SPORTING

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 June 1928, Page 11

SPORTING

NOTES FROM RICCARTON. (Special to "Star.'*) CHRISTCHURCH, May 31. At present the plough track at Riccarton is being turned over, and it will be out of commission till next Spring. After a short spell, Gay Queen has rejoined the active brigade and looks really well as the result of her respite. The latest addition to F. Claridge’s team is Beau Geste, who has Leen purchased by Mr H. Gardiner. So far the Boniform gelding has not lived up to his early reputation, but a change of stables may make an improvement in this respect. Though Despot was relieved of his first day’s engagements at Wingatui, he may be seen out on the second day.

Since going into T. H. Gillett’s stable, Wharncliffe has been allowed to take matters easily. He will not race at Wingatui, but may carry Mr Barrett’s colours for the first time at Trentham.

After a few week’s spell, Don Jose, Noteworthy, Paper Bov and Twang have been recommissioned by J. Pine It. is quite probable that some ot them will be get ready for the Wellington meeting. Limerick continues to revel in the light tasks apportioned him. He will leave here for Sydney early in July. According to present intentions, the champion will be accompanied by his half brothe!’ Roscrea. Arikiwai and possibly Zruagoza, the last named of whom acts as his travelling companion.

Consequent on their recent poor showings, Sagittarius and Sir Roy have been turned out till next Spring. The West Coast trainer, J. Shannahan, passed through here a few days ago with Tip Tree on his way to Wingatui. The Australian-bred two-year-old, Island Fastness, who gave considerable promise in the Spring, has been taken in hand again by F. D. Jones. Owing to the tracks being heavy, there hqfe been little schooling at Riccarton this week. Most of the hurdlers engaged at Wingatui were jumped on Tuesday morning, while Gay Jim shaped fairly well in a task this morning. NOTES FROM ADDINGTON. (Special to “Star.") CHRISTCHURCH, May 31. Judging from present indications, the Addington track is almost sure to be holding for the Canterbury Park Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday. Only eight stand their ground in the King George Handicap and they should provide a great contest. Black Admiral may not be suited by the heavy track and the public may pin their faith to Logan Park and Logan Chief.

After her two fine races at Forbury, Real the Great is sure to run prominently in the Aviation Handicap, while Petroleuse can be expected to improve on any of her recent displays. J. Bryce has a greatly improved trotter in the American-bred Maxegin, who is engaged in the Yaldhurst Handicap. Dundas Boy, who is handicapped at 4.41 in the Lyttelton Handicap, is also engaged in the big race at Ashburton, which has a limit of 4.36. This suggests that he must have a chance in Saturday’s race. Native Chief was entered for the King George Handicap at Canterbury Park, but as it was found that he has not yet gone better than 4.32 in a two mile race, he had to be withdrawn. Fancy a horse that can beat Great Bingen being ineligible for a 4.30 class race.

Off the limit in the Au Revoir Handicap, Vesuvius should be capable of keeping the opposition busy, while Jean McElwyn is sure to be in evidence.

neepiiis uic uppuoiuvn muoj, w *****_/ Jean McElwyn is sure to be in evidence. NOTES AND COMMENTS. (By “Register.”) GALLOPING FIXTURES. June 2, 4. —Otaki R.C. June 2,4, 6. —Dunedin J.C. June 2,4, 6. —Auckland R.C. TROTTING FIXTURES. June 2, 4. —Canterbury Park T.C. June 9. —Ashburton T.C. GALLOPING Dunedin Meeting. To-morrow will be the opening day’s races of the D.J.C. Winter meeting. The fields are uniformly good. A Dunedin message states that Booster may not start in the Tradesmen’s Handicap unless the going keeps fairly firm. It is rumoured that Gay Sonnet will not fulfil engagements at the Dunedin winter meeting. Zaragoza is a trifle sore at present, as a result of being galloped on when racing at Amberley last Saturday. She is engaged at the Dunedin Jockey Club’s meeting but it is doubtful if she will make the trip south. It is probable that she will again be retired to the stud at the end of this season. She had a spell in the paddock previously and only resumed training because she failed to breed.

On Saturday morning, on the outside of the Southland Racing Club’s course proper, which was in a holding state, Celerity 11. accomplished her first serious task since Easter. The English mare galloped a mile, being picked up by King Balboa at the six furlongs, and ran the distance in 1 min 50sec., a very smart effort under the prevailing conditions. She will be started on the second or third day of the Dunedin Jockey Club’s winter fixture. King Balboa, who is very well, was being held back to the imported galloper in a neck finish. Says a Southland paper': Three locally-owned horses will be started in the Birthday Handicap at Wingatui on Saturday, and despite the fact that she is at the head of the weights, Queen Balboa will probably carry the confidence of southern racegoers in the main. The Balboa mare has never been fitter in her life, and is almost certain to run a good race. Her stablemate, Bilbo, is improving with every gallop, but it is expected here that the mare will prove his master. The third Invercargill candidate is Apache, who will not appeal to the northern public, but he has come through a solid preparation, and is looking particularly well. In a gallop with Queen Balboa and Bilbo on Saturday last he pSplit the pair, and could have done better had the youngster in the saddle been inclined that way. Will Black Mint upset the run of Southland successes in the Birthday Handicap. The North Island trained gelding is in good form and a useful

stayer, but many a horse strange to the Wingatui track has been beaten by the going, which is in ideal state for Southland trained horses. Overdrawn owned by Mr. J. C. Hazlett is looked upon as likely to uphold Dunedin’s end. Overdrawn has a third in the New Zealand Cup to his credit and a second to Count Cavour in the Dunedin Cup (11 miles), so that he has the best qualifications for staying in the race. Bilbo, Queen Balboa and Apache from F. W. Ellis’s Southland stable have been working well. Queen Balboa is looked upon as the best of the trio, but Bilbo has a good record on the Wingatui track. Last year he finished third to Full Swing and Award in this race. Tintoretto was second to Thorndale at Ashburton, and may go a fair race. He will carry Mr. J. M. Samson’s colours. Overhaul is also working well, although he has not lived up to the promise he showed last season. A trio who may be prominent should be Queen Balboa, Overdrawn and Overhaul.

