RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18680, 9 April 1924, Page 12

RACING.

SEASON'S FIXTURES, New Zeu.ahd. April 0. Southland Racing Club. 1 April 12—Waverley Racing Club. April 19. ill—Auckland Racing Hub. April 19. 21— Wairarapa. Racine Club. April 19. 21—Foilding Jockey Club. April 21, 22—Canterbury Jockey Club. ADril 26. 2S— Avondale Jockey Club. May 2, 3—Hawke's Bay Jockey Crab. May 2, 3—-South Canterbury, Jockey Club. May 7, Egmont Racing Club. May 15, Wangnnui Jockey Club. May 9, Ashburton County Racing Club. Juno 3. 5. 7—Auckland Racing Club. June 3. 5. 7— I>nnedin Jockey Club. AUSTBJLUA. April 19. 21. 23. Australian Jockey CluK . DATES OF COMING EVENTS. New Zkalahd. April 19—Great Northern Oaks. April 19 —Groat Northern Champagne Stakes April 19—A.8.C. Easier Handicap. April 21—Great Northern St. Lager. April 21Great Easter Handicap. April 21—Great Autumn Handicap. April 23—C.J.C. Challenge Stakes. April 26— All-aged Stakes (Avondale). May 2— Hnwke's Bay Cup. May 15—Wanganui Steeplechase. . Juno 3—Great Northern Hurdle Race. June 5— Great Northern Steeplechase. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. " Wager."— three years old Nonetto Avon tho A.R.C. Easter Handicap under 9.11. " Wager," Auckland.The distance of tho Caulfield Futurity Stakes has always oeen seven furlongs. In tho race of 1918 Wedge (9.0) defeated Desert Gold (9.13) by a neck in lin 275. Desert Gold started an odds-on favourite. " Kia Ora," Mount Eden.— Tho Hawk (9.10) wan included among the starters for the A.RC. Royal Stakes, won by Queen March (7.0). 2. Tho following is a list of tho mares that have won the A.R.C. Easter Handicap since the distance was reduced to a mile:—Eosella. Golden Rose. Regulation. Mobility!, Antoinette!, Kakama, Ventura, Merry Roe. and Silver Link. C.W.C., Warea.—Golden Slipper only contested two races in New Zealand—C.J.C. Champagne Stakes and C.J.C. Challenge Stakes, both of which were run at Riccarton in the autumn of 1908. Tho winner's portion of the prize-money in each, of tho races mentioned was £500, so that she only von £1000. Golden Slipper was sold by auction at three years old for 4500xns.

NOTES BY PHAETON. A.R.C EASTER HANDICAP. The declaration of the weights for tho Easter Handicap serves to Afreet pointed attention to the near approach of another autumn meeting at Ellerslie. In framing tho weight* for the mile race the AJLC. handicappcr. Mr. F. J. McMancmin, justifiably elevated Lotighrra to the post of honour, and in awarding him 9.3 it cannot bo said that he has been hard en the Kilbroney gelding. Ballymena (9.2) has been called upon to pay the fullest penalty for his recent wins. and. as the impost opposite his name represents Plb. over weight-for-nge, the three-year-old son of Nassau is confronted with a task, and, with a valuable ongagemont in the Great Northern St. Legor, his owner may elect to reserve his horse for tho classic race. Cold Steel (5.2) is entitled to respect, and Capidon. at a like impost, must be accounted a possibility. Alfort (8.0) is in his proper place, and three others of the locally-owned division that may be expected, to taae a. hand in iho settlement of the question are Royal Present (7.11). Te Kara (7.V), and Landslide (7.0). Acceptances fall due on Friday, and with the posting of tlie same the position may bo expected to bo more clearly defined in regard to the intentions o.' owners.

