RACING NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 21170, 2 August 1932, Page 7

RACING NOTES

RACING. August 6. —Poverty Bay Hunt Club. August 9. 11. 13.— Canterbury Jockey Club. August 20.—Pakuranga Hunt Club. August 27.—Taranaki Hunt Club. August 27.—Otago Hunt Club. * September 10. —Marton Jockey Club. September 17.—Ashburton Racing Club. September 22, 24.— Wanganui Jockey Club. September 22, 24.— Geraldine Racing Club. October I.—Napier Park Racing Club. Catcher 1. —Kurow Jockey Club. October 6, B.—Dunedin Jockey Club.

HAJID GOLD. Hard Gold, one of those handicapped on the minimum in the Grand National Steeplechase, has run in twenty-six races for five wins, a second, and four thirds. He is by Gold Soult (by Bend Or’s son, Gold Reef) from Consuelo, by Soult, and his darn Try Hard is by Endeavour, who was by St. Leger. Hard Gold, who is now nine years old, finished a length off third to Billy Boy and Paris in the Wellington Steeplechase last month, and meets them in the Grand National Steeplechase on 101 b and 81b better terms respectively. In June he won the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase, two miles and a-half, and a little later the Petane Hack Steeplechase at Napier Park. On the second day at Trentham he was sent out ’favourite, with lOst 131 b up, in the Mariri Hack Steeplechase, but finished i a poor fourth to Okapua lOst, Royal Reign 9st, and Town Beauty 11.1, and gave the impression that he could not carry weight. He fell at the second fence in the July Steeplechase on the third day of the meeting. He is a good type of horse, and as his breeding would imply, a natural jumper. He is one of the possibilities amongst the light-weight division in next Tuesday’s big race. TOWN BEAUTY. Town Beauty should not find the big fences at Riccarton beyond him in next week’s race, as he is a recruit from the hunting field, and is by an Archiestown colt from Beauty. At the Great Northern Meeting last June Town Beauty won both the Hunt Club Cup and Tamahi Steeplechases. At Trentham he was beaten with lOst 111 b up by Okapua 9st 11b in the Matai Hack Steeplechase on the first day, and with list 11b third to Okapua lOst and Royal Reign 9st in the Mariri Hack Steeplechase on the second day. In both of these races he tired badly over the final stages of two miles and a-half, but on the third day with only 9st 51b (51bs over-weight) up lie was only beaten half a head by Nukumai lOst 41b in the July Steeplechase, three miles. He both jumps and stays well under light imposts, and with 9st 51b in the Grand National Steeplechase has, at least, a jumper’s chance. Beauty, the dam of Town Beauty, is a 1909 brown mare by San Remo (son of St. Leger) from Misfortune, whose pedigree is unknown. There are at least two mares named Misfortune on the ‘ Stud Book,’ but neither is the dam of Beauty, who was foaled years after the two ‘ Stud Book ’ mares were dead. Beauty did a little racing oyer fences in her breeder, Mr F. A. Hinton’s colours, and won ' a maiden hurdles at Takapuna in 1914. Mr T. Hinton, of Eureka, in the Waikato, bred from her afterwards and she has left several registered progeny. The first was Miss. Beauty, to Quin Abbey, in 1917. and then came Beau Abbey (to Quin Abbey) in 1921, Beauty Spot (to Archiestown) in 1922, Town Belle (to Archiestown —Mereina colt) iu 1924. and Town Beauty in 1926. Miss Beauty and Beauty Spot both saw the racecourse, but neither ever filled a place. Town Belle, an older fnll-sisfer to Town Beauty, is new undergoing a preparation for racing at Ellerslie. LUMINARY. Luminary, who has lOst 11b in the Grand National Hurdle Race)' won his first race over hurdles at Ellerslie two years ago last June. He won a double on that occasion. Two seasons ago, out of fourteen starts, lie had three wins, one a hurdle race at Wanganui. Last season he opened his winning account by scoring in the Ohinemun Hurdles and the following week won again at Ellerslie, beating a good field in the Brighton Hurdles. He second favourite in ' the -Great Northern Hurdles last June, but failed to see the journey out. and also ran unplaced in the Campbell Hurdles. Luminary, who is now nine years old, began his racing career as a four-year-old, and is by Day Comet from Thurline, by Thurnham from the Soult mare Catharina. He is an experienced hurdler, and is reported to have been training on well. Luminary is one of the field that may trouble Paddon at the end of the two and a-half miles journey next week.. Referring to Luminary’s chance in the Grand National Hurdles, a northern correspondent says: “Luminary has done no schooling since the Great Northern Meeting, but has galloped well during the past week. • To all appearances he is in splendid order, but he may possibly need a race. It is proposed* starting him in the Jumper’s Flat Race on the first day, and this should serve as a good winding-up gallop for the Grand National Hurdles. The distance of the big event may possibly be against him, but the hurdle race on the last day should afford him an excellent opportunity of paying expenses. W. Rennie will he Luminary’s pilot at Christchurch. JOTTINGS. Owners and trainers are reminded ■that nominations for the Otago Hunt Club’s Meeting close on Friday next at 5 p.m. Final acceptances for the first day’s handicaps and final payments for the Grand National Steeples and Hurdles and Winter Cup are due at 8 p.m. on Thursday. Royal Sceptre, by Rosenor—Bonny Olive, has been sent to S. Barr at Riccarton to be trained for his owner, Mi A. S. Cambridge. Gold Mag, a winner at Rosehill Meeting on Saturday, is owned by Mr J. Hennah, who imported him from Australia in 1929. He is by Magpie from Ivaahumanu, by Demosthenes from Lady Cilia. A. E. Ellis declined the mount on Full Mark in the Grand National Hurdles. He will ride Snowfall in the Grand National Steeplechase, but it is unlikely that he will handle any other jumper next week. The annual report of the Wanganui Jockey Club shows that, after allowing a sum of £1.051 for depreciation, there is a loss of £1,732 on the year’s operations. There was a loss of £2,414 during the previous season. A qualification run of the Otago Hounds will bo held over the property of Mr A. M’l.eod at AVaknn to-inor-mw altcrnooon. Owners- wishing to qual-fy their horses are advised to have them on ihe ground at 3 o'clock.

