TODAY’S RACING NEWS

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 June 1936, Page 11

TODAY’S RACING NEWS

Galloping MEETINGS TO COME.

June 20, 23— Wanganui. June 20, 23 —Napier Park. June 23—Opotiki (at Tauranga). June 20, 23, 24—Dunedin.

Purchased: Korero, an inmate of T. R- Georges stable at Trentham, has been purchased by Mr W. Higgins, who has raced him lately on lease.

Held in Reserve: R. Beale has arranged to ride Jolly Beggar at the Grand National meeting. The gelding will not be at Trentham, blit will be treated to steady work from now until the August gathering.

Cuddle in Work: ! Among the horses back in work at Trentham the most notable is Cuddle, who has started on her preparation for spring events in Australia. Cuddle has done wonderfuly well during her respite, building up at great speed, and she is looking in as fine order as ever she has so early in the season.

Prospects Appear Bright: Tail Light had' a couple of outings at Ellerslie, and. his best effort was when he ran third in the Carbine Plate on the middle day. He has been entered for the Bracelet at Wanganui on June 20, and as the field is not nearly as strong as that he met at EJlerslie he should have much Brighter prospects. Tail Light won a similar event at the Marton meeting.

May Go to Trentham: Gascille is none the worse for his mishap in the Winter Steeplechase, and is getting through plenty of solid work on the flat at Ellerslie. L. W. Jillings has the chestnut gelding in great heart, and a trip to Trentham will probably be undertaken this month. Gascille, despite his mistake in the’ Winter Steeplechase, is a firstclass jumper, and if taken to the Wellington meeting some stake money should come his way.

Fine Schooling: A fine exhibition of accurate and polished jumping was given by Red Sun (R. Smith) and Chile (C. Burgess) over six of the schooling fences at Trentham on Saturday. Red Sun’s was if anything the better display, but Chile was without the services of his usual pilot. Both these horses will be acquisitions in open hurdling events during the next couple of months. Chile is to resume hurdling in the Century Hurdles at Wanganui.

First Spec: Ah addition to S. J. Reid’s team at Trentham is First Spec, who. has been sent to him by Miss C. M. Martin, of Martihborough. First Spec was taken to Australia by A. D. Webster last spring, but he was tried only once or twice and was returned in December. He is a very big three-year-old black colt by Some Spec (a son of Royal Divorce) from the Royal Fusilier— Cantatrice mare Pastoral, and he was bred by his owner, who also bred his sire.

Horses Transferred: Mr Sol Green’s horses have been transferred from L. Robertson to D. J. Price (says an Australian writer). Alaric, Springbok, Bravest and Stevenage were sent to Price’s stable at Caulfield last week, but five yearlings owned by Mr Green will remain for a while with B. Price, son of the Caulfield trainer, at Mordialloc. Robertson, who had a remarkable time with his horses during the spring carnivals in Melbourne last year, has trained horses for Mr Green for many years. The move has created a sensation in Victorian racing circles.

Entered at Wanganui: Landlubber made his reappearance at the Great Northern meeting after being off the scene for a while. He contested a couple of hack events, and although he failed to gain a place he went well. In the second division of the Jervois Handicap he was one of the first out and was till the entrance to the straight, where he commenced to feel the strain and was sixth at the finish. Landlubber has been entered for hack events at the Wanganui meeting this month, and as he is a good beginner he should be suited by the course if started there.

Allegretto for Trentham: Allegretto, while the most promising of the younger ’chasers raced at Ellerslie, is going to be something of a problem, and unless he gets over his pulling propensities it will be hard for him to stay on over big fences. Then again he has a tendency to go his owh way, dhd a horse like that takes a lot of keeping on the course. Just ask J. McLaughlin, who rode him in his three latest, steeplechase successes (says an Auckland writer). McLaughlin, at the end of each was blowing even more than his mount.

Should Be Improved: , Tradesman resumed' racing at the recent Waikato meeting and was then brought to Auckland for the Great Northern meeting. He ran fair races and should be a much improved horse the next time he is seen out. He is entered for the Opotiki Cup, one mile and a-quarter, and the Farewell Handicap, six furlongs, at the same fixture, and on past form the latter should suit him best. However, he has been tried over ten furlongs, for a couple of seasons ago he contested the Woodstock Stakes at Te Awamutu and made quite a fair showing for the greater part of the distance. Being by Raceful, he should inherit staying ability.

