RACING NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 21784, 28 July 1934, Page 8

RACING NOTES

RACING. —Season, 1934-35.-August 4. Poverty Bay Runt Cjub. August 4. Christchurch Hunt Club. August 14 18, 18. -C.J.C- Gramjl National Westing. August 18. Pakarauga Runt Club. August 30.—EgmonGWanganui Hunt Club September I.—Otago Runt Club September I.—Taranaki Hunt Club. September s.—Marton Jockey Club. September 15.—Ashburton C. Racing Club. September 13, 15.—Wanganui Jockey Club. September 20, 22.—Geraldine Racing Club. September 28, 29.—Marlborough Racing Club. September 29.—Kurow Jockey Club.

THE BRUCE LOWE SYSTEM EXPLAINED. Explanation of i the figure system is often asked, and in the ‘ Horse and Hounds ’ (London), “ Audax ” gives it in concise fashion to a correspondent who wished to know what was meant when a horse was said to come from the No. 2 family or the No. 11 tribe, “ Bruce Lowe,” he writes, “ examined the pedigrees of all the winners of the Derby, Oaks,' and St. Leger, and traced them back in the female line to the earliest known ancestresses as recorded in Volume I. of' the Stud Book. As a result of this examination, the descendants in tail-female of Tregonwell’s Natural Barb mare were found to have won those three classics mOst often; next came the descendants of Burton’s Barb mare, then those of the dam of the two True Blues; and so oh. “ These families were therefore numbered No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, and so forth, to No. 43. The family number of any horse indicates, therefore, which of these original mares it is descended from on the maternal side, never on the paternal side; and consequently a horse’s number is always the same as its dam’s. Thus Ladas was by Hampton, a No. 10 horse, but Ladas belongs to the No. 1 family because his dam was a No. 1 family mare—a descendant in the female line of Tregonwell’s Natural Barb mare. “The first five, families were called by Bruce Lowe the ‘ running ’ families, and they are distinguished by their figures being printed in italics. There is also another grouping—that of the ‘ sire ’ families, in which the stalljon, element is supposed to be powerful. The numbers in this case are printed in black type—they are Nos. 3, £(,11, 12, and 14. No. 3 is both a running and a sire family. It is claimed for. this classification that it provides a useful guide to breeding, enabling them to tell at a glance tfie merits of the family to which the animals which they propose to mate belong. “ It is not difficult to perceive the weaknesses of this ‘ system,’ ahd 1 have always maintained that it is misleading, although I give the figures in m'y notes for the information and interest of those who may have some faith in it. 1 will adduce one instance in' which it has badly failed, to work out in practice.

“ The No. 9 family is not distinguished according to the ‘ system ’ for either running or sire elements, but. to it belong both Cyllene and Fair Play, tho first of whom sired four Derby winners in eight years, while Fair Play begot Man p’ War, one of the finest racers of modern times. On the contrary. one can point to horses in whoso pedigrees ‘ sire ’ elements predominate, but who have failed to beget anything out of the’ ordinary. “.That extremely able German authority on horse breeding, Von Gottingen, regarded the system as merely a harluless theory; and 1 published in this paper in 1910 an exhaustive examination of the so-called;’ system ’ by an able friend of mine which was generally regarded as completely refuting Rrpce Lowe’s clajms. The (ate William'Allison supported them, but never attempted to reply to the argument? put forward in this article. ‘ ‘ ' I may add that 1 was the first.person whom Bnice Lowe approached wnen he desired to bring his theory to the notice of Iflnglish breeders on bis arrival from Australia, blit 1 was riot .impressed, and he went to Allisdn.”

