RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19254, 17 February 1926, Page 8

RACING.

SEASON'S FIXTURES.

February 18, 20—Wansanui Jockey Club. February l&-Tolaga Bay Jockey Club. February 20— Canterbury Jockey Club. February 24. 25—Gore Haoiug Club. February 24, 25—Woodville Jockey Club. February 25—Waiapu Racing Club. February 25, 27— Marlborough Racing Club. Febrnaxy 27, March I—Te Aroha Jockey Club.

March 6—Mat&mata Racing Club. March 10—Opotiki Racing Club. March IS, 17— Ohinemuri Jockey Club. March 17—Whakatano Racing Club. March 17—Otamatea Racing Club. March 20—Bay of Plenty Racing Club, March 2 1 ?— Franklin Racing Club. April 3, s—Auckland Racing Club. April 10, 12—Avondale Jockey Club. May 1, 3—Waikato Racing Club.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS

" Waser," Mount Eden. —Glentruin (9.12) defeated Gold Light (9.2) for second place in the decision of the Hazlett Memorial Plate, run at Wineatui on February. 10, 1923. " Inquirer," Dominion Road.—The building on the hill at Ellerslie is simp.ly a receiving and paying-out depot. No totalieator machine or indicator is installed there. In the Lawn, Leger, and Derby enclosures, there 'are indicators at each place showing the number of investors. NOTES BY PHAETON. DEATH TOLL OF RACING, i The death of Colin Boydl, who succumbed fc injuries as ths result of a fall while Tiding in a hurdle race at Cauliiold on Saturday last, once more brings home to us in pointed form the risku encountered in race riding, especially where obstacles have to be negotiated. The cabled account of the ■Resident which brought about the death of Colin Boyd states that his mount (Bindweed) fell, and that the ill-fated horseman ires rolled on and kicked when his horse vent down. So ended the caieer of another ■of the courageous band of horsemen who rido over fence«. Cjolin Boyd, who could go to scale easily at 9.10 long since made a name for himself as a jockey. He steered many noteworthy horses to victory in important hurdle races and steeplechases, and he was accepted as fu most courageous horseman. The history o!E racina in Australia and New Zealand, it may be .remarked, contains several sad ,pages re.eoqiiting the death of celebrated, crosscountry horsemen due to falls. T. Corrigan, titer a great career in riding over the etiffwi fences at Fletningten • and; other places, met his death by his horse falling at a lrnce at Caulfield; and several other _ riders of almost equal note to "th* evtrremem bored Tom." notably. Martin Burke, are numbered among the men who met their death while following their profession. ' "GLENTRUIN THE BEAUTIFUL." What will. I feel sure, be widely retarded as a most pleasing incident in connection with the present season's racing is the fact of Glentruin having regained her form.. When the English-bred miire developed a leg trouble early in the spring of 1924. after winning a sii-furlong race in brilliant style at Rand wick under 9.2, it was feared she would not again provo trainable. She was given al2 mqnthii'. rest, and when she won the Eleotric Handicap Ellerslie in December last under 9.3 in lm 13 4-6s that performance went a jgood way to support the view that the future held something mere in store for the beautiful chestnut dsmghter oE Sunflower, 11. That something duly camis about at Wingatui last Saturday, when she sprung ■what could be termed a glorious surprise in the Hazlett Memorial Pla.te by defeating Count Cavour. who, with honouni thick upon him . as a result of an easV victory in the Dunedin Cup, was considered such a " good thin*" that odds of 3 to 1 wore laid en his nbility to win. All the honours of the Jsile weight-for-age race were on the side of Glentraiti. "The Count" had his chunce to win in lie straight, but he was quite unable to combmt Glentruin'# challenge and the mare won easily. There appeared to be an impres- , »ion that Glentruin would not relish la journey extending to sight furlongß. The chestnut xiiare must he accounted to have diispoeod of that contention in a vory complete ] manner at Wingatui laat Saturday. 'Glentruin i» engaged in the Middle Park Plate, to be run at Riccarton next Saturday, and though she is cast in the maximum 101b penalty, matters look bright for her adding Another race to her already attractive record.

