RACING NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 22413, 10 August 1936, Page 13

RACING NOTES

[By Sr. Clair.]

RACING. August 11, 13, 15.—Canterbury J.C. August 22.—I’alcurangi Hunt C. August 27.—Egmont-Wanganui Hunt C, at New Plymouth). August 29. —Taranaki Hunt C. September s.—Otago Hunt C. September 10. 12.—Wanganui Jockey C. September 19.—Ashburton County E.C. September 19.—Foxtou Racing Club. September 19, 21.—Avondale J.C. September 24, 26.—Geraldine Racing C. September 26.—Marton Jockey Club. September 26.—Napier Park R.C. October 3.—Kurow J.C. October 3.—Otaki Maori Racmg_ Club. October 3, 5. —Taumaranui Racing Club, (at Paeroa).

TO-MORROW'S GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE

The sixty-first Grand National Steeplechase will be run to-morrow, the scheduled time for starting the race being 2.16. The field this year is one of the smallest that has contested the event for some years, but that does not necessarily mean that it is not a good one, or that it will not be an interesting race. Billy Boy, in addition to being a previous winner, has this season won the Great Northern Steeplechase/ also at Waikato and Wellington. Diamond won the Wellington Steeplechase, Royal Limond last year won the Great Northern Steeplechase, _ and early this season a double at Riverton. Forest Glow won the Winter Steeplechase at Ellerslie last June. Punchestown finished second to Valpeen 'in last year s Grand National Steeplechase. Pahu has won four steeplechases this season at Riverton, Ashburton, Wingatui, and Washdyko. Manawatu won at Trentham, and High Speed at both Trentham and Washdyke during the past _ two months. Thus, all have qualified for the principal cross-country race in the Dominion. In the past the race has provided many surprises, and though Billy Boy and Diamond stand out in a class by themselves on this season’s form, two young horses in Forest Glow and Manawatu have fair chances of beating them. The weather at ißiccartoir has been fine since Friday, ' and the going in the steeplechase course will be good. When Billy Boy and Forest Glow won at Ellerslie the track was firm and very fast, while Diamond. Billy Boy, Manawatu, and High Speed’s successes at Trenthamw were scored on holding going. Billy Boy is reported to be in better condition now than at any period of his career, and his previous experiences over the Riccarton country and proved stamina over a long journey will stand him in good stead. Diamond raced over two miles of the course a year ago when he finished second to Make up in the Enfield Steeplechase, and has been schooling well since winning at Trentham over, much smaller fences than he will have to negotiate to-morrow. He has plenty of pace, and, though he won full of running at the end of three and aquarter miles at Trentham, there is just a doubt that the bigger country, faster pace, and longer distance may find him out.

Royal Limond is fancied in certain quarters, and has-been schooling well over the smaller fences at Riccarton, but last year he shaped badly over the big fences. Forest Glow, after finishing second on the two previous days at Ellerslie, won the Winter Steeplechase, three miles, in such fast time that one is almost inclined to doubt whether the distance was correct. At Wellington he shaped badly, but that _ waS accounted for by having got his tongue over the bit, a contingency that will be specially guarded against to-morrow. Punchestown, runner-up in last year’s race, has not had a race since, and will not be as well seasoned as the others.