King Balboa and Antrim Boy will probably dispute favouritism in the Tradesman’s Handicap. Recently King Balboa has been travelling over longer distances which have taken some of the edge off his sprinting ability. Booster will not start unless the track is firm, while it is reported that Gay Sonnet will not be at the meeting. Royal Game should hold Tip Tree safe. He beat the West Coaster comfortably at Nelson at even weights, and considering that Tip Tree raced well in good company in the North Island prior to coming south, Royal Game looks good. Carnot should go a good race. He has been leading in most of his recent races, and looks certain to win at the meeting. Money Mine on the minimum is speedy and capable of going with the field. A prominent trio should be Antrim Boy, Roya.l Game and King Balboa. Others who are expected to race well are: Hurdles, Scion 1 , Hard Prince; Brighton Handicap, Quickform, Puff; Otago Steeples, The Babe, Scamp; Hunter’s Steeples, Nylotis, Message Boy; Jumpers Flat, Oriflamb, Beauty Light; Winter Handicap, Wingatui, Flying Mist. T

The Auckland Meeting.

Those who fancy Mister Gamp for the Great Northern Hurdles would be pleased to know he is jumping well, says a northern writer. He fenced faultlessly in a work out and that was what most people wanted to see. Unless something unforeseen occurs Mister Gamp is sure to run a fine race in the G. N. Hurdles.

Every gallop seems to be improving Lomint and she recorded her best track effort for some time when she went with Princess Ronnie on Saturday. Her trainer, J. E. Thorpe, is hopeful that she might repeat last year’s performance and win the Cornwall Handicap again, even though she has not had a very lengthy preparation. Lomint will be racing under hex* favourite conditions and that will be in her favour, but she may feel the lack of racing, as she has only had one run in public in 12 months.

The Waikato-trained horse Wiltshire is undergoing a strong preparation in view of his Great Northern Steeplechase engagement, and present indications point to R. Syme having him in great buckle when the above event comes up for decision. The manner in which Wiltshire won the ’chasers’ races at the autumn meeting here showed that he is capable of negotiating the course, but.the Day Comet horse will require to improve as far as jumping ability 'is concerned, for he is not a perfect lepper by any means.

J’here is no doubt that Bourn is a capable jumper, and it is only because he has been frequently troubled with unsoundness that he does not possess a better record. In addition to being in the hack hurdle events at the Auckland winter meeting, Bourn is also in the Wintei’ Steeplechase, and he is a horse with prospects of winning some money at the meeting. Only last month he gave a taste of his quality by winning at Te Rapa, and, if he goes on the right way in the meantime, may be worth following. “Register” expects the three principal events on the first day, and the G.N. Steeples on the second day to be fought out between the following: G.N. Hurdles, Wedding March, Pouri, Aberfeldy, Archibald. G.N. Steeples, Beau Cavalier, Maunga, Brigadier Bill, Wedding March. Cornwall Handicap, Yoma, Corinax, Town Bank, Master Doon. Members’ Handicap, Nancy Lee, Kingfield, Sir Archie, Day Guard. The Otaki Meeting.

Huikai was responsible for an attractive gallop at Hastings a day or two ago, when he comfortably beat Epistle over five furlongs in 1.3 on the plough. Huikai will be taken through to Otaki, where, on present form, he must give a good account of himself.

With another race into him, Glenross should be cherry ripe for a stake.

Mount Shannon created a favourable impression at Hastings by jumping away smartly and beating Essential, Patuki, and Gay Salute over three and a-half furlongs. It is thought he will have a good chance in the Maiden at Otaki.

Royal Lover is very speedy over five furlongs. She showed useful form at Hawera, being sent out favourite in the Shorts Handicap on the second day, won by Segment. She was expected to win, and may shape better in the Maiden Handicap (six furlongs) at Otaki.

Lady’s Boy should race well at Otaki following on her second to Desert Lad at Wanganui. Vesperus was sent out favourite in the Connolly Handicap at Wanganui, but got a bad passage. The luck should turn at Otaki. Avro’s recent form makes chances in the Otaki Hack Handicap look sweet.

Speaking of Hawke’s Bay horses at Otaki, a Northern writer says:—Addlepate and Kaiti have both been getting through their work in a pleasing manner at Napier Park. On track form they may be expected to do well at Otaki. Others who will pursue the stake money aro Mount Shannon, Dreamy, Night Witch, Patuki, Epistle, Sandburr, Essential .and Huikai. The following are expected to race well: —Hurdles: Peshwa, Glengariff; Maiden: Royal Lover, Mount Shannon; Waitohu Hack, Lady’s Boy, Chelone; Cup: Vesperus, Glenross; Otaki Handicap, Avro, Mandarine; Huia Handicap: Kaiti, Limited; Tehoro Handicap: Gasnapper, Tanagra. Chelone raced well at Wanganui and should be .a useful one to follow from now on. He has 8.11 in the Waitohu Handicap at Otaki and should put up a good performance.