RACING NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 22975, 4 June 1938, Page 10

RACING NOTES

RACING. June 6, 11.—Dunedin J.C. June 6. —Otaki Maori R.C. June 6.—Napier Park R.C. June 6,9, 11.—Auckland R.C. June 11.—Hawke's Bay J.C. June 18.—Bay of Plenty J.C. June 18.—Hawke’s Bay J.C. Juno 18.—Greymouth J.C. June 25.—Waipa R.C. (at.Te Rapa) June 25.—Ashburton County R.C. June 25.—Dannevirke Hunt Club. July 2. —Martohi.R.C. July 2.—Oaniaru J.C. July 5,7, 9 Wellington R.C.

THE SPORT OF KINGS King’s Day, (which is a more appropriate name for June 6 than King s birthday), is one of the racing festivals in New Zealand. This is quite appropriate, as Royalty played a considerable part in "laying the fountla.tions of the sport in England. James I. first of the Stuarts, acted as clerk of the course at Lincoln in 1607, anti Was responsible for the straight being “railed and corded with ropes ami hoopes ” in order that the “ horses that ronned were seen fayre. He is generally credited with having naa much to do with the establishment of Newmarket as a racecourse. Charles I. carried on and imported the Helmsley Turk, one of the taproots of English horse breeding. Cromwell attempted to squelch racing, but the sport, flourished after the Restoration under Charles 11. William 111. was a keen racing man, and Queen Anne founded Royal Ascot, the great pageant of the sport. None of the first three Georges displayed much interest in racing, but the Jockey Club was founded (in 1750) during the reign of George 11., whose son William was a noted breeder. George IV., however, was. prior to his accession, one of the greatest gamblers of his time. He was practically warned off the turf, followin'* a reversal of form by one of his horses. The stewards of the Jockey Club advised the Prince that if he allowed his jockey Chifney to ride any of his horses no gentleman would race against him. Queen Victoria did not patronise race meetings after the death of her Consort, hilt she maintained the Hampton Court Stud, and bred la Fleche (which realised 5,500 gs as _ a yearling and won £34,000), and Samform. Edward VII. was one of the most successful owners in .history. He bought Perdita IT. for £6OO. and her descendants won for him stakes totalling £70.000. Three of her sons earned for him £150,000 in stud fees, and Diamond Jubilee was sold to an Argentinian for SO.OOOgs. As Prince of Wales. Edward won two Derbies (with Person man and Diamond Jubilee) and a Grand National (with Ambush_ II.), and in the last year of his reign he won another Derby with Minoru. A few hours before his death he received hews that Witch of Air had won for him at Kempton Park. King George V. was a keen breeder, but unfortunately did not meet with the success he deserved. _ The present King has several horss in training, and his popalarity among racegoers in England was again demonstrated at Epsom Downs on Wednesday when the Royal Party was given a great ovation on their arrival on the course to see the one hundred and fifty-fifth Derby run.

[Bt St. Clair.]

July 9. —Westlaad R.O. (at Riccarton). July 16 —Hawke’s Bay Hunt Club. July 16.—Waimate District Hunt Club. July 23. —South Canterbury, Hunt Club. July 23.—Malamata 'R,C. July 28, 30.—Poverty Bay, Turf Club. July 30. —Christchurch Hunt.. Club. July.3o.—Taranaki Jockey Club, . TRQTTING. June 6, B.—Auckland T.O. 1 Juno 6.—Ashburton T.O.

THE DERBY COURSE IN DANGER Racing at Epsom (England), the scene of the Derby, was recently in danger of being discontinued. The Town Planning Committee of the Epsom and Elwell Borough Council proposed to run an 80ft road across the course, but this idea was abandoned as a result of strong protests by the Epsom and Walton Down Conservatives and the Epsom Grandstand Association. Epsom is public ground, and it was intended to widen an existing road near Tattenham Corner from 20ft to 80ft. The new road would have cut across the end of the course on which the Derby is run at a point where the horses are going at full pace. As Jockey Club rules prohibit a course which does not allow for a straight of five furlongs, it was feared the license for racing on the Downs would be suspended. The Derby could not have been held elsewhere on the Downs, as there is no otfycr course which would provide a straight of five furlongs. At Epsom the straight run home in the Derby is a little over three furlongs, but two furlongs of ground running back from the entrance to the straight make a straight five furlongs race possible.

