SPORTING

Grey River Argus, 31 December 1927, Page 2 (Supplement)

SPORTING

: By

“Nateeor":

RACING FIXTURES. December 26, 28, January 2, 3.—Auckland R.O. December 30, 31, January 3. — Greymouth J.C. December 31, Jauuarv 2. —Wairarapa R.C. January 2.—Waikouaiti R.C. January 2.—Waikouaiti R.C. January 2. —Wyndham R.C. January 2, 3. —Hawke’s Bay J.C. January 2, 3.—Stratford R.C. January 2, 3. —Marton J.C. January 3, 4. —Southland R.C. January 6, 7.—Reefton J.C. January 7. 9 —Vincent J.C. January 12, 14.—Dargaville R.C. January 14.—Ashburton Cty. R.C. January 16.—Waipapakauri R.C. January 17, 19. —Wairoa R.C. January 21.—Wairio R.C. January 21, 23. 25.—Foxton R.C. January 21, 23, 25.—Wellington R.C. January 28, 30.—Takapuna J.C. February I.—Tapanui R.C. February 1, 2.—Pahiatua R.C. TROTTING FIXTURES. Auckland T.C.—Dec. 27, 29, 31. Winton T.C.—Dec. 29. Canterbury Park T.C.—Jan. 2, 3. Westland T.C.—Jan. 3. Greymouth T.C.—Jan. 4, 5. Forbury Park T„C.—Jan. 26, 28. Hawke’s Bay T.C.—Jan. 28. Nelson T.C.—Jan. 31, Feb. 1. Takaka T.C.—Feb. 2. Cheviot T.C —Feb. 1. A feature of the Westland Racing Club’s meeting was the fast times put up. Thorndale’s 2.10 1-5 for one-and-a quarter miles was a brilliant effort and stamped him as one of the best performers seen on a local track. There were many who maintained that had Fresco been ridden more fully out on the second day it would have defeated Thorndale, but this is disputable as the latter appeared to have plenty in hand at the finish.

Air Adamson’s purchase of Sir George .Clifford’s cast-off Scrambler was a fortunate one. The (laughter of Panmure and Scrimmage is a moody customer, which does not always take it into her head to go, but at Hokitika on both days, although unruly at the barrier, she gave of her best. Gallant old Tenterfield, in the same ownership is something of a marvel. Its display in the hurdles at Hokitika showed that, the 12-year-old son of Sea Prince is still a factor to be reckoned with.

J. W. Jennings retains the same degree of skilful horsemanship that char acterises him on Coast tracks. He is master at the barrier and can ride a fine finish. He is worth following.

Bonny Wrack, by its performance* in equalling 2.26 for the mile at Westport will prove a great advertisement for the American stallion Wrack. For a two-year-old this is an exceptional performance, and with judicious hand ling, it should go far in the light harness game.

Locanda Boy, winner of the Greymouth Trotting Cup, was started at Westport but broke down, and it can be counetd as an unlikely starter at Greymouth. This was unfortunate, as on its showing the black son of Brent Locanda —Red Maid appeared to be coming back to the form which char actorisod it as a three-year-old.

Lady Brent, which is engaged at Greymouth, is stated to have been extremely unfortunate at Westport, as while it held a great winning chance it broke one of its hopples.

The acceptances received by the Greymouth Trotting Club will effectively silence those who maintained that a one-day meeting would not he a success. The class of horses engaged read favourably in comparison to any other meeting in the Dominion, and under conditions in any way favourable the Club should be rewarded by a record attendance.

The appearance of Alborn’s Matchlight gelding. Vesuvius, will be awaited with interest by light harness enthusiasts at the Greymouth meeting. Certain it is though Vesuvius is a maiden it will have a large following in the Greymouth Trotting Cup.

Trotting is booming in the Inangahua district. Reports from Reefton state the crowds which gather on a Sunday to watch the horses work are reminiscent of a race dav.

