RACING NEWS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 202, 27 July 1926, Page 9

RACING NEWS.

FROM STABLE AND COURSE. [By “Binocular.”] July 29, 31.—Gisborne R.C. JuJy 31.—Christchurch Hunt Club. August 7.—Poverty Bay Hunt Club. August 10, 12, 14 —C.J.C. Grand National Meeting. August 21.—l'akuranga Hunt Club. August 25.—Egmont-Wanganui Hunt . Club. August 28.—North Taranaki Hunt Club. September 1, 2.—Marton J.C. Seastur is reported to have grown into a nice filly who promises to be useful next season.

Lady Helen, who is again in work, is said to have filled out considerably during her spell.

Kilocli, ono of the recent aditions to Taranaki stables, has not been asked to do much since taking up his quarters at Hawera,

The Taranaki trainer, D. Brooks, is handling a nice looking gelding by Limond from a Martian mare, tho property of a Patea sportsman.

The veteran Pavo is working well at Ellerslie and truck watchers arc of Hie opinion that the old sprinter may stage a come back.

Peggy Ford is now being trained by IV. Galbraith at Eeatfierston, The daughter of Kilbroney—Pot Pourri is expected to be ready for the spring racing.

The steeplechaser Toa Taua is teported to have run a nail into his foot which has left him lame.

It is stated that A. E. Ellis may pilot Nukumai in his engagements at the Grand National meeting.

Pamplona is regarded as an unlikely starter at the Grand National meeting.

Fireblight has done particularly well since the Trenthain fixture, and her connections entertain great hopes of the California mare securing a major portion of tho stake money in the Great Northern Steeplechase.

Tho Iticcarton horseman, It. McSeveney, made ris re-appearance in the saddle at IVaimate on Thursday and had three mounts during the day.

The Harp is reported to have done well lately and the opinion is entertained in the south that lie must he given more than an outside chance in the Winter Cup.

Sun Up is another southerner who is reported to be looking remarkably well at present, his track form suggesting that ho will play a prominent part in the Winter Cup, a race in which lie was beaten by a narrow margin last year.

It was Mr J. It. McKenzie’s intention to race Money Order at tho Grand National Meeting, blit the gelding is stated to have contracted a cold. He had previously been doing well in l'.is track work.

. Mr H. Coyle, the well-known liandicapper, was one of the influenza victims while the Invercargill trainer, F. IV. Ellis, is at present indisposed with rheumatic fever. The latter’s horses, Listening Post, Bugle Note and Zelaman, will be under the charge of A. S. Ellis at the Grand National meeting.

Centrepiece, who claims an engagement in the Winter Cup, has got through a lot of useful work lately, states a Christchurch paper, and l.e should be at his best for tho Grand National meeting. Judged on the form he showed at Easter, fie will have to he reckoned with, as he lias pace enough to securo a decent position early, while fie should run out a good mile.

An interesting piece of schooling over eight of tho steeplechase fences was carried out by Birkenella (E. Garrett) and Passin’ Through (A. H. Burt) at Iticcarton on Saturday morning, states a Christchurch paper. The pair started off at the top of the straight and finished on terms, covering the double a second time. Both horses afterwards did a strong round on the trial grass.

It was Burt’s first ride since he suffered a broken collarbone when Eerie fell in the Gre.it Northern Steeplechase. His shoulder is reported to be still a trifle stiff, but it is thought that it will not inconvenience him when the Grand'National comes along.

Sturdce will bo 14 years old when he takes his place in the Grand National Steeplechase field next month. Although he failed in the mud at Trentham, better going will make him one of the dangerous contingent—for he showed that he still retained some of his old form when he won last month at Hawke’s Bay.

The same horseman was also the pilot on Comical when he was sent over four hurdles. There was not much pace on, tho Merry Moment gelding getting round safely, but he •‘appeared to be very careful at most cf his fences.

Gold Fisher, a stable mate of Civility’s, is reported to bo making steady improvement. ,He was sent half a mile on a recent morning, joining up with Civility (who was running six furlongs) and finislyjd up with the Clip candidate in 51 £-5 secs, Civility’s time for the full distance being I.lß}. IV. Higgins has put Musket Vein again into work. The daughter of Rangitero—Mongonui has had a good spell and is reported to have built up considerably. She showed _ a fair amount of pace when previously in work and might make good during the coming season.

Tho birdcage on the IVanganuL course is to be onlarged by taking in some 30 feet of the saddling paddock. At the present time parading candidates are subject to crowding in these days of big fields.

Northerners are pressing for the introduction of a ten shilling totalisator at Ellerslie. The smaller investment medium has its advantages to the light bettor and there are many in this district who would like to see it introduced at Awapuni.

Winners of tlio three principal events at the Christchurch Hunt meeting do not subject themselves to rehandicap for tho Grand Nationals or tho Winter Cup. On the other hand, winners of races who claim engagements in minor handicaps on tho opening day of tho Grand National do.

Five of the eight races contested at the South Canterbury Hunt meeting on Saturday wero won by first favourites, while ono filled second berth. The other three winners were forthcoming from fifth and second rankings in the betting order, second favourites annexing the honours in the second and seventh events.

Listening Post and Happy Hays wero considered two of the most promising recruits to the jumping game seen in action at South Canterbury.

It is nothing new for all the horses to be scratched for a race at a country meeting, hut in that respect it is probable a record was made at Albury (N.S.IV.) early this month. As a rule when a race falls through the entries are small, but at the Albury Licensed Victuallers’ meeting there were 18 entrants for tho Maiden Handicap, and they were all withdrawn.

Says “Pilot” in the Sydney Referee: —The other day I asked R. J. Mason whether Gloaming would ever race again. Although lie was not exactly definite on tho point, and said, “I think ho could still win some of the short distance w.f.a. races in New Zealand if little more than hallfit,” I do not fancy he favours the idea of Gloaming again being trained. Nor is it likely that Mr U. G. Greenwood would wish it. He is jealous of his champion’s reputation, and it would surprise me if he took the risk of spoiling it.

C. Black, the Sydney horseman, had his first mount in a Grand National Steeplechase at Flemington, where ho piloted Pericles recently. Black previously had ridden in Victoria, but he has mostly been engaged in New South IVales. In India he had a good deal of success over jumps, and lie always has been considered a capable rider either over hurdles or across country.

Harry Crocker, whose death at Flemington wus reported recently, served us a lad in tho stablo of the late Tom Brown, who for so many years had charge of the IV. A. Long horses. One of Brown’s at the time was unbeaten Grand I lancur, and Crocker was chosen to look after the colt in the stable. He remained with the son of Yattendon during his turf career. q

At Longchamp (Paris) in May, a selling race was won by a three-year-old named Clos Moineau, who was once sold for a franc, tlio value or which is now about a penny. Injuring his hip as a foal, lie wj)s still lame at two years when his breeder offered to give him to his present owner. The latter passed over a franc to make it a sale. The race won by Clos Moineau was worth 10,000 francs. He returned a good price and, entered to be sold for 25,000 francs, was claimed for 34,000 francs.

Mrs >S. IVhitburn races with a deal of success in England, and her colt Birthright (Swynford—Lineage) won the two-vear-old race, the IV’oodcoto Stakes, of £1229, at Epsom, on June Ist. Birthright, who started iavourite in a field of 13, was ridden by S, Donoglnie, and, with 9.3, cut out the six furlongs in 1.9 2-5. Very little importance attaches to times for five or six furlong races at Epsom. The horses are running down hill all the way until within a hundred yards of tho winning post.