RACING NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 22572, 13 February 1937, Page 15

RACING NOTES

[By St. Claik.]

RACING. February 15.—Rotorua R.C. February 19, 20.—Winton J.C. February 20.—Tologa Bay J.C. February 20, 22. —Woodvillo D.J.C. February 20, 22.—Waikato K.C, February 26, 27.—Gore R.C. February 27.—Waiapu R.C. February 27.—Opunake R.C. February 27, March 1: —Te Aroha J.C. March 4, 6.—Napier Park R.C. March 6.—Banks Peninsula R.C, March 6.—Rangitikei R.C. March 12, 13.—Cromwell J.C. March 11, 13.—Wellington R.C. March 13. —Birchwood Hunt. March 13, 17.—Ohinemuri J.C. March 19, 20.—Pahiatua R.C. March 20. —Stratford R.C, March 20.—Otautau R.C.

AINTREE GRAND NATIONAL The word “ Centenary ” added to the conditions of the Grand National Steeplechase in this year’s Racing Calendar has revived the old topic as to what year the great steeplechase was actually first run. According to ‘ Ruff’s Guide to . the Turf,’ an acknowledged authority, the race was first run in 1839, when Lottery won. Other accounts state that. 1836 was the first year. The results of the race published in the annual volume of .‘The Racing Calendar—Steeplechases Past,’ he official record book of the National Hunt Committee, indicate that it began in 1837, when The Duke beat five others. It is also recorded in that volume that in 1837 and 1838 the race was decided over a-, course at Maghull. The first year the present course at Aintree was used was 1839. An official of the Liverpool executive stated recently that they relied upon an old record board, showing the winners of the race, which is hung in the County Stands. The hoard agrees with the Racing Calendar that 1837 was the first year of the Grand National. The foundation of the race is attributed generally to a William Lynn, owner of the_ old Waterloo Hotel at Liverpool, which used to stand where the Central Station is to-day. Ho was also one of the founders of the great coursing event, the Waterloo Cup, the centenary of which was commemorated last year. Liverpool is preparing for record crowds to see this , year’s Grand National on March 19, says ,an English exchange. Applications are being received already for admission tickets to the course, and hotelkeepers are booking up. rapidly. Workmen have been busy constructing the fences, which will be i:he same as for the last two years. V _ A larger number of visitors than ever is.;expected from the United’ States, as the race" this year appears to have strengthened its appeal on the; other side of the Atlantic. American owners who may see their colours carried are Mr A. Untermyer, Mrs H. Sbott, Mr J. B. Snow. Mr J. H. Whitney, Mr P. Mellon, Mrs P. Ambrose Clark, Mr L. Stoddard, Mr J. Metcalf, and Mr F. M, Gould. ' ■ . OWNERSHIP OF QUEEN OF SONG At a meeting of the committee of the Dunedin Jockey Club, held at the Wingatui racecourse yesterday afternoon, .before the running of the Dunedin Cup, Mr P. T. Hogan, when called upon under rule 241, made the following declaration;—“l, P. T. Hogan, of■ Washdyke, licensed horse trainer, do hereby declare that I am the sole owner of the mare Queen of Song, and that no other person _or persons whatever are interested either directly or indirectly in_ the horse or the horse’s stake earnings, and I undertake to prove to tho satisfaction : of the committee that this declaration is true in every particular.” Mr Hogan undertook to furnish what proof he bad, and the committee thereupon adjourned the inquiry till March 4 to hear his evidence. Rule 241, Rules of Racing, reads as follows: —“ The person entering a horse for any race may be called upon by the stewards or committee of the club to declare the name of_ the owner or the names of all persons interested, directly or indirectly, in the horse or the horse’s stake earnings, and if such person fails to prove to the satisfaction of the stewards or committee that the declaration is true in every particular, they may declare the. entry or entries of such horse to be invalid, the money paid for such, entry to be' forfeited' to the club, and the 1 sweepstake (if any) to be forfeited to .the race or races in which the horse is entered.” THE RIVERTON MEETING . Tlie programme for the annual meeting at Riverton, to be held on March 27, 29, and 30, giving £5,575 has been issued, and will be the next big fixture to claim the attention of owners and trainers. The allocation of stakes is a generous one, ranging from £6OO for the Riverton Cup down to £125 for the smaller hack races. The principal stakes are:— Riverton Cup, l£m, £6OO. Great Western Steeplechase, 3m, £SOO. Aparima Handicap, 6f, £3OO. Easter Handicap, Southern Champion Hack Handicap, Im. £4OO. Riverton Steeplechase,. 2itn, £3OO. Flying Handicap, 6f, £230. Fiord Handicap, Im, £250. Autumn Steeplechase, 2Jm, £2OO. On the third day two trotting races will be included, both harness events, one over a mile and a-half and the other two miles. Nominations close on March 1, and handicaps for the first day will be declared by Mr C. E. Hassall on March 10. JOTTINGS Entries for the John Grieg Stakes to be run at the spring meeting of the - Ashburton County Racing Club close on Monday next, at 5 p.m. ; The, acceptances for the first day of the Winton meeting to be held next Friday and Saturday close on Monday at 7 p.m. Top Notch was unlucky again in yesterday’s race. About. two and a-half furlongs from home her rider attempted -to go iip-betwcen two horses, and when half way though they 'dosed in and blocked the filly. Under the circumstances she did well to finish third.

