SPORTING

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 June 1928, Page 6

SPORTING

NEWS AND NOTES

(By “Whalebone”)

According to a northern writer, Beaumont was very unlucky to suffer defeat in the Stewards’ Stakes, won by Wanderlust, at Napier Park last Saturday. He was badly drawn at the barrier, but he began smartly and was soon prominent. However, with half the journey covered he received a check which caused him to los some ground. But he soon made up his leeway, and though some distance back entering the straight, he finished with great determination, only to be beaten by a. very narrow margin. Beaumont, who is a son of Boniform, is just returning to his best form, and he should be worth keeping an eye on for future engagements.

The three-year-old Silver Mine, by Catmint-Silver Link, is> quite a mudlark, and should he strike a damp track at Trentham next month he will be difficult to beat in sprint events at that fixture. He is reported to be getting through plenty of solid work at Hawera, and is in first-class condition.

I hear (says an English writer) that great preparations are being made by a powerful combine of bookmakers for the time when the totalisator becomes a “legal instrument,” so to speak. A big office will be opened overlooking Trafalgar Square, where a “tote” will be in working order every racing day. In working hours an electric sign will draw attention to the odds. The capital behind it is practically unlimited. Te Kara, the veteran son of General Latour, has been nominated for events at the Te Kuiti meeting, but it is stated that he will not be required to race again this season. Te Kara has contested 74 races to date, and is rising 10 years old. In his hey-day he was a first-class racehorse, and his victories include such important events as the Brisbane Cup, dead-heat in the Auckland Cup, 1923, and an outright win in the Auckland Cup of 1924.

The imported horse Grand Knight who won the C.J.C. Great. Easter and Great Autumn Handicaps in 1926, will do stud duty this season. The English stallion is being given a great opportunity to make a name for himself as a sire, for among the mares who will visit him this season are Simper, dam of brilliant Gold Light and Razzle Dazzle. It was Razzle Dazzle who sensationally defeated Gloaming in the Canterbury Jockey Club’s Challenge Stakes in 1924.

Heisler was unlucky not to have been in a place in the Trial Hurdles on the opening day of the Dunedin meeting. Indeed, had lie been able to steer clear of trouble he might have seriously troubled the winner, Craigmore. Since his return from Wingatui he has not been asked to do much, but he looks well, though he has lightened up with his recent racing. All going well, Heisler will be a competitor at the Wellington RacingClub’s winter meeting next month. The Martian gelding Star Ranger who has not raced for some time, is an entrant for the Winter Oats, which event will be run on the concluding day of the Trentham meeting. According to reports from the north, Star Ranger is looking very well, but he may be too backward to show to advantage at the meeting. The field for this year’s Wellington Steeplechase is by no means large, and as several of those nominated are likely to drop out. on acceptance date it is probable that a small, though select, field will go to the post for Trentham’s big jumping event. Glendowie, the hero of the Ellerslie carnival, figures among the list of nominations, but there is no certainty that he will be a starter. Beau Cavalier will no doubt be awarded by the handicapper the post of honour, and by reason of last season’s successes he is entitled to be at the head of th.e handicap. The South Island will be represented by Tuki, Captain Sarto, and The Babe. Tuki’s second to Glendowie at Ellerslie gives him a chance and with the racing he has had he must now be very lit. The Babe is a coming performer, and though the stiffer country at Riccarton will suit, him better, he is likely to be one of the popular picks for Trentham’s big race.

The Cambridge-trained gelding Pukerimu made a good impression among racegoers during the Auckland winter meeting,' when lie waji accounted as being unlucky in failing to win at least one race. If brought to Ellerslie for the Te Kuiti meeting Pukerimu is likely to command strong 'support. After his showing in the Penrose Hurdle Race at the .June meeting, when he ran the winner, Bourn, to a neck. Prince Lu is likely to be well supported if started in the Piopio Hurdle Race at the Te Kuiti meeting next week. Prince Lu is regarded as a most promising hurdler, and his next appearance is eagerly awaited. Essential’ started off the season well by capturing the Tahoraite Hack Handicap at the Dannevirke spring meeting, and in his next start captured the Ahuriri Handicap at the Napier Park spring meeting. A third at the Waipawa meeting, however, was the best he could do since then till he scored at Napier Park on Saturday last. Essential won very easily, and now that he has again struck form he should add to his winning record before the season is through.

