SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17844, 27 July 1921, Page 3

SPORTING.

RACING rTXTCRES. July 25. SO.—Gisbome Racine Club. Lugust 9. 11. 12—Canterbury Jockey Club. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. " Sport." Ruakura.—John Bunny won the Voodlands Hack Steeplechase at the Napier D ark SVinter Meeting of 1920. 5.0.5.—1- It is illegal to te!es-raph money o secretaries for betting purposes. 2. F. Roberts (Wellington} played with the " All 31ack" team in England. NOTES BY PHAETON. RACING COMMISSION'S REPORT. It need hardly b« said that the Racing Commission's report has assumed precedence Direr all other subjects in circles where turf events form the subject of discussion, and "What isl" and " What is to be?" affords food for plenty of talk. So far as Auckland is concerned, the ruling out of the Avondale Jockey Club and the Otahuhu Trot:ing Club and a certain criticism of the Pak&puna Jockey Club are the matters which rlaim most pointed comment. No one resident in this portion of the Dominion requires to be told that the Avondale Club's gatherings have always enioyed marked popularity, and it cannot be gainsaid that the committee oi that body has shown a desire to keep up prize-money and to cultivate racing' in a fitting manner. In regard to the Takapun.i Jockey Club, the decision oi the commission is that licenses to that body should be withheld until their business is carried out on different lines, and as a means of clearing up the situation a departmental inquiry is recommended. The recommendation that the Otahuhu Trotting Club should amalgamate with the Auckland Trotting Club may find many supporters, but. all the same, cne would like to have found the Otahuhu Club given the opportunity of conducting sport in its own district, for tho property tbey acquired some time back is admirably situated and suited for the branch of sport which they are engaged in fostering. The Racine Commission's report, it may be remarked, does not finally dispose of the matter. The report has yet to go before Parliament, and the attitude-of the Government in connection therewith will, of course, have an important hearing on the probable* outcome. AVONDALE JOCKEY CLTTB. With the position such as it is with regard to the Avondale Jockey Club, it is only natural that considerable) curiosity should be evinced as to the extent of the landed property held by that body, and also the amount of liquid assets. In the annual balance-sheet issued by the Avondale Club during the present month the racecourse the buildings) was assessed at the value of £6125 7s 4d. The gross profit for the year waa given as £9403 19s lid. The credit balance with the Union Bank at June 30 stood at £2365 15s 9d, and, in addition, there is a deposit in the Post Office Savings Bank of £550. The club has an investment of £1000 in war bonds at 5 per cent-, and during last yeaT £4000 was placed on fixed deposit and a loan of £1000 made to the Takapuna Jockey Club. The assets of the club amount to £25,188 3s Id. less £2000 due to the Union Bank on the loan account. The assets over liabilities stand at £23.188 3s Id, being £58-13 18s 9d increase on tie preceding year's estimate.

NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONALS. i A first acceptance for the New Zealand ( Grand National* fell due on Friday last. ' ■when the field for the steeplechase -was reduced to 16 and that lor the hurdle race to 15. What haa a right to bo regarded as 1 a highly-pleasing feature in connection with the steeplechase is that the six horses that Mr. Henrys selected to head, the list have all had their engagement continued. _ Coalition ranks as a strong favourite, and H must be . said that he -worthily occupies the place of . honour. In the event of Lochella regaining bis best form he will certainly Bet Coalition a stiff task, and then Coroglen (10-9) and Sturdee '9 13) must also be taken into account. In the hurdle race Fisher (11-11) heads the list, and, though the Moniapot-o gelding is called upon to carry, an impost 91b in excess of that under which he won the Great Northern Hurdle Race, he ia entitled to respect. Alteration (10-81, Thrace (10.8), and Mill o* Gowrie (10-3) comprise a trio that may have something to say in tho settlement of the question, and maybe Coroglen (9.11) is not included in the list of acceptances without some reason. A DIFFICULT DOUBLE. The fact that no horse has yet succeeded in winning the New; Zealand Grand National Steeplechase and the Grand National Hurdle Race in the same year serves to invest the engagements of Fisher and Coroglen, who have been paid up for in each race, with considerable interest. As before pointed out, the placing of the steeplechase first of the double event adds greatiy to the insecurity. With regard to Fisher, he failed to complete the concluding