Topics OF THE Turf

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 276, 22 November 1935, Page 4

Topics OF THE Turf

now for tliree-ycar-olds that have not at time of starting won a flat ruco of the value of more than £SO to the winner, or collective value of more than £IOO, on the flat. Tho Bolton Handicap, of £l2O, and Gothard Handicap, of £lls, one mile and a-quartcr and one mile and a distancoVrospectivcly, are the chief open events, the sprints being the Otete and Railway Handicaps, each £IOO. The Trial Plato and Novice Stakes are for three-year-olds and upwards that have not won a flat race at timo of entry, each being six furlongs. There is a race over five furlongs each day for two-year-olds. The Manga-atua Hurdles and Papatawa Hurdles, of £BO, are both a mile and a-lialf. Nominations close at 8 p.m. this evening with the secretary, Mr W. A. Lyon, Woodville. LEVIN RIDING ENGAGEMENTS W. E. Pine has been engaged' to ride Alcides, Knock Out and Abracadabra at Levin. An additional engagement for L. H. Jones is Dorado. LINK DIVINE REMAINING IN MELBOURNE Word has been received that Link Divine is not to return • to New Zealand, but that Mr W. Kirkland,. who' leaves for Auckland on November- 30, has decided that the filly will remain in Melbourne in P. B. Quinlan’s charge. COUNTRY PARTY CASE SENSATIONAL DECISION SYDNEY, Nov. 12.

Not since tho Royal Dispatch, case has there been such a turf sensation involving New Zealapd racing people as that of Country Party at Flemington last Saturday. There are many peculiar points about-this ease, not only in regard to tho running of tho horse, but also in the finding of the stewards.

Prior to being taken .to Fiemington, Country Party had started in only one race./' Taken to- Fiemington he was a starter in tho Railway Ilighweight but not prominent in the running. Fourdays later ho won tho Batman Stakes, before which he was the medium of a sensational betting plunge. Tho stewards opened an inquiry immediately after the race, which was adjourned until, the following Monday, when' it was- announced that they had disqualified Mr G. Tancred, the owner, J. T. Jamieson, • the ' trainer,- and E. Bartle, the jockey,' for 12 months, also disqualifying Country Party for- tho Batman Stakes. Bets on Country Party wero ;not: affected by. tho decision of the Stewards. ■

Appeals.were lodged against the decision: and these will'bo heard at the next meeting, of tho V.R.C.' committee. In evidence at the adjourned inquiry Bartlo stated that the gelding had met with interference during the running of the six-furlong event, but for which he would have finished closer .up .behind the placed horses. This, epmbined with some benefit from tho race, induced the support in the,'Batman Stakes. These points' were emphasised at tho inquiry but'without avail. The peculiar point in the decision of tho stewards is the non-disqualification of Country Party, except for tho race. In effect, they increased his value, for he is technically a maiden again. There is also another problem for the V.R.C. committee, for tho owner of the runnerup, Bustard, is Mr J. S. Feehan, inembor of tho committeo. If the appeal fails and Country Party is disqualified, Bustard automatically becomes the winner of tho Batman Stakes. It will be interesting to see if Mr J. S. Feehan sits and hears tho appeal. HUGE WINNINGS Ono would need to bo abio to count in scores of thousands to oomputo the winnings- taken from the ring when Marabou won tho Melbourno Cup,, says tho Sydney Sportsman. Tho victory was planned months -ago' by. Lou Robertson, and the fulfilment of this veteran trainer’s :ambition marked ono of the greatest coups ; that over attached itself to the historic event. To got a precise idea of the amount Marabou lifted from the Ting is out of the question, but in round figures it could be put down as £IOO,OOO. Tho biggest and best brains of tho Victorian turf wero behind thb victory, with no otnor a celebrity than Eric Connolly .playing ono of tho leading roles. Connolly is a life-long friend of Lou Robertson, and as far back as tho autumn it was agreed after a conference that Marabou would bo set for tho two cups, with tho Melbourne Cup 113 Eis special mission. RACING FIXTURES. Novomber 23—Bay of Islands B.C. (at Pukekohe). November 23 —Levin R.C. November - 23—Southland R.C. November 30 —-Ashburton County R.C,. Novembor 30, Doc. 2—Takapuua J.C. Novembor 30, Dec, 2—Feilding J.C. December 6, 7—Woodvillo District J.C. December 7, 9 —Dargavillo R.C. December Tf—Waipa R.C. December ll—liororata R.C. December Id —Otaki Maori It.C. December-21)—Waipukuraii J;C. Decomber 26, 28 —Taranaki J.C. December 26, 2S, 20—Wostland R.C. December 26, 2S—Dunedin J.C. TROTTING FIXTURES. Nov. 23.—Southland R.C. (two ovents). Nov. 28, 30.—For bury Park T.G. Nov. 30.—Ashburton County R.C. (Two events.) December 7—To .Aroha T.O. December 7—New Bng.tton T.C. December 26—Ashburton T.C. December 26—Gore T.C. December 26, 28 —Wairarapa T.C. Decomber 26, 27—Westport T.O. December 27,'28, 31—Auckland T.C. December 28—vVinton T.C. . 1036 January i, 2 —Canterbury Park T.C.

