RACING NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 20635, 7 November 1930, Page 12

RACING NOTES

RACING. November 8. —Whangarei Racing Club. November 8, 10, 12, 15.—Canterbury Jockey Club. Novembei 15.—Upper Clutha Hack Racing Club. November 15, 17 —Waikato Racing Club. November 19, 20.-Winton Racing Club. November 22 Levin Racine Club. November 22, 24. To Kuiti Racing Club. Nov, 29. Doc. 1 Takiipuna Jockey Club. Nov. 29, Dec. 1. Feilding Jockey Club, December 5, 6. Taumarunui Racing Club. December 6. Ashburton County Racing Club.

[By St. Claih.]

TROTTING. November 11, 13. 14.—N.Z. Metropolitan T.C. November 19, 22.—Auckland T.C, November 21, 22.—Nelson T.C. November 27, 29.—Forbury Park T.C. December 13 New Brighton T.C. December 20 Hawke’s Bay T.C. December 26. Ashburton T.C, December 26. Gore T.C. December 26. 27. Westport T.C. December 26, 27. South Wairarapa T.C. December 27 , 30, 31. Auckland T.C. December 30. Winton T.C. December 30.—Inangabua T.C.

TO-MORROW’S CARD

Tho first record of racing in Canterbury was a meeting held on Hagley Park on December 16, 1851, but it was not until March 0 and 7, 1855, that' the first meeting was held at Biccarton. The Canterbury Jockey Club Handicap was first run in 1865, and the name changed to tho New Zealand Cup in 1883, tho stake being raised that year to £I,OOO. So this year’s race is realy the sixty-sixth race, and during that long period many good horses have helped to make tho history of the turf in the dominion by winning this twomilo race. The Riccarton epurse is only a few yards short of a mile and a-half in circumference, and the start for the New Zealand Cup is at the four-furlong barrier, with almost a straight run for half a mile before the horses turn out of the straight. This enables tho field to get well settled before any turn has to be negotiated. Tho course is dead flat, and the gravel subsoil is very close to the surface, making it a very hard firm track in dry weather, and it has been maintained by many good judges that this firmness makes it difficult for horses to carry big weights successfully in the long journey for tho Cup. Whether that contention is right or not it is a fact that until Count Cavour, thou a five-year-old, won under Sst.lSlb the best weight previously carried was Bst 91b, under which Tasman (1883), Vanguard (1884), Lady ■ Zetland (1896). and Sasanof (1918) were successful.

The “law of averages'' counts also with racing men, and on that account some of tho best judges, while admitting that Nightmare!) is only eclipsed in tho Southern Hemisphere by Phar Lap at tho present time, will not support his chance in to-morrow’s big handicap. Against that argument can bo used the fact that the present season is ono where top weights have appeared to great advantage. Toxeuma, top weight, won the Winter Cup, Aurora Borealis the Grand National Steeplechase, Amounis tho Caulfield Cup. and Phar Lap the Melbourne Cup. Why should not Nightmare!) continue the sequence? He won tho Melbourne Cup last year, boating Phar Lap, raced well in Sydney this spring, beating everything bar Phar Lap, who is admitted to be a super-horse, and has trained on well since returning. It is extremely difficult to select any of the others to beat him, and In the Shade, who finished second to Chide in last year’s Cup, and Courageous are the line 1 select to bo nearest him at the finish. Tho following aro tho probable starters and their riders in tho NEW ZEALAND CUP, 2,ooosovs, including gold cup value 100 sovs; second 400, third 200. 2m, st. lb. A. Louisson’s hr h Nightmarch, Nightraid—Marsa, syrs (It, Reed) 9 6 A. 13. Williams’s b g Star Stranger, Martian —Star Lady, aged (H. Gray) 9 1 R. J. Murphy’s b g Concentrate, Kilbroney—Oratress, syrs (L. G. Morris) , 8 10 F. E. Loomb’s b m Prodico, Catmint—Hvades, syrs (A. E. Ellis) 8 4 F. Hall’s br g Merry Damon, Polvdamon —Merry Roe, aged (T Green) ... ... 8 2 W. S. Glenn’s br g In the Shade, Australian Sun—Violet H., Cyrs (K. Voitro) 8 2 Dr M. G. Louisson’s ch g Gay Crest, Shillinglee Hoopec. syrs (L. J. Ellis) .... 7 13 C. Elgar’s ch g Count Palatine, Paladin—Per Anna, 4yrs (11. Goldfinch) 7 (3 G. E. Trevor and L. M'Milian’s hr g Palm, Warplane—Cinnamon. syrs (W. N. Wiggins) ... 7 6 W. R. Kcmball’s ch g Courageous, Thurnham —llouno Boucho, Cyrs (A. C. Dick) 7 0 D. 11. Walker's br g Desert Glow, Day Comet—Lady Winsome, aged (A. H. Eastwood) 7 0 J. S. M'Leod’s eh m My Own, Lord Quex —Tressida. 4yrs (S. Gerrard) 7 0 W. H. Ballinger's b g Black Mint. Catmint—Black Amie, aged (R. E. Coveney) 7 0 Dr H. A. H. Gilmer’s br m Duellona, Paladin —War Lady, ' 4vrs ; ( ) 7 0