'ount Siegfried: The success of Mahmoud in this 'ear’s Derby will set a fashion for the ;reys in England, and the fashion nay, in due course, be experienced in he anti in Australia. Meanwhile it is always interesting to note 'reys in race fields here, and one of he colour contested Ithe Maiden ’late at Hastings last week. The orse referred to is Count Siegfried, /•ho made an earlier appearance on he race track at the Hawke’s Bay aeeting early in April. He is decribed in his registration form as two-year-old grey colt by Siegfried rom the Australian-bred Grey Monk flare Sylvanun, who was herself a rey, and was imported to the Doninion in 1927 by Mr. C. W. Anderon, who earlier bred the useful Nun Jicer to Chief Ruler from her. Syl•anun’s daih Sylvamint, by Sylvante (son of Grafton), was - a three uarter-sister to Cetigne, who won the i.J.C, Derby, and was undoubtedly ne of the best horses that ever rac-

ed in Australia, his stake-earnings in a period strong with good horses amounting to over £27,000.

Quartet for Honours: By reason of their strenuous duel over the last five furlongs in the Great Northern Steeplechase. Billy Boy and Forest Glow are entitled to be given the vote as the best of the ’chasers seen out recently. To find the one that is next best one would perhaps have to go to the hack class, which gives Allegretto, who has won his last three steeplechase races for £525 in stake-money, so actually is now well out of hacks. Close to Allegretto must come Diamond, who made a. good face of it the first day with the former, and then finished third in the Great Northern Steeplechase. Billy Boy was the best jumper that contested the Great Northern Steeplechase, and for that alone he deserved his win. His impost, 10.7, which included a small penalty for winning at Te Rapa, showed how quickly a horse can come down in the weights, for the previous August he filled th.ird place on the first and last days with 11.5 (in the Grand National)' and 11.4 respectively. So the weight concessions at Te Rapa and Ellerslie enabled him to win £lO2O in stakes. Previous to racing at Te Rapa and Ellerslie he had contested but one steeplechase, at Ellerslie on Easter Monday, so it is difficult to see the reason why he was let down so much. Chile Resumes, Hurdling:

An interesting entrant for the hurdle events at Wanganui is Chile, who has been off the scene in this role for over twelve months, and he is liable to prove a force to be reckoned with in the bigger jumping events to come this winter, for he is a proved hurdler with the highest qualifications for stamina. Early last season, Chile was a winner over hurdles at both Riccarton and Trentham, and later he scored twice at the game at Feilding. Then last winter it was decided to try him over country at Hawera, but it proved an unfortunate decision, as he lost his rider on the first day and after the mishap did not go right on the second day. Taken to Te Rapa, he beat all except Chang in a single start, and his next race was the Great Northern, in which he met a lot of trouble but was going on at the finish. As he was not himself, he was not produced again at the meeting, and he was finally spelled without further racing last winter. He came back to work at the New Year, and he resumed racing at Trentham in March, when he won one of the highweights. He has scored twice on the flat since, and he goes over again to hurdling a very fit horse. After Wanganui, he t will go on to the big hurdling events at Wellington, and after Wellington he will aim at Grand National honours. A safe jumper, he has the advantage of always being ridden by his trainer. P. Burgess.

Sprinters as Sires: According to some opinions, breeding from sprinters must lead to the undermining of the constitution of the thoroughbred. “Mankato,” the well-known English breeding expert, recently wrote as follows in the London “Sporting Life”:—in man and, to an even greater degree, in the racehorse the sprinter is usually very robust in physique and sound in constitution. Running short distances does not make him less sound. In short, there is no correlation between speed and constitutional weakness. Many horses have won the Grand National which were sprinters on the fiat, and not high-class ones at that. And horses which could not offer to stay a mile have sired the best steeplechasers in history. Again, scores and scores of thoroughbreds used as hunter sires and of halfbreds generally have not been gifted with sufficient stamina to win any sort of a race, but there was nothing lacking in the constitution of their halfbred stock from the commonest of mares. Il cannot be too widely known that various qualities and constitutional disabilities have independent transmission. Roaring, blood-vessel breaking, string-halt, shivering, defect in one or other of the important ductless glands are just as likely to appear in a stayer as a sprinter. The Shire, Clydesdale and Suffolk Punch are not furnished with the physiological traits which govern racing stamina. The fittest Shire’s muscle fibre becomes loaded with fatigue products after he has been made to gallop about aquarter of a mile at his best pace. But the same horse has a fine constitution, and will work daily for years in a coal cart or as a railway shunt horse.”

