TO-DAY'S RACING NEWS

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 January 1941, Page 9

TO-DAY'S RACING NEWS

Galloping MEETINGS TO COME. January 22 —Wellington. January 22— Ashhurst-Pohangina. January 25, 29—Auckland. ' January 25, 27 —Pahiatua. January 30, Feb I—Wairoa. February I.—Canterbury. February I.—Tapanui. February I.—Matamata. February 6, B.—Egmont. . February 8, 10.—Rotorua. February 8, 10—Poverty Bay. February 8, 10.—Gore, February 14, 15.—Winton. February 15. —Tolaga Bay. February 15.—Opunake. A Good Prospect: Kraal finished second to Route March, and ahead of Payroll, in the Royal Stakes. If she reproduces that form, the Vaals filly should not be beaten in the Wynyard Plate at Ellerslie. Half-brother to Stanchion: . Happy Ending is certainly bred to win races, as he is a four-year-old half-brother by Beau Pere to the Wellington Cup winner Stanchion. His owner, Mr J. D. McDougall, of Featherston, secured the dam. Termination, at the dispersal sale of the late Mr J. J. Corry’s horses. A Double Winner:

Monetary, a double winner at Trentham, is a brown colt by Paper Money out of the Paladin —Orange Blossom mare Kakara, a half-sister to Silver Ring, and he is owned by Mr W. A. White, of Christchurch, who bought the dam with foal at foot from Mr G. J. Barton, of Dunedin. Prefers Firm Going:

A four-year-old Hunting Song— Golden Opportunity gelding. Rakanui comes from the Desert Gold family, and he is owned by Mr R. J. Jeffares, of Napier, who secured him privately as a yearling from Mr R. K. Murphy, who owns the dam. Unlike most of the Hunting Songs, he prefers firm to heavy going. Wellington Stakes Winner:

Burra Sahib, the Wellington Stakes winner, is a Bulandshar —Provence colt owned by his breeder, Mr F. Ormond, who had not previously won this event, and he is a neat youngster who opened his account at the recent Auckland meeting and has now stepped successfully into classic grade. W. L. Aitken, who rode Burra Sahib, is an apprentice attached to the stable of the colt’s trainer, S. J. Reid. Brother to Dannevirke: Imperium, who finished second to Monetary in the Fitzherbert Handicap, is a brother to Dannevirke, who raced in Australia and made a good impression. Imperium is raced by Mr R. J. Harper, an executive member of the Feilding Jockey Club, and is by Colossus from Tripping, a daughter (by Nigger Minstrel) of the good mare Dainty Step. Dainty Step was by Lucullus from Adoption, who was by Elevation and traced back to Flora Mclvor.

Sir Beau: Kindergarten was not weighted for the Wellington Racing Club Handicap, but in the Metropolitan Sir Beau was allotted lopweight 9.8, above Black Thread 9.7 and Amigo 9.5. Thus the three-year-old was rated as No. 1 sprinter in the Dominion. He carried 8.11 when he won the Telegraph and The Hawk 8.13 is the only three-year-old which has won the race with more weight. He is set to carry 9.8 again to-mor-row, and might not find that beyond him.

trentham programme. PROSPECTS FOR TO-MORROW. [SPECIAL TO “star.”] WELLINGTON, January 21. The weather in the Wellington district took an unfavourable change yesterday. Rain fell at intervals throughout the afternoon, and last night. The indications are for fine weather again to-morrow, but the going will now be fairly soft, and will probably cause an upset in the form of the two previous days. Prospects:— Kelburn Handicap:. Iceland Spar, Last Acre, Gay Thread. Highweight Handicap: Black Musk, Happy Ending, Thrasos. Hopeful Stakes. —Bird of Prey, Ring Chief, Willow Wood. , Melrose Handicap: Rakanui, King s Toast, Leighnor. Summer Handicap: Royal Chief, Belle Cane, Serenata.

Kaitoke Handicap: Grey Night, Sham Boy, Battlegain. City Handicap. Hearth, Night Eruption, Enrich. Thorndon Handicap: Schoolgirl, Gayest Son, Trench Fight. The fields are as follow:— 12.12.

