RACING NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 22817, 27 November 1937, Page 12

RACING NOTES

- racing; ' November 29.—Takapuna J.C, November -30.’ —Feilding 1 ■ J.C. December 4. —Otaki-Maori R.C. December 11,—Hororata R.C. December 11, 13. —Woodvibe District J.C. December 14 or 18, —Waipa R.C. December 27.—Waipukurau J.C, December 27.—Westland R.C. December 27, 23.—Dunedin J.C. December 27, 28.—Taranaki J.C. December 27, 28, 30.—Manawatu R.C. December 27, 29, January 1, 3.—Auckland R.C. December 51, January 1— Greymoutb J.C.

THE WALK IN START As starting methods were the subject of discussion at the last annual meeting of the New Zealand Racing Conference, which eventually passed a resolution that all flat races shall be started from a standing start, the following item by a Sydney writer is interesting ; “The walk-np method of starting race fields as practised at Melbourne by Mr Rupert Greene, continues to gain favour. It is not so many years ago that doubt as to its efficacy was freely expressed, but, judging from comment that arose from the recent Victoria Racing Club carnival, the critics, practically to a man, have been won over. “ Loud in praise of the Victorian system are several Sydney trainers, and they make no secret of a desire that the Australian Jockey Club starter, Mr J. Gaxieu, adopt it. “ These men do not claim that the Flemington starts were 100 per cent, perfect—such could harly be expected m view of the highly nervous state into which horses and riders are worked—but it is their contention that fewer runners were left standing or injured during the line-up than is usually the case at meetings were flatfooted despatches are the vogue. “ One argument advanced against the copying of Mr Greene by Mr Gaxieu in Sydney is that most Sydney horses are not accustomed to a barrier rising as they walk toward it, and it is recalled that the Australian Jockey Gluh official did experiment some time ago with results that brought a suggestion from high authority that he should reverb to the standing start. “ However, it is more natural for an animal .to break into a gallop from a walk than from a stand, and the manner in which inter-State representatives comport themselves on southern tracks is evidence that only a little harrier practice is necessary to make them realise what is expected of them.” JOTTINGS

Lack of Stamina. Harold Wrack has plenty of speed but only ounces of stamina. He quickly assumed a good lead in'the St. Kilda Handicap and was going like a winner right up to within a furlong of the winning post. Then 'he was beaten, and stopped so badly in the run home that he did not finish in the first eight. Too Fast for Sea Gift. The fast pace set over the early stages of the President’s Handicap did not suit the straight-out trotter Sea Gift, and she was never able to get into the firing line. The course appeared to be just a little too firm to suit this good mare. Dungarvan. That good horse Dungarvan will not be seen at the holiday meetings. He is still in the paddock, and likely to remain there for some time, though his owner hopes that ultimately he will race again. Retired Until Next Season. England’s early season crack two-year-old, Mirza 11., has gone into retirement for the winter, but hope of success in next season’s classic has been abandoned. It is likely ; however, that he will become a champion sprinter. A Good Tip. “ That will do me,” remarked a punter as he watched the sun flash on the wings of an aeroplane soaring above the Te Rapa racecourse on Saturday. “ Bright Wings ” was the omen, and the filly duly obliged with a handsome .double-figure dividend. Prefers New Zealand. The Hawera hurdle horseman, W. Grindlay, after being in Australia for some time with J. Fryer, returned last week. Grindlay was not enamoured with conditions in Australia, and was glad to get back. He considers that the comfort and conveniences for patrons of the sport in no way compare with the facilities provided in the Dominion. Favourites Interfered With. Backers of the favourites, Policy and Taruna, in the Progressive Handicap received a bad run for their money. Taruna was slow to move off, and when going well fell over Norham Lady. When Reymere and Adverse fell they interfered with Policy. Fortunately the drivers of the four horses that fell were not hurt. Royal Romance. In the Roslyn Handicap Royal Romance went off at a gallop and never struck her correct gait at any part of the mile and a-half. It was therefore not surprising to find her neglected in the betting on the Dominion Handicap., In this race Royal Romance, began correctly and, never putting a foot wrong, led all the way. An Imported Pacer, The American-bred colt Bing Crosby is a nicely-gaited pacer, and was seen at his best in the Progressive Handicap. Frequently this colt loses his chance at the start, and his backers yesterday were uneasy until they saw him safely on the journey. He hit the front with a furlong to go, and was not afterwards headed. When this four-year-old settles down he promises to hold Lis own in town hall company.

A West Coast Winner. Cantata, winner of the St. Kilda Handicap, had only started twice this season prior to this race, both times at the Greymouth Meeting last month. On the second day of that meeting she led into the straight in a 12i furlongs race, hut failed to hold off a good challenge from Wee Wrack in the run home. In yesterday’s race she put in a very fast rug over the last two.furlongs.

[By St. Clair.]