TROTTING. February 20.—New Brighton Trotting Club. February 27.—Kaikoura Trotting Club. March 5, $. —Invercargill Trotting Club. March 6.—Wellington Trotting Club. March 13.—Wanganui Trotting Club. March 13.—Timaru Trotting Club. March 17.—Wyndham Trotting Club. March 20.—Cheviot Trotting Club. March 20.—Wanganui Trotting Club. March 27, 29.—Hawera Trotting Club. March 27, 31. —N.Z. Metropolitan Trotting Club. April 3.—Taranaki Trotting Club. April B.—Reefton Trotting Club. April 10.—Roxburgh Trotting Club. April 10.—Ashburton Trotting Club. April 30.—Thames Trotting Club. April 17, —Manawatu Trotting Club.

Bay Duke is back in training at Riccarton after what appears to have been a beneficial spell. , ■-

Forfeits for the Timaru Trotting Club’s Nursery Stakes and Trotting Stakes must be declared by 5 p.m. on Monday next. Rebel Lad appeared to have every chance in tho Dunedin Cup, and was well placed at the home turn, but failed from there to run on.

Royal Chief was wrongly described in yesterday’s race card as a filly. Royal Chief is a colt and carried a 101 b penalty in the Champagne Stakes. Amy Johnson was chiefly responsible for the pace over the first 10 furlongs in the Dunedin Cup, but disappeared shortly after entering the straight.

• Gold Boa is quite all right, but her owner would not take the chance of starting her in the dead going under 9.9 yesterday. Silk Paper ran her best race this season when she led the field and beat all but Paper Slipper iu the Publicans’ Handicap yesterday.

Knockfin put in - a great run. to get up to finish third in the Publicans’ Handicap, as with three furlongs to go she was whipping in the field.

Travenna, who has not had a race for some time, nearly scored in the Stewards’ Handicap yesterday, hut tired over tho last half furlong. The race should do him good. Davolo ran a good race in the Dunedin, Cup, but was kept a long way back in the early stages. From the home turn he put in a good run to finish just behind the placed horses.

Ashaway found the distance in the Dunedin Cup too far for him, but for 10 furlongs he was well up in the firing lino. He may be seen to better advantage in the Winton Cup next Friday. Viking’s performance in the Publicans’ Handicap yesterday was a long way below his true form. After being up with the leaders for three furlongs h© stopped very suddenly and finished last.