Doubtful Benefit: Though racecourse betting is a thriving industry in South Australia, and betting shops have revolutionised the, old standards of gambling in the State, it is doubtful if the present order is in the best interests of the Turf, comments an Adelaide writer. While admitting that racing has improved considerably since bookmakers were licensed, racing officials contend that racing will never regain its old-level until the betting shops are closed on Saturday afternoons. That is so far as the city is concerned. The betting shops in Adelaide are an eyeopener to visitors. Hundreds of these establishments are scattered throughout the city and country, and arrangements are so elaborate' that backers can obtain last-minute information from all race meetings in thfe leading cities in the Commonwealth. Reding in Melbourne races has reached a tremendous volume. The keenest possible interest is taken in Victorian events, and at an important meeting the big operators make thousands of bets in an afternoon from 1/- upwards. The revenue from the betting shops is enormous, and it is divided between the Government and racing clubs. The clubs derive a good income from the betting shops, as they receive a percentage of the tax on the days that they race. However, the betting shops have not tended to improve attendances at city meetings and the public patronage of racing fixtures is, of course, the life-blood of the sport. Betting shops are open all day when a meeting is held in Adelaide, and it is not surprising that so many people stay away from local races. Racing clubs would be content, the writer continues, if the shops were closed at midday on Saturdays within a radius of 25 miles, as it is felt that if this were done there would be an immediate and appreciable increase in attendances, with the result that stakes would be better and racing generally would benefit. The doubles '‘•tote” is a great institution, and at big meetings in the city it is nothing unusual for sums ranging between

£3OOO and £5OOO to be wagered on this particular machine. Mr. S. J. Pullman, secretary of the Port Adelaide and Onkaparinga Clubs, was the man responsible for the installation of the daily double on the racecourse in South Australia, and since its inception some five or six years ago, more than half a million pounds has been invested in it at city meetings alone.

RICCARTON NOTES.

(special to “star.”]

CHRISTCHURCH, June 15

At Riccarton to-day, Heather Glow, ridden by G. Murfitt, was given hi first jumping since last spring, by clearing a hurdle twice. He has been in easy work for some time, and should be ready for hurdle races in August. Sisterina (A. Stowe) and Courtyard (W. Rainbow) were to have jumped four hurdles together, but the latter ran off at the first. He carried on for the circuit and jumped well, while Sisterina again gave a pleasing display. Courtyard repeated his offence when tried again at the first fence, but later jumped it twice. High Speed' (A. Stowe) and Nocturnus (A. S. Ellis) -were companions over eight of the steeplechase fences, both jumping cleanly at a fast pace. A. E. Ellis will be riding at the Wanganui meeting this week, his mounts on the first day including One Whetu, Bantry and Le Grand. RACING CONFERENCE. THE YEAR’S PROFIT. [SPECIAL to “stab.”] CHRISTCHURCH, June 15. The annual conference of representatives of the New Zealand Metropolitan and District Racing Clubs will be held at Wellington on July 10. In addition to the President, Mr. J. S. McLeod, and Vice-President, Mr. O. Nicholson, the foillowing representatives will attend: —Auckland R.C.: Dr. Grant and Mr. O. Nicholson; Auckland District Clubs: Messrs. L. W. Nelson, J. E. Wells, G. Vercoe and W. H. Wackrow; Canterbury J.C.: Dr. M. Louisson, Mr. D. E. Wanklyn; Canterbury District Clubs: Messrs G. Fulton, D. Grant and E. B. Newton; Dunedin J. C.: Messrs. A. C. Hanlon, K.C., and L. C. Hazlett; Dunedin District Clubs: Messrs. N. Potts and J. M. Samson; Greymouth J.C.: Mr. T. E. Coates; Greymouth District Clubs: Mr. F. O. Hamilton; Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club: E. W. Spencer; Hawke's Bay J.C.: Messrs. G. D. Beatson and F. P. Kelly; Hawke’s Bay District Clubs: Messrs. F. W. Nolan, W. H. Gaisford and P. Wall; Manawatu R.C.: Mr. C. Louisson; Southland R.C.: Mr. W. T. Hazlett; Southland District Clubs: Messrs. M. O’Brien and E. J. Traynor; Taranaki J.C.: Mr. L. A. Nolan; Taranaki District Clubs: Messrs, A. Good and S. C. Tonks; Wanganui J.C.: Messrs. C. G. Russell and F. K. Turnbull; Wanganui District Clubs: Messrs. J. H. Perrett and J. Stanford; Wellington R.C.: Messrs D. M. Findlay and C. W. Tringham; Wellington District Clubs: Messrs. J. W. Card, W. H. Booth and E. A. Weld.

