SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16408, 9 December 1916, Page 12

SPORTING.

•§ RACING FIXTURES. December Fay of Plenty Jockey Club. December 16—Vaipa Racing Chib. December 2(5; 29™;* January 1, ' 2—Auckland Racing; Clttb.,"' December 26,27—Thames Jcriey Club. December Racing Club. December 25—Alexandra B'.crtig Club. December 26. 27, Manawatu Racing Club. December 26, —Taranaki Jockey Club. December 26, Dunedin Jockey Club. December 2C, Reefton Jockey Club. December 7. OS 30-Auckland Trotting Club. January 1. 2—Stratford Racing Club. January 11, 12—Whangnrei Racing Club. January 13—Kawakawa Racing Club. January 27. 29Takapuna Jockey Club. January IHouhora Racing Club. January I—Tirau Racing Club. January I—Waikcuaiti Racing Club. January 1. 2—Hnwke's Bay Jockey Club. January 1. 2—Wairarapa Racing Club. January 1. 2—Vincent Jockey Club. January 3. 'Morton Jockey Club. January 1. 3—Greymouth Jockey Club. January —Northern AY aim a Racing Club. January P. 9—Westland Racing Club, January Waiksto Trotting Club. January 20—Xgaruawahia Racing ClubJanuary 20, 22, 21—Wellington Racing Club. February —Canterbury Jockey Club. February £ Racing Club. February 3Opbtiki* Jockey Club. February 16, ,17—Hamilton. Racing Club. February 2.'3—Rotorua Jockey Club; February 24. 28—Olsbnlra. Trotting Club. April 21.' ■ 25»ii.uokiind Trotting- Club. . '■ - - - ----- .-. DATES' EVENTS: December r-Kortliern Foal Stakes. _ December 26—»Auckland Cup. • ■ December 2« CupDecember 27—-Manawatu Stakes. December'27—Auckland Trotting Cup. December 29—A.P..C. Summer Cup. January I—Great- Northern Derby. January —gttatfer-d f -Cup. January -'7Takapuna Cup.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS HJR.M.. To Kuiti.— King Lupin carried Sst,<lolb when he won the Takapuna Cup. i The" distance of the race is returned as one , mils three furlongs and a-half. ; SSOt-Gcx. Thames.—Machine Gun car- i Tied- list 51b when he was credited with running five furlongs in 58s and winning the .Randolph Handicap at Biccarton in the spriSis of 1904. Dispute, Taumariumi. —Trafalgar holds ! the Australasian record, 5m 22is, for -three miles. In the decision of the Canterbury Cuji.in ISO 5 * Signor was credited with running' the two miles and a-Quarter in 5m 53 2-55. \VjW.P.. Auckland.The account of the race, ■ shows that Harbour Light fell at the third' fence from home while contesting the Maiden Hurdle Race at EUerslie on Juno -_ ISUS. He subsequently won the Campbell Hurdle Race run at the same meeting. Wagkr. Herns Bay.—Ngapoto fell and broke h-* back while contesting the Orewa Hurdle Race at the Takapuna Jockey Club's Summer Meeting in 1916. The placed horses in the race in question were Tenacious, St. Lewis and Hopye, who finished in that order. NOTES BY PHAETON. i THE AUCKLAND CUP. The 16 horses that composed the first acceptances for the Auckland Cup when. Mr. Hartland posted the same last week, are still found holding their places in the impending two-mile race; but a reduction will probably have to be rioted next Friday when the final payments fall due. Mr. G. L. Stead is the t>nly--owner with "a double string to lii 9 bow in connection with the Crip, and by Friday next'he may hare arrived at a dean Lie de cision as between The Toff and Wishful. 'G;n""tain operations continue to point strongly to, the latter being the stable representative; but *0 long as The Tofi remains ' engaged, the "three-year-old will find plenty to sing his praises, for lie is the best-tested stayer of tfei field. John Barleycorn continues to bave,'his claims sung in a very tuneful key. and his arrival at Elleralie is awaited with especial interest. Depredation has gone on the right way since lie raced at Takapuna, end ha promises to fee to a position to reproduce his best form on Boxing Day. All beipg well with the son of Campfire he will be able to take care of himself. Of the locally-owned lot. Colonel Sonlt t-.nd Ei Gallop continue to claim moist' attention. Both horses are looking and ga,Hoping well, and they can apparently be ticked off with » tolerable amount of safety *to line up at the wist in their best form on the 26th inst. K GREAT NORTHERN FOAL STAKES. Fifteen horses still figure in the Great Northern Foal Stakes, and with 11 different stables represented the selection in connection with the two-year-old race can be termed decidedly' satisfactory. Simonides (by Demosthenes — Thread) would probably be the one to be popularly sorted out as the ifiysst prominent performer engaged, but the presence of the Hawke's Bay colt is not likely** to spoil speculations. Biplane (by Comedy King—Air Motor) is held to be a good "one. Sir George Clifford may have something first-class to carry his colours in Clave'rhouse (by Antagonist Star), and Mr. T. H. JLowry'3 Estland (by Finland Wail Scare), who has so far ran unluckily, may show improved form at Ellerslie. Mr. G. L. Ste&d has a brace engaged in the shape of Bed Rock (by Rokeby— Red) and Ample (by Rokeby Dalrymple), and the latter has been the subject of some complimentary references.