FRITZ’S MILE RECORD. There are not many unhoppled trpttefs racing to-day ' tjlat cohid :be depended upon to cover a mile' in ‘irniii I4sec, and recollections of Fritz give cause to wonder whether opr trotters have , made the improvement generally credited to them. Worthy Queen’s mile in 2miu 3 3-ssec is far and away the best registered in Australia or New Zealand; but Worthy Queen occupies to-day the place vacated by Frit*/, more than forty years ago. In iB9S Fritz made an attempt to lower In's own record of 2min .14 4-Ssec'_ at the Dubho Trotting Club's Meeting held on the Kensington course, Sydney, but on a track not suited to speed in a sulky he could only do 2ipih lojsec. A few days later,' however, his sporting owner,' Mr J. A, Bucklahd, elected to tackle the record on the Brighton course, Sydney. The track was a composite one of sand and clay, but rain had made it soft, and good judges reckoned it was no _ better than. Kensington. The condition of the track was bad enough to warrant the bookmakers laying' odds against new figures being established'. Accompanied by a pacemaker, Fritz went his first half-mile in Imiu 6Vscc, and then

[By Sr. Gum.]

TROTTING. —Season 1934-35. August 11, IS, 17. New Zealand Metro politan T-O. August 25.—Auckland Trotting Club. September I.—New Brighton Trotting Club September 8. Wellington Trotting ClubSeptember 29. Methven Trotting Club October 6.—New Brighton Trotting Club. October 12, 13 Westport Trotting Club. October 13. -Waikato Trotting Club. October 20. 22--Auckland Trotting Club. October 20, 82. Greymoutb Trotting Club October 22.—Oaroaru' Trotting Club. October 22.—Mhnawatu Trotting Club. October 27.—Wellington Trotting Club. November 6,8, 9. New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club. November 10. -Te Aroha Trotting Club, November 22, 24.—Ferbury Park Trottiig Club.

the angle of the track causing many people to think the trotter was tiring encouraged the bookmakers to_ still further lengthen the odds against a new record being established. Instead of tiring, however, Fritz had plenty in reserve, and he came home full of running in 2min 14sec for the mile. The performance was a really great one, for the track,- less, than half a mile in circumference, was soft, and in many places uneven. In addition, the distance was measured Syds from the inside of the track, while Fritz raced wider and covered more - than the actual mile. In the opinion of good judges at that time Fritz put up a record that would. he equal to 2mm 6sec on an American track. • This happened more than forty-seven years ago, and there are not many to-day who could repeat the performance under the poor conditions existing.

JOTTINGS. To-day’s racing will bring to a conclusion the 1933-34 season, and next season will be opened by the Christchurch Hunt Chib’s fixture on Saturday at Riccarton. After racing at Washdyke this afternoon Hurlingnam will be sent on to Christchurch for fipaj preparation for the National Meeting. . Both Adult and Nightfopra, m E. J. Ellis’s stables, were withdrawn from i their engagement? at Waipiate on account of being temporarily of colour. The tptajisator turnover at Randwick this season totalled £670,759 15s, as compared with £580,316 10s last year, and £771,716 in the 1931-32 season. , Writing prior to last evening s acceptanee “ The Watcher ” in the ‘ Dominion ’ selected Curie, Autopay, Davolo, Slippery, Rebel Star, find Bay Tree as worthy of support for the Winter Oup. Peterette was the on]y winner at Waimate op Thursday who is engaged in any of the three’ big races to Be decided pt the National ’ meeting, and figures in the Steeplechase at 9.(). The Smuggler and Signaller have been recommissioned by A. M'Rentie after a spell, and they are at present being exercised on the roads. Both horses have done well during their holiday. The Otago Hunt Club will distribute £615 in stakes at the annual meeting to be held on September 1. A minimum of 7.7 has been feed in each of the three racing overits on ,-the programme. ' : ; ; It is understood that, the committee of the Kurow Jockey Club has decided pot to accept the Racing Conference’s suggestion that it should amalgamate with tho Oainaru Jockey Club. Valves is reported to be doing good work at Washdyke in view pf his engagement’ in the : Graiid 'National Steeplechase. The niotint bn him has been offered to Hi Turner, who will make a filial decision aßpr tprdriy’s races. ‘

