RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 19203, 17 December 1925, Page 8

RACING.

SEASON'S FIXTURES. December 17. 19-Dargaville Racing Club. December 19—Banks Peninsula Racing Club. December 26 , 29, January 1. 2-—Auckland Racing Club. December 26. 28. 23—Manawatu Racing Club. December 25—Waipukurau Jockey Club. December 26. 28—'NVestland Racing Club. December 26. Jockey Club. December 26. 28—Dunedin Jockey Club. December 26 — Alexandra Racing Club. January I—'Tirau Racing Club-^ ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. " Query."—ln the decision of tho Great Northern Derby of 1923 Enthusiasm defeated Rapine by half a length. Enthusiasm was sent out favourite for tho Great Northern St. Leeer. but Rapine defeated her easily by three lengths. , » Admirer." Remuera.—At four years old Rapine raced in Australia, both in the spring and autumn. Ho won the Chelmsford Stakes in the spring, and in the autumn tho following events fell to him: Autumn Stakes (one mile and a-balf). Cumberland Stakes (one mile and thrce-auarteru), and A.J.C. Plate (two miles and a-quarter). NOTES P.Y PHAETON. A good number of racegoers journeyed to Helensvillo yesterday by train en routo to assist at the Dargaville meeting, which opens to-day. The Hawlte's Bay sportsman, Mr. T. H. Lowry, is credited with holding a promising colt in the shape of an unnamed son of King John and Landrail. Tho Banker, Reremoana, Lady Cavendish, and tho two-year-old Helen will, it is said, compose the team to bo brought to Auckland I by tho Hawera trainer, O. Cox. The special horse train leaving Wellington to-morrow is likely to prove one of the most extensive that has figured on the i northern line for the conveyance of descendants of tho eanine family to Elierslie. There is an unconscious humorist in an up-country newspaper office (remarks " The Watcher"). The chief handicap on the second fiay of the recent Woodville meeting was tito Gothard Memorial. Tho compositor on the paper in Question set up the name as the (io Hard Memorial. It is evident he was not at the meeting to witness the eSorts of one or two of the runners. A Sydney sportsman Mr. W. C. Douglas, who returned from England recently, in the course of a conversation with "Pilot" of the Sydney Referee, mentioned he and Mr. T. C. Stirton wished to buy Oojah, a three-year-old colt, by Bachelor's Double—Confey), at the sale of tho late Sir E. Hulton's horses. They went up to 10,500 guineas, but, with Mr. S. Joel in opposition, decided it was no uso going any further. Arausio. the four-year-old son of Sunstar. imported recently from England by Mr. J. D. Ormond. of Ilawke's Bay. has reached his new homo at Karamu. Some little curiositv has been evinced as to the prospects of Arausio bcinz accorded an opportunity of earning distinction as a racehorse in New Zealand prior to going to the stud. Arausio is to be used as a sire. When Surveyor wound up at eight years old in April last he had contested 89 races, j Since the veteran resumed this reason ho j has been saddled up on two occasions, which takes his record on to the nineties, and as he is standing up to his training all right it is quite possible for him to have a place with tho horses who have contested 100 i races before tho summer meetings are uirough. i Stove Donoghuo, the famous English jockey, is to appear in a new role. A Lon- | -don paper states that Donoghuo recently j signed a contract to appear in a scries of j British films, work upon which is to begin j at once. The famous jockey will piny the j chief roles in pictures of racing Kfe and j romance, tho first of which will bo ready in time for public exhibition durinfr tho end of March, next year, probably under the title. "Riding for the King." The Wanganui sportsman. Mr. G. M. Currie. has a double string to his bow for tho Great Northern Derby in tho shape of The Thorn (by Absurd—Rose Queen) and Mask (bv Limond—Cowl), both of whom jiro reported to he pallopmg well. Mask is a half-brother to Rational. The latter, who is a descendant of Absurd, has never been able to rise above the rank of a sprinter, but Mask is by Limond. and that fact will probably be to his advantage when a milo and a-ha'tf journey has to be faced. The Engjish-bred horse Moabite (by PhaTaris—Whitewash), who was bought in j England last year by two Australian sportsmen lor 6000 guineas, in _tho hope I that ho would win an important race in I Australia this spring, but who unfortunately went amiss early in the spring, is to be again trained. Should he not stand a preparation ho will figure among sires of the season next year. Moabite was a good performer in England, and it. will be a matter for regret should he prove untrainable. Sir Gtforge Clifford's stable has not furnished a good three-year-old since Winning Hit achieved dual Derby distinction in the season of 1921-22. At the present stage Centrepiece is the only one of that age hailing from the Stonyhur.it stable that has any form to recommend him. and a win in the Apprentices' Handicap is not much, it must be admitted, to view him as a possible winner at weight-for-age at this stage at least. However, it is always pleasant to indulge in the hope that Sir George Clifford's colours may be worthily represented in equine contest', and that, of course, carries with it a hope that Centrepiece (who is by The Ace) may prove a trump card at tho forthcoming meeting at Elierslie. Tho perfecting of facilities for training horses is a matter entitled to bo regarded as of first, importance, especially with leading clubs having to provide for situations on extensive lines. The demand in that respect at Elierslie is fully realised by the Auckland Racing Club Committee, and a contemplated work is a new tan track. The very satisfactory results that have attended tho laying down of a tan track at tho ltandwick racecourse, in New South Wales, on improved lines has been brought to the notice of tho A.R.C. Committee, and. though a. definite decision has not so far been come to on the matter, it is stated that there is every prospect, of a similar work being undertaken at Elierslie. Tho old tan track, which has stood for so many years at Elierslie. will, of course, have to be completely taken up. and tho work contemplated will absorb a rrood round sum. A ticking off of the card in connection ■with tho Railway Handicap favours the conclusion that there will bo a very largo acceptance for tho six-furlong * race tomorrow. With that fact well assured it is hardly necessary to state that Mr. McManentin's adjustment finds a lot of people well puzzled to solve the problem involved therein. Money Order could probably be cited as the actual favourite, and, with Glentruin hailing from tho same stable (though in a separate interest) that circumstance cannot be overlooked in surveying the situation. Canterbury advices to hand credit Glentruin with galloping well, co that there would appear to be a prospect of the chestnut mare being in a position to reproduce her best form at Elierslie on Boxing Day. Should that eventuate. Money Order and Co. will certainly have to look to their laurels, for Glentruin has proved herself especially brilliant over six furlongs. » . Advices td hand from Canterbury state that the imported stallion Thurnham was recently numbered among tho defunct. The end of Thurnham, it is stated, was sudden. Whilo being ouictly exercised in a yard at Ixingbeach he collapsed and died in a few minutes. Thurnham was imported from England to Australia. Ho was owned by Mr. B, Goldwater when brought to Auckland, and he was subsequently purchased bv Mr. J. Paterson. A couple of years back ho was sold to Mr. J. C. N. GHgg, of Longbeaeh station. Thurnham's. pedigree (by John o' Gaunt—Lady Disdain) was brimful of noteworthy names, but, though ho sired a number of winners, none of his progeny wore above the ordinary. Polham would be regarded as his host, flat performer. while another of his progeny. First Born, showed good _ form over hurdles. Thurnham was foaled in 1912, so that ho was rising 14 years old when has died.