GREAi: NORTHERN DERBY. The withdrawal of Kilboy from the Great Northern- Derby takes son.® interest out of the Ellerslie false, riband, but with a dozen horses still gaged the outlook is promising. A meeting between The Toff and Sasanof in itself invests the blue riband contest with a fine dash of interest, and, as the two geldings are owned respectively by Messrs. G. L. and Wv G. Stead, who are each keen to cur-? the Derby insignia, such, will prove a further attraction. IMPORTED HORSES PACING IN AUSTRALIA The ' importations of racing stock from England to Australia has been a marked feature during tho past, few years, and the successes which have come to the lucky speculators in their purchases has formed the subject of much writing, for some of the richest prizes of the Australian turf have . been captured by their aid. "Poseidon," of the Melbourne Leader, has made up an interesting statement bearing on the exploits of the imported horses this season, and fwm this I clip the following: During the seven weeks from October 7, when the spring racing campaign may be sa'.i to have been opened, until the 25th lilt, when it closed at Flemington, imported horses either won or were placed in no fewer than 38 races. As a matter of fact, they won 16, were second in 11, aa third in 11. This is a i-jzy creditable record, when the comparative smallness of their r.i'mber, as against the Australian-bred competitors, is taken into consideration, and also the important fact, that they did not take part in any of t-h < numerous races for two-year-olds nor in any of tha many jumping races decided within tli-•- _- tintes. In. stakes the- winnings of ' -.v Britishers amounted to no less than 1* ..il'Jpovs. Formidable as this opposition th.w is, it promises to be even stronger in tV t»..-ar future, end if tho Britishers contir ne to run as prominently as they have do ie this spring, Australian -breeders must reconcile themselves to very serious opposition on the racecourse. The above figures concern only Victorian racing, but in the other States of the Commonwealth where the "immigrants'' are iu action they have won more than their share of the important races. This was especially tho case during the recent A.J.C. Spring Meeting, where imported horses won six races, including the Metropolitan,- the Waverley Handicap, and the R&ndwick Plate, also the two steeplechases, besides claiming five, seconds and a third. Notable successes v;ero also achieved by '• furriner3" at th's Queensland Turf Club meeting, .just concluded, where imported -y- horses in. Bachelor')! Persse and Chantemerle finished-firsthand second in the Queensland Cap. while Chan'iemerl© also added the Handicap to the credit of the Eae- ) ...tubmen* > • .• •. :■:■■■ IiSL ..

