TO-DAY’S RACING NEWS

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 March 1937, Page 13

TO-DAY’S RACING NEWS

Galloping MEETINGS TO COME March 17—-Ohinemuri. March 19, 20—Pahiatua. March 20 —Stratford. March 20—Otautau. 7. 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. Mar’ch 29—Waipukurau. March 29 —Kumara. March 29, 30—Canterbury. April 3—Greymouth. April 3, s—AvondaleApril 9,10 — Manawatu. April 10—Reefton. Reminders: Nominations for the Greymouth and Kumara Easter meetings will close oh Monday. Acceptances for the Westport Jockey Club’s annuial meeting jwill close on Monday at 9 p.m. Meeting Postponed: The' Birchwood Hunt Club’s meeting, which was to have been held today, has been postponed indefinitely because of the bad state of the track.

Francis Drake: The crack two-year-old colt Francis Drake is said to be in particularly good order at present,' and in excellent shape to put up a good battle in the Challenge Stakes to-day. Geira:

The Arausio filly Geira lias made good, progress since acting as runnerup to Smoke Screen at Woodville when carrying 9.9 and conceding weight to that brilliant colt.

Admiral Drake: Admiral Drake has bhen off the scene for some considerable time, but may not be ?altogether the thing of the past suggested by the handicappers.

Proving Costly: -« Shy is proving a little costly at present in the North,-but after- his defeats he may come down again in the weights.

Laughing Lass: ' There was good' support for Laughing Lass in the Railway Handicap. She was well enough placed until the finishing furlong, but then stopped.

Weight Told: Weight told on Haughty Winner in the last half-furlong of the Pacific Handicap at Trentham, and Smoke Screen and Only One beat him home. Stumbled Near the Post:

Red Sun ran a good race in the High-weight Handicap at Trentham, and, but for stumbling about 50 yards from home, would have won. The race should improve him.

In Quest of. Big Money: Courtcraft and Francis Drake may not be clashing in the classic's next season, as. Courtcraft- will probably be going to Australia for the big money.

Improvement Expected: < Tateha is expected to show himself a, much-improved horse during the racing at Easter. He may accompany Journet to Ellerslie for the Auckland Racing Club’s June carnival.

Probably Riccarton: Arctic King has been nominated for Feildlng, but as he made a satisfactory showing in the Thompson Handicap, he will probably be brought to Riccarton for the Great Autumn Handicap.

Turn of Luck: G. Feilding, who has not had the pendulum of luck lately, more than paid expenses with his unlucky mare Natty, at Cromwell yesterday, when she accounted for her opponents in two starts. He also scored with his other candidate, Last Link.

First Appearance: The Lord Warden mare Myriam, making her first appearance this season, scored a clear-cut win in the Trial Plate at Trentham. Myriam was bred by Mr. J. J. Corry, but was sold cheaply at his dispersal sale.

Royal Patronage: The King has announced his intention to attend the Grand National, and will stay at Knowsley, the seat of Lord Derby. This is accepted by racing folk as an indication that the interests of the Royal Family in racing will be as active as during the reign of King George V. For The Battens:

In view of his surprise success on the flat at Napier Park last Saturday, Curie should be in great fettle for hurdling when the tracks become easier. He was generally thought to be backward in condition, but class horses often thus surprise in highweight events.

Unlucky: The unlucky horse of the spring was undoubtedly Silver Standard with his three seconds in the Metropolitan, the Caulfield Cup and the Melbourne Cup. Now another horse must be placed in that category. This is the former ' Queenslander Pamclus, who in his last four starts has been second in the Cantala Stakes, the Consolation Stakes, the Futiirity Stakes and the Newmarket Handicap.