S. G. Ware has not done a greptdeal with his ieafti remoyfnte^o dj’ke. Local trainers' fhat centre state that it has been the worst Winter for thirty year's past', g»d td q cjjhsehuence the tracks have not beep good. It was stated at Thhfsdayls meeting of the South Canterbury Jockey Club that though it ‘bad ereete.d , and iuiprpyernents q'n the course jvhiph wOidd Cost at'least £15,000 to-'day, the cltib poidd not include them in the ance sheet, because the lahd • tbtj' "tvslre built dii a'public ’■ , * L. J. Hynes, rider of Jledditch m the Victoria Grand National/ Steep}e|Cbnge, said, after the race: f‘ Redditch jnipped perfectly, and teas beaten ajohg' t]b 6 riverside. When Woodlace blniidefcd a', rhile from home I though*' •* had q chance, but when Kb caught me again I' knew it was'all over.” •'

If the thirty-one ' horses originally handicapped at Bst in" the Winter Cop were engaged in a race by' t(ihihse|v€s a liandiCapper. would be justified' in making as wide a margin between the best and worst of them as Mr Henrys has made betiveen them and Curie in the Winter Cup.

At the annual meeting of .the South Canterbury Jockey Club, held da Thursday evening, the retiring members of the committee—Messrs A. S. El worthy, T. ft: Rhodes, H. Lowry, 0. L. Qrbejl, and T. Seaton—were re-elected, and at jt subsequent meeting of the committee Mr Donald Grant was re-elected president. ; ' . ■ "

After going about 100yds in the Victoria Grand National Steeplechase, Blhe Boy suddenly dropped' bap|: op Woodiace, whit), in turn/ Was forced to drop back, arid in doing'so brought favourite; Rpdditch, down on to his" nose. When Rfedditcli got back t° jiis feejt be rocked badly and collided with the running rail- ■ ' Racing' men will regret to hear of the serions indisposition of Mr \V; H. Ballinger, one of the most popular fjs* ures oh the'dominion turf, Mr Ballinger became ill after attending th;e final day of the recent Wellington Meeting' ‘ Verdeiv Has gone right ogt of fiydur for the Grand National as a result of hjs poor Exhibitions of stamina at the Wellington Meeting, but a Writer says that he did not trayfel well, apd thht better results are expected from him jh his neaf-gt-hotne engagements npxt month. 1 ' , ; ■ Pa bn is to run at the Christchurch Hunt' Meeting prior to the National, so that lie'jyi)l do his final preparation ph the scene. He Jonh's'well aftpr Ins reepnt racing. Red Sim is aRo fo riff at the' 'Hunt Meeting; oh ' August' 4, followed by the National fixture.' While no decision has been'reached concerning Autopav,'. 'there" 1 is chance that he will be split down to run"in the Winter Cup, Hp is fresh and well, ful| of hid ushaj vitality, and, while there bnay be a dbnbt about him being quite ready, he is fairly forward, and races well fresh. ;' . ' A.'Fullerton, who rode, Wepdlace to victory ip the Victoria Grand National. Steeplechase, had wOii 'the 'race' prerij onsly, ou Sandhurst in j 1929. In this year’s race he was. 1 first engaged tp ride - Catkin, then WidgiewajJ but both of . these horses failed to train oh, and Woodiace ' was i chance mount- His ride on Sandhurst was also a lastminute one.

