RACING NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 21147, 6 July 1932, Page 5

RACING NOTES

RACING,, July 9.—Hawke’s Bay Hunt Club. - July 13, 14, 16.—Wellington Racing Club. July 20.—Rangatikei ■ Hnut Club. July 23.-—Combined Clubs, at Eiccarton. July 30.—South Canterbury’ Hunt Club. July 28, 30. —Gisborne Racing Club. August 6.—Poverty Bay Hunt Club. August 9, 11, 13. —Canterbury Jockey August 20. —Pakuranga Hunt Club. August 27.—Taranaki Hunt Club. August 27. —Otago Hunt Club.

THE THREE DIVIDEND PROPOSAL. One of the matters to be considered at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Racing Conference in Wellington this month, in which some interest is being taken, is a proposal by the Taranaki Jockey Club that in races with more than nine starters there should be three dividends, on the has l ® of 70 per cent., 20 per cent., and 10 per cent. , , ~ The remit has been discussed by the committee of the Manawatu Racing Club, whose secretary has analysed dividends returned at past meetings of the club and finds that the scheme might well prove highly attractive to investors. The following comparison of dividends under the present 75 and 25 per cent, system and those that would be paid under the new scheme was submitted:—

Old Rate: £5 0s 6d, £1 7s. New rate: £4 14s, £1 Is, £1 12s. Old rate: £2 14s 6d, £6 10s 6d. New rate: £2 11s, £5 4s, £2 4s. Old rate: £3- 15s 6d. New rate: £2 16s, 12s, Bs., ** In the case .of the third comparison the second favourite was the winner, .the favourite was second, and the third favourite' third.

Opinion in Auckland inclines to the belief that while the proposal may appeal to casual investors it will not find the support of owners and trainers, with whom racing is more or less a vital business. These men bet on horses which they consider have good winning chances, and in most cases it is safe to say that they would rather carry on under the present system. With three dividends the winning price would be reduced 5 per cent., and most investing owners would prefer to take the longer odds for winning rather than shorter ones under a system that would save them something if their horses ran third. The three dividend system was tried by the Oamaru Trotting Club, dividends being returned in the proportion of 50, 30, and 20 per cent., which did not find favour with owners. SIZE AND PROPORTION. It is one of the axioms of the turf that a good big horse will always beat a good little horse, but this does not always _ work out in practice. A big horse, if well-proportioned, should have an advantage over a smaller competitor, but an ungainly, badly-coupled giant is at a disadvantage. We may see this point tried out in .the spring when the three-year-olds are tested (writes “Banjo Paterson,” in the Sydney ‘Mail’). At present the chunky and closely-built Kuvera appears to be easily the best of them; but a Rosehill-trained youngster called Regal Son, by Australian Sun from Lager, has as yet been very little tested and he will outstride Kuvera. The matter of proportion will come into play, and, as far as history is any guide, Ormonde and’ St.‘ Simon were higher than they were long, Persimmon and Spearmint were about equal in height and length, while Cyllene and Bayardo were longer than they were high. English authorities declare that the long horses cover more ground at a stride, but they are like_ high-geared bicycles—the strain on their propelling powers is greater than on those of a compact horse. One thing is certain —they can easily be too big, for Lager threw one giant that was never worth anything, while her reasonably-sized son Eusebius won a Derby. English writers are inclined to at--tribute the variations in size and proportion of thoroughbreds to the varying influence of the Arab ancestry. Though the Arabs were only ponies they were very short in the back and rump, and were probably taller in comparison to their length than the English mares with which they were, mated. Massive horses such as Gloaming are inheritors of the English characteristics, while fine-headed and hard-legged horses such as Eurythmic are examples of the Arab ancestry. There is at present running about the metropolis a horse called Carapace, by Caravel, who is certainly no great performer, but is practically a pure Arab in type, and the turf student can amuse himself by studying any field of horses and picking out those that show most of the Arab and those whose coarse joints and big heads proclaim the influence of the “hobby,” ns the first English racehorses were called. Not that this is put forward as any reliable guide to finding winners, for the, strains are so .much mixed by now that a horse may resemble one set of ancestors in appearance and may perform as if his qualities were acquired from the other set.