Sir Charles Clifford storied four horses at Wingatui yesterday for three wine and a third. His share of the stakes amounted to £1,079, including a gold • cup valued at £IOO. Natty failed to handle the going well vesterday, and was beaten in the Trial Handicap a long way from home. This filly has been costly to her followers during the past six weeks. Queen of Song ran a good race in the Cup, and was travelling even faster than the winner over the concluding half furlong. She did not get a good passage in the straight, otherwise would certainly have been second. Willie Win does not appear to like the Wingatui course, and again failed to run well on it yesterday. He had the distinction of carrying more investments on the win machine than any other horse at the meeting.

Linguist, winner of the Stewards’ Handicap yesterday, was making her debut in open companyand recorded her fourth consecutive win. This mare has improved a lot during the past two months, and inore stakes should come her way.

Doughty Winner won the Champagne Stakes so easily that he must now be considered, one of the best of the two-vear-olds seen out this season. His dam. Disdainful, also produced Meprisant, and Doughty Winner looks the making of a good Derby candidate.

Barley Almond has done well since she joined G. C. Baines stable at Diccarton, and has now won three races on end on tho Wingatui course. Another win will put her out of hack class, as her winnings now amount to £320. Limond Lad, winner of a welter at Geelong this week, was top-priced yearling at the Trentham sales two years ago, Mr E. E. Jolly’s agent paying 2,100 guineas for him. He is now being trained in Victoria.

Several New Zealand owners have become liable for the final payment as a result of overlooking the necessity for withdrawing their horses from the Caulfield Futurity Stakes. Horses left in by mistake include Ticket, Only One, Jonathan, and Bold Blood.

It was announced after a meeting of the Australian Jockey Club committee a fortnight ago that the stakes for the Autumn Meeting would be increased bv £3,250. This includes £I,OOO additional for the Sydney Cup, and £SOO for the Sires’ Produce Stakes,

A unique distinction was attained by Mr A. P. Brady through his horse’s victory in the Matamata Cup on Saturday, He has now ridden, trained, and owned the winner of this race. _ Some years ago Brady, when a licensed jockey, won the race on Independence. On Saturday Respectful, owned and trained by him, was first past the post. Golden Lap appeared to be all at sen in the going in the hurdle race, and R. Beale did well to get him back on to his feet when- he crashed into the hurdle in front of the stand. But for . this accident Golden Lap would have finished much nearer the winner.

Invadere, who returned the best {dace dividend of the afternoon when le finished third in the Trial Handicap, is on the small side, but full of quality, and will probably show up better on sounder going. Robant, winner of the Trial Handicap yesterday, is a seven-year-old mare, and has been racing three seasons to secure her first win. Robant is trained by her owner at Rakaia, and is ridden in her work by her owner.

Mr John Faulks, of Pembroke, who owns Paper Money, the sire of Wild Chase andl Paper Slipper, was among those present at Wingatui yesterday. The successes of this pair place Mr Faulks’s stallion at the head of the list of winning sires for this season.

Mutus was inclined to give trouble at the start of the Berwick Handicap, and was one of the lucky ones when the barrier was released to a straggly start. Mutus is staying on better now, and it should not be long before he gets on to the winning list. The win scored by Paper Slipper in the Publicans’ 'Handicap was the easiest of the afternoon, and, though he started a very short-priced favourite, his backers really received quite a good price about his chance. Paper Slipper has now won 1 three races out of as many, starts at Wingatui this season, and credited his owner with £620 in stakes.

Yesterday’s winner of the Publicans’ Handicap, Paper Slipper, is by Paper Money, who also sired Pink Note, the winner of the Dunedin Cup in 1928, from Shuffle, and was bred by Mr Norman M'Lean, the stipendiary steward in attendance at yesterday’s meeting. Shuffle is by Solferino from Tinihanga, by Absurd from Formless, by Multiform from Dreamer, by Mostyn.