[By ST. Ci.aih.]

TROTTING. August 6, 10, 12.—New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club. August 27.—Auckland Trotting Club. September 3.—New Brighton Trotting October I.—Methren Trotting Club. October B.—Waikato Trotting Club. October 3.—New Brighton Trotting Club. October 22, 24.—Greymouth Trotting Club. October 22, 24.—Auckland Trotting Club. October 24.— Oamaru Trotting Club. October 29.—Wellington Trotting Club.

• Fiesh Breeze, who was backed down to a very short price in the Hunters’ Flat at Timaru on Saturday, pulled up so lame that he can be counted out of all his engagements at the National Meeting next week. Though Royal Visitor’s name appears in the first acceptance for the Grand National Steeplechase, it is reported from Hamilton, where he is owned and trained, that the Enfield Steeplechase is likely to be his mission on the firs* day. He will be ridden -by J. H. MTlae. . , * At the present tune there are thirtysix horses engaged in the Winter Cup, and the safety margin at Riccarton in a mile race is twenty-six. Unless Thursday’s final payment and subsequent scratchings reduce the field to twentysix or less the race will have to be run in divisions. _ Nylotis ran one'of his best races when he finished third to Lord Ranald and High Pitch at Timaru on Saturday, but his legs do not look as if he will stand a through winding up, and to get him to stay out another mile he will need some sound galloping this week. A proposal to do away with all complimentary tickets was prqposad at the annual meeting of the AVinton Jockey Club, and the chairman, Mr William Swale, in announcing that the motion was lost, said that in his opiinon it was on the right lines, and he felt sure the question would be given serious consideration by the committee. Paddon and Membo are the_ ruling favourites for the Grand National Hurdle race, which is run on the second day of the meeting at Riccarton next week. Membo is engaged in the Jumpers’ Flat Handicap on the opening day, but Paddon will have his first race at the ( meeting when stripped lor the big hurclle race. Billy Boy, Paris, and High Pitch continue to be the best fancied candidates for the Grand National Steeplechase. In some godd judges’ opinions Billy Boy’s chances are not favoured on ac ■ count of him not having jumped the Riccarton country previously, but it should offer no trouble to a horse that has qualified in the hunting field. Mr H. H. Fraser, secretary to the South Canterbury Jockey and Hunt Clubs, has been appointed to superintend the running of the Grand National Meeting next week. Mr F. T. H. Bell, who is acting secretary to the Canterbury Jockey Club in the meantime,- will appreciate having the services of such an experienced secretary to assist him over his first meeting. Brulette (Bruleur —Seaweed), who is reckoned . France’s best mare, was bought last month by LordWolavington. Last year Brulette won the Oaks m England, and at her first start in France this season she won a longdistance w.f.n. race. She was engaged in the Ascot Gold Cup, but, if she started, she did not gain a place. Royal Visitor has been entered for the Enfield' Steeplechase 1 about two miles), the Hunt Cup Steepechase (about two miles and a-half), and the Aylesbury Steeplechase (about two miles and a-half) at the Grand National meeting. The Luc-ullus—Sports Queen gelding did not perform up to expectations at°the Wellington Meeting, but he may do better at Riccarton. His Auckland form was good. The Washdyke trainer, E. J. Ellis, finished up the season very successfully. Ho won a double with Merry Peel at Trentham, adding two more wins, with Adult and Merry Peel, at the South Canterbury Hunt Club’s Meeting on Saturday. He wound up the season with twenty-nine wins, a total which gave him second place on the winning trainers’ list, T. R. George being on top with forty-one.

