RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19390, 27 July 1926, Page 6

RACING.

SEASON'S FIXTURES.

July 29. 31—Gisborne Racing Club. July 31—Christchurch Hunt (at Riccarton). August 10. 12. 14— Canterbury Jockey August 21— Pakuranga Hunt (at Ellershe). August 25—Egmont-Wanganui Hunt. August 23—North Taranaki Hunt.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. H.M.8.. Taurariga.—Wairiki was foated m 1839, and ho ran his first rare at two years old at Ellerslie on January 1. 1902. In the Stud Book records Wairiki was described as bav in colour, but in the Turf Register he is given as a brown.

NOTES BY PHAETON. THE V,"INTER CUP. The Winter Cup is a race run annualW in th» earlv spring that has been responsible for a ccod few surprise victories, and the contests that have eventuated for the mile race at Riccarton in the last four years on each occasion have seen the favourites eo down in pronounced style. With 32 horses engaged in the approaching race and the issue voted decidedly open, it is unite in order to find selections taking a wide range. A horse that ban come into some favour of late is Sun Up. In the decision of the Winter Cuu last August Sun Up ran the winner. Kuhor. to half a head. On that occasion Sun Up only carried 9.5. whereas he is burdened with 10.2 in the approaching race. It will no doubt be contended that Sun Up is a better horse now than last vear. and. as he is of sturv physique; hc> may carry the increased poundage without undue distress. It can. however, be oaid that tho company for this year's Winter Cup is likely to be superior to that which contested last, year's race, and Deucalion (.0 9), Ranier (10.2). Civility (10.1). Indian Satre (9.13). and Niooy (9.8) comprise a auintetto that may prove very troublesome, for Sun Up.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. Sydney papers to hand credit Runnvriieop with wintering satisfactorily. The Kir.!? John celding is in steady work and mnv be expected to make liis reappearance at four years old in September.

A crack racehorse can win a lot of atakomoaoy in England. For instance. Coronach, who has placed the Derby and Eclipse Stakes to his credit, has captured something like £23,000. which at this stage -places him well in front of all rivals.

Covent Garden, a gelding by Absurd f om tho Birkenhead mare Cherry Mart, rising two years old. is stated to be shaping very promisinal.v in his studies at Wanganui. The youngster in Question is booked to carry tho colours of his breeder. Mr. G. M. Currie.

The Maniapoto gelding Pretty Man died recently at Greymouth. When carrying Mr. A. Tooman's colours in the season of 1923-24 Pretty Man paid his way well, but he went through tli9 whole of last season without earning li bracket, indeed out of eleven starts he only succeeded in gaining a place on two occasions.

With Mask developing staying capacity in the autumn of his three-year-old career, the Limond gelding has been popularly viewed as a horse that migfct be expected to be included among candidates for honours in the New Zealand Cup this year. Word comes from Wanganui,- however, that Mr. G. M. Currie does not intend nominating Mask for the race in question.

The Open Hurdle Race to be run at the Christchurch Hunt Meeting next Saturday will probably see a number of horses engaged in the New Zealand Grand National Hurdle Race under silk. Mr. J. Bull has a double string to his bow with Ngaia and Brigadier Bill, and with the latter nicely treated with 10.5 ho may be the one on whom the Wanganui sportsman will rely in Saturday's race.

The announcement that comes from Sydney to the effect that Beauford's racing career will probably be terminated as the result of a severe kick he suffered from a rival while at the starting-post at Warwick Farm last Saturday is an item that will be read with much regret. No doubt Beauford had seen his best day. but one could wish that his disappearance from the scene would be crt a par with that af his great rival. Gloaming. Beauford, it may be remarked, was foaled in 1916. so that he is rising 10 years old.