LEAVES FROM MY NOTEBOOK. That Sir George Clifford's stable is weak at the present time may bo said to be pointedly demonstrated in the fact that his sole representative for the Auckland Cup '» San Sebastian, the moderate four-year-old son of San Francisco and Brave Heart. | whose winning record to date consists of a | solitary race. San Sebastian will be remembered as racing at Ellerslie last winter. when lie won tlio Ranfurly Handicap, which event was run over a mile, and in which he carried 9st slb and beat a numerous field. Sir George Clifford, it may be remarked, has received (piite a large number of disappointments in connection with leading handicaps, and the Auckland Cup lias been no exception. In the Auckland Cup of 1903 it was a popular opinion that Sir George held the key to the position with the three-year-old Treadmill; but the goodlooking son of Bill of Portland had the bad luck to meet the brilliant Wairiki, when the son of Soult was right at the top of his form, and Treadmill had to be content with the role ol runner-up in the Ellerslie race. Eight years after Treadmill's defeat Sir George Clifford supplied a much-fancied candidate in Counterfeit; but again the representative from Chokebore suffered a dis appointment, nnd in the succeeding year Masterpiece, another highly-fancied candidate, hailing from the Southern stable, also failed. }t would be highly pleasing to be able to record that Sir George Clifford held an equine up to the weight -ior-age class to carry the popular yellow and blue chequers in the Auckland Cup of 1916. However, .if San Sebastian should prove equal to bringing off a surprise on Boxing Day, the victory will not be accounted to be out of its turn.

It lias been said that the four-year-old Wishful, who is a candidate for Auckland Cup honours, has to be token on trust as u «tayer. Such a contention would be adjudged to be justified, based on a question of Wisliful's performances, for ho has not yet travelled beyond a. mile and a-lialf in public, and he was well beaten at that distance with the weights greatly in his favour. A scrutiny of Wishful's pedigree would, however, win for him solid recognition as a horse that should be equal to

compassing a long-distance Tace very satisfactorily. His sire—the unbeaten Boniform traces to the celebrated Musket, through very noteworthy channels, while on the dam's side his pedigree is fairly studded with famous names, a noteworthy feature in that quarter being that his great-grand-dam. Nightmare, gave the turf a very strong line, to which, a brace of great stayers in Commotion and Wakeful trace. There is a very great deal in the pedigree of Wishful to claim the profound attention of students of breeding, and if he does not prove his ability to a place with the stayers, we shall have to look for the cause outside his pedigree.

The Auckland Racing Club have never had any reason to regret placing the Shortland Plate on the summer programme end ruling out the handicap which for so many years opened the carnival at Eilorslie, and with 26 hoTscs nominated for tho race in question this year, and the entrants hailing from many quarters, a highly-interesting contest may be expected to eventuate. The Shortland Plate, which is ran over a mile at special weights, is for three-year-olds and upwards that have never won a flat raco of the value of 150sovs or flat races of tho collective value of 40050v3 at the tune of nomination.

Advices to hand state that Biackall is in capital condition to contest the Auckland Cup. T. Quinlivan this week took the All Black gelding across to Woodville in order that the Auckland Cup candidate should have the benefit of the good going at that place. The coming week will probably find Biackall in evidence at Ellerslie. and tho fact of bis having run Balboa, to a head for first honours in the decision of the big race at Ellerslie last Bosfng Day will ensure for him a very keen inspection when he comes under the eyes of the course watchers. The "Victoria Steeplechase, run at Fleui•ington on the 25tli ult. will long be remembered. remarks a. Melbourne writer. The starters, nine in number, were in the straight waiting for the arrival of starting time and the starteT, when a storm burst ■with great fury. There being not the leapt protection, jockeys and horses wore quickly drenched to the skin, while the rain con tinued to fall in torrents until the competitors looked like so many half-drowned Though the water was lying in places on the course, this did not adversely affect the race, seven of the nine contestants completing the course in safety. The ton weight, Booligal. made ail the running, and eventually won easily by eight lengths froi# Rendrock. The Whansarei Racing Club's annual race meeting, which is fixed to be held on January 11 and 12. should claim increased attention from horse-owners, for the course has been improved, while the prize-money has been raised. The value of the WhangaTei Cup has been increased to £150, and the Park Handicap, which figures on the second day's programme, is worth. £123. Similarity of name in the case of Altercation and Alteration seems likely to lead to some confusion, and experiences over the Woodville meeting should make those betting at a, distance careful that they are hocking the horse they have in their mind.

