RACING NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 23353, 24 August 1939, Page 15

RACING NOTES

[lly Sr. Cu.m it.]

RACING. August 31.—Egniont-Waiigiimii Hunt. September 2.—Taranaki Hunt. September 2.—Otago Hunt. September 7, 9.—Wanganui Jockey Club. September 16. —JToxton Racing Club. September 16.—Ashburton County Racing Club. September 16 18.—Avondale Jockey Club. September 21. 23. Geraldine Racing Club. September 23.—Marton Jockey Club. September 30.—Otaki-Maori Racing Club. September 30, October 2.—Obinemuri Jockey Club.October 5, 7.—Dunedin Jockey Club.

JOTTINGS

Lady Don Leased. Mr Cl. R.- Hunter, of Oainaru, has leased Lady Don to R. W. King, who has again set up as a public trainer at IRiccarton. In Work Again. Mona’s Song, winner of four races worth £530 last season, has been taken up again by her owner-trainer, F. W. Ellis, after a lengthy spell. This Songbird marc is improving with age, and should do well over middle distances this season. Otago Hunt Meeting. Tho appearance of handicaps for the Otago Hunt’s totalizator meeting to bo held on Saturday week will create interest in the fixture, and the indications for a successful opening of the new season in Otago arc bright. Tho fields promise to be good. Acceptances aye due nest Monday at 5 p.m.The Use of Blinkers. It was thought that the executive of the (Racing Conference, at its meeting last week, might reach a decision regarding the typo of blinkers to be allowed in races, but so far a decision has not been made. ■ the use of blinkers will not bo allowed in the meantime (says a Wellington writer). An Improver. Tracey Lass showed a lot of speed in her races last season, but she appeared to be deficient in stamina. The Man o’ War mai-e can be expected to improve with age. as did her full relations, War Pain, Seaworthy, and Fairhavcn. Tracey Lass is engaged at tho Otago Hunt meeting, and over one mile and a-qnarter she can be expected to show up.—‘Southland Times.’

King Oro in New South Wales, In winning the Flying Handicap, nine furlongs, at the final meeting last season of .the Australian Trotting Club at Victoria Park, in the race record time of 2.28, a little bettor than 2.12 rate, the Auckland-bred pacer, King Oro, registered his ninth success on metropolitan tracks, while he also won several times at country meetings. King Oro is now rated as one of the best horses in New South Wales, and good judges affirm ho will reach a standard that will entitle him to represent the State in the interdominion championships, to be held at Perth in February.

Good Money, but Hard Work. There is a lob of money in being a successful jockey in England, but there is also a deal of hard work. In the first 14 weeks of the current season, G. llichards had ,‘l7O mounts, which, excluding Sundays, meant an average of nearly four and a-h'alf a day for that period. Thanks to motor ears and aeroplanes, travelling has been made much easier for English jockeys than a few years ago, but they still have a strenuous time. .In that respect Sydney and Melbourne jockeys are much better off. A trip of 100 miles or over to any meeting is unusual for them, whereas English riders think nothing of it on the morning of a meeting. Richards was not the only jockey who exceeded .‘31)0 mounts up to dime 25, others being M. Deary and K. Smith.

The Big Dividend Payer. Merry March, winner of the first division of the Longhead] Hath Handicap at Itieearton, is a solidly-built gelding by Nightmare!) from Kilmiss, and was bred by Mr Walter Baxter. After being raced by Mr C. Lonisson, of Palmerston North, for whom he was trained at Kiearton by P. Mason, be was sold to bis present owner for IHlgs. Shortly after the sale Merry March showed promise of an early return by filling a second placing, but soreness then came against him, anti he had to be put aside. He was recommissioned only a few weeks ago, and to win a race with a restricted preparation stamps him as a very useful galloper,' He is quite sound in the meantime, and if he can bo kept in his present order he will win some important races, especially over a distance, as his breeding suggests stamina. His dam. Kilmiss. was by Kilboy from Marty by Martagon. ' Marty’s other progeny includes Hylln.s, Hymarty. Karly Dawn, and Pascal.

French Owner’s Success. There was little enthusiasm among the, Munich crowd of 3U.UUU which, wit-

Thorn mu. August 26.—Auckland T.C. September 2.—New Brighton T.C. September 20, 23.—Wellington T.C. September 30.—Methven T.C. October 7.—New Brighton T.C. October 21, 23. —Grey mouth T.C. October 21, 23, or 25.—Auckland T.C. October 23.—Cam aru T.C. " October 25, 28.—Wellington T.C. October 25, 28.—Invercargill T.C. November 7. 9, 10.—N.Z. Metropolitan T.C. November 23, 26.—Forbury Park T.C.

