SPORTING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 21 June 1924, Page 6

SPORTING.

NATTER WINTER MEETING. (B\ r TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSOCIATION A NAPIER., June 20. The Napier Park Racing Chib’s winter meeting opened to-day in the rain, but the sun shone alter, the first race. 'The going was very heavy. The totalisator handled £]0,823, compared with £11,044 on the first day last year. An inquiry was held into' the running of Antler in the Aloteo Hack Hurdles, but no decision has been reached vet. Results: —. Moteo Hack Hurdles, one mile and three-quarters.—Merry Bells (A. McDonald) 1, Landbird 2, Crown Coin 3. Also started: Molyneaux, Antler, Vindictive, Mosthenes. Rebuff, Goldpiece. Won by a nose, with six lengths between second and third. Time, 3.31 4-5. Petane Mack Steeples, two miles.— •Mahuru (A. McDonald) 1. Tarakete 2, Gil a unco 3. Also st. rated: Rowan, Hillard, Si lta, Ethiopian, Birkenella, Pan chi to, Alahia. "Won by eight lengths, with half a length between second and third. Rowan. Silta, Killard and Afahia fell. Tjme. 4.48 3-5.

Stewards’ Snakes, one mile.—Comical (C. Reed) 1. Koodoo 2, Barrier '3. Also started: Correspondent, Arch Salute, Haurangi, Merry Singer, Kahikatea, Happy Days. Hallowvonia, Blissfulness, Afountain Top. Suspicion, AVhariti' March On, A Von by two lengths, with a head between second and third. Merry Singer was fourth. Time, 1.50 4-5. Napier Si eepleclra.se. three miles. — Passim Throned! (Alcßreartv) 1 San Forte 2, Te Mai re 3. Also started: hnst line, Kipling, Zens. Dang Awa’. Won by six lengths, with a neck between second and third. Time, 7.4 1-5 Ladies’ Necklace, one mile and a, quarter.—Polonett (W. S. Howard) 1 Many Colours 2, -Asleep 3. Also started: Communicate, Empyrean Detroit, Earth shine. "Won by two lengths, with a length and a half between second and third. Time 2.26 Ahuriri Hurdles, one mile and’threequarters.—Tenterfield (H. Burt) 1 Alteration 2, Admiral Codrino-ton 3 Also started: Koliu, Woden.* Birka.' Won by three lengths,-with a head between second and third. Time, 3.29 4-5. Settlers Hack Handicap, six fur™g's;~;Puketoi (R - Hunt) T, Ala Bonghal 2 Treadwell 3. Also started : Sensible. White Ensign, Tino Afaunga Sunny Roe, Merry Trip, Kilroe, Ladv Hill Kaaliumanu. Pita, Damon, Roval Heather, Master Black, Ajax Won by a length, with a, head between second and third. Time. 1.21 2-5.

ASHBURTON RACES—FIRST DAY:

on, ASHBURTON. June 20. the Ashburton Racing Club's winter steeplechase meeting opened to-dav Ram commenced after the fourth race’ and the track was holding. The attendance was fair, and the totalisator handled £IO,O/1, against £13.541 10s on the first dav last year, when eio-ht races were held. Results: ' First Hurdles, one mile and a half Likelihood 1, Le Forte 2. Bell rock 3 Won hv a neck. Time. 2.47 2-5. Roval Star, the favourite, fell. Novice Plate.—Adopted 1. Bonatic 2. Ttaefig " J halt "

Hack Steeplechase, about two miles. Galway 1, Ruddy Gold 2, Tainui IT 3 Mon by three lengths. 'Woodrow and ianalaga, tell, and onlv five finished Selma Trot, one mile and a half.— Rebel 1, Logic 2, Prank Dillon 3 Won by four lengths. Time. 3.40. Ashburton Handicap, one mile Guncase 1 Radial 2, Will Oakland’3. Won bv three lengths. Time, 1.43 2-5. i ~P n sbeacli Handicap, one mile and a half;—Sartist 1, Kukume 2, Carpenter 3. Wonby a head. Time 215 3 5 Thornden Handicap, five fuHougsMharfedale 1. Dancing Days 2, Soli off- '' on h - y one length. Time, i.o 2-o.

