SPORTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18025, 25 February 1922, Page 11

SPORTING.

RACING FIXTURES. February 25. 27—Thames Jockey Club. February 25—Wanganui Jockey Club. March 4, 6—Te Aroba Jockey Club. March 17, 18—Ohinemuri Jockey Cluk. March l, 2—Dannevirke Racing Club. March 2.4-Nelson Jockey Club, March 9. 11—Marlborough Racine Club. March 10. 11—Napier Park Racing Club March 16— Waimate Racing Club. March 17—Opun'ake Racing Club. March 17. 18-Westport. Racing Club. March 15—Masterton Racing Club. March 22, 23—Rangitikei Racing Club. March 80, April 1— Wellington Racing Club. April 1, 6—Auckland Trotting Club. April 6, B—Manawatu Racing Club. April 15, 17-Auckland Racing Club. April 22. 21-Avondale Jockey Club.

DATES OF COMING EVENTS. March 30-N.Z. Bt. Leger Stakes. April 1-Treatham Gold Cup. April 6—Awapuni Gold Cup. April 15-Great Northern OakßApril 15—Great Northern Champagne Stakes, April 15-A.R.C. Easter Handicap. April 17—A.R.C. Autumn Handicap. April 17—Great Northern St. Leger Btakea.

NOTES BY PHAETON. DEATH OP A FAMOUS TRAINER. The old school of English horse trainers round whose names so much romance U entwined is rapidly diminishing, and the death of John Potior, reported by cablegram this week from London, removes one of the most noteworthy men connected with that important profession. Increasing age and the altered conditions' of conducting a racing stable led to the deceased giving up training some lew years back, and of late he was chiefly connected with the affairs of the Newbury Racing Club, in which concern he was one of the leading shareholders. While training at Kingsclere John Porter had many famous horses under bia charge, and his record in connection with the Derby ranks as the most extraordinary connected with taat event, In 1668 he trained Blue Gown for Sir Joseph Hawley. and it is generally held that he should also have supplied the winner in the following, year for the same owner with Pero .Gomez, who was beaten a head by Pretender. In 1882 Kingsclere furnished the winner of the blue riband with the Duke of Westminster's filly Shotover, and in the following year Sir Frederick Johnstone's St- Blaise scored; then in 1886 camo another victory for the Duke of Westminster with Ormonde; in 1830 Sir James Miller's Sainfoin won; in the following year Sir Frederick Johnstone's Common camo from the celebrated stable, and 1899 saw another great winner produced in the shape of the Duke of Westminster's Flying Fox. A greut horse that John, Porter Eut through his facings was Isonomy, who, ad his owner ao wished, might have been included among the Derby winners. Handicap events were set for Isonomy by his owner. Mr. F. Gretton, who won a great stake when the eon of Sterling won the Cambridgeshire Stakes of 1878. For a long period 'the deceased trainer considered ißonomy to be the greatest horse he had trained, but then in subsequent years came unbeaten Ormonde and later Flying Fox and William the Third. There is some reason to conclude that his early views with regard to Isonomy underwent a change. It is said of John Porter that he never applied,the word great to a racehorse without the animal being in every way worthy of such a distinction, and it is on all hands conceded that he was in every way well qualified to form an opinion on all matters appertaining to racehorses and racing. John Porter was a man who won respect in all quarters, and the standard he set when training at Kingsolere was such as ta elevate the profession and to bring him an honoured position, jfohn Porter was born in 1838, so that he had reached the advanced age of 84 years at the time of his death.

