SPORTING

Grey River Argus, 20 August 1937, Page 2

SPORTING

[Per Press Association] AUCKLAND, August 19. For the Pakuranga races a scratching from the Dunedin Handicap was that of Erndale at 11.20 a.m. Racing Notes X Not so Poor: ..The jumping at last week’s Grand National meeting was not as poof as the falls made it appear, but none of the “stars” fenced better than Tangled in the two minor events he contested Tudor: Tudor was sore before the Lincoln Steeples on Saturday, and he did not get far, the troublesome ligamen going. He is being returned to his owner at Cambridge and will be blistered in the hope that he will be fit for racing again next week. Alma Performs Well: The improving Alma placed herself further in the limelight when she won twice at Riccarton last week, and she is now a very smart sprinter, who looks like having a successful season. Alma is a five-year mare by Paper Money from Ravenna, and thus a half-sister to Ventrac and Travenna, two very useful performers. After scoring as a two-year-old, Alma failed in six starts as a three-year-old, but last season she won four out of the eight races she contested. In the last five months she has earned £965 in stakes for breeder-owner Mr L. C. Hazlett. Trotting Notes Willow Wave: Willow Wave has been heralded as a prospective New Zealand Cup winner. If horses of,his behaviour (chat is, his deportment during National week) can win cups, all ttie accepted standards of the game count lor nothing. Polly Pan: Polly Pan disgraced herself at Addington, although showing much of her vaunted speed. She may go to the stud, where her breeding stiould make her something worth while. Needs Work: Gallant Knight needs more work than the average horse to get him to his peak, and he cannot be condemned because of his Addington failures, ne tarted the meeting short of work. A Scrub: Rocks Ahead Is 'a scrub to look at, but she is very wiry and reliable. Although unplaced in the National Handicap she was close up sixth, less than two lengths separating the first halfdozen to pass the judge. Speedy; Aide-de-Camp went his last mile in bettei’ than 2min. Bsec. when beaten on the second day at Addington, and with no U. Scott to contend with on the third day he won in game style. By Adioo Guy—Winnis. Logan, by Logan Pointer, Aide-de-Camp is bred to continue the good work in two-mile races. Indianapolis: The writer saw Indianapolis having his daily polish one day during National week. The champion is in good health, and his feet are standing up to work satisfactorily. He has done nearly four months’ solid work, and F. C. Dunlevey intends to race nim at the New Brighton or Oamaru meeting, perhaps both, before November. Lament:

Lament met with an injury before the Addington meeting, and could not be started until the third day. He put on some condition through having to be taken quietly, otherwise he might have won the Midwinter Handicap. He is remarkably solid, and will win good races with an ounce of luck. Great Admiral: They think a lot of Great Admiral but it requires more than speed to survive three days of racing at Addington. Great Admiral does'not stand up to the hard stuff for more than one or two outings at intervals, and his later form at Addington was that of a distressed horse.

What of Reputations?: New Derby came to New Zealand with a reputation that should have

made Indianapolis tremble, but that is where it ended. New Derby has done absolutely nothing to justuy it, and the closest he got at Addington, was fifth. When New Derby went 2 min. 2Jsec. at Gloucester Park, Perth, Evicus was close up in 2min. 3sec. Indianapolis could give Evicus a start and make her look moderate, so one wonders what Indianapolis could have gone the day the marc made her Perth record. Ballymoney:

Ballymoney was a smart galloper on the flat, and he has not raced for some time. It was a pity that he was not persevered with before being put to hurdling, for he might have been able to win sprints, and he was getting more solid with age. He may be the right type to be a successful hurdler, and with his pace should lead his fields a merry dance on some of the more turning courses, such as that at Paeroa.

Trench Fight: Though .Trench Fight proved very expensive in his two starts at Riccarton, it should not be long before he is making amends. In the Winter Cup a slow beginning and lack of racing were factors that counted too strongly against him, and in the August Handicap on Thursday the outside draw at the bad seven furlongs carrier was an obstacle that it would take an extraordinary effort to surmount. The speed he revealed in the August, combined with his tenacity when unable to go on, were sufficient to mark him out as a future force. Lochiel Lad: On his running at the Great Northern meeting, Lochiel Lad may develop into something extra good before long if he fulfils early promise. His showing at Ellerslie in June was promising —fourth in the Hunt Club Hurdles and ’runner up to All Irish in the Hunt Cup—added to which he is a half-brother by Little England (who gets good jumping stock) to Irish Comet. Well Forward: Plenty of schooling work has been indulged in by Prince Colossus, who should be well seasoned for early spring meetings. In his case it has been one of make haste slowly, and it is probable that the sound foundation being laid will bring its own reward. He has all the attributes that go to make a successful jumper, having the constitution, a lot of pace, and is thoroughly at home in bad ground. Prince Colossus should stand up to the test ah right. Moody’s Grand National:

Of the many unusual happenings associated with early Grand National contests, one that occurred in 1885 is not generally known. Among the competitors was Moody, carrying 12.0, and on whom Campbell Hobbs weighed out. When doing a preliminary jump in front of the stand Moody fell and Hobbs was knocked out. Ben Nicholls, a well-known cross-country rider of those times, placed lib. of lead in each side pocket to make the requisite weight, caught Moody, and won the race on him. RACING FIXTURES. August 21 —Pakuranga Hunt. August 28—Otago Hunt. September 2, 4—Combined Hunts (at New Plymouth). September 9, xx—Wanganui J.C. September 18 —Foxton rt.C. September 18—Ashburton C.R.C. September 18, 20 —Avondale J.C. September 23, 25—Geraldine R.C. September 25—Marton R.C. October 2—Otaki Maori R.C. October 2—Kurow J.C. October 2 4—Taumarunui R.C. (at Paeroa). October 7, 9 —Dunedin J.C. October 9—Hawke’s Bay J.C. October 9, 11—Auckland R.C. October 14, 16—Masterton R.C. October 14, 16—South Canterbury J.C. October 16, 18—Avondale J.C. October 21, 23, 25—Wellington R.C. In Australia. August 21—Ascot R.C. August 21—Moonee Valley R.C. August 25—Victoria Park R.C. August 28—A.J.C. (Warwick Farm) August 28—Williamstown R.C. September I—Kensington R.C. September 4—Canterbury Park R.C. September 4 —V.A.T.C. In England. August 25—Ebor Handicap.

August 26—Gimcrack Stakes. September 7—-Great Yorkshire Handicap. September B—SI.8 —SI. Leger Slakes. September 10— Doncaster Cup. September 15—Scottish Derby (at

Ayr). September 25 —Newbury Autumn Cup. September 30—Jockey Club Stakes. October I—Newmarket St. Leger. October' 2 —lmperial Produce Stakes