TODAY’S RACING NEWS

Greymouth Evening Star, 23 February 1937, Page 11

TODAY’S RACING NEWS

Galloping MEETINGS TO COME February 26,. 27—Gore. February 27—Waiapu. February 27 —Opunake. February 27, March I—Te Aroha. March 4, 6—Napier, Park. March 6—Banks Peninsula. March 6—Franklin. March 6—Rangitikei. March 12, 13 —Cromwell. March 11, 13—Wellington. March 13—Birchwood Hunt. March 13, 17—Ohinemuri. March 19, 20—Pahiatua. March 20—Stratford. March 20—Otautau. March 20, 22—Westport. March 20, .22— Bay of Plenty. March 27—Greymouth. March 27—Tuapeka County. March 27,29—Auckland. March 27/ 29—Feilding. March 27,- 29; 30—Riverton-. • March 27, 29 —Wairarapa March 29—Beaumont. March 29—Waipukurau. March 29—Kumara. March 29, 30—Canterbury. April 3—Greymouth. April 3;; April 9,10 — Manawatu. April 10—Reef ton. Recovered':.. Lady Kyra, who- Was severely kicked at the.post at Trentham last month, has made ,a’ fine recovery, and is in work again at- New- Plymouth. Failed to Carry On; Dark Shadow-has not lived up to his early promise' in' recent, racing, despite having every chance. A Northern writer comments that there has been no excuse for his defeats as he has looked bright and well. Wi» First Start:

The 1200-guinea colt Courtcraft (Lijhond—Homage) ma'de a successful debut in the' Sapling" Stakes at Woodville on Saturday. He is, perhaps, one' of the biggest two-year-olds that has been seen out for a long time, and for this reason: Ins' connections' have have not hurried him ih his preparation. His connections have- high hopes of the colt’s living up to his high breeding credentials. Unlucky to Lose:

Though Courtcraft won the Sapling Stakes at Woodville in convincing style, on Saturday, Son ; and Heir would have beep-much more troublesome, bu,t for the fact- that he bolted before the race, and was probably not up- to hie- best- at- the finish. Son and Heir, a two-year-old son of the now popular Siegf-rfed, Iras shown a lot of speed 1 on the tracks, and prior to Saturday, hgxbrirma second at Trentham.

Bred to GalEop: Haile Boy, who won the Flying Stakes at Rotorua,- is a promising gelding, who has blood .lines which should carry him on to further success. He is a four-year-old by The Ace from Star of Gold, by Hunting Song from Etoile' d’Or, by Polydamon from Pearle d’Or. This latter mare is descended from Aura, the dam of Golden Slipper, and great-grandson of that great mare, Desert Gold. Eart Colossus:

Thor victory-of. Earl .Colossus, in the Inaiiu. Handicap at. HaWera had the. effect .of . making Wm eligible-, for the Champion Hask Gup at. Trentham ne2?ti month. This: is .a race for hacks other-than.maidens at. the tipie of entry,: He; has been placed in good hack races Trenthajm- Plymouth this’season, and his;first succegs comes in time- to be a-lead-’.to further honours in the near future. ....... ¥

Displayied Speed: AT likely: loplcing novice seen, out at Rdtbrpa was’ Meath, an Erislibred fiUy by Sbl’dennis from Black Spa;ngld.’ It’ was her first appearance wlidfi ’she’ Contested tlie Waimangu Stdi.es/; and shd put up a creditable peytofmahde' to finish third. She showed a' lot of speed’ iii the funning, anifi the' inann’er in which she battled on ahguib'd well for lief chances oii the" Sejcopff day. However, on this occasion, sljb diU not get too good a pa’S’Shge and W'as beaten into fourth place;” Lady Mfeh.th is an attractively-. biiilV filly, of wHofii more is sure to bd hC’ard.

Above Average: Sailing; Lady, winner of the Awarua Handicap’ at Winton on Saturday, is .reported to he. a filly a- good deal above the average. Trained by A. McKenzie, who* prepared. The Smuggler to -Win; a Great Autumn Handicap, Sailing. Lady is. a three-year-old by Lord Warden from Set Sail, twice winner of'.tlie Invercargill Cup. Set Sail was by Solferino from Stratllpeffer, by Birkephead from Ideal, by Dreafi- «... nought.. Sailing Lady Iras' now won two races since she was beaten a neck £t Her first start at’ Invercargill in November.