Coast Horses for C.J.C.: Included in the nominations for the Canterbury Jockey Club’s Autumn meeting, to be held on March 29 and 30, are the following West Coast-owned horses: —Hunting Bag and Monastic (Brush Hurdles both days), Landraid (Sockburn Handicap, 9 furlongs first day), Metal Bird, Silver Ring and Landraid (Templeton Handicap 6 furlongs second day), arid Malvasia, Papanui, Gimcrack Handicaps six and seven furlongs, respectively.

Girl Pat: Will run in new interests at (he Ohinemuri meeting to-day, she having been purchased by the Trentham trainer E. Simpson, who will race her in partnership with Mr. S. Bassion of Wellington, a newcomer to the ranks of owners. Girl Pat has a record of five thirds in seven starts. She is a two-year-old brown filly by Captain Bunsby from the imported Attains mare Prophet’s Mark, dam also of Chief Mark and Sir Walter, winners in Australia, and she was secured at last year’s sales for 70 guineas.

St. Leger Fields: 1 A glance back over the records, shows that the Wellington Racing

Club in recent years has often had to be satisfied with three starters in

the St. Leger Stakes. In the 18 years since the War, there has been three runners on seven occasions, and once, when Star Stranger easily beat Catcall, there were only two starters. The last two years there have been only three runners. The highest number of starters in the period under review was the 11 of 1933, when La Moderne established her race record of 2.563, which is only a quarter of a second slower than First Acre’s Australian and New Zealand record for the distance. There were nine runners when Lady Pam won two years earlier, but in most other years the number- has been six or fewer. EASTER AND AUTUMN. CHRISTCHURCH, March 13. After the first acceptance the following remain in the GREAT EASTER HANDICAP,, seven

CHAMP’GNE & CHALL’NGE STAKES The following remain in the Champagne and Challenge Stakes after first forfeits have been declared: — THE' CHAMPAGNE STAKES, of 500 sovs.; six furlongs. Sir Charles Cliffordis b f Mob Rule, by Winning Hit—Babel. Sir Charles Clifford’s ch c Haughty Winner, by Winning Hit—Disdainful. Sir Charles Clifford’s hr c Nightdress, by Nightmarch—Ball Dress. A. K. Firth’s b c Royal Chief, by Chief Ruler—Modiste 11. W. H. Gaisford’s br c Courtcraft, by Limond—Homage. N. E. Aitken’s gr c Screamer, by Hoy-lake—Toti-dal-Monte. Miss M. C. Wilson’s b f Lisnacree, by Musketoon—Lady Epsom.

FORTY-FIFTH CHALL’NGE STAKES of 500 sovs.; seven furlongs.

Sir Charles Clifford’s ch c Haughty Winner, by Winning Hit—Disdainful 2yrs. Sir Charles Clifford’s br c Nightdress, by Nightmarch—Ball Dress, 2yrs. Sir Charles Clifford’s br c Paper Slipper, by Paper Monej r —Shuffle, • 3yrs. W. O. Rutherford’ b g Happy Night, by Nightmarch—Gay Round, 2yrs. Mrs E. Fraser and A.’ H. Walton’s., ch g Silver Ring, by SilveradoOrange Blossom, 7yrs.- • A. K. Firth’s b c Royal Chief, by Chief Ruler —Modiste IL, -2yrs. * - W. H. Gaisford’s br c Courtcraft, by Limond —Homage, 2yrs. N. E. Aitken’s gr c Screamer, by Hoy-lake—Toti-dal-Monte, 2yrs. Miss M. C. Wilson’s b f Lisnacree. by Musketoon —Lady Epsom, 2yrs. J~. A. Emery’s br c St. Cedric, by Resinous —Sans Algor, 2yrs..

MAORILANDERS IN SYDNEY,

SYDNEY, March 12.

Ken Austin, of the Elderslie Stud, arrived to-day with 18 horses from New Zealand, all in good condition. Austin said that racing in New Zea-land.was-enjoying greater prosperity. Attendances were higher and stakes were mounting.

