RACING NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 21092, 3 May 1932, Page 5

RACING NOTES

RACING. May 4, s.—Egmont Racing Club, May 7.—Amberley Racing Club. May 12, 14.—Wanganui Jockey Club. May 13, 14. —Southland Racing Club. May 14.—Waipa Racing Club. May 21.—Ashburton County Racing Club. May 21.—Waikato Racing Club. May 28.—South Canterbury Racing Club. June 1, 3. 4.—Dunedin Jockey Club. June 3, 4. —Otaki-Maori Racing Club. June 3,4, 8. —Auckland Racing Club. June 16, 18.—Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. June 18.—South Canterbury Jockey Club. June 23.—Egmont-Wanganui Hunt Club.

RAILWAY TRANSPORT v. MOTOR. FLOAT. At the present time a very laudable effort is being made by the Railway Department to recapture much of the business it has lost during the past few years through not moving with the times, and realising that the motor services throughout the country were cutting into its business both in passengers and freight services. The high charges made for the transport of racehorses by rail have hot only been felt by owners, but also by the clubs, as a number or owners have not,sent their horses to race meetings on Account of these high tariffs. Then the motor float came into use, and this method of transport quickly became popular with owners, not only because it was cheaper, but also much more convenient. The Railway Department made no effort to check this inroad to its revenue until the motor float business was well established. Then some attention was paid to owners in catering for the horse transport business by showing long overdue consideration in the shape of giving more attention to their requirements in every way but a reduction in charges. But a very largo amount of the business has now been permanently lost to the department, and those owners who have once used the floats for transport and found out what can be saved by doing so, are not likely to go back to the railway unless the present freight charges are greatly reduced. , Two owners, who each sent three horses, three men, and the usual fodder and equipment necessary from Wingatui to the recent Riverton Meetings one by the railway service and the other by road, have been comparing notes. The owner who sent his horses by train, also had to pay cartage charges at each end of the journey, and his total outgoings amounted to £2l 4s 3d. The cost to the owner who sent his horses by road, after allowing for full depreciation for the trip of 370 miles on the motor float, which is used for other purposes as well as/conveying his horses to and from race meetings, was £5 4s. It is not suggested that the Railway Department could bring its charges down to the latter figure for the. service but there does not appear to bo any justification for the cost being over four times greater than the motor service. The department has the rolling stock and has to-run the trains; surely it would be better for this rolling stock to be carrying something than lying idle in the sidings ? There is. another point, too, that the department may have overlooked. The amount ,of taxation, both direct and indirect, the Government is able to collect from racing, is largely controlled by the success or otherwise of the race meetings, and the more horses that take part in a meeting the more successful that fixture will be. The recently-appointed Railway Board has, no doubt, already brought about many reforms in the management of the people’s railways, but its apparent blindness to the strong opposition of the motor float to this avenue of revenue does not reflect credit upon its control. JOTTINGS, There was d white frost at Wingatui' this morning, and after the heavy ram during the week-end the tracks were heavy. There was little fast work of interest done, and several trainers are waiting for the tracks to dry up to resume the schooling of their jumpers. . Blue Metal and Attractive Lady were companions over a mile this morning, the former showing up the better at the end. Matu and Umtali, the two Wingatui candidates for the cross-country races at Invercargill next week, galloped well on the flat. So. far Umtali has not done any schooling this season. C. Gieseler has,, taken up the two-year-olds' Molten (Taper Money— Lava) and Gold Dress (Hunting Song— Etoile D’or) again. The latter, who is a full sister to Aladdin, has grown up into a fine looking filly.

The two races he had at Timaru do not appear to have affected Colonel Cygnus, and he galloped attractively over half a mile this morning. He should Be better suited over seven furlong, as it will give him time to get on to his feet.'

