SPORTING

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 4 July 1929, Page 3

SPORTING

J FIXTURES. ) .July 10, 11, 13—Wellington, j July 25—Wajmate Hunt. July 25, 27—Gisborne. July 27—South Canterbury Hunt.

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

(By “Maecenas.’’) Althougn the Wellington Rating Club’s winter fixture is less than u week off, 1 only a couple of visiting horses have a-rrive-d at Tren.thani. As a. three-vear-old, Singleton showed distinct promise, but later lost form, and biis lbiir-year-o ld efforts were no-1 thing to enthuse about. Singleton raced well at Hawke' s Bay' recently, and might prove troublesome in his engagements at the Wellington meeting next wedi, ■ At one stage, it was expected, that Pikimai might emulate the deeds of Nukuntai. but in his earlier racing career Pikimai was a failure. His form at the recent meetings of the Wanga-nui-Elgmont Hunt and Waverley Racing Oluib .show him as an improved per- ‘ formes-, and he may. yet earn more iinI portant distinction. ; !•* At 1 times, horsese show a lot of speed | ) when obviously in nothing like racing; .condition.. Such showings are-a “pit-j J fall’' for the observing balcker. who ! witnessing such form, waits till he thinks the particular animal, is ready. He then, “puts in.” and more often] than not. leaves his cash there. These | lines were prompted bv the recent laii’l-I iires of Na.sselle, -who in her early races I showed pace that led many to think she | was ext ra good. She certainly has not I improved with training. ft is generally agreed that the Grand I National “double” at : Rieoarton is next to impossible to> win it the same season. Such opinion does not prevent owners from nominating their horses in both events. Tibis year Niukumai, Wiltshire, Kawini, Kame-ha-meha, Young Park. Horomea, U-ralla. King’s Guard. Thurnluim. Mangani, Radiate. Kauri and Roman Abbey all claim the dual engagement. ■ When the Canterbury owner, Mr J.

S. Barrett bought Wharnciliffe, it was with - • the idea of winning (amongst other races) last year’s Grand National Steeplechase. Since being secured by bis present owner, Wliarneliffe has always been more or less unsound. He looked so well • and gave an impressive display at Wanganui last May. He was immediately marked off foil" important jumping races. Latest advice, however, state that Wharnoliffe can he written out of immediate engagements as lie will nerd a lengthy spell. The ex-northerner Radiate has proved a great investment for his Canterbury owner. He has been very unsound for a considerable- time, a factor that makes it a. difficult matter to fit Radiate for important ' Jong distance races. His tasks at present are confined to long road work, and as the gelding thrives on it;- there, is hope that Radiate will he something like his best for his Grand National engagement. .Ho has already shown h.iw ability over the difficult course at R.i-ccialrton. and therefore must be seriously coosldorod 1 for any engagement there. A.s expected, the acceptances for next week’s meeting of the Wellington, Riaejiig Club, are good. Compared with many former years, the chief jumping races are below par. This, of course, is due to a dearth;of jumpers, winch the Dominion is revealing just now. " rfij)tham is gaining in popularity, and rightly so. for on this course patrons can sec the best of the country » houses competing under the very best of conditions. ' ' While tthe suspension or L. O. Morns over the first day’s racing of : flier AY ellinn'ton meeting will mean, a slight monetary loss to that rider, he can be el-vssed as ,lucky in getting such light; punishment. During the last couple ol Liaisons- some- of Australia’s, best- riders have been suspended for .months, twill|in it,ting the same of Venice a Morris was found guilty 01. It, was generally ex.poc,ted that Cniiiliieiwkition would- be a. .runner at. the (i.niiiiiig meeting of the Wellington Raeine Club, but his name is. missing iiciiii the Stewards’ field, .so he will possibly not run next week. The .son of Lunond is a. little unruly at times, ami his ower prefer L. G. Morris on Commendation, ■ so : perhaps the suspension of that rider may 'be the cause of Commendation's' non-acceptance. Last season Bisox won the 1 amain entarv Handicap at the winter meeting at' Trentham, and later won the Winter Cup at the Canterbury Jockey , Club’s meeting. Bisox has had several races the last couple of months but has failed to earn place money. She hnusiied sixth In the Cbrmvaill Handicap at Ellersilie last month, and as she was not favoured with a good run in that event the performance was a fair one, ancl

1 *hmved that Trainer J. Brown to? the I daughter of Bisegne m good condition. ! Providing Bisox continues to improve, she is likely to again run prominently in the 'big mile races that come up foi decision at the Wellington and Oanteibury meetings.