RACING

Evening Star, Issue 25939, 2 November 1946, Page 9

RACING

NEWS AND VIEWS [By Observer.] FIXTURES. November 9.—Napier Park Racing Club. November 8,9, 16.—Metropolitan Trotting Club. November 9.—Levin Racing Club. November 9.—Auckland Racing Club. November 9.—Wintori Jockey Club. November 16.—Southland Racing dub. November 16, 23. —Feilding Jockey Club. November 16, 23.—Waikato Racing ’ 01ub - November " 23.—Wairio ' Jockey Club. •, November 23, 30, December 7. — Canterbury Jockey Club. Reminder. Acceptances are due on Monday for the Winton Jockey Club’s meeting. Backing the Jockey. „ Qf the seven favourites to score during the two days of the Wellington Racing Club’s meeting at Awapuni, W. J. Broughton was associated, with five of them,, which indicates the following this horseman has on the racecourse to-day. Death of Well-known Spoilsman. Mr K. H. Smith, a well-known figure in the trotting sport, died suddenly at Belfast on Thursday. .Mr Smith .handled, several useful : horses during his association with the sport, Discoverer being one of ''the bept. Pointsman who finished second to Mareeta .at Oamaru 'on Monday, was owned and trained by Mr Smith. Oaks Prospect. . Although Privilege did not act well in the heavy going at. Awapuni last Saturday, she was staying on well at the finish of the Wellington Guineas. She had no chance wjth the winner (Howe), but her performance was a creditable one and she can be regarded as a good prospect in the Oaks. Plans for Soneri Indefinite. Soneri, an' early favourite for the New Zealand Cup and one of the topweights' in the Steward’s Handicap, is (according to a northern report) not a certain starter in either race. Two weight-for-age races—the Churchill Stakes and the Canterburp Cup—may be her mission at . the Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting. Soneri has now won at her last six appearances. Finalist. After showing promising form at the Grand National meeting, Finalist, was priced by a local trainer, but a' sale failed to eventuate at 2,000 guineas. Again last month a local buyer made inquiries for the Cambria Park gelding, but there seemed to be a doubt regarding his soundness, and the sale again fell through at a much lower figure. There .was evidently little wrong with him, however, as he won on ' the second day of the Wellington meeting. Bolted Twice. Before the start of the sprint at Stratford last Saturday j Whackie broke through the tapes i and-was followedl by Dymondy. The pair bolted once round the course before being pulled up. Back at the barrier again, Whackie disposed of his rider and went off alone; He had galloped half-way to the birdcage when he changed his mind, and in leisurely fashion went back to take part in the race. When the race was really on, he led for a while, but, as could only be expected, | Tie soon retired a thoroughly beaten | hgfse. Dymondy also failed to show up. . Sale of Trotting Stock. The top price secured at the sale of trotting stock held in Christchurch yesterday was ■ 900 gs, which Mr J. R. McKenzie paid -for the brood mare Parisienne, with a foal at foot by Springfield Globe | Parisienne established a I two-mile record of 4.15 3-5 at Forbury Park in 1939. A two-year-old colt/ by Springfield Globe from Parisieiine was purchased by Mr W. J. Doyle at 650 gs. A Springfield Globe-Lady Oinako filly was. bought by Mrs A. E. O’Connor at 320 gs. Kennington Sure, a three-year-old by Quite Sure from Actual, was secured by Mr C. B. ‘L'awlor, of Australia, at 225g5. The same buyer paid 275 gs for a four-year-old mare by Jack Potts from; Summit. Classy Filly. Winner of the. Wanganui Debutante Stakes,’ Lady Christine;.' was a class above the ■ opposition in' the Wellesley Stakes (says a northern writer). She drew the middle of the field at the barrier, but showed a torrent of speed to be in the lead with Sea Lad in a few strides. Shortly after turning for home she dropped Sea Lad and ran away. from the field to win by four lengths/ Lady' Christine is a welldeveloped filly by Christopher Robin from Lady Oratress (dam of Flying Ace), and comes from the same family as Oratress, Oratrix and Concentrate. Trained by A. Goodman at Trentham for Mr C. Pateman, of Blenheim, she is expected to be a formidable candidate for the Welcome Stakes at Riccarton this month. Sign Of The Times. ~ The Gore Spring Meeting, which was held last week-end, was one of the most successful ever staged by the club from every point of view. The races, without exception, were keenly contested', with spirited finishes resulting in several of the events. The totalisatcr figures reached a new high for the course, while the pool of £9,500 on the concluding event was also a record. A large volume of money was shut out on each race, due to the totalisator house being too small to cope with the investments; A sign of the times, and the . increasing popularity of racing, was strikingly demonstrated when the totalisator opened on the final event each day, and the queue at,the window selling £5 units was longer than'those selling 10s tickets. New Zealand Cup, and Stewards’ Handicap. With 9.6 to carry in the New Zealand Cup, Golden Souvenir is set a tremendous task. Not since Knotting-

ley won the race in January and December of 1870, has any horse won the ■ race twice, although several have made the attempt; ' Vagabond • won with 7.13 in 1919, and finished second two years later, while Rapier, the 1927 winner with 7.12, was second the following year with 9.0. Double winners have fared better in the Steward’s Handicap, five horses having won the big sprint race twice. Vatiilla followed up his success in 1895, with 6.9, with a win the following year when he carried 8.5. Vladimir carried 7.8| successfully in 1902,, while two years later, in the colours of Messrs L. C. and W. T. Hazlett, he was again to the fore with 9.0. Mr A. Chisholm’s brilliant, mare. Glentruin. took the honours in 1922 and- 1923''with 7.10 J and 9.6 respectively. • Comic 1 Song, owned by Mr A. H. Fisher (owner of Red ■ Pickle), and trained by G; A. Fielding, won with 7.o'in 1925, and was successful again the following year with 91b more. Incidentally, Comic Song, was beaten at Gore each year before going to Riccarton. The only other horse to complete the. double is Paper Slipper, who won with 8.5 in 1936, and with 2Jlb more two years later. This year’s Stewards’ Handicap field does not contain any previous winners. Levin Club Fined.

The reconstruction of the totalisator house following the handing back of the racecourse;-by the military authorities. resulted in the Levin Racing Club being charged before Mr .A. M, Goulding, S.M., yesterday with. commencing constructional work without first obtaining consent of the Building Controller. In imposing a fine of £5 the magistrate said 'that as the quantity lof new material was trifling and the work was necessary following the Army occupation, the case was one for a nominal penalty.