RAPINE ANP AUSTRALIA. Rapine was shipped to Sydney by the rJlimaroa, which vessel left "Wellington on Friday last, and the Martian gelding has no doubt reached Rxndwick by the time this paragraph appears in print. The victory restored by Rapine in tho Chelmsford Stakes, run on the A.J.C. ground last spring, and a belief being entertained that ho had bad luck to lose tho Kandwick Plato run subsequently, may be depended upon to secure him a. good number of admirers, One could regard his prospects of earning distinction in Australia this autumn m » more hopeful spirit had he wound up with a win instead of a, defeat in a weight-for-age contest in Tho land of his birth before taking on the trip across the Tasman Sea, for it has to be admitted that Ballymeaa beat him easily in the decision of the Trentham Gold Cup. It is, of course, contended that the heavy coins was against Rapine in the twomile woisht-for-age event at Trentham, and it may probably be wise to guard against attaching undue importance to the defeat that went down against bib name on the Wellington ground on the 29th ult. Mr. A B. Williams deserves all good luck in his racing operations, and it will be pleasing to chronicle, when notes have to bo compiled on contests at the A.J.C. meeting, that his second assault on Australia with Rapine has brought him a good' ray of joy.

LEAVES 'FROM MY NOTEBOOK. The many friends of Mr. R. Wynyard will be glad to learn that Bo is making a good recovery from his recent illness. The improvement in the weather encouraged the popular secretary of the Takapuna Jockey Club to come across from the North Shore yesterday, and it goes without saying that lie met with a warm welcome. All continuing . well Mr. Wynyard intends leaving tL*,*£ li . to Sydney *£>• Ulimaroa on the ISth mat. Mr. Wynyard's brother, George. *ho will be remembered as one of the most dashing players of (he Maori footbail team, that toured England some 38 yoars • W has been a . resident of New South Wales for the past 35 years, so that tho two brothers will meet after a long stretch of years. B Racing events no doubt receive most attention where men congregate to discuss matters relating to the turl. but it can be said with a large degree of confidence that the searching weather conditions that prevailed m Auckland during the past few days received pointed attention at their hands. On pome previous occasions at this particular season of the year, when race meetings have been on the tapis, Jupiter Pluvius has been in pronounced evidence, but the scene has rarely borne so striking a resemblance to the depth of winter as that which was in evidence from Ihursday to Monday. The weather prophets held out no hope for an improvement in. weather conditions until a ohango of wind came about. This change came about yesterday, and with a good drying wind in evidence matters now look hopeful that the wintry scene will give place to one in keeping with autumn.

The announcoment that the injury which Suggestion met yith in contesting the Prinoe of Wales' Handicap at the Manawatu meeting last, week is likely to necessitate his being sent into retirement for some little time is very unwelcome news. The son of kilbroney was well engaged at the Auckland Racing Club's Autumn Meeting, and there is reason to understand that it was Mr. W. E. Bidwill'a intention to give th« Kilbroney gelding an opportunity of earning distinction on the A.B.C. ground this month. An Indian sportsman paid a big; fee to 8, Donoghuo to ride his horses in India from last December to March. The result, however, failed to justify the large outlay, The most successful jockey among the English riders in the East is K. Jones, whose most recent noteworthy success was gained on the English-bred mare Asuilega. a, four year-old daughter of The White Knight ana Herb of Grace, who won the Eclipse Stakes of £4000. Tho fir-st contribution made to the Stud Book by Desert Gold was a filly by Finland, but she was never raced. In replying to an inquiry regarding the filly in question addressed by "Hermit," of the Hawkc's Bay Herald, • to the studgroom at Okawa. E. Brandon, the latter states that Desert Gold's first foal, which had the name of Desert Rose bestowed on her,' was put into training at Hastings, but, as she was wont to go sore, she was brought back to Okawa for a spelland there she became very lame. On examination it was found that a small piece of bone had entered her foot, and, as blood poisoning had set in, there was no alternative but to call in the aid of a friendly bullet. Brandon further informed "Hermit'' that Dosert Gold's second foal, a filly by Kim* John, now in George Jones' care at Treutharo. is just .a replica of her dam. The following were tho stake-winners over tho Franklin Racing Club's meeting: — J. D. Kemp. £130: G. and F. Peach. £100: H. D. Matthews. £60; T. Martinac, £55: W H. Dar.n. £50: H. R. Burrott, £50; W. Vandersjiuck. £50; E. H. B. Millsom, £30: IW. Kemp. £20: A. B. Bearslcy, £15; I Swaffieid. £15: V. May, £10: F. Hall. £10; H. Rama, £10; J. C. ©errand. £10: L. J. Hyde. £10; T. Sheenan. £5; Roulston Bros., £5: A. K. Bartlett, £5; G. Green, £5: W. H. Madll, £5: total. £650. Though Father's Voice has been struck out of the Great , Northern Champagne Stakes, there is still a. good prospect of I the son" of Absurd being on hand to carry I Viscountess Jellieoo's colours at the ap- ' proaching meeting at Ellerslie.

