RACING NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 21634, 1 February 1934, Page 13

RACING NOTES

[By St. Clair.]

RACING. February 3.—Egniout R.C. February 3. Poverty Bay T.C. February 3 -Matamata R.C. February 8. 10.—Dunedin J.C. February 8, 10. -Poverty Bay T.C. February 8. iO.—Taranaki J.C. February 9, 10.—Marlborough R.C. February 10, 12.—Rotorua R.C. February 15. —Tologa Bay J.C. February 15, 17. —Dargaville R.C. February 15, 17. —Wanganui J.C. February 17.—Canterbury J.C. February 21, 22.—Woodville D.J.C. February' 21, 22.—Gore R.C. February 22.—Waiapu R.C. February 24, 26. —Te Aroha J.C. February 28.—Rangilikei R.C. March 1, 3.—Napier Park R.C. March 3. —Banks Peninsula R.C. March 3.—Franklin R.C. March 7, B.—Dannevirke R.C. (at Woodville). March 8, 10. —Waikato R.C. March 9, 10.—Cromwell-J.C. March 15. —Waimate R.C. AT WINGATUI THIS MORNING. 'Hie weather was warm and still at Wingatui this ’morning, with a heavydew on the grass tracks for those horses which were worked early. The trestles were well out from the mils on the course,. and the outside provided excellent going. Ventrac was sent a mile and a-half, and picked up over the last half-mile by Draw Lad. Travelling well within himself and carrying more than his Cud impost, Ventrac ran the last mile and a-quarter in 2min 21 1-osec, and the last half-mile in 56sec. Meadow Lark ran seven furlongs on the plough with Kemal Pasha, the last six in Imin 18 2-ssec. The latter finished under, a strong pull, and Meadow Lark was a neck in front of him at the post. Gold Paper-was going easily all the way over four furlongs on the plough in sSsec. Hostage beat Sungem and Dodger over sqven furlongs on the course in Imin 37sec. Salmo Salar and Last Link finished together over six« furlongs on the plough in Imin 23sec. Dismiss ran five furlongs on the course in Imin 6 2-ssec, and Was easing up over the last furlong. Palmary and Tippling were sent a mile on the course, and finished together, the last five furlongcs in Imin lOsec. Norman Conquest ,aud Half Note were worked on the plough track, the former being much too good in the brush home. Both Norman Conquest and Queen of Song are now being trained by Alan McDonald. Chhota was too good for Reminder in a-run over six furlongs on the course in Imin 22 l-ssec. Amy Johnson beat Daring Deed oyer a miie, the last seven furlongs being run in Imin 31 l-ssec. The Rosenor—The Kiss gelding heat Polling Day at the end of six furlongs on the course proper in Imin 22 3-ssec. Jacobin and Good Weather were together at the end of a strong working gallop over a miie. Repudiation had the five-furlong race at Tapanui yesterday thrown at her by tho start, but she failed to go on with her lead when seriously tackled. M'Nab is one of the most improving horses in training at Wingatui, and tho two races he ran at Tapanui yesterday showed him to he a very- promising sprinter in the making. Though there was an excellent attendance at Tapanui yesterday the wagering was disappointing, and the meeting would not be a financial success for the club. Venite very nearly scored a double at the Tapanui Meeting. .She gave nothing a chance in the mile and a-quar-ter race, leading all the way. In the Farewell Handicap, one mile and 100 ■yards, she only faded in the last stride to hold off Trivet and was beaten a nose. Venite has only to bo in a galloping mood to be very dangerous in the President’s Handicap next Thursday. The outstanding performance at the Tapanui Meeting yesterday was Lochlaogan's winning effort in the Dwyer Handicap, in winch she carried 9.6 and ran the five furlongs in 61 3-ssec. Two furlongs from home there were three horses in front of her, and she did not get a good run until less than a furlong from home. Then site cut down the improving M‘Nab, to whom she was conceding 321 b, in, good style and was going away at the finish. This gallop