Kelburn Handicap, one mile and three furlongs:—Last Acre 8.13; Laughing Song 8.9; Iceland Spar 8.6; Kalika 8.3; Titter, Martene 7.9; The Monarch, Gay Thread 7.7. 12.54. Wallaceville High-Weight Handicap, one mile: —Esperance Bay 11.5; Black Musk 11.1, Great Night 10.1: Happy Ending 9.12; Twenty Grand 9.7; Rustem 9.5; Boatsong, War Cloud 9.3; Doctor Defoe 9.2; Arabic, Moderate, Namesake, Thrasos 9.0. 1.37 Hopeful Stakes Handicap, five furlongs:—Burra Sahib 9.2; Cambria 9.0; Corn Prince 8.9; Golden Moon 8.4; Bird of Prey, Prince Plato 8.2; Gunyah 7.11, Lady Acora 7.10; Divorced, Gay Genet 7.6; Willow Wood 7.2; Aqueduct, Fleche d’Or, Kevin, Nightward, Ring Chief. Sir Reynard, Sports Flash 7.0. 2.20. Melrose Handicap, seven furlongs; —Rakanui 10.0; King’s Toast 9.8; Dainty Dell, Leighnor 9.6; Blue Border, Augment 9.3; Twenty Grand 8.3; Sham Boy 8.2; Alexcelia, Beau Ciel, Fauvette, Gentility, Maharajah, Parchment, Phyto 8.0. 3.2. Summer Handicap, one mile and three furlongs:—Royal Chief 9.10; Orelio 8.7; The Buzzer 8.5; Belle Cane 8.3; Wardress 8.0; Serenata, Amigo 7.12; Enrich 7.9; Trench Fight 7.6; De Friend, Little Robin, Schoolgirl, The Ring, Gay Mimic 7.0. 3.45. Kaitoke Handicap, six furlongs:— Black Majesty 9.5; Queen Beth, Gemara 8.1; Grey Night 7.13; Battle Gain, Sham Boy 7.10; Cheetah, First Round, Parchment, Pillory, Royal Visioh, Wildfire 7.7.

4.27. . City Handicap, six furlongs:—Sir Beau 9.8; Black Thread 9.6; Enrich 8.6. Density 8.3; Mittie, Night Eruption 7.12; Hearth 7.7; Cheerful Lady 7.4; Kentucky 7.3; Vascones 7.0. 5.10. Thorndon Handicap, one mile: — Kathbella 9.2; Native Song, Trench Fight 8.12; Gayest Son 8.5; Hearth, Not Out, Siglow 8.2; The Ring 8.1; Winning Rival 7.13; Schoolgirl 7.12: White Rajah 7.10; Dainty Sue, Charles Edward, Colonel Bogey, Pleading 7.7. ASHHURST RACES. TO-MORROW’S ACCEPTORS. The Ashhurst-Pohangina Racing Club’s annual meeting will be held to-morrow, and under the single-pool system of betting, the following horses should be fancied: — Hack Hurdles: Great Quex, Hanover. Novice Stakes: Civilian, Inform, Arachne. Komaka Hack: Ringcraft, Sea Link. Ashhurst Cup: Ruatiti, Gay Fox. Raumai Hack: Counter, All Quiet, Etla. Pohangina Handicap: Harina, Tuatara, Black Robe.

Manawatu Hack Cup: Tauuru, Miss Leighon, Authoress. Siberia Hack Handicap: Sunny Knight, Valiant Lady. The fields are as follow:— 12.0.

