The Turf.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 240, 23 September 1922, Page 2

The Turf.

September 23, 25—Avondale J.C. September 23. 25—Otaki-Maori K.C. September 22, 29—Geraldine R.C. September 30—Napier Park B.C. October 4.—Hawke’s Bay J.C. October 6 and 7—North Otago J.C. Qeteber 7—Pakurauga Hunt Club. QabtUr 19 and 14—Dunedin J.C. Qftnber 13 and 14—Whangar® i J.C. (Krtaber 13 and 14—Masterton R.C. Ootaber 21 and 23—Wallington R.C. Oatobar 2 land 23—Gora R.C. October 23.—North Canterbury and Oxford J.C. October 23—Wai paw a County R.C. October 23—Waverley-Waitotara R.C. October 23.—Waikato iuut Club. October 26 and 28—Poverty Bay Turf • Club. October 27—Poverty Bay Hunt Club, •oteber 2S—Taratahi-Cartertuu R.C. Nov. 4, B.—Auckland R.C. Nov. 4,6, 8, 11.—Canterbury J.C. Nov. 10, 11.—Hamilton R.C. Nov. 15.—Horawhenua B.C. Nov. 17, 18.—Wintea J.C. Nov. 22.—Askhurst-Pohangina J2.C. ASHBURTON RACES. Ashburton, Sept. 22. Th© Ashburton County Racing Club's spring meeting was commenced to-day in fine weather. The totalisator handled £13,042 10s, against £14,446 10s for the corresponding day last year. The following are the concluding results :— Allenton Hack.—Many Kittle 1, tovesign 2. Dame Straitlace 3. Won by a length. Time 1.13 2-5. Selma Trot.—Dolly Doyle 1. Liberate 2, Drambui 3. Won by half a length. Time 3.53 3-5. Alford Hack.—Boadicea 1, Wink 2, Goldspinner 3. Won by a length. Time 1.14 2-5. Trial Plate.—Contempt 1. Ardour 2, Wharfedale 3. Won by half a bead. Time 1.14 3-5. Bpring Handicap.--Limelight 1. Sunny Loch 2, Mantna 3. Won bja length. HORSE RACING IN HEATS. ILLEGAL UNDER GAMING ACT. Wellington, Sept. 22. * A case of considerable interest to racing clubs and racegoers wag heard in the Supreme Court before Mr. Justice Reed. The action was taken by the Wellington Racing Club, Mr. J. B. Harcourt (president) appearing as plaintiff and the Attorney-General being the defendant. Mr. C. P. Skertett representing the plaintiff and Mr. MacGregor, Solicitor-General, nhe defendant. . . The club sought the decision of the court whether running a race in two heats was a breach of tile Gaming Act. The reason for the action was that New Zealand racing clubs had found that where a great number of horses started in a rare there was a danger of serious accident. To avoid danger the club desired, authority to divide a race into two' heats, but the totaliatur would open only as for one eV *The Solicitor-General contended that horse racing was gaming within the

I Act and it had been the law for 150 I years for clubs to carry out the 1 scheme suggested. However praiseworthy to avoid it was op--1 posed to the meaning of the Gaming 1 Act If a course was not sufficiently wide to cope with a large number of horses it should be made adequate. According to the law in New Zealand there could not lie more than eight races in a day. His opinion was that the object of the scheme was to, get round the provisions of section 7 of the Gaming Act, Decision was reserved NOTES. (By “Trenton.”) Admiral Codrington’s weight in the New Zealand Cup is now 7.13. The successful steeplechaser Tatton Park was bred in Hawke’s Bay (says a Wellington writer). He was bred by Sir George Hunter, M.P., from Miss Cecilia. Wonderland —St. Cecilia, by JAprernont—Martyr. This is the old Porangahau breed linked up with a daughter of the French-bred sire Apremont, who did stud duty at Middle Park until it was dispersed, and was then purchased by Mr. W. H. Rathbone, of Waipawa. Mr. W. R. Kemball has none of his horses engaged at either Otaki or Avondale. Their next appearance will be at Masterton. with Wellington and Riccarton to follow. Mr. M. Thomas’ pair of useful performers, Civilform and Haurangi, are both well bred, although they do not appear in the Stud Book. Civilform is by Formby (Birkenhead—Gladisla) from Civilisation, by Maori KingNew Idea, and is a first foal. Haurangi is by Feramorz (St. Frusquin— Muse).from The Mause. by Antonio— Ikon ny San Fran—Nymph. Ikon raced in Australia, and while there wa s mated with Antonio (Prisoner— Padua), a good performer in England and America. A Wellington writer states that Misrule is galloping very well on the tracks at Trentham, lieating horses of presumably better class. The King Mark filly galloped well at home last season, but failed badly in public, but this year it is intended to put up a strong and vigorous horseman in an endeavour to get the best out of her. • • • • Rangi Thompson, the Hawke’s Bay horseman, was suspended for one month for failing to ride Matatua out at the finish of the Gonville Hurdles at Wanganui. Matatua had the race won and Thompson stopped riding, allowing Otaura Kid to get up again in the last stride to win by half a head. At Riccarton the other morning Some Kid was no use to Foo Chow over a seven-furlong spin, which was done in 1.30 3-5. R. Reed was riding at Wanganui on Saturday last, when he sustained rather an unusual and painful injury at the hands., or rather the feet, of his brother. C. Reed. R. Reed’s foot came in contact with C. Reed’s spur i in the course of a race, and his boot was torn and his foot badly cut about. Punka has been repurchased by Mr. J. B. Reid, and will be sent to the stud. Hurry Up, a black gelding by Advance from Monette, who raced in Mr. J. Gording Johnston’s interests in New Zealand two seasons ago. won two races recently at Belmont Park, in West Australia. L. G. Morr ; s bad a somewhat lucky ride on Highland in the Wanganui Guineas in addition to having his share of luck in the course of the race. J. O’Shea was originally engaged to ride the Finland gelding, but was 41b overweight at the scales. R. S. Bagby was approached, but he was not well enough to ride, while A. J. McFlinn at the time could not be found. Morris was the only likely man available at the moment, so he received the mount. He is to ride for j Mr. W. R. Kemball th?s season when the weights permit. The Demostherfes mare Pente, which broke a shoulder while galloping at Ellerslie on Monday, cost her owners last season 1000 guineas when they acquired her. It is hoped to save her for stud purposes.