round in the Great Northern Steeplechase, but up to the point where ho went out of the contest his opening display for «b beginner could be voted satisfactory. As is well known. Coroglen lost the Great Northern Steeplechase when he went down four fences from the post, and it is very certain that had he not blundered a wide gap would have separated, him from the remainder of the field. As it was, he finished a respectable third after falling. So far Coroglen has nothing to his credit over hurdles, but that. may have been owing to lack of opportunities in that department. The Glen Albyn gelding ia endowed with pace, and he may be placed well in the limelight when the details bearing on the Grand Nationals come to be recorded. ( ; THE WINTER CUP. i With 32 paid up for in connection with tho Winter Cup, matters look bright for j the mile race set down for decision at Ric- '■■ carton attracting a very strong field. Volo ■ (lini), who Mr. Henrys placed at the head of the list, having dropped out, Vagabond • (11.1) now ranks in the distinctive place. In , considering the prospects of horses in connection with the Winter Cup, an important fact that presents itself is that only on four occasions since the race was instituted in ■ 1899 has it been won, by a horse carrying j over 10.0. and Vladimir and Kremlin, hold the weight-carrying record. Will Vagabond furnish a fresh record? HORSES FOR AUSTRALIA. Matters shape promisingly for New -Zea- i land being well represented at Bandwlck when the A.J.C Spring Meeting rolls round RJ. Mason, who has been on the scene in New South Wales for the last month, has the champion Gloaming and a brace of Derby candidates. Coniston • and Cupidon. under hia charge, and J. Williamson claims another Derby candidate in Loyal Irish. It is anticipated that the present week will see a, further brace of AiJ.C. Derby aspirants—Kick Off and Lord Martian —on their way to New South Wales; and with the New Zealand Derby and St. Loger winner. Duo, also, included among the equines to bo transported across the jn-ater. there will apparently bo a great deal to absorb New Zealand interest when the Australian Jocke7 Club's meeting is in progress in October. GLOAMING AT RANDWICJL Sydney advices to hand concerning Gloaming state that The Welkin's son is acquitting himself attractively in his training work. In referring to Gloaming, the Referee says: — On Thursday he ran a half-mile on tho A grass track m 51is, and on Saturday he cut out six furlongs in lm 18s. It was the fastest gallop of the morning for that distance, and lie did each half of the journey in 39* If Gloaming goes on aa at present (remarks the -veii-versed " Pilot"), he should bo quite at his best for the A J.C. meeting, and 7 shall expect him to bent Eurythmic in the Craven Plate, no matter how ho fares gainst bini at longer distances- However, it is early vet to discuss possibilities in that direction, especially as Mr. Lee Steore has expressed doubt as to his champion being at Randwick in the spring owing to the difficulty .T. Holt will experience in absenting himself from Melbourne about that timeLEAVES FROM MY NOTEBOOK. The recommendations made by tho Racing Commission with regard to two extra days respectively for the Hamilton Racing Club and the Whangarei Eacing Club and one day extra for several other clubs in tho Auckland district that have only had a single day in the past is to be viewed with satisfaction, aa is also the granting of a license respectively to the Franklin Racing Club, and Matamata Racing Club. As it is a condition "that the proper course appointments shall be erected before licenses are issued, those bodies which are without the necessary stands and buildings on their ground will have to strike out in vigorous fashion if they are to enjoy at an early date tie benefits of club 3 licensed to use the totalisator. The manner in which the assets of a racing or trotting club that are compelled to wind up bv reason of the refusal of licenses woukl be disposed of is a matter that forms too subject of much discussion- A club placed in such a position could, of course, distribute its assets for the benefit of its members, bat it may be regarded a? very unlikely that such a course would be taken- So far as the clubs in this part of the Dominion are concerned that may have to terminate their activities it may. I think, be regarded as pretty certain that in liquidating their affairs a course ouite in accord with popular opinion may be expected to be takenIn referring Teoently to the New Zealand candidates for hancurs in .the Australian Jockey Club's Derby a similarity of names caused me to pen Prince Martian instead of Lord Martian- So far Lord Martian nothing to hi 3 credit, but he is- regarded as a promising sort. «*- W. Lowe is to train Lord Martian, for hia Australian engagements.