has brought her into consideration for the Publicans’ Handicap next week, and with 341 b less on her back tins daughter of Glontruin can be relied on to make the pace very merry. ROUGH TACTICS IN U.S.A. Race-riding in the United States is a hectic business, and short indeed would be the career of any New Zealand or Australian jockey who attempted to imitate some of the tricks of their American confreres. ' . Practically all American race tracks are oval-shaped, and range from half a mile to one mile in circumference. In wet weather there is little difference in the muiLbespattering the respective jockeys receive. The motor-watercar speeds round the track between races, but it merely dampens the surface, and the flying hoofs send up clouds of dust. The unfortunates in the rear ranks of the bunched-up field doggedly battle through. To “ pull out ” to avoid this would entail going the farthest way round—fatal tactics unless the jockey is on a super-horse. Top speed is assured from the rise of the tapes, as the horses drawn nearest the rails dare not dwell for fear of being headed and losing the coveted inside position. To one accustomed to other racing, the spectacle of a dozen horses, closely bunched, charging past the stands, with here and there an anxious jockey’s whip cracking, taking the turn at top speed in a cloud of dust, is a novel and, to the apprehensive person, not an enjoyable experience. Accidents are not unduly numerous, but when they occur they are bad mix-ups. The comparative immunity from accidents is due to the American system of breaking and training the racehorse. Tho yearlings are broken and trained on tho stud farm oval track, and complete their preparation on the race

March IS, 17.—Ohincmnri J.C. March 16, 17.—Wellington R.C. March 17.—Birclnvood Hunt Cluh. March 17.—Opunako R.C. March 21.—Opotiki J.C. March 21, 22.—Manawalu R.C. March 23, 24.—Oaniaru J.G. March 24.—Otautau R.C. TROTTING. February 3.—N Z. Metropolitan X.C. February 17, 21.—Auckland T.C. February 24. —New Brighton T.C. March 2, 3 -Invercargill T.C. March 3. Wellington T.C. March 10.— Timaru T.C. March 14.—Kaikoura T.C. March 14.—Wyndham T.C. March 14.—Manawatu T.C. March 17.—Cheviot T.C. ■ March 17, 24.—Wanganui T.C. March 23. —South Otago T.C. March 24.—Roxburgh T.C. March 31, April 2. Hawera T.C. March 31, April 4. —N.Z. Metropolitan T.C. tracks at which they have engagements. Sppeeding round turns becomes second nature to them, and incidentally tg their riders also,' and produces a familiarity which breeds a mutual contempt for the risks inherent in the game. The fact that the services of apprentices are utilised more freely in America than in England may also, in part, account for the tempo at which American races nr run. Youth rushing in where age would fain ti'ead warily! Another incentive to “ keenness ” is the American system of jockey contracts (retainers), which usually stipulate for a percentage of all stake money won by the jockey s mounts. Ten per cent, is the usual commission arranged. Stewards of meetings in the States have a livelier time than the honornrv qfficials in England. For an English jockey to be “ stood down ” is something of n sensation, but the “ win at any price ” spirit results in a great many suspensions during an American season. Sentences of from five days to thirty days’ suspension for such offences as striking a rival jockey with the whip in the course of a race; grabbing the equipment of another horse; or deliberate foul riding are not infrequent. Tlie “fighting” finish to the 1933 Kentucky’ Derby furnishes a classoc example of the robustness of American jockeyship. The Derby was won, by inches only, by Broker’s Tip (Meade up) from Headplay (Fisher up). As the “Blood-Horse” reported: “ Through the last three-sixteenths of a mile the contest was not a horse race so much as a hand-to-hand combat betwen the