Son o’ Mine was going well in the Napier Park Steeplechase when he fell, and he should get a stake before the season is out. He was placed each day at the Egmont and Wanganui fixtures, and as this is his first season he can be expected to improve a good deal. Harem Scaruni is the name under | which the rising two-year-old colt by I Psychology from Wai Scare will he I known on the race track when he I makes his first appearance next sea- I son. Harum Scariim is a half-brolimr i to such brilliant gallopers as Pin ; mark', Estlaml, Ifjorneborg and High-I land, all of whom won big money foi ■ their owner-trainer, Mr. T. H. Lowry. ! It is rather a. pity that the steeple-; chaser Marita is lacking in size, for J he is one of the most promising; o! i the lesser lights in attendance at ! Ellerslie. Probably Marita has never: keen in such great fettle as he is al. ; present, and his coudiiion certainly, reflects credit, on his, trainer, I!. Cow- . an. The Marble Arch gelding gave a I good Showing in the hunl steeple-i chase on the second day of Hie recent j meeting at Ellerslie, ami on that per-i lormance alone he should be entitled .' to consideration in the Hunters’! Hurdles at the To Kuiti fixture at j Ellerslie next week. Prince Humphrey and 'Pi Tree are’ being sent, to Sydney next week to; race at spring meetings. AMONG THE TROTTERS The Australian pacer Western King !

is coming into the boom for the Auckland Trotting Club’s winter gathering. On Saturday last he got over a mile in a style that makes a man litt his hat. He had Jewel Pointer as a companion all the way, and at the finish he cleared out from Jewel Pointer as if the latter had been hitched io a sprinkler. After being given time to become accustomed to the change of climate the pacer Native Prince has developed into a solid individual. He has survived a real preparation, and can be marked off for further improvement. He may win a race at the winter meeting at Auckland, but whether he does or not. it is certain that the son of Native King, will make a high-class horse next season.

Everybody in the northern city is shouting about Van Rich for the approaching meeting. When just right, the gelding has a lot of toe, and he will carry big money at the Auckland function. But that does not make them win.

Gold Jacket is accomplishing good deeds on the tracks these days, and if Trainer McMahon can induce him to repeat his best on Saturday and next Wednesday, the gelding will uphold the northern province. Gold Jacket must have everything to his liking; otherwise he won’t race right. Bingen King was lame on Saturday, and had to be restricted to walking exercise. He cannot be at his best for the winter meeting at Alexandra Park.

Great Change has improved with every work-out, and he will be right at the top of his form for immediate racing. Great Change 'is in J. S. Shaw’s stable.

One of the most likely candidates at Auckland is the Australian marc Luvan, who goes up to her work every time. She is in A. Julian’s stable, and is in good buckle for the fixture at Epsom.

The two-year-old trotter Koro Peter is working in great style. He was on the Epsom track on Thursday last, where he appealed to the critics. The youngster had Jewel Pointer as a mate, and he covered, like a seasoned performer, the distance allotted him. Northerners are confident that he will beat First Wrack.

Nita Bell has been doing a certain amount of her work with a light girl in the saddle. The speedy pacer will not be at her best for the approaching Auckland meeting. The gelding Peter Gratton has been “on the air” for a long time, it being assumed that he is a cut above the ordinary. P. Rogers lias him well forward, but it will require a race to top him off.

RICCARTON NOTES

(Special to "Star.”)

CHRISTCHURCH, June 21

When F. D. Jones leaves with his team for Sydney next month, he will be accompanied by L. J. Ellis who will do some of the stable riding in Australia. «

Recent addition to T. Gillett’s team is the North Island owned Ned Kelly, who is being got ready for his August engagements. In a schooling task on Wednesday, Oriflamb made his first mistake since being out over big fences. He ran off at the first of the brush double, but made amends by negotiating it in rare style, on his second attempt. After a lengthy spell, the brilliant filly, Childsplay, has been put into light work again, preparatory to early spring engagements. The daughter of Autumnus has filled out nicely, since last being seen on the tracks. In an endeavour to overcome Tarleton’s respiratory troubles, it has been decided to place a tube in his neck.

One of F. D. Jones’ team for Australia, in Arikiwai, has been suffering from a damaged leg but the 1 rouble has yielded to treatment, and the gelding is quite sound again.

Limerick also has been in trouble, as, during his trainer’s absence, ho got away from his attendant, and cut. his fore leg. Excepting for a. slight scar, the champion is now' none the worse for his escapade.

Right up to a few days ago J. S. Barrett had every intention of starting Wharncliffe at Trentham, in fact,* he went so far as to nominate his new purchase for some of the steeplechase events. After doing his last.

schooling task, it was; found that one ot Wharncliffe’s joints had filled slightly, and so his Wellington engagements were cancelled. According to present arrangements he will be given a race at the Christchurch Hunt meeting as a preliminary to the Grand National.

The Riccarton contingent for Trentham is by no means a strong one either in fiat racers or jumpers. With tracks in their present unworkable condition there is little chance of any of the contingent being at their best.