SPORTING

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 20 December 1928, Page 3

SPORTING

FIXTURES. December 26 —AVaipukurau Jockey Club. December 26, 27—Dunedin Jockey Club. December 26, 27—Westland Racing Club. December 26, 27—Taranaki Jockey Club. December 26. 27, 29 Manawatu Racing Club. December. 26, 28, January 1,2 Auckland Racing Club. December 29, January 1, 2—Greymouth Jockey Club. January 1, 2—-Stratford Racing Club. January I—Waikouaiti Racing Club. January I—Wyndkam Racing Club.

WESTLAND RACES. ACCEPTANCES FOR FIRST DAY. (By Telegraph—Press Association..) GREYMOUTH, Dec. 19. Acceptances for the. first day, Eeoenrber 26, of the Westland Racing Club’s meeting are:— .Phoenix .Handicap, 61 furlongs—Rank Draft 9.0, Scrambler 8.12, WharfdaJe 8.8, Corinthic 8.4, Double Mint 7.13, Bright Spear, After Ten, Bowser 7.7. Tasman Hurdles, 11- miles. —Orifiamb 11.0, Erin-go-Btragh 9.12, Gay Gaunt Met 9.6, Steel 1 Bar 9.5, Piccaninny 9.3, Sh ipshape 9.0, Ivulrange 9.0. Westland Oup, one mile. —Pangolin 9.0, Moorland, Gold Mint 8.7, Bank Draft, Fairy Tidings 8.4, Wliairfdale, Atonei 7.12, Smithereens, John Dix 7.6, Para 7.4, Inoe 7.0. Christmas Handicap, 51 furlongs.—. Skyqucst 9.4, Arch Arrow .8.12, King Cheops. Silver Tray 8.9, Note. Greyfinch 8.5, Single Spear 8.4, Atone 8.0, Anthonie 7.13, Waihemo 7.11. Shipshape, Fair Go, Lucklaine, Tietie 7.5. Provincial Handicap, seven fuitlongs. —Gold Mint 9.5, Fairy Tidings 9.2, Lancer 9.0, .Some Lad 8.10, Doleful Ditty 8.8, John Dix 8.4, Para 8.3, Gay G auntlef. 8.0. Electric Handicap, six furlongs.— Skyquest 9.0, Sagitarius, Spode 8.6, King Cheops 8.5, Grey finch, Not© 8.1, Corinthiie. Single' Spear S.O, Ringa Mangu 7.13. Double Mint 7.5, Lord Middleton 7.7. Goldfieldfi Handicap, 61 furlongs.— Doleful Ditty 8.1, Dloorland 8.0, Gabbum 8.0, Gaslight 7.10, Para 7.9, Killaddie, Lucklaine, Pledge 7.0.

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(BY "MAECENAS”) Gala Day has better performances in flat races than most of our jumpers, and as lie ran a creditable race in the hurdles at the Waipa meeting, Gala Day may be worth remembering for holiday meetings. A big proportion of the Auckland owned division have made the acceptance for the Taranaki meeting, and, favoured with ordinary luck, they should at least earn expenses In some quarters Laughing Prince is regarded as almost unbeatable in next week’s Auckafid Cup. As the field is not a strong one, Laughing Prince should perform prominently, but all the same he lias not shown in the past that long distance racing is his strongest point. Trainer F. Tilley is particularly good at preparing a horse for long distance racing, and- if for no other reason Laughing Prince is entitled to- respect lor the coming Auckland Cup. As Laughing Prince is fancied by his experienced mentor, one may be certain that good track work at Fordell merits such confidence. In bis early spring engagements The Warden showed form that suggested his racing up to the standard of his high breeding, but in his engagements of late The YV'arden has not impressed to the same extent. As The Warden was given a short spell after his first couple of starts, it may be that he lias not yet struck his true form. Paganelli is galloping more brilliantly than ever and trainer M. Carroll is confident that he will win the Railway Handicap. While Paganelli was always very! smart over a short course lie is now staying better. Cimabue is working in his best style at Trentham and will be a runner in tiie Railway Handicap at Ellersiie on Wednesday next. Since his line effort in the Tramway Handicap at Ranclwick last September Cimabue has not done as well as expected, but from now on may show his true form. In past years Sir G. Clifford raced horses at more than one meeting during the holiday season, but this year not a single representative will carry bis familiar colours. In the autumn, however, Sir George Clifford’s horses will again be seen in action. For many years owners like Sir G. Clifford, Messrs W. R. Kemball, -J. Bull, A. McDonald, E. lliddiford and many others had strong teams ol horses at various meetings, hut to-day such owners rarely have more than a couple of representatives at a meeting, and more often are not N represented. Why are such prominent sportsmen withdrawing their patronage? Is it that the high cost of racing horses to-day is virtually forcing them out of the sport? Oratrix has ilouo an excellent preparation for the Auckland Cup. Being built on light lines, weight plays a leading part ill Iter performances, but seeing that Oratrix lias only 7.15 in the big handicap to bo run at 11.1I 1 .1 leasin' next week, she should be able to show her best form.

In addition to Oratrix, trainer I,origan is takinlc Concentrate to the Auckland Racing Club meeting to contest the Great Northern Derby. Ibis son of Kilbroney (like most of that sire’s stock) stays on well, and there are many who expect him to prove very hard to beat in that classic race. The Railway Department is again sending a special train for horses irom AVellington to Auckland in connection with the important meeting of the Auckland Racing Club, but only six horses will be leaving Tlioriulon by this train, though, ol course, others will lie picked up whore required. In the last couple ol years Trentham stables have provided a big contingent of horses lor the northern meeting, but to-day few owners care to face the heavy liability entailed in the 400 odd miles to the “Queen City.” In Aussie and Awarere owner-trainer G. Paul bolds a strong band in the Railway Handicap to be decided at Ellersiie «n AA’ednesday next AYhen at their best this pair arc particularly brilliant, and the wins of Awarere at Taka-puna and Aussie at To Awamutii suggest that these horses are at the tup of their form. Hence it is on the cards that the stable may win the big sprint at Ellersiie two years in succession.