SPORTING

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 May 1925, Page 6

SPORTING

HAWKE’S BAY JOCKEY CLUB

FIRST DAY’S RESULTS.:

(Per Plesa Association.) May 8. As the result of an enquiry after the running of the Nursery Handicap, WJones was suspended for three months for crossing when only one length in front. Tne placings ,were altered to the following:—Standard 1, Shirley, a, Gold Box 3. c The totalisator handled £24,221, as against £17,775 on the corresponding day of last year. Following are the remaining result*. — Poukawa Handicap, 6 furlongs. Pantagruel 1, Huikai 2, Newbury King 3. Also started—Tutankhamen, Road Hog, Purseproud, The Strand, Starshell, Minstrel Boy, Blue Jay, Araby, Princess Nata, Kilmere, Sashani, Seren ade, Manutai, Pali, Coot, lsine of Spades, Reved and Sandy McGregor. Won by a neck- Time 1.54 2-5. Autumn Handicap, 9 furlongs—Good Sport 1, Heather Sprig 2, Snatcher 3. ' Also started—Admiral Codnngton, L’Amour, Many Colours, Tari, Megan, Crisis and Crown Gem. Won by a head. ' Time 1.54 2-5. — Porangahau Handicap, 6 furlongs.—,, Rational 1, Hal! Mark 2, Princess Ronnie 3 Also started—Civilform, Koodoo, Tuahine, Dazzling Light, Malatour, Lady Joyce, Puketoi and Avonlea. Won by a head. Time 1.13 2-5.

NORTH CANTERBURY R.C.

ANNUAL MEETING.

(f> er Press Association.)

May 8The following acceptances have been received for the North'Canterbury Hueipg club’s Meeting, to be held on Saturday, May 16:— Oxford Highweight Handicap of 11U sovs. ; 1 mile. —Tenterfield 1,0.12, Kukume, Castellan 10.9, Petunia 10.8, All Gold, Bonomel 10.4, Goldspmner -9.10, Kilbirnie 9.9, Lord Ashleap Rigel, North Inch 9.7, Horatius 9.0. Trial Stakes of 100 sovs. ; 6 furlongs. Weight B.s.—Cultivation, Peho, Rapier Jarretiere, Ivaiine, Gay, Bird, Cornstalk, Solfello, His Majesty, Voute. Fernside Handicap Trot of 120 sovs. j 4.55’ class; 2 miles.—Polo Jim, Lord Denver. Frank Dillon, Direct lpd> Surfboard, Appleshaw, Tommy Bel s scr., Succession 12, Lord Clan 36, Admiral Pointer, Ecstacy, Sparkling Chimes, Annie’s Dream, Crusader 60, Carbinea 84. Koraki 108, Peter Mac 168, Talero 180. North Canterbury Handicap of 150 sovs. ■ 11 miles. —Tarleton 9.13, Piospenty 8.3, Royal- Star 8.2, Crown Star 7.13, Dutch Courage 7.9, Enare 7.8, Goosestep, Jubilant 7-3, Kilbirnie 6.11, Ophir, Prince Charlerbi, Ferino 6.10, Winkle’s Rebel 6.7.’ / Loburn Hack Handicap of 120 sovs; 6 furlongs.—Coch-y-Bondhu 9.1, Kilris 8.12, Miss Minerva 8.10, Corinthic 8.8, Bonatic. Armchair 8.3, Tempe 8.2 Voute 7.13, ' Prompter, Flaming Ray 7.6, Gay Life. Hallownoon .7.4, Kilcqnnich, Grey Eyes, Cacolet 7.0. Ohoka Handicap Trot (saddle), of 110 sovs-; 2.24 class; 1 mile.—Alvira, Bob Dillon, Evolution, Frank Dillon, Miss Denver, Lady Trafalgar, Royal Junior, Ruth Hall, Imshi, Dome, Yen, Lord Clan, Admiral Pointer, My Sonny Lady Zora, Logan Lad scr., Nellie Bramley, Ecstacy, Annie’s Dream, Drone, Albert Logan. Osier Beauty, Lone Hand 12. Awamoa, Koraki, Lady Bountiful, Mary Galindo 24, Squatter, Prince Athol 36, Peter Mac 48, Coronel 72. Farewell Handicap of 130 sovs. ; 5 furlongs.—Moorland 9.13, Ayrburn 8.12, Gold Town 8.6, Pickaninny 7.6, Corinthic, .Gold Brick 7.4, Horatius, Hallownoon 6.7.

EGMONT RACING CLUB.

ACCEPTANCES—FIRST f)AY.

(Per Press Association.)

HAWERA, May 8.