The second log of tho double is the Stewards’ Handicap, for which twentythreo are likely to go to tho post. Tho race is alwa„ hard ono to win, and with practically all tho original top weights standing their ground it is a particularly open ono this year. Hunting Hay, who will have the services of Hector' Gray, has been favourite during the past fortnight, and Toxoinua, Havering, and Sfaglnmter are tho most likelv to trouble him. The field is;—

Likely riders in the Stewards’ Handicap arc: A. E. Ellis on Toxeuraa, L. .1. Ellis on Arrow Lad, H. Goldfinch on Silvermine, W. 11. Jones on Admiral Drake, H. Gray on Hunting Day (but in the event oi' that horse not starting Havering, and if Hunting Day starts C. Emerson on Havering), T. Green on Courtesy, 11. J. Mackic on Staghui tei. H. N. W‘ :gins on Gesture, A. H. East-' wood on \utopny. The classic race to-morrow is the Welcome Stakes, in which Otago sportsmen will have a special interest as Fair Weather and Last March, both Winga-tui-traiii'd and winners at last month’s local meeting, and another in Hula Bello are engaged. Decent form points to La Ponpeo and Esteem being the most likely to fight out the finish. They have good North Island form to rocom-

mend them, and are more seasoned than tho others. The field is:

WELCOME STAKES, SOOsovs. For t o-vear-olds. Colts and geldings 8.5, ‘fillies 8.0. sf. F, Armstrong’s ch g Chief Cook, Chief Ruler—Kaiserin. A. B. Williams’s b g Innuendo, Tea Trav—Epitaph. W. T. Hazlctt’s b g Irish Chieftain, Chief Ruler—Sprig of Erin. W. T. Hazlett’s b g Chief Light, Chief Ruler—lllume. „ „ R, M. Greeuslade’s b f Hula Belle, Bean Fils—Maswellton. G. D. Greenwood's ch c Dodge, Chief Ruler—Toiling Tessie. Dr M. G. Louisson’s ch f Royal Baby, Chief Ruler—Baby Doll. W. H. Gaisford’s b g Esteem, Pombal —Eulogy. . , T. H. Lowry’s b c Monarchy, .Chief Ruler—Bonnie Briar. J. Morrison’s ch f Song Box, Huntiii" Song—Toy Box. . ■ Miss M. C. Wilson’s b c Monastic, Pombal—Cowl. _ , M. O’Brien s hr g Grecian Prince, Poly crates—Black Tea. J. T. .Jamieson’s ch g Tea Chat, Tea Tray—Philomela. Sir Charles Clifford’s ch c Cricket Bat. Winning Hit—Equipment. A. O. Hill’s b c Last March, Last Dart —Ala rob Off. A Smith’s hr g Fair, Weather, Weathervane—Victory Bond. W. J. Blake’s b f Diable, Diacquenod —Bonaria. „ „ „ L G. W. Mil!ward’s b f La Poupee. Tea Tray—Dancing' Doll. C, T. Keoblo’s ch g Golden Wings, Lackham—Magic. W. Jury’s b f Korokio, Redfern—Meriden. In the minor races Make Up, Pangolin, and Membo look the most likely, Para too, Imateagirl, and Salmo Salar in the Spring Plate, Pharaoh, A 1 Jol«on. and Haveaspot in the Lmwoou Handicap, Night Parade, Colonel Quex, and Appeal in tlie Apprentices’ Plate, and Cylinder, Starshooter, and Head Sevang appear to have good chances.