In. V\/prk Again: Higligrader and Royal Feast are again in active work at Hastings, thppgh 'th.ejr tasks so far have not of a serious nature. Last jump-ing-sea s'on many were predicting that Higligfader would be the find of the seasofi as a cross-.country performer, but uHfdftunatel-y lie contracted ligament trouble. There was, however, no breakdown, for as soon as his owner-trainer recognised the ailment he stopped working the Lord Quex gelding and gave treatment. Thus, there should be a good chance of his standing up to a preparation.

Form Was Promising: Although beaten each day at the Rotorua meeting, Miss Te Koura was responsible for two good showings, and the Tea Tray filly is likely to see a much better day. In the Arawa Park Stakes on tlie opening day she was only just beaten by Triliarch in a slashing finish, and it was no disgrace to be vanquished by a much more seasoned, performer, who had proved equal to winning a two-year-old event at Ellerslie. In her next start Miss Te Koura acted as runnerup to Airam in the Rennie Stakes, the latter receiving a decided advantage at barrier rise, and always being clear. Abbey Day, the dam of Miss To Koura, conies from the same family as those one-time good performers, Boomerday and Gala Day. ———- I Royal Saxon: The return to racing at the Dunedin meeting of Royal Saxon' reopened a chapter of turf history that seem-

cd to have been closed, some, years ago. Royal Saxon has had a remarkable career, but to reappear as a winner after an absence of nearly four years is the most noteworthy aspect of the 13-year-old. gelding’s record. The dam of Royal Saxon, Heath Lass, was foaled iri- England, and * she produced Royal Saxon", her first foal, to Saxby, in 1923. For several years the gelding raced in the colours of Mr J. Carter, beginning at three years and continuing for six strenuouis seasons, by which time he had compiled an impressive list of 27. wins, with more, than twice as many places. In one y.ear he started.3l times, and.his best season was- as a five-year-old, when he won ten races. Royal Saxon showed his’best form over'sprint distances, but he won the Wellington Summer Handicap twice and the D.J.C. St. Andrew’s Handicap at a mile, and also the Invercargill Cun and Otago Ham dicap at a mile and' a-quarter. Barton-Teams for Australia:

Another Australian campaign is to be made by a team of Mr G. J. Bar- . ton’s horses, to be shipped to Melbourne by. the first boat, leaving, in. March. The team will consist of Desert Chief, Gay Circle, Silver Bond, the Australian-bred two-year-old Bobalittk, Granvin, Sir Ken, and the Limond-Curtain colt purchased at the January sales. Ah addition to the original team will be made by Mr J’ Richardson’s Limond —Anklet colt. Royal Order, who has been leased with a purchasing clause to Mr Barton, Mr Richardson intended sending the colt across- on his own account. Gay Circle has- not- shaped up to expectations in his few races here, but .is not at home in soft going, and the 1 same applies to Silver Bond. Sir I Ken, the Night Raid—Lady Violet colt, has suffered from shin soreness, and in consequence has not been seen at his best. Royal Order has displayed speed on the track, but shin soreness and a bad heel made a compulsory spell. The Lord Quex —Pure Gold filly will be left behind, and so will Jack Horner,, but tlieyi may go across later. The comparatively cheap.cost of racing at the Melbourne meetings to what obtains in-New Zealand is a big incentive-to. race in. Australia, and? hence the reason for a second campaign. Mr Barton will still keep a- small team at Wingatui, in addition to the horses in training at Addington.

WAIKATO MEETING CONCLUDES. RESPECTFUL—WHIRLING HAMILTON, February 22. The Waikato meeting was qoncluded in fine weather before a large attendance. Tile’ track was fast, and the totalisator handled £31,980 10/-, compared with £22,964 10/- last year. For tile meeting thb'total was £76,613 10/-, representing an increase of 10/-. Remaining results: — Vercoe Handicap, one mile. —<10/7 Respectful, 7.7 ~.(C. G. Goulsbro) 1; 7/8 Triune, ,8.13' (H. Maria) 2; 1/1 Shy, 7.11 (R. Horne) 3. Also started: 9/10 Impasto; 4/6 Mazir, 5/5 Lagoon, 12/11 Gay Rose, 3/4 Royal Secret, 8/9 Dark Shadow, 13/12 Sinking Fund, 6/3 Sweet Rose, 10/15 Star Artist, 11/13 Ko-rerb, 14/16 Gay Talkie,. 17/17 Vera-Acre, 15/14 Black Friar, 2/2 King Neptune. Won by a long neck; a length and a-half. Time, 1.36 4-5. E-U-reka- Handicap; five furlongs.— 4/5 Trilliarch,-8.5 (R. Horne) 1;. 7/7 Royal Bachelor, 7.7 (W. Broughton) 2; 2/2 Airam, 8.11 Z (H. Maria) 3. Also started: 1/1 Wildflower,. 6/6 - Nuclei, 3/4 Royal Vaals, 9/11 Awatea Princess, 11/9 Raceline, 10/10 Forest Acre, 8/8. Pantoon, 5/3 Son of the Soil. Heads separated the. placed horses; Time, 1.2- 2-5.