TROTTING. December 4.—New Brighton T.C. December 4.—Waikato T.C. December 4.—Wairio T.C. December 11.—Rcefton T.C. December 27.—Ashburton T.C. December 27. —Gore T.C. , December 27.—Wairarapa T.C. December 27, 28.—Westport T.C * December 28. 30, 31. —Auckland T.C, December 29.—Winton T.C. January 1, 3.—Canterbury Park T.C, January 4. —Westland T.C. January 5, 6.—Greymouth T.C. January 15. —Cambridge T.C.

Anna’s Voyage Unlucky. Native Huon put up an attractive performance to win the Roslyn Handicap, and with half a mile to go appeared to have the race well in hand, but had to be driven right out to bent Anna’s Voyage, and only had half a length to spare at the finish. Anna’s Voyage was unlucky in over-reaching and cutting one of his quarters during the running of the race. In his second start his owner-driver was given permission to put boots on him.

Lawn Derby’s Movements. “ It has been definitely decided that Lawn Derby will go to New Zealand, and Jack O’Shea, trainer and driver, will be accompanied by Speedy Boy, another member of the O’Shea stable, who will also make the trip,” says the ‘ Australian Record.’ “ Admirers of a wonderful pacer are hoping that the climate does not diminish the chances of Lawn Derby in his clashes with Now Zealand’s great pacers, including Indianapolis. O’Shea would naturally like to meet the New Zealand horses in Australia, but this is practically impossible as there is no financial inducement for the good horses to leave the Dominion.”

Renown’s Best Equals Track Record. The most outstanding performance at Forbury Park was that of Renown’s Best in winning the Cnversham Handicap. After breaking at the start, by which she lost fully 10 lengths, and trailing the field for seven furlongs, she put in a great run entering the final lap." Then her driver gave her a breather and was content to follow Harelquin into the straight. Once in line for the winning post Renown’s Best put in a good run and scored the easiest win of the day. Her time—3min 10 4-ssec —equalled the track record established by Probationer in May, 1933. Agile, who finished third, was credited with going 3min 15 4-ssec. A Good Colt. Southern' Chief put up a fine performance in the Spring Handicap, and was driven a good race by his trainer, J. J. Kenncrley. With Colonel Grattan out in front making the pace and sheltering him from the wind Southern Chief was always just in behind him. When Colonel Grattan turned into the straight for the final run it looked oddson that he would win, 'but the Inver-cargill-owned colt finished very strongly and just got up to snatch victory by a head. In recording 2inin 57 4-ssec for the mile and three furlongs Southern Chief went 17 l-ssec inside his assessment and lowered the track record, established by Noble Prince at this meeting two years ago, by 3 l-ssec. Both Colonel Grattan and Superior Rank, who was- third; also went well inside Noble Prince’s time. Small Field, But Interesting Race. The concluding event at Forbury Park again proved .that it does not require a big field to make an interesting race. When the field turned for home all but Satin King, who had broken earlier in the race, held winning chances. Halfway down the running the favourite, War Buoy, was beaten, and in dropping back he interfered with Supertax’s final run. Had ho been able to get up next the rails the finish would have been even more exciting, as he was only half a length behind the dead-heaters, Grace M'Elwyn and Rocks Ahead. Considering that only four of the five starters could be given chance's it was also a good betting race, as £2,119 10s was invested on it. A Fast Track. The atmospherical conditions, cold and with a strong southern wind blowing against the horses as they raced up the two furlongs along the back, were not conducive to fast times being recorded at Forbury Park yesterday, and the fast times established by Big Author, Southern Chief, Colonel Grattan, Superior Rank, ‘Agile, Renown’s Rest, and Harlequin demonstrate how fast the track was. The remaking of the racing surface has proved itself an unqualified success, and great credit is due the sub-committee in charge of the work, the caretaker, and his staff. Under more favourable atmospherical conditions it is auite safe to say that the times recorded would have been still faster.

Single-pool Totalisator. The advocates of the single-pool totalisator were unlucky at Forbury Park yesterday. In the first place the fields were smaller than is generally the case at this meeting, secondly the weather was unpleasant and interfered with the attendance, and thirdly a postponement is always against the success of a fixture. Considering that the final event attracted only five starters, the club was fortunate to get a pool of over £2,000 on the race. The total was just on £4OO less than on this event last year, and to finish up only £164 down was quite a satisfactory result. One of the advantages of the. single-pool machine was that there was practically no congestion at the windows, and during the whole afternoon practically no money was shut out.

Big Author’s Good Performance. After winning over two miles at New Brighton last month and twice at Addington this month, Plutus was backed as a racecourse certainty for the President’s Handicap, but the best he could do was to finish second to Big Author, who was handicapped to give him 24yds and added to this handicap by beginning slowly. When Big Author ran to the front nearly three furlongs from home he had Plutus beaten, and had the Alexandra-owned pacer been pushed over the last quarter, of a mile he could have probably knocked more than four-fifths of a second off the record of 4min SOsec established- six seasons ago by Hollo. This is easily Big Author’s best preformance, and great credit is duo to 0. 15. Hooper for the improvement he has made in this Author Dillon gelding’s stamina.

