SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17662, 24 December 1920, Page 8

SPORTING.

_ KACING FIXTURES. Dec. 27. 29. Jan. 1. 3—Auckland Racing Club Dec. 27, 2y—Taxanaki Jockey Club. Dec. 27, 28—Dunedin Jockey Club. Dec. 27, 28, 30— Manawatu Racing Club. Dec. 28, 30, 31—Auckland Trotting Club. Jan. I—Tirau Racing: Club. Jan. 1, 3—lfarton Jockey Club. Jsn. 1, 3—Stratford Racing Club. Jan. B—Waikato8 —Waikato Trotting Club. Jan. 12—To Awamutu Trotting- Club. Jan. 15—Cambridge Trotting Club. Jan. 15— Northern Wairoa Racing Club. Jan. 17—Kawakawa Racins Club (at Darsaville). Jan. 19—Rotorua Jockey Club. January 22.—Ngaruawahia Racing Club. Jan. 26, 29—Takapijna Jockey Club. Feb. 16. 17—Hamilton Racing Club. Feb. 26, 28—Thames Jockey Club. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. "Awakino."—Carbine carried 10.9 -when he -won the Melbourne Cup ol 1690. There was a field of 39 and Carbine won by two 3m"'iS 1 Snd from Highborn (6.8) in . "Manxman."—At the A.R.C. Summer Meeting of 1896-97 (which only extended over three days at that period) Gold Medallist won a race each day, his victories being respectively recorded in the Great Northern Foal Stakes, Midsummer Handicap, s# and Royal Stakes. Wager," Ellerslie.—The incident in question was associated with the concluding event—the Recovery Stakes—at the A.R.C. Summer Meeting of 1894-5. A flight of hurdles used in connection with the preceding event had not been removed whon. tho Recovery Stakes field was started. Some of the contestants jumped the hurdle, but one 01 the number—Lord Dunbree—tell. Doria camo in first. The race was ordered to be run a, second tune, when live was returned the winner. NOTES BY PHAETON. ELLERSLIE IN SUMMER. The elements last week were in such a freatly disturbed state that it seemed as though we were to be treated to a. most unseasonable December. However, though some of the flower-beds at Ellerslie suffered as a result of the .gale and blossom© of the pohutukawa trees facing tho stormy quarter were fairly stripped, the damage done wag very much less than might have been expected from the violence and duration ot the gale; and, with glorious sunshine now a feature, the scene on tho A.R.C. ground is such %s.to bring out the picturesque surroundings m bold relief. This year's summer ga.hering at Ellerslie will be rendered memorable by reason of it marking the initial visit of the Governor-General, Lord Jelhcoe, and Lady Jellicoe, and it will be highly pleasing to chronicle that Their Excellencies have seen. Ellerslie at its best and witnessed some racing of the highest order. THE AUCKLAND CUP. ' The prospects of a, capital field goaig to the post for the Auckland Cup on Monday continue to _bo of the bright order, and, with 14 of the 15 horses left in popularly noted , to . fulfil their engagement, plenty of material is provided for backers to centre their thoughts. Oratress, who has tho distinction of heading the handicap, has reached the scene in splendid form, but it can be solidly argued that she is set a-n extremely severe task to win this Cup under 9.2. Uncle -Ned (9.0) continues in good facour, and he is one popularly ticked c 5 to beat the top weight. First Salute has com© through the preparation to which he has been set in a highlysatisfactory manner, and many keen heads aro found on his pi do for Monday's race. Gasbag is both looking and going well, and he can be depended upon to make a bold effort to extend tho three-year-old record, bunart i s ready for tho fray, and he should be able to act very freely under 75; and thia remark may also be applied to Woody Glen, who figures at the samo weight as tho Wellington-owned gelding. Of the lightweights engaged, Starland (6.11) is the one that will probably count meet support. ■ THE RAILWAY HANDICAP. With Arrowsmith's training work characterised .with brilliancy of a high oraer, the English horse's prospects in the Railwa.y Handicap continue to be viewed in a brigrht light. The brown horse is confronted with a very stiff task .to win this race under gainsaid, but ho can call up such a brilliant dash of pace that it is fitting his chance should bo treated with great respect. Rossmi (8.12), Humbug (8.7), Hymestra (8.1), Statuette (7.13), and Chrysostom (7.13),~ represent a- very powerful quintette, and the claims of Statuette are being voiced so extensively that it would seem safe to offer the prediction that she will quickly have a nlace with the favourite division when backers are face to face, with the problem attached to the six-furlong race next Monday. LEAVES FROM MY NOTEBOOK. In both of his engagements at the Takapuna Spring Meeting, Woody Glen was beaten out of a place each day. In the decision of the Te> Awamutu Cup on Saturday last, the Glen Albyn horse was louna in a galloping mood, and he reached the judge first m a stirring finish. Woody Glen figures amongst the