. Waikato Hack Cup, one mile.—s/9 Valrent,. 8.12 (.0;. Mclnally) 1; 2/1 International,. 7.12 (L. Clifford.) 2; 3/3 Laxly Siegfried, 7.8 ,(C. G. Goulsbro) 3. Also, started: 4/4 Black Musk, 7/8 Tutor, 8/7 Racemosus. 1/2 King Theo, 9/7 Sunny Downs, 10/10 Gay Streak, 6/5 Racette 1 . Won by a neck; a.head. Time 1.39.

Flying Handicap, six furlongs.—2/1 Whirling, 8.4 (Broughton) 1; 1/2 Deficit, 7,11 (C. G. Goulsbro) 2; -3/3 Round Up, 7.7 (H. Wiggins) 3. Also started: 6/6 Mata Hari, 4/5. Boughal, 5/4 Mungacre, 7/7 Gold Mission, 8/8 Wahine Reihi. Won by a neck; a length and a half. Time, 1.12 1-5. H.uutly Hack Handicap, seven furlongs.—4/4 Winlona, 7.12. (McKenzie) 1;- 3/3 Besiege, 8.3 (L. Pratt) 2; 6/5 Killader,. 8.12 (R. Horne) 3. Also started: 2/2 Calcutta, 7.7 Blackman, 5/6 Trouvaille, 1/1 Arndale, 8/8 Ford. Acre, 9/9 Sailing Thru. Won by a neck; half a length. Time 1.27 2-5. NOTES ON THE RACING. FAR LAND’S VICTORY. [SPECLXL TO “STAB.”] HAMILTON, February 22.

From a delayed start, Far Land and Huntsman’s Chorus were first away, although the former drew wide. Clooneen then went to the front, and led into the straight from Far Land, Very Glad, Huntsman’s Chorus, Brioni, Superior Guard, Stormy Weather, and Bronzette. Far Land was eledr at' the distance, but wen by only a head from Superior Guard. Bronzette, who was third, should have been closer, -with a reason able position early. Clooneen, fourth, should also improve. After Clooneen came Stormy Weather, Very Glad-and Street. Most Promising Hurdler. Tout le Monde, to say the least, was not a payable proposition on the flat, although his best form was very good. However, he won the Raglan Hurdles, his first race over the battens, for .1. Fryer, in the easiest fashion, quite outclassing the others. In his present form, and against the present class of jumpers in. the Auckland province, he should win several on end. Ruaform beat High Quality by a neck for second, after being prominent throughout. Valpai was fourth, and Pango and Stansted in the rear. Strong Finishing Run.

Surella and Jan Ridd began best in (ho Te Rora Handicap, and, at the distance, the former had the race won. but he quit, and left the other clear. Jan Ridd was soon challenged by Day Wind, who was sixth into the straight, and the latter won by a neck, with a length to Paso Robles, who also' camo in the straight, from the rear. Fox Moth was fourth, and then

camo Surella, Tosh, and Gay Egypt, none-of whom ran like early improv- . crs. Day Wind does not win out of

his turn, but he is very useful on his day. Respectful Improves. The fast run. Vercoe Handicap resulted in- another- upset,- when the much-improved Respectful- beat Triune. The latter with Mazir, was slowly away, and the running, was taken up by Impasto, Royal Secret, Dqrk Shadow, King Neptune, Star Artist, Sweet Rose, Respectful and Shy, the last-named being favourite, as the result of the scratching of King Rey. Into the straight, Impasto piloted Sweet Rose and Shy, with’ Dark Shadow next.. Here King. Neptune stopped quickly, having bled, when going well. Shy ranged to the front at the distance, but Respectfub tackled him- on the outside, while Triune came up on the rails-. Triune was in front 50

yard's from home, but Respectful, who Is half his size, cut him down; and won going away. Shy was third, with Royal Secret, Sinking Fund-, Gay Talkie, Mazir, Impasto, and, Sweet Rose in close formation. A Certainty Beaten.

