SPORTING

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 October 1928, Page 11

SPORTING

RACING FIXTURES.

Oct. 13 —Masterton R.C. Oct. 20, 22 —Wellington R.C. Oct. 20, 22 —Gore R.C. Oct. 20, 24 —Waikato R.C. Oct. 22 —Waverley R.C. Oct. 22. —Waikato Hunt Club. Oct. 22 —Waipawa County R.C. Oct. 22—North Canterbury R.C. Oct. 25, 27 —Poverty Bay Turf Club. Oct. C7 —Banks Peninsula R.C. Oct. 3i—Birchwood Hunt Club. TROTTING FIXTURES. Oct. 13, 17—Auckland T.C. Oct. 22 —Oamaru T.C. Oct. 20, 22—Greymouth T.C. Nov. 6,8, 9 —Metropolitan T.C. Nov. 17, 21 —Otahuhu T.C. Nov. 24—Wellington T.C. 'Nov. 29, Dec. I—Forbury Park T.C. Dec. I—Waikato T.C. Dec. B—Cheviot T.C. Dec. 15, 17—New Brighton T.C. Dec. 26. —Gore T.C. Dec. 26. —Ashburton T.C. Dec. 26, 27. —South Wairarapa. Dec. 26, 27. —Westport T.C. Dec. 27, 29, 31. —Auckland T.C. Dec. 29.—Winton T.C. Dec. 31 —Inangahua T.C.

DUNEDIN J.C. ;

(Presa Assooiatioa.)

DUNEDIN, October 11. The Dunedin Jockey Club’s Spring Meeting opened in fine weather, with the track in good order, and a fair attendance. The tote handled £14,307 for the day, compared with £16,385 for the first day last year. The concluding results were:— McLean Stakes, of 500 sovs., five furlongs.—2 Aspiring 8.1 (C. Emerson) 1; 1 Francolin 8.2, 2; 6 Stealth 8.5, 3. Also started: 8 Blue Metal, 7 Captivate, 4 Jaleux, 9 Royal Limond and Solmuri—all 8.5, 3 Stately 8.0, 5 The Graph! 8.0. Won by one and a-half lengths; three lengths. Time 1.1 4-5. Mosgiel Handicap, of 325 sovs., 1| miles. 1 Pink Note 8.5 (B. Brodie) 1; 5 Overdrawn 7.0, 2; 6 Footfall 9.6, 3. Also started: 7 Count Cavour 9. ’3, 3 Set Sail 9.1, 2 Hoylake 7.10, 4 Prickles 7io. .Won by two lengths; three lengths. Count Cavour fourth. Time 2.8.

Electric Handicap, 6 furlongs. —1 Silver Paper 8.2 (L. Pine) 1; 5 Silver Coot 7.10, 2; 6 7.10, 3. Also started: Money Order 9.10, 8 Booster 9.10, 4 Paperchase 9.6, 2 Royal Saxon 8.5, 3 Goblin Market 8.1, 7 Money Mine 7.10, 9 Erne Won by two lengths; a neck. Time 1.14 3-5. Tacoma Handicap, 6 furlongs. —2 Royal Tractor 9.5 (A. Ellis) 1; 1 Noteworthy 9.?, 2; 5 Tardy 8.3, 3. Also ’started: 3 Battle Maid 8.4, 7 Red Jazz 8.6, 4 Impertinence 8.5, 6 Valves B.szf. 8 Some Signal 7.9, 9 Colonel Crawford 8.0, 10 Salmo Salar 8.0. Won by tiiree lengths; six lengths. Time 1.15. October Welter, 1 mile. —3 Luqy Locket 8.10 (F. Voight) 1; 2 Quarterjffeck B.l|, 2; 1 Front Rank 8.13, 3. Also started: 5 Taboo 9.3, 4 Vaward 9.0, 6 Antrim Boy 8.6. Won by half a legth; three lengths. Time 1.42 2-5.

THE RACING DESCRIBED.

(Special to "Star.")

