SPORTING A Stranger at Ashburton Meeting

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 September 1946, Page 5

SPORTING A Stranger at Ashburton Meeting

The Shiner Unknown

Sidelights on Saturday’s Racing ’ [SPECIAL TO STAR.] CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 16. Until he appeared in the birdcage for. the Ashburton Handicap on Saturday The Shiner, an acceptor for both this race and the Penscroft Hack Handicap, was totally unknown to race officials and public generally, and a reference to the card did-not give much help as he was described as a five-year-old bay gelding by Unknown from Unknown, and as trained by his owners, Messrs. Sibley and Robertson, of Christchurch. The Shiner had never appeared on the Riccarton tracks, so was evidently trained elsewhere. It is not often that a horse without a known 'sire or dam is produced at a race meeting nowadays, let alone finding him amongst the starters for the principal event of the day. As has always been the case a few people wore tempted to support him, but it was evident these enthusiasts did not see him in the birdcage, or they would have invested their money elsewhere. The Shiner looked out of place in the field, and refused to leave the mark until the others were well on the way. Ho gradually got further back as the race progressed. and it was estimated that he was three furlongs in the real’ when the winner passed the post. The Shiner was not started in his other engagement. His presence at least caused some merriment amongst the crowd, and there was further excitement when it was I'ound necessary to secure the assistance of two trotting trainers and some passersby to get him into the horse float to take him back to Christchurch. It is doubtful if he will be seen at many more such meetings. Profitable Purchase. Foxspear looks like being a profitable proposition for Mr. J. S. Shaw, who purchased him at a reasonable figure at the conclusion of the Grand National meeting. He was a comparative novice when brought south by the Woodville trainer. W. M. Bennett, but has acquired the art very auickly. Foxspear went to the front on Saturday before reaching the last fence, which had been % laid fiat by Big Top and Amorlad, and had the race won from that stage, but his rider nevertheless rode him with the whip for the last furlong, and did not let up until nearing the post. Olga’s Choice had been suffering from soreness for a week before the Ashburton meeting, but the trouble was not considered serious enough to prevent Ins racing at Ashburton, rhe hard ground, however, was against him, and he pulled up very lame. He has never been a sound horse,. and will now be put aside for a while. Sea Dog shaped exceptionally well in his first public appearance in the hurdle race at Ashburton. He led for over a mile, jumping cleanly and confidently, and then weakened into fifth place. He is now to go back to Longbeach to be hacked about before being returned to Riccarton for autumn racing. Creditable Effort. Montello d’Oro attracted attention by his creditable third placing in the hurdle race at Ashburton. This was also his first race over the battens, and he was ahvays one of the leading division. This Solicitor General gelding proved a disappointment as a fiat proposition, but promises to make good over hurdles. Le Sonnet was responsible for an impressive winning performance in the first division of the Novice Stakes. He only had one race last season, at Ashburton, and had two starts at the Grand National, meeting. He had not done much work in recent weeks owing to suffering from a cold, and although his ability to gallop was realised, it was thought he would not be ready to win on Saturday so his success came as a mile, surprise. Le Sonnet is a well-grown three-year-old brother to Air Ace, and is held on lease. Penetrate, winner of the second division of the Novice Stakes on Saturday, is a three-year-old gelding .by Revelation from Siega, by Siegfried from Auriculus, by Lucullus from Wairarapa, by Sunny Lake from Arai-te-Uru, and was bought as a yearling at Trentham by his present owner, Mr. W. R. Toon, of Christchurch, for 270 guineas. He had only one start last season, and Saturday’s was his first outing this term. He is trained at Riccarton by C. Faiiman, who had a field day, as he also led in Foxspear and Privilege. Confidently Ridden. Thornbridge won the Ashburton Handicap in a solid manner, but his anurentice rider appeared to be taking matters too confidently nearmg the post, and might easily have lost the race He has furnished into a bte four-year-old, and gives every indication of developing into one of the best handicappers at Riccarton this season. Thornbrdge was not raced to much extent last season, as it was recognised he would require plenty of time. Saturday’s race was his first since he won a mile-and-a-half haev race at Riccarton last. Easter He will probably be raced next at Win-o-atui and is booked for a trip to Awapuni next month. Thornbridge cost Mr. H. D. . Greenwood 750 guineas as a yearling, and has only bad two'wins, but he will not remain much longer on the debit side. Bridge Acre made a bold attempt to justify her favouritism for the Ashburton Handicap, but in a fastrun race she was too far out ovei the early stages, and had to give Thornbridge several lengths star i turning for home. She put m some qolid work over the last quarter, and at least indicated that she will be useful later in the season over middle distances. Bold Showing.

