GENERAL SPORTING

Grey River Argus, 18 June 1927, Page 2 (Supplement)

GENERAL SPORTING

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PACING FIXTUBES. June 18, Napier Park B.C.j June 22—Hawke’s Bay Hunt. June 24 and 25 —Hawke’s Bay J.C. June 25 —Oamaru J.C. July 2—Ashburton County B.C. July 12, 14 and 16 —Wellington B.C. July 21—Waimate District Hunt. July 23 —South Canterbury Hunt. July 28 and 30—Gisborne B.C. July 30—Christchurch Hunt. Trotting Fixtures. June 18, 22—Auckland T.C. Winter. Gay Queen (I. C. Tilson) gave further proof of her ability to jump when with All Gold (Al. Kirwan) and Viewpoint (W. Scobie) she was sent a round of the hurdles at Biccarton on Thursday. She flew her fences in good style though she pecked on landing over the last. Viewpoint, though not going very fast, jumped safely. All Gold lost his rider at the second hurdle.

Although he missed a place, Machine Gun is credited with pacing a good race to finish fifth in the Paparua Handicap at Addington last week. Alachine Gun was handicapped on a 4.30 mark in that event, so that he should have prospects of getting into the money at Alexandra .Park when he will start off a 4.31 mark in the Campbell Handicap.

Ono of the local brigade that looks in good order to tackle his engagements at the Auckland meeting is Dick Dillon, writes “Picador.” The chestnut pacer is a reliable customer, and rarely runs a bad race, but he is now on a mark from which he is finding it difficult to win.

Footfall is a regular worker on the tracks, where he is striding along in fine style, as a on his preparation for the spring racing. From being a mean-looking customer, early in his career, he has now thickened out into a very attractive gelding. He showed wonderful improvement this season and it will be no surprise if he attains to even higher form during the coming

The latest Australian importation, V estern King, stands his ground in the Campbell and Cornwall Handicaps to be run at Alexandra Park to-day. It is probable that he will run in the second, the shorter distance event. Western King has been out on the track and is doing easy work without the hopples since his arrival in New Zealand, and the track watchers are pleased with his appearance and smooth style of going.

Bank Note, the three-year-old by Paper Money from Equitas, formerly trained by F. Tilley, is now one of W. H. Dwyer’s team at Wanganui. Bank Note showed very fair form earlier this season.

A visitor to New Zealand some time ago expressed a very great surprise that turnstiles were not in general use at the gates of racecourses in the Dominion. They are installed at quite a r , number of courses, but on others, including those of metropolitan clubs, the old system without any check is still in use. Some time ago a big Southern club installed; turnstiles at its gates and the takings showed a very marked increase, almost sufficient :o pay for the installation.

When Mars won the Stewards’ Handicap (one mile and five furlongs) at Cambridge last month he was having his first outing this season, but he scored nicely on a slow track in 3min 53 3-5 secs, which is equal to about 2m in 24sec to the mile. It is likely that he may be an improved horse this month and he should have prospects at the coming meeting. It should not come aaniss to him if the track is heavy, as tjvelve months ago he proved his ability to handle such conditions by finishing second to Stanmoor in the Manukau Handicap.

Although beaten, Cardinal Logan proved he was in form by finishing second to Bessie Logan in the Advance Handicap at Addington, and if he is taken North he will be a fancied horse in the principal events at the Auckland Winter Meeting. When he was there in February he finished third in the Otahuhu Trotting Cup, off a 4min 30sec mark, and on the second day of the meeting he won the Dominion Handicap off a 4.30 mark, in 4min 29 1-5 sec. Cardinal Logan figures on a 4.29 mark in the Campbell Handicap. * * * Harold Burwood has done a fair amount of racing this season and the moody but fast pacer has been responsible for some useful performances. In the mile and a quarter race at Ashburton last week Harold Burwood was prominent till the straight was reached. He finished not far behind the placed horses, but he faded out of the leading position very rapidly.

The American stallion Brigand broke down very badly when racing at the Canterbury Park Club’s meeting. Brigand was a very fine trotter when first put into work, with a beautiful action and possessing great stamina. He never seemed to get to his best in a race, however, and later he was worked at a pacing gait. With the hopples on he showed wonderful speed and a very fast two mile work-out will long be remembered. It stamped the American stallion as a great horse. Later he became unsound. He has been patched up for several races, but has not done much good. Had Brigand remained sound there is very little doubt that he would have taken VPrj r high honours on the race track.