It is possible that Careen will have a change of riders at Riccarton, and in this event A. Hobson will be on him. Hobson has not , brought home a winner yet ip bis four rides since bis resumption, but be just missed once on Vitapbone. Vitapbone will also be <ne of his mounts at Riccarton. The new stand at Epsom, England, which was completed on the eve of this year’s Derby, cost £249,000. Boxes cost £l2O for two meetings, and “ stalls ” £8 14s for Derby, week. Members of the very select Epsom Club pay up to £l2 12s a year. The King pays his subscription like any other member. The value of the English Derby to Windsor Lad’s, owner was £9,352, against £9,836 10s when ■ Hyperion won last year. Second money on this occasion was £1,112; third, £556; and the breeder of the winner received £SOO. The added money was £3,000. Dry weather caused the going to be fast on Derby day, as in addition to Windsor Lad equalling Hyperion’s record of 2.34, a five furlongs race was won in 56 1-5, and one at seven furlongs in 1.21 4r5. At Epsom, however, all races at seven furlongs, dr shorter, are downhill until within half a furlong of the winning post. No owner at Wainjate on Thursday was more pleased than D. P. Wilson after Black Duke bad won the hurdles. It was not the paltry stake nor the very short dividend the bid veteran returned that gave his owner so much nleasure, hut the fact that his old favourite had succeeded in making good as a hurdler, . . ' ■ . Starting his handicap at. 9.13, with an Bst minimum in the Winter Cup, Mr j. E. Henrvs allows himself a margin of only 271 b between the top weight and the 'tbirty-one horses placed on the minimum, many of whom have been flattered bv thair owners in being included in. such a race, and are never likely to see the barrier. This. policy of sacrificing the rubbish has had the effect of squeezing together fourteen horses between 8.13 and 8.8, and, out* side of Curie, the most dangerous contestants appear to bo included in this bunch. The biggest colt that ran in the recent English Derby was the Americanbred Bondsman (Sir Gallahad 111. Donnie Maginn), owned by Mr W. Woodward. He is 16.2 in height, and has a girth of 75in. Windsor Lad is 15.34, while his girth is 70in, and bone. 84in. When Hyperion won last year his height was 15.14, and he girthed ,68m. The smallest horse in this year’s Derby were Fleetwood and- Pride of the Chilterns, each 15.2 J. It is accepted in Sydney that some trainers do stimulate their horses when they wish,a sluggish or roguish customer to do a little better than usual (says the Sydney ‘ Referee ’), and colour is lent to this idea when you note some veteran behaving like a. skittish two-year-old just before’ leaving the weighing yard for the starting post. Still 1 doubt whether much of this sort Of thing goes on, and one thing certain is that a dope has not yet been discovered capable ■ Of. imparting pace to a horse that does not possess it. Referring to the handicapping of Southdown in the' Winter Cup, “The Wfitcher in the * Domimbn ■ Says! “Southdown (9.4) has plenty of weight at first sight, but -at his last two starts at the C.J.G Easter Meeting he was a winner over seven furlongs and a mile, on the last occasion administering a sound beating to Dayolo, who was in receipt of 121 b, He how meets Davolo Sib better, and although the latter is. a recent, wifiner Southdown’s improvement is likely'to be just as great. In nis case, however, he will bfi-fit a disadvantage"with no recent"'racing. '■"<

