SPORTING

Grey River Argus, 17 April 1940, Page 3

SPORTING

HUTT PARK TROTS

Meeting Opens To-day With big fields engaged in most events, the Wellington Trotting Club’s meeting opens to-day at Hutt Park and continues on Saturday. Ten class horses are included in the acceptances for the Wairarapa Handicap, the principal event on the programme, which promises to provide an excellent meeting. Win and place betting will operate, and the fields and prospects are as follows:— INTRODUCTORY HANDICAP £225 3.34 class, 11 miles (T.).-rßig Kauri, Listowel, Premier scr, Millisle, Allworth y, Arapai, Judgment, Roi Grande 12, Manna’s Son 24, Escalado 36, Bi worthy 48, Franz Derby 84. Millisle Premier Judgment AUTUMN NOVICE HANDICAP, of £175; 3.43 class, 11 miles. —Arietta, Castella del Oro, Colossal, Cynic, First Call, Jack Spratt, Lord Worthy, Mortlake, Native Loch, Shaun Aroon, Top Hand, Wainoni Jack, William Potts scr, Stepson 36, Bronze Eagle 48. Bronze Eagle Jack Spratt Top Hand WAINUI HANDICAP, of £225, 2.57 class, 11 miles.—Busted Flush, Durability, Evora, Lady Carol, Royal Thread scr, Labour Day, Loch Leven. Master Potts, Ned Worthy, Sentiment 12.

Durability Sentiment Labour Day WAIRARAPA HANDICAP, of £350; 3.24 class, 11 miles. —Accountant, Jesse Owens, Molly Direct, Regal scr, Loyal Pat, Mongolian, Palomar, Subsidy 12, Jackaranda, Wee Potts 24. Jesse Owens—Palomar bkt. Mongolian Accountant EASTBOURNE HANDICAP (T.), of £250; 4.48 class, 2 miles.—Big Kauri, Black Native, Premier scr, Allworthy, Anna’s Voyage, Arapai, Roi Grande 24, Judgment, Chudic, Millisle 36, Escalado 60, Biworthy 84. Premier Anna's Voyage Millisle TAITA HANDICAP, of £175; 3.5 class, 11 miles.—Arietta, Castella del Oro, Colossal, Cynic, Diamond Jim, Don Walla, Dublin, Golden Axwortliy, Jack Spratt, Lord Worthy, Mortlake, Native Loch, Shaun Aroon, Solicitor, Top Hand, Wainoni Jack scr, Stepson 36. Wainoni Jack Shaun Aroon Jack Spratt WAIWHETU HANDICAP, of £200; 3.38 class, 11 miles.—Marque, Mullard, Twist, Wainoni Jack scr, Toceetie 12, Latest Edition, Ranger, Worthy Audubon 24, Star Ace 36. Latest Edition Star Ace Marque RAILWAY HANDICAP, of £250; 2.54 class, U miles.—-Black Art, Electric Bell, Great Blaze, Huguenot, Lady Carol, Loch Leven, Major Guy, Ropata, Silver Laddie, Smile Again, Wainoni Girl scr, Old Faithful, Warship 12. Silver Laddie Warship Great Blaze

Racine Notes

Improvement: At the Vincent meeting, Half and Half started favourite, but finished fifth in a field of six in the Highweight Handicap.. With a change of going, Half and Half strode away from Lockit after they turned for home in the Pukeuri High-weight Handicap and won easily. Lost Ground:

When Pink Dress and Lady Don led into the straight in the last race at Oamaru, they were racing a good two lengths in front of Midguard. The leaders ran wide, and as soon as they were straightened for home, Midguard was a good two lengths in front. This means that the leaders lost about five lengths and so missed a place. Benefiting by Change:

The change in the going made a difference to some of the results at Oamaru. It enabled Petersham to beat Nightcalm and Balmenter to cut Swordstick out of a place. A Question:

. When under pressure at the finish of the Gardiner Memorial Handicap, Settlement was boring in on Night Pal. C. T. Wilson stopped using his whip to straighten his mount, and Night Pal managed to win in the last stride. Wilson was asked to explain why he ceased using his whip. The Allowance: The effort to ease Nightcalm by claiming a 71b. allowance did not improve his chances in his recent races at Oamaru. Of course, it is recognised that, apprentices have to learn, but let it be on horses not likely to be amongst the favourites. Double Winners: , Midgard and The Raker both won oh each day at Oamaru and as they were staying on in each race they should win again. Valantua: When racing along the back in the Ellerslie Handicap, Valantua got a bad passage. Vaalso: The latest addition to J. C. Lam-i bess’s stable at Ellerslie is Vaaiso, formerly trained at Takanini by FSmith. Vaalso will probably be given a preparation for jumping events at winter meetings. Restricted Work: Phaleron is being kept going at oresent, although his tasks are restricted to pace work. He came through his autumn racing well, anti is a smart galloper who might have had a better record but for recurring soreness.

Tea Gong: The five-year-old Tea Gong, who

lias been racing prominently at northern autumn meetings, has been turned out for a short spell. When he resumes he will race in open company, but he is a smart galloper who should not find promotion from hack class a bar to further success. Nightward: Mr W. H. Gaisford has named the Nightmarch —Praise colt for whom he paid 625 guineas at the January sales, Nightward. Apprentice Injured: Latest reports state that the Takaiiiiii apprentice A. Curwen; who was «erious'.y injured when schooling Vaalso recently, is making progress, although his stay in hospital will pro-, bably extend a further month. A. Soinley, injured at the Tauranga meeting, is again riding work. Well-Known Rider: Tho well-known hurdle and steepechase rider, W. J. JtfcDpwell, has been appointed by the Manawatu Hunt officials to the position of huntsman recently vacated by J. J. Waller, -who is now devoting all his time to the training of horses. McDowell is very popular with his associates, who will wish him success in his new calling. Montessa Breaks Leg: Montessa, winner of the N.Z. Oaks last November from Classform, recently suffered a broken- leg when kicked by another horse at Orari, ancl she, may be saved for the stud. Par Avion: The Ringmaster—Damaris colt purchased at the January sales by Mr E. J. Kirkwood, the owner of Pearl of Asia, will race as Par Avion. He is a member of T. R. George’s Trentham team. -

i he Whipper: The Ringmaster—Burnish colt who will in due course carry the same colours as Aiunga and Piastre, and who also is a member of T. R. George’s team, has been named Tne Whipper.

Once Disqualified: Lady Don, who won the maiden event at Oamaru on Thursday, was having her first start since the spring. Back in September she was home in a similar event at Geraldine, but she was disqualified because of irregularity in her training arrangements. A three-year-old brown filty, T - acly Don is by Roydon out of the Marco Bello mare Boherbee, and she carries the colours of the Hon. G. R. Hunter. Her early success on resuming racing indicates that she may prove a very useful hack during the winter.

By Croupier: Offspring nf Croupier were unsuccessful at both Hastings and Oamaru on Thursday, Kadina scoring at tne former meeting and The Raker ar. the latter.

Royal Chief: Royal Chief returned to the Dominion this week, and on the same boat was Mr T. A. Duncan’s new stallion, Christopher Robin.

Hurdler Sold: Messrs O. Nicholson and E. R. Davis have effected the purchase from Mr D J Barry, of Gisborne, of the six-year-old hurdler Tetahinga, by Lockstiteh—Oddmint, who has joined T. Verner’s team at Takanini. A winner in the Gisborne district, Tetahinga is expected to prove, an acquisition to the ranks >of jumpers this winter.

Saka Bona: . , Saka Bona, which is said to be a Kaffir greeting, is the name that, has been selected for the Gascony—Tudor Wench colt in A. Goodmans’s team ar Trentham.

Some Name! Daljarrock is the name claimed lor the Threw —Gay Lass colt in E. Simpson’s team at Trentham. The name is that of an estate in England well known to some New Zealanders.