Hack Hurdles Handicap, one and a-half miles:—Kaiwaka 11.13; Great Quex 11.1; Hanover 10.9; War Lap 10.4; Selkirk 9.6; Prinihia 9.4; Moradabad, Royal Zone 9.2; Parekura, Glen Donal, Debretts 9.0. 12.40. Novice Stakes, six furlongs:—lnform, Wenewene, Ninia, Support, Manahaii, Civilian, Israel, Arachne, March Easy, Gallarda, Empire Action 8.7; Sir Fox 7.12. 1.20. Komaka Hack Handicap, six furlongs:—Scandal 9.6; Valiant Lady 9.4; Miss Leighon 9.0; Sea Link 8.9; Golden Pam 8.7; Mansura 8.4; Ringcraft 8.3; Silver Shekel 8.1; Star Zone 7.13; Rhodes, Namesake, Squeers 7.7. 2.0. Ashhurst Cup, one and a-quarter miles: —Dynasty 9.0; Dark Eagle 8.12; Hunting Cat 8.8; Ruatiti 8.6; Notium 8.1, White Rajah 7.8, Kaiwaka, Lindrum 7.7; Lord Cavendish, Gay Fox 7.5; Laughing Song, Piastre 7.2. 2.45. Raumai Hack Handicap, seven furlongs:—Colincamps 9.0; Counter 8.11; All Quiet 8.4; Colerica 8.2; Etla, Pittjnark 8.0; Waimutu 7.11; Vivacious, Army Girl, Riotous, Little Margot 7.7. 3.30. Pohangina Handicap, six furlongs:—Saxon Tor 9.0; Night Eruption 8.10; Harina, White Rajah 7.12; Black Robe, Screen Star 7.10; Diana Tetrix 7.9; Tuatara 7.8; Hunting Blood 7.3; Jeanne, Sea Link, Valiant Lady, Hui, Veldette 7.0. 4.15 Manawatu Gorge Hack Cup, nine furlongs:—Authoress 9.0; Colincamps 8.12; Miss Leighon 8.11; Counter 8.9; Goldburn 8.3; Curtail 8.2; Mansura 8.1; Hokumai, Colerica 8.0; Gold Card 7.11; Arabic 7.10; Tau-Uru, Star Zone, Segra 7.9; Rose Acre 7.8; Wave Length, Little Margot 7.7.

Siberia Hack Handicap, five furlongs:—Valiant Lady 9.6; Sunny Knight 8.10; Golden Pam 8.9; Silver Shekel 8.3; Star Mark 8.1; Cheetah 7.13; Parlato, Wakarara 7.11; Miss Hallomet 7.10; Kinariki, Empire Action, Coronado, Sporting Luck, Squeers 7,7. THAMES CONCLUDES. GAY ROSETTE AGAIN. THAMES, January 20. Tire Thames Jockey Club’s meeting was concluded to-day in fine weather. The totalisator investments amounted to £16,469, against £lB,llO on the second day last year, making £40,597 for the meeting, as against £45,341 10/-, a decrease of £4744/10/-. Remaining results:— President’s Handicap, nine fur-longs.—l-1 Gay Rosette 8.1 (Ensor) 1; 7-7 High Sea 2; 5-4 Forest Acre 3.

Also started: 2-3 Clipper, 4-5 Pern, 3-3 High Delight, 6-6 Town Section. Three lengths. Time, 1.51 3-5. Turua Handicap, five’furlongs.—5-5 Babrow 7.3 (Wiggins) 1; 4-4 Paymaster 2; 6-7 Queen City 3. Also started: 1-3 Onetea, 2-1 Royal Sister, 3-2 Kadina, 9-6 Bronze Bird, 10-10 King’s Flight, 11-9 Wee Sal, 7-8 Little Rose, 8-12 Hogarth, 7-8 Mihinui, 12-11 Camilla. A head. Time, 1.0 4-5.

County Handicap, seven furlongs. -1-1 Tea Gong 8.4 (Wiggins) 1; 3-3 Joan Peel 2; 4-4 Besiege _3. Also started: 2-2 Flying Acre, 5-5 Lord Waitangi, 6-6 Barrister, A neck. Time, 1.26 2-5. Farewell Hangdicap, six furlongs.— 6-5 Bronze Ora 7.7 (Gilchrist) 1; 5-4 Glen Bevan 2; 2-3 Onetea 3. Also started: 3-2 xJhmaha, 4-6 Lord Ace, 1-1 Bambury Cross, 7-7 Pasture, 8-8 Beryl Vaals. A length; half a length. Time, 1.13.

YEARLINGS AT TRENTHAM SLOW, DRAGGING SALE. WELLINGTON, January 20. World conditions were immediately reflected in the opening of the fifteenth annual national yearling sales at Trentham to-day. It was a slow, dragging sale, with no demand at. all for anything but the best lots. The top prices were 525 and 500gns. The former mark was reached by a colt by Nightmarch from the Limond mare Variant, purchased by the Wanganui trainer, W. H. Dwyer, for Mr G. A. Lang, of Wellington. Mr Lang is one of the partners in Globe Trotter, who is now in Dwyer’s stable. The next highest price was paid by Dr. McGregor Grant, of Auckland, for a colt by the new sire, Broiefort, out of Columba, thus halfbrother to Phaleron.

