RACING NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 22974, 3 June 1938, Page 14

RACING NOTES

RACING. June 4,6, ,11.—Dunedin J.C. June 4, 6.—Otaki Maori K.C. June 4j 6.—Napier. Park R.C. June 6,9, 11.—Auckland 8.0. June 11. —Hawke’s Bay J.C. June 18.—Bay of Plenty J.C. June 18.—Hawke’s Bay J.C. June 13.—Greymouth J.C. June 25.—Waipa B.C. (at Te Rapa) June 25.—Ashburton County R.C. Juno 25. —Dannevirke Hunt Club. July 2.—Marten R.C. July 2.—Oamaru J.C. July 5,7, 9.—Wellington R.C.

FINAL GALLOPS AT WINGATUI Three or four hours’ heavy rain fell at Wingatui early this morning. It did not appear •to affect the course proper, which will provide good winter going to-morrow, but it got into the inside grass tracks, of which the surface had been opened up by galloping on during the past few days, and made the going heavier than was expected after yesterday’s sunshine for the final gallops. This caused most of the trainers to limit the tasks of their horses to short sprints, many along the back of the course, which were not timed, and others over the final three furlongs, with a view more to see how they would handle the going. than as a test against the watch. All the horses engaged to-morrow have now arrived; also several that are engaged on the later days of the meeting, and over 100 horses were exercised. Gillie and Palmyra finished together over six furlongs in Imin 19sec, the latter handling the going well. Studley Royal was doing better than Settlement, who joined him at the fivefurlong post. Studley Royal ran seven furlongs, the last six in Imin 19 l-ssec, and handled the going well. He will be ridden by A. E. Didham in the Birthday Handicap if Wild Career starts in that race. .

Spanish Lad had Night Wings doing her best at the end of half a mile in 51 l-ssec, both horses acting well in the mud. ' •

' Lazybones easily held Donadea over five furlongs in 64 2-sseo. Illora and Corban were sent a mile and took Imin 23sec for the last six furlongs. flame Queen ran the last three furlongs of six in 42 2-ssec. Clubman and Alby took 39sec to run three furlongs, the former doing it the better.

Sheeney took 54 2-ssee to run half a mile, and appeared to be quite at home on the heavy going. Golden Chest recorded the fastest , three furlongs timed, running it in 38seo. Others timed over this course were Wild Career 41 2-ssec, Pink Kobe 43 4-ssec,, Sir Rosenor 42 l-ssec, and Ardmayle 41 2-ssec.

THE OTAGO HURDLES The Otago Hurdles, with a stake of £250, is the most important hurdle race now south of Riccarton, and this year has drawn a good field of 11, including three horses that have not previously started over hurdles. The Surgeon 11.2 has done a lot of racing this season, having started 28 times for three wins, 11 seconds, and one third. He won at Wingatui last December with 917, Superex 9.81 being second, and then had a long spell of outs. At Easter time he won the Tuapeka Handicap with 8.13, M’Heath 7.11 being third, and at Ashburton last month with 10.4 beat Courtyard 10.9. At Washdyke a fortnight ago, with 10.11 on the first day and 11.1 on the second day, he acted as runner-up to Courtyard 10.9 and 11.4, and will meet Superex on 71b and Sunny Court on 31b worse terms. The extra distance will be in his favour, and he handles soft going well. Fireguard 10.11 has had a dozen races this season for three wins, two seconds, and a third. He won at Wingatui last October under 9.5 J-, Superex 9.5 being second, and • again at the December Meeting with 9.12. The following week ho scored again af the Invercargill Meeting under 10.8. He then did Hot race again until the South Canterbury Meeting last month, when under 11.1 he finished seventh the first day and fifth the second day. He now meets The Surgeon on 51b better terms, and the ;extra distance will be all in his favour.

Black Duke 9.5, who will be bracketed. with Fireguard, will be making bis, 239th start. He has been unplaced in the- five races he has started in this season, and has evidently lost his brilliancy. Superex 10.0 is another that has done a lot of racing this season. His 23 starts have resulted in three wins, four seconds, and six thirds. , Under 9.5 he beat, Fireguard, at Washdyke in the spring, and won again .with 9.9 at the Summer Meeting at Invercargill. He won a high-weight handicap at Oamaru in the autumn carrying 9.9, ■ with M'Hjeath 1016 and Drink Up 9.7 filling the places. At Washdyke last month, under 10.2, he finished fourth to Courtyard', The Surgeon, and Haulbowline. and likes the sting out of the going., M'Heath, 10.0, is a recruit to the game, and a promising one. He has started 19 times this season for one win,'two seconds, and four thirds. His win was scored over hurdles at Invercargill last month, when ho decisively heat; Smoko, Surge, Corban, and six others. He jumps well and has such a lot of pace on the fiat that he must be dangerous. Sunny Court 9.12 has had only five races this season, and a third at Washdyke last mouth is his only placing. He was well fancied in his race on the second day. at that meeting, but finished three lengths behind The Surgeon, whom he now meets on only 31b better terms.