Gallant Fox was finishing on better than Salmo Salar at the end of a mile this morning. The former is carrying a lot more condition than when he raced at Riverton, and will require a few good rousing gallops to be ready to show his best by the end of next week. Ballance, who appears to bo nicely treated at Bst in the Stewart Island Handicap on the first day of the Southland Meeting, worked attractively with Fair Weather this morning. Neither was asked to do his best in the heavy going, but Ballance appeared to be doing it best. The handicapper has certainly issued invitations to the owners of King Balboa and Salmo Salar to attend next week’s meeting at Invercargill. iho latter has not been racing well this season, but is liable to return to his best form any time, and if he does he will bo very hard to beat in the Southland Cup. . At a meeting of the committee of the Oamaru Jockey Club held last week, the secretary submitted a satisfactory result from the recent meeting. It was decided to apply tor January 3, 1933, March 23 (Anniversary Day), March 25, and July 1 as the dates for next year. The Blenheim trainer, T. R. George, had a big team engaged at the Marlborough Sleeting on Saturday, but did not lead in a winner. He is, however, well in the lead for . the trainers’ premiership with thirty-seven wins, or twelve ahead of the next on the list. George topped the list last year with thirty-sis wins. .... Sunny Gold, who is engaged in both the events for unhoppled trotters at Forbury Park on Thursday, is a Southland. gelding by Sungod. He won in impressive style at Invercargill in«ftlarch, and he is expected to develop into a good horse. In the meantime, however, he labours under ( the disability that he is inclined to mix his gait in his races.

When Squntter heat Nylotis and Mata on the final day of the .Riverton Meeting he carried list 31b, and gave Nylotis 271 b and Matu 101 b. Over halt a mile shorter journey at Invercargill next week Squatter, with, list 111 b is

[By St. Claie.]

June 24, 25.—Napier Park Racing Club. June 25,—Ashburton County Racing Club. TROTTING. May 5, 7.—Forbury Park Trotting Club. May 7. —Cambridge Trotting Club. May 14.—Oamaru Trotting Club. May 14.—Thames Trotting Club. June 3, 4.—Canterbury Park Trotting Club, June 11.—Ashburton Trotting Club. June 23, 25.—Auckland Trotting Club.

