SPORTING Sidelights On Racing At Horordta Meeting

Greymouth Evening Star, 5 February 1948, Page 5

SPORTING Sidelights On Racing At Horordta Meeting

[SPECIAL TO STAR]

CHRISTCHURCH, This Day.

The marked success of the Hororata Racing Club’s annual meeting on its own course will no doubt be used as a sound argument against the Racing Commission’s recommendation that its annual permit be included in the list of those to be cancelled. The facilities available -were no doubt overtaxed as far as accommodation, was concerned, but the new totalisator house was able to cope with the rush of business, and the timetable was carried out well up to schedule. John Gay has been racing fairly well this season, but his inability to hold off Dark Arrow, after having everything in his favour, suggested he is never likely to reach his form of two seasons back. In all probability, John Gay will be put to hurdling, an idea his present owner, Mr A. Syme, had in mind, when he bought him two years ago.

Deficiency was thought to have suffered a breakdown or a broken leg when she pulled up quickly early in her back engagement at Hororata, out it transpired hei’ trouble was confined to a severe knock probably on a nerve, and she soon recovered. Deficiency was going exceptionally well at the time of the mishap, and looked like rewarding her patient trainer, C. Emerson, with a win. Deficiency sprinted half a mile on Tuesday and appeared ail right. First Victory

Flying Control had his first win at Hororata. He is a three-year-old gelding by Beau Vite from the Foxbridge mare Fox Tower, and is owned by Mr J. R. McKenzie, who paid 600 guineas for him as a yearling at Trentham. He would probably have made good earlier but for mishaps, which have interfered with his training, but can now be expected to carry on as a winner. Flying Control is trained by S. Barr, who also trains Sedgemere and John Gay. The Theio filly Footlights was sent out a strong first choice for the Trial Plate at Hororata, but was soon out

of the contest as she was one of the slowest away caused, it transpired, by her rider, C. McDonald, losing his irons through being squeezed up when the barrier rose. She will take her place in the Middle Park Plate on Saturday. Grand Melee, winner of the highweight event at Hororata, is a four-year-old filly by Battle Song from the Winning Hit mare Fracas, who won some good races for the Chokebore stable, which also shelters Grand Alelee. The class she beat was not over strong, but more wins are in view for this well-bred filly. Maryburn, winner of the Novice Stakes at Hororata, is a four-year-old gelding by Martarma from imported Miss Inchmahone, and was bred by Air D. Grant, who bought Miss Inchmahone, then carrying Maryburn, at J. Porter’s dispersal sale. Maryburn proved to have outlaw habits when broken in, and after having a few races, he was sold at a small figure to his present Riccarton owners, Alessrs Nelson Bros. Maryburn is now much improved, and is one likely to carry on as a winner. Palm Bearer’s Future Palm Bearer shaped well in recording 1.44 3-5 for a mile, the second half in 52 3-5 at Riccarton on Tuesday. This filly has not been racing up to her proved ability and may be soon retired to the stud if she fails to show improvement this week. Starting stalls will be used for the first time at the Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting at Riccarton on Saturday and the Hornby High-weight Handicap and the Halswell Hack Handicap will be started from the stalls, 'inese two races are over nine furlongs and one mile and a quarter and the starting posts for both races are off the course proper. The stalls which are of the “open type” provide accommodation for 22 horses. The dividing rail between each race is 21 feet long at a height of 4ft 3in. The dividing rails are all that separate the horses, and there is no padding on the sides of the stalls. There is no gate or sail to stop the horses from backing out.