wna njgni/i racegoers iibvc had at Ldngchamps (Paris), on June 30. The occasion was ' in connection with Paris’s ‘‘ Big Fortnight.’’ No fewer than 1,500 lamps, with a total of 4,DQ0.000 candle-power,' were* used to light up the course as clearly as. in daytiihe,' ” and' six races, carrying £2 000 in money,; were on the programme. The tote Was run as usual., and after the races were over slipper Was served in the stands. . and there was music apd dancing until dawn. \,At Jamaica (Npjv Tpffc)' in May there wfls. a dpmdnstrptidn against the judge in connection with one race, and there yriH a vielent shene fpr a few 'moments' until the course police got to Work; and arrested five of the ringleaders They appeared before a magistrate the following niofliing, and three who pleaded guilty were, plated on probation for, g year. That prohibits them from being present at any . sporting event during that period, and. likewise, compels : tfom to report to the police each nippth; In future, up matter what they mav, thipk. it is. improbable those thtep will loudly dispute any judge s decision.’' ‘ " ■ ■ ■. Curie’s performances at the- Ellefslie Meetings entjtled ' him to all of the Pst 131 b he has been allotted ip, the Winter: Cup. He had .10.1. in Die -Whyte Handicap, in Which he finished fifth, and 31b less in the Winter Oats when‘he Was only beaten by a narrow margin by Prince Ynl. The firmer going likely, to be available at Riccafton next month will b? all . in favour of the tPP'Weights. and though Curio will have to inept Slippery 'on Sib' worse terras than when the latter, finished fourth to him in the Winter Oats he will niCet Rebel Star bn 51b, Dayolo on 121 b, find Prince Val on 51b better terms, than at Tfcntham. With A. E. Ellis in thfe saddle in the Winter Cup Curie will be well handled. In commenting on the perform gnee of Royal Visitor in the Kensington Steeplechase oh'tpd opening day of the V R.C;‘ Gfgnd National fleeting early in the month, a Melbourne writer says thgt the New Zegland g©W|pg ‘ lived up to bis reputation of being ari exceptionally gashing fencer. ' He treated the 'fences like hurdles, gnd soon established a long lead.” He, however, took dhfe risk too many, for he hit a fegce about ' six frirlongs from homo very hard.' This brought him back to the field, and lip their sp,e©di|y. dropped out of the: picture. So far; this expensive trip of; R©yal Visitor has been a complete, failure. : ' ; • In order to be licensed as trainers by the. Kentucky Stafd Racing applicants hayeAci'SHbscripe to the fqllosing“ Thgt ih© barns and living •robins used by me may he' searched for thd;: Ppssessiori of narcotics without a search warrant at,all tiihet, either in my presence 1 .of absence,; by the Kentiiuky Stdte Racing or the Officials at griy track acting under its jurisdiction* and X hereby waive any and' all; rights which 1 now, ‘of m a y ■ hereafter, Tiaye to object'to apy. shell search, and waive all , claims arjsmg or : growing out of any such JsearCb against’the Kentucky State , Racing Conjihissipp; apd/of the .members thereof, the Racing Association on Whose premises. the search is made, pud/,or the officials at arijf track making inch .search.” .... . . (r i; Writing in tb© ‘.Dominion,’ .The Watcher •. selects Autopay; With Wing the pick ol'the hahdicap m the Winter Cup. Ho gees on to r sav: “ Thw is near the weights h© has been asked t© carry jii- the very best coxiipany. under, |he ; ordinary shale in Australia .and New Zealand—he won with 9-10 fit jvick Farm—and although.he may not lie ready, that,does hot alter the fact that'a decided risk has been taken with h»W. H© has pbf racM since ho ran unplaced jn the last Thompson Handicap, when be carried 9,5 in a 7.0. minimum, so that with the rise m the seal©

he has been let down Sib, and that, top. from his very worst. form. He recently came ipto work again after a,spell, and gs he is fresh and very well-it.will- not take long to bring‘.him into racing order. Ho mav not be ready for a race, like the Winter Cup. but he has certainly been given -every .chance so farms Weight is concerned.’’ . It is. seldom that baudicappers err ou the side of leniency, but last week * Sydney racing saw a horse weighted in a race considerably below what would be a correct assessment. The' handicapping of. Regular Bachelor,’a Queensland two-year-old, at 61b over the minimum upset th© equilibrium of. racegoers ait Canterbury Park.. This.colt was a good performer in Brisbane, and had won: the Sires’ Produce Stakes at His last start. -Even. allowing : that Queensland 'form is inferior to that in Sydney, the colt was very much, underestimated, and wholesale scratchings revealed the opinion of owners of the opposition, Always at odds-on, Regular Bachelor won, but be -just scrambled home after bis rider, who was over-con-fident, had permitted him to slow up to a walk. Pavarti finished like a flash, but just failed. The jhandicapner, Mr j. Tanner,'admitted: bis error, out said that he had confused Regular Bachelor with another horse. Strangely enough, the identity of the colt did. not. leak out until Saturday morning* in spite of the keenness of the intelligence departments of the myriad tipping sheets and tipping organisations ip’Sydney.