Today’s Racing News

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 August 1935, Page 11

Today’s Racing News

Galloping MEETINGS. TO COME.

iug. 13, 15, 17.— Canterbury Grand National.

Not Financial Help! According to a report presented by the Tasmanian Turf Club, the bookmakers, who have been licensed duiing the last two seasons, have livened up the racing to a degree, but they have not assisted the sport financially in any way in the State.

Voitre “Marked,”: A private message from. Melbourne states that K. Voitre intends leaving for England, despite his great success in Australia. The letter states, that Voitre’s success has resulted in-other riders paying rather more attention to his mounts than to their own.

Rider for Eprls: High Speed's withdrawal will enable H. Turner to ride Parasang in the Enfield Steeples. It,is stated that H. Goldfinch was. anxious to secure the mount on Epris in the Winter Cup, but L. Pratt has been engaged for that, gelding.

Death of Elude:, The death is reported of the big Night Raid gelding, Elude, who was a big disappointment on the Turf, as also was his brother, Aesculus. Their half-sister, Shuffle, is the dam of a proming .youngster, in Paper Slipper, who is by. Paper. Money, and is in the Chokebore stable. He has the commanding size of the family but carries much more' quality and he should be heard of early in the season.

Whyte Melville: I It is reported from Marton that L. G. Morris, who trains Mr. T. A. Duncan’s fairly extensive team, will race Whyte Melville during the present season. Whyte Melville, by Hunting Song from Merit, promises to develop into a useful sort. The name, Whyte Melville, is an example of clever nomenclature. The man of that name was writer of hunting choruses that are still very popular in England. National “Market”:

v According to the latest consultations, Lapel is likely to take a more prominent part in the betting on the Winter Cup than has generally been believed. The ruling favourite is Knockfin, with Horowhenua, Golden Hair and Wino next and Rebel Chief, Southdown, Gay Crest and TEbris all given a good chance. For the Steeples, Valpeen is likely to be a firm favourite over Dunmure, and for the Hurdles, Esteem, Jolly Beggar and Revision are being preferred in some quarters to Rasouli, Polydora apparently having retreated in public favour.

Daughter of Erie: .' Some ten years ago there was not a better jumper in New Zealand than the Nassau mare, Erie. In August, 1926, she contested four steeplechases at Riccarton for three wins and a fourth, and in those four journeys over that difficult country she never put a foot wrong. Poterie, a five-year-old daughter by Potoa of this fine mare demonstrated that she had inherited some of her dam’s ability when she scored in the Lightweight Hunters’ Steeples ,at the Taranaki point-to-point last week. Patiently ridden in behind, she came with a rattle in the straight to cut down Potoleer and win comfortably.

Lord Woolavington Dead: For very many years the late Lord Woolavington, formerly . Sir James Buchanan, had been a foremost figure on the English Turf, both as breeder and owner.' He was a steward of the Jockey Club and his breeding activities were on a scale eclipsed only by those of the Aga Khan, in recent years. He won the Derby twice, with Captain Cuttie in 1922 and with Coronach, in 1926. Many other rich races were won by him. In 1932 he was fourth on the owners’ list, with 25 victories, worth £13,971, and in the same year, eight horses bred by him w'on 17 races between them and £ 10.235 in stakes. In 1933 he was fifth on the owners’ -list with £14,806, but last year, he having restricted his racing activities, his colours were not carried so prominently. During his whole' racing career, he spent and won huge sums

Record Reign's Record: Record Reign’s record of winning

the Grand National Hurdles was completed in 1900. He won with 12.12 in 3.46 4-5, and this still stands as a weight-carrying effort. The time stood until Sharpnel 10.8, won in 3.44 3-5, in 1907. Record Reign was not at the time of compiling his record a proficient hurdler, and owed his success to superiority on the flat Prior to his win at Riccarton, Record Reign ran third in the Auckland Cup with 8.12 to Blue Jacket 7.9 and Coronet 7.10 in the then record time for the race—3.29 4-5. Blue Jacket won again the following year. Coeur de Lion, who ran second with 10.0 to Record Reign in the Grand National Hurdles, afterwards won the Great Northern Hurdles with 11.8. Other weight-carrying performances in the Grand National Hurdles were put up by winners in Liberator 12.6 and Palsano 12.1. Liberator won twice, and also finished third with 12.9. Record Reign was afterwards taken to Australia, and then to India and France, where he met with a fatal accident. His mission was the Liverpool Grand National.

RICCARTON NOTES.

RIDERS FOR TUESDAY.

[special to “stab."]

CHRISTCHURCH, August 9.

To-day was an “off” day at Riccarton. The No. 7 grass track was open for fa.®,t work, but only a few horses were exercised on it, the majority working on the sand. There will be plenty to attract track-watchers tomorrow, as tho final gallops will take place, and -there will be some jumping. Tho course will bo open for a short period to-morrow morning. Two Hurdles:

Tho only schooling to-day was that executed by Vitaphone (G. Barri, who jumped two hurdles very well.