Barriniuck (by Maltster Trenton), who realised 1600 guineas as a yearling, was recently offered in Melbourne, but bidding stopped at 170 guineas. Burrinjuck, who is six years old a.nd a gelding, lias not been" a success as a racehorse, nor has Balranald (by Positano— who cost 1400 guineas as a yearling at the same sale as Burrinjuck was first disposed cf.

Shepherd King, who won the Caulfield Cur, and who subsequently filled the role of runner-up to Sasanof in the decision of the Melliourae Cup. is understood to have finished his racing career.

I Pearl Marie, who got on the winning list at Takapuna, is still located at Devonport. }An effort was made to return homo this | week, but the shipping company would not guarantee a landing at Gisborne, and it ; s Quite possible the chestnut will compete at ' the Thames Christmas meeting. Aides, who won the V.R.C. Handicap at Flemington on the 25th ult, is an Austrianbred horse, imported from England to Australia-. | The Gisborne*owl»i Con. who failed in his only start at Takapuna-, has been despatched to Thames to compete at the holiday meeting in that centre. \ It is reported that Balboa, who was purchased during the Canterbury Jockey Club's meeting by the Southland sportsman. Mr. F. A. Price, has since been passed on to another owner at a profit cf £100. The win of Koesian in the Feilding Stakes earned him a 3lb penalty for the Auckland Railway Handicap, but Bisogne has not incurred any extra weight by his success in the Oroua Stakes. The Auckland-bred marc Miss Alison, who is now in her tenth year, was numbered amone the winners at the last meeting of the West Australian Turf Club. Tararu Jack was scratched for the Grafton Hurdle Race at 3.30 yesterday. FORTHCOMING MEETINGS. i ' >-OR'FERN WAIROA RACING CLUB. The I acky North Auckland spirits, who are engi "?d in fostering racing in that district. and who are identified with the Northern Wairoa, Racing Club, have been encouraged to launch out in connection with the summer meeting, to be held at Dargaville on January 6. The programme submitted for the consideration ol horseowners in connection with the meeting shows prizemoney to the extent of £-140, which has been distributed as follows: —Maiden Handicati of 40sovs, six furlongs; Awakino Stakes (Handicap) of 40sovs, five furlongs; Northern Wairoa Cup '.Handicap) of lOOsovs, one mile and a-lialf; Sottiers' Handicap of 40sovs, five furlongs; Railway Handicap of 45sovs. six furlongs; Finlayson Handicap of SOsovs, one mile; Grandstand Handicap of 'issovs, seven furlongs; Farewell Handicap of 40sovs, sir furlongs. Nominations close at the secretary's office . Dargavillo, or with F. D. Yonge. High Street. Auckland, at 9 p.m. on Saturday, Decern 36. 1916, or with J. It. S. Richardson, Whangarci. or G. Gallic, M.takohe. on Wednesday, December 13 • 19i.6, at 9 p.m. In connect. with the Northern Wairoa Racing Ciub's Summer Meeting arrangements have been made with the Kaipara Steamship Company and the railway authorities to issue return fares from Auckland at. single rates Intending visitors will be able to leave Auckland on Friday afternoon, leaching Helensville that evening where a special boat will leave immediately for Dargaville. returning on the Sunday to enable passengers to be again m Auckland at about. 9.30 on Monday morning. The f-a-e fir=t class, will be 19s Id. ' WAIPA RACING CLUB. On the occasion of the Waipa. Racing Club a meeting off Saturday next it has been arranged that a special "train for horses will leave Auckland on the morning 0 the races, returning- the - same -night.

