RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19393, 30 July 1926, Page 8

RACING.

SEASON'S FIXTURES. I July Sl—Gisborne Racing Club. July 31—-Christchurch Hunt (at Riccarton). Aufruat 10. 12. 14—Canterbury Jockey < -lub. August 21—Pakuranja Hunt (at Ellerslie). August 25—Egmont-Wanganui Hunt. August 23 North Taranaki Hunt. 'ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. " Wager."—On the opening day of the Canterbury Jockey Club's Grand National Meeting last year Nukumai (11.9) defeated Penury Rose (0.9) by a length and a-half in ike Jumpers' Flat Race (one mile and a-half) In the decision of the Grand National Hurdle Race (two miles and a-half) on the ijocond day Penury Rose (9.4) defeated Nukuiriai (11.6) by a length. — NOTES BY PHAETON. A NEAT COMPARISON. Under the heading. " North and South." *' Sentinel." writing in the Otwro Witness, penned the following" There is no (shadow of doubt that racina m the South Island has not been in. a flourishing condition during recent years. Measured by money, the North Island has left us well in the ruck, and indications seem to point that such an undesirable state of affairs will continue. Thei 9is no question that racing in Hi a North Island has made progress, while iu the South it has either stood _ still or made a retrograde movement. It is a fact that the majority of southern racing clubs ere struggling, and the question arises as to why that is so. Is it because the percentage of sportsmen in the South is less than in the North, or ia it due to the fact that the southern meetings have been made less attractive than (hoy are in the North? A lone acauaintance with racing leaves no doubt in the writer's mind that the sporting atmosphere in tno South is totally different to what it is in the North. During the present season the writer has noticed representative sportsmen patronise a meeting in the South and win prominent events on a programme, and yet be ignored on the point oi hospitality and even common courtesy. Such a thing would be absolutely impossib'e in the North, and yet they ask why southern meetings are not popular. It is merely Stating a fact that such has been the case, and to anyone anxious to see sport making progress ia the South Island on snorting and good-fellowship lines, that all makes for the welfare of snort, it is time that an undesirable state of affairs should not be ignored. There are iust as good sportsmen in the South as there are in the North, but they #re travelling in somewhat different grooves, and everyone who attends an occasional meeting in the North cannot fail to be impressed with the fact. It is really wonderful what an advertising medium a racegoer or owner can be made if welcomed to a race meeting, and it cuts both ways. However, sufficient has been s;ud to show that there is a different atmosphere surrounding some of the southern meetings tvi compared with those ia the North.." WINDBAG THE BRILLIANT. Windbag standing out as the bright particular star of the Australian turf, anything concerning the son of Magpie commands keen attention. Sydney papers to hand credit, the bay horse with rapidly donnins his warpaint, as the saying goes, and it may be inferred therefrom that matters shape most promisingly fo_" his registering a fine record when he come.3 to fulfil engagements at five-years old. In a recent issue of the Referee "Pilot" penned the following anent Windbag:—There is no doubt as (lo G. Price being well satisfied with the progress Windbag is making. As I wrote shortly after his return. Windbag did not lose any muscle during his holiday, and any tveight he added to his body is disappearing. He moves freely and already frequenters of the Randwick training tracks are looking forward to his next meeting with Valioare, though the distance is more likely to suit her than him. One thing certain, however, is ■that Windbag's rider will have instructions to keep him closer to Valicn.ro in the first half-mile than when the filly scored her ■victory over him at Bosehill in March last jn the decision of the Rawson Stakes." NOTES. A great deal of interest will be centred in She result of the contest, for the' Homeby Steeplechase, which event comes up for decision at the Christ-church Hunt meeting tomorrow. as 11 of the 12 acceptors claim an engagement in the Grand National Steeplechase, and several of them will be making iheir first appearance in publio over the big fences at Riccarton, Birkenella and Kawini feeing included among the number. The fact that the conditions attached to ihe Grand National Steeplechase. Grand National Hurdle Race, and Winter Cup makes it ouite safe Shai winners of the Open Hurdle Race, Homeby Steeplechase, and Brabazon Handicap are safe from rehandicapping nc. doubt played a strong part in bringing a good list of acceptances for those events. Twelve of the 15 horses engaged in the Open Hurdle Race set down to be run at Riccarton to-day are engaged in the Grand National Hurdle Race. The distance of the first-named race only extends to a mile and a-half. as against two miles and a-half for the Grand National event. All the same, it will be especially interesting to note how Zircon and Lucullent acquit themselves. Old customs die hard in England. For inany years the necessity of a rule making it compulsory in the case of dead-hedta in jumping races for owners to- divide the stakes has been advocated. It was not, however," until last month that the National Hunt was empowered to bring a rule into force on the line stated. ————