asked to meet Nylotis on 41b and Matu on 101 b worse terms. The shorter journey should suit Nylotis, but Squatter won so well at Riverton that he looks to be very well handicapped. Iconi, winner of the Novice Stakes at Nelson, is a three-year-old filly trained at Riccarton by J. W. Jennings for her owner, Mr P. Watson. She is bred on speedy lines, being by Last Dart from Boadicea, bred and owned by Mr W. Nidd, who also bred Iceni. The filly was not raced until a few months ago, and next season may reach good class. Mr D. H. M'Leod, who took Araunah and Lady Alert to Melbourne recently, advises that Araunah has completely recovered from his recent indisposition. He picked up a weed while grazing, which caused poisoning, but veterinary attention brought him round all right in a few days. Mr M'Leod saw Simba while in Sydney, and he says that he is so poor in condition that even Luke Wilson would not recognise him. (As Araunah won a race on Saturday his recovery must have been complete.) The Bayfield Handicap for trotters, to be decided at the Forbury Park Meeting on Thursday, shows promise oi being one of the best contests of this class ever raced for on the track. Kamaldar, Fairyland, Modern Girl, Tanepai, Garner, Golden Bingen, and Sunny Morn represent fast improving horses, who have all shown good recent form, and a great battle for supremacy is likely to ensue. Indications point to Gold Country starting a hot favourite for the Ritchie Memorial Handicap at Forbury Park on Thursday. He has had a great record to date, and his easy win on the second day of the Easter Meeting, at Addington, followed by his second at Ashburton, after losing a lot of ground soon after, the start, gained him many fresh admirers. He is one of the most promising pacers m commission, and he should be in Cup class very soon. White Wings was sent to Sydney by the Zealandia last Friday, and she is to join F. M'Grath’s team at Randwick. With Brazanna and eight members of J. T. Jamieson’s team, ten horses made the crossing in the Zealandia. Jamieson intends to have five others of his team sent to Australia in about a month’s time, They are the colt by Limond —Ehlogy, the colt by Limond— Queen March, the colt by Chief Ruler— Podakes, the filly by Limond —Homage, and the filly by Tippler—Joan Clare. Lord Glanely recently sold the eigbt-year-old brood mare Dian (Phalaris — Diadem) to Colonel F- J. Lundgren, of Brazil, who may race on more extensive lines in England than in the past. Dian was among the brood mares bought by Lord Glanely from Sir A. Black. Sir Alec paid 14,500 gs for her three years ago. She won the Granville Stakes at Ascot and four other races, her winnings amounting to £4,207. Diadem was a winner or twenty-four races and £16.508. Tire imported stallion Bernard died in Australia last month. By Robert le Diable, from the Persimmon maro Red Lily, Bernard won races in England and Australia, and at the stud he sired winners of more than £115,000 in stakes. His best representatives (included Wee Glen, winner of the Queensland Derby and Cup, Ardglen (Queensland Derby and St. Leger), Sunburst (Newmarket Handicap), Whiz Bang, Bornesk, Switzerland, Whizbro, Crimson, Coleus, and Starbern. Luke Wilson has taken up the position of private trainer to Mr W. G. Stead in Hawke’s Bay. Among his team is the Night Raid —Week End two-year-old, Pillow Fight, who is reported to be in great order. A trip to Australia is contemplated with him in the spring, and, though he is not eligible for the Derbies, as he is a gelding, he will take on weight-for-age events, also the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, provided he trains on well enough. After J. T. Jamieson’s departure for Sydney his team at home will be cared for by his foreman, R. Miller, as R. S. Bagby intends to set up •as a public trainer at Takanini. Bagby will make a start with Chief Jewel, Refresher, and the Gay Shield—Phaola rising two-year-old filly. Prolyxo, who is at present, enjoying a spell, will also join his team when she resumes work. Bagby was at one time private trainer for Mr A. M 1 Donald, and his long association with Jamieson’s stable should enable him to achieve his share of success now that he has again taken up the calling of a trainer. Reports from Auckland credit Claremore with going on well in his preparation for winter jumping engagements. During the past week he was schooled twice over the steeplechase fences at Ellerslie, giving good displays. He is backward yet, but if he has no more breaks in his preparation he should be in good order for the Great Northern Meeting next month. Claremore was in the boom last winter, but an incident which occurred at Trentham in July prevented him from fulfilling his engagement in the Grand National Steeplechase, for which he was favourite.

Metal Bird, who recorded his third win in the space of a week at Blenheim on Saturday, is a three-year-old gelding by Weathervane from Stardancer, dam of Starland, Limelight, Starmist, Paperchase, and Starshooter, and was purchased as a yearling by his present owner for 22ogs at Mr C. G. Dalgety’s dispersal sale. He had his first success at Washdyke last Saturday week, so that he has taken time to come right, and incidentally to give some return of his outlay. Stardancer, with a colt foal at foot by Weathervane, and in foal to that horse, was sold at the same sale for 90gs to Messrs J. W. and L. W. Storry, who later disposed of the foal as a yearling at Trontham to Mrs T. B. Dwan for oOOgs. This youngster has raced several times under the name of Volga Boatman, but, like his brother, will probably not bo seen to the best advantage until well into his three-yenr-old season. The event at Mentone (Melbourne) won by the Hastings-owned Araunah (Hunting Song—Rowanga) on Saturday has some interesting conditions. It is a handicap of 375sovs, and is known as the Mentone Plate and Mentone Purse, divided into two stakes, the maximum weight to bo not less than M.S The conditions road: Horses entered for this handicap to be divided into two classes and the stake into two stakes. All horses handicapped at 9.1 and above that weight. shall be re-

garded as duly entered and qualified to start only for the Mentone Plate, and all horses handicapped at 9.0 and below that weight, only for the Mentone Purse. The horses that start for the Mentone Plato will be allowed in each instance 2st 71b. The lowest handicap weight to be carried in either stake to bo not less than 6.7. The winner of the Plate to receive loOsovs, second 15, and third 10, and the winner of the Purse to receive 170sovs, second 20, third 10 out of the stake. Both races to be decided over six furlongs.