SPORTING

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 16 May 1925, Page 3

SPORTING

RACING FIXTURES. May IG—North Canterbury E.C. May 21, 23—Wanganui J.C. June 3,4, 6—Dunedin J.C. June 3, 4 —Otaki-Maori E.C. June 3,6, S—Auckland E.C. June 13—Waverley E.C. June 13 —Franklin E.C. June 19, 20—Napier Park E.C. J une 20 —Braekenfield Hunt Club. June 24, 25—Hawke’s Bay J.C. June 2G, 27—Ashburton County E.C. June 27 —Hawke’s Bay Hunt Club. July 8, 11 —Wellington E.C. July 18 —South Canterbury Hunt Club. July 23 —Waimat < District Hunt Club. July 23, 25—Gisborne E.C.

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By Maecenas.)

Pussin’ Through cut himself recently and in consequence had to forego engagements. it did not' appear as if the winners of this year’s Northerns were racing at the Egmont meeting. Black Art beat only a very moderate class at the recent Hawke’s Bay meeting, but his win cost the “woolbrokers ’ a small fortune.

Rowley was given out as unbeatable at Egmont on Wednesday, and certainly should have paid a dividend. If sent north for the Great Northern Hurdles, Frisco Mail will carry a lot of South Island money. Comical is not overburdened in the Great Northern Hurdles, if the handicap is based oil short distance hurdle events; but will Comical relish the 2£ miles at Ellerslie? . Two of the old brigade, in First Line and Dick, ran very creditable races in the Egmont Steeplechase, hut as the class was poor too much reliance should not he placed in these performances.

Jockey E. Copest,'ike has not enjoyed the best of health lately and, we understand, has handed jn his tiding licenses. When well, Copestake was quite a good rider over jumps. The jumping season was duly opened by the Egmont Racing Club on Wednesday last. There were ample contestants. in the steeplechase events, hut one must admit being disappointed at the poor exhibitions given by the big majority of aspiring ’chasers. In his races this season Imperial Spark has demonstrated that he possesses a great finishing run, and he produced such a finish when lie narrow, ly defeated Valencia on Wednesday. By his wins at Egmont and Ellersiie last year Tuki showed himself as the makings of a useful cross-country performer. At Egmont on Wednesday Tuki "’on well, and has certainly improved in the interval. As Nukumai is paddock trained he never hears the polish of many horses much his inferior in hurdling. Nukumai was given a run at Egmont, but was allowed to drift to the rear and was one of the last to finish Although Euphonium won jn a game manner at Egmont on Wednesday, his success was jn a’ measure due to a lucky uninterrupted run and judicious riding on the part of Barry. On the clay both Troiius and Rowley should have beaten Euphonium. Tame Fox looked and moved in a very infirm manner when sent out .for the" Mcßae Handicap on Wednesday, and one cannot blame Rosen for bringing Tilley’s “cast-off” bfJok ,to the weighing enclosure. Jockeys take on enough risk without multiplying it by getting up on animals that are liable to break down badly or perhaps fall in the race.

Alaric has been schooling well over the battens at Wanganui, but his owner does not favour his chance at the weights against Comical in the Great Northern Hurdles, lienee Alaric may be kept- to flat racing for a while. In all probability Alaric will be a starter for the Connolly Handicap at Wanganui on. Thursday next, and the son of San Fran should run well there.

The win oi' Kaforte at Egmont on Wednesday shows Eerie tip in a favourable light as a ’chaser, for in their schooling work .Kaforte was no use to Eerie. But for being unsound Eerie may have captured some of the chief steeplechases run in the Dominion this ( season. A natural jumper, Eerie is also possessed of more pace than most jumpers, and it will be unfortunate if she does not stand a preparation. , At the winter meeting of the Egmont Racing Club held last year £23,127 was passed through the totalisatO|- on the opening day. ' But the fact must not he overlooked that the totalisntor was opened on eight races (including each division of the Telegraph Hack Handicap). 0 n Wednesday last £20,810 was. invested on the machine for seven events, actually a better average per race as compared with the figures of the previous year. For many years a number of sportsmen have advocated the standardisation of colours, but as far as the Dominion is concerned such a radical change would bring about much opposition, particularly from prominent owners, who cherish their own particular set of colours. Those who favour the change to the standard type argue that from an owner’s, the judge’s, and the general public’s point of view some uniformity would be for the benefit ol all. Some years ago the Australian Jockey Club tried a system, of certain colours for certain numbers, hut the system was never a success. Now tiie Victoria Racing Club are adopting a certain system to come into force from August 1. Owners who have raced for years in that State and have registered colours will be allowed to retain them, but all others will be called on to come into, line with the proposal. The new rule reads thus: Prior to August 1, owners racing within the radius must, if their colours are not already registered, submit them to the Stipendiary Stewards of the V.R.C., and only combinations of the following Steward colours will lie approved: lied, grey, purple, light blue, pink, dark blue, black, brown, green orange, white, yellow. ‘•Combinations of two dark colours, or two or more light colours, will not be permitted, neither will facings, cuffs, collars, piping, seams, crosses, braids, single spots, and vertical halves. Hoops, stripes and braces must not be less than three inches wide. Stars, diamonds, spots, sashes, and armbands, not less than four inches, and hands not less than six inches. Caps are not to be of more than one colour.