When Lochlaggan ran up on the outside of the leaders at the top of the straight in the Publicans’ Handicap it looked as if she was sure to finish in the money, but she failed over the final furlong. None of her sire’s progeny are seen at their best on yielding going, but it is worth noting that this mare is very well just now.

Irish Fiddle, the two-year-old halfsister to Cpncertpitch by Day Comet, is one of tlie biggest horses of her age at Riccarton. At present she is being taken, along quietly, as she has been suffering from a cold for some time. Earlier she was given a few sprints, when she shaped well.

Sir Regent, who has won three races recently in Sydney, is a three-year-old colt by Chief Ruler from Irish Lyric, who was specially imported for the Westmere Stud and was never raced. He was purchased as a yearling at Trentham for 55gs by Mr W. 11. Hemball, and is now the partnership property of Mr Kemball and Mr S. ST. Crick, of Sydney.

When G. Wheeler purchased the Beau Pere—Summer Time colt at the national yearling sales at Trentham for l,ooogs, he was acting on behalf of Messrs E. L. Baillieu and P. H. Osborne, who own Beech wood in partnership. Beechwood is trained by F. Musgrave at Caulfield, but their new purchase will be trained in Sydney.

Wild Chase, winner of the Dunedin Cup, is the second of Paper Money's progeny to win the race, and his dam, Wild Hind was by Autumnus from Kirriemuir, by Clanranald from Madowla, by Trenton from Azalea (imp.), by Galliard. Wild Chase was bred by Sir Chas. Clifford, who unfortunately was not able to bo present to see his horses win.

Wild Chase , was always well placed in the Dunedin Cup and was never further back than about fourth, and always on the rails. 6. Humphries showed no anxiety when Tunneller shot out to the front about two and a-half furlongs from home, and when he called on Wild Chase for a final effort the three-year-old responded well and cut down Tunneller in a very "convincing manner. This was Sir Chas. Clifford’s first success in the Dunedin Cup, but his late father won it in 1921 witji Royal Stag, w'hose dam was Kirriemuir, the grand-dam of yesterday’s winner, and a full brother to Wild Chase’s dam.

Royal Saxon gave an excellent exhibition of clean andi quick jumping in yesterday's hurdle race, and this won him the race. He was very tired approaching the last fence, but cleared it well. Royal Pal looked likely to catch him at this fence, but; twisted in taking off and lost some ground.

Perth racing circles have been stirred by the disqualification for two yeats of 11. Morley, the leading ,jockey in West Australia, with 32 winners to his credit this season. Action was taken, by the stipendiary steward, Mr A. -Mulder, after an inquiry into the running of Landcrest at the Pinjarra races on January 20. Morley rode the horse in two races and ran third each time. He was found guilty of improper practices, but the owner was exonerated.

The result of the concluding race at Wingatui yesterday afternoon sent visitors from Southland home in excellent spirits, as their three representatives, Galleon, Trebleack and Ardchoille filled the three places. Galleon has been a very unlucky horse in his races this season, and his finishing run over the last two furlongs yesterday fully warranted the good opinion his admirers hold of him.

One of the horses being discussed in England in connection with the Grand National to be run again next month is Don Bradman, who is a great stayer and already a winner over the Aintree country. Should Don Bradman, a ten-year-old chestnut gelding by Irawaddy from Carminetta, win the National, it is likely that the question will arise whether the man or, the horse will be the greater historical sporting figure. '

Several watches showed yesterday’s Gup to have been run in either 2min 36sec or a fifth faster, but the timekeeper made the official time 2min 32 3-ssec. This is only 2 l-ssec slower than the record established last year when the track was .very fast. On the same afternoon Silver Streak ran the six furlongs, under 9.9. of the Publicans’ Handicap in linin 13 l-ssec, while yesterday Silver Paper took Inn’n 16 3-ssec, showing the course to bo much slower yesterday than it was on the corresponding day. , last season.