AreordiiiE to reports from Wellington, trior Minister tor Internal Affairs lias stated that the recommendations made by the Racing; Commission are to bo recognised ftt once. whatever course Parliament mar decide nrxia later on. This, of course, means thai tha Avcndale Jockey Club's approaching amine meeting, ■which was fixed to be held on September 24 and 26. and the Napier Park Racing Club's meeting fixed tor October 1 will for the lime beinf? bare to be •withdrawn from the calendar. The New Zealand J>erby and Sfc. Leesr winner Duo. who is exacted to bo shipped to Sydney by the Manuka, leaving Wellineton to-morrow, is credited with furnishing splendidly since he wound up at three years old. and. as he can be voted a true stayer. something of an important character may come bis way in AustraliaA rumour was current to the effect thai ■Waimai was causing seme anxiety to his trainer, but the fact of the son of Spalpeen having been paid up for in the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase that would appear to point to Lis training on iavourably. The Gisborne Racing Club open their winter meeting to-morrow, and w.li continue the same on Saturday next. The Gisborne Steeplechase, -which is set down tor decision on the opening nay, has seven horses encaged, w;;h Gayboy ,11.31 at the head of the listThe Auckland-owned ee'ding Cantoris -was sent out a warm favourite for the Tje-vels (6 furlongs) run at the South Can Hunt Club's meeting on Saturday last. He failed to pain a situation, but an. excuse is advanced tor him in that- ho sot on" badly at. the start After riding Coalition in the approaohiner New Zealand Grand National Steeplechasw-. the jockey H. Mi Sweeney intends le»rm>: for Rrisbane. where he will reside in future. McSweeney formerly hailed from that district. The Enciish-bred horse Prinze Willonyx ts down for .in engagement 10-morww in the Winter Oats Handicap at the Gisbornu meeting. The son of Willooyx has noclaimed the attention of the judge since ho won a double at Takapuna last spring. The New Zealand-bred colt Dialog-lie iby IVmosthenes- Tete-a-tete i. who cost Sir Samuel Hordern HOOjrna as a yearling, won a raoe for the Sydney sportsra&n at Canterbury lan; on the loth ic?t, and he is regarded as * colt of promise Gasicr-ie wouid appear to be training- on a'.l right. The Gazeley gelding figures among the acceptance* for the F lying Stakes at Gisborne. in which race he is cabled upon to carry the steadier of IQ.O The veteran Marconi claims a double jumping engagement at Gisborne to-morrow He figures in the park Hurdle Race and also in the Gisborne SteeplechaseSea De'il has been allowed to drop out of the New Zealand Grand National Hurdiw Race, and that would appear to point to the improbability of the Seaton Dolava.l geidins journeying to RiocartonThe weights for the New Zealand Cup are due to make their appearance on August IS. which is about 10 weeks before the race comes up for decision. Coroglen. Waimai. Thrace, Kauri King, and Pine Arch comprise- the Anckland-owned division engaged at the C.J.C. Grand National Meeting;. The Auckland-owned gelding' Crowfrnrst figures among the acceptances for the Flyinc Handicap at Gisborne to-morrow. Loyal Irish is credited with training oa satisfactorily in New South Wales, and is said to bo fvLrnishinjr nicely. AUCKLA XD'S T HOEOUG HBREDS, ENGLISH-BRED SIRE PURCHASED, A cablegram received yesterday from this Hon. I£. W. Alison, who is on a visit to England, brought infosmation that the Auckland sportsman had efiected the purchase of the stallion Romeo, a highly-bred descendant of the celebrated Doncaster line. Komeo. .who is. rising 13 years oki, was bred by the lata Sir Daniel Cooper, and when sold a* a yearling ho was bought by Sir Robert Mills for S3oogns. At two years old Romeo won onn race, and at four years old he scored ss.ver»l handicap victories. Romeo can boast of * high-class pedigree, the leading lines in whicli read as follow: —