JOTTINGS Dunedin Winter Meeting. The Dunedin Winter Meeting Will be continued at Wingatui on Monday, when the principal races will be the Provincial Handicap, one mile two and a-ha!f furlongs, and the Wingatui Steeplechase, about two and a-quarter miles. Acceptances For Second Day. Owners are reminded that handicaps for Monday’s races at Wingatui will be posted in the club’s board room at 7.30 this evening, and acceptances close at 8.30. Will Be Appreciated. The two permanent board fences at the back of the Trentham steeplechase course have been reboarded and made safer for horses by being padded at the top. . , Derby Sidelights. The win of Bois Roussel in the English Derby on Wednesday was the first credited to a French representative since Gladiateur won in 1865. Several

attempts have been made, but several minor placiugs have been the only rewards. The Auckland Winter Meeting. The first race at Ellerslie on Monday is scheduled to start at 11.15, and the Great Northern Hurdles at 2.5. Ellerslie Course Heavy. Reports from Auckland are to the effect that recent rains have left the course at Ellerslie in a heavy state for the opening of the winter meeting on Monday. Motor Transport For Horses. At a meeting of the Auckland branch of the Racing Owners, Breeders, and Trainers’ Association a sub-committee was appointed to meet the motor transport owners at a conference to discuss the transport of racehorses to and Irom race meetings. May Start Next Week. Wynwood was not paid up for the first day at Wingatui, but it is expected that he will put in an appearance on the second and third days (says the ‘Southland Times’). The Woodencl gelding has trained on satisfactorily since last raced, he has been weighted right up to his best form. Red Sun as a Steeplechaser. In his third attempt over country Red' Sun outclassed the opposition in the AVhirokino Steeplechase last Saturday. As a good winner on the flat and a genuine stayer, he should win a valuable jumping prize this winter if he fences over sturdier obstacles as well as he did at Foxton. Hunting Song Again leading Sire. Hunting Song is assured of first place in the winning sires list for the sixth year in succession. Three weeks ago he had passed his own previous best of £16.054. and with so many horses to represent him in jumping races ; he should .get close to £20.000 before the season ends. The record is held by Absurd with over £36,000. South Canterbury Hunt, The secretary of the South Canterbury Hunt has received a letter from Perth, Scotland, from a former hon. secretary, Mr Melville Gray, offering congratulations on what he describes as the most satisfactory balance sheet since the beginning of the club. Mr Gray mentions the death in England of Mr Thomas Harnlyn, one of the eariest masters of the Hunt. In Case of. Accidents. The question of having a doctor on courses on mornings when fast work and schooling is carried out was discussed by the Auckland branch of the Owners. Trainers, and Breeders’ Association this week. The matter came up as the result of an accident at Te Rapa, when R. E. Thomson was injured while schooling a horse. It was considered that there should be a doctor readily available on three mornings of the week when schooling is in progress. Clubs Amalgamate. Absorption of the Takapuna Jockey Club by the Auckland Racing Club has been agreed to by a conference between representatives of the two organisations. Arrangements between the two clubs, whereby Takapuna held its meetings at Ellerslie, were approved by the executive committee of the New Zealand Racing Conference in 1934. Keeping Up the Standard. Last year the Remount Service of the United States Government provided 651 stallions to be used for the improvement of the breed with the service fee nominal, so as to he available to all classes of breeders, ranchmen, and farmers. Of the 651 stallions 615 were thoroughbreds. Two Shilling Totalisator Favoured. Provision of a 2s totalisator in the cheaper enclosures on the metropolitan racecourses of New South Wales is-fav-oured by a section of the State Government. Certain Ministers feel that racing clubs should co-operate with the Government in its campaign to check starting-price betting by granting cheaper betting facilities. The Jervois Handicap. The Auckland Racing Club has decided to increase the stake money for the Jervois Handicap on Monday to £7OO. The event is to be run in two divisions, each of which will carry a stake of £350, with £250 for first, £7O for second, and £3O for third. The divisions will be treated as separate races on the totalisator. The Same Would Happen in N.Z. Curtailment of illegal betting by more rigid supervision saw a further increase of racecourse attendances. At Warwick Farm the figures went up from 7,800 to 9,700. Many stay-at-home backers found that they could not have their customary starting-price wagers, and a number of applications have already been received from bookmakers who previously had not held course licenses. Sale at Wingatui. Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. Ltd. will offer for sale at the Wingatui racecourse on Monday morning, at 10 o’clock, the racehorses owned by the trustees of the late Mr G. C. Bain, of Riverton. They are Hunting Chorus (Hunting Song—Seamstress), Barley Almond (Lackham—-Butter Scotch), and a two-year-old gelding Merry Simon (Gascony—Lady Makere). All are in training.