With The Gallopers at Awapuni

LEVIN CANDIDATES SENT ALONG AGAINST THE WATCH YESTERDAY ! S CONDITIONS WERE GOOD Tlic conditions for track work at Awapuni yesterday were particularly good, the morning being delightfully line and tho course proper, which was open for the gallops, in splendid order. Tho flags were well over on the track and the horses were required to cover a lot of extra ground. Thore was a slight breeze to assist them down the back stretch and across the top but they were ‘ ‘ close-hauled ’ ’ in the straight. Merry Night (R. Reed), an acceptor for the Maiden race at Levin, had Kitty Quin (W. E. Pine) as a companion over ftvo furlongs. They began quietly but were hitting out boldly over tho last three furlongs, Merry Night finishing resolutely a length in front, after taking 1.9 for the journey. Another attractive run was that in which Round Score (S. Anderson) and Hunting Lodge (R. Reed) were associated. It was over seven furlongs and Round Scoro secured a half-length advantage before they had gone very far. They broke 28 for the first two furlongs and Round Scoro turned for home about a length in front of Hunting Lodge. It looked as if the gap would bo the same at tho post, but Hunting Lodge made a dab in tho last few strides and was within a neck at the finish. Tho time was 1.35. Both are engaged at Levin, Hunting Lodge in the Levin Handicap and Round Score in the Lake Hack Cup over a mile and a distaneae.

Corroborro (R. Reed) and Severe (L. H. Jones) wero sprinted six furlongs. Tho former galloped very smoothly from the start and with Severo not going kindly at any stage he drew clear in the straight, completing tho journey in 1.20 2-5. Corroborce, who is in tho Wcraroa Hack, went pleasingly, but Severe was not her usual self. Ruenzori (S. Anderson), another acceptor for tho maiden event at Levin, had Princess La Jean (J. Rae) as a companion in a four-furlong flutter, and Ruenzori was a shade in front, the time being 53 2-5 secs. Tiger Bill ,A. McDonald) was given once round over tho hurdles and ho improved as ho went, taking the last two hurdles in fine style. Tambo (C. Thomson) was put over five hurdles. Ho started scratchily but he flew tho second fence and he continued with tho good work, giving a pleasing exhibition. Wagner (R. Chisholm) got the better of tho jump-out against Lavish, and galloping-very boldly ho finished clear of his companion. The time for the half mile was 52 3-ssecs.

Frugal held a slight advantage over Round Up at tho end of five furlongs cut out in 1.7. It was' quite a good gallop.

King’s Lancer (W. E. Pine) and Battle Pomp (B. Brown) took 1.8 3-5 for tho same distance. They finished on terms with King’s Lancer doing his work very nicely. •Treasure Hunt (Anderson) and Gold Cure (Reed) were galloped seven fur: longs. Gold Cure held a slight advantage for two furlongs but Treasure Hunt then ranged alongside and had displaced him-at-’the half-mile. Treasure Hunt, an acceptor for tho Lake Hack Cup, was half a length to the good at the home turn and ho retained this to the finish, the time being 1.34 3-5. Legatee’s task' was another fivo : furlong flutter and with L. 11. Jones in the saddle- tho colt -showed- improved form. Ho was fiu.t out beforo ho passed tho barrier and ho galloped very freely to complete the distance in 1.6 2-5. He pulled up well. - Barley Almonct "ran fivo furlongs in i.s 4-5; '' " w. L-; f ' The last of-the beforo-breakfast workers were-. Petrarch (R. Reed) and Ccleritas (S. Anderson), tho former drawing away from his companion at the end of a mile run in 1.54 1-5. After' the interval Cyclopean was clocked to run half a mile in 54 sees., and La Crown had the pace on between the six furlongs and tho three, going well. Bazaine, with Anderson up, recorded a smart five furlongs, being timed to cut tho distance out in 1.6 3-5, finishing well. Roy Reed Will Sport Bilk at Levin. Roy Reed, who returned from Australia on Wednesday, was out at Awapuni shortly after dawn yesterday morning. Ho looks as fit as a fiddle and he spent a busy morning riding many horses in their, work. Ho will be in the saddle again at Levin and two horses lie has been engaged for aro Hunting Lodge and Morry Night. RACING AT WOODVILLE THE SUMMER MEETING NOMINATIONS TO-NIGHT Tho Woodville District Jockey Club’s summor meeting will bo held on Friday and Saturday, December 6 and 7. A few alterations have been mado in tho programme, tho Stewards’ Hack Cup, of £lO5 (including a trophy), ono mile and a distance, being featured on tho final day. Tlio Wliariti Hack Handicap, of £BS, over tho same journey, is the last race on tho first day. The open seven furlong event each day has been eliminated. A new race on tho first day, is tho Maiden Stakes, of £6O, for three-year-olds that have not-won a flat race at timo of: starting, Jlvo furlongs. On the Saturday the Gorge Handicap is