The. Hawk's winning record received ft check on Saturday last, when he came home third to Whittier and EngJefield in tno Rawson Stakes, which event was run over a nine-furlong course at weight-fox-agc, rcr The Hawk to suffer defeat at this stage over a course popularly held to ba cruise to his liking certainly serves to, cum ms prospects of earning chief distinction at tno atfproachiag meeting at RandwicK, lor Be may be expected to encounter very roucn stronger opposition on the AJ.C ground than that which he met at Bosehill on Saturday. It seemed to be a pretty general belief that, with an engagement in the Great Northern Oaks. Razzlo Dazzle would bo mole likely to race at Elterslie than at Biccarton this autumn. However. Mr. W. T. Hazlett elected to send the Kilbroney, fiyy poutn, and she figure-* in the Great baster Hanoicap and Challenge Stakes. With the prospect of having to meet Gloaming in the last-named race, the bay filly is assured of a stiff task in that event. A London cablegram to hand states that a film of the Prince of Wales' accident while riding in a point-to-point steeplechase at Wokingham recently shows spectators on the courso. The picture shows him shot.forward on to the horse's neck, and then pitching lull on his head. He remains with his legs in the air before he falls backward. The other riders swerved and missed the Prince by a few feet. Sir George Clifford's representative for the Great Easter Handicap iB Top Score, ana the one i elected from the Chokoboro stable to contest the Great Autumn Handicap is Winning Hit. . Should Top .Score and Winning Hit succeed in capturing the big double at Biccarton on the 21st inst... such will furnish a very interesting incident,, for they were both got by Autumnus rrom Winning Way. The Melbourne Cup winner. Night Watch. who was bought by an Indian sportsman some three years back and transported to the Bast, bab proved a bad speculation, and. as he recently ran unplaced under the light impost of G.lO. it may be inferred that ho is a very different horse to when he raced m Australia, and, further, that there appear* little hope of his recouping the man lor the heavy l outlay made in his purchase,

In framing the weights for tho Mangere Handicap (six furlons»), to be run on .tho opening day cf the A.E.C. Autumn Meeting, 90 horses' names went before Mr. F. J. McManemin. and he was content to range .up no less than 63 of the entrants at tho mini nam. This means that only. 17 horses wore weighted above 7.0, and it may be further remarked that only a brace— Glenrow (9.0) and Folonett (B.o)—figure above 7.12. Tho Auckland Racing Club's autumn programme will require further attention at the hands of owners on or before Friday next, on which day, at 5 p.m., acceptances fail due for n.ll .handicap events ec-t down for decision on the opening day, together with final payments for tho Champagne Stakes. Oaks, and St. Lower.

I learn from Mr. Eliot Davia that Queen March has not of late been training on as well as could be wished. Hope* are entertained as to the black filly fulfilling her engagement in tho Great Northern Oaks, to be run at ElleMlio on tho 19th mat., but that question is still invested with some little doubt. Whittier. who defeated Thn Hawk in tho decision of the Rawson Stakes at Rcreehul on Saturday last, holds a place with the bargains of the sale-rinE. When a yearling he was bought for 260gns. and his winnings in stakes to date run out to over £10,000. Stork, who has so far contested 20 races this season, is down for another engagement on Saturday—tho I'atea Cup (one mile and a-quarter). which comes up for) decision at Wocdville. being the event in which his name appears as a likely contestant. Advices to hand from Canterbury state that Gloaming continue* to train on satisfactorily, and that he may be expected to fulfil bis engagement in the C.J.C. Challenge Stakes on the 22nd inst. Khartoum, who has been off the scone for some time, ia espectod to make a reappearance! on the scene at the Waverley meeting on Saturday next. A solid prediction is offered that Vagabond will be seen to advantage in an important hurdle racewhen the winter meetings come round. xbo Martian gelding was foaled in 1914, and ho is thus rising ten years old. He is credited . with carrying his ago remarkably well, and altogether the position is full of promise for an externum ol his winning record. A horse ticked off to earn early distinction as a hurdler is Roman, the five-year-old son of Husbandman. Word comes from the Waikato that tho sporting spirits at Kihiklhi are endeavouring to bring about the formation of a hack racing club in their district. The English cross-country jockey. F. B. Itees, has been riding with remarkable success since tho commencement of this year. Up to February 6 ilia mounts in hurdle races and steeplechases totalled 62. and he scored i 3 firsts, 10 seconds and 11 thirds. A winning average of about 37 per cent, for 62 jumping mounts is, in itself, proof that Bees is a rider quite above the ordinary. The annual meeting of the New Zealand Racing Conference will be held at Wellington on Thursday, July 10. The Australian-bred horse.- Ilium {nation, who was sold early in, January and who has not raced in the interval, figures among the entrants for the Eden Handicap (7 furA on to be nffi ,° ll th * opening day of the AJLC. Autumn Meeting, in which nice he has been weighted at 7st 2lb.