Some horses have freak developments, such as The Tetrarch, who was inordinately high over the croup and was distinguished for speed, while that great stayer and sire of stayers Son-m-Law was noticeably higher in front than behind. If there is any rule in the matter it may be that on an average the high-rumped horses are sprinters and the high-shouldered horses are stayers; but rules applied to thoroughbreds are probably more subject to exceptions than any other rules in the world. JOTTINGS. Having purchased a property at Iliccarton, A. S. Ellis will set up as a trainer there next season. From the work he has been doing Csmpris cannot be fancied in the Whyte Handicap with lOst 21b. A run, however, will sharpen him up for engagements later on. Mount Boa was penalised 51h in the Whyte Handicap for his win at Oamaru, and even with 9st 51b he will be irt demand at Trentham next Wednesday, especially if A. E. Ellis rides him. It is unusual to see a two-year-old’s name figuring in the entries for_ a saddle race, but such is the case with Derby Thorpe, who is engaged in the Dash Handicap, a mile saddle event on the Methven T.O.’s programme. The death is announced of Onyx, by Logan Pointer from Cameos (2mm 15 1-osec). In five and a-half seasons, from August 10, 1920, until December 31. 1925, she won £10,747 in stakes, and left the course with a record of -Imin 23 4-ssec for two miles. ii Dulieu, one of the dominion’s leading horsemen over fences, and who was badly hurt when Advance Camp fell with him in the Great Northern Hurdles, has made a good recovery, and has been engaged to ride Town

[By St. Clair.}

TROTTING. July 9.—Methven Trotting Club. July 16.—Charity Meeting at Addington. August 6, 10, 12.—New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club. August 27.—Auckland Trotting Club. September 3.—New Brighton Trotting Club. September 10.—Wellington Trotting Club. October 1. —Methven Trotting Club.

Beauty in his engagements at Trentham next week.

F. D. Jones nominated Topthorn and Belvoir for the Wellington Meeting, and while the former’s showing at Oamaru would not warrant taking him to Trentham, Belvoir certainly qualified for the trip. He may not be on hand for the opening day, but will be produced later at the meeting. Oriflamb, who won the steeplechase at Oamaru on Saturday, is a halfbrother to the Auckland Cup winner, Fiery Cross. Up to now his. performances have not been of much class, but he may do better over country. Oriflamb was foaled in 1920, so is now racing as an eleven-year-old, not too old for the jumping game.

Mr William P. Kyne, well-known American horse and race track owner, said, after the Agua Handicap, in which he gambled heavily against Phar Lap; “He is the greatest horse I have ever seen, and that goes for Man o’ War, Twenty Grand, Mate, and many others.” . , Town Beauty made many friends at the Auckland Meeting last month. He won the Tamaki Steeplechase on the last day very easily, and as ho is credited with making considerable mipi*ovement since lie raced, ho should be hard to beat in the Matai Steeplechase at Trentham. He is a reliable jumper, who may do well m the best company later on. , • Though Parrish Belle tailed to win a race at the Auckland Club’s winter fixture, her defeats would not cause many to lose confidence in her, and they have only to be patient to get back any money they may have lost over her at the meeting. The daughter of Guy Parrish is at her best on a firm track. Races at Addington would suit her. admirably, and it will not lie surprising (says the Christchurch ‘Times’) to find her racing at headquarters during the spring ° a That B there is something in the belief that pacers • tnfined on cinders race badly on grass, unless they have a tew runs on turf immediately before a meeting, is fully subscribed to by Carnui. [u his work-outs before the recent Auckland fixture Carnui had been responsible for some impressive trials, but these were all done on the cinder track. In his final work-out on the heavy course proper (which is grass) he did not shape so well, and many who had saved up to back him decided to . leave their money in their money-box. As results proved, it was good judgment, as Carnui was beaten out of a place each day. . , . Lord Val is a good sort m soft ground. At the Great Northern Meeting twelve' months ago, on a heavy track, he dead-heated with Pewa over a mile, and coming on to Trentham won the Woburn Handicap, six furlongs,- and was beaten by Sharp Thorn over seven furlongs on the second day, the course being very heavy on each occasion. At the recent Great Noi them Meeting he met with interference in the first division of the Jervois Handicap, which seemed to cost him the race, while he was completely left in the next start, and cantered along behind the field. In the last day, however, ho contested the open sprint, the Visitors’ Handicap, and won with ridiculous ease. Lord Vai is engaged at the forthcoming Wellington fixture. With the exception of the Te Aroha Club, which showed a slight increase of £9O in the totalisator turnover, the trotting clubs in the Auckland province met with heavy reversals in this respect during the past season. For eleven days the Auckland Club handled £231,769," compared with £340,232 for a similar number of days during 193031, a decrease of £108,463. The return for the Waikato Spring Meeting of 1930 was £18,677 for. eight races, while for one race less this season it was £9,321. At the Thames fixture the machine handled £7,i35, against £15,021 in the previous.year, while the Cambridge investments in May for seven races totalled £8,870, compared with £11,296 for eight races in 1931. A special attraction at the Elderslie Stud just now is All Clear, the rising two-year-old brother to Phar Lap. When submitted as a yearling at Trentham, the opinion prevailed that he lacked bone and size and was in many respects unattractive. Now, in Mr Ken Austin’s opinion, he is a magnificent youngster, and has many of the characteristics which Phar Lap possessed, especially in regard to carriage and temperament. He lias been broken in, ami is ridden daily, and it is intended to potter about with him at the stud until about December. He will then be put into training and raced later in the season in New Zealand on behalf ot his owner, Mr C. A. Lyon, of Ceylon. All Clear is ultimately destined to race in Ceylon, but in all probability he may not be sent over until approaching lus three-year-old season. At the Sydney yearling sales of 1929 a colt by lied Dennis, son of 1 redennis and sire of the Melbourne Cup winner Sister Olive, was knocked down to F. D. Jones for 45gns. That youngster is Craigavon. In three starts at two years lie was twice unplaced, but ho won a division of a Trial Plate at Ashburton for which he started twelfth favourite. At three years Craigavon was unplaced in each of his seven races, but this season up to Saturday m nine outings he had been second thrice and third twice, with four unplaced runs. His dam, Great Heart, is by Bowman (son of Chaucer) from Colombo (sister to the Maribyrnong Plate winner Bellambi) by Linacre from San Doro by San Francisco from Grand Dore by the unbeaten Grand Flaneur. Appledore, who won the V -tv. A. Maiden Hurdle Race at I‘lemmgtqu last Saturday, cost 1,600 gs as a yearling at the Sydney sales in 1929. This season he has four wins to his credit out ot twenty-nine starts. He is now owned by Mr J. J. Corry and two friends, and began his hurdling career at the Waikato Meeting on May 21, running unplaced in the Maiden Hurdle. At the Great Northern Meeting he was fourth in the Penrose Hurdle, third in the Panmure Hurdle, and fourth in the Orakei Hurdle. As he is only a four-year-old his career as a jumper seems to promise exceedingly well. Appledore is by Tlossendalo from Demeier. who as a yearling at Newmarket, in England, was sold for u.GOOgs. She was by Desmond (sire of Limoiul) from Sir.terliko by Ladas from Sister Lucy by Ormonde or St. Gatien. , Appledore is a brother to the Sydney performer Remora.