The following acceptances have been received for the first day (Wednesday, May 13) of the Egmont Racing Club’s Winter Meeting:— Tongahoe Hurdles' of 200 sovs. miles. —Lochson 12.2, Nukumai, .Vagabond 11-2, Puwhero 11.0, Omahu 10.10, Alteration 10.9, Comedy Prince, Bonny Rill 10.4, Glencanny 9.12, Savoury 9.7, Eonniark 9.4, Otauru Kid 9.2, Wee Sandy, Marble Glass, Taiatia, Asleep, All Wind 9.0. Telegraph Handicap of 150 sovs. ; 5 furlongs.—Attractive, King Pot 9.3, Te Kawa 9.1, Willow Wai 8.6, Curraghmore 8.4, Bonogue 8.3, Miss O’Dille, Minstrel Boy 7-11, Royal Bonus, No Response, Lisogne 7.10, Master Lucerne,‘Empire Camp 7.5, Monaghan 7.2 Benzora, Hineora, Grandi, Camp Gun, Puawhata, Equalise, Insurance 7,0. Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase of 200 sovs. ; 2 miles.—Bonibrook 10.11, Hautawa 10.0, Active 9.13, Paraoa 9.10 White Ranger 9.7, Sansalino 9.2, Big Gun, Birkenella, Akbar, Kaforte, Objector, Pouri Hoiho, Uncle Dave, Lady Comet 9.0. Egmont Steeplechase of 500 sovs. ; miles.—San Forte 10.10, Puwhero 10.7, Explorer 10.5, Buckeye 9.13, Dick 9.11, First Line 9.7, Te Toa, Tuki 9.4, Blue Hall 9.2, Adrienne 9.0. Flying Handicap of 250 sovs. ; 0 furlongs.—lncome 9.0, Dan Quin, Rafa 8.6, Lady Bentinck 7-7, Archeen 7.3, Mountain Bell 7.0, Avonlea 6.10, Lipsol 6.9, Ora’s Delight, Lively Fire 6.7. Mcßae Memorial Handicap of 350 sovs. ; u miles.— Hipo 8.8, Tame Fox 8.3, Cold Steel 7.13, Imperial Spark 7.11, Gold Jacket 7.5, .Valencia 7.3, Surshot 6.13, Archeen 6.10, Muscan 6.7. Tawhiti Hack Handicap of 175 sovs; 81 furlongs. —Euphonium 8.7, Troilus 8.4, Rowley 7.13, Rehutai 7.11, Ring Potoa 7.9, Mountain Ore, Roosevale, Lady Dolwill, Rangi Sarto, Lady Sanforte 7.0.

CAREER OF RACEHORSE. 7here was once a popular supposition (says a Sydney “Sun” writer) that when the days of usefulness of the racehorse were over he was relegated to the hard work of pulling a milk cart or some other trade conveyance. The hansom cab was also the means of employment for him to earn his oats. The trade horse is rapidly passing, and the comparatively easy work of those in the shafts of a cab is for the few only. The question may well be asked : “What becomes of the hundreds of horses that annually disappear from the tracks?” A few of them go to the “bush,” and race at the country meetings. But many do not last long there, unless they are particularly hardy, and can stand the strain of constant racing in the hands of men who know comparatively little about the art of training. Where do they go, then? Just as well try to solve the old question of “Where do flies go in the winter time’?” The life of a racehorse is ordinarily very short. He, like human beings, has “a few sunrises, a few sunsets, a few warm breaths of summer, and a chill, cold winter.” . What is there for him, then ? In the case of the big stake-winner there are green, luscious, grassed paddocks, with every now and again admiring glances from visitors, while the deeds of mighty on the turf are recounted. The animal that

has been a failure is knocked or hacked from pillar to post. Even the prospect of a peaceful life in his declining days may not appeal to a great racehorse. He has become, so used to the movement and hustle of the stable and racecourse that there is a probability of him fretting if he 1 is* taken away from it all suddenly. . - ? Gloaming is a case in point. . The chances are when his long period of usefulness is over he will be given a stall among the horses in training. But, after all, Gloaming is a regular “larrikin” among racehorses. .He wants to be in the thick of everything. He likes company all the time. Other aristocrats would prefer the aloofness of a special paddock, but Gloaming until the end of his time will probably be found associating with others of his breed —good, bad, and indifferent. It js, as a matter of fact, Mr G. D. Greenwood’s present intention to have the old champion used as a hack when he has finished racing. The sunrise of a. racehorse’s career is when it first begins to feel its legs running beside its dam, A few months later there is the excitement of the sale ring, the close scrutiny of wouldbe owners, and the eager ■ bidding of the raucous-voiced buyers. 7 The glorious day has dawned. He. is taken away, cared for as no child is ever looked after, every attention being bestowed upon him. With the heart-breaking early training over, there comes the more pleasant track-work, and the afternoon exercise, with the almost loving care of a stable lad who croons his hopes of future racecourses successes. The day of the first real trial arrives. If speed is demonstrated, the care and attention is doubled ; but, if expectations are not realised, there is the decision that either..more time is required, or else the horse is not worth persevering with. That is the crucial moment in the life of a racehorse.

For six months he may be left alone/ to enjoy the freedom he first knew, is put into hard, strenuous training, or is sold to somebody who, by various methods, will discover whether he is of any use on the turf. With that proved he probably has the legs raced off him or passes into an oblivion whence it is ahnost impossible to trace him. “Many are called, but few are chosen,” is an adage which may be applied to the racehorse better than anything else in life. Hundreds of horses win races—thousands do not. Hundreds more manage to reach the judge in front of everything else once, build up the hopes of their- trainers and owners, and then fail miserably. Then comes the sunset of their lives. The bright glare surrounding the racecourse gradu ally fades, and the chill, cold weather approaches. The training they have had, the regular feeding on the best of food stands them in good stead for a time; but the effort to pick up a meal wherever they can get it tells its tale, just as it does on humans- It is not long before they become food for the lions.

Now take the other side of the picture !

The horse that succeeds, or even the one that can earn it's oats, is looked after with meticulous care. There is nothing too good for him. His slightest ailment causes the utmost concern. Veterinary surgeons are called in. In fact, he is attended to just as well as, or even better than, a sick man or woman would be. His food is studied, and he is literally waited upon hand and foot. Every movement is anxiously watched by an eager Press and public, and when his racing days are finished he is proclaimed “the best that ever looked through a bridle.”. He goes to the stud, and his get are awaited and cheered when they behold “the glorious tradition of the illustrious sire.”

Very few close followers of the racing game care about what becomes of horses when they go out of training. They are looked upon merely as commercial propositions—something upon which to invest money in the hope of a quick return, or to give them a thrill. There are, of course, the select number in the game for the love of the horses, and a limited few who follow it for the profit that comes from breeding. The interest of the last-named attaches solely to the success r of the animals they send into the sale ring.