From Wingatui: The Wingatui trainer, F. Shaw, was on the tracks with Unitali. Viking and' Rental Pasha. The first-named was given some strong work on the grass, and appeared to be in good order for his Grand National engagement. for which he will have a largo following of< soul hern racegoers. Kemal Pasha looks exceptionally well, and should

win some stake money during next week’s racing. Viking has furnished into a solid three-year-old, and his prospects for the new season are highly regarded

Very Fit: Rebel Chief is not being at all freely discussed for the Winter Cup, but if he should produce the form of which! he is capable, he will be a dangerous candidate.- He showed up for a good way in the Brabazon Handicap, and has invariably required a race to get him at his best. To-day he was not sent ouf against the watch, but still recorded 1.4 4-5 for five furlongs without much apparent effort.

Riding at Riccarton: Some rising engagements made for the opening day’s programme at Riccarton on Tuesday .next are as follow: —G. Humphries: Gay Crest, Tail Light, John Ball, Invoice; A. E. Ellis: Horn’s Reef, Bella Rosa, Southdown; L. J. Ellis: Wino, Orris; Linguist, Grey Honour; W. E. Pine: Korero, Isaacs; B. H. Morris: Golden Hair, State Bank, Lofty; W. Broughton: Tuirau, Haste Away, Dollar Bill, Cottesmore; S. Wilson: Lapel, Hine Ra, Joyous, Suneq; R. Drinkwater: Hounslow, Monastic, Jolly Beggar, Argentic; W. J. Bowden: Valpeen; C. Thomson: Red Sun; E. Burgess: Billy Boy, Verden; R. E. Thompson: Ruby Meteor, Prince Vai; R. Beale, Umtali, Polydora, Sunward, Royal Buck, Viking; D. O’Connor: RoyalLimond, Lycidas, Rebel Chief; M. Kirwan: Knockfin, Land Raid, Trumpet Blast; H. Turner: High 'Speed; V. Langford: Punchestown; A. J. Peart: Dunmure; J. H. Mcßae: Esteem; W. Bush: Trishna; E. Finn: Epris, Lady Graceful; G. Barr: Vitaphone: A. E. Didham: Silver Sight, High Glee; M. Nicol: Pahu; G. Ridgway: Revision; W. Pascoe: Makeup; H. Goldfinch, Glenavon, Courtyard, Fair Weather, Friday Night; A. Messervy: Sea Fox, McHeath, , Calotte, Cranford; W. Story: Greek Shepherd; C. McCarthy: Whaddon Chase; A. Russell: Control, Bereft, Dollar Prince; F. Thompson, Diamond, Master Musk; W. Jones: Greek Vase. •

FATE OF FAVOURITES

MANY SURPRISE WINNERS

Punters for some time past have been' busy in trying to select the winning treble at the Grand National meeting. After nearly every winter carnival, stories are current that some Speculators have succeeded in the task but the records reveal that, as a whole, the public has been far from the mark in one or other of the three events. In looking over the list of winners for the past dozen years, it is observed that the Grand National Steeplechase has presented much less difficulty to bettors than the Cup or Hurdles, no doubt because of the smaller fields and the virtual impossibility of hiding fbrm over the fences. In no single year have the favourites for the treble been successful and only in 1927, when Beau Cavalier and Wharncliffe won, have two favourites got home. To balance matters, that was the yeai’ of one of the greatest boil-overs in the Winter Cup, when Solferite turned up, as seventeenth favourite. Last year, none of the first fancies won. Valpeeii was fourth choice on the win machine, Princess Doreen was twenty-second choice and Huntique, was fifth choice. This was a very near repetition of the previous year’s result, when Thurina, Mount Boa, and Hounslow were respectively fourth, sixteenth, and fifth favourites. The only favourite to gain a place last year was Billy Boy, who finished third in the Steeples.

Following is a record since 1923 of the betting position of the winners and of the fate of the favourites in the events under review: —

GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLES. Year Favourite Winner 1923 Won First i 1924 Fell Tenth I 1925 . Unplaced Seventh 1926 Second Eleventh 1927 ' Won First 1928 Unplaced Fourth 1929 Won First ’ 1930 Won First 1931 Unplaced Sixth 1932 Unplaced Fourth 1933 Second Fourth 1934 Third Fourth winter Cup. 1923 , Unplaced Seventh 1924 Second Eighth 1925 Second Seventh 1926 Won First 1927 Unplaced Seventeenth 1928 Unplaced Fifth 1929 Unplaced Second 1930 Unplaced Third 1931 Unplaced Second 1932 Won First 1933 Second Sixteenth 1934 Unplaced Twenty-second GRAND NATIONAL HURDLES. 1923 Second Fourth 1924 Unplaced Fourth 1925 Second Second 1926 Unplaced Eighth 1927 Won First 1928 Third ' Second 1929 Unplaced Third 1930 Fell Second 1931 Unplaced Eleventh 1932 Third Fourth 1933 Ban off Fifth 1931 Unplaced Fifth LAST SEASON’S RECORD.

