RACING NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 22209, 11 December 1935, Page 13

RACING NOTES

[By St. Gi.A18.3

BACDJG. Dec. 14.—'Waipa B.C. December 14. —Hororata B.C. Dec. 14.—Otaki Maori B.C. Dec. 26.—Waipukurau J.C. Dec. 26, 28.—Taranaki J.C. Dec. 26, 28, 30.—Westland E.C. Dec. 26. 28.—Dunedin J.C. Dec. 26, 27, 28.—Manawatu B.C. Dec. 26. 30. jan. 1, 2.—Auckland R.C. January 1. —Waikouaiti B.C. January I.—Wyndham R.C. January 1, 2.—Stratford E.C. January 1, 2.—Marton J.C. January 1, 2.—Hawke’s Bay J.C. January 1, 2.—Wairarapa B.C. January 1, 2.—Greymouth J.C. January 2.—Oamaru J.C. January 2, 3.—Southland B.C. January 7, 9.—Reefton J.C. January 10, 11. —Vincent J.C. January 11. —Greymouth J.C. January 16, 18.—Thames J.C. January 18.—Wairio J.C.

THE FIRST RACE MEETING IN NEW ZEALAND. With settlements so widely scattered in the early days of New Zealand’s colonisation it is not easy (says the Wellington ‘Post’) to ascertain now where the first race meeting in the young colony’s history was actually held, but one that was staged at Petone (then named Petoni) in 1842 can have very few rivals for the honour. New Zealand’s actual ■ colonisation began only three years prior to that date, and it is not likely that the first colonists had much time to arrange for horse races during the first busy year or two after their arrival. The record of the meeting at Petone is given in the ‘ New Zealand Gazette and Wellington Spectator ’ of 1842, and fairly full particulars are set out. The principal event was won by Figaro, a four-year-old horse by the English-bred Operator (son of Emilius) from the English-bred Merlin mare Theorem. Figaro was foaled in New South Wales, and was the first thoroughbred stallion to be landed on New Zealand soil. The report also shows that Colonel Wakefield was a participant at the meeting, his horse (Beau) winning a match against “ Mr Virtue’s bay mare.” The following is the report of that meeting, taken from the column that modern newspapers usually set apart for the leading articles:— ‘NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE AND WELLINGTON SPECTATOR.’ Saturday, October 22, 1842. PETONI RACES. Thursday, October 20, Sweepstakes for 10 guineas each. Gentlemen riders. Heats of lim. Heats. First. Second. Mr Watt’s ch h Figaro, ridden by owner ... 1 1 Mr Molesworth’s blh h Calmuc Tartar, ridden by owner 22 Mr Virtue’s gr g Marksman, ridden by owner 3 Mr G. Hunter’s b m Temperance, ridden by Dorset 4 4 Mr Banister’s ch g Sulky, ridden by Wade 5 3 Capt. Buckley’s br h Daylight, ridden by owner 6 dist. Mr Bowen’s gr h Mazeppa, ridden by Tyser dist. Figaro’s superior blood enabled him to win both heats .with the greatest ease. He *was the favourite throughout, and was freely backed at 5 to 1 on after the first heat. Several other matches were afterwards made up on the spot, of which we believe the following to be a correct account: SWEEPSTAKES of one pound each. Im. Mr Bevan’s blk" g Dandy, ridden by Dr Dorset ... 1 Col. Wakefield’s ch g Beau, ridden by Mr Watt 2 Mr G. Hunter’s hr g Wai-ake-ake, ridden by owner ... 3 Mr Allen’s gr g, ridden by owner 4. Mr yirtue’g b Jn ridden, by ewner 5

January 22. —Ashurst-PoTiangina R.C. January 22, 24, 25.—Wellington K.C. January 25.—Clifden (at Invercargill) TROTTING. Dec. 26.—Ashburton T.C. Dec. 26.—Gcro T.C. Dec. 26, 28.—Wairarapa T.C. Dec. 26, 27.—Westport T.C. Dec. 27, 28, 31. —Auckland T.C. Dec. 28.—Winton T.C. Jan. 1, 2.—Canterbury Park T.C. Jan. 4, 6.—Greyinouth T.C. Jan. 8. —Keefton T.C. Jan. 18.—Timaru T.C. Jan. 25.—N.Z. Metropolitan T.C. Jan. 30, Feb. I.—Forbury Park T.O. Feb. 1, 3. —Nelson T.C. Feb. 5, B.—Wellington T.C. Feb. 15. —Canterbury Park T.C, Feb. 15, 17. —Auckland T.C. Feb. 22.—New Brighton T.C.