Pahu, one of the best stayers in the race, has not yet qualified over the course, but if he jumps it safely must have a chance. Manawatu is another that will be making his debut over the big fences at Riccarton ; and is likely to be troubled by the distance. High Speed is an excellent jumper, but the length of the journey is also likely to trouble him. On his VVellington Steeplechase form Diamond will probably start favourite, and Billy Boy and Forest Glow the horses most likely to trouble him at the finish. * THE WINTER CUP Though 18 horses were paid up for at the final acceptances for the Winter Cup, the field is likely to be smaller than the average over the past 10 years, and, as is usully the case in this race in looking for the winner by the “ process of elimination ” a large number of the field could be struck out. But so many surprises have occurred in this race that that method of finding the winner is dangerous. Had everything gone well with last year’s winner, Epris, since his brilliant performance at Trentham last month, he would have probably started favourite. At Riccarton on Saturday morning it was stated that he was quite all right again, and if so must be one of the hardest to beat, but no horse Tias succeeded in winning this race twice. Queen of Song is such a brilliant mare that even with 10.3, 291 b above the minimum, she has a royal chance. Concertpitch will be carrying nearly 271 b more than lie won the Great Easter Handicap under, and has not had a race since. Fair Weather is a brilliant horse over seven furlongs, and, being a smart beginner will help his chance, but whether he can see out a solidly-run mile is a question yet he has to answer. Adaleno has been such a consistent place-getter that she must bo given a chance, and the fact that she has been brought from Auckland ! for this race shows her connections favour her chance. Ponty ran himself out of hack class at Trentham Inst month under the impost of 9.12, and many consider he has been harshly treated, but he is the right build to carry weight, and there is no_ doubt regarding his brilliancy and ability to 'run out a stout mile. Davolo is privately trained, and reported to be well. He is ju?t the sort to effect a surprise. Wall Street was Southland’s best handicap horse last season. Ho has not had a race since last Easter, and will be meeting better class than he has yet beaten. Cranford, Rona Bay. and Golden Dart do not appeal, but Boomerang, from T. R. George's stable, lias good credentials. Wino heads the list of the sis on_ the minimum, and started favourite in last year’s race. At Oamaru last Juno he finished a head away from Epris oyer a mile in Imin 38sec, and a repetition of that

October 8, 10.—Dunedin Jockey Club

TROTTING. August 12, 14, —N.Z. Metropolitan X.C. August 15.—Cambridge T.C. August 29. —Auckland T.C. September s.—New Brighton T.C. September 12.—Wellington T.C. October 3.—Methven T.C. October 10.—New Brighton T.C. October 17.—Waikato T.C. October 17, 19. —Westport T.C. October 24, 26.—Auckland T.C. October 24, 26,—Greymouth T.C. October 26.—Manawatu T.C. October 26. —Oamaru T.C. October 31.—Wellington T.C.

performance would just about land him a winner. The Surgeon, a good rnilcr and • weight-carrier, will be meeting much better company than he has yet beaten. Of the others Mount Vais recent form shows him to be the most dangerous. The Winter Cup has always been considered one of the hardest races on the calendar to win, and therefore just as difficult to select the winner. It is a good race to bet on the place machine, and the most likely to fill the places are Ponty. Queen of Song, Adaleno or Boomerang.

OAHCEROUS RACING The management of the opening day of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s Meeting did not reflect credit on either the executive of the club or the totalisator proprietor, and the last race was started 55min after the scheduled time in such a bad light that it was dangerous for those taking part in the event, and unfair to the judge. Starting the programme at 12.10, there appeared to be no attempt by the totalisator management to keep up to time, and the average time taken to balance each pool was slightly over 10 minutes. This in itself was bad work, but bad nil the windows for selling tickets been opened there would have been le;s congestion, and it would not have b'en necessary to have kept the tota : "lor open so long after t’m scheduled :- ncs to rake in the last 10 shillings o"er;ng. There is a ru!c_ n c racing which forbids any _ race heir," started after sunset, and it is in the powers of a stipendiary steward to see that clubs, as well as individuals, do not break the rules. It was indeed fortunate for the club that no accident occurred in the field of 11 which contested the International Handicap on Saturday, as the responsibility would hare unquestionably rested on the club. If the management cannot observe the 35m5n intervals there are two alternatives—make the programme for seven races instead of eight, or start the first race earlier in the day.

JOTTINGS

The Grand National Meeting, which commences to-morrow, will open the 1936-37 racing season, and punters should remember that early spring form is very difficult to follow.

If The Smuggler runs up to the form he showed at Ellerslie last June the Trial Hurdle race ab Riccarton tomorrow should be a good thing for him. His most dangerous opponents appear to be Redolent and John Charles.

Those who saw Great \\ ood performing in the mud at Forbury last Maysupported him in the opening event at Addington on Saturday, but got a poor run for their money, as he broke early and tailed the field over the last half of the journey.

The conditions attached to the Cashmere Plate, for which a field of 24 is carded, provide that it is a race ;for horses, that at the time of nomination, have never won a race. There is little to guide punters in making their selection, but Sir Hugh, Orange Blossom, and Thermidor are a wellbred trio.

