SPORTING

Grey River Argus, 13 December 1938, Page 3

SPORTING

Trotting Notes Bill B: Bill B. is booked for a trip south during the holidays, and included in his engagements is the Gore Cup. Ready to Win: Tritoma is in excellent form, and should get a stake at one of the southern holiday meetings. Improved Pacer: Gold Banks, one of the most improved pacers in Southland, has been nominated for the Gore Cup, and is sure to be amongst the favourites if started. Returning to Form: Horsepower was one of those who suffered interference when Dark Hazard broke in his race at'. Ashburton, but he showed that he -was returning to something like his best form, in which case he should 'be proinent during the holidays. Nomenclature: Oro Escondido was the name , suggested by an owner when applying for the registration of a horse to the New Zealand Trotting Association. The owner has been asked to choose another name. •,

A Smart Pacer: King Potts has his full share of speed, but is inclined to bore in. He is engaged at the Gore meeting on Boxing Day.

EXHIBITION MATCH. , tM> HAMILTON, December 10. The exhibition mile, by the champion unhoppled pacers, Lawn Derby, 1 min 59 2-ssec, and Nervie’s Last, 2min 4sec, at the Waikato Trotting Club’s summer meeting at Claudelarids, was disappointing, Lawn Derby breaking near the finish and leaving Nervie s Last to come in about five lengths ahead, in 2min 9sec. The track was not conductive to fast time, and although well rolled was cutting out in parts. The first time the horses started off, Lawn Derby (W. J. O’Shea) broke, and Nervie’s Last (F. J. Smith) was pulled up. They went away splendidly at the second attempt, and Lawn Derby dropped in behind Nervie’s Last to trail him until they turned along for home going splendidly. Lawn Derby appeared to be going the easier but he struck a patch of bad ground and went to. a break. . Nervie’s Last ran the last half-mile in Imin 2 2-sec. The horses were assist-

ed by the jumper, Stansted, who was ridden by J. Day. Following the exhibition, presentations were made to Messrs E._ G. and F A. Bridgens, owners of Nervie’s Last, and Mr J. F. Mac Kenny, owner of Lawn Derby. For several years past Australia has proved a good Held for the sale of, horses that have failed to reach good class, or have outlived their usefulness on New Zealand tracks. During the last-week or two, several horses have been purchased for Australian owners, and the number includes two well-known performers in Starwyn and Great Admiral, both of whom raced in Mr G. J. Barton’s colours. Starwyn? a well-bred six-year-old American stallion, by Mr McElwyn from Sunstar, was a failure on the racecourse, but as he is to be used only for stud duties in New South Wales, he may prove a good _ purchase. Great Admiral, who registered several outstanding performances at Addington, after racing consistently in the Auckland district, has not shown his true form. £or some time, and Mr Barton has sold him to a Western Australian sportsman. Great Admiral is not one of the robust type, and he has proved a difficult horse to train. A change of climate mav find him reproducing his best form in West Australia, where a number of New Zealand trotters have performed -with credit 'duripg the last 12 months.

Racing Notes

Dual Engagements: Auckland Cup entrants who were also entered for the Manawatu Cup on Boxing Day include Wild Chase, Argentic, Quadroon, Kena,-The Bigot, Happy Landing, Tidewaiter, Galtee,more and Conveyer. ' Plans for Defaulter: j Following his trip to Auckland, Defaulter will be worked in,, view of a visit to Australia for ‘ autumn racing The intention is to leave for Sydney some time in February, ■ which will enable the Defoe 'colt to trace a few times before the Australian Jockey Club’s Easter meeting. At that meeting he will contest the w.f.a. events, in which he may measure strides with Ajax and Nuffield. -

Perillus on Improve: The Auckland owner 'Mr Wenzl Scholium has riot enjoyed' the best of luck with his team for some time past, but'he may not have long to wait with Perillus, who finished second from No. 23 at the barrierI’in 1 ’in the Vauxhall Handicap at Ellerslie recently, and paid double figures. Perillus is an Austra-

lian-bred three-year-old by Brazen from Vioweela, and he was purchased at auction by Mr Scholium last June for 200 guineas. ¥ INJURED RIDERS. WELLINGTON, December 11. Injured when Royal Tinge fell in the Borough Handicap at Woodville yesterday, ?. Atkins was able to return,, home. He was very sore over the week-end and was X-rayed today, when it was found that no bones were broken. Atkins expects to be in the saddle for holiday racing. The condition of the Trentham jockey, S. Wilson, who was injured at Otaki, and who is at present in Palmerston North Hospital, is reported to have shown considerable improvement over the ..week-end. RACING FIXTURES. December 17— Waipa R.C. December 24, 26, 27— Manawatu R.C. December 26—Waipukurau J.C. December 26, 27—Dunedin J.C. December 26, 27—Taranaki J.C. December 26, 28, January 2, 3—Auck land R.C. December -?8 —Westlahd R.C. December 31, January 2 —Wairarapa R.C. December 31,- January 2—Greymouth J.C. - December 31, January 2—Hawke’s Bay J.C. January 2—Waikouaiti R.C. January 2, 3—Stratford R.C. January 2, 3—Marton J.C. January 3—Oamaru J.C. January 3, 4—Southland R.C. January 7, 9—Reefton J.C. (new dates).

TROTTING FIXTURES. December 26—Ashburton T.C. December 26—Wairarapa T.C. December 26—Gore T.C. December 26, 27 —Westport T.C. December 27, 29, 31—Auckland T.C. December 29—Reefton T.C. December 31—Winton T.C. January 2, 3—Canterbury Park T.C. January 5, 6 —Greymouth T.C. January 14—Cambridge T.C. January 14—Timaru T.C. January 26, 28—Forbury Park T.C. January 28. February I—Nelson T.C