NEWS AND VIEWS

Evening Star, Issue 25995, 9 January 1947, Page 3

NEWS AND VIEWS

[By Observer.] Fixtures. January 10, 11.—Vincent Jockey Club. January 11.—Timaru Trotting Club. January 11.—Cambridge Trotting Club. January 11.—Reefton Jockey Club. January 11.—Thames Jockey Club. January 11, 18, 22. 25.—Wellington Racing Club. January 18.—Southland Racing Club. January 18.—Te Aroha Jockey Club. January 18, 25.—Forbury Park Trotting Club. January 22. Ashhurst-Pohangina Racing Club. January 25, 29.—Auckland Racing Club. January 25, February I.—Pahiatua Racing Club (at Woodville). Aberhall’s Failure. Aberhall’s trainer-driver, G. S. Smith, expressed the opinion after the Auckland Trotting Cup that his charge was not at home on the right-handed track when he raced below expectations. Retired to Stud. The Australian-bred horse Maniototo has not recovered from the injuries he received when he became cast in his box while at the Dunedin meeting, and the Manitoba stallion is to be retired to the stud. Fine Showing. Nigger Lad, who made a fine showing to finish fourth in the Makarewa Handicap ait Invercargill on Saturday, had not raced for nearly two years. The half-brother to Spanish Lad, Nigger Boy. Desert Maid, and Salmon Spear has only to remain sound to win races. Smart Pacer.

Cumnock is a smart pacer over sprint distances and she should shape well in the Taiko Handicap at Timaru on Saturday from the limit mark. Trained by W. R. Butt, she won at her first appearance of the season, and since then the aged Grattan Loyal mare has run several useful races. Maiden Winner. Gipsy Major, who won a division of a novice race at Invercargill last week, was purchased at the National yearling sales for 90 guineas by his present owner, Mr A. Mclntosh. He is a three-year-old chestnut gelding by Gay Boy (by Colossus) from Lady Ina, who is also the dam of the promising two-year-old Beaugard. Offer Declined. * An Invercargill report states that an offer of 2,000 gs has been refused for the Dillon Hall three-year-old filly, Novelda. The sister to Notus. finished third in the Winton Juvenile Stakes after being badly left, and in a novice race at Wyndham she was beaten by a nose after being interfered with. Wellington Scratchings. Following are scratchings made yesterday for the Wellington meeting:— All engagements Majesty, Pelias (10.35 a.m.). Dominion Handicap, Titahi (9 a.m.). Wellington Stakes, Belle Anita (11.40 a.m.). Linden Hurdles, Fuzzy Wuzzy (2.5 p.m.). No Definite Plans Made. Alamode has been given an easy time since winning a double at Wingatui at Christmas time, and he has taken no harm from the racing. No definite plans have been made for the. immediate, future, but his owner, Mr G. R. Forrest, is in favour of reserving the brilliant galloper for Easter meetings, in which case he would be nominated for the Riverton and Canterbury .fixtures.

Nicely Placed. Mandrake, a four-year-old gelding by Dillon Hall from Fortunate, has been racing well on the West Coast to record two wins and two seconds in his last four starts. Before being purchased by Mr W. E. Stickings he won very easily at the Gore Racing Club’s Spring Meeting, and in his present form he is likely to be heard of again. He is nicely placed on the 12yds mark in the principal race at Timaru on Saturday and will probably be one of the favourites.

Partial to Heavy Going. Like most of the Wellington Direct breed, Redcliffe Direct is in his element in heavy going, and at the recent Winton meeting he spreadeagled the fields in the Cup and the sprint. Last season he developed a tendency to tangle in his races, but now that he has settled down again W. A. Thomas should win •with him again, especially if he strikes a heavy track. Redcliffe Direct has been entered for races at the Timaru and Forbury Park meetings. Smart Pacer Under Saddle.

Dalziel, who is engaged in the light harness races at the Vincent meeting, is particularly smart under saddle, and should shape well in the Poolburn Trotof eight and a-half furlongs on the second day of the meeting. He was placed several times last season, and at the Cromwell meeting last March he cleared out from the field to win by 15 lengths. On. the second day of the same meeting he looked sure to take part in the finish, when several horses fell in front of him and he was badly checked.

Promising Hurdler. Battle Chief, who has now won two hurdle races and been placed in three others, will make his next appearance at Trentham on Saturday. The Battle Song gelding has shown-steady progress in the last few months, and he now appears to be on the way to reaching top class over the battens. With 10.11 to carry at .Trentham, he looks one of the best prospects among the South Island entrants. Battle Chief has proved a rare bargain for his North Island owner, Mr L. N. Hodgson, who purchased him for £55. Since changing hands he has won £920 in stakes. Jockey and Owner Reprimanded. An incident on the first day of the Havvke’s Bay Jockey Club’s meeting involving a breach of rule 278-3 was inquired into by the Judicial Committee at the request of deputy stipendiary steward, Mr H. E. Beat6on. The rider of Indian Gold, D. Amey, was charged with speaking to a person other than the starter or his assistant, the clerk of the course, or a steward, after leaving the bird cage, the person concerned being Mr J. A. Hennah. owner of Indian Gold. A statement by the committee stated that Amey frankly admitted the facts, and was obviously unaware that he was,committing a breach: of the rules, and Mr Hennah said he was also not aware that it was a breach of any rule. The committee decided that in the circumstances a reprimand would meet the charge, and both were warned about their conduct in this connection in future.

Sprint Top-weight. ■ At the New Zealand Cup meeting Master Dash put up a gallant performance to run second in the Jockey'Club Handicap, of a mile, under 9.12, afte> being one of the leaders all the way. He was beaten by a length and a-half by Lexia, who was in receopt of over two stone. On the third day of the meeting, over a furlong shorter in the Members’ Handicap, he finished a head away fourth when carrying 10.1. Those which finished in front of him were Derene (7.12), Montezuma (7.0), and Deprive (8.2). Of these, Derene is the only one lie will meet in the sprint at Wellington, but Master Dash

now comes in. on much better terms. Master Dash-has been dropped to 9.13, while Derene goes up 'lolb. At his present position in the handicaps success for the top-weight is not easy, but on Ricearton form he should beat Derene, who is considered a good prospect. Several other'recent winners are in the field with comparatively light weights, and it is from the lower half of the handicap; that the winner may come.