At the annual meeting of members of the Winton Jockey Club a member of the committee said that the club could not make any progress while the present debt existed, and suggested that it be cleared off by each member contributing £5. The chairman said the proposal displayed an excellent spirit, but he did not think such an action was necessary. The recent season was not ns adverse as it appeared, and with rigid economics he thought the club could .pull through. Snowfall as usual jumped the country at Washdyke well on Saturday, but he appeared to lack the brilliancy he showed a year ago when he won the Grand National. The pace set by Lord Ranold was sound, but not fast, and A. E. Ellis kept him fairly close to the leaders for two miles. After the two miles had been covered he was done with, and in an interesting set to from the last fence in he just beat Lucess by a short neck for fourth place, but a long wafy behind the winner. Referring to the amalgamation of the two racing clubs in Gisborne, Mr J. AV. Nolan said at the annual meeting of the Poverty Bay Turf Club last week that the arrangements had been finalised and racing next season would be carried out on the Poverty Bay Club’s course. The Racing Conference had granted* the Poverty Bay Club eight days for the new season, so that there would be no loss of racing days in the district.

At the last Grand National Meeting •Meprisant was only started in one race —the Selwyn Handicap, seven furlongs—and he was just beaten by Historic. He was entered for the AA’inter Cup at the forthcoming Grand National fixture, but was not accepted for, and Itis only other engagement at the meeting is the Selwyn Handicap. He has not done much racing recently, but when at his best is very useful, and there is a possibility that he may attempt to repeat his last year’s performance.

.Air T. Walls received nearly 5,000 letters in the three weeks immediately after his horse April the Fifth had won tho Derby, more than 3,000 of thorn being of the begging nature. Had ho responded to the .requests of all the total outlay would have been about £150.000. Ono letter read as follows;—“I hope you will pardon the liberty I am taking. I do not know yon personally, but I know yon very well'on the films. Could you lend mo £SOO to open a fried fish business ?”

Full Measure was backed in tho hurdle race at Timaru on Saturday ns if unbeatable, but Ids looks could not have given his hackers much confidence, and he was a very distressed horse at the finish after chasing Dainty AA’ays for a mile and a-lmlf. The race may do him good, but not enough to give him a chance in I he Grand National Hurdles next week, in which he has 9st. Full

Measure hit the second hurdle fairly hard, which no doubt affected his chance, but not enough to excuse his beating. , Dainty Ways, who won the hurdle race at Timaru on Saturday, was making her first appearance in public over hurdles, and though lightly built for the game is a very quick, clean jumper. She has been awarded lOst 21b in the Trial Hurdles to be run on the opening day of the National, meeting Full Measure on 81b worse terms, and on this difference should beat him again, unless the higher scale ot weights anchors her. Dainty Ways hails from the "West Coast, where she has some uselul performances to her credit. Her dam, Dainty Step, was a fair performer over short courses. Mr R. A. M‘Lcan> recent purchase, Pillow Fight, was given his first work on the track at Takanini last Thursday, being allowed to cover a circuit at a steady pace. Tie is a very big, raking horse, standing over a lot oi ground, and although not yet strongly muscled he has apparently done a lair amount of solid work. He should furnish into a commanding horse as a three-year-old. Although not allowed to stretch out, he left a good impression by the easy manner iu which he got over the ground while going at a steady pace. C. Morse will go right on with his spring preparation as soon as tho track is suitable.

During the course of a conversation with Mr M. O’Donnell, until recently a well-known produce merchant in Dunedin, an incident in the career of the late “Dick” Mason, overlooked at the time when his obituary was written, was recalled. It was that on one occasion at Forbury Park, when trotting races were included in the programmes of the Dunedin Jockey Club, that that famous trainer once rode the winner of the two trotting races, a horse named Cockrobin, late Billiard Ball. Mr O’Donnell also recalled the fact that Bob Derrott (now f living in retirement at Riccarton), when a young man, rode a trotter named AVanaka (who belonged to Dcrrett’s brother) into second place in two races on the same course. Matu will be ridden in the Grand National Steeplechase by J. Kerr. Matu, who is now rising eleven years, is fresher now' than he has been for a couple of seasons, and a much more reliable jumper. He has done good work since racing at Wingatei last June, and his owner-trainer expects him to run a good race next Tuesday. Matu commenced his racing career as a three-year-old, and lias raced every season since, starting in eighty-nine races. His record is :

Deportment, who was purchased by his present owner for £B, and for some weeks it was touch-and-go whether lie would have to be destroyed after meeting with an accident to one of his legs in the hunting field, has been a very costly proposition since he won the Great AVestern Steeplechase at Riverton a year ago last Easter. At Timaru on Saturday he registered a good performance by winning the Teschemaker Memorial Hunt Cup Steeplechase with list 101 b, and gave a very excellent display of fencing, the best he has done this season. He was always handily placed, and over the last two furlongs of the two and a-half miles easily cut down Sir Richard and Peterette. He is engaged only in the Grand National Steeplechase next Tuesday, in which he will be ridden by G. Salt, and certainly has a jumper’s chance, but may lack sufficient pace.

1st 2nd 3rd Unpl At 3 years ... 0 0 0 3 At 4 years ... 1 3 2 12 At 5 years ... 2 4 3 5 At 6 years ... 3' 0 4 4 At 7 years ... 1 1 1 4 At 8 years ... 1 3 0 8 At 9 years ... 1 0 3 9 At 10 years ... 3 1 3 4 Totals ... ... 12 12 16 49