Wildflower was backed down to

very short odds for the Eureka Handicap, but Royal Vaals- was a certainty beaten into fourth place, half a length from the winner. Airam, Wildflower, and Trilliarch were first away, Royal being slow, and Raceline left entirely., Trilliarch at ■once took charge, and led into the home-run from Airam, Royal Bachelor, Royal Vaals, and Wild Flower. The last-mentioned stumbled, and lost ground. Airam made a bid and Royal Vaals -was squeezed' against the' fence, finable to' get a run. Trilliarch' made a final stab, and crossed the line with Royal Bachelor, Airam, and Roypl Vaals, and-only heads between them’ Royal Bachelor was unsighted the first day ahd made an important improvement over the week-end. Wildflower was fifth, and then Pantoon, Forest Acre and. Nuclei. International Unlucky. Another blanket finish marked the end of the Waikato Hack Cup, with Valrent prevailing narrowly over International-, who; covered much extra ground, and Lady Siegfried. Gay Streak led along, the back from King Theo', and Valrent, with Lady Siegfried seventh, and International eighth. The order was the same into the straight; excepting that Lady Siegfried had moved up two places, and she joined the issue with Valrent, the leader having retired hastily, while International ranged up on the. outer, with long telling strides. He was- the unlucky one of the three placed horses and was chased home by King Theo, Tutor, Gay Streak and Racette. Whirling’s Excellent Performance. Round Up led Mungacre and De-

ficit early in the Flying Handicap, but Deficit then drew away from a close-running field, in- which Whirling was second to last. Deficit still had three lengths advantage, as he straightened up, with the others in a bunch. Whirling set out on the stern chase, and overhauled Deficit twenty yards from the post, to win by a neck, with Round Up a fair third. Mungacre was fourth-, and then came Gold 1 Mission and Boughal. Whirling’s performance, in record time for the course,, was excellent, for, at the distance, Deficit looked to have the race in safe keeping. A Keen Finish. Erndale was favourite for the Huntly Handicap, but cut up badly in the straight'. Calcutta made the pace to well within the straight, when Besiege, on the inner, and Winlona, on the outer, ranged up, and. fought a keen finish, the latter winning by a neck. Killadar was a close third, and then came Blackman, Calcutta, and Troulvaille. Besiege needed a race, and. will improve. This was only his second race. He won first up at Te Awa.mutu. WOODVILLE J.C.—SECOND DAY. SIR NIGEL WINS TELEGRAPH'. » WOODVILLE, February 22. The Woodville Jockey Club’s Autumn meeting- was concluded today. The weather was warm and; the attendance satisfactory for an off day. The- totaiisator figures aggregated £10;992/iO/- compared with the off day last year, when the machine put through £5661/10/- ah- increase 0f£5331-. The total for the meeting was £24,250, against £11,924/10/- last year, an increase of £12,325/10/-. As the result of an enquiry into the running in the Telegraph- Handicap, J. Dooley, ridej- of Land Tax, was suspended for- a month for interference at the straight entrance, and jeopar? dising the cirances of Severe, Fulojoy and Symcony. Remaining results: —

Debutante Stakes, five furlongs.— 2. Smoke Screen (B. H. Morris) 1; 1 Ge-ira 9.5 (P. Atkins) 2; 4 Gay Molly; 7.7 (S, Wilson) 3. Also started: 3 Son and Heir, 5 Orient Dawn. Won by-, three lengths; same. Time 1.1 1-5. Maharahara Handicap, . seven furlongs.—2 BTue Garter 9.4 (Morris) 1; 1 Sajisfoy 9.8, 2; 5 Myriam 7.7,.3. Also started: 7 All Spirit, 4 Bubble, 2 Parry, 6 Lord Quick, 8 Laggard, 1 Royal Solo bracketed with Sansfoy. Won by a head; a length. Time 1.28 1-5.

