RACING NEWS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 173, 23 June 1926, Page 13

RACING NEWS.

FROM STABLE AND COURSE.

(By “Binocular.”) Juno 23.—Hawke’g Bay Hunt. Juno 25, 26.—Hawke’s Bay J.C. July 6,8, 10.—Wellington R.C. July 22. —Waimate District Hunt. July 22, 24.—Gisborne R.C. July 24.—South Canterbury Hunt. July 81. —Christchurch Hunt. Acceptances for all first day events at the Hawke’s Bay Club’s meeting close at noon to-morrow. Beautiful conditions prevailed for training operations yesterday morning at Awapuni, but the grass gallop was not thrown open till after several of the candidates lmd worked. The number of Awapuni horses figuring at Trentham next month does nob promise to bo of any great dimensions, but, all going well, Trainer Thorpe will have Sottano, Starshcll and Diogenes there. Starshell will in all probability be found figuring in the hurdles on the second and third days. Trainer R. E. Hatch will have a quartette consisting of Askari, who claims a nomination in the Winter Hurdles, Volhynia, Del Sarto and Red Courier at Trentham.

Pangolin promises to be A. Browne’s sole representative at Trentham, while Trainer E. Watson will have Kilmiss and Mountain Jean.

Girribillie and Volhynia were associated in a scamper over five furlongs at Awapuni yesterday morning which was left behind in l.y 4-5. Girribillie acted as pacemaker, but Volhynia ranged alongside at the straight entrance and there was only a nose between them at the finish.

Sottano (Tricklebank) and Starshell (C. Robinson) were sent a round over the sticks, covering the journey, which was about a mite and two furlongs, with five flights of hurdles, in 2.P, the last half taking sbsecs. Both gave an attractive display, Starshell going off with a rush, but down the back the Battle ,Eve gelding hesitated at one of the fences and Sottano, taking it beautifully, kept on terms for the balance of the journey.

Askari, with C. Robinson up, was sent a round and a-half and, while the pace was not on, the Kiibroney gelding fenced cleanly, the final two being negotiated without a rap.

A big string of candidates were exercised, but tlio majority do not claim any immediate engagements. Diogenes, who has built up well, was, however, one of the exceptions, the Cynic colt being worked on the plough prior to. the opening of the grass, gallop.

The Limond —Amyrin filly, Resinous, which was under the charge of \V. Bailey, has been disposed of, being now the property of a sporting solicitor in New Plymouth. Amyns, tho grand-dam, claims connection with uie (jiofdsborough strain, which is so much in demand in Australia, and on appearances the youngster promises to luifill all the good things anticipated by her late mentor. Tho filly was bred by Mr John Gieeson, the owner of Merry Jest, and it is understood that a big figure was forthcoming.

w. Bailey was recently approaclied by a Hawke's Bay mentor with a view to securing an interest in the services of Koyal Divorce, the Awapuni studmaster having secured a leaso from Mr E. L. ltiddiford, but ho declined to do business. The sire Lackham, who has, been at Awapuni, is due to return to Hawke’s Bay next month.

T. Green, the local apprentice, whoso services have been sought by a Riccarton trainer on a trip to Australia, will probably leave for the other sido following tho Wellington meeting. Green will not bo figuring at tho Hawke’s Bay meeting.

Hyperion, who is reported to have made a good recovery irom tho shoulder lameness which troubled the Bonil'orm —Pei re no four-y.carloljd some timo ago, has rejoined G. J. Pino’s team.

Dalhousie, by Panmuro from Neirene, by Martian from Cuiralba, has joined i<\ JL\ Claridge’s team at lticcarton, states a soutborn exchange. Although seven years old, ho lias only started once, being unplaced in a maiden race at tho Manawatu Hunt meeting in tho spring of 192 a.

Tho three-year-old Goldmint, by Catmint from Hinerewa, has been purchased by a patron of J. Lindsay’s stable at Riccarton. So far be has no form .to commend him, but on appearance promises to be a useful sort.

Report was current that Kahumanu, the half-sister to Gasbag, who was nominated for spring engagements in Australia; had gone amiss, and tho trip had in consequence been abandoned. An Awapuni mentor informed the writer yesterday morning that such was, however, incorrect and that the candidate for honours was already over on tho other side.

Southern buyers have been making advances for Diogenes and Sottano, tho two members of Mr H. P. It. Blundell’s team who are trained at Awapuni, but so far no business has resulted.

Tho working of a tractor at Riccarton during exercise hour was responsible for Goldstep unshipping her rider on Monday morning, fortunately the filly was caught before she had dono any damage to herself. The tractor, while exceedingly useful in turning over the plough, is somewhat out of place while horses are on the track.

Mr J. F. Buchanan has, states a Christchurch report, decided to retire the two-year-old filly by Torque, by Martian from Torquato, and she will probably be mated with one of her owner’s English bred horses, Paladin or Diaequenod.

A. McAuley, tho Riccarton trainer, is due to make another start with Sun Up this week. Southern reports mention that there is a possibility of Sun Up racing at the Grand National meeting, while a trip to Australia in the spring is also a possibility.