Alunga and Piastre: The Wellington owner, Mr. J. f Cheesman, has only two horses carrying his colours, Alunga and lia'stre, but he has won no fewer than live races with them inside a tortnight. Alunga was doubly successful at Wairarapa, and then again at Manawatu, and Piastre was a winner at lengthy odds both at Wairarapa and at Manawatu. Piastre has been making rather a habit .of winning the most lucrative hack races at the meeting. His winning stake at Wairarapa was better than either of the open prizes taken by Alunga, and at Manawatu his North Island Hack Plate prize equalled Alunga’s portion of the first day s open sprint. For his two recent hack wins, Piastre has earned £315, while Alunga’s three open wins have netted £4OO. •

Piastre, whose only other success has been a maiden event at Ashhurst, in January, first up for a season and a half, is now only one win from going out of hack class He is an Aus-tralian-bred four-year-old gelding by Salmagundi out of the Wallace Mort-lake-Princess Love mare, Love Lake, and he descends from the same family as Duke Foote Ortelle’s Son. Adrian’s March, and Richmond Main, all excellent winners, Duke Foote’s successes including the A.J.C. Metropolitan and Richmond Main’s the two Derbies, as well as second in the Melbourne Cup. He was bought by T. R. George on behalf of Mr. Cheesman as a yearling for 100 guineas. His name is a happy choice for a stayer as he is showing himself, for another Piastre won the Melbourne Cup in 1912.

The Top-Priced Yearling: The 3,500 guineas paid by Mr. Alan Cooper for the Beau Per.e-Bahita colt at the Sydney sales, .is the highest priced Australian yearling since 1928. In that year a colt by Saltash—Welter, subsequently named Dominant, brought the record price of 6,750 guineas. Bidding for the Beau Pere ...colt started at 500 guineas. J. T. Jamieson bid up to 3,000 guineas. . Mr. Cooper is very pleased with his purchase. He has seen the colt regularly since he was foaled, and was first of all attracted by his conformation and then by his breeding. “The more I saw. of him the more ,the desire to own him grew,” he stated. His dam (Banita) > is an imported French mare by Dark Legend, descending from the same family as Buchan, Craig an Eran, Saltash Tiberius, Sceptre (her fourth dam), and Ormonde. Yearlings:

Five, yearlings are sheltered in F. Smith’s Takanini stable, and all have been added to the list. In addition to the Cambria Park-Recipio and Cambria Park-Llandovery young-

sters, who are fully related to Bronwen and Llandaff respectively, there are the Vaals-Royal March, Phaleron Bay-Duckling, and NightmarchPraise geldings. The last-named trio are respectively haK-brother to Royal Appellant and Lady Drake, and brother to Serenata.

Trotting Notes

A New Record: Dusky Sound, who has shown all his best form on grass tracks, gave further proof of his brilliance by winning the Durbar Handicap at Ashburton in 3min. 12 2-ssec., claimed to be a mile and a half grass track winning record. He was well back in the early stages, to race round the field and assume command with six furlongs covered, and from that point he carried on the running to have the opposition hopelessly outclassed. On tracks to his liking, Dusky Sound has the ability to hold his own in any company and he should be seen to further advantage shortly.

Betty Boop SoFd: Following her success in the Futurity Stakes, Betty Boop was sold by her owner-trainer, W. J'. Doyle, at a substantial figure, and it is understood the purchaser is a patron of M. Stewart’s stable at Te Rapa. She is an exceptionally fine filly, and although Saturday’s win will place her on a fairly tight mark for one of her age, she should have little difficulty in winning her way to the best North Island company. Slow-Run Race:

In view of the fast state of the course, as evidenced by the times recorded in the other races, it is difficult to find a reason for the slow pace in the Parawai Handicap at the Thames Trotting Qlub’.s Meeting on Saturday, the winner, Glen Bingen, not 'being required to do better than 3min. 50sec. from a 3.49 mark. Two of the competitors were hopelessly out of it through repeated breaks, but the others were always handy to Glen Bingen, states the “New Zealand Herald.”

The winner did all that was required of him; and may still have won even if the race had been truly run. However, as a trial of speed, the event was farcical, especially as some of the .runners have recorded much faster time. One of the field who gave a sound display lost a good chance by running out very wide on the turns. The favourite, Bournemouth, who appeared to be going comfortably behind Glen Bingen, ruined his prospects by breaking when asked for a final effort. It is many years since a race was run in such ridiculously slow time on a good track, and a repetition would justify clubs in deleting such events from the card.

