2.—Waikato T.C. March 9.—Timaru T.C. March 13.—Wymiham T.C. March 13.—Manawalu T.C. March 16.—New Brighton T.C. March 23.—Thames T.C.

A. balance-sheet of the recent meeting of the Wairio Jockey Club shows that the club made a profit of about £7O. This is in addition to the rebate on the totalisator taxation, which will amount to about £l2O.

Cnpidon broke down so badly at the Clifdon Meeting that ho has probably made his final appearance on a racecourse. His name will only bo remembered as a, racehorse as tho winner of an Australian Jockey Club Derby.

The iocent meeting nt Fnrbury again showed bow dcpeiiclent the Forbury Bark Chib is on visiting horses to make a mooting. Of the 233 acceptors on the two days, no fewer than It 7 came from Canterbury stables, twentyfour were from North Otago stables, twenty from Southland, seven from South Otago, and six from Central Otago, leaving only twenty-nine from Dunedin and suburban stables. Canterbury horses won twelve races, Southland two, North Otago one, and Dunedin one.

Of the 233 acceptors whoso names appeared on the two race cards issued by the Forbnrv Park Trotting Club last week, no fewer than 118 were handicapped to start off the limit mark.

If Queen Balboa is not started in the Dunedin Cup L. J. Dili’s will have the mount on Royal Saxon in that race. Royal Saxon is not a light boy’s lior.se, and bis recent successes have been scored under strong horsemen. .The good times at the Clifden Meeting suggest that the distances are not correct. The state of the track was not conducive to fast times. Green Cloth won so well over ten furlongs at Omakau last month that he looks like starting favourite in the race to be decided over that distance at Tapamii next Wednesday. The two Ellis boys—A. E. and L. J. —headed the list of winning jockeys ii)i to the end of last week, and their brother F. W. is still the leading trainer in the dominion in the official list.

A maiden tlirec-ycar-old in Soma Form showed a. lot of pace at the Clifden Meeting, and she should bo worth watching at some of the autumn country meetings in Southland. Attractive Lady,' who .won a ao iblo at the Clifden Meeting, is trained bv the veteran George Hope, who was so successful with Baldowa. She should go on winning now that she has struck form, and is a very .smart beginner. The Wyndham Trotting Club w : il distribute £1,200 in stakes at its Annual Meeting on March 13. Excellent acceptances have been icceived for the Tapanui Meeting, lu bo held next Wednesday.

At tho present time there is every chance of a good, field going to the post for the Champagne Stakes for two-year-olds, which will he run on the first (lay of the Dunedin Cup meeting. Cold Tinge is almost a certain starter. Both A. Tinker (who will in his engagements) and IT. Wiggins, who can go to the scale about 7,7, intend being present at the Dunedin Cup meeting. Circulation has'•been a most disappointing mare during the past season, but she has been given a great chance with 7.1 in the Dunedin Cup. If she were to return to her best form she would make it very hard for the others at the end of the mile and a-half. Rin Tin Tin and Meadow Lark have been handicapped on the same mark in the Publican's Handicap, and on South Island: form Rin Tin Tin should beat Meadow Lark. But those who saw the latter win at Trcnthani last month maintain that ho is a much improved sprinter, and consider him well treated in the local race

Considering some of his performances with big weights op, Aussie, with 10,4, does not appear harshly treated in the Publican’s Handicap, but it must bo remembered that the AVingatui courso for six I'nrlonpa is a severe one for top weights, and the 10.4 is probably quite equal to 10.12 at Riecarton or Tren/ham, The handicappcr, by giving 9.0 ns the maximum in the Dunedin Cup, has given a special invitation to the top weights to take part in Hie race, and none of the eight on the minimum can have much chance. On first glance Pink Note 8.0, Battle Colours 7.13, and Royal Saxon 7.10 appear to have the best chances.

Although good judges of racing who were in excellent line witlr the judge at the Clifden meeting maintain that Brightling lead Carnot in the On]), the writer was in a good line and thought that the pair doadheated, hut the judge said a nose in favour of Carnot. In the mile race later on in the afternoon Brightling’s rider left his run too late, and Carnot jnst heat him by a head, and Iho Tractor gelding was unlucky he did not get one of the stakes. It was a coincidence, not often seen on a course that tho three placed ■ ho:so* iu the mile and a-quartor race should finish in Ihc same order in a n.ilo iaco later on in the day.