CHRISTCHURCH, October 12. Ten horses in the book lined up for the McLean Stakes, the first two-year-old race of the season in the South Island. The Paper Money filly, Francolin, who was bought the previous day by the Dunedin owner, R. M. Greenslade, was made a good favourite, while after a gap, Aspiring just headed Stately for second choice. Francolin and Aspiring were smartest to begin, with Stealth, Captivate, and Solmuri in close attendance. Aspiring soon drew clear of Francolin, who was followed round the turn by Stealth, with Captivate ‘handy. Stately and - Jaleux were slow to jump out, but racing round the turn, Stately commenced to improve her position. Francolin moved up to Aspiring, when well in tlie straight, but the latter drew away again and won by a length and a-half. Stealth challenged in the run home, but faded out again, finishing three lengths away, third. Captivate was a length further back, followed by Stately, who finished on strongly, wlhile The Graphic was next. The winner, who is by Some Boy 11, is half-, sister to Silver Paper, and she has a brilliant turn of speed, and ran the journey out well. Francolin. can gallop fast, but she stopped at the end. Taboo, Town Bank, Vaward and Lucy Locket were withdrawn from th® Mosgiel Handicap, leaving seven starters. Pink Note and Hoylake dis-

puted favouritism, while Set Sail was an easy third choice. Ovedrawn led out of the straight, with Pink Note, Prickles, and Set Sail in close attendance. There was no change at the

mile post, but Footfall, who was last at this stage, commenced to move up. Five furlongs from home Overdrawn was showing the way to Pink Note, and Footfall had taken third place, with Prickles next, while Set Sail, Count Cavour, and Hoylake were not far away. A little further on, Prickles lost her place and Hoylake dropped back to last. Overdrawn led Pink Note and Footfall into the straight, with Count Cavour closing up. Pink Nott then went after Overdrawn and there was a semblance of a struggle, but Pink Note drew away to beat Over-

drawn easily by a length and a-half. Count Cavour finished with a good run, but Footfall hung on, to beat him by a neck. Set Sail was next, with

Prickles and Hoylake together at the tail of the field. Pink Note won very

decisively. It was an impressive performance. Overdrawn showed greatly improved stamina, compared with his recent form. Footfall ran a good race, while Count Cavour was travelling in fine style at the business end. Prickles struck trouble early, and five furlongs from home dropped back quickly, interfering with Hoylake. RIGCARTON NOTES. (Special to "Star.”)

CHRISTCHURCH, October 11.

With the finish of his racing career, Martarma has been sent to Kinlock stud, where he will do a light season. As one of tho few' sons, of Martian, he should be in demand. That fine horseman, H. Cairns, is returning from Australia to New Zealand next December, and will be riding at the Wellington and Auckland meetings. Arrangements had been made for T. Green to ride Pink Note at the Dunedin meeting, but owing to postponement of the racing at Ellerslie, he could not get south in time. Green will have the mount on Pink Note in the New Zealand Cup. One of the Dominion’s best known

horsemen, in F. E. Jones, announces his retirement from the saddle on account of ill-health. Over a year ago Jones sustained a fall, and though it was not supposed to be serious at the time, its effects have become worse, and medical advise suggests that he will have to forego his calling. Jones was for many years first jockey to the Chokebore team, and has always been highly esteemed in his calling.

B. Morris and A. Ellis cut out the last day of Auckland, and both were riding at Wingatui. As the result of soreness after doing his last gallop, Amorist was unable to fulfil engagements at the Dunedin meeting. After a short trip to Sydney, Limerick’s owner Mr H. A. Knight returned to Christchurch this week, bringing with him Roscrea. He states that Roscrea’s injuries are not of a serious nature, and he is to be kept going, with a view to contesting the Derby next month.

Limerick is expected to return next week, and after a spell may race again in the autumn.

Though Set Sail has been paid up for in the New Zealand Cup, and the fact of her having been nominated for the Stewards’ Handicap, suggests that she may not face the starter in the long distance event. MELBOURNE JOTTINGS.

MELBOURNE, October 11. The horse Imitator has been sold to Mr Cecil Godby.

Prince Humphrey is expepted to arrive at Melbourne on Tuesday, and will train at Flemington. His first race here is the Valley Cox Plate. Mendit and Habashon are coming on Monday. The acceptors for the Caulfield Stakes include : Hynanna, Gothic, The Banker, AmouniSf Vaals, and Fourth Hand.