Telegraph Handicap, six furlpugs. — 1 Sir N-i'gel 7.13 (Cavaney) 1; 6 Land Tax 7.11 (Dooley) 2; 3 Severe 7.11, (Wilson) 3: Also started: 7 Bunfight, 2 Plato, 5 Fulojoy, 8 Symcony, 4 Bodyline. Won by a neck; two lengths. Time 1.13 3-5. Victoria Handicap, one mile ami a dance.—l King’s Lancer 8.6 (P. Atkins) 1; 3 Corroboree 8.0 (Tattersail) 2; 5 Windward 7.7 (McCauley) 3. Also started: 2 Convivial, 4 Revival. Won by a neck; a length. Tiiho 1.35 1-5.

Mangapapa Handicap, six furlongs. —3 Flammarion 9.2 (Leach) 1; 7 Royal Record 7.7 (S. Wilson) 2; 4 Mister Quex 8.6 (P. Atkins) 3. Also started: 5 Mohua, 2 Quake, 1 Silver River, 6 Helios, 8 Blue Mauritius. Won by a length; half a length. Time 1.14.

OPUNAKE R.C, ACCEPTANCES. FIELDS FOR SATURDAY. NEW PLYMOUTH. February 22. The following acceptances have been received for the Opunake Racing Club's meeting on Saturday: — 12.30 p.m. Patiki Hurdles Handicap, one mile and a-half: —Don Erma 10.11, Bnzaine 9.13, King Pluto 9.0. 1.15 p.m. Maiden Race, six furlongs.—Gay Step, Kentucky Song. Kia Ora, Naughty Marietta. Ohanga, River Feale, Running Shoes, Waiwhetu 8 5, F-afner, Gaily, LicKem, Seaham, St. Cedric 7.7. 2 p.m. Flying Handicap, six furlongs. —

. Lady Kyra 9.5, The Tiger 8.1, Bazaine, Erebus 7.9, Mustang, Mo:, oa, Cheval de Volee 7.7. 2.45 p.m. Electric’Hack Handicap, five furlongs—Colleen Gain; Dancing Lady 8.4, Kentucky Song" 7.12, Edgle’s Eye 7.10, Etiquette,7.9, Gay Step, Tomoana, Valroy, Serviette\,7.'7.< 3.30 p.m. Opunake Cup, one- mile and a quarter.—Friesland 8.11, Tahurangi 7.10, Davistock 7.9, Windsbreen, Mustang, Bantry, Corowa, Red Sand 7.7. 4.15 p.m. President’s Hack Handicap, nine furlongs.—lnternational 8.4, Bonny Glow 8.3, Autumn Leaf 8.0, Naughty Marietta 7.7. 5 p.m. Railway Hack Handicap, six furlongs.—Ned Cuttie 9.0, Corowa 8.9, Cheval de Volee, Eara 8.8, Colleen Gain 8.3, Dancing Lady 8.3, Autumn Leaf 7.13, Kentucky Song, Te Broney 7.10, Ohanga, Running Shops, Etiquette, King Pluto 7.7. GORE R.C. ACCEPTANCES FIELDS FOR FRIDAY GORE, February 22. The following acceptances have been received for the first day of the Gore Racing Club’s meeting on Friday next: — Gore High-Weight Handicap. Eight furlongs and a-half. —Trebleack, 10.11, Vantoon 9.13, Johnny 9.10, Red Treasure, Look Smart 9.7, Azavedo 9.4, Tautau Maid 9.2, Orderwood, Joy Boa 9.0.

Longford Hack Handicap. Six fur-

longs.—Silver Sail 9.3, Ballad 8.13, New Note 8.10, Clara Bow, Golden Vision 8.8, Alma, Violenta, Ilithyia 8.7, Sailing Lady 8.6, Gipsy Fair 7.12, Luminere 7.8. x Electric Trot. 3.43 class. One mile and a-half.—Abel, Aqua Bond, Blue Spot, Capricorn, Choice Goods, Coherto, Direct Bell, Ghandi, Labour . Chimes, Norham Lady, Oasis, Ochiltree, Prince Charles, Sunny Drive, Sunhope scr., Grand Meteor 48.