Cannot Ride the Winner. The Derby hoodoo still exists so far as two men are concerned. The leading jockey, Gordon Richards, was third orT Paseh, following two earlier placed performances, but he has not ridden the Epsom winner yet. The ex-Austra-lian, B. Carslake, second on Scottish Union, is another jockey who had been twice previously in a place, without ever being on the winner. He is now well up in years, so his ambition in this direction may never be realised. Lawn Derby’s Good Mile. In his unsuccessful attempt at Harold Park, New South Wales, to lower Walla Walla’s mile record of 2.2 2-5, the unhoppled pacer Lawn Derby ran 2.2 4-5, after skipping and losing time at the start. The first two furlongs took 33sec, but he passed the half-mile in 1.0 3-5. and reached the six furlongs in 1.31. His fastest racing was the second quarter in 27 3-ssec. Had ho not gone away tangling, Lawn Derby probably would have recorded new mile figures. Determined to Improve Starting. Whatever the result of the vote on the questionnaire sent out by the “ Committee on Starting ” in America, the chairman, Mr H. B. Swope, soys there are two points on which there is likely to be uniformity in all States. These are: 1. Total abolishment of all mechanical devices or tools used_ by assistant starters, such as twitch, tongs, nose rope, and lip strap, unless requested in writing by the owner. 2. No horse to be handled by the assistant starter, unless directed by the starter, and not then if so requested by the owner. America’s Best Horse. When, in March, War Admiral won the Widener Cup at Hialeah Park (U.S.A.), he brought his total winnings up to about £57,000 —a remarkable record for a two-three-year-old. It was his tenth successive victory, and he won with the greatest of ease, carrying top weight. His starting price was 100 to 35 on. The race is run over 10 furlongs. The first mile took 1.37, and the full distance 2.3 4-5. War Admiral is classed as the best horse in America since his sire, Man o’ War. His dam is Brushup, by Sweep (son of Ben Brush) from Annette K, by Harry of Hereford, a brother to Swynfqrd. The colt has had 16 races for 13 wins, two seconds, and one third. An Excellent Proposal. From time to time the idea of a school for apprentices has been mooted, but nothing practical has ever come from the discussions. A step forward will, however, be taken at the next annual conference if a proposal by the executive committee is carried. The executive proposes to add a new clause to the agreement of apprenticeship whereby the employer agrees to give the lad regular and proper tuition in the art of riding, with the primary object of enabling him to become proficient in races and to qualify for an apprentice jockey’s license. A Profitable Sire. Man o’ War, sire of Battleship, American winner of the Grand National, cost Mr Samuel Riddle £I,OOO. _ He had won £49,891 in prizes in his two years of racing. Riddle refused to sell him for £50,000, and refused to send him to race in England for a £20,000 purse. Man o' War’s stud fee is £I,OOO, and he has been bred to 25 mares each year. His sons and daughters have won more than £480,000. Several times Riddle has waived his £I,OOO stud fee in the interests of better breeding, or to secure a mare which might advertise his horse. The Great Northern Double. Seven of the final acceptors for the Great Northern Hurdles have been left in. the Steeplechase also, but it is unlikely that all will run in both races. The double has not been so elusive as the two Nationals, having been accomplished many times. The fences on the Ellerslie steeplechase course are not really formidable, and can be negotiated by most good hurdlers with a reasonable amount of stamina. The big test is the hill which has to be climbed and descended three times during the race. The first horse to win the double was Temuka-bred Liberator, who took the Hurdle Race two years in succession, and had a Grand National Hurdles, Dunedin Cup, and Wanganui Cup ou his list. Australian Bred. Perfect Idea, who won the Moutoa Handicap at Foxton after being fancied and failing at Wanganui and Awapuni, secured his first victory in New Zealand arid the first training success for the young Otaki trainer, K. Webster, son of his former trainer, A. D. Webster. However, although he is only a hack performer at six years old. he won six races during a lengthy sojourn in Australia, all but one of the winning stakes being very small. Perfect Idea

