SPORTING

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 12 May 1925, Page 3

SPORTING

RACING FIXTURES. May 1C —North Canterbury R.C. May 21, 23 —Wanganui J.C. June 3,4, 6—Dunedin J.C. June 3, 4 —Otalci-Maori .R.C. June 3,6, B—Auckland8 —Auckland R.C. June 13—Waverley R.C. June 13—Franklin R.C. June 19, 20 —Napier Park R.C. June 20 —Brackenfield Hunt Club. June 24, 25 —Hawke’s Bay J.C. June 26, 27—Ashburton County R.C. June 27—Hawke’s Bay Hunt Club. July 8, 11—Wellington R.C. July 18 —South Canterbury Hunt Club, July 23—Wairuat < District Hunt Club. July 23, 25—Gisborne R.C.

EG MONT MEETING TO-MORROW. (By Maecenas). As Puwhero is well seasoned, and is, partial to a 12-furlong hurdle race, he should be prominent at- Egmont. Willow Wai is fairly brilliant out of the barrier, and no, doubt will have the services of H. Gray. Two factors like those mentioned should be sufficient to instal him favourite in the Telegraph Hack at Egmont. 11l the spring of the year Bonibrook showed some ability over ‘‘big country,” and if well forward may. show up in the Hack Steeplechase at Egmont, as the class looks poor. Rational carried his welter weight well on the opening day at Hastings, but in a measure" Gray’s riding was responsible for his win over Hall Mark. The latter was unlucky to, be beaten. The 1.38 4-5 registered by Gloaming in his race against The Hawk on Saturday was a great gallop at Hastings, and quite equal to the 1.36-1 at Trent T ham.

Gray, on The Hawk, brought all his knowledge and ability into play on Saturday, and at one stage it appeared as if he might land his mount a winner; but all said and done, a rider cannot carry his mount.

King Pot showed pace, but met with a bad run at Avondale. At the Hamilton meeting he went well each day, and appears to be better than “hack” class. King Pot should be hard to beat at Egmont and Wanganui. When making his first appearance over a steeplechase course, Buckeye created a favourable impression at Wanganui last May. Since then Mr. Neagle’s gelding has done well, and as he is very well just now he should come in for good support in the Egmont Steeplechase to-morrow. The steeplechase season will lie opened by the Egmont Club to-morrow, and the meeting should be a successful one.

For a very long time the committee of the Hawke’s Day Jockey Club had a most anxious time over the poor meetings and the finances of the club, but the last few meetings have been good ones, and generally things appear bright for the Hastings Club. For a considerable time Mr W . R. Kemball has not had much luck with a particularly hue team of horses own-: ed by him. "At a clearing sale of the team held less than a month ago, Mr W. FI. Gaisford secured Kilfaire for 50 guineas. Kilfaire made his first appearance for Air Gaisford oil Friday last, when lie won the Hawke’s Bay Cup, worth £550. Lady Bentinek put up a good race in a strong held at her last public appearance (Manawatu), while Pouma went well at Ellerslie, and Dan Quin and Rafa performed similarly at Avondale and Hamilton, so the race for the Firing at the Egmont meeting should be' most interesting. If fancied by the right people. Rata should prove very' hard to beat on such a track as that of EgmontC It- is hard to imagine a, more unlucky performer than Hipo was in his last" two starts (Avondale and Hamilton meetings), for with an ounce of luck in his favour the son of Potoa must luive won either of . these two leading handicaps. Hipo is engaged in the Mcßae Memorial at Egmont, and if his chance is favoured "by his trainer, Hipo is certain to be a thorn in the -side of the opposition. The moderate Sling Camp finished fourth in the hurdle race at the City Tattersall’s meeting last Saturday week, and liis rider (G. Caddy)-had his license withdrawn owing to his incompetent riding of the gelding. Seeing that, Sling Camp ran second at Canterbury Park last Saturday, it, would suggest- that events are easily won at such meetings, for Sling Camp represents the poorest class of jumper til this Dominion, and it, looked somewhat absurd shipping him to Australia. J.t is stated on reliable, authority that Sir G. Clifford intends, retiring from the, position of piesident of the Racing Conference. Sir George has not enjoyed the best- ol health of late, and tints may be the reason of bis not seeking re-election to the highest position in the, rating world of tills Dominion, a. position he iuus held with ability and dignity. Possibiy _ interference in the well managed affairs of racing by a, Cabinet Minister may lie a cause which has decided Sir George on retiring. Sir George Clifford is an ideal president in every way, and should lit, retire ids loss to, the government of racing will bo very severe; in fact, alnlord, impossible to fill with the sa-ino satisfaction. There is <a, rule of racing which .states that a horse may he disqualified for a. race shoudd he cross, another horse unless two clear lengths of daylight- in front of that particular horse. This rule hais never neon by riders), and of iate> there have been many eases of even experienced riders crowning the field before being the regulation, distance in front. Apart from a severe- penalty flint can he imposed on a, rider eoin.mit.ting such an act, it seems extraordinary that old and experienced horsemen should take on such an unnecessary risk to life and limb when, in the vast majority ol cases, there, is no advantage, to- be gained thereby. Oil the opening day of the Hawke's Bay Jot-key Club’s meeting, Lin Arlington and Standard ran a, dead heat in the Nursery Handicap, but, after the event an enquiry was held into some interference that took place at. the home turn. The committee found that the Auckland apprentice, W. IT. Jones, on Lin Arlington, was responsible, for altering hiss line when only ai length in front. Jones was suspended for three months, and the following p,lacings were made : Standard first, Sh.irlov second. Gold Box third, and Lin Arlington* fourth. This penalty may bring the youthful rider to, his senses. No excuse, can be, offered; for Jones, a,s he is most capable and there is no better light-weight in the Dominion at present.

With the honours of the- G. M. Lloyd Stakes (which event The Hawk won carrying 5.12, from Heroic 8.6 and Night- Piatroil 9.1, in the great time of 1.36 1-5) still fresh in the minds of followers of the turf. The Hawk once again tackled that greatest of all performers seen in the Southern Hemisphere, Gloaming. Like many former oonteetiSi in which Gloaming hais been a starter there ■were a great many who thought his defeat a, certainty (so they said, and hoped), but- when it came to backing time the vast .majority of those persons did as of yore, viz., either supported Gloaming or looked on, and hoped to see him, beaten. But once again this mighty gelding came 1 out triumphant.