RACING NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 22630, 23 April 1937, Page 5

RACING NOTES

RACING. April 24 —South Canterbury J.C. ' April 24.—Otautau R.C. April 24, 26.—Marlborough R.C. April 30, X.—Dannevirke R.C. April 29, May 3.—Oamaru J.C. May 8. —Amberley R.C. May 8, 12.—Hawke’s' Bay J.C. May 12, 13.—Egmont R.C. May 12.—Ashburton R.C. May 12 —Southland R.C. mm prospects \ With plenty of recent form to guide backers, most interest to-morrow will be centred on the South Canterbury Jockey Club’s Meeting at Timaru. The fields are of excellent strength and quality, and horses which should be well suported are: — Tekapo Hurdles.—Haere -Tonu, Nightbound, Poniard. ■ ■ Electric Stakes.—Salient Knight, Almira, Lushal. Gladstone Trot.—Bill 8., Jane Worthy,, Great Don. Timaru Cup.-—Monipere, Rebel Lad, Last Refrain. Smithfield, Hack . Handicap.—Rebel Mate,- Primak, Made,.'Money,. Rosewill Hack Handicap.—Dictate, Recollection, Miracle. . Otipua Trot Handicap.—Bill 8., Grattanella, Royal Doulton.. Doncaster Handicap. Joyous, Emissary, Stolen March.' OTAUTAU MEETING The . Otautau - Cup Meeting, which was postponed originally owing to the flooding-, of the course, will be held tomorrow. The meeting is entirely Southland in character, and the fields, with the exception of the trotting events, are on the small side. Horses likely to be fancied are:— Crown Stakes.—Baltruin, British Star. Wallace Harness Trot. Abel, Ghandi, Yinola. , Otautau Cup.—Ashaway,' Double S h(rt - # Ringway Hack Handicap.—Ardchoille, Johnny, King Willow. Otautau Steeplechase. Shillelagh Wood, Black Banner, Possum. Bayswater Saddle Trot. College Boy, Ghandi, Drumbunif. Strathmore Hack Handicap. Bailadjßodeitr. ■ . _ . Macaulay; Memorial Handicap.—Galleon, Double Shot, • TO IMPROVE THE BREED The breeding of trotting stock in Western Australia may develop into an important industry following on several progressive; resolutions at a recent conference between local Breeders and the committee of the West Australian Trottin c Association. About two years ago Mr. J. P. Stratton, the president _of the,.'association, was the moving spirit in the nucleus of a campaign to improve the* position of breeders. . trotting in the provincial ' areas _of the State is guided by three councils, which, consist of delegates froin the various country clubs. The districts are divided into three territories, which are known as the North-eastern, Great Southern, and South-western. A recommendation was made te the councils that they run an annual Trotting; Derby to the value of £IOO in each of their respective districts. The total prize money of £3OO was to be supplied hy the West Australian Trotting Association. In addition, the rulingbody , agreed to promote a Country Trotting Derby of £2OO at Gloucester Park, which would he open only to those horses that had-competed in the country Derbies. Ample evidence that the' move was progressive and beneficial to country breeders was reflected in the remarks made at the recent conference. Speaking on bebalf of bis committee, Mr- Stratton made it clear that the ruling body appreciated the wholehearted efforts of country owners to make-the Derbies the unoualified success, which they had undoubtedly been. He added that trotting was already under a great debt to tbe provincial breeder. The association bad been astounded at the improved education of the country horses which bad competed in tbe recent country chibs*’ handicaps at Gloucester Park '-and the Conntrv Trotting Derbv. He was also .satisfied that the subsidy of £lO to each breeder of , a winner of a Breeders’ Handicap had been a step in the right direction and woudl be continued. To encourage breeders still further it was proposed to devote additional attention to those 1 races during the conference. JOTTINGS 1 A Big Impost. Rodeur is only a small filly, and she may-find 9.5 too heavy an impost on a soft track at Otautau. Showing Form. Namakia is beginning to show good form in her work at Caulfield. Finished Fast. Salient Knight was late in arriving on the scene in the Trial Plate at Waimate, and his fast finishing run will bring him into further favour at Timarn to-morrow, ' Freer Action. When galloping in Australia in the spring, Desert Chief worked with a very cramped action, but he is now moving with plenty of freedom. He should be • a good winner for Mr G. J. Barton. Knoclcfin. Since racing at Waimate Knockfin has been lame behind, and is an absentee at Timaru. Method of Starting, Sydney owners, trainers, jockeys, and racegoers are clamouring for walkup starts, so successful on Victorian courses, but the A.J.C. adheres to flatfooted despatch. In the Otago district there appears to be no definite decision as to the method of starting. Took His Choice. H. Phillips declined several riding engagements at Washdyke to ride Bow Street, Ramana, and Ballad at Otautau to-morrow. A Pipe Opener. D. P. Wilson intends racing Black . Banner, Southdown, and Fireguard at ■ the Birchwood Hunt meeting as a cur-tain-raiser to the winter meeting at .Wingatui.