HURDLE RACER TO CUP WINNER. When Neata won the Century Hurdle Race in May last few could have thought that when the following February rolled round they would have to accepv the son of Maniapoto and Daisy Paul a* a winner of tho Wanganui Cup. That, however, has come about, and the victory registered by the bay gelding was accomplished in euch dashing style as to surround his name with a deal of lustre Ngata waa credited with compassing the mile and three-quarters attaching to the Wanganui Cup in 2m 695, which is proof positive that there waa no loitering on the road, and, as he boat a field of 15, the performance will stand a deal of looking ,into. Ngata had previously won four good handicaps this season, so that he had some recent performances on the flat to recommend him to notice, but probably moqt people consideied that Mr. James Bull waa flying at too high game in attacking the Wanganui Cup with the Maniapoto gelding. Ngata made a start to extend his record this season at the Asburst meeting on November 23, when ho carried 9.1 to victory in the Raurimu Welter Handicap (eeven furlongs); and at l'aranaki on December 28 he carried 8.10 and won the New Plymouth Handicap (one mile and 110 yds). At Marton on January 3 he won the Summer Handicap (one mile and a dibtirace) under 8.0 and on January 29 he won the Foxton Cup (one mile and a-auarter) under 9.3. It is interesting to relate that Nsata did not make his debut on the turf until the winter of his four-year-old career, and he won at the first time of asking. Ngata was bred by his owner, Mr. J. Bull, so that it can be regarded as an allround victory that came to the Wauganli sportsman.

LEAVES FROM MY NOTEBOOK.

In view of the extensive arrangements in progrees for controlling totalisator business at Bllerslie Mr. W. 8. Spence, secretary to tho Auckland Racing Club, this week paid a visit to the Awapuni racecourse at Palmereton North in order to inspect the buildin* and the new machine, installed there by tho Manawatu Racing Club. In the course of conversation with Mr. Spence, who returned yesterday. I, learned that the machine erected at Manawatu is one of the moat complete order, but it is only half the size of the one ordered for Ellerslie. Mr. Sponce was groatly pleased with the building in which the new totalisator is erected at Awapuni. and altogether he consitW the appointments at the Manawatu Racing Club's ground up to date in every particular. The Victoria Amateur Turf Club's meeting will be continued at Caulfield to-day, wnen the Futurity Stakes will come up for decision, and, with a prospect of Eurythmic being set to win the seven-furlong race under penalised conditions, that will serve to invest the contest with much additional interest. .The time record for the Futurity Stakes, is held by Wedge, who ran the distance in lm 27s when he defeated tho New Zealand mare Desert Gold by tt neck in

Considering the number of horses Sir trcorge Clifford claims, he really only experiences moderate luck. However, even though it be only moderate luck that comes to the majority of ber.rcrs of the blue-and-gold chequers, it is sufficient to place Sir George Clifford at.the head of the Est of owners in the Dominion, for the first half of the present seasons racing. The sum won by Sir beorae Clifford's horses so far as this ?W rif Cln 4V haß WOttewed amounte to S °^. 1 thl » sum, the, three-year-old Winning Hit ie responsible for £3840, The filly Sister Olive (712) figures among the acceptances for the Au trahan Cup two miles and a-quarter), to bo run at Flemington.on March 7. It is a long ujftfr &/?"« 8 - inc ,S a three-year-old fill? 1™ .& i d om j V ht 'one-distance weight for-age race, and 45 yoars have sped thwr flight since Sibyl filled the leading posiK 4m 4{s. The Rover, who won the race at 63 V f ß . rearS ° ld ' hol<fs ft 6 "cord with 3m The Jackson Stakes, to bo nm at Wamranui to-day, will probably find Gloambg on hand, and, with the event in question run at standard wcight-for-age, it must be said that matters look extremely bright for The Welkin gelding claiming $ a attention of the judge. When Gloaming led tho field home m last year'a race, he was timed to run the six furlongs easily in lm 12 2-6s Advices to hand. from Wanganui credit Gloaming with being in the best of condition.