The general account shows a profit for the year of £Bll. The stipendiary stewards’ account shows: —Salaries £2,324, deputies’ fees £251, travelling expanses £6lO, fees supervising trotting events £125, which, with petty expenses, makes a total expenditure of £3,317. In the racecourse inspector.;’ account, salaries amount to £2,826, deputies’ fees £154, travelling expenses £568, insurance £27/10/-. typewriter for inspector £l2/12/-, or a to’al of £3,591. In addition, the in-

spection of training establishments, carried out. by racecourse inspectors, involved an outlay of £l3B . The past year has been a severe one for the Accident Fund, as claims settled amount to close on £5,000, and with provision made for estimated outstanding claims at May 31, 1936, this amount is increased to £5,621. The year’s expenditure in administering the account amounted to £6,902 and the income £5,098, leaving an excess of expenditure over income of £1.804. The receipts included accident fees £2,352, license fees from trainers and riders £1,321, emergency riders’ fees £l2, commission on riding fees £960, interest £438, fines £l4. The accumulated funds as at May 31, 1935, were £10,643.

If a remit to the Conference by the Hawke’s Bay Club be passed, it will be compulsory for all starters to adopt the flat-footed start. The proposed addition to the present rule on the subject reads as follows: —“It shall be the duty of every starter, and of every substitute or assistant starter, to marshal the horses in every race as nearly as possible in line, so that the race will commence from a standing start. In all hurdle races and steeplechases, the starter may exercise his discretion as to the method of starting.” It is expected that this proposal will meet with the approval of the Conference, but a motion by the Wairarapa Racing Chib, “that the appointment of starters at the various race meetings be in the hands of the District Committees,” is not likely to have many supporters.

DUNEDIN ACCEPTANCES

DUNEDIN, June 15

Acceptances for the first day (Saturday) of the Dunedin Jockey Club’s meeting are: — Tahuna steeplechase. 2J miles. — Pahu 11.10, Night Club 10.10, Arctic Star 10.8, Lycidas 10.3, Money Mine 9.12. Miss Winston 9.10, Royal Buck 9.3, Wykemist, Rotowai, Te Ahuarangi, Prince Tractor 9.0.

Trial Handicap, 7 furlongs.—Golden Song, Tautau Maid 9.0, Chief Lama, Countervane 8.13, Last Dance, Sir Rosenor 8.11, Araboa. Sunny Jean. Cape Gabo 8.10, Autumn Wind, Darien, The Jeweller 8.8, Costume, Drink-up. Royal Dart, Whaddon Chase 8.7. June Hurdles, 1?> miles. —Black Duke 11.1, Courtyard 9.10, Signaller 9.8, Aesculus 9.4, Blazon, Master Anomaly, Royal Pal, Gold Stead 9.0. Brighton Handicap, 1 mile.-—Queen Dorothy 9.4, Poniard 8.10, Vantoon 8.8. Polygraph 8.7, Vocal,. Jack Ahoy 8.6, Fireguard, Gambler’s Luck, Impala, Redtop, Paia Melba 8.0. Otago Steeplechase, about 2X miles. —Royal Limond 11.9, Dunmure 10.6, Pahu 10.3, Quinopal, Red Lance 9.13, Free Air 9.11, Parasang 9.8, Night Club 9.6, Arctic Star 9.4, High Speed, Velvet 9.0. , Provincial Handicap, 1J miles. — Epris 9.0, Polydora 8.13, Trivet 8.7. Royal Gallant, Nightform 7.12, Golden King 7.11, Salmo Salar, Grand Finale 7.9, Amy Johnson 7.8, Daring Deed, Milford, Silk Arrow, Amelita 7.7. Winter Handicap, 7 furlongs.—Fair Weather 9.8, Cranford, Dollar Bill 9.0, Greek Gold 8.13, Bay Duke 8.12, Sisterina, Double Shot 8.8, Capital 8.6, Half Note 8.4, Palermo 8.3, Travenna

8.2, Moneyless, Cheap Money', Cor. tyard. Toreador. Last Link, Sur 3, Mount Vai 8.0.

