SPORTING NOTES.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 5 December 1929, Page 2

SPORTING NOTES.

Acceptances for the Woodville races close on Friday, December 6th. In accordance with its progressive policy, the Wairarapa Racing Club has spent a large sum on further improvements to its course and buildings at rauherenikau since the last race meeting. Racegoers will have the first opportunity to notice these improvements at the club’s New xear meeting, and it is safe to say the club’s policy will tome in for a lot of appreciative comment. Visiting trainers and attendants will appreciate the improvements which the ,club has effected on the course since the Easter race meeting. The trainers’ living quarters have been added to, provision being made to accommodate an additional twentyfour persons, two to a room. There is also another sitting-room, a buffet, hot and cold showers, and conveniences. The racing track is in fine order just at present.' The recent rain has brought away a great growth of grass, which should make the track in perfect order for the Wairarapa Club’s New Year meeting. JUST SO BOLTS. The Foilding Jubilee race mooting will be remembered, among other reasons, for the scratching of the sprinter Just So after the horses had left the bird cage to do their preliminaries and when the tote boll was pealing for investors. Just So was to be the popular bet but his big following of supporters was doomed to suffer disappointment, In doing his preliminary, a stirrup iron w r as lost and Just So immediately bolted to do two rounds of the course before his boy could bring him under control. The stewards agreed with the trainer that in the unfortunate circumstances, the horse could not bo expected to perform after such a run and permission was given for Just So to be removed from the list of starters. The incident happened early in the betting and the 20 ode early investors on this popular pick had their money refunded in full. Just So.

GALE DISLODGES FLAGPOLE. DROPS AMID LAWN PATRON El. The short, sharp shower which fell after the first race at Feilding on Saturday gave way to a heavy nor-westcr-ly wind, which was responsible for dislodging one of the flagpoles on the grandstand at the racecourse and seeding it crashing to the lawn below. The poles of the stand wore carrying flags which, heavy with rain, were kept in full display by the squally wind wnm swept across the course in powerful gusts. One pole, more weather-worn at the point where it was secured to the building, than the others, failed to withstand the strain a sudden squall sent it hurtling to the ground where it landed between two children. That it should have fallen clear of the many hundreds moving about the lawn at the moment was providential. This incident prompted the officials to cause the other fla'gs to be lowered, to remove the chances of any further danger from this source.

OTHER GOSSIP. A. Eastw'ood, who had been riding at the Takapuna meeting arrived in Wellington yesterday afternoon and left last evening by the ferry for the South. He will be riding at the Ashburton meeting on Saturday. Early favourites in the Auckland Cup are Concentrate, Paquito, Star Stranger, In the Shade and Spearmiss, w'hile in the Railway Handicap the four at the top of quotations are Toxeuma, Paganelli, Cimabue and SUverminc. King Midas had all the luck against him both days at Feilding. He will pull his supporters through very soon. Havering was the biggest disappointment at Feilding on Monday and it looks from the half-hearted manner in which he ran that that promised spell should bo givemhim. He has certainly gone off. Nightmarch will not compote at Auckland. High Falutin was backed and beaten on both days at Feilding. He is not quite himself just yet although the tw r o races ho had should sharpen him up for future negagfinents. Hector Gray has, since receiving his license last October, ridden 14 winners and it appears that he will be in the running for the jockey premiership. 11. Goldfinch is leading with 24 wins to his credit so that Gray is'not so far behind after all.

Aspiring, who looks- well after the Feilding fixUire. is at present headquartered at Trentham with Silver Paper. Aspiring's next outing will be at Woodvillo and with the two solid races at Fcilding to assist, he should be a “good thing" for Woodville. Mr. J. J, Gerry's pair, Make Up and Rabbi are to next appear at the Egnaont meeting where they will again be confidently backed. That genuine galloper, Reremoana, has seen the last of the starting posts. His owner, Mr. G. F. Moore, has definitely decided to let the son of Hallowmas —Bonnie Portland, spend the rest of his days in retirement out in the paddock. Reremoana has proved a good stake earner for his owner, and of the many horses that have raced the turf.it can be said that he was amongst the most determined of them. In fact before age was getting the better of the chestnut gelding one could always make an investment on him in a race with the confidence that you would get a great- run- for your money. This great son of the turf has undoubtedly earned* this well deserved but long rest.