RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18949, 21 February 1925, Page 12

RACING.

SEASON'S FIXTURES. New Zealand. February 21—'Wanganui Jockey Club. February 21— Ngaruawahia Racing Club. February 21—Canterbury Jockey Club. February 25, 26—W oodville Racing Club. February 27—Opotiki Racing Club. February 28, March 2—To Aroha Jockey Club. March 4. S—Dannevirko Racing Club. March 13. 14—Napier Park Racing Club. March 14, 17—Ohinemuri Jockey Club. Mkrch 20, 21—Rangitikei Racing Club. March 21—Bay of Plenty Jockey Club. March 26 and 28—Wellington Racing Club. March 28—Matamata Racing Club. April 1. 2—Manawatu Racing Club. April 11, 13—Auckland Racing Club. April 18, 20—A vondale Jockey Club. May 9—Cambridge Jockey Club. June 3, 6, B—Auckland Racing Club. Australia. February 21—Victoria Amateur Turf Club. February 28, March 3, 5. 7—Victoria Racing Club. April 11. 13. 15. 18—Australian Jockey Club. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. R. 8., Ngal'ea.—The publication of dividends is illegal. W.C., To Awamutu.—Jubilance (not Jubilant) finished third for tho Warrington Handicap, run at Wingatui on Saturday last. " Banjo." Newmarkot.—R'isogne (lyrs) carried 9.10 when he defeated Biplane (2yrs) in the A.R.C. Royal Stakes of 1917. Biplane carried 7.8. "Juno," To Aroha.—The placed horses in the Grey Handicap, run at Ellerslie on January 3, 1922. were Royal Blood (7.10), Gold Bud (7.0). and Gold Jacket (7.7), who finished in that order. " Wager."—Jn tho Great Northern Derby (1917) The Toff defeated Susan of by half a head, and when tho pair met in tho Auck- I land Plato on the following day The Toff wou by a neck. In tho first-named raco tho time recorded was 2m 38 l-5a and in tho second race 2m 38 4-f.g. NOTES BY PHAETON. THE WANGANUJ CUP. Judging from the accounts of the contest lor the \\anganui Cup to hand Stork appears to have been tbo unlucky ono of the race, tile bay horse made a bold bid for victory, but lie had to strike his colours to Muraahi, who boat him by a neck in a hot finish. When first casting the handicap Mr. Coyle was content to let Stork oil with 7.10. but in reviewing matters after the decision of the J aranaki Cup (in which race Stork beat tho opposition easily) the W.J.C. handicapper placed 101b additional opposite his name, which placed him exactly with Muraahi, and the estimate worked out well. Muraahi fought out the issue with characteristic gameneas, and, though wo are tojjl that Stork had. bad luck to lose, it must not be overlooked that Muraahi was challenging a good distance from the winning-post, and the victory may not, after all, have been so greatly invested with luck. MURAAHI AND HIS RECORD. Muraahi. it is interesting to note, is another of the veteran brigade found racing boldly as one of the aged division that was not called upon to carry silk at two years old. The natty little bay made his debut on the turf on March 17, 1921. when he contested a modest Maiden Plate at Opuuake. He failed to gain a situation, and the only other two races he contests at the age named ended similarly. 'the succeeding season saw bim maturing nicely, and how he has progressed in tho interval the Turf Register bears pleasing evidence. A deadheat for first-place with Te Kara in the Auckland Cup of 1923 and a dual victory in the A.R.C. Handicap (1924 and 1925) hold, prominent places in his attractive record. Up to the present Muraahi has contested 56 races, and his record stands as follows.— UnFirst. Second. Third, placed. At 3vrs . . 0 0 0 3 At 4vrs . . 5 0 0 6 At syrs . . 3 0 1 9 A t fi vrs . . * t 'J 3 11 At 7yrs . . 2 0 1 6 11 2 5 35 "Including dead-heat. Muraahi was bred by his native owner, Mr. Rua Moetahuna, who, it is interesting to relate, also raced his dam, Ineuru. Tho latter is a daughter of Maniapoto (son of Soult), so here again we have another iilustratration of happy results attending the mating of the St. Simon and Mysket families. C'ampfire, sire of Muraahi, is by Carbine, while Soult is a descendant of St. Simon. Muraahi's capture in stake-money runs tut to £BOOS. which is made up as follows: At, four years, £750; at five years. £2295; at six years. £2995: at seven years £1985. LEAVES FROM MY NOTEBOOK. The Auckland-owned Spoony having filled the role of runner-up in the decision of tho Egmont Cup and Taranaki Cup, a solid contingent, were apparently of opinion that the bay eon of Nassau might be expected to go one better in the decision of the Wunganui Cup, and the records show that he started second favourite for that race on Thursday. Spoony played an attractive part in the settlement of the question to the straight, but the final stages of the journey saw him weary of the task, and he finished fifth. Spoony had the nice impost of 6.J3, so that, bad he been able to stay properly ho should have been equal to fighting it out with the leaders right up to the. post. Mrs. W. Graham, who last month invested £SOO in the purchase of the Auckland-bred gelding Rata, and who <yirly reason to rejoice over her speculation when the son of Potoa won a race at Taranaki last week, had further cause for jubilation on Thursday, when the horse won another race at Wanganui. Rafa was pretty well served by condition when Mr. W. C. Ring sold him last month, but, all the same, the gelding seems to have found his new quarters on tho West Coast auite to his liking. The three-year-old Footfall was running well up in the Dunedin Cup contest when the final five furlongs came to be undertaken. when he fell back. It is surmised that the bay colt met with some trouble. Footfall figures among the acceptors for the Midsummer Handicap, set down for decision at Riccarton to-day, and, with 201b the best of tho weights compared with Count Cavour. he should be able to worry down the dual Derby winner. Dal Eaton, the two-year-old half-brother (by Eaton Lad) to Uralla. took a placs among the winners on Thursday, when he led the field home in the Maiden Plate at Wanganui. Dal Eaton, who was bought cheaply for HOgns at the New South Wales sales ' Inst autumn, is a- colt of solid physique, and he promises to pay his way well as lie comes to maturity. Winning Hit. whq has not carried silk since he finished third to Roval Divorce and Enthusiasm tor the New Zealand Eclipse Stakes, run at Wanganui on September 13 last, figures among tho acceptances for the Craven Plate (seven furlongs) to be decided at Riccarton to-day. All being well with the chestnut horse, hj» should be equal to playing? a prominent part iu tho settlement of the question. The Franklin Racing Club has been successful in gaining a totalisator permit, but it can bo regarded as quite certain that ihero will be no racing on tho Pnkekohe track this year fo* tho ground has been under the plough. There is some talk of tho Franklin Club making application to race on another course this year. It is contended in some well-versed quarters that Limelight, was unlucky to lose the Dunedin Cup, the argument adduced in support of that view being that she was "asked fo do too _mueh." Liruelicht. was ridden by George Young, but that fact was not allowed to stand in the way of a pronouncement. that the brown inaro was badly