In a recent issue of the London Sporting Life and Sportsman its special commissioner mentioned that ho was recently at a stud in England where there was an installation of ultra-violet rays for the purpose of Sterilising the drinking water and promoting the growth of backward foals and yearlings.. . '

The ex-northerners, Te Kawa and Blue Hall, are being sent along steadily in the south with a view to racing at Trentham. The latter is spoken of as having come along quickly and to be jumping well. Te Kawa, however, looks somewhat fcougli and it is stated that he shows occasional signs of unsoundness.

Information is to hand from Sydney that Runnymede has resumed training with a view to engagements during tho coming spring. When the New Zealand gelding wound up at Randwick in April he was under a cloud owing to some unsoundness, and it is satisfactory to learn that lie is once again included with the active brigade. The Sydney sportsman, Mr T. C. Trautwein, paid a big price for Runnymede when lie bought him from Mr J. S. McLeod last November, and it will be pleasing to chronicle a good win for lnm when tho big events of tho coming season are up for decision. Leading Melbourne stables are well represented in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups (remarks the Sydney Referee). J. Scobie’s stable is represented by thirteen horses in the Caulfield Cup aud a similar number in the Melbourne Cup. E. Fisher has twelve in each race. L. McCalman has eleven in the Caulfield Cup and ten in the Melbourne Cup. L. J. McCann lias nine liorses in the Caulfield Cup and seven in the Melbourne Cup. D. J. Price lias five in the former race and seven in the Melbourne Cup. J. Holt lias a team of eleven candidates in the Caulfield Cup and seven in tile Melbourne Cup. His cup team includes Heroic, Metellus, Victorian King, Master Vibrator, Beau Fils, Treefox, Smoke Bomb, Egyptian Idol, Royal Joker, Royal Charter and Tallius.

The New Zealander, Ruapapa, who won in Sydney as a tliree-year-old, and has since done well in the Dominion, lias furnished into a particularly nice liorse (says a Sydney writer). He looks up to any weight, and, though his post position of No. 24 gave him hut little chance in the Newcastle Mile, I fancy lie will be worth following over here if our handicappers are not unduly harsh with him. It is undeniable, though, that Australian handicappers aro more inclined to overrate than underrate New Zealand form.

Proprietary clubs in Australia must make a good thing out of the business apparently, as up to quite recently the Kensington Club (N.S.W.) were paying £4OOO per year for tho lease of the course, but quite recently the Land Board increased tho rental to £6OOO per annum, with a ton years’ tenure, and the executive of the club consented to the increased rental. £l2O per week certainly looks stiff, but it has to be presumed that the governing powers of the Kensington Club know what they are about, otherwise .they would not have been agreeable to accept the increase of rental.

In England some of the betting firms trade as limited companies. One such company, the T.S. Co., Ltd., has its directors and other trimmings usually associated with companies, and that highbrows are engaged in the management of the T.S.C. can be gauged from the fact that the chairman of the company under notice is Rear-Admiral A. 1\ Davidson, D. 5.0., It.N. LOST HIS FORTUNE. TRAINER AND BOLSHEVIKS. A. SKELTON'S EXPERIENCES. Arthur Skelton, a Sydney pony trainer, lias had a more varied experience among horses than the majority of men. He has (according to tho Sydney Sun) trailed and ridden in England, France. Russia, New Zealand, India and Australia, and has been successful in each country. Misfortune has dogged Skelton, however, as he lost a small fortune in Russia, when the Bolsheviks took charge of the country. Skelton’s story is most interesting. As a lad he served his apprenticeship with Mr tV. Nightingale, at Epsom, and did a good deal of riding in England. After serving five years he went to France, where he also rode winners. His big success came in Russia, where he stayed several years, and rodo and trained 617 winners. Races big and small came his way, and his victories included three Derbies at Riga, with Sunshine, Miss Bouncer, and Minyon. Ho was quickly gathering a fortune, but then came disaster. The Bolsheviks broke loose, and Skelton was taken prisoner. “Brownie” Carslako and many other jockeys and trainers left Russia in 1917, and escaped trouble. Skelton, however, stayed too long, and was unable to leave the country. _ Ho lost all his money and possessions. After going through severe hardships he got out of Russia in 1920, and arrived in England penniless. Good man as lie was with horses, he was not idle long. Ho went to India as a trainer for Mr J. H. McGee, but after a successful year”s work becarno ill and had to return to England. Skelton then decided to try his luck still further afield, and went to New Zealand under engagement to Mr Corrie. He came over to Sydney with the jumper Dick, who scored at Rand wick. Skelton remained behind with the well-known pony trainer J. Vernon, in whose stable he was foreman. Twelve months ago ho started 'again on his own, and with few horses in his hands has done well. Maldonus won two races for him at Wollongong, dead-heated at Victoria Park, and won a doublo at Hillfield late in May. Quick Enough scored at Victoria Park and Leading Lady won the first division of tho Novice Handicap at Ascot on Juno 5.