Trotting

MEETINGS TO COME

March 17 —Wyndham. March 20 —Cheviot. March 20 —Wanganui. March 27, 29 —Hawera. March 37, 31—N.Z. Metropolitan. March 30.—Westland, at Greymouth. April 3—Taranaki.

Reminder:

Nominations for the Westland Trotting Club’s annual meeting to be held at Greymouth will close on Tuesday next.

Recovered From Fall:

Shrewdie, by his win at Motukarara showed clearly that he had recovered from the effects of his serious fall at Addington some months ago.

Much of a Muchness: The Hamilton trainer C. Moran is in the unusual position of having four horses —Winshow, Broughshanc, Ronnie Direct, and Meadow King—on closely-associated marks. Winshow, 4 min. 40 sec., is on the Hawera Cup limit, while the other three are freely engaged at Wanganui. Wahnooka:

The trotting gelding Wahnooka is in solid work for suitable engagements at the Easter meeting at Addington. In November last, the son of Peterwah and Ena Bell showed a big improvement in form, but did not go too well in his subsequent engagement. When in the humour he can trot fast, and he can stay.

Sold Again: Tollgate, which earlier in the season won three races for F. J. Smith, was purchased recently by J. Gee. The horse did his early racing for his breeder, Mr. J. R. McKenzie, who last season disposed of him to E. R. Smith, Hamilton. After several failures, he was exchanged for the trotting mare Polly Pan, which was later re-purchased by F. J. Smith, for whom she quickly won two races. Her First Success:

The four-year-old mare Queenie Direct recorded her first success when she annexed the Taita Novice Handicap at Hutt Park, but as she had failed earlier in the day her .victory was not anticipated and she returned her win supporters over three-quarters of a century. Queenie Direct is the first of the progeny of the English-bred horse Dan Direct to win, but her form has not been outstanding and she does not appeal as anything out of the ordinary.

Received the Benefit: After one of the heat winners. Mar*

ble Bath, was withdrawn from the final of, the “championship” at Wayville it became known that the stipendiary stewards, were making inquiries. Rumour had it that Marble Bath was a ringer, but 'the investigations concerned the training of the horse', who was allegedly in the hands of disqualified persons. S. McMillan, of Sydney, denied these' allegations, and ultimately received “the benefit of a very grave doubt.” An American Purchase:

The purchase has . been completed in America on behalf of the Auckland owners, Messrs. E. G. and F. A. JBridgens, of the three-year-old colt Cloverdale, by Abbedale (2'IJ), from Fanny Direct (2.75), by Braden Direct (2.1,5), a half-brother to Morley Volo /(2,1i) by Peter Volo. Abbedale is by. The Abbe-(2.4), who'sired many standard performers, including Bert ’ Abbe (1.595). Abbedale has produced many with records of 2.5 and better, one son, Chief Abbedale, taking a record of 2min. On a half-mile track he paced a mile in 2.2. His dam,. Mation Candler (2.11) is' by Napoleon Direct, sire of a large number of winners. Cloverdale has not raced, but is bred on attractive lines.- -. He will shortly leave for Auckland and will go into F. J. Smith’s stable.