New Zealand's Record Team. Ih the 1901 season the Ynldhurst stable, then presided over by the late R. J. Ylasbiij sheltered 16 horses, and each of them won one race or more. They were comprised of Cruciform, Menschikolf, Royal Artillery, San Remo, San Patria, Knight Errant, Skobelolf, Ismcne, Field Rose, St. Michael, Stepdaughter, Cyclamen, Orloff, King Stork, Field Battery, and Helen Faucit. Liverpool Grand National. It was announced in England towards the end of last month that the conditions attached to the Liverpool Grand National Steeplechase wore to he altered. Twelve stone will now be the normal limit, but in tho case of a very exceptional horse with a wonderful race record, provision is made for the maximum to be extended to ]2.7. And no more freak riders can take part in the race, only riders who have won five steeplechases during their career being eligible. Attractive Terms. There must be a lot of money in starting price betting in England, seeing that bookmakers can afford to make their terms so attractive, by comparison with totalisator odds. Some loading firms advertise as follows: “We pay 5 per cent, over official totalisator returns on win singles, also 25 per cent, over official fotalisator returns on each way investments, hut an equal amount at least must be invested for a win as for a place ” Percentage of Casualties. In the six cross-country events decided at the recent Gra'nd National meeting, there wore only 33 starters, and 25 of them completed tho course, the percentage of casualties being about 24. This compares favourably with previous years, ns tho following figures, show;—At tho 1938 meeting the number of horses failing to complete the course was 29J per cent. ; in 1*937, 43.5 per cent.; in 1936, 29: 1935. 33; 1934, 23.5; 1933, 50; 1932. 36.5: 1931, 36.5; and 1930, 46 per cent.

Brother to Hall Mark. Hall Mark’s brother. Pure Gold, a candidate for tho A.J.C. and Victoria Derbies and the two Cups, recorded his first win when he justified his hot favouritism for the first division of the Crimea Trial at Caulfield last Saturday week. He has 6.9 in the Caulfield Cup and 6.11 in the Melbourne Cup, but J. Holt, his trainer, is hopeful that first of all he will develop form good enough to warrant a trip to Svdney for the A.J.C. Derby. “ But we shall have to see how he fares in Lis next race or two before we can form a definite opinion concerning his ability.” added Holt.

The Late Mr D. H, Roberts’s Colours. Glcnogil is to continue racing in the colours, moss green and cardinal cap, so long associated with the late Mr D. H. Roberts. Mr A. Pirie, of Wellington, who has been in partnership with Air Roberts in most of the horses he has raced in recent years, has arranged with the beneficiaries of Mr Roberts’s estate to take over the racing of Glenogil, and also some of the young horses at present running on Mr Roberts’s farm near Palmerston North when they are ready to be put into work. Glenogi! will remain in F. Christmas’s stable., and is one likely to win some good races during the season.

ncssed two I'reneb horses beat the Italian favourite tor the Brown Baud, tho premier German race, last month. The winner, Goya 11., is a live-year-old eon of Toiirhillon. son of Ksar, from Zariba, a daughter of Sardauaple, so his breeding is entirely French. Jiis owner, M. M. Bonssac, had him trained at Newmarket at (wo and three years. He won the Ginicrack Stakes in JP36, hut, after running second to Le Ksar in the Two Thousand Guineas, sixth in tho Derby,, and ninth in tho St. Lcger, he was returned to Franco. Several later visits to England were unsuccessful. Antonym, the runner-up. won the Brown Band in 1938 for M. Holdert, and Procle, the favourtic, was a close third. By special concession, M. Boussao was allowed to take the entire winning share of the prize money, amounting to £8,500, out of Germany. New Zealand Pacers in Westralia. Tho part played by New Zealandbred horses in the trotting sport of Western Australia last season is reflected in the success of Messrs J. R. Hallam and H. H. Richter, who were first and second respectively in the list of winning owners. Mr Hallam, with 18 firsts, secured £1,572, and the total was amassed by horses he procured from New Zealand. The contributing horses were Hollo (who won six races), Vesuvius, Tempest, Cloudy Range, Great Way, Sunny Morn, Germanicus, Royal Donlton, and Gunmetal, all of whom were good winners in their native country. Mr Hallam’s earnings would have been larger but he leased Wrecker to Mr A. M'Lean, for whom the paeer won £SOO. Mr Richter, with 12 wins, collected £1,537, of which amount the ex-New Zealand pacer, Kay Francis, for eight wins, earned £B3O, and took first place in the winning list. Tho Tasmanianbred Quon Globe, with nine wins, won £766. Gold Salute for Sydney. It is probable that G. Paul will leave for Sydney next week with Gold Salute. Half-sister to War Buoy. Kewpie’s Wrack, by Wrack from Little Kewpio, who has recently joined F. P. Brosnan’s team at Kerrylown, is a half-sister to War Buoy. May Start on Saturday.