Surge 9.6 bds had 13 starts this season for a win (on the flat), four seconds*, and a third. She handles heav.v going well, and meets M‘Heath oni 101 b better terms than at Invercargill last month, in which race she was also making her debut over hurdles. All Humbug 9.2 has started 13 times this season for three wins, two seconds, and two thirds. This will be his first start over hurdles, and the distance is likely to be too far for him.. Last Post 9.0 has one win. two seconds, and a third to his credit out of IS starts this season, all of which have been on the flat excepting his one race at Invercargill and two races at Washdyke last month, pe finished fifth on the first day and fourth the second day. A likely sort, but the mile and three-quarters may be too Jar for him just yet. Corbin 9.0 won one race, a highweight jumpers’ flat, out of eight starts this season, and will be making his first appearance in a hurdle race. Sir Admiral 9.0 has started 11 times this season for a poor third in a steeplechase. Loth the pace and distance are likely to trouble him.

[By St. Ctai*.]

July 9.—Westland R.C. (at Riccarton). July 16.—Hawke’s Bay Hunt Club. July 16.—Waimate District Hunt Club, July 83.—South Canterbury Hunt Club, July 23.—Matamata R.C. July 23, 30.—Poverty Bay Turf Club. July 30.—Christchurch Hunt Club. July 30.—Taranaki Jockey Club. TROTTING. June 4.—Wanganui T.C. June 6, B.—Auckland T.O, June 6.—Ashburton T.C.

The race promises to be an interesting one, and the betting is likely to take a wide range, with a preference for M‘Heath, Fireguard, and Superex. THE WINTER HANDICAP The Winter Handicap, the ■ open sprint event to be decided to-morrow, has drawn an excellent field of 15, 11 of which have been returned winners this season. A seven-furlong race at Wingatui is always an interesting event, as the field has plenty of time to settle down before making the far turn. To-morrow’s race has attracted all the good sprinters that have shown form this autumn.

Travenna tops the handicap with 9.8, and will be making his reappearance after a lengthy spell. He last raced at the October meeting at Wingatui, when he won the hurdle race on the first day. He also won a hurdle race at Geraldine in the spring, and in his only two other starts this season ran third' in each. Travenna has not been up very long, but is a great mudlark. He is not likely to be ready. _ Osculate, 9.6, has not had a race since he finished fourth in the James Hazlett Gold Cup in February of last year, and has not won a race since December, 1935. Rodeur, 9.3, has started 21 times this season for four wins four seconds, and three thirds. Her first win was scored at the summer meeting at Invercargill when, under 8,5, she beat Peony Rose, 7.04, and a big field in a hack race run over six furlongs. At Winton, with 7.7, she beat Hoy Bun, 7.7, Viking, 9.0, Janet Gaynor, 8.6. and Beam, 7.9. At Riverton last Easter she won the Aparima Handicap, six furlongs, under 7.10, beating Viking, 8.8, Valinarch, 7.11, Peony Rose, 7.0, Araboa, 7.13, Moneyless 7.34, and two others. After running fifth on the first day at Washdytke last month with 8.0 she was close up third to Lazybones, 7.9, and Golden Chest, 7.5, in the Farewell Handicap, and now meets Golden Chest on 11b worse terms. She is nicely handicapped, and must be given a good chance. Moneyless, 8.12, after showing good form last season, was thrown out of work, and did not race again until the beginning of last February. Since then he has started eight times for two wins and a third. Both of his successes were scored at Riverton. In the second day, with 7.2, he beat Rodeur, 8.6, Peony Rose, 7.0, and four others in the Flying,Handicap, six furlongs, and on the third day, with 7.9, led all the way in the Monowai Handicap, one mile, beating Surge, 7.0, Linguist, 8.7, and four others in Imin 40 l-ssec.

Linguist, 8.8, has started in 19 races for two wins, two seconds, and three thirds this season. With 7.7 she won the Spring Handicap at Gore, then ran prominently for a mile and six furlongs in the New Zealand Cup, an effort that evidently knocked her back. On Boxing Day she beat three others in the Westland Handicap, mile and a-quar-ter, but since then she has been racing unluckily, just getting beaten by very narrow margins. Linguist will meet four of . the horses she met in the Farewell Handicap at Riverton on the following better terms:—Rodeur (winner) 91b, Moneyless (second) 81b, Araboa (fourth) 71b, and Sea Fox 101 b. Trivet, 8.8, has won three times, has been second twice, and third four times out of 14 starts this season, but her successes were scored at country fixtures, two at Omakau arid the other at Beaumont, and she will meet mucb better class in to-morrow’s race.