Racing Club Handicap. One mile and a-quarter—Travenna 9.9, Wall Street 8.8, Amy Johnson 8.2, Ocean Singer 7.13, Enwobd 7.10, Wild Career 7.8, Cleaner, Last Link, Song Boy 7.7. Novice Handicap. Six furlongs.— Pink Robe 8.13, Natty, Mona’s Song 8.12, Golden Song 8.10, Night Sail 8.9, Prince Flaneur 8.6, Night Wings, Brilliant Boa, Bow Street, Rotui 8.5, British Star, The Jeweller 8.4. Croydon Handicap. Six furlongs.— Rebel Chief 9.10, Half Note, Sea. Fox, Viking 9.0, All Humbug 7.12, Beam 7.10, Silver Sail 7.9, Song Boy 7.8, Moneyless, Mary Pratt, Final Bell 7.7. Progressive Trot, 3.39 class. One and a half miles. —Chevalier, Loyal Sun, Lucky Lee, Ruru, Vinola scr., Capri, Direct Thorpe, Guywin, Jean Dewey, Seaward de Oro, Silver Laddie, Tritoma 12, College Boy, Frisco Silk, Misjiap 24, Sir Gowan 36, Norma Grattan, MokO Child 84. Summer Hack Handicap. One mile. —Galleon 9.9, Barley Almond 9.1, Trebleack 8.8, Ardchoille 8.3, Heloise, Great Empire, Bay Biddy 8.2, Mutus, Corban 7.7. AUSTRALIAN RACING, V.R.C. MEETING! MELBOURNE, February 22. Scratchings for the Newmarket Handicap are: Cuddle, Limond Lad, Press Gang, and Trump. Disalto has been penalised 51b, and his weight is now' Bst 41b. M. McCarten will ride Aurie’s Star, 7.12. Gold Rod, who has done well since winning the Futurity Stakes at Caulfield, has.won £9865 in stake money. He will start in the Essendon Stakes. A.J.C. AUTUMN WEIGHTS. SYDNEY, February 22. New Zealand horses fjgure as topweights in both the Doncaster Handicap and Sydney Cup, to be decided at the Australian Jockey Club’s meeting, which will commence on March 27. The following ar,e the weights: — Doncaster Handicap:—Cuddle 9.8, Young Idea, Pamelas 9.7, Regular Bachelor 9.6, King’s Head, Gold Rod 9.1, Plymouth Sound, Garrio, Gay Blonde, Autobuz, Wotan 8.13, Gay Lover 8.11, Namakja 8.6, Pripce Quex 8.4, Essex 8.3, Mananui 8.1, On Parade, Loud Applause 8.0, Pasha, The Raider 7.10, Country Party 7.9, Sal Volatile 7.7, Improvement 7.5, Red' Rosebud 7.0, Edible 6.10. Sydney Cup.—Silver Ring 9.7, Cuddle 9.6, Golden Promise 9.5, Oro, Lough Neagh 9.0, Plymouth Sound, Autobuz, Wotan, Gay Blonde 8.12, Flood Tide, Palfresco 8.11, Allunga 8.10, Sarcherie 8.9, Silver Standard, Talking 8.5, North Wind 8.4, Loud Applause 8.2, Mananui 8.0, Essex, Upoko Ariki 7.12, Le Grand 7.9, The Raider 7.7, Latharna 7.5, Scratchmere Scar, Viceroy 7.3, Kinsfolk, Bertha B 6.11, Edible 6.9, Linklet 6.7.

GOLD ROD SCRATCHED SYDNEY, February 23. Gold Rod, Autobus, On Parade, and Loud Applause have been scratched for the Doncaster Handicap}, and Autobus and Loud Applause for the Sydney Cup. KING’S HORSE WINS (Reed. Feb. 23, 1 p.m.). LONDON, February 22. Marconi gave the King his second win, beating a field of fourteen in the Coventry Handicap Steeplechase at the Birmingham races. It was a popular victory, the crowd cheering as Marconi took the lead in the straight. He won by four lengths. GRAND NATIONAL. REYNOLDSTOWN NOT ENTERED. It was learned with great surprise at Leicester yesterday that Reynoldstown, favourite in the early betting for this year’s Grand National, would not be entered for the race. Entries close to-day (writes “Hotspur" in the London “Daily Telegraph” on January 5 last.)

■ Major Furlong, the owner, considers that his horse, which won the Grand National in 1935 and 1936, has had his fair share of racing in this most difficult event, the conditions of which next March will be against him.