Treble dead-heats are rare, but at the Rockhampton (Queensland) Joe-1 key Club’s meeting last week Bay J Hart, 9. and Sir Ross. 8.3, dead-i heated in the Second Division Handi- j cap. They ran off and dead-heated again. In another run-off they again dead-heated. The owners then agreed ’ to divide. If memory serves aright, the running-off of dead-heats is vetoed by the New Zealand rules of racing, owners being compelled to divide on the first run. Newspaper reports now to hand give ; the names of the purchasers of Mr. W. G. Stead’s horses auctioned last week in Sydney. Truthful (1300gns) went to Mr. C. Myers, owner of Caserta, which won the Rosehill Guineas last Saturday: Absurdum (1075gns) to Mr. J. Mackenzie; Ridiculous (450 gns) to Mr. P. Cornwell. Radiant Light, as the cable has told us, was passed in at 1900gns, but subsequently sold privately to Mt. A. P. Wade, the price not being as yet disclosed. Other New Zealanders quitted at the same sale were J. H. Jefferd’s two-vears-old • filly Embla (King Mark Freya), bought by Mr. C. Nelson for 225gns. and Mr. J. J. Corry’s four-years-old Tommy Rot (Absurd —Lysistrata) by Mr. R. Skelton for*37sgns. On many New Zealand courses pad-dock-ticket holders who wish to pass outside are allowed to return only upon paying again. This often occasions serious inconvenience to patrons. Here’s a tip from an English paper how to avoid it: “Instead of receiving pass-out checks those who desired readmittance into the Beaumaris Agricultural Show had their hands stamped and the hand was shown to the doorkeeper.” A ROGUE’S VICTORY. The London correspondent of the Christchurch “Press,” writing under date August 9th, says:— Hector Gray had an exciting experience at Lewes, but it was worth it. for he has achieved a feat which had baffled at least half a dozen jockeys previously this season, and perhaps his achievement has brought him more into the limelight than all his previous important wins. There is a horse called Troika, noted for his erratic ways and queeh temper. This son of Torloisk had so repeatedly disappointed his trainer (Tabor, at Epsom) that he had let him go to Mr. F. J. Benson, and he Is now trained by Wilson, at Portslade. He had been quite prominent in almost all his earlier races this year, but generally failed to put heart in the struggle, and always found something too good for him. In the hands of Gray, however, he rose to the occasion in the Lewes Welter Selling Handicap, and. finishing his race out in resolute style for once, won by half a length. It is believed that none of the best jockeys oare to ride him. as he is such a “dud” of a horse, but if Gray had any misgivings before mounting he could have had none afterward, for Troika gave him a nice ride and a haTT-length victory over Fiddleback, who was a head in front of Heather Cross. Troika, who wore the rogue’s badge, made practically all the running. At the conclusion of the race the excitement began, for Gray could not pull him up, and he jumped the rails and a fence, apparently in anticipation of the jumping season. Those who make it the rule to back Gray should have somewhat recouped their previous losses, for the price was a good one. Only a week earlier Gray had another exciting mount in Sir H. Cunliffe Owen’s Dervish, who displayed a marked attack of savagery at the Alexandra Park meeting. Apropos of the New Zealand man. one of the sporting critics remarks“ Gray has his critics m this country. • but there is none who can use his hands better.”