NOTES AND (.0 AIM ENTS. r , (By Maecenas). Lliat unlucky animal Royal Box recently got toui of a wire fence, and in consequence fias been eased otl. J. Larkinson, the Irish trainer, commenced the 1924 season with no less than 113 horses in his stable. Considering it was his first attempt between the -flags,” Rowan gave a good exhibition at Wanganui, and, like ills bi other Alust-er Strowan, Itowan may show- his best form in steeolechases.

Great progress has been made with the course improvements at Stratford and when this club’s meeting rolls lound the public, owners and trainers wilt all be pleased with the work done. Tiie disappointing Eii Route, from whicii liiucn w-a.s expected, is due to make the trip* m Hastings, and in a moderate lie in may run a good race in the Hawke's Bay ,H.uidles. 'the winter meeting of the Hawke’s Lay Jockey Club is ~et down for Wednesday and Thursday next. Tiie iaawko’s Lay Hunt Club will race on the following Satuiday. The ex-1 a ran alu jockey. Cole, was unfortunate at the Auckland meeting, as he was -engaged to ride Sea De’il in the Great Northern Hurdles, hut owing to getting a fall in the Hack Hurdlesq Cole could not take the seat, and of course missed a lucrative winning ride. The writer hears on reliable aiithoritv that a. Gaming Bill will lie brought forward very early in the coming session of the House of Representatives. It is stated that there will he strong opposition from Labour, but those who should know consider the Bill will lie passed after a good battle. The ex-Hauera- boy, A. Rutherford, had more than his share of ill-luck at the Auckland meeting, fo :: - when looking to be a certain winner Elstow fell with Rutherlurd, breaking his collarbone in three places. The mishap cost Rutheifuid a winning ride on Boomerday, whicii gelding Rutherford rode in the Great Northern Hurdles.

It is surprising how many riders engaged to pilot- horses .in important races miss opportunities to win big laces through meeting with falls in minor races. Last year E. Gopestake was engaged to ride Ivolni in Jjie rich Great Northern Hurdles, but had to forfeit the mount, and R. Bagbv secured the lucky ride. At the Wellington meeting R. Conway was -engaged to ride First Born, but he. too, lnufto stand down at the last minute, R. Ragbv again securing a lucky mount-; and now. at the recent Auckland meeting. Cole lost a good ride on Sea De’il. Ala.son being tiie liu-ky rider.

After his cult Iml won the English Derby, Lord Derby stated to an interviewer: “I am proud to be the first, of the Stanleys to win the Derby since 1787. I have tried hard for a loop; time, and now my luck has charmed.” For - a considerable time it has been known that Lord Derby did not bet. and the Daily Mail learns that the Derby winner trainer, Hon. George Lambton, received the whole of the cash attaching to the win, which amounted to £12,000. The deputation of sportsmen that waited on the Premier at 'Wellington on Wednesday last was a thoroughly representative one. arid was certainly a credit to tire. Dominion, and one is sale in saying that not one had an

"axe to grind,” hut all were agitating for pure sport to b? given a fair run. The Hon. Air Massey, and also his colleague, the Hon. Air Bollard, gave a sympathetic hearing. A southern writer, in wondering what weight would be allotted hi Hnkleigh in the Grand National Steeplechase, states that Oakleigli was clearly outweighted in I lie (treat Northern Steeplechase, and was outpaced from the rise of the harrier. Surelv the southern scribe does not accept- the Great Northern as Oakieigh’s true form. Obviously the writer of the paragraph. did nut see Oakleirdi in action at Ellerslie. At Newmarket (Fjigbnd) on April 23, throe of the runners ran e dead heat for the lamp; Course .Plate, a selling race over a mile and a half course. The dead-hearers were Hone Diamond, 5 years (10 stone), Vncfily. 6-year-old (9.7), and Buddlm. a 3-yea-v-oki. who carried only 7.6 in the handicap. When the three came under the hammer Buddha brought 860 guineas. Yadd.v only SOT guineas, and there was no bid for the horse that carried 10 stone.