St. Clair Handicap, 7 furlongs. - High Glee 9.7, Last Refrain 9.4, At i 9.0, Violenta 8.13. Bay Biddy 8.1 !, Polygraph 8.6. Cintilla 8.4, Mada.n Pompadour 8.3, Golden Vision, Silver Lark, Perpetuous, Illora, Johnny, Braw Lad 8.0. WANGANUI FIELDS. WANGANUI, June 15. Wanganui J.C. acceptances for the first day (Saturday) are: — 12.0: Wanganui Bracelet, one mile and a distance (amateur riders): — Donegal 12.7, Cometra 11.4, Prince Reno 11.3, Brucelaiid, Royal Peak, Tupeotu, Vane 9.0. 12.40: Winter Oats, 6 furlongs.— Diatomous 9.9, Midian 9.4, Gold Mission 9.1, Dungarvan 9.0, Mother Superior 8.13, Limulus 8.12, Land Tax 8.8.

1.20: Century Hurdles, two miles and 194 yards. —Soloist 11.7, Chile 10.8, Speed, Manawatu 10.6, Silk Sox 9.10, Ruaform, Sporting Song 9.7, Glenvane 9.0.

2.0: Balgownie Hack Handicap, 1 mile and 110 yards.—Mustang 9.9, Hunting Queen 9.6, Le Grand, Teddy Boy 9.0, Supreme Court 8.10, Calshot Sylvanus 8.5, Maestro 8.4, Corowa 8.2, Dancing Lady, Hunting Maid, Meritor 8.0.

2.40: Grandstand Steeplechase, 2i miles. —Cotsfield 10.1, Tangled 9.9, Debut, Invictus, Windsor Lad 9.7, Kaola 9.5, Spalpiko 9.2. 3.20: Empire Handicap, 1 mile and a distance. —Onewhetu 9.8, Prostration 9.4, Hazoor 8.12, Gay Boy, Midian, West Tor, Takakua 8.3, Peter Jackson 7.13, Davistock 7.10, Jubilee Song 7.8, Tahurangi, Clarion Call 7.5, Alchemic 7.0.

4.5: Borough Hack Handicap, 6 furlongs.—Triune 9.11, Bantry, First Chapter 9.7, Happy Hunting 9.6, Waipiro 8.8, Night Spi 8.7, Middle 8.3, Garter Red 8.2, Advance Plane, Golden Rill, The Sandwichman, San Hedrin, Script, High Test, Landlubber 8.0.

FILLY’S INJURY

SYDNEY, June 15.

The promising racing filly, Red Rosebud, who fell at Rosehill on Saturday, it is feared fractured a pelvis. To-day, she was placed in slings.

BETTER THAN PHAR LAP ?

STORY OF MOIFAA.

An interview, which appeared in the “San Francisco Examiner,” discusses the history and achievements of the New Zealander, Moifaa, and rates him as possibly the peer of Phar Lap. The article, which is as follows, is also interesting as typical of American sporting journalism: — Colonel Noel Adams, of New Zealand, was in America a few years ago to study racing conditions here. The Colonel was asked about Phar Lap . . . The name of the Red Terror was then on every tongue. . . And for good reasons. The Colonel knew Phar Lap well . . . He saw him race in the land down under.

“By all odds he was our greatest horse,” said Adams. “I feel sure he was the best horse I ever saw. . . . Probably the best the world has ever produced.”

It was what the Colonel’s litseners wanted him to say.

“But there might have been one New Zealand horse that was his equal,” mused the Colonel. “Since this horse met with misfortline, I cannot say .... Was he as

good as Phar Lap? ... I don’t know .... Neither does any one else.

REMARKABLE HORSE.