ridden. The three rear-old Sun Dp showed himself up in attractive colours at Winsatui on Saturday viieu ho finished qii)v a little over it neck away from the winner (lied Wink) in the decision of the HazJctfc M£llli' > ria.i Plate. Sun Do will be kept in mind for future events. Tjiicinctte, the four-year-old daughter of liliirtiati and Lady Lucy % who finished up in fourth place in the New Zealand Cup. is engaged in the Midsummer Handicap with the handy impost of 6.8, and j>he should have a. chance. It. was staled some little time hack that T'alestnna would probably not. he further raced. The Clarenceux mare has. however, been galloping well of late, and she t« ticked off to contest the Post Handicap at Riccarton to-day. Gloaming if" stated to have trained on splendidly at Riccarton. and. all being well with the veteran, ho will probably once again make the journey from Wellington to Sydney at an oarly date. There arc six horses encased in the Middle Parti Plate, to be run at Riccarton to-day, Mr. G, D. Greenwood claiming a trio, viz.. Gloaming, Nincompoop, and Chignon. The Midsummer, Handicap (one mile and a-half), fist dowa for decision at. Riccarton to-day, has only attracted an acceptance of four. The dual Derby winner Count favour heads tho list with 8.8. The promising apprentice, rider attached to Mr. R. Hnnnon's stable is Allen Corner, not T. Corner, as previously published. The Opotiki Racing Club holds its annual race meeting on Friday next..