jockeys. Just what happened cannot be told with certainty, though it took place in view of thousands. “ According to Meade’s story, Fisher ‘ leg-blocked ’ him. Meade attempted to fight off his rival, hut had little success. While the two horses ran neck-and-neck through the last furlong their jockeys battled above them. “ As they hashed past the post Headplay’s head was pulled sideways towards the grandstand, and Broker’s Tip was straining straight ahead. “ The reason Headplay’s head was pulled out towards the right—and’ in all probability the reason ho failed to finish in front—was the fact that Fisher was leaning far over to the left grasping the saddle cloth of Broker’s Tip. In so doing lie loosed Headplay’s left rein and tightened the right. “ After the horses had passed the post Fisher slashed Meade across the race with his whip, “ While Jockey Meade was being photographed astride the winner Fisher climbed up the steps to the stewards’ stand to claim a foul. Judge Price wouldn’t listen. Other stewards showed little interest. “ Evidently they had seen something of what happened, and already had made up their minds there was to be no disqualification. “ The claim of foul was dismissed immediately. Fisher’s first reaction was to sit down and cry, his second to rush for the jockeys’ room and attack Meade when the latter entered.” Both jockeys were suspended for thirty calendar days “ for rough tactics during the stretch-running of the Kentucky Derby,” while Fisher was given an additional five days for assaulting Meade in the jockeys’ room. A photograph of the finish in the New York ‘ Herald-Tribune ’ shows Fisher ’’olding on to his opponent’s saddle cloth and Meade trjdng to disengage his hand. JOTTINGS. Gore nominations close on Friday at o p.m. Acceptances for the first day of the Dunedin Cup Meeting close on Friday’ at 5 p.m. Variant will not run in the Champagne Stakes at Dunedin, but will contest. the Middlepnrk Plate at Riccarton a week later. F. D. Jones lias not made any plans about the autumn racing campaign of Nightly. He will defer his decision about the Australian trip until the weights for the Sydney Cup are available. A. H. Eastwood will ride Vintage in the Dunedin Cup and Gaysome in the Publicans’ Handicap. In view of their smart gallops on Tuesday those two horses are likely to be much discussed. At Riccarton on Tuesday morning Croupier was seen at his best while doing six furlongs in Imin 14 4-ssec, finishing alongside Marcus Cicero, who went the last five. It was a good gallop, and both horses are in good form for the Dunedin Meeting, where they should get some money. The report that the big NightraidZany colt, knocked down to agents at Trenthani, was purchased on behalf of Mr L. K. S. MacKinnon, of Melbourne, is denied. The colt is back at Ellerslie, and it is stated that he will go into a North Island stable later on. At the Wellington sale of yearlings in 1890, the late'Mr Spencer Gallan paid 2,025 gs for a colt by Xordenfeldt from Frailty, the highest price paid in the Southern Hemisphere for a, yearling up to that time. The youngster afterwards became known as Atousquotaire, but owing to unsotindness he failed to stand a preparation. Last year there were three runners in the Hazlelt Cup, but they were Silver Scorn, Antopay. and Inflation. ’lbis year a list of twelve nominations is published, but if Golden Wings, Croupier, Autopay, Cricket Bat, Silver Ring, and Silver Streak go to the post the race will benefit by the absence of the other half-dozen. Silver Ring will be ridden by D. O’Connor at the Dunedin Meeting. G. Humphries handled him well in his two successes at Trenthani, and the trainer (R. W. King) was thoroughly pleased. A similar combination next week would mean a lot of dead weight, which will not be required by O’Connor, who has a claim to consideration, as he rides the horse frequently in His .work.