Writing of Daphne De Oro, who is an acceptor for Greymouth, a southern writer states Daphne De Oro, who earlier in the season demonstrated her superiority to the other three-year-olds by her two Derby successes, enhanced her reputation by filling third place in the Ashburton Trotting Cup. She did not quite see the journey out, but it looks certain that will a little more age she is going to develop into a high class performer over two m'iles. That she was stopping a little at the finish was no matter for surprise, con j sidering the speed at which the race! was run. It was an exceptional per-1 formance for a three-year-old to cover' two miles in 4min 30 4-5 sees, and she may reach Cup company before the end of the season.

Taxes paid by the Dunedin J.C. at I its recent meeting were as follow:— Tntalisator duty £1158; dividend duty £2084/23A; stakes tax £lB4/10/-; amusement tax £lOB/7/4; total £35355 10/4. p

The Auckland Cup was a fine race and showed Ahuriri as being back to his best form. At the start Machine Gun, Sheik, and Sea Pearl failed to leave correctly, the last-named losing many lengths. Tom Thumb led along Ihe back from Cardinal Logan, Peterwah. Machine Gun, Concliff, and Jewel

Pointer. In the second circuit there was little change, Tom Thumb showing the way past the stands to Jewel Pointer. Cardinal Logan, Machine Gun, Jack Potts and Ahuriri, with a gap back to Concliff, Peterwah (who was galloping), Sheik, Great Bingen and Kohara, with Sea Pearl well back. Along the Iwk Jack Potts took up the running and at the stands was in advance of Tom Thumb. Cardinal Logan, Jewel Pointer, Machine Gun, and Ahuriri, who were all in close order, with Great Bingen, Peterwah (galloping again) next, and Kohara, Sea Pearl, and Concliff out of it. There were several changes three furlongs from home, Machine Gun moving forward and Ahuriri going after him. Machine Gun came into the straight a length in front of Ahuriri, with Jack Potts, Tom

Thumb, Cardinal Logan, and Great Bingen all well in the running. At the bottom of the straight Machine Gun and Ahuriri were on terms, when the former broke, and although he settled down smartly Ahuriri came on to win by a head from Jack Potts who put in a fine sprint, with Machine Gun a couple of lengths away, third. Great Bingen was a length and a half back in fourth place, and next in order camo Cardinal Logan and Tom Thumb, with Sheik. Jewel Pointer, Kohara and Peterwah following, and Sea Pearl and Concliff pulling up a long way back.

Lin "field has been very consistent since going into H. Booth’s stable at Invercargill, and her win in the big race at Gore was consequently a popuß lar one. She is a sweet pacer in die and in harness, and over any dis-B tance. She is a five-year old by Author® Dillon from Granella and so has breed®Xr ing enough to win any race. ®

Lee Bingen had been doing good work before being taken to the Gore meeting, and gave every promise of winning a race on the southern circuit. It was bad luck for his owner that he had to be destroyed just when he looked like being a profitable proposition.

J. Bryce has a great record in the New Zealand and Auckland Cups, horses from his stable having won the former on five occasions and the latter on four occasions. Ahuriri has now two New Zealand Cups and an Auckland Cup to his credit.

Jean M'Elwyn, who has been a very consistent but unlucky performer throughout her racing career, was responsible for two excellent races at Ashburton. Her bad luck was again in evidence when she finished second to Kulnine in the AU Lean Handicap, but' later in the day she made amends by capturing the Final Handicap. She ia a brilliant paecr, but her winning effort has landed her on a mark from which further successes will be rather difficult.

Lady Matehlight was accorded the honour of favouritism in the big race at Gore, but left her chance at the start by failing to go right away. She is a smart pacer, however, and looks sure to gather a stake or two during the season.

Nincompoop stays on much better than most of Absurd’s stock, and it was in response to hard pressure that he got up to win the Farewell Handicap at Dunedin.