Bohny Azure’s Mark: By her success in the R. A. ; Armstrong • Memorial Handicap, Bonny Azure has reached the grade for the next New Zealand Trotting Cup, which will probably be tightened from a 4.26 to a 4.25 limit. She has had a remarkable career since racing at two miles. She scored her.first success 15 months ago at Cambridge off . 4.42, and at HaWera won the'Trotting Cup and Walmate Plains Handicap, establishing a course record of 4.26 3-5 in the latter event. Bonny Azure began the present season on 4.32, but two wins ar Addington and a sprint success at Epsom put her back to 4.27, from which mark she dead-heated with her former stablemate, King’s Warrior, in the Dominion Handicap at Hutt Park last month, in 4.22. Last Saturday King’s Warrior could finish only third. She is held on lease by Mr. S. G. Hedley, for whom she has won approximately £3OOO. The lease, it is understood, expires at the end of the season, and unless present intentions are changed Bonny Azure will return to her breeder, Mr. L. J. Brake, Whangarei, who may race her next season. WYNDHAM ACCEPTANCES. The, fololwing acceptances have been received for the Wyndham Trotting Club’s meeting on Wednesday: — Ferry Handicap, 3.49 class; one mile and a-half.—Benjamin, Bob Wilkes, Choice Goods, Beatrice Bingen, Hatrack, Betty Drusus scr, Imperial Wave, Clipped Wings 36, Appomatox, Blue Logan . 48, Lee Boy 96. Trial Handicap, 3.43 class.; one mile and a-half.—Gracious, Jesse Owens. Aqua Bond, Labour Chimes/ Abel, Direct Bell, Reconnoitre, Ghandi, Prince .Charles, Seascape, Our Guy, Debenture, Samara, Ochiltree scr.. Dolores Silk 36. President’s Handicap, 3.38 class; one mile and a-half. —Norham Lady, Jean Dewey, Silver Laddie, Direct Thorpe, Guywin, Lady Ita, Seaward de Oro, Oasis, Sunny Drive scr., Frisco Silk,...Vinola, Mishap 12, College Boy 24. . -

Wyndham Trotting Club Handicap, 4.46 class; two miles.—Night Voyage, Moko Child, Erin’s Star, Doris Derby, Belle Grattan, Norma Grattan, Loyal Sun scr., Erin’s Fair, Coherto, Roan Duke, Leitrim 12, Vologda 24, Harold Guy 36, Sunworshipper 48. . Tois Tois Handicap (in saddle), 3.5 class; one mile and a-quarter.—Guy Azaleas, Gold Streak, Crown Peak, Labour Chimes, Abel, Ghandi, Seascape, Huia Chimes, Samara, Drumbunnif, Budge, Fran Sol scr., Dolores Silk 36, Master Potts 48, Bonny Brydone 48.

Menzies Handicap, 5.2 class; two miles. —Annie Moko, Blue Logan, Appomatox, Choice Goods, Gracie Fields, Beatrice Bingen, Native Kowhai, Imperial Wave, Gipsy Lee, Dalaruan, Bill Drusus, Black Peter scr., Jean Ballin, Blue Blood 36; Patty Todd 48, Anna’s Voyage, Lee Boy 72, Golden Bingen 96, Parrish Chimes 132.

Edendale Handicap, 3.54 class; one mile and five furlongs.—Happiness, Erin’s Chief, Overproof, Embark, Desert Cloud, Parrish Chimes, Silver Laddie, College Boy, Suncup, Nell Grattan scr., Waipahi, Stalwa.it, Just Shandi, Eddie Tolan, Walter Gay, Mountain Lad 12. Final Handicap, 2.56 class; one mile and a-quarter.—Night Voyage, Blue Spark, Sergeant Dallas, Weary Voyage, Harold Wrack, Doris Derby, Gold Salute, Guy Mauritius, Norma Grattan, Eelle Grattan, Worthy Claire, Loyal Sun, Tawny scr., Leitrim, Roan Duke 12, Vologda 24, Sunworshipper 48.

furlongs. Silver Ring .. 10 3 Rebel Chief .. 7 13 Wild Chase ■.. 9 9 Wino .. .. 7 13 Paper Slipper 9 6 Knoclifln 7 13 Gold Boa 9 0 Eprls .. .. 13 Concertpitch 8 13 Plord 7 7 Chief -Ranger 8 6 Cyrillian 7 GREAT AUTUMN mile and a-half HANDICAP, one Silver Ring .. 10 rj Chief Ranger 8 O Wild Chase r. 9 6 . Sunee ' s 1 Argentic 9 5 Arctic King .. 8 0 Queen of Song 9 Rebel Lad .. 7 13 Polity 8 11 Willie Win .. 7 13 Tunneller S 4 Top Notch •7 9 Concertpitch 8 4 Helolse 7 7