Ellerslie is quiet after the big meeting, says the “Herald.” Many horses are being indulged in, short rests, and, as there will be very little racing for several months, matters are likely to bo uninteresting for some weeka. Several local trainers purpose tripping over to Sydney with a horse or two in the next few weeks, and this will add to the

quietness. It is understood that T. George will leave for the other side at an early date with White Bird, while N. Cunningham will probably be leaving near the end of the month with a team of four or five. * * ♦

Bahepoto is a probable visitor to Trcntham and Biccarton. His form at Ellerslie was certainly very encouraging, and his failure on the lest day can be excused.

A recent addition to N. Cunningham’s team at Ellerslie is Sylvanum, a yearling filly by Grey Monk from Sylvamint. This youngster was purchased in Sydney at the Easter sales and has been running out in the paddock since arriving in Auckland some weeks ago.

Bennanee was one of the expensive failures at Ellerslie. Before the meeting a doubt was expressed whether he would be suited by winter conditions, for his action does not suggest a good, mudlark. In his races, however, ho also failed to get near the front, and he has won all his races in this way. Subsequent events may prove the idea wrong, but it is very probable that the best will be seen of Bennanee when racing on top of the ground.

There is every likelihood of a few Auckland horses making a trip to Trentham next month to compete at the Wellington Winter Meeting. Some of those mentioned in addition to Bahepoto as likely to make the trip aro Master Doon, Kamehameha, and Bean Cavalier. * * * J. J. Kennerley is working a stylish looking pacer in Lou Lee, a three-year-old filly imported from America. The Martian gelding Battlement is again in work. The Quantock colt. Laughing Prines has been taken up again to be prepared for next season’s racing. Bertha Bingen, a sister to Great Bingen, is now a member of J. J. Kennerley ’s team. * * * Young Blake is the latest addition to W. J. Tomkinson’s team. This is how a cable message from New Zealand in reference to the principal event of a light harness meeting appeared in the Sydney Sun: “N.Z. Trots (Wellington, N.Z., Saturday)— A trotting meeting was held at Oamaru to-day. Besults—President’s Handicap—Harold, 24yds bhd (Thorpe), 1; Terence, 48yds bhd (Dillon), 2; Bey, scr (Logan), 3. Won by a length. Time, 4.32 3-5.” * * « Black Duke and Tione are again in work at Wingatui. * * • The Quin Abbey gelding Aberfeldy is now a member of A. E. Wormaid’s team at Biccarton. What a difference there is between the terms “a good horse” and “a great horse.” remarks the Special Commissioner, London “Sporting Life.” Proceeding, the writer penned the following: “At first glance they seem to be synonymous terms of praise, but if the past history of the Turf is referred to the gap that divides them becomes apparent. There have been many good, horses, but few great ones, and a deal of thought and judgment must be exi pended before it is justifiable to add another name to the small number in the latter category. I was thinking of Coronach. After winning three or four races in which he ran as a two-year-old and five of the six in which he took part last season. Coronach put up a record time for the St. Leger and credited his owner with the largest sum in stakes that has ever been won by a three-year-old. Alost people would, therefore suggest that Coronach liasdone enough to qualify for enrolment among the 1 great horses,’ but I hesitate to add his name, and shall continue to do so until such time as no consolidates his reputation by winning one of the cups that are recognised nsthe seals to a horse’s fame.”

According to an Auckland writer, Afemsahib has been sold by Afr Mervyn Wells to Mr A. Brown, president of the Bay of Plenty Jockey Club.

Kight here I should like to apologise to Pilliewinkie (writes Cardingan” in the “Australasian”). When I saw the old fellow looking as well as a two-year-old I felt ashamed because in writing about the weight-for-age horses for the coming spring meetings recently I did not have the courtesy to mention Billie’s name. Pilliewinkie might, for all we know, prove the thorn in the sides of Limerick, Amounis Pantheon and Co. He has done well since returning from his spell, and it is quite likely that he will stand ? k nother preparation. He certainly appears sound enough and the tendon that he struck in the Herbert Power Stakes that day that he ran so badly, appears normal again.

It is computed that up to date descendants of Magpie have won stakes to the value of £81,238 in the five seasons they have figured on the Turf. Though ae will not have Windbag to compete for him next season, it would seem to* be pretty safe to conclude that Magpie’s total will be raised to over £lOO- - when the season of 1927-28 closes.

Courante, the dam of Valicare, is booked to go to Heroic this season. The progeny of this union will have three-quarter relationship to the flyin®* mare, for Valicare and Heroic are both by Valais.