NEW ZEALAND'S BEST RACEHORSE,

In nla.cinK on record hie oninion as to | the best hor*e raced in Now Zealand Mr. R. J. Maron writes as follows in the Referee:—" Ut> to a mile and a-qus.rter I would without hesitation pick Gloaming as the bast horse that has raced in Zealand, and I have had lota of good horses through my hands. Next best to Gloaming I ■ would select Carbine, who was trained Wore, for lons-distance races and had better 1 chances as a stayer than Gloaming, but if fthe latter had been trained for distances I think' he would have beeh able to stay quite as .well. Gloaming beat all the good horses over distances up to a mile arid a-half. although most of hia preparation was «km 9 for shorter distances. I nevor had a,>horse that could do what. Glpaminjr did—take on oil the champions at their own distances and beat them, and in several cases fu- up records in doing so.. Lurlme was Imi best mare I have, had to do with as i *t.iyer. Conditions have changed very much compered with the days when she was facing, but she showed herself of very superior ('lass, winning under bis weights both in New Zealand and Australia and in the best company. Until I got Gloaming I considered Multiform the best horse at all distances that I had bad through my fcande." , THE HAWK IN AUSTRALIA. Mr. J. M. Cameron, the owner of TEe Hawk, is- evidently of opinion that there Iran excellent prospect of tiba Martian gelding being in a position to reproduce his best |brm, for he last weok accepted "the liability •f making a late isntry for hiu horse in connection with the Caulfield Futurity Stakes. The full liability attached thereto is \£6of •while to declare forfeit—that is, ;to p«y The Hawk out of the race—means £3O. The Eawk won the Futuritv Stakes in 1931 under 9.5. and .in the decision. of the' same race , kst February he went very close to ing another win.,'and that, too. under the (Steadier of 10.4. tor he ran the winner. Father's, Yoice (8.2), to a short head. THE TOTALISATOR IN SYDNEY. The Volume of totalisator receipts at Jtandvrick always forms the subject of much ltterest. In a recent issue of the Referee Pilot ' remarks:—Compared with the first half of last season, the totalisator turnover at Hand wick for six meetings iB do wn, though ne ® T 'y as niuch as seemed probable «>ter the first three fixtures. Attendances thus season nave not been quite as large as , :? st ' .P 1 . decrease was not as great in that direction as in totalisator investments ' ! up to the; do*® of the spring meeting. Last seiißon there were five more dayii racing at B and wick in the first half of the reason than Hunng the current one. Consequently, my naures, for purposes of comparison, nre reBtncttd to «ns corresponding fixtures each tW n ' mo ,^f t Tu ?ltfi dropped at the first this season (six days), but. ' fi i laßt hree meetings (also six ago twL \ U . ra TC? r , WM * reat « than a year to make up* F^TorVe^' 1 * £ls '°° o ire as under:— 6 iwo Beaa °ns : ' I: 1925-1826. Talt'a Club , s. •••• « . is!=r;ssiw ! A.J.C. Anniversary (two days) 0 ! ■- -iiUi Tatt's Club . . ' s"SJ3U A.J.C. ./Anniirersary (two days) 93,026 15 Totaj , . v.-, .. ..S^wTo ' . fir- tekSr fiS R.VS "it - & r '- auMr Pf«°d, aiS3.7dO ICa: lw - ■■ ■ A i