ROMEO Sire: Flying Fox, by Orme (son of Ormonde? from Vampire, dv Galipin (son of Vedette), from Irony, by Rosebery (son of Speculum). Dam: Glare, by Ayrshire (son of (Hampton) from Foothght, by Cremome (sen of Parmesan) from Paraffin, by Blair Athol (son of Stockweli). Romeo has been shipped by tho Renuwrra, which vessel is due to arrive at Auckland! about the end of SeptemberVICTORIA RACING CLUB. A. and N.Z. MELBOURNE July 28. Tho annual balance-sheet of the Victoria. Racing Club shows a profit for the year of ±'25,153. The autumn meeting resulted in a loss of £»J205. otherwise every meeting g*v« a substantia! profit. The stakes paid during the year totalled JF93.533, being a record, and an increaso of £11,898 on last year. The balance placed to tho credit of the club'i* patriotic fund to provide scholarships for children of fallen soldiers amounted to £16.202. The report recommends that the time is inopportune}, for the carrying out of the prepared schomo of largely increasing stand accommodation. ENGLISH RACING. A. and N.Z. LONDON. July 25. The Australian horseman F. Bullock heads the list of winning jockeys vsith 58 wins, 30 seconds, and 22 thirds cut >of 2271 mounts. S Donoghuo i 3 second with S6 wins, and B. Carslako third with 33 wins. The New Zealand rider, JbL Gray, has tho highest percentage, having ecored 12 wins, 10 seconds, and 5 thirds out of H mounts, TROTTING. NOTES BY PICADOR. The Otahuhn Trotting Club ia apparent}* to be the first body to take tho noor ia protest against the recommendation of the .Racing Commission. The O.T.C. meet thia aitemoon to cUbcuss the position The annual meeting of tlie North Island Owners and Breeders' Trotting Association ia convened to be held on Friday evenings next, at eight o'clock at tho Otahuhu Trottinga Club's rooms. High Street. The Wellington Trotting Club was in such' a strong position to demand additional, totalisator permits that it was always regarded as a certainty that its claims in that respect would be recognised by th« Racing Commission. The Wellington Club is recommended for threo additional days, which will give it four days, and enable it to hold two meetings during the season. With matters so adjusted trotting may bo expected to make rapid advancement at the Hutt. and some very attractive stakes, may be safely looked for in that quarter for before long. The Canterbury Park Trotting. Club, which has been ruled out by tho Racing Commission, stood fourth last season in ordeTia the matter of stake-money among the bodies promoting that branch of sport in the Dominion, the sum for which it stood responsible for be-in? £10.165. Tho Australian-bred trotter. Homelewb Dick, who will be remembered as winning' the Association Trot Handicap (two miles) .vj Alexandra Park in January last from 168 yds behind the limit, is ticked off aa likely to earn prominence during the coming season. Homeleigh Dick's opening engageme-ri> at Addinston next month is in the Steward*' Handicap 'two miles), in which he is in re-i ceipt of 6s from the New Zealand Car/ winner. Rcta Peter, who is in scra-V-h position The granting of ,sn exirik day in trtisi Waikato Trotting Clab and the recotrtnunv dation of a license for the newly-formed Cain, bridge Trotting Cub is to v w viewed in *i hicbly-favonrabl« light, and should mean a great deal for the srport in that distnet. The last trotting event <>f the present season ramn up for decision on Saturday last at Tiraarn. and. with B. .Tardpn.aud J MeLennan ranking evf*n for the position of leading rein<=man, much intercut »»« centred in the outcome. Neither »!!r<-<»«le>d in altering the score, and a de-std-hcai hetwern, th l tiry**r the ffH'orcV " Ssarchlivht'' 'New Zealand Refexiv) *tat«"S that W. Bryc** h*» thrf-e candidates in his stable at Njew Brighton eligible f r,r to* HSmw Z'-a'and T-ottiug Cttn. namely. Krin'a K:nz. John Dillon, and Erin's QueenI ==========