JOTTINGS

R. J. Mackic will ride Last March in the Welcome Stakes. Tho handicaps for tho first day or the Winton Meeting are due on Monday. fho starting time of the New Zealand Cup to-morrow is 2.16, and that of the Stewards’ Handicap 4.26, Roy Reed has yet to win a New Zealand Derby. This year ho will ride Paratoo, by Grand Court from Alarum. By this morning’s express Fred Shaw’s team—Hula Belle, Tippling, Ossimnn, and Last March—were trained to Riccarton. Of fourteen final acceptors for the Now Zealand Cup, Nightmarch and Gay Crest are from Riccarton stables, while the other twelve represent North Island interests. The totalisator was first used at Riccarton at -the Easter meeting iu 18S0, the year Camballo won the Great Autumn Handicap. ‘ Tho field of twenty-three in the Stewards’ Handicap includes seventeen North Island horses. Of the remainder three aro from Riccarton and one each from AYingatui, Oamaru, and Southland. Tho ‘ Now Zealand Referee ’ selects In the Shade, Nightmarch, and Merry Damon in the Now Zealand Cud, arid Hunting Day, Havering, and Gesture in the Stewards’ Handicap. H. Gray’s luck was out at both the Wellington and Carterton meetings, but with twentv-two winning rides to Id's credit he still heads the list. H. N Wicgins 15, A. E. Ellis 14, and T. Green 10 are his nearest competitors. The lightest weight over carried to victory in tho New Zealand Cup was Bst 131 b. carried by Count Cavdur in 1926. Chicle, who Avon last year, holds the time record— adz., 3min 23 3-ssec. Of the riders engaged in' to-raorroAv’s Noav Zealand Cup H. Gray has previously Avon on Bridge (1910) and Sasnnof (1918); R. Reed on Scion (1922) ; L. J. Ellis on Oratrix (1928) ; and A. H. Eastwood on Chide (1929). “ 1 do not think Nightmarch is any moral. 1 think I saAv him sAvitch his tail in ono of his later races in Sydney.” said a New Zealander avlio Avitnessed tho spring racing at Randwick, and has returned to be present to see the Noav Zealand Cud run.

“Tho Marquis,” who has seen all tho work at Riccarton, selects Nightmarch, In the Shade, and Star Stranger to comprise tho favourite division when the totalisator closes on to-morrow’s New Zealand Cup. In tho Stewards' Handicap ho selects Havering. Meadow Lark, Hunting Day, and Courtesy. Celerity 11., who has been nominated for tho Win ton Cup, was successful in this event in 1927, when sho earned R. 4 to victory, and Taboo (9.0) and Sehottischo filled the minor places. She was on the scone again tho following year, but was unplaced with 9.0, amt all going well tho English mare will probably have another shot at it this month. Arethusa, a warm favourite for the Now Zealand Derby, was brought to Addington from Ashburton on Wednesday for tho purpose of giving.her experience of tho Addington track. Without being asked for anything special, the Wrack filly paced the twelve furlongs in fine style, shelving that she can handle tho clay track as well as the grass. Although a light-built filly, Aretuusa is in excellent order. The ‘ New Zealand Referee ’ says; “The usual rumours have been atloat that Nigbtmarch is an unlikely starter, but the fact that 11. llecd has been at ■Riccarton for nearly a week to ride him in his work would suggest that there is no ground for a repetition of Phar Lap’s late withdrawal from the Caulfield Cup. In any case, Mr A. Louisson would have made known such intentions long before tins.” Wracklcr, the New Zealand Cup favourite, returned to Christchurch on Wednesday morning from Wellington, and with M. Holmes in tho sulky ho was given a strong work-out over a milo and a-half at Addington. Wrnckler, who looks better than ever before, was. not on a time-making mission, but bo did bis work very nicely. His run on the Addington track will further fit him for the big race on Tuesday next.