WANGAOTI notes.

HORSES FOR AUCKLAND. [BS TBXECBAPH. — CORRESPONDENT.] WANGANTTC, Tuesday. According to present arrangements, F. Tilky will leave for Auckland on Monday pert, and no will take with Win Tamatete. Para. Kinsem, Inferno, and Glenrcss. This is a very /elect team, -which should Dick np a race or two at Ellerslie and Avondale. It is thought that Inferno will be all the natter for hi* race in the Sires* Produce 'Stakes at Awapuni, in which he ran Motley to a head, so that the meeting of this pair in the Great Northern Champagne Stakes at Ellerslie should prove very interesting. Gloaxqss . won the Linton Welter at Awapuni with the greatest of ease, and the son of Absurd— may be expected to render a good account of himself in. whatever races he contests at EUerslie. Para ran third in each of her two starts at Awapuni, and this on top of her two wins at bulls shows consistently good form on. her part. She should be suited by the going at Elleralie. Tamatete was believod by his connection? to be iin better tettle a * Awapuni than he was at Wanganui, when he was beaten m the Jackson Stakes. His win in the Hires Produce Stakes on Thursday did not, therefore, surprise his party, but it is. of course. hard to say what the- result would have been had the conditions been better. Motley is Tint engaged in the All-aged Stakes at Avondale, in which Tftmatete will be a starter, but Glsntrum and other brilliant sprinters will be on hand to oppose the rordell crack. It is probable Gaillard will be taken to Kiccarton instead of Elleralie at Eastor, as he has Deen paid up for in tha C.J.C. Challenge Stakes and the Champacme Stakes. Mr. A.. Alexander's colt is in splendid fettle and bis periormances to date suggest thai he ought to have a great chance in tho Champagne Stakes, since Motley and Inferno will not be in the field. Mr. H. L. Russell took Civility and Siaoh! to Awapuni. but they did no good. Civility ran well each day, hut could not do better than score a third. . Siaosi was suffering from a cold, and this prevented him doiny his best. ' This colt Las been very unfortunate this season. He -will be given a good spell, and if ho goes on all right he should more than pay his way as a three-year-old Orchid was taken to Trentham for the second day, but was not given a run, as thy ram spout any chance he might have had The Warerley Club should score a, bis success with its meeting, to be held on Saturday next. Tho fields promise to be large «id of good claSfl ' and tho racing should be the beat seen on this course for some time' past. Orchid is looking ami Going we and he must be very hard to beat -whenever he starts at Waverley and at Feuding.

FENCE'S CHAMPION COLT.