The New Zoaland-bred filly Dusty (by Demosthenes or Feramora . from Sundust) has so far failed to register a win in Australia. Under the heading "A Costly Gift." iittTS* wrl «eß.:-" The three-peak-old filly Dusty was a gift to her present owner, Otway Faulkiner. But up to date the individuals who have reaped most benefit from the gift are the Sydney bookmakers, Dusty has been well backed in three races, and her failure to run even tolerably well has cost backers a lot of money, • She was a warm favourite for the Maiden at Warwick fcarm on Saturday, and although she narrowly dofeated Qui Vive by a head •for second money, eho was quite eight lengths behind the winner, Poilu, and it was.a disappointing performance. Mr. Faukiner would confer a boon upon backdre generally if he followed the ciainple of generosity of the original donor, and gave Dusty to a resident of some far distant land, where she would trouble them no more." Several horses who won Cup distinction at a later stage of their careers blossomed into hurdle-racers, but when the order is reversed the situation is invested with very much additional interest. Liberator, von the New Zealand Grand National Hurdle Race in 1893, and in the following year he won the Dunedin Cm> and Wanganui Cup. Marmont won the V.R-C Grand National Hurdle Race in 1903, and in the following year he led the field home in the Australian Cup. Ngata won the Century Hurdle Race in 1321, and the Wanganui Cup of 1923 fell to him. The two-year-old filly False Note (by shiiwad to Anafaab*

In these days, when the transportation of racehorses is largely effected by railway, the steamers are not largely patronised ' m that connection. Occasions, however, ariso when the old order rules, and there wae quite a busy scene on tie Northern Steamship Company's jetty yesterday morning, when 25 horses engaged at the Thames Jockfty Club's meeting were shipped to the Eoldfielda township-by the steamer Waiotabi. A large number of excursionists journeyed by the same steamer, and a further contlneent left by the Wakatere at a later hour. The Ohinemuri Jockey Club has receiyed a capital list of nominations in connection with its approaching annual meetine. which is filed to be held at Paeroa on March 17 and 18. fhe Ohinemuri Cup has attracted a nomination of 29, and the Paeroa Handicap has 41 engaged. The jumping races have filled well, the Autumn Steeplechase having no less than 27 engaged. The weights for events to be run on the first day will be declared by Mr. R. Wynyard on Marcu 8. The strong prize-money now attached to the two-year-old events in New Zealand is well exemplified in the case of Epitaph, whose earnings (£4010) up to January 2 gives her the leading place at the preeent ataje on the winning list of horses in the Dominion. It has to be remembered' that Epitaph has not carried silk since January 3, so that her winning total embraces only epnng and a small portion of summer. The Monoform—Black Watch gelding Heretoa, who was injured while racing at the Takapuna Jockey Club's Bprine Meeting in November last, is still on the retired list, and the particular domain over which he roams is situate in the heart of the city in Hobson Street. Judging from his composure, Reretoa has become Quite used to the busy traffic, and. so far as can be seen, he is coming round satisfactorily. The two-year-old Mountain Lion is certainly not being snared'as a youngster. A perusal of the performances exacted from the Mountain Knight gelding this season shows that he has so far contested 17 races.' At Waneanui on Thursday last Mountain Lion was saddled up to contest the Juvenile Handicap, and he carried the steadier of 9.10 into third place behind Valerie (8.11) and The Emporor (8.12).

The New Zealand-bred horse F-ngon fby Finland—Warecare) was- heavily backed for the February Welter Handicap at Williamstown on the 4th ult., and he starfed a hot favourite. Fingon mado a bold bid for viotory, but he suffered a half-head defeat at the hands of Graball, to whom he was conceding 7lb.

The Goldfields Cup (one mile and aQuarter), to be run to-day at tho Thames meeting, has the following horses engaged:— Boomerday 8.5, Raceful 8.4. Stork 7.0, Some Fashion 6.13. Night Time 6.10, Blue Cross 6.9, Prince Carl 6.7, Brodick 6.7, Clonmel 6.7. Silver Link would appear for the nonce at least to have completely lost her form. The daughter of Achilles failed'to gain a place in the Plying Handicap run at Wancamu on Thursday last. The effect of chasing Gloaming has apparently left its mark on the Achilles mare. The Martian colt The Cypher, who was bought recently in New Zealand for 2000gns by an Australian sportsman, has joined P. Guinane's team at Caulfield, and, ell going well, he is expected to inako his debut under silk in Australia at Plemington on March i. Still Sea., the three-year-old son of Absurd and Beasnray, was responsible for an attractive performance at Wanganui on Thursday last, when he won the Petrie Handier (six furlongs) under 10.13, beating a field of 15 in lm 14 3-ss.