Scratchings for the Caulfield Cup are: Rionscup and Nepean;. and for the Melbourne Cup, Rionscup. Byron galloped five furlongs in 1.5 g at Ascot to-day.

STEEPLECHASE “RIGGED”?

SYDNEY, October 11.

The Australian Jockey Club Stewards are inquiring into the fiasco in the Dowling Steeplechase at Randwick on Saturday last, when Flipbean lost its rider early. Mendia hit a fence and had to be pulled up; Chandonia lost its rider, when it appeared to be winning, five furlongs frcm home; and at the next fence Nameerah toppled over, when it had a lead of fifteen lengths, thus leaving Grey Knight, which had been the medium of sensational backing to win easily. The Stewards are exhaustively inquiring into all of the circumstances. They had previously announced their suspicion that there was a “jockey’s ring” among the cross-country riders in Sydney. The difficulties of this inquiry are very great, but if the investigation into the Dowling fiasco should substantiate the suspicion, then sensational developments may be expected.

RIONSCUP SCRATCHED.

SYDNEY, October 12.

Rionscup has been scratched for all Sydney and Melbourne engagements, on account of heel trouble. NEWS AND NOTES (By Whalebone) In the Two-year-old Parade at Wingatui Aspiring was beaten on the post by Gold Tinge, who ihas since won fame in Australia. That effort alone suggested that Aspiring has big possibilities. Astute judges reckon that she has the makings of a smart youngster, and indications are that she is above the ordinary juvenile. She defeated the favourite Francolin, in the McLean Stakes at Wingatui yesterday by the handy margin of one and a-half lengths. Silver Paver who scored an easy victory in the Electric Handicap yesterYlay at Wingatui led a big field home ’in the Spring Nursery Handicap at Riccarton last November, and at that time gave promise of developing into a more than average galloper. He can muster up a great burst of speed, and his trainer W. Stone was confident of success yesterday.

Stately, who was unplaced in the McLean Stakes yesterday, though on the small side, has impressed Riccarton track watchers with her galloping ability. She was not without friends yesterday and occupied the position of third favourite in the public fancy. As a result of getting into trouble during the running of the Great Northern Guineas, Episode is now sore in the shoulder. W. Rayner does not expect any serious consequences, but she will have to be eased off a bit. Prodice Avon the Avondale Guineas in easy fashion and on that showing she appeared to have a great chance in the Great Northern Guineas. She looked to be improved by her race at Avondale when she was saddler up at Ellerslie on Saturday and she won very easily at the finish. Berinthia, who is among the latest recruits to the ranks of the hurdlers, is being trained at Te Rapa by A. Jackson. The daughter of Mountain Knight atnd Civilisation has taken well to her schooling duty over the battens and when she has had the benefit of some public experience should prove capable of getting a stake. Commendation is to have his next race at the Masterton meeting to-mor-row. It is a pity this horse is so unruly at the barrier, for there is no doubt concerning his galloping abilities. However, he was a bit above himself at the Auckland meeting and may improve when he has had more work. He registered a great gallop ovei - a round on the No. 2 grass track at Ellerslie a few days ago and if he can be induced to leave the barrier, he is likely to win some good races. Toxeuma is a good three-year-old and more is sure to be heard of the son of Arrowsmith. In the Great Northern Guineas he was one of the first out and was always near the front, but at the finish had to go under to Prodice. This was his first defeat in his last four starts.

Siaosi was not long in making good over hurdles. At the recent Avondale meeting he finished second to Potoanui, and in his next start at the Auckland meeting on Saturday won tlie Trial Hurdle Race, though his rider was inclined to take things a bit easy after crossing the last hurdle, and Potoanui was only half a length away at the finish. Siaosi was one of the leaders, all the way.