WEST COAST WINNERS

For the second time, since he began racing in the 1929-30 season, following the death of his father, Sir Charles Clifford has headed the list of winning owners. In 1932-33 his stake-winnings were £5692, which made him an easy first over Mr C. T. Keeble, £3230. That was the season when Sir Charles had Fast Passage, Fracas and Cricket Bat going well for him, while Golden Wings was chiefly responsible for Mr Keeble's position. In 1933-34, stakes wore very evenly distributed. Mr G. M. Currie was first, with £2927, Sir Charles Clifford’ was second, with £2676. Mr J. M. Samson, third with £2543, and Mr W. R. Keniball, tenth with £l7-17. Mr Currie had not been a prominent winner since he topped the list at E74SO for the 1927-28 term, and last season he was well down the list, with £865.

Again, for the season just ended, Sir Charles Clifford distanced his rivals, his .representatives earning £4043, while the runner-up, Mr G. Courtney, took £2993, Messrs O. Nicholson and E. Davis £2495, and Mr T. Fraser junr., £2345. No fewer than 44 owners won between £ 1000 and £ 2000. Owners in the West Coast area who won more than £2OO are:—Mr J. F. D. Corry £lB2B (eighth), Mis W. A. Fuller £l3lB, Mr W. S. Clarke £B9O,

Mr A. Behan £B7O/10/-, Mr J. M. Robertson .£690, Messrs L. Hunter and P. Webb £541, Mr C. 0. T. Rutherford £494, Mr W. Greenhill £451, Mr T. W. Irving £450, Miss M. C. Wilson £440, Mr J. Leonard £412, Mr J). H. Roberts £373, Mr A. H. Walton £'325 (New Zealand only), Mr M. Minehan £306, Mr W. Jeffries £285, Mr A. B. Spiers £254, Mr C. Kettle £243, Messrs E, and M. McFadden £243, Mr B. H. Winchester £225, Mr W. Monteith £215, Mr J. Adamson £2ll, Mr B. F. Spiers £2lO. Honours among the horses went to Gay Blonde, who won eight races and was four times placed, for £2970. Sporting Blood, with seven wins and seven places, earned £2745, Valpeen, with four wins and three places, £1895 and Vintage, with five wins and two places, £lB9O. Other winners of more than £2OO of West Coast interest were:—Arena, four wins, five places, and £290; Arrow Rose, five wins, six places, and £306; Bon Tray, four wins, one place and £243; Copyist, one win, two places and £350; Haere Tonu, four wins, three places and £450; Hostis, two wins, three places and £315; Huntique, one win, one place, and £465; Jolly Beggar, two wing t five places, and £228; Korero, six wins, ten places and £758; Monastic, two wins, five places and £350; Monipere, three wins, six places and' £285; Royal Sceptre, three wins, six places and £243; Semper Paratus, four wins, two places and £494; Silver Ring, one win, one place and.. £325 (N.Z. only); Silver Sight, two wins, 12 places and £7BO 10/-; Sisterina, four wins, seven places and £412; Sweet Agnes, three wins, one place and £545; Synagogue, six wins, two places and £1290; Wino, sewn wins, four places and £529; Zetes, three wins, seven places and £225.

THE TETRARCH’ DEAD.

[BY CABLE—PBESS ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.]

LONDON, August 9.

The Tetrarch, one of the ‘most famous racehorses of the past thirty years, has died in Ireland. The Tetrarch was never beaten on the racecourse. He later became one of the most successful stallions in the history of thoroughbred breeding.

Trotting MEETINGS TO COME.

August 10, 14, 16—N.Z. Metropolitan. August 31 —Auckland. September 7 —New Brighton, September 14 —Wellington. September 19, Bay. October s—Methven.5 —Methven. October 12 —New Brighton. October 12 or 19 —Waikato. October 26, 28 —Auckland. October 26, 28 —Greymouth. October 28 —Oamarji. November 2 —Wellington. November 2 —Thames.

INTERNATIONAL CONTESTS.

U.S.A. ENTRIES POSSIBLE.

AUCKLAND, August 9.

Returning after a mission to interest American authorites in the first of a series of annual international trotting contests ,(o be held alternately in each of the Australian States ai d New Zealand, Mr. J. P. Stratton, President of the West Australian Trotting Association, passed through Auckland by the Mariposa. The recent conference in Sydney, ot which Mr. Stratton was elected joint president, decided to hold the first contest at Perth next February. Mr. Stratton enlisted the aid of the National Trotting Association in America in obtaining nominations, making details of the programmes available and certifying to the fitness of any horses nominated.

American owners were very interested in the proposal, and Mr. Stratton considers there is a good chance of some horses being sent out early next year. The regulations which made it necessary to keep American horses entering the Australiaii States or Now Zealand in quarantine for a period were a deterrent, as, otherwise, the owners would race here and in New South Wales and Victoria on their way to West Australia To make the trip worth while, he intended to try and have the regulations altered so that a horse which had been certified by Government veterinary officers, could be admitted at once. The New Zealand authorities would do. well to talcs similar steps, as American owners would undoubtedly be willing to race here, either,on their way to Australia, or on the return journey, and such events would give a decided impetus to the sport in this country. There was a quarantine period of a month on American horses coming into New Zealand at present, and a fortnight in Australia.