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. The Taranaki Cup winner, Yoma, figures in the Stewards' Handicap at Wanganui to-morrow with Bst Blb. Mr; W. M. Taylor, having decided to retire from racing, King Pellicule is to ba offered by auction at Mesars. Buokland and Sons, Haymarket yards, on Friday. Glenross, tha six-year-old son o£ Absurd and Bronze, has not managed to win a rece this season, but he may take a hand in the settlement of the Stewards' Handicap at Wanganui to-morrow. Tarleton, from whom so much has at times been expected, was one of the chief disappointments of the Dunedin meeting last wepk., The Nassau gelding figures in the Midsummer Handicap at Riccarton nest Saturday. The Hawk, who displayed soreness recently, is now reported to be training on satisfactorily at Flemington. The Martian gelding figures among the acceptances for the Newmarket Handicap, in which he is weighted at 9.13. Summed up on the form displayed by Oration at the Taranaki meeting last week the Auatralian-bred colt should have something to nay in the settlement of the Flying Handicap set down for decision at Wanganui to-morrow. In the decision of the Manawatu Cup (1 i miles) at Awapuni, on Boxing Day last, Clarinda (7.12) beat Enthusiasm (8.11) by a head. The two bay mares figure in the Wanganui Cup to-morrow. Enthusiasm haa 9.0 opposite her name, while Clarinda figures at 7.7. Monev Order, who has been off the scene since he contracted a cold at '.Ellerslie in December last, is stated to be furnishing nicely, and it is understood that his owner, Mr. J. R. McKenzie, has some thoughts of sending the son of Paper Money across to Australia at the back-end of the season. Bright Day figures in two races at the Wanganui meeting to-morrow. In the Stewards' Handicap ho is weighted at 9.5; and in the Wanganui Cup 7.11 is opposite his name. The Stewards' Handicap is the second race on the programme, and the Cap is the fifth race in order. The field for the Wanganui Cup to-mor-now will not be a strong one. but should the nine horses still engaged go to the post, there will be material for an interesting contest. It seems to be a popular opinion that Enthusiasm, who heads the list with 9.0. will be made favourite. If Muraahi (7.10) gets back to form lie should have something to »ay in the finish, for he carried 8.6 to victory last year and won in good style. When Mr. Otwuy Falkiner furnished the winner of the Sydney Cup of 3923 with David he was credited with winning something like £28,000 from the knights of the book and pencil. The New South Wales sportsman has David and The Banker engaged in the big event at Randwick this year, and with that pair of proved stayers, Mr. Falkiner must-be accounted to hold a double string to his bow of much, strength. An English-bred horse in the shape of Rosenor figured as a contestant in th© Trial Stakes at the Dunedin. Meeting last week, and though he failed to gam a situation lbe made a good impression, and this prediction is offered that he will race prominently vrhen thoroughly wound up. Rosenor is a four-year-old son of Grosvenor, and as the latter is a descendant of Cicero and tho Persimmon mare Sceptre solid reasons can be advanced in support of tho theory' that the future has a lot in store for the recently imported horse. THE ROTORtTA MEETING. ; " ■ ' ' ' ? v ..' . • NOTES ON THE FORM. BY ARCHER. .. The Rotorua Raoing Club"s annual meeting was held in perfect weather, and was attended with considerable sucoess. The attendance on both days was good, the racing was excellent,. a-nd in addition the totalisator figures showed an increase of £2522 103 ever last year. The Rotorua Club is a progressive body, and this is instanced by the number of improvements that have been carried out at Arawa Park Racecourse in the past twelve months. The most important of these hus® been the erection of a fine nta-nd. containing all the necessary offices, and giving an excellent view. It is easily the best stand of its kind on the country circuit, and larger and better appointed than possessed by some clubs in the metropolitan areas. One of its most interesting features is the tower provided for the judge, who has h position above and shut off from everybody. Favourites were well to the fore on the opening dky, when no fewer than six of them "were successful. Unfortunately for backers, it was different on the second day, when Heieilef and Exactly were the only favourites, to score. •; Hokioi gave further proof that he is a distinctly -promising hurdler by winning the Hack Hurdles very easily. The Day Comet gelding ia not an • attractive fencer, but he jluts lots of dash into his leaping, and is improving witk every race. Kin,j Abbey was backed down to a short price in the Tftrawera Hurdles, but after leading for about a mile and a-quarter he stopp«« badlv, and finished last. It was stated that he had not done much work since Tsikapuna, and was probably not at his. best. , Dress Circle scored nicely tho Hot Springs Handicap, and was unlucky. in not wianing again in the .Electric Handicap. His form is proof that- he is on the improve, and he. should win again soon at minor meetings. — /. • >■ t One of the most promising maidens seen out at the meeting was Kingfield, who finished second in the Electric Handicap, and two races later occupied a similar position behind Heisler in the Flying Haiadica.p. Kingfield ia a shapely three-year-olc'l ge'iding by King t Lupin, and should improve. Only for running wide at the turn he would have won the Electric Handicap.

Blue Sky, a four-year-old grey gelding by Pplydamon from Mary Bird, opened his winning account by taking the Electric Handicap. The racing should do him goad, and it should not be long before he secures further honours among the minor c'lass.

Recent racing has made Mount M&rta a very fit horse, and he ran two good! races, dead-heating in the Cun with Soat and finishing second in tha President's Handiean. A littlo bad luck at the' home turn cost him a victory in the latter event.

. Exactly mi»sed a place in the , Tourist Handicap, but made amends by winning the Farewell Handicap. For the latter «vent »he was. favourite and won nicely at the finish. She may have won in any circumstances, but, was lucky in getting all the best of the start, as well as having the inside position.

The\two five" furlong events proved easy for that speedy beginner. Heisler. who atarted favourite in both and-won easily, iieialer is at tho tof) of his form at present.

It from his running in the Kotorua Cup that Scat is on the improve, and also that he is very useful • over a middle distance. Scat is, still a hac'k, and he should be ticked oft as one likely to run well in the Piako Hack Cup at Te Aroha.

* Gala Day was Jjpavily backed in both of his races, but tho' best he could do was to notch two thirds. In the cup he did not have the best'of passages, and,- after being stepped on the fence, near the five furlong post, he had to make his run on the outside. In the President's Handicap lie was in front early , and, together with Scut and Charlady, he sot a torrid pace, only to fail in the last little bit.

E. Keeaing was "riding in excellent form, and steered no fewer than six_ winners, hia successful mounts being Heisler (twice). Blue Sky, Archeen. Joy Ride and Quincoma.

The victory bf Quincoma in the Hack Welter was very decisive, and he was never better than at present. Unluckily he drew the outside position at the post in the Ohinemutu Hack Cup, and ao he luid none the best of it around the first turn he ,did extremely well to run fourth. Another win should soon be credited to him.

Consistency received its reward when Joy Hide accounted for the Borough Har dicap, for in his four starts prior to the win he had notched three seconds. Joy Rid«i won in good style, and should get another stake on the country circuit.