acceptances for the Auckland Cup, and bearing m mind that be ran a very solid mile and a-half and that he won his race at the right end when the Km* Edward Memorial Stakes fell to him at Ellerslie in November, he may -Drove, as was then contended, that he has still to play hie best card. As a result of his victory at Te Awamutu Woody Glen's impost in the Auckland Cup baa been raised from 7 2 to 7.5. Wbe-rt Archie won the Shortland Plate ana. Waiters ata Handicar> on successive <lay« at Ellers,io 12 months back. matters assumed the bright tint for the Marble Arch gelding to earn further distinction; but he fell away where improvement was reasonably looked for/ Archie figures in tho Christmas Handicap among those put in at the .minimum, and if he is found in a position to_ reproduce his fortrj of last summer he will certainly be equal to compassing the mile which the race in question calls for in an attractive manner. Thrace has very little' to his credit in flat events; but, notwithstanding, the owner of the Australian-bred gelding has accorded him an entry for the Shortland Plate, wbich event is run over a mile at soecial weights. As Thrace is now in the aged division and we have to go back to the season, of 1916-17 to find him returned as a winner in, a flat race, there is good reason to doubt liie claiming the attention of tho judge in the Shortland Plato contest. Ten of the eleven youngsters that figure in the Great Northern Foal Stakes are also engaged in the 26th Royal Stakes. The double has been won by a youngster on five occasions, viz.:—Gold Medallist, Screw 'Gun, Fleetfoot. Soltano, and Desert Gold. In the past five contests for the Royal Stakes, a two-year-old has only succeeded on one occasion, and in that year (1919), it has to be noted that all of the contestants were of the same age. Bonnie Heather, the four-year-old son of Heather Mixture and Yexo, has furnisked into a fine horse. So far this season Bonnie Heather has failed to gain a win, but he ran a very respectable mile at Trentham last season, and may be be will be heard of to advantage before the A.R.C. Summer Meeting is concluded. Poet, who figures in the Nursery Handicap at Ellerslie cn Monday, has nothing to his credit so fj>r, but he can lay claim to a great pedigree, for his sire, Feramon, was got by St. Frusquin (son of St. Simon) from Muss, a daughter of M&rtagon, while his dam. Marie Agnes, was got by Marco (son of Barcaldine) from Oriole, a daughter of Ladas. Prince Carl, who brought off a pronounced surprise in the decision of tho Hobson Handicap, run at the A.R.C. - Spring Meeting last month, figures among tho acceptances for the Christmas Handicap, to be decided at Ellerslie on Monday next, and as he figures at the minimum he will not bo overlooked. The whole of Mr. R. Hanson's horses , in training, with the exception of Tinopai. are announced to go under the hammer on January 4. The Waikato owner-trainer has been popularly 'included among the lucky men engaged in racing, and it will be a surprise should the dispersal of his . team mean the folding up of the crea-rn jacket. Maioha was allowed to drop out of the A.B.C. Railway Handicap; a survey of the ■ position apparently leading to the conclusion that the son of Hallowmas had a ' better chance of earning distinction in the ' Christmas Handicap, m wbich race he ■ figures with S.B. The victories registered by Woody Glen this season are mot only valuable in a , monetary sense, for in addition two hand- , some silver cups are included in his captures, and now form striking ornaments on 1 tho sideboard at the homo of the Waikato ; sportsman. The Rotorua Jockey Club has received a ! capital list of nominations for their annual. . race meeting, wbich is fixed to take place" . at Claudelands, Hamilton, on January 19, and a successful gathering should result. Mr. R. Wynyard will declare the weights for . all events on January 8. . The three-year-old Right and Left figured 1 among the contestants for the Flying Handicap at Te Awamutu on Saturday and as he finished unplaced his prospects of earn- - ins marked distinction at the Ellerslie - summer meeting do not appear bright. The totalisator investments at the Auckland Racing Club's Summer Meeting last season amounted to £435,781 10s, and much 3 curiosity is evinced as to whether that sum , will be exceeded at the forthcoming 1 gathering. ° Statuette, the five-year-old daughter of t Marble Arch and Seatonella. who is engaged at tho A.R.C. Summer Meeting, is popularly ticked off to distinguish Herself. Statuette is marked " real good " at six furlongs Gazique was scratched for the Railway Handicap at 4 p.m. yesterday. Miss Gold has always carried an attractive appearance, but she has rarely looked quite - 5° Yf^r?* 5 T ho bay mare is undoubtedly a credit to her sire Lucullus. S. Henderson has been'engaged to rid® Prince Wilkmyx m tho 4acl(2aa4 Cup, * j**