May 12.—Bay of Islands R.C. May 15.—Otald-Maori R.C. * May 15.—Bircliwood Hunt Club. TROTTING. April 24. —Auckland Trotting Club. April 27.—Marlborough Trotting Club. May I—Kaikoura Trotting Club. May B.—Waikato Trotting Club. May B.—Oamaru Trotting Club, May 12, 15.—Forbury Park Trotting Club. May 29.—Canterbury Park Trotting Club. Pacing Well. Great Don went two good races at Waimate and has. only one engagement at Timaru. The Oamaru-owned and trained pacer is due. Gone North. The , good southern pacer, Eddie Tolan, is now in M. C. M'Tigue’s stable at Methven. The report is that a Christchurch. owner has purchased him. A Cup Candidate. ; When working out prospects for Otautau, the students of racing will recall that Ashaway was one of the early fancies for the Riverton Cup but went out of favour during the meeting. Another Opportunity. . After being interfered with in the Waimate Cup, Monipere finished fast, a head away from Royal Gallant. He will have a. chance to go one better at Timaru to-morrow. A Mudlark. , Double Shot is a great mudlark and, if the course is soft at Otautau, he should be prominent. He whs not up long (before he raced at Riverton and the ’ gallops there would improve him. Still a Novice. Almira failed to run out the Trial Stakes distance at Waimate, but the race might have improved her. She was in a commanding position a furlong from home, and the five furlongs of the Electric Stakes should suit her. Wingatui Rider. The Wingatui light-weight, W. Jenkinsr is probably the busiest jockey on the Mentone course, riding as many as 15 Horses in work each morning. Jenkins’s services are in demand hy trainers, and, as he did not put on - weight during his year’s suspension, he should quickly be dt his best form in races. Reported Sold. Belle Grattan,' who won the Wyndham Cup, is unlikely to do any more racing in Southland, as it is reported that Mr W. D. M‘Leod, of Mandeville, has sold the Grattan Royal mare, who is to race nest at Oamaru. The earlier intention was to race her at Forbury Park also., . Steeplechasers. When they met last in the Autumn Steeplechase on the final day at Riverton, Black Banner (9.5) won and Miss Winston (9.13) was third, 15 lengths away. At Otautau to-morrow, Miss Winston is in receipt of 41b, but Black Banner should beat her again. A Boycott? - Only one trainer is reported to be firm on his intention to boycott the Forbury Park Meeting. Whether he remains adamant will be seen when the nominations for, the events are published. Good money is an attraction, no matter what one’s views. The nominations close on Monday, and they will be studied with unusual interest. Changed His Views. There is one Dunedin punter who is not afraid to put £lO or £2O bn any horse who has changed his views in favour of the “win 1 and place.” A few good wins on the “ win ” machine made him a staunch adherent of the straightout tote, but since a horse he owns has run twice into second place under the single pool, and returned his investments, he has become a supporter of the single pool agitation. An Improved Galloper. ■ By the way he outclassed the opposition at Waimate, Rebel Mate deserves to be sent out favourite at Timaru tomorrow. Since he won at Wingatui, the four-year-old son of Robespierre— Seaside has improved. His dam was a smart galloper. She was hy Autumnus from Telescope, a Martian mare from the successful Stonyhurst family that produced Cannie Chiel and other good winners. A Vote Reversed. It is freely stated that the antagonists .of the “ Forbury ” system of betting placed reliance on turning the vote on one member, who proved a broken reed on which to rest. He voted for the retention of the system, and so converted a 7-5 majority into a 7-5 loss. Tho opponents of the club’s decision are now reported to be working among members to introduce new blood to the executive at the annual meeting, which is held before the November Meeting. Should Stay. Dictate, who is engaged at Timaru, did not start well at Waimate. He won the Yaldhurst Handicap at Riccarton at Easter, carrying his 9.0 in fast time over seven furlongs. He is a three-year-old by Chief Ruler from Kirima, by Marble Arch from Martigues, by Martian from Everlasting by Padlock from Azalea, the dam of Madowla. He is a member of the family which produced Masterpiece, Royal Stag, Kirriemuir, Madam Madcap, and Wild Chase. The distance of the Rosewill Handicap should not trouble Dictate. Bred To Go Fast. Following her impressive win at Waimate, Joyous was picked to go on to good company. She won very impressviely on Saturday, and is certain to be heavily supported at Timaru tomorrow. She is a five-year-old mare by Chief Ruler from the brilliant mare Limelight. Limelight was bred by Mr C. G. Dalgety in 1918, being by Solferino from Stardancer, by Martian— Stepdancer, by Stepniak—Pibroch, by Lochiel—Fallacy, by Sledmere—Deception, by Young Plover—Vanity, by Sir Charles—The Giggler (imp.). Among her successes on the turf were the O.J.C. Great Autumn, Metropolitan, and Members’ Handicaps. Red Manfred, Red Manfred is an interesting entry for the principal flat races at the Dannevirke Meeting next week. It is two years next month since he last raced in New Zealand and won the Hawke’s Bay Cup. and his last race was at Kvneton (Victoria) in October, 1935. He has been schooled over hurdles lately at Hawera.