NOTES FROM ELLERSLIE. The task allotted Sasanof and Cheloma on the tan last Thursday morning was not a very severe ordeal. They moved with freedom, and the former certainly displayed none of the symptoms which caused him to recede in the betting quotations a day or two before he won the Melbourne Cup. The son of Martian is the cynosure of all eyes each time he is stripped at headquarters, and when wonderment is expressed at one of his stamp capturing the richest handicap in Australia his mentor makes no secret ot the fact that he was the commoner of the field in appearance.

Jack Delaval and Mullingar set off to cover six furlongs on the sand on Thursday morn-' ing, but the Auckland Cup candidate was pulled up before entering on the last furlong. leaving Jack Delaval to finish up the distance in the vicinity of lm 235. Mullingar evidently suffered from his old trouble, but walked back to the paddock soundly.

Prince Morriwee was worked in sweaters on Wednesday last, and on Thursday morning was indulged in tan exercises. The commanding black must be causing his owner-trainer some anxiety, though that lie expects to get him to the post seems evident, for C. Sinclair has been engaged to ndo him in the Auckland Cup.

Souliine hit -out freely when extended over ik sprint distance on. Thursday, the son of Soult showing about lm 20s for six furlongs, lie has been racing very--consis-tently of late, and has earned place money in each of his last four starts.

EI Gallo moved attractively over seven furlongs in company with Te Papa-pa before the breakfast hour last Thursday, making lm 33s for the distance. He created a favourable impression, and waji' certainly enjoying his task at the close.

MeHchikoff. who has won several races in the other island, and is now a member of A. Robertson's team, indulged in strong pace -work- on the sand last Thursday and claimed some attention by his freedom of action. Moddite also worked.

After exercising on the juvenile track on Thursday morning Persian King\ rushed boldly out of the opening to. the track and unseated the light-weight, Binnie. who lay motionless for some time. However, he recovered later, having suffered from shock only.

Depredation and Lady Penury were companions over seven furlongs of the middle grass last Thursday, the pair acquitting themselves pleasingly. Depredation was on the outside. They finished together in the vicinity of lm 31s for the distance.

Pendoon turned the tables on St. Francis last Thursday, and wiped out the defeat of the previous Tuesday. The former was going easily the better of the pair at the close of six furlongs, which was covered in lm 20s.

Tatterley had Porphory as a companion over five furlongs of the sand early 011 Thursday morning. The former finished well in front, the register being lm 7s for tho distance.

Hiero was sprinted in company last Thursday morning, and is very bright in appearance. His pace and condition indicate that he may be seen to advantage at country fixtures later on. Sweet Corn appeared to be going easier than Shrill when the pair finished out half a mile in just under 50s before the breakfast hour last Thursday. C. Sinclair is mentioned as the horseman who will ride Shrill in the A.R.C. Railway Handicap on Boxing Day. Harlesfone and Jocular sprinted 011 the sand last Thursday, the former finishing in front at the end of six furlongs covered in lm 21s. Bleriot appeared to have the call over Sir Ralph over a m : ddlo distnnce 011 the tan last Thursday morning. The former is looking nice in the coat. Blue and Black was not asked to show his best over five furlongs on the middle grass last Thursday, being eased up over the last three furlongs. The watch read lm f>s at the close of the sprint. He is very w<^l?. Lightning:. Blooniine. and Gold Painting were amongst the large contingent not sent ri-fter time in their work last Thursday. Bloomine is wearing an improved appearance after his exertions at Takapuna. Monorail. Selection. Hemipherr. Sllvasco. Tobasco. Fabriquette. Ulster. Tact. Bowler. Royal _ Irish, and Sea. De'il were amongst those indulged in very useful work at headQuarters on Thursday morning last. Te Onsra was worked at a satisfactory pace on Thursday. His stable companion. Ooleraine. _ was schooler! over hurdlps. shanmg satisfactorily with Tutclien in the saddle. After running five furlongs 011 the middle crass track on Thursday morning in lm T'.s Goldnre. who is now in Asprey's charge, walked back off the track lane. However, the chestnut improved later on. and may vet stand a preparation. ~X ilp r° :s likely to tie ,i larse number <i[ Kllersl.e-,rained horses competing at the Waipa meeting, where victory will not entail penalty for the principal events at the Auckland Cup meeting. Delainar and the Salvadan representative in Irwin's stable were companions last Thursday. t The latter is improving m appearance but is still a lone way from l>eing ready to race at a satisfactory pace. . Waiuta hit out freely over five furlongs in company last Thursday, making just over lm 7s for that distance otj_ the middle erass. The chestnut was going better thau her companion. Sojdier. who is hitting out soundly of late, defeated Kauri King on Thursday ; morning. the last five furlongs taking lm 4 l-5s on the middle grass.

