RACING & TROTTING

Grey River Argus, 21 September 1945, Page 7

RACING & TROTTING

Owned In India: „. > Blue Simon, runner-up to Kirstymac in the Wanganui Debutante Stakes was a 425gn. yearling at the National sales in January, being bought by F. V. Lysons. for Mrs J. E. Riley and Mr S. K. Shatter, of India. Blue Simon is a full-brother to Black Simon, a winner as a three-vear-old last season, and both are members of P. Spratt’s team. Blue Simon is a taller colt than his brother, and carries the good looks of many of the progeny of Revelation.

Goino Unsuitable: Chaka and Cowper, two members of J. Chisholm’s stable at Ellerslie did not start at the Avondale meeting, as neither was suited by the going. However, both are in good fettle and will probably race at Paeroa. Cowper, since being brought in after a spell has been moving attractively in his daily tasks. Hurdle Prosnect: One of the most promising of the novice jumpers in the north is Corsac. In his’ only start over fences. Corsac was up with the leading division until the distance when condition told, and he was just out of a-place. Cosac is down to compete at the Thames fixture, and he is quite capable of effecting a surprise. Sack in Work: The aged Wrack gelding, Benghazi. who did so well for W. R. Butt towards the close of last season has just been brought into work after a spell. The Wrack trotters do not take a lot of work to fit them for racing and Butt hopes to have his charge in good order for the Methven "fixture, where Benghazi will \ 01 ’ m one of a strong bracket. He will, be coupled with Zona Grattan, a most consistent trotter.

Just Beaten: With any luck in the running Dolly Scott would have reversed places with Anna Wrack at Epsom. The U. Scott mare was just in behind the winner as they turned for home, but in going for an opening she lost sufficient ground to go. under by a head. Owned and trained by J. 1Faul. this mare should soon be placed to adventage.

An Improver: The progeny of Battle Song arc beginning to show up, and with a bit of"age on their side are likely to prove good' stayers. One of the breed in Martial Note, ran quite a good race at Ashburton to be a head behind Kevin in the principal event run over 11 miles. Martial Note may be the one to give Silver Sal most trouble in the' Geraldine Cup.

Confidently Driven: Portadown was very confidently driven to win the Improvers’ Handicap at Auckland. He was kept in sixth place most of the way, but given his head in the straight, the son of Jack Potts strolled past his opponents to win easing up. Portadown was solidly supported, and judged by the confidence with which he was driven, it will evidently take a good one in his class- to beat him on his day. Hack Prospect: Although he has done little racing, Flying Gold is regarded as a hack with a future. He was a competitor in the race for gentlemen riders at the recent Pakuranga meeting, but despite the fact that he looked too big to do himself justice, he battled on gamely all the way to finish fairly close up. The field for the Ngatea Hack Handicap at Paeroa tomorrow does not appear to be a strong one, and he may show that he has benefited considerably by his recent outing. Slow Early: Belhall was responsible for a fine burst of speed over the last quarter to win the United Nations Handicap at Auckland, and there should be further successes in store for the Dillon Hall mare. Another to give a good showing in this event was Te Taonganui. Rather slow in the: early part, this gelding made up a lot of ground in the concluding stages and there was a lot of merit in his sixth placing. T.C. ADMISSION CHARGES. There will be no separate “outside” and “lawn” at Victoria Park for the spring meeting of the Greymouth Trotting Club next month—the charge of 5s for men and 3s for women will cover admission to all parts of the course. This was decided at a meeting of the cornmitte of the Club, held recently, on the motion of Messrs Jas. Steel and C. L. Kettle. For some years there has been a movement towards elimination of the distinction between the “outside” and the “lawn”, but this is the first occasion that members have agreed to make the experiment. SYDNEY, September 20. Although the New Zealand jockey, L. Hare, won his race last Saturday using a saddle he bought in Sydney, he has cabled home, for his favourite saddle to be sent to him by air. He wants his favourite whip sent also. Hare said that the Sydney saddle was too big. “It’s about three inches longer than they make them in New Zealand, and I felt awkward on it. The smaller New Zealand saddle enables jockeys to sit high on their horses’ withers and that is why they did not ride with the pronounced crouch of Sydney jockeys.” Hare-said that he has won 100 races on the saddle he has sent for.