■Double Cross made a bold showing for over a mile in the Ashburton Handicap, and then weakened to be beaten Into fourth place. His effort was in keeping with his recent imnroved track work, and pointed co h s prospects in the Geraldine Cup next Saturday. His stable-mate/ Avonbridge, effected a surprise by his win in the hack mile His recent track wallops suggested he would returnto the winning list after a long

lapse of disappointments as soon as he could be persuaded to reproduce his track form. He certainly was in the right mood on Saturday, as he actually outclassed the field once he went to the front about three furlongs from home. His trainer, C. Emerson, who always has a small team only, does not win many races in a season, but he has made a habit of periodically producing a winner at long odds. A Good Price. Probably because of his absence from racing since he was injured in the Paparua Handicap on the first day of the Grand National meeting, Whitley was not confidently supported by the ' public in the open sprint at Ashburton, and his dividend was a good one tfor a sprinter of his ability. He was considered well in art 8.0 in the face of his good performances last season, and an apprentice allowance brought this down to 7.9. Last season Whitley won five races and had nine minor placings, and won £l6BO in stakes, all in goodclass sprint company. In spite of this he received 91b from Al Sirat, and was asked to give 41b only to Sanskrit, a newcomer to open class. Italian Girl Bandit. A smartly-dressed blonde girl trained a tommygun on a car near Lake Como, near Milan, ordered the passengers to alight and told them to hand over jewellery and valuables worth £3BOO. She then escaped. — Rome, September 15,

Thames J.C. Acceptances (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Sept. 16. Acceptances for the Thames Jockey Club’s meeting on Saturday are: — Hikutaia Hurdles, of £250; one mile and three-quarters.—Ernada 11.3; Stock Exchange 11.0; Irish Fox 10.1; Te Kawiti 9.12; Sir Grant 9.7; Mai de Mer, Royal View, Non Plus, Hazaboy, Toiere, Silver Spot, Amber Duke, Air Warden, Betterview, Persistence, Skateaway, Strike Up, Red Paint, Golden Peter, Pomade, Royal Musk 9.0. •

Ngatea Hack Handicap, of. £200; six furlongs.—Kenwyn 9.0; Corondal 8.8; Hunting Camp 8.7; Noble Artist 8.6; Fiorin 8.3; Irish Poet, Declaim 8.1; Lionine 7.13; Koura Dink 7.8; Miss Hiria, Swanee, Pay Out, Alameda, Triple Star 7.7. Trial Handicap, of £200; six furlongs.—Ranger Boy 9.0; Tin Musk 8.10; Pavaals, Yusuf 8.5; Town Echo, Swanee, Miss Virginia, Gay Countess, Venturous, Old Dooley, Chat Acre, Lyn Vaals, Sangrado, Duncan, Bonny March, Blue Duck, Sir Dandy, Maida Vale, Ferawin, Lady Ballater, Lola May, Beau Devoir, Alpenza, . Native Son, Swift Robin, Chief Robin, Ace Fight, Noble Night, Coast Patrol, Speak Up, Vincetfe, Prance, Shepherd’s Call, Betty Baffles, Fox Fable, Radio Vaals, Glamis Pal, Our Dink, Blue Vixen, Huntore, Victory Bridge 8.3.

Thames Hack Cup, of £250; one mile and a. quarter.—Jayquil 9.1; Os-

tentatious 9.0; Bettermusk, Kurawhi 8.7; Default 8.3; Chaka, Bay Jim, Waterloo Bridge 8.0; Meer Love, Night Mist, Camp Queen, Norvaals, Betty Broiefort 7.13. President’s Handicap, ,of £500; one mile and a quarter.—Valley Boy 8.12; Tiger Tan 8.8; Our Gold 8.2; La FilJette 7.9; Tweedsmuir 7.6; Billy Peach, Mallee 7.3; Betterman, Valtoon, Flying Jim. Rampede 7.0. Borough Hack Handicap, of £200; seven furlongs.—Grey Moments 9.0; Golden One 8.9; Ballina 8.8; Pavaals 8.0; Ranger Boy 7.13; Speak Up, Blue Vixen, Ferawin, Silver Cane, Chief Robin 7.10. Stewards’ Handicap, of £350; six furlongs.—Bonny Pay 9.2; Gold Dash 7.9: Yofkish, Zulu Boy 7.5; Ray’s Pal, Horonui 7.3; Riverlands Roe 7.1; Lord Dink, Landfall, Sir Drake, Broiealice, Mollie Bon, Rara Avis, General Men-, teith, Irish Fox, Paymaster 7.0 a Parawai Hack Handicap, Zof £200; six furlongs.—Kenwyn 9.0 j _Brown Atom 8.10; Hunting Camp 8.7; Noble Artist 8.6: Bonnie Grey-8.5; Fibrin 8.3; Irish Poet 8.1; Lionine 7.13; Koura Dink, Blue Vixen, Gay Countess, Pay Out, Alameda, Volos, Native Son 7.7.