Bl'air Athol Amiss: After competing at Addington in

January Blair Athol developed knee trouble, and he has been under treatment ever since. A long rest was expected to bring the knee back to normal, but it has not made the necessary improvement, and there is no immediate prospect of his standing a preparation. The ranks of firstclass handicappers are at a low ebb at the moment, and his defection is unfortunate. In all, Blair Athol has won 12 races, and secured 14 seconds and 11 thirds in his career for a total stake-money of £5,981. Dundee Back: After a spell extending over almost two years, Dundee has been placed back in work again under the care of R. B. Berry. A great pacer when first paraded, Dundee won several races in fine style and appeared likely to reach the best classes, but he then developed bad race-day manners. Fie has done well during his long absence from the active list.

Change of Stables: The trotter, Ganton, who has done good service for R. W. Franks, has been sold and is now in the care of V. Alborn. Another from the same stable in Press Gang has been purchased by a Blenheim owner and raced in his new ,'colours at Nelson.

Spelling: Paddy’s Harvest has been suffering from a mild attack of strangles and has been returned to his owner’s farm at Riccarton. Inquisition is another from A. Holmes’s stable spelling.

Leading Trainer: The Te Rapa trainer, M. Stewart, is the most successful trainer in the North Island this season having won 20 races, while F. J. Smith is second with 14. Fourth on End:

Chatmos keeps on winning, and he registered his fourth success on end when he won at Ashburton on Saturday. He is evidently a high-class pacer, and looks sure to develop into a Cup performer. He is not engaged at Hutt Park. Recent Arrivals:

The Addington trainer, J. Young, brought Heroic Prince and Count Tereena back with him when he returned from the Inter-Dominion Championships at Perth, and they will do their future racing in New Zealand. Count Tereena is a five-year-old novice trotter by Tereena from a Robert. Borneo mare, and he is regarded as a very likely ’sort. On the other hand, Heroic Prince, a rich black stallion, has already proved himself a performer of more than average merit, and it will be no surprise to find him compiling a good record here. A Surprise: There was a big surprise in _ the pacing section of the New South

Wales Trotting Derby, run at Harold Park last week, when the Lawn Derby filly, Miss Lawnham, defeated the hot favourite, Admirer, by ■ a neck. Both won their respective divisions. -This was Admirer’s first defeat, he having won seven races in succession, including five classics. Robert Derby, sire of Admirer, is also the sire of Lawn Derby. Light Harness Events: Both the fight harness races on the concluding card of the Oamaru meeting provided interesting racing. Tokalon had nothing much to spare when beating Helenora in the Waikaura Trot. Lord Worthy and Passing By were fairly close up. The first four in the Landon Trot staggered past the post and were stopping to a walk at the finish. They managed to keep well clear of Petite, who finished a moderate fifth. Passing By: On the first day at Oamaru, Passing By came back witn a flat tyre. He had every chance in the Waikaura Trot, but could not get amongst the money. Sabu: Sabu started a good favourite for the Landon Trot, but after being prominent at the home’ turn he failed to finish in a place. Helenora: If Helenora had got home in front of Tokalon in the Waikaura Trot, she would have paid around three-quart-ers of a century. Racing Fixtures: April 20—Otautau R.C, <at Inver cargill). April' 20—Waimate R.C. April 20, 22—Marlborough R.C. . April 27 —Waverley R.C. April 27—South Canterbury J.C. May 2, 4—Egmont R.C. May 4 —Franklin R.C. May 4—Southland R.C. May 4—Amberley R.C. Cat Riccar ton). May 11—Otaki Maori R.C. May 11—Ashburton County T.C. May 11, 13—Poverty Bay T.C. May 16, 18—South Canterbury J.C. May 17, 18— Manawatu R.C. May 18, 20—Waikato R.C. May 25—Foxton R.C. Trotting Fixtures: April' 17, 20—Wellington TC. April 27 —Auckland T.C. April 27—Westland T.C. May 4—Oamaru T.C. May 9, 11—Forbury Park T.C. May ll—Waikato T.C. May 11—Marlborough T.C. May .18, 20—Nelson T.C. May 25, 29 —Auckland T.C.