I The third highest price was also ! credited to Auckland, Mr R. Cuthibert, of Dargaville, paying 425gns I for a colt by Mr Standfast from the i unraced Rosenor mare Cockeye. To j this family belongs the G.N. Foal i Stakes winner Rencontre, and Ashby , (Avondale Stakes). Auckland had a i good deal to do with the most spirited I bidding of the day, as, in addition to ' the three purchases mentioned, the i Takanini trainer, F. Smith, pur- ' chased a brother to Valimeen for '■ 325gn5., a brother to the New Zealand Cup winner Serenata and to Russian Ballet for 350gns., and a bay colt by Broiefort—Merial for 180gns. Messrs L. J. Hyde, Al Seifert and R.

•Mush, and also Mr L. Hunt (Auck-land-Waikato) were also buyers. Australia operated only sparingly. Five lots were purchased by their representatives. Mr M. Gearin, of Sydney, bought three —a bay colt by Spiral—lmposture for 250gns., a bay filly by Man’s Pal from Halo for lOOgns., and a chestnut filly by Portofino from Golden Isa for Mr J. T. Jamieson paid 160gns for a bay filly by Posterity from Lavish, and Mr G. Hyman (Victoria) 270gns for a brown colt by Ringmaster from Lover’s Lane, thus a half-brother to The Tryst. The conditions were not favourable. The weather was humid and threatening in the morning, with light showers, and in the afternoon it became more threatening, and later heavy rain set 'in, causing a postponement for the day after Lot 91, which included several not offered, whereas it was scheduled to reach Lot 130 for the day. To this and the "fact that a large number were by untried sires must be attributed the reluctance of buyers to operate freely. Many lots offered were undersized and backward, but at the same time there were some attractive individuals. Right throughout, the market was steadily in favour of the buyers, and they secured many bargains. There were no purchases by West Coasters.

CENTRALISATION OF MEETINGS. ONLY HOPE FOR PROGRESS. The Greymouth Trotting Club is stealing the thunder from the racing clubs on the West Coast, which practically exist in these days, like so many of the hamlets, on past glories. Centralisation appears to be the only cure (says the “Star-Sun’’). The lead was given by the committee of the Westland Trotting Club, which effected an amalgamation with the Greymouth Trotting Club, after it was obvious that there was no chance of holding successful meetings at Hokitika.

Trotting is now the No. 1 sport on the West Coast, due to the progressive policy being followed by the Greymouth Trotting Club, ' which puts through its totalisator pore in one day than some of the galloping clubs handle in two days. Time after time, the racing clubs frame their programmes on the same lines and hope for the best, but only the poorest from the Riccarton stables are attracted, as the stakes are so poor that trainers will not take horses with which they can win races in Canterbury or other centres. The Coast races are for the poorer class of horses, and unless centralisation comes about, or the clubs take the step of increasing the stakes by providing attractions in the form of a few spectacular hack races, there is no hope for any progress being made.

The Westland Racing Club has been in straitened circumstances for a long time, and scraped out of its recent meeting with a profit of just over £4. Certain of the citizens of Hokitika have stood as guarantors for the club, and a number of them make no secret of the fact that they would be more pleased if an amalgamation could be brought about with the Greymouth Jockey Club. The Reefton Jockey Club’s meeting was also far from being as successful as be wished, due mainly to the fact that it was held at the end of the circuit, and there had been five days’ racing before it. The totalisator returns showed a drop, the small increase on the final day falling far short of repairing the damage brought about by the substantial drop on the first day.

If the Reefton and Hokitika Clubs joined forces with Greymouth, there would be every prospect of successful meetings being held. More people would be attracted to the Omoto course through the local meetings being cut out and, with the provision of feature races, prosperity might well grace the West Coast meetings again. One thing that has to be fought first is the parochial spirit, and those who hold the belief that centralisation must eventually come, have the hardest part to do.