The three-year-old Namutere looked bright and wen when he was shipped to the Thames early in the week, and the Hauraki Plains Handicap will probably find him under silk at Parawai to-day. Mangamahoe. who has not raced since he finished second to Boomerday in the Grandstand Handicap at Ellerslie on January 3 last, figures in the Te Aroha and Ohinemuri Cups.

Some Fashion hsie a doifble engagement at the Thames meeting to-day. The Fashionable gelding figures in the Goldfields Cup with 6.18 and in tho Hauraki -Plains Handicap with 7.10.

Acceptances for all events to be run on the first day of the Te Aroha Jockey Club's annual race meeting, close on Tuesday next at 5 p.m.

The New Zealand gelding Solfanello (9.12) figures among the acceptances for the Newmarket Handicap, to be run at Flemington on March 4.

OPOTDXI EACES. [by telegraph—own correspondent.] OPOTIKI. Friday. . The Opotiki Jockey Club's Annual Meeting held yest.vrday was well attended and everything passed off satisfactorily. Mr. A, W. Gordon, stipendiary steward; waa present. The sum of £3928 was passed through tho totahsators, being £1300 less than last year. The sum of. £178 was taken in gate money. The following weio the results:— MAIDEN PLATE of £60 ; 7 fur.—D. Mihaore's Faber, 1; Baleta, 2; French Park, 3, Won easily. HANDICAP HURDLES of £70;'U miles. -J. Kelly'si Ginger Mick. 1; Beparoa, 2Brunswick, 8. Won by half a dozen lengths. WAIOEKA ■ STAKES of £80; 6 ftir—G. Spratt's Sunny Spec, 1; Skip, 2; Maihia 3. Won by three lengths. OPOTIKI CUP of £176. and silver cup. valued at £26.—Brown and Hennesey's b g Alfa LaVal. by Seaton Dolaval (Fallin), 1; Jovial. 2; Grandioso, 8. Won by three lengths. COUNTIES' HANDICAP of £60; 7 fur.D. Mihaere's Faber. 1; Carlysian, 2; Shaki, 3. Won by two lengths. DOMAIN WELTER HANDICAP of £60; 1 mile.—Brown and Henneesy's Alfa Laval, 1; French Park. 2; Waioeka Jack, 8. Won by a length.

MCDONALD MEMORIAL HANDICAP of £80; 6 fur.—C. Morse's Jovial, 1; Independence. 2; Grandioso, 3. Won easily; FAREWELL HANDICAP of'£ss; 6 fur. —G. Spratt's Sunny Spec, 1; Carlysian, 2; Waioeka Jack, 8. Won easily.

THE THAMES MEETING. [by telegraph—own corbespondent.] THAMES, Friday. The prospects of fino weather for the racoß to-morrow improved this evening. Rain fell intermittently to-day, but the clouds have now broken, inspiring hopes of further improvement. The course at Parawai is. in excellent order and the track should be improved by the rain that has fallen. Numerous visitors have already assembled to attend the meeting. The Waiotahr brought a largo 'number of passengers from Auckland :-£<|»y and many more are expected by the Waftatere which arrives early in the morning. The' fields in the various events promise to be large.

WANGANUI JOCKEY CLUB. [by. teleobaph.—press association.]