Alby, 8.8, has done a lot of racing this season, but his 19 starts have only produced one win, three seconds, ana three thirds. His win was scored over seven furlongs under 8.6 at Blenheim in April, but the class he beat would not compare with to-morrow's field. Golden Chest, 8.7, has also done a good deal of racing this season, her 15 starts resulting in two wins, five seconds, and two thirds. She won over six furlongs under 9.0 at Foxton in the spring, but did not score again until she had a lucky win over Finanoiere in the Gimcrack Handicap at Riceartou last Easter. Many thought she won at Washdyke a fortnight ago when the judge decided half a head in favour of Lazybones. In that race she carried 7.5, and Rodeur, who finished third, 8.0, so in to-morrow’s race Golden Chest meets Rodeur on lib better terms, but the extra furlong is likely to be in the latter’s favour.

Royal Gallant, 8.7. Out of seven starts this season has scored a second and a third. Is also engaged in the Birthday Handicap. Recent form indicates that he is losing his brilliance. Araboa, 8.5. Last season a very successful performer up to a mile, and this season, out of 17 starts, has won twice and has been three times third. Under 8.10 he won the Tally Ho Handicap at Wingatui last August, beating Half Note 7.13, M'Heath 8.9, Royal Gallant 9.0, Mount Val 8.6. and two others in heavy going. At the October meeting Araboa won the Ranfurly Handicap under 7.12, beating Last Refrain 8.5, Tauramai 8.7, and seven others, including Linguist 7.4 and Mount Val 7.3*. He was turned out shortly after this, and made bis reappearance at the Riverton meeting, where he finished unplaced in his two starts, but had not been up very long. On the last day he finished fourth to Rodeur and Moneyless. and meets them on 21b and 11b better terms respectively. At Riverton Araboa was generously treated, and apparently the D.J.C. handicapper, who did not see the racing at Riverton, accepted Araboa’s assessments at that meeting as correct without checking up on his previous form. A winner of seven races, including this race last year, when he beat Alma at even weights, and now only 51b above the minimum, ho does appear to be most leniently treated, and has been the ante-post favourite since the handicaps appeared. Greek Gold, 8.5. Out of six starts this season has finished second once and third once. On the form he showed at, Washdyke a fortnight ago he would have to stage a great improvement to have any chance.

Peony Rose, 8.3. lias started a dozen times this season for four wins, two seconds, and two thirds. She opened this year’s winning account in a sixfurlong race at Tapanui, then boat a better field at W’inton, also over six furlongs. Under 9.3 won again over that distance at Riverton, heating a big field, and with 7.2 won the open sevenfurlong race at Invercargill last month, beating Rodeur 9.1, Sea Fox 7.3,_and Four others, including Moneyless 7.13. In to-morrow’s race she will meet Hocleur on 131 b, Sea Fox on 21b, and Moneyless on 21b worse terms. Sea Fox, 8.2, lias won once, has been second and third once out of nine starts this season. He won over a mile at Wingatui at the Christmas Meeting, but the field was not a strong one, and, like Moneyless, is badly handicapped through Rodeur. Mount Val, 8.1, has started 11 times this season without getting into the money, and has only won three races in as many seasons.

Night Wings; 8.0. Out of 19 starts has won four times, has been second twice, and third once this season. At the Christmas Meeting at Wingatui she beat a useful field over seven furlongs, ivon twice over a mile at Cromwell, and at Riccarton on Easter Monday, with 8.1, beat a strong field in the Autumn Champion Plate. This mare runs a good race first time out, and must be given consideration.

Araboa will start a good favourite, but is likely to find Rodeur very hard to shake off, while Golden Chest and Night Wings appear to be good place bets. JOTTINGS The first race at Wingatui to-morrow is scheduled to start at 11.30. There will be racing on Saturday at Wingatui, Otaki, and Napier Park: and trotting at Wanganui. Jockey Injured. When Riotous came to grief in the Waikato Steeplechase at Te Rapa last Monday week, his rider. W., J. M‘Dowell, received broken ribs. If recovered. M'Dowell will ride L. Knapp’s team, which includes Riotous, Forest Glow. Porotiti, and Hiratrgi, at the Auckland Racing Club’s Winter Meeting.