. Matches for one pound a side, distance Im. Mr C. von Alzdorf’s blk g Black Billy beat Mr Machattie’s bay pony. Mr Lyon’s cart horse beat Mr Virtue’s cart horse. Match for five pounds a side, distance Im. Col. Wakefield’s ch g Beau beat Mr Virtue’s bay mare. During this race Mr Wade rode up on Sulky in most unsportsmanlike manner between the two horses, and we see that our contemporary has imagined that a match took place between Beau and Sulky. So runs the account of what was probably the first race meeting- to be staged in New Zealand’s history. NEW STARTING BARRIERS. Yesterday morning Mr C. Gieseler gave a demonstration of his new starting barrier at Wingatui. The barrier for galloping races is a two-strand one, and goes away from the horses instead of rising, and one of the great advantages it has over the old style of barrier in use on most of the southern courses is the minimum of noise. There are no electrical appliances to go out of order, and it can be erected at each post required in less than five minutes. The barrier for trotting races is equally quickly erected, and also very silent in action. These portable barriers will be a great convenience on the few_ courses that have not permanent barriers installed, and the cost to clubs will only be the price of a few extra posts Those who saw the two sets _of barriers working yesterday were impressed with their efficiency and simplicity. JOTTINGS. The Otago and Southland clubs holding meetings during the holidays will distribute £6,421 for racing events and £3,687 for light harness races, a total of £IO,IOB, besides some valuable trophies. The light rain which has fallen during the past 24 hours will be welcomed by trainers. Some of the training tracks were getting a little on the hard side, and the ram will ease the going and freshen up the grass. The Christchurch ‘ Press ’ ventures the opinion that though Silver Streak has been nominated for the local meeting to be run at the same time as the Auckland Cup Meeting, it is almost certain that he will be seen out at the latter fixture. Of the 17 horses engaged in the Waikouaiti Cup only four of them, Dodge, Kemal Pasha, Osculate, Trivet, have been nominated for the Otago Handicap, to be run on Boxing Day at Wingatui. The Waikouait! Racing Club has received 13 nominations for the mile and a-quarter hack race on its programme. For the similarly conditioned race to be run on the second day at Wingatui 15 horses have been engaged. Doctor Duthie, Queen Dorothy, Redolent, Superex, Sungem, and Wonderful are the horses engaged in, both raoe%,

High Glee has been off colour since before the New Zealand Cup Meeting, but is evidently on the improve again, as he has been nominated for the Wingatui, Waikouaiti, and Oamaru Meetings.

Kemal Pasha has been nominated for each of the principal handicaps to be decided at Wingatui, Waikouaiti, Wynd ham, and Oamaru during the holidays. He has also been engaged in the sprint race at Oamaru.

Tizzy and Red Racer are the only two horses engaged in the Waikouaiti Cup that have not been nominated for the President’s Handicap at Oamaru, but Red Racer has been engaged in the open sprint race at the latter fixture. The reappearance of Saxophone’s name amongst the nominations for the meeting to be held at Wingatui this month will be welcomed. This mare has only tq remain sound to develop into a high-class performer. There was a close father and son finish iu the two-mile trotters’ race at New Brighton. R. Townley won by a head, with Silk Coat (who is now in his stable) from Renegade, who was driven by R. W. Townley. The handicaps for the Dunedin and Oamaru holiday meetings will be framed by Mr Canter, Mr Henrys will make the handicaps for the Waikouaiti fixture, and Mr Hassall the Wyndham adjustments. All are due next Monday morning. Of the 24 horses that have been nominated for the Wyndham Cup, to be run on New Year’s Day, Amy Johnson, Cough, Golden King, Hunting Go, Kemal Pasha, Osculate, Ramo, and Toreador are also engaged in the Otago Handicap. The nominations received for the principal events to be decided at Wingatui, Waikouaiti, Wyndham, and Oamaru show that for the Otago Handicap, lOf, £3OO, 12 horses have been engaged; for the Waikouaiti Cup, lOf, £376, 17; Wyndham Cup, 10f‘, £3OO, 24; and President’s Handicap, Im, £235, 21 horses have been nominated. The Australian horses, Evicus and Emilius Way, who raced at the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting meeting at Addington last month, are booked to compete at the Auckland summer meeting. Although they have not succeeded in winning in New Zealand, Evicus and Emilus Way have won good races this season in New South Wales, the former scoring three times at two miles in 4min 27sec. After the Auckland meeting the two horses will return to Australia to race at the interDominion championships. The death is reported of Worthy Bingen, by Nelson Bingen—Bertha Bell, and a brother to two noted pacers in Peter Bingen and Great Bingen. Unlike his relatives, Worthy Bingen was a trotter, and he won a number of races in the colours of the Christchurch sportsman, Mr M. O’Brien. At the stud Worthy Bingen left a number of good class racehorses, the best being Worthy Queen, whose trotting record of 2min 3 3-ssec for a mile is likely to stand for many a day. Worthy Bingen was 18 years old when he died. There is a prospect of a big field in the Auckland Derby, 22 horses remaining in after the final forfeits had- been declared. Some of them appear to have been left in the race through oversight, but Lowenburg, Greek Shepherd, Heritage (placergetters in the New Zealand Derby), Entail, Legatee, Galilee, Haut Monde, Plato, Lady Graceful, Du Barry, and one or two others look to be possible runners. A lot of interest will centre in the meeting of Lowenburg, Greek Shepherd, and Heritage, in view of the excuses offered for the _ but it is probable that Lowenburg will outstay him again. Corroboree was the third Great Northen Derby candidate to succeed at Woodville last week. Shu and Heritage won on the first day. Commenting on Shu’s winning performance at Woodville, the Wellington writer, “ Rangatira,” says that as a Derby trial it might not he quite comparable with that of Heritage and Entail, who were racing in open company, but it was a performance that makes him more than a moderate prospect for classic honours.