RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19386, 22 July 1926, Page 6

RACING.

SEASON'S FIXTURES. July 22—Waimate Hunt. July 24—South Canterbury Hunt. July 29. £l—Gisborno Racing Club. July 31—Christchurch Hunt at Riccarton. August 10. 12. 14—Canterbury Jockey Club August 21 —Pakuranga Hunt (at Ellerslie). August 25—Egmont-Wanganui Hunt. August 28—North Taranaki Hunt. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. " Waster." Ellerslie.—Levanter contested the New Zealand Grand National Hurdle Race at the same meeting as that at which ho scored a victory in tho New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase. Ho ran unplaced in the first-named raca.

NOTES BY PHAETON. LIMERICK AT RANDWICK. The New Zealand colt Limerick, who was transported to Sydney recently with a Tie to contesting the Australian Jockey Clab Derbv. did not impress "Pilot. o Sydney Referee, on a first inspection made shortly after the colt's arrival ««» penned the following Limerick s appearance is disappointing, and. on that score, he does not compare favourably with e Rampion. Royal Tea, or Bicolour. other Derby candidates being prepared at a " a ' wick. He is black, a trifle leggy, and lightfleshed and little quartered, but. as he stands over a lot of ground, is one of tho kind that may let down and generally improve in looks next season. Although he improves on acquaintance, ho is not a youngster that ■would cause anyone to be particularly interested in his identity if he was unaware he was looking at a Derby fancy. However, there is no lack of vitality in him. and, while his trainer has great faith m his staving ability, ho has also form to Tecommend him."

THE TOP-WEIGHT. In referring to the handicap issued for the forthcoming Melbourne Cup and the apportionment of the heavy impost of 10.0 to Windbag. " Beacon," of the Melbourne Leader, penned the following " It.seems a pity that the handicapper should have to start "so high with his Melbourne Cup handicaps. Tho margin between the top and bottom weights in the Melbourne Cup is 3st 71b. Surely no great harm would be done by reducing the difference to three stone. That would make the maximum weight 9.7. which is not a prohibitive impos for a really good horse. It seems folly to crush the good horses, for, after all, the Melbourne Cud is a. race intended for good horses and not for duffers. If a horse cannot win with a pull of three stone in the weights ho should not have a place m a Melbourne Cup field. Some of these duffers merely get in the way of the cracks, nnd, although they have no chance of winning, they can prevent a good horse doing so. Optimists who think they might fluke a Melbourne Cup with a second-rate jumpers' flat race or a mile performer should be strongly discouraged."

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. Tho totalisator investments in connection ■with 20 days' racing at Randwick (N.S.W.) this season amounted to £1.159.914. which is £2630 in excess of last year's figures. A good word wa3 penned in regard to Count Cavour when the son of Solferino made his appearance at Randwick. and the prediction is offered that Mr. J. S. Barrett may have no cause to regret in retaining the ownership of the chestnut gelding.

Mr. L. S. Otway, of Morrinsville, who owns Persis, dam of Tuahine. speaks enthusiastically in regard to the colt thrown by the Marble Arch mare to Tea Tra7 in 1925. In colour the youngster throws to the sire, and altogether he is pronounced a true Tea Tray.

Amarelle. a filly by All Black from the St. Amant mare Amantine. who won a mile race at Flemington recently, is selected fcs one of the most likely fillies raced at two years ol.d that will stay well, and she la regarded as a filly in every way fitted to earn classic distinction.

The Hymettuß mare Kyades produced a filly to Catmint laßt year. and. as the youngster claims full-sistership to Phaola, she has a good relative to introduce her to notice. -The filly, who will attain the yearling status next month, is said to be a ■very nice-lookine youngster.

It is computed +hat the progeny of Absurd have captured prize-money to the amount of £26,000 during the present season, and the grand total credited to the Absurd family is now stated to reach to £170,000 —a wonderful record, truly, considering that the first of his stock did not make their appearance on the race track until 1920.

The value of a horse who fails to stand training depreciates very quickly. Eaglestone (by Spearmint— Countess Zia) was bought in' England by the Melbourne trainer. G. T. Godby. at. it is said. 2000gns. Transported to Australia, Eagiestone failed to stand the racing test, and he was sold In Melbourne last week iinder the hammer for 450gns.

The Mountain Knight gelding Maunga is stated to be getting through a satisfactory preparation at Hastings, and he is expected to make the trio to Riccarton with a view to fulfilling his engagement in the New Zealand Grand National Hurdle Race, in the decision of which event last -ear he finished in third position behind Penury Rose and Nxikumai.

The veteran steeplochaser Oakleigh was severely injured while following the hounds at Pukerimo last Saturday by coming into contact with a barb-wire Oakleigh was being qualified for the Waikato Hunt Cup. but as the wounds on his forelegs necessitated the insertion of something like 30 stitches it is rendered quite certain that he> will have to be rested for a good period.

Kendal was retransported to Auckland after contesting at the Wellington meeting on the 10th inst., but the chestnut gelding is booked for another southward trip with a view to fulfilling engagements at the Canterbury Jockey Club'B Grand National meeting next month, and he will probably be entrained to Wellington to-day for the first stage of the journey to Riccarton.

Archeen. who wound up at five years old with a win in the Onslow Handicap, run at Trentham on the 10th inst,. is credited with seeing out another seaswn in good style and. as 32 races were, exacted from him during the present season, lie ia evidently to be viewed as one of the hardy sort. During tho four seasons in which Archeen has raced under Dr. C. Blundell's colours ho has earned prize-money on no 1e33 than 29 occasions, and his total winnings to date amount to £2435.

Ngata. Nukumai. and Listening Post, who are candidates for New Zealand Grand National Hurdle Race honours next month, it is interesting to note, won on the fiat, during the season just closing. Ngata won the I resident s Handicap and the Aldworth Stakes at Feijdmg, Nukumai scored in the Marlon Handicap, and Listening Post led the field home m the Otago Handicap. Nukumai has the all-round record, hurdie flat, and steeplechase successes embellishing h:s record this season.

The contest between George Price !aie of New Zealand, and W. Kelso for the'training cnampionsrup m New South. Wales for tne present season is invested with a deal of interest, for it is a close thing between them. Until the 10th mst. Kelso was at the head of the list for the area named with 20i successes, but a win on the part of Whizbro, who hails from Price's stable, raised the latter's score to 21. Three meetings have vet to take place ere the ssason ends in New South Wales, and it is thought that Kelso may again secure the leading position.

The once-brilliant Beauford figured among the starters for the Flying Handicap, a. sixfurlongs race, run at the Rosehill meeting on the 9th inst.. and in which the veteran ■was called upon to carry 9.9. He was well backed, but could get no closer than fifth at the finish. In referring to the reappearance of Beauford under silk " Pilot," of the Sydney Referee, penned the follow ins:—'" Theie is not a great deal of sentiment in racing, and. ao Beauford is useless tor any other purpose, his own»r is evidently »LS? lwo ?i ne might as well keep him ifti, 1 • « absolutely certain his day m Riu # should not be far ofl either. m ™b Q 10 y6ars month." Bnk