Though second favourite for the Advance Handicap on Saturday, thanks to the solid support forthcoming for Blair Athol, the Oamaru-trained Golden Mist returned his backers a good price. He fairly outstayed Blair Athol over the last furlong, and was the only Otagotrained winner during the afternoon.

The field of seven engaged in the Enfield Steeplechase is not a good class

one, and though called on to concede 351 b to Kaokaoroa, who is No. 2 on the card, Thurina, an ex-Grand National winner, should have little difficulty in holding off the opposition. Royston and Nocturnus should prove the hardest he has to beat.

There will be three brackets on the totalisator at Riccarton to-morrow. Salts,pray and Santoft in the Inal, Hurdles. The Sandwicbman and Arahoa, and Red Top and Lady' Kate m the Avonhead Handicap. The reason for the bracketing in the latter race is on account of there being over -4 numbers on the 1 totalisator.

Twenty-six horses have been paid up (or in the Avonhead Handicap, which will bring to-morrow’s racing to a cjose. A good deal of luck is attached to the draw for positions at the seven furlong barrier, and. on their recent form, if good positions are drawn by Rose of Vraler, Queen Dorothy, Braw Lad, and Fiord they should be fancied.

The local owner Mr G. J. Barton had no luck at Addington on Saturday. Grand Mogul finished third m the August Handicap, Teviot Downs second in the Stewards’ Handicap, and Cloudy Range second in the International Handicap. Each of these horses will be all the better for the racing, and should do better next time they start.

It was getting dark when the horses went to the post for the International Handicap at Addington on Saturday' evening, and quite impossible to distinguish the colours when the horses

were half a furlong away. Sure was one of the smartest to begin ami out in front all the way. She stayed on well to beat a very hot favourite in Cloudy Range, who was also well placed throughout the running.

The most disappointing performance at Addington was that of Frisco Lady in the Trial Handicap. This filly is one of the smootbest-gaited pacers seen for a long time. She was a little alow to move off her mark, and when she got going dropped into a pocket, from which her driver was unable to get out. The race did not show her true form, and she is likely to do better before the week is out.

One of the best performances seen at Addington was Sea Gift’s _ winning effort in the Stewards’ Handicap. He gave away 84yds start, and was up with the field at the end of live furlongs. He remained at the tail of the leading division until turning for home, when lie commenced a very lino run and just reached Teviot Downs in time to beat him by a very narrow margin. There is a good field of sprinters engaged in the Paparua Handicap, and southern owners will be represented by Ray Duke, Travenna, and Epic The latter, by Iliad from Eulalie, has been working well lately, and was a smart two-year-old. This is just the sort of race that would suit Epic, but on Trentbam form Greek Gold and Dollar Rill, and on Wingatui form, Bay Duke, look to be the hardest.

The death of Mr E. A. Pigeon, of Gore, occurred suddenly at Wellington on Friday night. Deceased, who retired from the managership of the Rank of New Zealand at Gore some years ago, took a keen interest in both racing and trotting, and was a past

president of both the Gore Racing and Trotting Clubs. He raced a number ot trotters during the past few years, and ivas also keenly interested m breeding. Mr Pigeon was a very popular nguie in Gore, and was pre-deceased by Ins wife a few years ago.

There was a heavy haze overhanging the course when the Selwyn Handicap, tho seventh race, was run at - Addington on Saturday, for which Gamble, one of the best four-year-olds last season, was made a very warm favourite. He began very well, but before halt a mile had been covered ran into a pocket from -which he did not get clear until approaching the far turn. I" 01 * he had to go outside a big ‘bunch and cover a lot of extra ground rounding the top. He entered the straight wide out and did well to finish third. He looks sure to do better than tins before the meeting concludes.

Ei-dit of the eleven horses engaged in the Jumpers’ Flat Handicap are acceptors for the Grand National Hurdles to be run on Thursday, and the result of the race should shed some light on the big hurdle race. If Jolly Beggar is to beat Polydora on Thursday he should beat her in this race, as ho meets her on 13lh better terms. Signailer beat Silk Sox iu a similar race at Trentham last month, but now meets the North Islander on 91b worse terms, and Silk Sox should turn the tables at that difference. Travelling Agent, with only 9.9 to carry, reads the best, and should he win he will become a hot favourite for the big hurdle race. Travelling Agent, Silk Sox, and Jolly Beggar may bo the favourites.