Nightform Destroyed. Nightform broke a leg while exercising on the Washdyke course on Thursday, and was destroyed. His earnings in stakes amounted to £1.J65, and the best races he won were the annate Cup (twice). Birthday Handicap and Provincial Handicap at Wingatm, Ford Handicap at Riverton, and Champion Hack at Orari. At the time of his death Nightform was owned by Mr W. Dore and was in P. T. Hogan’s stable.

Stirling Lady Returning to Form. Stirling Ladv looked like giving a lot of trouble in the President’s Handicap when she ran to the front entering the last lap. Chenwood had been responsible for a sound pace over the first mile and a-quarter, and the South-land-owned mare carried on urtill Big Author headed her off. After this gimd performance Stirling Lady was stoutly' fancied in the Caversham Handicap, but the strong paco set by Harlequin made the task of concoeding 24yds just beyond her ability. She looks now like returning to the good form she showed a couple of seasons ago.

Bill B to Return to Dunlevey’s Care. The American pacer. Bill B, is making a satisfactory recovery from an in-dispo-ition winch aftect.il his racing at the spring meetings. The horse was in a bad wav after his race at New Brighton in October, an dit was then stated that he may not race for some time. A recent examination disclosed great improvement in the horse’s condition. and he may be recommissioned early in the New Year. Bill B is being care'd for by G. Mouritz until F. C. Dunlevey obtains a suitable establishment. 'Dunlevey will probably set up as a public trainer of gallopers. Even if he does, he will still train Bill B

" Pilot ” to Visit Elderslie Stud. Known to thousands of New Zealanders and Australians, Mr J. F. Dexter, or “Pilot,” racing writer of the Sydney ‘ Referee,’ arrived at Wellington by' the Wanganella. He is making a holiday trip to the Dominion. “ Most of ray time I am going to spend at Wellington,” he said, “ but I want to go to the south and see the Elderslie stud horses.” As a young man, Mr Dexter “ knocked about ” at Wellington and in other parts of New Zealand, but since he left the country for Australia 52 years ago this is his first return visit. “ I couldn’t help laughing to myself at the change I saw in Wellington City as we steamed up to berth.” he said. “ The expansion in those 52 years is remarkable.” Among the Records. It appears as if Solario may shake Fairway’s last season’s sire figures before the end of the season. In 1936 Fairway had 24 winners of 38 races worth £57,9312, thus gaining a place among the mighty, such as Blandford, Stock well, St. Simon, Hurry On, and Valais. Up to the end of September this season Solario had 14 winners of 22 races valued at £50,506. Since then he has had several other winners. The flat racing season in England closes at the end of this month. Fairway (in the, earlier part of October) was second to Solario on the winning sires’ list, with 12 winners of 20 races, worth £24.385). Blandford (dead) was third, Singapore fourth, Foxlaw (dead) fifth, Gainsborough sixth, Bosworth seventh, Blenheim eighth, and Hurry On (dead) ninth. Five of these nine horses came of the Hampton line. The Trotting " Championships.” The conditions of the interdominion trotting “ championships,” to be held at Addington at Easter, provide that the stakes in all events shall be allocated on a basis of 70 per cent, for first, 20 per cent, for second, and 10 for third. As there are certain to be two heats in each qualifying event, there are likely to be two races over 1-J mi'es and two over 1) miles, with prizes of £785 for first, £225 for second, and £ll2 10s for third; also two at two miles witii about £B6O for first, £2BO for second, and £l3O for third. In the Grand Final, the awards will bo approximately £1,470, £450, and £225. A lap prize of £SO will be given in each heat of the two-mile qualifying stage, and one of £IOO in the grand final. These stakes are computed on the assumption that there will not be more than two heats in qny qualifying round. The “ championship ” and a cup valued at £SO is to he awarded to the horse gaining the highest aggregate of points in the four events. A prize of £250 and a ribbon is to be awarded to the horse gaining the highest aggregate of points for fastest net times in the series, and the winner of this is likely to be regarded as the real champion. Points are to he allotted on the following scale:—Winners of heats 6, second 2), third 1, fastest time 2). In the final the points will be 7 for first, 2) for second, 1 for third, and 2) for fastest time. Once handicaps are declared (simultaneously for all events) there will be no penalties, except that the committee reserves the right to reassess up to 12 yards in the final. Notes. F. C. Dunlevey, formerly private trainer to Mr G. J. Barton, intends applying for a license to train gallopers. This season Southern Smile has started in 13 races, for four seconds and one third. It is reported that a dividend indicator is to bo designed for the new totalisator at Addington.