Last year the French filly Brulette won the Oaks, and this year another filly from across the Channel won from Lord Woolavington’s Will o’ the Wisp and Lord Derby’s Guidecca. The winner was Udaipur, owned by the Indian potentate the Aga Khan, whose colt Dastur ran second to April the Fifth in the Derby. The Indian prince has a stud in France, but the winner’s dam, Uganda, must have been sent to Ireland to visit Blandford, for ho is the sire of the Oaks winner. Two years ago the Aga Khan won the Derby with Blenheim, a son of Blandford; so lie has nOw every reason to look upon the Irish stallion as an exceptional sire.. Blandford, by the way, also begot Trigo, the Derby winner of 1929, and must now rank with the greatest sires of the day. Uganda is by the French horse Bridainc from the English marc Hush, by St. Serf from Silent Lady. , - The South Wairarapa trotting Club at a special general meeting decided to disband in order to reorganise. After the last meeting a severe loss was experienced. An application was made for the full 21 per cent, totalisator tax rebate, which was granted. After paymeats of various accounts the club has £33 left with which to pay the Carterton Racing Club £3,106. There is some £3O still owing to the Trotting Club in outstanding fees, and it was decided to take steps to get these in, the nonpayers to be posted in the unpaid forfeit list. The position now is that all club officers, including the secretary, are out of office, but the secretary intimated his willingness to carry on until the next meeting without pay. He also agreed to forgo his present month s salary in the interests of the club. The next meeting to reorganise the club will be held at the end of this month, and meantime a vigorous canvass of the district for members is to bo carried out. The prospects for reorganisation arc considered bright. . A letter published in last week s Sydney ‘ Mail ’ from a Mr G. R. H. Webb, who is very high up in the service of the British Australasian Telegraph Company, known all over the tropics as the B.A.T. While stationed in Singapore Mr Webb was chairman of the Singapore Turf Club, and, actuated by patriotism and the favourable exchange, he induced the Singapore Club to buy thirty young thorouglibreds at the Melbourne and Sydney yearling sales of 1931. These youngsters have been kept in Australia, and will be shipped to Singapore in September of this year. They will then be raffled among the members, as is usual with “ griffins,” and each man will proceed to race whatever kind of horse the fates have sent him. This move is of more importance than, appears at first sight, fox- of late years Australia has pretty well lost the Eastern market for thoroughbreds. Even their griffins (untried horses) have been imported from England and Ireland until, as Mr Webb savs, nine out of every ten first-class horses in Malaya to-day are either English or Irish bred. The Singapore Club’s venture may turn the tide of trade in our direction.