“iiMiles,” in the ‘New Zealand Referee,’ says; “ .Wracklcr might not win

tho Cup. but the writer is not going to pick one to finish in trout of him—especially after the exhibition ho indde, of a high-class field in the New Zealand Cup Trial. His was a performance of outstanding merit, attained only after a rare display of speed and extreme 'gameness m the final stages.” One of New. Zealand’s best riders, who has not retired from the saddle very many years, in discussing Nightmarch’s chance of winning to-morrow’s big handicap with 9st Gib, said: “1 once rode a horse weighted at Bst 61b in the Now Zealand Cup. Over the last half-mile that horse, .a good one, too, toiled as though every pound bn his back was a ton. I will not be a bit surprised if the weight beats Nightmarch, and a light-weight like Courageous wins.” Travis Axworthy (F. G. Holmes) and Logan Chief .(F. Holmes) worked very nicely over a mile and a-half at Addington on Wednesday; says the ‘ Press.’ Travis Axworthy , made the running over tho early part, the first quarter being run in 33 4-ssec. while the halfmile was done in linin 4 3-sscc. At this stage Logan Chief was a length away, and .the first six furlongs were run in Imin 38 3-fisec. The mile was readied in, 2min 12sec, and from this out Logan Chief held his companion safely. The mile and a-quarter post was passed in 2min 44 3-fisPc. and in the run home Logan Chief held his own after covering tho whole journey in 3min 17 2-ssec, Travis Axworthy going a couple of seconds slower. The last half took Logan Chief Imin 5 3-ssecf and the last quarter 32 4-fisec—a great go considering the fact, that a stiff breeze had to be faced in the back stretch. Travis Axworthy’s showing was not at all promising for his New Zealand Cup engagements.

“ Will yon lend father the lawn mower?” “ I can’t. It’s gone to be sharpened.” “ Good. Father said he was going to complain to you about It.”-

MIDGET Mf CRAZE

OPENING OF MAJESTIC LINKS The remarkable popularity of miniature golf in Dunedin lias prompted another enterprising,'company to open a in tho old. Liao tea rooms, two doors above the Roxy Theatre, in Princes street. . . It has been titled the Majestic Miniature Golf Course, arid will be' opened to the public for the first time to-mor-row afternoon. . Eveiy, conceivable ohstaclo has'been introduced in the construction of tho course, and so numerous are the hazards,and so unusual aio the shapes, of the greens that patrons •of this peculiarly fascinating entertainment in the Majestic club house should become involved ipore than ever in tho the openirig shot players will be required to overcome difficulties that have not so far, been introduced in tins citv. After issuing from a green that combines switchbacks with fences, the course leads on through a chute passing through, a castle with coloured bricks on the’ pathway, to the final objective. The next green features the usual hollow log, with the addition of a miniature arch. The snooker course should have a strong appeal, while the green leading up the stairway has its full complement of tricks. Uncle Tom s Cabin lias to bo reviewed before the player finds his way over another switchback to'the hole, while subsequent greens call on the player to overtake ditches, negotiate piles of rocks, and many other, obstructions. Two of the trickiest greens are laid out in octagonal shapes designed in pyramid fashion, with the tin on tho top of the 1 particulars, are. obtainable from- an advertisement in this issue.

STEWARDS’ HANDICAP, l.OOOsovs. Cf, Toxcunia ... 9 9 Staglumlcr 7 13 Cimabue ... 9 u Praise 7 12 Laughing Arrow Lad 7 11 Prince 9 4 Courtesy 7 11 ' I endow Royal Lark ... 8 10 Parade ... 7 6 Silvorminc 8 10 Arikinui ... 7 5 White Fang 8 8 Tentcrden 7 5 Havering 8 5 Admiral Consent ... 8 5 'Drake ... 7 3 Hunting Day 8 5 CompensaGesture_ ... 8 8 tion 7 2 Te Awhiua 8 1 Autopay ... 7 2 Great Star 7 13 Charmaine 7 0