Defaulter, one of the favourites for the A.J.C. Metropolitan, will not run. His withdrawal will not, however, cause much loss to backers, as he was a bookmakers’ favourite. The New Zealand crack may be a starter in tho Warwick Stakes (w.f.a.) at the Farm on Saturday. Should Start Favourite.

When Turaki won the High-weight Handicap at tho Wyndham meeting last New Year’s Day he finished very strongly, and looked as if he would stay on. On that occasion he "carried 9.3 and beat a much stronger field 1 than is opposed to him at Wingatni next week. He has been doing good work under P. J. Boyle’s care at Heddon Bush, and promises to be hard to beat in the Hunters’ Flat Handicap. Those Financial Restrictions.

The .Metropolitan Trotting Club has communicated with the owners of the Australian pacers Lawn Derby, Logan Derby, Springfield Globe, and Barney Doolan, with a view to securing the presence of these horses at tho Noveml.er carnival Sonic of the owners are willing to come provided an assurance is received that the money their horses win can be transferred to'Australia.

Corban. At the June meeting at Wingatui in 1938 Corban won. the Otago Hurdles and June Hurdles, then finished a good fourth, under 30.8, in the Greenfield Hurdles, and looked like taking a prominent place among the hurdlers. After this meeting Corban lost all form and ran several bad races. With only 9.13 in the Seaview Hurdles on Saturday of next week Corban is nicely treated, and would only have to return to form to be very troublesome to the opposition. Reports from Southland show that Corban is working better than ho has done for some months. Looks Good for Flame Queen. When Flame Queen won the Levels Hack Handicap, six furlongs, at the South Canterbury Hunt meeting last month she carried 8.13, and won by a neck from Withdrawal 8.3, with Donadea 8.8 three lengths away third, and Prince Flaneur 8.5 a good fourth. In the President’s Handicap to be mu over five furlongs at Wingatui next week Flame Queen has been allotted 8.3, and will meet Withdrawal on 111 b, Donadea 81b, and Prince Flaneur on 41b better terms. At the Oamaru meeting last month Flame Queen gave Withdrawal 31b and a good beating over six furlongs, but at Wingatui, next week Withdrawal is called on to conceded Flame Queen 11b. Mistakes like this show how essential it is that clubs when appointing handicappers should stipulate that they should at least attend some of the meetings at which local horses are engaged.

Dominion Sportsmen’s Association.. There is probably no other body in the world sidestepping the law as the bookmakers, or should we give them their self-assumed title of the New Zealand Dominion Sportsmen’s Association (says a Taranaki paper). Formed about 20 years ago, this organisation has a membership and system of dealing with betting control which would have done credit to the bootleggers of the Prohibition era in U.S.A. Once upon a time it cost a person £25 to become a member and £ls a quarter to remain on the roil. Nowadays the fees are on a sliding scale and it is possible for one of the small fry to get in for a modest “ fiver.” The main advantage of being a member of the association is the provision of a rapid service of telegraphic results and dividends. Harshly Treated. Osculate, now rising nine years old, is engaged in both the Hunt Cup Steeplechase and Hunters’ Flat Handieaps at Wingatiii next week, and in the latter race lias been awarded top weight, 10.15. This honour lias been conferred on him on account of the good races he ran nearly four years ago. Hi.s last success was scored on Boxing Day, 1935, when lie won tiie Otago Handicap with Komal Pasha and Hunting Go filling the places. Since then he has had well over a dozen starts without running . into a place. In the 1930-37,'1937-38, and Inst seasons ho was started three times each season, and showed none of his old form. A.shawav, Corban, Giggleswick, Turuki, King Willow, and Gusto have all won races since Osculate scored, and at his age the last named is not likely to show much improvement on last season’s form. Me might have a chance in the steeplechase with 10.0, provided he can jump, but with 10.13 in the Hunters’ Flat Handicap he has been harshly treated.