Gold Lac had the call over Sir Multifid at the end of seven furlongs on the middle grass last Thursday, the time registered being in the vicinity of 1m 335.

Prince Soult and Marconi were companions over a circuit of the tan last Thursday. It took them over 2m, but they worn not out to do their best. '

Colonel Soult was not sent against the watch on Thursday last. He worked on the tan. moving at a free pace over a distance of ground and relishing his task.

Alf Delaval is very bright and hard ; n condition with recent racing, and experienced no difficulty in covering half a mil-) on the sand last Thursday morning in. 51b.

Mannkau was worked during the breakfast hour last Thursday. He has been receiving the right class of attention from J. McHugh, and wears a bright appearance.

British Arch was noticed at headquarters on Thursday. However, his task was not against the watch. The son of Marble Arch worked on the tan.

Hopfield worked at a useful pace on the sand on Thursdayjj and with a couple of sharp gallops would probably be ready to show his best.

Sylvan Knight, the commanding hack in P. Jones's stable, took over 53a to cover half a mile on the sand on Thursday in company.

Tenacious and Deep Sleep were pet a sound task on Thursday, sprinting home the last half-mile. The former looks at his very best.

General Joffre and Gold Necklet were together at the end of _ four furlongs, run from tho half-mile post, in 51s on Thursday.

Thompson will ride Tenacious at Tauranga this afternoon, and Conquest will have the mount on St. Francis.

Gluepofc and Fisher were schooled over hurdles on Thursday morning, the pair clearing tho obstacles safely.

Pacific Slope' has been causing Trainer F. Loomb some anxiety of late. The trouble i i said to be in the hock.

Kilboy has been having an easy time of late, and has not formed one of M. Hobbs'a early-morning team at daily exercise.

R. Manson and J. Conquest will both ba present at Tauranga. to-day, where they have several engagements to fulfil.

■Lfeep Sleep, Tenacious, Gold Lac, Eralf and Ho'nungatahi were despatched on Thursday to the Bay of Plenty meeting.

Pendoor was not taken to tho Bay of Plenty meeting, in consequence of which A. J. McFlynn did not make th» trip.

Whitehall was sprinted three furlongs on Tnursday. hitting out well. Ring Lupin made just over 38s for tho same distance.

Te Araroa and the All Black representative in P. Jones's stable made 51s for half a mile last Thursday.

Last Call got over seven furlongs on the sand on Thursday at a satisfactory pace for a hack.

Downham and Queen Soult were sprinted separately on the middle grass track on Thursday.

Chaafp. the Ellerslie light-weight horseman, will ride Gold Lac at Tauranga this afternoon.

Spalspire covered six furlongs at a satisfactory pace for a hack on Thursday morning.

J. Lanibess took both St. Francis and Kauri Kmg to the Bay of Plenty meeting.

Pembrae and Eralf ran half a mile in 51s on the m-ddl© grass last Thursday morning.

Monathol wants a deal of work yet before being ready to display his best form.

Silver Lupin was worked over a circuit of the tan on I liursday morning.

Autumn Rose sprinted with her usual activity on Thursday morning.

Bellamy sprinted nicely when tested over a few furlongs on Thursday.

Penniless appears to be brightening m appearance cf late.

Signo is still in work.- but has not been overtaxed lately.