SPURTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16624, 22 August 1917, Page 9

SPURTING.

RACING FIXTURES. September 6—Marton Jockey Club. October 20. 22—Wellington Racing Club. October 25. 2&—Poverty Bay Jockey Club. November 3, 7—Avonctale Jockey Club. _ November 3. 5. 7. 10Canterbury Jockey Club, Nc ember 10—Auckland Racing Club. November 24—fakapuna Jockey Club. December —Bay of Plenty Jockey Club. December 26. 29, January I—Auckland Racing Club. January s—Northern Wairoa Racing Club. January 10—Wbangarei Racing Club. January 26. 29—Takapuna Jockey Club. February —Taumarunui Racing Club. February 9—Te Kuiti Racing Club. February 16—Hamilton Racing Club. February 27—Rotorua Jockey Club. March 2—T© Aroha Jockey Club. March 16—Ohinemuri Jockey Club. March 30, April I—Auckland Racing Club. April 6—Avondale Jockey Club. June 1. 3, s—Auckland Racing Club. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. Old Timer, Ponsonby.—Colonel Soult has contested 19 races of £1000 and upwards at Ellerslie, and his performances in these events are as follows: —At four years: Won King Edward Handicap; unplaced in Auckland Cup; third to Allegation and Bon Ton in Summer Cup: second to boa Pink in A.R.C. Handicap. At five years old : Won St. Georges Handicap. . At six years ,old: Second to Eligible in City Handicap; second to Merry .Roe in King Edward Handicap . unplaced in Auckland Cup; second to Eligible in Summer Cup: third to Milllingar and El Gallo in A.R.C. Handicap; third to Chortle and Housewife in A.R.C. Easter Handicap; third to Multiply and Housewife in St. George's Handicap. At seven yeass: Unplaced in City Handicap; won King Edward Handicap unplaced m Auckland Cup; unplaced in A.R C. Handicap; dead heat with Wishful for fust in Grandstand Handicap: unplred in Easter Handicap; unplaced in St. Gcoree's Handicap. The Wanganui Cup won by Colonel Soult was of th» total value of £900. £750 of which went to the winner. NOTES BY PHAETON. A.R.C. SPRING MEETING. Thf Auckland Racing Club received intimation from Wellington yesterday that the Minister for Internal Affairs acquiesced in the application lodged by the Auckland Racing Club for a day's racing on November 10. With such before them, it now only remains for the A.R.C. committee to frame, the programme in connection therewith to put the finishing touch on a long-drawn-out matter. The Welcome Stakes and Great Northern Guineas, entries for which events closed some time back, can of course be confidently expected to hold a place on the spring programme; and as each of those events carries prize-money to the extent of £1000 it will bo seen that the A.R.C. is already committed to a good round sum. MANAWATU RACING CLUB. With a true sporting spirit always permeating the affairs of the Manawatu Racing Club, it is at all times highly pleasing to find that body making steady progress. The. annual report and balance-sheet connected with last season's operations at Awapuni show that £9315 was given in stakes, and that the totalisator investments (£145.097) were £27.945 in excess of the sum handled in the previous year. In consequence of the strike the autumn meeting at Awapuni had to be postponed from April 25 and 26 to May 16 and 17, and being without any train service to the course and no excursion trains made a material difference in the receipts; but, all things considered, the club emerged from the difficulties in a pleasing manner. During the year the club donated a further £2340 to patriotic funds, making the total disbursements in that direction £7390. NEW ZEALAND HORSES IN AUSTRALIA. Last year a. New Zealand-bred horse in the shape of Troublesome captured the Adelaide Grand National Steeplechase; and this year Westendale, another equine that first saw the light in Maoriland led the field home in the Grand National Hurdle Race, which event was run on the South Australian ground last Saturday. Westendale, who was got by Birkenhead, from the Euroclydon mare Windlass, had nothing to his credit before distinguishing himself as a, Grand National winner, and as he only carried an impost 3lb over the minimum, there is no great reason to extol his victory. ST. ELMN STILL MODERATE. The fact of St. Elmn getting up into second place in each of the engagements he was called upon to fulfil at the C.J.C. Grand National Meeting, held at Riccarton last week, the highly-bred son of St. Ambrose and Maude must bo given credit for performing respectably, but it can still bo solidly argued that he hag failed to develop into the high-class performer so many thought probable when he ran at Ellerslie in June. In the decision of the Grand National Steeplechase, when in receipt of 91b from Master Strowan, St. Elmn was treated to a very sound beating, and in the Beaufort Steeplechase Sandy Paul administered another crushing defeat. In the latter case it is but fair to state that St. Elmn conceded his rival lllb. It is stated that St. Elmn's next race may be in Australia. Possibly St. Elmn may have a big race concealed about him, but his owner has no great reason to anticipate that the brown gelding will carry all before him should the contemplated Australian trip eventuate. THE TEVIOTDALE STUD. The sale of the Teviotdale Stud last week would appear to point to Mr. G. D. Green, wood greatly shortening his racing operations if it does not mean a retirement. For the most part the Canterbury sportsman had to be content with poor prices for his collection of mares. Lady Wayward 11. (by Ladas—Vane) and Vicella (by Veles —Sweet Duchess), the two English-bred mares which figured on the catalogue, gave rise to most competition, the first-named realising 600gns. and the latter 500gns. The most noteworthy contribution to the Stud Book yet made by Lady Wayward .11. is Emperador, which horse she threw in her first season to Charlemagne 11. Vicella has only the moderate Greenstreet to her credit.