EPINARD THE GREAT. Referring to Epinard. a, horse that is well in the public ' eye, a pood story regarding him is told in , the Bloodstock Breeders' Review. It is as follows:—" With this popular Goodwood spriat (the Stewards' Cup) we col into touch with the most reroarJtablo horse of his day and generation, the French three-year-old colt Epinard. He came to Goodwood from France with a groat reputation, and went homo with that reputation greatly enhanced. In the autumn he again paid us a visit, and when we come to the story of the Cambridgeshire it will be to find him beaten, though he was hailed as the best horse in the world up to a mile. . , . The colt was allotted B.C in the Stewards' Cup, or 6lb heavier than any previously carried to victory in this event by a three-year-cld. . . . When the ban dicap was published there was, for a. day or two, an inclination here to assume that Epinard hod been well taken care of. Not so in France, however. The colt's trainer— the American, Eugene Leigh—laughed at the idea that 531 kilos w0u.14 prove a hindrance. When, a week before the race. a. ' market' was formed, odds oi 10 to 1 were offered on the held. At that figure Epinard was favourite. . . . .His owner, trainer, and their associates seized what they regarded as a heaven-sent opportunity to despoil the Egyptians, otherwise the bookmakers. So great was their confidence that they deliberately refrained from running the horse in a race in France worth 100.000 francs, which he could not have, lost, in order to keep him fresh for Goodwood. They poured their-, money on at any odds that could be obtained. The price shrunk day by day. . When the day of the arrived Epinard was at 7 to 2. . . . 7T*7was a wretched afternoon., with rain and _ mist. . . . This year's race win be described in a very few words. On sufferance the four-year-old Linby led from Epinard for threo furlongs; [ then the French colt went to the front and 1 won in a canter. The time recorded was ; Ira 12 3-5?."

NOTES FBOM ELLEBSME.

GOSSIP OF THE TRACKS. BY ARCHER. Musketoon, Dominant, - and Rawhetu returned from their unsuccessful trip to Manawatu on Saturday ' and are again among the active brigade at Ellerslie. The. last-named lightened up somewhat on the trip. N. Cunningham has Kuhio and Knighthood among the active members of his team, and both are looking very well, , These horses have so far accomplished very little, but in the case of both there ia still time for improvement. Merry Jest, who accounted for the Cloverlea Nursery Handicap at Manawatu is an attractively-bred filly by Absurd from Yes, the latter btdng by Valens (sire of that good horse Violoncello). Merry Jest wap bred by Mr, G-. Carrie, and was purchased cheaply by Mr. J. Gleeson, at New Plymouth, as a yearling. She has only raced three times, and has won once and been third once. That brilliant galloper. Rational, pulled up lame after racing at Manawatu. It is to be hoped that the trouble is nothing serious, as a trip to Auckland for the autumn meeting was contemplated, Rafferty appears to bo much improved since ho raced unsuccessfully in the steeplecha3o events at tho Thames meeting. He should do better later on. E. Rae has been keeping his jumpers, Glenotus, Vociferate, and Extract, moving, and the trio have executed some good schooling work of late. Glenotus is doing very nicely, and shoidd pay his way well during the jumuiug season. Young 'j'hun'.ham. who displayed promise as a jumper last winter, has been eienaing up> to his work well since being taken in hand again by W. H. Patterson. _ .If he continues to train on, he should win somo money during the winter months. * Sir Burnett is nicely placed in the Feilding Cup, and if he takes his place in the field should take some beating. The Quin Abbej gelding recently met with a slight mishap, and that may mean the cancellation of the trip, as his owner-trainer .is scarcely likely to send him south if he is backward. Boomerday has been striding along freely in his work, and is carrying & well-trained appearance. PeneJophon and King's Folly were taken back to Greenraeadows after racing at Awapuni last week. All continuing Well with tho Napier-owned pair, they are to race at Ellerslia at EasteT, ana are expected to arrive from the East Coast by the steamer next Sunday. The Southland Racing Clnb will make a start with its autumn meeting to-day. Tho principal event is the Southland Cup, for which that good horse Loughrea heads the list of acceptors with 9.12. This is a good weight, but it is not prohibitive when the clas3 of horsea engaged is taken into account, and Loughrea should be prominent at the finish.

