RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19391, 28 July 1926, Page 8

RACING.

SEASON'S FIXTURES. • July 29. 31—Gisborne Racing ClubJuly 31—Christchurch Hunt (at Riccarton). Auzust 10. 12. 14— Canterbury Jockev ''lub. August 21-Pakuranga Hunt (at Ellerslie). August 25—Egmont-Wanganui Hunt. August. 23—North Taranaki Hunt.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. " Subscriber." Parnell. —Xgata contested 15 races during the season of 1925-26, and lio won four of his engagements. NOTES BY PHAETON. THE LATE MR F. W. EDWARDS. By the death of Mr. F. W. Edwards Auckland sporting circles have lost another of their prominent figures. Mr. Edwards was in town a few days prior to his death, apparently in his wonted good health, and the announcement of his passing came as a great shock to his manv friends. A resident of Auckland from bovhood. Fred. Edwards' name, it might be said, was somewhat of a household word, for he fillea many parts, and could very appropriately be accepted as an all-round sport. In his halcyon clays. "Fred" played Iho vigorous role in quite a number of pastimes, and in all he acquitted himself mt onlv well, bn: also as a gentleman, tor the last 25 vears Mr. Edwards was best known as a handicapper. and in tilling tha verv eii-.ct'iig position ho was equally successful in framing adjustments fo. boti Wtimr a,nd racir.g events. He possessed all the a.ialities that made for success as ii handicai'Per. and it can be said he e\er sought to give of his very best. Quite devoid of fads, prejudices Bgainst man or horse were Quite foreign to him. and even under sharp cr.ticism he never lost his equable demeanour. In his patient study of the problems attached to racing I had especial opportunities of recognising his great indiistrv. for the data he compiled for guidance cou.d justly be termed a work of art. T"ulv may it be said Fred, oiidwards played hi;, part well throughout a busy life, and as wo assemble to take our pleasuie o at the raceside there will be manv a kindly thought for his memory.

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB. The anrual statement of accounts to be submitted to the members of the Auckland Racing Club at the approaching annual meeting shows the affairs of that body be in a flourishing condition, and, notwithstanding the reduction of the number of races from eight to seven per day, the results of the race meetings held during the season are quite up to former years. That the policy of the club is based on sound lines and has been successfully carried out is well borne out by the results attained each year and the club's continued progress. There has not at any time, it can be pointedly asserted, been any relaxation in maintaining the very high standard set for Ellerslie', and the members of the club are to be considered fortunate in the possession of officials who can always be relied on to gauge in its proper light any situation that may arise, and to do the right, thing by the public as well as the members. Consequently, should it be possible to find anything wanting at Ellerslie, one can take it for granted that it is either not practicable or is quit© opposed. to sound principles of policy. , •«,- < ."5» -v -* A SPLENDID TEAM. . The New Zealander George Price has won such a prominent place in Australia as a trainer that it need hardly be said a very , widespread interest is ' centred on.' his activities. ' A Sydney journal,* in recently reviewing the various trainers' lots, stated that George Price has taken out licenses for the following 19 horses for the forthcoming season at .Randwick:-—Windbag, Royal Tea. Murray King. Whizbro. Stony, Mychant. Release, Elsa Cstugo. Macduff, Bonnie Chose. Winaiot'.; Queen 'Mas. Cloud, Aquita, : Jdcelyii,'- Mango3tan. Kume'rlong, Gay Gordon, and Midlothian. -There is one particular horse in the team' over which George Price exercises control, in which Aucklanders will have a special interest. That horse is Royal: Tea. the rising three-year-old son of Tea Tray and , Duchess Eudorus. who is a candidate for Derby and Cup honours. Mr! 0. M. Emanuel. owner of Royal Tea. is in receipt of information to the effect that His colt is progressing very satisfactorily in his preparation,. and as time go-s on it will be extremely pleasing to learn that the Auckland .sportsman will

have future reason, to view the prospects of his colt in' an optimistic vein. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. It is a popular opinion that Ngata will be Mr. J. Bull's selection for the Grand National Hurdle Race., . , The revenue received last year by tho Auckland Racing Club in the shape of members' subscriptions amounted to £2674 14s. '

Advices to hand from the South state that Birkenella, is training on very satisfactorily at Riccarton and that he retains his position as favourite for the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase.

The gelding Penniless,, who was numbered amount the defunct, at Gisborne on Monday, had been an unprofitable speculation for a considerable time past, and there waa no groat reason to anticipate much from him.

The Ellerslie Racecourse, it is hardly necessary to state, is not maintained at the high standard that obtains without the expenditure of a large sum in the shape of wages. During the past year the sum paid away by the A.R.C. -under that particular heading, amounted to.-£12,795 13s lid.

Maunga has been despatched South with a view to fulfillin% engagements. The Mountain Knight gelding figures in the Open Hurdle Race to be run at Riccarton next Saturday, and as. he can be voted nicely treated with 10.11 he may he set to carry Bilk before the Grand National meeting arrives,. . ._ ■'

The Auckland -apprentice, W. ! H. Jones, who went across to Sydney, recently, is reported to have ridden several winners in Australia, one of his important successes being gained on Bernesk in the Townsville Cup of £650. This is a Queensland race, so that Jones has travelled well beyond Sydney.

Bachelor, a two-year-old half-brother (by Absurd) to Pluto, is included among the youngsters who failed to earn a winning bracket during tile present season. It has, howover, to be stated that only three races were exacted from him at two years old, and that he has not carried silk since last November. In the interval Bachelor is stated to have furnished very satisfactorily, and all continuing to go well -»vith him ho will, it is predicted, have a very much more attractive record at three years old.

From the maimer in which Tigerland was reported to be acquitting himself in his training work at Riccarton a good race was anticipated on his part at Timaru last Saturday. However, though he stood up throughout the contest for the South Canterbury Steeplechase, he had to strike his colours to Uncle Bob, who conceded his Tival 51b., and beat him by two lengths. It would be pleasing to chronicle that Tigerland had succeeded in interrupting the series of defeats against bis name, but on form at Timaru it must be said the big chestnut's prospects of winning Grand National honours at Riccarton next month do not appear to be very hopeful.

Listening Post, who is one of the latest recruits to the ranks of the hurdlers, aud who is a candidate for Grand National honours. is not apparently likely to frighten any of his rivals out of the big race set down for decision at Riccarton on August 12. According to advices to hand, the effort of the Solferino gelding in the Hadlow Hurdle Race at the South Canterbury meeting last Saturday was dcyoid ordash. Listening Pest is engaged in • the Open Hurdle Race, to be decided r * e3 fV oaturdc.y at the Christchurch Htnt v- a it w ili be interesting to note « any additional dash as utt e £. initial display in public