It is probable that about thirty horses from Riccarton stahlcs will ho racing at the Dunedin Mooting next week (says the ‘Press’). Arrangements have been made for some of them to go south on Sunday night, while others will leave on Monday. T. Lloyd will not take any of Ills horses to that meeting. With Silver Jest amiss and Tout lo Hondo backward, The Masquerader is the only one left for the trip, and it is not thought advisable to send him without a mate. F. Holmes is doubtful about sending either Miuerval or Sam Smith south. A recent issue of tho ‘ Western India Turf Club Calendar ’ contains the following notice;—“ It has come to the notice of the stewards that numerous owners of racehorses take little or no interest in the management of their horses and leave themselves entirely in the hands of their trainers. The stewards consider it essential to the conduct of clean racing that owners should interest themselves in the management of all horses owned and partly owned by them, and they hereby give warning that in the event of any case of neglect of this duty coming to their notice they will refuse to accept any entries from such persons.” B. Jarden, who has not enjoyed much luck of late, but is a very capable driver and trainer, will leave Christchurch in the near future lor Dunedin, where he has taken over a business. Jarden was loading horseman in the 1920-21 season, and is best remembered as the trainer and driver of Author Dillon, John Dillon, Marie Tempest, and several other good horses a few years ago. He does not intend to give up training, and will prepare Ronald Derby and his two-year-olds for their engagements. Referring to gallops by horses engaged in the Dunedin Cup the Christchurch ‘ Press ’ has the following to say regarding gallops at Riccarton on Tuesday morning .’—Vintage, who had Concentrate as a mate for tho last six furlongs, registered a very attractive mile in J.min 59 2-ssec. The first two furlongs were run in 25sec, and five furlongs in Imin 2 2-ssec, the last six being done in Imin 14 3-ssec, and the last three in 37 l-ssec. Vintage finished resolutely, giving the impression that he was not all out, and his performance was very pleasing to his Dunedin Cup admirers. Sweet Agnes, who is being got ready for the Dunedin Cup, covered a mile and a quarter very well in 2min 12sec, after taking 54sec for the first half. She had Sky Rover as a mate for tlie last mile. Some Shamble, another cup candidate, ran a mile with, Silver Sight in Imin 42 3-ssec, Niggerhead assisting over tho last six furlongs in Imin 16 4-ssec. Silver Sight was a head in front of the other pair at the winning post. Mr J. Chadwick, in ‘Men of Mark in the World of Sport,’ relates the following incident concerning the New Zealand Cup victory of Tirailleur; — “ Air Gollau used to back his horses well, and when Tirailleur scored ho threw in for a fair win and received a lot of money on the eve of his departure from Christchurch for V ellington. On reaching his cabin in the company of a friend, he transferred this money to his belltopper, which he locked in his hat box. During the afternoon after his arrival he became aware that that part of his travelling effects had not been brought to his hotel, and the steamer by this time had proceeded to Sydney. Some men would have lost their heads under such circumstances. Not so Mr Gqllan, who quietly announced to his friend what had happened, walked to tho Union Steam Ship Company’s office, and asked them to telegraph to Sydney tor the return of his hat-box on the arrival of the steamer. This was done, and in due course it came to hand and still contained tho £9OO odd of Tirailleur’s winnings which had been placed there.” The late G. J. Pine won many of the leading races on the New Zealand racing calendar, but few gave him greater pleasure than the success attained on Sir George Clifford’s Cannie Chid against Cruciform in the Champion Plate, a seven-furlong race that was included in the two days’ programme of tho Canterbury Jockey Club’s summer meeting . (says the ‘Press’). Cruciform, one of the greatest mares the New Zealand turf has known, was then regarded as unbeatable, for in that season, 1901-02, she won ten races in fourteen starts, and in two of these starts she was beaten by her stable mates Menschikoff and Royal Artillery. Cruciform on this occasion was ridden by L. H, Hewitt, a fine horseman and one who appreciated the lighter side of life. The race was regarded as a certainty for the mare, and the pair raced together until the straight was reached, when Hewitt said to Pine: “Good-bye, Johnnie, I must leave you.” The distance post was reached and Cannie Chiel was still sticking to the mare and was full of running. Cruciform was hampered by the heavy going, and Canine Chiel scored one of the most popular victories of the season. About this race another story is told. A very strong supporter of the Chokebore Lodge stable, which sheltered Sir George Clifford’s horses, had had a very profitable time in his minor betting transactions, and previous to the Champion Plate found himself more than £4O in pocket. Although ho had to lay odds-on, he thought Cruciform such a certainty that he invested tho whole £4O on Air G. G. Stead’s mare, with disastrous results financially.