Hurdling Recruit. Full Throttle is the latest recruit for hurdling, an'd he had soipe schooling over the pony hurdles the other day at Riccarton, Noeturnus accompanying him as tutor. Ho shaped exceptionally well, and should do well at the new branch. No Monopoly, * In South Africa there is no move towards the general appointment of stipendiary stewards, which causes the ‘ South African Referee ’ to remark: “ One factor that is supposed to be delaying the appointment of stipendiary stewards on the Rand is that the clubs cannot afford the expense, but the clubs find the money to, entertain a Jot of people, a big percentage of whom never do anything to help racing, and would not even attend only that they get a free ticket and free entertainment.” In that the Rand has no monopoly. Profit from Championships, Though nearly £7,000 was distributed in stakes at the Adelaide championships and £462 paid away as subsidies to visiting owners, the splendid profit of £1,300 has been shown (says a Melbourne writer). Figures disclose that for the five nights the Royal Agricultural Society received more than £I,OOO for the use of the grounds, and more than £3,300 went in amusement and totalisator taxes. The foregoing figures prove that the officials of the South Australian Trotting Club were quite justified in claiming the right to conduct the 1937 championships, and the profit made speaks highly of the economical management. Night trotting is undoubtedly a great boon to many industries, and the popularity in Adelaide is proof that it is the people’s sport. Heavy Taxation. New Zealand Clubs have no monopoly in heavy payments to the Government in connection with racing. In Massachusetts last year the Eastern Racing Association held 53 days’ racing, and the pari-mutuel turnover was £4,300,000. The State received 3J per cent/ (£150,500) and 50 per cent, of the “ broken money,” which amounted to approximately £33,700. In addition, the club paid a daily license fee of £2OO. The average daily attendance at Suffolk Downs was 14,877. The club paid over £200,000 in taxation. Agawam Park, another horse-racing track, contributed heavily, as did dog racing, of which there were 200 days. Altogether the State received £420,000 from horse and dog racing.

New Trentham Hurdles. In the hurdle races to be run at Trentham in future, the hurdles are to be lightly padded on the take-off side of the top railing. Previously the railing was plain board, but the specifications for a uniform hurdle under the Rules of Racing suggest that the top rail be protected by canvas or other suitable material, and the Wellington Club is conforming with the directions. The hurdle to be used will be identical to that in use at Riccarton. The work of protecting the top rail with a light canvas pad has already been completed by the course superintendent’s staff. The pad is a very light one on one side of the rail only, and not even extending over the top. It is different from the heavy pade that are used at Rllerslie. The hurdles will continue to be staked into the ground, which is considered by most riders to be much the safer way of erecting the obstacles.

Osborne, W. Hack, G. Attewell, K Brooks.