Yesterday, Reynoldstown, in his first race of the present, season, defeated seven opponents in the Mapperley 'Chase, winning by a head from Mr. S. G. R. Barratt’s Deslys. He was ridden, by the owner’s son. Frank Furlong, who won the Grand National on him two years ago. “One does not want to see highclass horses beaten in the Grand National by ‘selling platers,’ receiving a

lot of weight,” said Major Furlong’ yesterday. “I shall run Reynoldstown this season in those races which appeal to me, instead of those I had in mind when I had the ‘National’ in view.”

No horse has ever won the Grand National three times.

The next Grand National, it should be observed, will be a stiffer test for the top weights —and Reynoldstown, needless to say, would' Have been given top weight had he been entered —inasmuch as the handicap is now framed over a. wider stretch of weight. Whereas a year ago the top weight was 12st. 71b. and the bottom lOst. -71 b., the bottom weight next March will be lOst.

Reynoldstown would, therefore, have been called upon to give away 3st to possibly a dozen horses, a feat which might have taxed him unduly. Opinion in racing circles—and one finds here a generous measure of humaneness combined with sound common sense' —is that Major Furlong has done the right thing. The odds' against a horse winning a third Grand National are practically unnameable and it is argued that it would be. a shame to risk spoiling a good horse; for the sake of an honour so elusive and soi unlikely of attainment as a triple Grand National crown. Liverpool will have a new race on Grand National day, March 19. It will bo named the King George VI. Stakes, and is a handicap to be run over the mile and six furlongs course.

Trotting MEETINGS TO COME February 26 —Marlborough. February 27 —Kaikoura. February 27 —Roxburgh. By Travis Axwcrthy: Included in M. B. Edwards’s team is' a, three-year-old trotter called; Thor, who is by Travis Axworthy from Mercedes, by Pieter Chenault, from Esperanza. More or Less Automatic: “The 1 acceptances, show that owners l are satisfied with‘the handicaps allotted to their horses,” comments- a city paper, in connection with a trotting meeting. Actually the acceptances bad little to do with it. Owners, were aware of the assessments, which are more or less automatic, when they nominated. Star Pronto Maintains Record: Star Pronto’s success in the Otahuhu Handicap added another to the remarkable record in this event by Australian-bred horses, making the total 12 in the last 16 contests. lie raced with more solidness than formerly. His dam, Thora,. produced two previous winners, Machine Gun, and Auto Machine. Those, horses are by Machine Brick, who also won when th© race was known as the Otahuhu Trotting Cup.

Our Thorpe Successes: The two fine displays of Our Peggy ,stamp her as one of the best novices' seen at Epsom for some, time. She showed promise earlier in the season at Hamilton, but not sufficient to warrant her short price in the Wailieke Handicap. Going into a tighter class the second day, she won handsomely in 3min 22 3-ssec —a fine effort for one in her class. She is a fullsister to the well-performed Joy Bird, being by Our Thorpe, who was also represented by Mountain Sun, winner of the February Handicap, as the trotter is by an unnamed son of Our Thorpe from Mountain Princess, one of the best mares produced by Blue Mountain King. Mountain Sun did not win out of his turn, but it cost him 60 yards. Names of Juveniles: The following names, have been claimed for horses engaged in the Tiniaru Nursery Stakes: —King Axworthy by Frank Worthy—Lady Pee: Dancing Pirate by Man o’ War—Doll Dance: Direct Parrish by Truman Direct —Lee Parrish; Anna Sten. by Attorney—Eugeniit: Rattlevale by Man o’ War—Golden Vale; Purilia by Cii'Oj Wrackaway; Southland by Wrack —; Regina LogaiT; Jackaranda by Jack Potts—Dusky Locanda; Abdicate by Travis Axworthy —Disappearance; Taruna. by Frank Worthy—Megan; Warwick iiy Jack Potts—Satin Queen; Bayard by Frank Worthy—Bonny Logan; Twos Loose by Jack PottsMercedes; Florentine by Silk Thread — Flora Volo; Gold Ray by Roy do Q f() —,\1 Mack mare: Chestnut Bingen by Great Bingen—Belle Keller; Refund by Great Bingen—Nyallo; Lady Milne by Man o’ War—Lady Antrim; Parauri by Nelson Derby—Glanville; Cere.s by Frank Worthy—Logan Pointer mare; Don Acron by Acron — Donna Gulvallis; Horsepower by Jack Potts —Free Advice; Three Bells by Truman Direct —Match Girl; Sentiment by Maxegin—Romantic.