LEAVES FROM -MY NOTEBOOK. By raisins the prize money to the Avondalo Stakes and Avondale Guineas respectively to .£SOO the Avondale Jockey Club have once again demonstrated that they are determined to set a high standard at the westerr suburb. From an advertisement appearing in another column it will be seen that nominations for both classic events close on September 7 next.

It is pleasing to learn that Mr. H. H. Hayr, secretary to the Avondale Jockey Club, is on the road to complete recovery, from the complaint which c»us«d bim to con. fin* himself to his home » little time back,

It is stated that, when the steeplechaser Master Strowan was priced at Wellington after recording his double victory at irentnam last month. £400 was mentioned as the sum that would be accepted for the Strowan gelding. The owner of Master Strowan has very good reason to rejoice that the would-be purchasers of the gelding deemed the price too high, for the stake attaching to the Grand National won last week by Master Strowan was £1050. The annual meeting of members of tho Auckland Trotting Club is convened to bo held on the 29th inst.. at 3 p.m., to receive the report and balance-sheet, and to elect stewards and committee in place of those retiring, and to pass regulations to prevent admission of undesirables to the club's course. Desert Gold is reported to be training on splendidly, and everything points to the probability of the brilliant, mare being included amongst the equines in training at Kandwick at an early date. It is understood to be Mr. T. H. Lowry's intention to also send Egypt to Australia. J. O'Shea has again accepted a retainer from Mr. T. H. Lowry. and the popular horseman will probably go across to Australia to ride Desert Gold in her Australian engagements. Euripos. a five-year-old gelding by Hymot—Martyrdom, who won a double at Riccarton last week, is popularly mentioned as a horse likely to see a much better day. NOTES FROM ELLERSLIE. The English-bred horse. Polydamon, was worked at a useful pace yesterday. Norman Cunningham evidently intends to give the imported chestnut every chance of becoming acclimatised before testing his true pace. The relative to Tararu Jack in Julian's stable is known at EUerslie as Paddy Jones. He is in constant work; also the chestnut relative to Lady Glen, owned by (i. Farkes. which daughter of Glengowrie— Bel! Crispin finds shelter in Julian's stable. Kauri King and Soultane, two of Lambess's team, were indulged in light, work only yesterday. The former is freely nominated for Marton. and if the weights unit, may bo taken down. Though nothing was cabled through in the ordinary way as to the result, it is rumoured the Auckland-owned Lunerino won a hurdle race in Victoria on Wednesday last, starting at a very remunerative figure in the market quotations. Gold Fran covered a middle distance yesterday with the pace on. being assisted by All Talk over the latter part of the journey. Pope has the pair looking well. The same trainer is paying a deal of attention to Sir Ralph. Sportful, who may be taken to Marton to contest the hack hurdle event, was tried over the schooling hurdles with Ulster yesterday, hut the latter always held the lead. The former, who has some pace for a few furlongs, did not seem entirely at home on the damp turf. The relative to Prophet in Chaafo's stable, on appearances, should be worth testing. He is carrying plenty of condition and is being indulged in very useful work of late. Most of the two-year-olds are worked after the dinner hour at Ellerslie. and just at present they . are the