RACING AND TROTTING

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 August 1942, Page 3

RACING AND TROTTING

MEETINGS TO COME.

August 15.— Canterbury. August 22.—Pakuranga Hunt. TROTTING. August 22: —Forbury Park. August 29. —N.Z. Metropolitan. August 29.—Auckland. September 19.—Wellington. October 10.—New Brighton. October 24, 26.—Greymouth. October 24, 26.—Auckland. Leigh nor: Mr W. Greenhill’s gelding, Leighnor, who has been spelling for’ some months, will be sent to Washdyke, this evening, and he will be trained for his future racing by F. Trilford. Last season he was trained by G. Ridgway at Riccarton, and prior to that by W. P. Hogan at Washdyke last season, Leighnor, now a five-year-old, had 16 starts for one win. live secodns and four thirds. The' Foxlight two-year-old purchased by Mr Greenhill at the last yearling sales is furnishing into a fine looking filly, but she will not be raced until next season.

At Riccarton: Sally Lunn covered six furlongs at Riccarton yesterday in 1.20. Pekoe was associated with Kanui te Pai in strong work over a circuit. Both struck out freely, and Pekoe did not show any signs of lameness. Erndale jumped four hurdles at a sound pace, and jumped faultlessly. Stabilise showed that he has been "improved by Ins race of last Saturday by beating Red Dash and Minority over half a mile. Warrigal also improved in beating Nightglass over five furlongs. Strip had a recurrence of bleeding yesterday, the first attack he has had for more than 12 months. RICCARTON NOTES GRAND NATIONAL DAY . [SI’ECIAL TO "STAB.”] CHRISTCHURCH, August 11. The Canterbury Jockey Club had a wonderful Grand National Steeplechase Day last week, and the turnover of £82,693 was a record for a Grand National Day, a remarkable achievement under the prevailing conditions. The whole result was another definite indication that the public must have racing as a means of some recreation, and it is certain that there was not the slightest interference with the war effort by the assembling of the large crowd for a few hours. Visitors were present from all parts of New Zealand, and included Ministers of the Crown, heads of the military forces, and of Government departments, and many hundreds of men in uniform, and all appeared to enjoy the respite from their arduous duties.

The Grand National Steeplechase had onlookers thrilled throughout, and the performance of the favourite Foxiana will go down into history as one of the best in the long record of the race. It was unfortunate that Slayer did not complete the journey, as taking a line through the veteran Erination, who was the only horse to keep Foxiana up to his work over the final stages, Slayer would have made the finish even more interesting than was the case. Slayer was going well with just over a mile and a-half to go when he ducked off a brush at the straight entrance. He had taken every fence before this in his stride, and according to his rider, A. E. Ellis, was just commencing to warm up to his work when he made his mistake. This was the first occasion a horse had run off a fence with Ellis, but it was not the first offence of Slayer, who evaded Cutts’ brush in the Homeby Steeplechase two years ago. However, the gelding has not offended since then, and following some excellent schooling over a good few weeks, his action was totally unexpected. Iceland Spar galloped so well before the meeting that he carried some strong support for the Winter Cup, but he was always well back, due, it transpired, to breaking down early in the race. He has been under a cloud since he was recommissioned some weeks back, and his breakdown was not unexpected. He is now to be fired, and if the trouble should be overcome, he will be tried as a hurdler next year. Sally Lunn: The late withdrawal of Sally Lunn from the Winter Cup formed a topic of conversation at Riccarton. Early in the' week there were several whispers of the mare not being likely to race, in fact many people seemed to be convinced that this was the case, but the trainer, R. Wilson, said emphatically that he did not know anything about such a move, and as far as he was concerned Sally Lunn was to be tuned up for the race. He was surprised, therefore, when he received a telephone message late on Friday night that she was not to start. It was not till 10.35 a.m next day that she was officially withdrawn. There was no explanation offering for her de lection. She had not missed any work, had galloped on the Thursday and was on the track on Friday fit and well, and the rider was engaged. Naturally ,the racegoing public were disappointed, as Sally Lunn was expected to dispute favouritism with Bashful Lady, and some harsh opinions were expressed about the incident. There is nothing in the Rules ol Racing to stop an owner scratching his horse, but as the public, by their attendances at meeting, keep the game going, especially in providing the stake money for owners to compete for, they at least 'should receive some consideration from owners of horses which have, ranked as pre-post favourites. It can be said, ol' course, that the only people to suffer by such withdrawals are those who delve in pre-race speculation, and they are not entitled to any consideration, but at the same time such activities have been and will always be associated with racing in New Zealand. Then, again, late decisions such as have been made in connection with Sally Lunn at Trentham and Riccarton cause much inconvenience and probably expense to trainers, riders, and club officials. There is a Rule of Racing which gives clubs power to refuse the entry of any horse without being asked to give a reason for such refusal, and ’many people will no doubt appreciate some such action by the authorities to prevent further unpalatable developments.