“Moifaa . . . That was his name . . . He was a remarkable horse .... Bred in New Zealand .... He w’on with such ease that his owner decided to send him to England to try for the classics.

“This was in 1902. .. . Rounding the Cape of Good Hope, the ship that carried him to England became distressed ....

“To save the ship, it became necessary to throw furnishings and all loose material overboard.

“Moifaa, and the mare that accompanied him, were no exceptions. . . . “It was a question of human life or thoroughbred life. . . . So they jettisoned Moifaa and the mare. “Tossed them into the raging torrent. Through those tempestuous seas, believe it or not, Moifaa swam ashore.

“Moifaa lived. But from his experience and exposure, suffered a wind ailment.

“He was rested in South Africa . . . • then continued on to England, where it was decided to use him as a steeple chaser. In jumping, his wind was not affected. He won the Grand National • the world’s classic. That was in 1904.

“The years passed on. Moifaa was forgotten until one dav I happened to be on the staff of General Allenby at review. THERE HE WAS. “I was galloping up and down in front of the ranks when Sir Douglas Haig, then a general, and commandant, arrived. “I noted something familiar about his mount, .... 1 have paid strict attention to horses all mv life. ... I seldom forget a horse of note. “Sir Douglas’s horse 1 was positive I knew. “After the review, I went to the stable to make sure “And by gad .... it was Moifaa. “Many vears later, but still going strong .... This splendid animal acting as the mount for the man who was to become the World’s War commander.

“Yes, sir; Phar. Lap was a great horse, but was he tiny better than Moifaa. ... I don’t know.”

Trotting MEETINGS TO COME.

June 20, 23 or 24—Auckland T-C.

Stirling Lady Case : An interesting feature of the Stirling Lady case is that it rests on a question of fact, and under the old rules a verdict on such a matter could not be carried to an appeal. The rule reads as follows: —“The decision of the stewards, as respects a cross, postle, or a pull shall be conclusive, and not subject to appeal.” Making a Limit: Trotting has become so popular in South Australia that clubs have had’ to take measures to protect themselves against unwieldy fields. While no horse can be nominated for more than one event on a programme, it is

now proposed to debar an owner from nominating more than one horse in a race.

Bam of Parisieune: It will be of interest to West Coasters to know that Yenot, the dam of the Sapling Stakes winner, Parisienne, was at one time trained in Greymouth by F. W. Gilbert. Yenot (Harold Dillon—Rothschild mare) was then owned by Mr A. Rogatski. She was a speedy mare, and in addition to Parisienne, she previously produced two winners in Peter Junior and Lillian Bond (4.26 4-5).

Westland Club; At a meeting of the committee of the Westland Tfiatting CJub, there were present: Messrs F. McGregor (president), R. Redder, W. J. Stafford, E. W. Heenan, J. Mclntosh, H. Wells, and the secretary, Mr M. H. Houston. The secretary submitted the balance-sheet for the recent trotting meeting held at Greymouth, showing a profit of £152/17/3. The club resolved to hold its annual trotting meeting at Hokitika racecourse on Wednesday, December 30. The club donated’ one guinea towards a presentation to the New Zealand president, Mr H. F. Nicol, who has left for England. The club appointed Mr M. Houston as a delegate to the annual conference of trotting clubs at Wellington on July 8. The club resolved to approach the Government for an extra day’s permit, so that a two-day meeting could be held. Bolinda King:

The Ashhurst trotting trainer H. Garnett intends taking Bolinda King and Baron Grand to the Winter Meeting at Auckland. Bath pacers ran good races on the West Coast circuit, and will have derived benefit from the racing. Bolinda King, a black geld ing by- Native King—Ranee, was one of the most improved pacers on the circuit. At Hawera he finished second to Treasure Bond, going 3.23 from a 3.33 mark .and at his next start, after registering 3.22 2-5, he was beaten by Winaway, who was in receipt of 12yds. Giving away' a little time, Bolinda King won the 2.54 President’s Handicap at the Manawatu meeting in 2.54 3-5, equalling Bonny Azure’s Hawera time. He is not big, but is a. brililant beginner, and ahs made appreciable improvement in staying power. Baron Grand won the Improvers’ Handicap at Wanganui in 3.28. A Garnett, son of the trainer, drove the horses, and will drive them at Epsom.