source of attention. F. McMenamin has some of the most promising youngsters under his caro. Torotoro worked at a very sound pace yesterday, but did not appreciate the closing stages of the task. The relative to Seldom, in Chisholm's care. is rounding into shape nicely, and showed some pace in a sprint yesterday. Silver Lupin is back again at Ellerslie under the charge of W. Mobberley, who has Mnlaya looking particularlr well. H. Goldfinch and C. Brown are amongst the most regular attendants on the track riding work. Michael O'Leary was worked at a useful pace vesterday, and threatens to stand the test of a solid preparation. Goldfiro hit out nicely on the tan yesterday, but some doubt exists as to whether he will stand the ordeal of racing for any length of time. Captain Loch and Paramahone are only in light work at present; the latter is being hacked about only. Empire still displays fractiousness, and treated spectators to tho usual comedy turn yesterday, being influenced to indulge in useful work with Dancastor. C. Scott was at Ellerslie riding work yesterday after a lengthy spell from the saddle caused by his fall from Billy Wiggs prior to the winter meeting. Monatour and Pre-eminent were members of Preston's team noticed indulging in useful exercises yesterday morning. Both are wintering well. Recio who is now a member. of Cotton's team, was sprinted half-a-mile in company yesterday, but tho time registered did not greatly impress onlookers. The King RufusCondamine gelding in Williamson's stable was amongst those seen out at Ellerslie yesterday. Gin Sling finished up in front of Toka Toka over the schooling hurdles yesterday. Sylviaroa was always in the roar. Coleraine is carrying his full condition at present. He is still a member of Chisholm's team. Hopfield is being kept busy, and was one of the first to work after the breakfast hour yesterday. Analogue was sent against the watch yesterday for a circuit, making good time. Chaafe may take the bay to Marton. Brown Loch and Sylvan Knight must be intended for early Tacing. They were sprinted yesterday morning, the former appearing to have the best of the effort. Sleepy Jack, whp will probably be taken to Marion for competition, was sprinted in company with a hack yesterday. The time was moderate. Lord Kenilworth hit out in a particularly attractive manner on the sand yesterday morning. Mullingar and Scottish Knight, weTo companions again yesterday morning over a middle distance, both finishing on boldly. Independence worked at a useful pace yesterday, and is looking healthy. Tabasco is doinir nicely, and will be ready to race early. He was accompanied in a sprint yesterday morning. Fionnuala and Meltchikoff were a pair ■noticed indulging in useful tasks separately yesterday morning. The former is in good heart. Stan Reid had the mount on Bon Reve when that horse won the Sydenham Hurdles at Riccarton, and F. Flynn rode Sandy Paul to victory in the Beaufort Steeplechase. Lady Penury was heavily suported by Auclrlanders when she failed to gain a place in the Islington Handicap, won by Hythread at Riccarton. J. O'Shea, who returned from the South yesterday, received his broken arm as a result of an accident while playing football. Signo worked over a middle distance yesterday, hitting out freely. A. Rae is about again after having been confined to his room for a week. W. Ryan is at present confined to his home with a painful attack of illness. The Celt was noticed at Ellerslie yesterday, but is only in light work at present. Colonel Soffit again hit cut fw»ly over a, circuit yesterday,