.■WANGANUI. Friday. The following are tho acceptances for events to be run on the second day of the Wanganui Jockey Club's Autumn Meeting:— AUTUMN HANDICAP/ 1 mile 110 yds.— Vespucci. Volo, Ngata, 10.1 j Cruoelle. 8.3; Illumination. 7.9: Quest, 7.8: . Passm' Through. 6.18; Ruatara, 6.10; Scion, La Paloma, 8.7, FORDELL HURDLES, 11 miles.-Simon, 10 IS- To Mairo. 10.10; Khartoum, 10.6; Complex, 9.13; Halcyon. 9.5; Fibre, 9.0. OKOIA TWO-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP. 6 fur.—The Emperor, 9.4; Enthusiasm, 7.8; Zany, 6.10: Snatcher, 6.7. WANGANUI STAKES. 14 miles.-Ngata, 9.0; Rude. 8.12; Trespass, Foo- Chow, 8.4; Egotism. 7.15; Landslide, 7.10; Kilrush, 6 13: Martial Dawn, 6.9; Egmtmt Park, 6 *MATARAWAHACK HANDICAP, 6 furVolublo. 9.2: Lady Kotinpo, Mockery, 9.0; Fabrinade. 8.9; Roman, .8.2; Wrangle 8,1; Velooiform, 7.12; Wiuritafc Lmly Fire, All Cerise, Crome do Menthe, 7-6; Halbgan, Orchid, 7.2; En Route, Xolande, Moonstruck, Hindi, 7.0, ' FAREWELL HANDICAP. 6 fur.-Silver Lkk, 9.6; Kinsem' 8.12: Awake 8.2; Simonideß, Incomes 8.0; Blackmail, 7.9; Artinome, Birkie, 6.10: Cold Steel, 6.9; Lady Kotiripo. Fabrinade, 6.7. JACKSON STAKES, 6 .fur (special weightsl.-Gloaming, Vespucci, 9.0; Silver Link, 8.11; Thespian. 8.7; Tamatete, 8.7. HARRISON HACK HANDICAP, 1 mile and a distance.-Sunny Jim, Equitable La Paloma, Heleii Rufus. Mark Time, Wheatfield, Erie, Redlouge, Moleen Oge, Tireless, Halligan. Legato, Rada

WANGANUI TROTS. [BX TELEOnAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WANGANUI, Friday. The Wanganui Trotting Club's annual meeting was concluded in fine weather. The iotaiisator receipts for the meeting were £22,951, against £44,992 last year. Results: — IMPROVERS' HANDICAP— Lady Freda (J. Messervey, Jnnr.). 1- Ivy Audubon. Jji Liberty Bell, 8, Also started: The Crown (coupled with Ivy Audubon), Blair . Audubon, Aero Maid. Bon Fire. Master OBingftna, Visible, Franzie Queon, Daphne, Wildwood. Won by eight lengths- Time. 8m 44 2-5s SUBURBAN aANDICAP.-Logan-s Gift (B? Jatden). li, Waitarere, 9: Bi 11, Todd. 8. Also started:' Ivy Audubon. Sidelight. Plain' Bow,Si Dillon. Won by four lengths. Tune. 8m 6 2-Bs. _ '-:, JOROUGH HANDICAP-Sir Widmoor (AT Hendrickson). 1;. De, Why. 2; Aranm. 8 Also itarted: Misb Pirate. Mat Patch. Fairbairn, Plunder, Roe Bell. Won by half a length. Time. 3m 445. „..„,. LIVERPOOL HANDICAP, First Carbine (J. Bryce. Senr.). 1: Master Councillor. 2: Dandy Rose. 3. The only .starters. First Carbine caught Dandy Rose, in the last lap and won by ten length* .Taw, 4m 45 tg STEWARDS' HANDICAP.-Archwood (H. ■RaxraclouiA). 1; Maydorn. 2; Rescue. 3. SB Master Hingana, Bill Todd. Plain Rose. Special Traoey. Won by a length. Time. 8m 445. ' BALLANCE HANDICAP—Aranui (A. E. AdamsU: Mat Patch, 2: Roe Bell. 8. Also started: Fairbairn. Sir WJdmoor, Be Why. Won by one and a half lengths. Time, 5m 1 2-6s. WANGANUI STAKES.-L»dy Wildwood (B. Jarden), 1: AMlrion. 2; Kpkiritea, 8. Also started: Stanley Dillon, /Taikorea, Our Patoh. Won by two lengths. Time, 8m 14s. FAREWELL HANDICAP.-Van Cap (W. Aitken), 1; Reveille, 2; Bine Pedo, 8. Also started: Sidelight. Conscript, Taikorea, ( Ticklotoey Reliance, WaiteranuL Toraple. Won by two lengths. Em*, to 23 Mo,