is full brother to two high-class mares, Gay Ballerina and La Modern. Their dam, Lady Ball, a daughter of Demosthenes, was at the Flaxraere Stud, and she was bought with her colt foal at foot by Mr J. R. Mackenzie, and the colt, ’ named Perfect Idea, was secured bv Mr 11. J. Stanbndge, Hawke’s Bay, as a two-year-old. Prior to the current season, Perfect Idea had raced only once, as a two-year-old in the Domni'ion. Former Champion Pleases. Lynch Law, unbeaten of New South Wales last year, drifted badly in the betting on the Flying Welter at Warwick Farm on May 21. Books cautiously opened betting with Lynch Law as first fancy, but a rush for Rival Hit provided a new favourite. Nevertheless, Lynch Law had backers. In the race Lynch Law revealed the speed of his early racing career. Although he lost a little ground at barrier-rise, he travelled so fast that he was able to get through on the rails from his No. 1 position to share the lead with Shackleton, Creditor, and Fanciful. He weakened so suddenly in the straight, however, that the stewards questioned his jockey, E. Bartle. They reported that they had found that Shackleton hung in and caused interference to Lynch Law, He finished a fairly close fifth, and pulled up soundly, so that there are reasonable hopes that this former champion will once more reach first class form. This was Lynch Law’s first start for seven months. Australian Stallion Records. With the winnings of his progeny to date totalling nearly £220,000, Heroic would look well on the way to reaching the Australian record figures of Comedy King were it not that he is at present out of commission as a sire. It is still hoped that the Valais horse will come back into usefulness, but this has yet to be tested. . The progeny of Comedy King, in 21 seasons, won no less a sum than £323,317. The next most successful sire in Australia has been Magpie, with £3OB, fill in 17 seasons. Others with notahje records are:—The Welkin, £290,813, in 20 seasons; Malster, £290.358, in 22 seasons; Linacre, £290,094 10s, in 25 seasons ; Grafton. £250.836 15s, in 28 seasons; and Valais, £263,819, in 16 seasons. _ This year is by far the best Heroic has had. ns he will certainly exceed £50.000, his previous best being £31,851 in 1934. The best year Valais had was in 1926. when he was premW sir*' with £57,368. Ajax, Hun, and Nuffield, the principal winners by Heroic this season. have won among themselves the Caulfield Futurity Stakes. Newmarket Handicap. Victoria Derby, V.R.C. Sires’ Produce Stakes. Maribvrnong Plate, and A.J.C. Sires’ Produce Stakes. Man o’ War’s Party. Man o’ War, one of the greatest of American sires, had a birthday recently, and it was celebrated by a party in which the star was, of course, the horse himself. Now aged 21 years 4 Man o’ War, the golden-chestnut son of Fair Play, was the centre of all eyes at the party, which was held at Faraway Farms, his home for so many years. The event was broadcast in a nation-wide hook-up by Clem M'Cartby, the noted N.B.C. Turf commentator, whose description of Man o’ War’s never-to-be-forgotten race with John P. Grier in the Dwyer Stakes 18 years ago was a classic, according to ‘The Thoroughbred Record.’ One of the most enjoyable features of the programme was when Reginald Hobbs and his son Bruce, trainer and rider of Battleship, winner of the recent Grand National Steeplechase, were interviewed in a rebroadcast from England. Battleship, a son of Man o’ War, created almost a record for the National, as he was owned by Mrs Marion Scott, an American, and he was bred in America; Answer To Correspondent. “Curious.” —Yes. The other information asked for can be obtained on application to the Dunedin Jockey Club.