A massive silver cup, once the property of ■Queen Victoria, has been bought in London by Mr Moss Davis, who is presenting it to the Auckland Racing Club. Writing from London, Mr H. R. Mackenzie, chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, said that he had seen the cup which is a very beautiful piece of work, and he fee Ik

sure the racing club will be proud of its new treasure. AMONG THE TROTTERS Undoubtedly the most courageous pacer raced in New Zealand for a long period is Mr. J. R. McKenzie’s nine-year-old champion, Great Bingen, iwho takes the palm among New Zealand’s stayers, by being assessed at a 4min 22sec mark, in the New Zealand Trotting Cup. When it is remembered that Great Bingen was a good fourth in last year’s contest, from a 4min 21sec mark, his prospects with the limit three seconds closer, in this year’s race, are worthy of consideration. Despite his failure to lead his field home last year his run was full of merit — the race was run fetlock deep in slush. Great Bingen had a big field to pass, and going out of the straight for the last time, he was interfered with, owing to two of the horses nearer the rails shying at the dry patch of earth placed across the track as a. pathway into the enclosure, and this ruined his good chance of annexing the race, as he was shot out nearly to the outside of the track before Withers could straighten him up. By then all chance of getting through his field was gone, and he did marvellously well to get fourth place. Had the track been dry the champion would have struck the front and stopped there. D. Withers has never been so confident with his charge as at present, and it would be a crowning success that would find popularity in every corner of the Dominion if his trainer could get Great Bingen first past the post in the big November race. He will be seen under silk at the forthcoming Grey Trotting fixture.

The Great Northern Derby candidate Bell Axworthy, by Travis Axworthy from Bell Bingen, who has excited much interest in her conformation and breeding, has arrived at Epsom. Unfortunately thb youngster ' injured a leg on the journey, and showed signs of soreness when she was jogged on the tracks. Belle Axworthy is owned by Mr. R. Young, of Matamata.

H. Cutts has made another start with Roulette and Marionette, and a novice by Peter Moko is undergoing the first stages of education. The two Gold Bell representatives, who did not race up to expectations last season, are robust, and will not be ready for racing until late in the season. J. Bryce reports that all is well with his New Zealand Cup candidates Ahuriri and Imprint. The latter’s owner recently expressed confidence in the Denver Huon pacer’s Cup prospects. Heavy going will be to his liking. The Ahuriri-Imprint bracket is likely to be the favourite on Cup day.

F. G. Holmes has Queen’s Own looking a picture. Indeed, it is doubtful if she has been quite as well for a longperiod. Each time the Adonis mare makes an appearance at Addington she is anxious to step out faster than is required—a trait she will carry with her until the day of the New Zealand Cup. In her track work at Hawera, Sister Beatrice is shaping like an early winner. She is under orders for Auckland, where she is expected to run well.

Betty Moko acted as school mistress to Trustworthy in a 12-furlong bout on the grass at Otahuhu the other morning. S. J. Roe, who will hold the reins behind the filly in the Derby, drove her. The time recorded was not fast, but it showed that she is improving. The well-known Otahuhu breeder B. Edwards has been off the scene for three weeks with a severe attack of influenza, but he has made a reappearance with some members of his team. Man-at-Arms, the four-year-old son of Man-o’-War and Canzonetta, is a real aristocrat in every way, and in a recent bout with Blair Audubon he showed fine sprinting ability. Blair Audubon, who is driven in his work by Miss Nancy Edwards, is also hitting out with freedom. The Triumph is in work.

Probably the last phase of the long-drawn-out Free Advice case was decided by the Board of the New Zealand Trotting Association on Wednesday, when the following letter - from Mr. W. E. Thompson, president of the New Brighton Trotting Club, was read: — “With reference to the statement made ’by me which is complained of by the ‘Association, I now recognise, upon consideration, that the statement should not have been made in the form in which I made it. It is very undesirable in the interests of the sport as a whole that there should be any further controversy about this matter, and I therefore withdraw the statement and .any charge of unfairness against the Association.”

Cannonball has been thrown out of work, and has been blistered. It is intended to give him a lengthy spell. Possessed of great speed Cannoball won four races last year, but of late he has shown signs of going off. At his best, he is one of the best trotters in the Dominion.

Free Advice will not lack friends when she steps out again at Epsom. It is just on twfelve months since the daughter of Blue Mountain King attracted attention by nearly pulling off a surprise in the Great Northern Derby and her subsequent, form has been convincing. The Auckland-owned filly has been very much in the limelight in other directions besides racing, but her chief performance was in winning a mile and a-half heat at Addington in 3.25. She is nicely placed on 3.26 A in the Improvers’ Handicap, but may court more admirers in the ten furlong lllitter off the front.