Miraculous Recovery. R. Beale earned the applause of the spectators at Foxton when he made a miraculous recovery on Mozeltove, who hit very hard the second of the stand double. His mount, however, ran off at the next fence. Novice ’Chasers. At Greenmeadows on Saturday John Charles gave a splendid exhibition over the fences. Last season he won impressively the Trentham Hurdles and Winter Hurdles. He was assisted in the first round by the novice Skerr.yvore, who is by Cockpit from Sineila, a halfsister to the Great Northern winner Kohu. Skerryvore is another novice who looks like making the grade. An Unbalanced Handicap. When Peony Rose beat Rodeur in the President’s Handicap at Invercargill last month there was 271 b between these two Robespierre mares, and the margin between them at the post was given officially as a length and a-quar-ter. A week later Rodeur was beaten half a length by Lazybones and Golden Chest over six furlongs at Timaru. In the Winter Handicap, run over the same distance as the Invercargill race under notice, Rodeur has been raised from 9.1 to 9.3 and Peony Rose from 7.2 to 8.3, and thus the latter meets Rodeur on 151 b worse terms for a length and a-quarter win. Rodeur is also favoured in comparison with Sea Fox and Moneyless, who finished behind her at Invercargill, as in the Winter Handicap she meets each of them on 111 b better terms. Lord Warden Sold. The Hurry On stallion Lord Warden, sire of Cerne Abbas, Protector, Normal, Custodian, Gustos, Viking, Lady Kyra, and other good performers, has been sold to a Bay of Plenty syndicate comprising Mr F, Bell, sen., of Waimana, and Messrs Abbott Bros., of Opotiki. The Abbott Bros, have been breeding for some years, the produce of their stud including Llangollen and Kilberis. Lord Warden will stand at Opotiki. He was imported to New Zealand by Mr George Kain, of the Gladstone Park Stud, Orari, and after standing there for several years he was leased to Mr A. S. Elworthy for last season when Mr Kain imported Man’s Pal. Auckland Scratchings.

Red Fox and Tradesmen were scratched for all engagements at the Auckland Racing Club’s Meeting at 3.10 p.m. yesterday. All Irish.

Owing to his leg injury, All Irish has been allowed to forego his engagements in the Great. Northern Hurdles and the Great Northern Steeplechase at Ellerslie. However, he may be given a race over hurdles on one of the later days of the meeting. Placed Last Year. Among the horses engaged at Wingatui on Saturday the following ran into places at this meeting last year:—Sunward (second in Tahuna Steeplechase), Black Banner (second in Otago Steeplechase), Last Refrain (third in Birthday Handicap), Radius Rod (second in RosJyn Steeplechase), Royal Gallant (second in King George and third in Provincial Handicap). Amelita (third in King George Handicap), and Mount Va! (second in Tainui Handicap). Last Year’s Winners. The winners of 10 races at last year’s Winter Meeting are engaged again at Wingatui on Saturday. They are:— Scrap (Trial Handicap). Signaller (Otago Hurdles), Araboa (Winter Handicap), Gay Boa (Roslyn Steeplechase), Balmenter (Novice and Aldworth Handicaps), Dissemble (Silverstream Handicap), Trisnx (Wingatui Steeplechase), Cintilla (Provincial Handicap), High Glee (Southern Hack Handicap), and Soliad (Electric Handicap). Selects Mungatoon to Win Again. Five of the nine acceptors for the Birthday Handicap ran in the South Canterbury Handicap. The weights for the two races are:—

On Washdyke form Mungatoon should win again, and Last Refrain should account for the others, but a different track might produce a different result (says the Timarn ‘ Herald ’), Royal Gallant has two wins in the Birthday Handicap to his credit, but he will need to improve on recent form to have any chance with Mungatoon or Last Refrain. He is asked to meet Mungatoon 61b better and Last Refrain on the same terms as at Washdyke. his only advantage being that he can claim an apprentice allowance at Dunedin.

The Wag Again. This story comes from Mackay (().) : Speculators gathered round an amplifier to hear the description of a race in Melbourne. The faraway announcer told them that the horses were at the

harrier and that the starter was calling them in. Then came a burst of static like machine-gun fire. “ Must have tuned in the war in China,” remarked one listener. “ War in China be bloived.” retorted his mate. “ That’s the jockeys charging their batteries before the 'starter says go.” Victorian Grand Nationals. The weights for the Victorian Grand National Hurdles and Steeplechase, to be run on July 2 and July 9 respectively, arc to hand. Top position in both races has been awarded to Pooley Pridge. who has 12.1 in the hurdles and 12.7 in the cross-coimtrv event. Pooley Pridge. who succeeded the great Mosstrooper as the champion jumper of Australia, won the Grand National Hurdles in Ifl.'lfi. Last year, when lie carried 12.8, bo fell, and he did not contest the steeplechase.

S.C. Birth. Up. Mnngatoou 8.0 8.13 131b Last Refrain ... 7.12 8.5 71b Studley (Royal 7.13 8.4 51b Wild Career ... 7.12 8.3 51 b Royal Gallant ... 7.0 7.7 71b