Reports from the South credit Boselure, •who is engaged in the Roslyn Handicap at Southland to-day, with being a very promising filly. Silverton (Mills) Oakleigh CEoach), and Young Thurnham (Burgess) were companions in a schooling bout over four flights of hurdles at Bllerslie on Saturday, each giving a first-class display. Kinkoxa (A. Btrtherford) and Narrow Neck (Cotter) covered a round of the schooling hurdles in good style at Ellerslie on Saturday. Syndicate (Slanway), Pentagram (Henderson), and Ebplanade (Rutherford) were sent over the steeplechase fences in the centre o* the course at Blleralie on S»turd»y, and each fenced well. Glenoku (Rae) and Vociferate (Healcy) also jumped the samo fences correctly. Extract (Healey) and Great Fun (Chaplin) set out to do * round of the schooling hurdles at Ellerslie on Saturday,, but the latter refused at the third fenoe. Extract comjftoted be task alone, giving a satisfactory exhibition. Long Rein, who has been working at Ellerslie under the direction of E. Bae, has been returned to hi* owner. > Mr, F. Barton's horses, Bonef and Kalakaua, are expected to reach EUersne at the end of the •week with a view to racing at the Auckland autumn meeting. B, Rosen has accepted the mount on Tactful in the Easter Handicap. He has also, engaged to ride Desert Glow, Lady Ointra, Master Doon. and Nocturne on the openins day at Ellcralie. Despite the fact that he bled recently. Pine Arch is doing splendidly. S. Walls has been secured to ride him in the Brighton Hurdle Race*, so that he will bo. well served in the matter of horsemanship. The Waiksto trainer, B. O'Neill, has arrived at Elleralie with a team of three horses, consisting of Gallelo, Miss Ford, and Boynette. The horses will be raced at tne Auckland and Avondale autumn meeting*. The Marble Arch gelding Emerald Hill iao returned to the track at Blleralie. He i* looking very well and should come to hand quickly. ... ' While working on the sand'track, at Ellenffie yesterday SI. Heliera, a three-year old gelding by Panmure from Avaunce, injured one of his front fetlock joints and will have to be thrown, out or work. He is trained by W. Shajpe, in whoso charge he had recently been placed. A rising two-year-old filly by Catmint from Lolonia has recently been broken in by J. Thorpe, and is now included among the regular workers at Ellerslie. Young Thnrnham (Burgess - ) and Kinkora (Cotter) set out together to jump the Bodwall, wa.t©r-jnmp. and stonewall at Ellerßiie yesterday morning, out Xinkora baulked'.*! the water-jump. YoungL Thurnham took the fences in good style. Kinkora was tried at the double, which he negotiated after one refusal, and then stopped at the stonewall. He was later tried over the hurdles, but j dislodged his rider at the -first fence. The apprentice rider, D. Beer, who met with an injury to a leg while riding at ! Dirgaville in January, has now recovered, and will In riding at the Auckland autumn meeting. Beer displayed great promise before meeting with tne accident. % Drawbridge, who was added to the list a short time back, is again in work under N. Cunningham. He has made a splendid recovery, and in looking really well to begin work. Archie (Rutherford) gave a good display over the pony hurdles at Ellerslie yesterday morning. Great Fun (Walls) went with him, but baulked at the second fence and could not be persuaded to jump. He was afterwards ridden by R. Wood, and with the aid of several stockwhips was induced to clear a pony hurdle a number of times. H. Goldfinch will ride Loyal Irish in the Easter Handicap. . He will also ride Town Bank on the opening day of the Auckland meeting. _W. H. Jones has been engaged to ride Charlady in the Easter Handicap. Other engagements ho has made for the! opening day of the Auckland meeting are to ride Rawhetu, Te Kuri, Mataranci,. and Infant©. Maniahera has been added to the horses in charge of T. George at Ellerslie. George had considerable success with this fine jumper a few seasons ago, and he should be the one to Get him right again. The task, however, may be difficult, as Maniahera i? very backward and has an ugly-looking hock. It is stated that H. Gray will be riding at Edlerslie at Eaetertime, and in that event it is not improboblo that he will rid© the elect of Mr. W. Scholium's horses in the Easter Handicap, The hurdler Karamu has been handed to F. Gilchrist to prepare, for future racing. The two.falls he had in the hurdle events at Te Arena seem to have frightened Great Fun, as le has been shaping indifferently in his latest schooling efforts, and can only he made to jump by forceful persuasion. He should regain confidence with more schooling.

COLD STEEL SCRATCHED.

Cold Steel was scratched at 8 o'clock last evening for all engagements at the Auckland Racing Club's Autumn Meeting.