RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19394, 31 July 1926, Page 13

RACING.

SEASON'S FIXTURES. July 31 —Gisborne Racing Club. July 31—Christchurch Hunt (at Riccarton). August 7—Poverty Bay Hunt. August 10. 12, 14—Canterbury Jockey Club. August 21—Pakuranga Hunt (at Ellerslie). August 25—Egmont-Wanganui Hunt. August 28—North Taranaki Hunt. September 1. 2—Marton Jockey Club. September 4—Otago Hunt. September 4 —Manawatu Hunt. September 9. 1.1 —Wangariui Jockey Club. September 15—Dannevirke Racing Club. September 16—Dannevirke Hunt. September 18. 20—Otaki Maori Racing Club. September 24 , 25—Ashburton County Racing Club. September. 24. 25—Napier Park Racing Club. September 25. 27—Avondale Jockey Club (at Ellerslie). September 30, October I—Geraldine Racing Club. October 2—Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. October 7—lvurow Jockey Club. October 7—Masterton Racing Club. October 7, 9—Whangarei Racing Club. October 9—Oamaru Jockey Club. October 14, 16—Dunedin Jockey Club. October 16—Carterton Racing Club. October 23, 25 —Wellington Racing Club. October 25—Waikato Hunt. October 25—Waipawa County Racing Club. October 23, 25, or 25. 27—Waverley Racing Club. October 25—North Canterbury Racing Club. October 25, 27—Gore Racing Club. October 28, 30—Poverty Bay Turf Club. October 30—Banks Peninsula Racing Club. October 30, November I—Thames Jockey Club. November 2, 3—Cromwell Jockey Club. November 3—Birchwood Hunt Club. November 6, B—Auckland Racing Club. November 6, 8, 10. 13— Canterbury Jockey Club. November 13, 15 —Waikato Racing Club, ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. J.0.H., Cambridge.—Beauford is the correct spelling of the horse's name in question. Napenape, Paeroa. —Gladful carried list 2lb. on each occasion when he won the New Zealand Grand National Hurdle Race. NOTES BY PHAETON. NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONALS. Matters in connection with the approaching contests for the New Zeala,nd Grand Nationals remain pretty much in the same position as at the date of the first acceptance, which means that Birkenella, Fireblight, and Kawini figure as the favourite trio for the Grand National Steeplechase and that Ngata. Comical. Nukumai, and Zircon comprise the number whose chances are viewed most favourably for the Grand National Hurdle Race. The racing at Riccarton to-day and the schooling work that may be expected prior to the opening of the C.J.C. meeting on August 10 should go some way to furnishing light as to the prospects of candidates for honours in the impending Grand Nationals, but the respective issues are on all hands voted so very open that those who are setting themselves the task of naming the double are to the end likely to be provided with ample material on which to engage their thoughts. THE WINTER CUP. According to southern advices to hand, the Auckland-owned Nippy is now ranged up with the favourite division for the Winter Cup, in which race the Australian-bred gelding figures with 9.8. A perusal of the list of winners for the Winter Cup reveals that Auckland-owned horses have only captured the Winter Cup on two occasions since the mile race was instituted in 1892. ■ St. Kilda scored nnder Mr. A. Byera' colours in 1896. and then, after an interval of 22 years, Bedford carried Mr. Frank Marshall's colours home in front. When August 10. 1926, arrives eight years will have elapsed between the date of Bedford's victory and that of the running of the 35th Winter Cup, and if a victory is in store for Nippy it will not be out of its turn. THE AUCKLAND CUP. A country correspondent, no doubt with a desire to become fully informed with regard to the early history attached to the Auckland Cup, sends me a communication in which he asks why there is no entry of an Auckland Cup in 1875. Well, the reason for the same is easily explained. The A.R.C. Committee decided to cut out Boxing Day in 1875, and to open the summer meeting on New Year's Day, 1876. In shaping matters, however, for the succeeding season the summer meeting was extended to three days, with the Auckland Cup fixed for Boxing Day. Two Auckland Cups were therefore run in 1876. A like record, it may be remarked, happened in connection with the Auckland Cup of 1888. The summer meeting of 1887-188S opened on Boxing Day, but the Auckland Cup figured on the programmo for New Year's Day. Two Auckland Cups were, therefore, run in 1888 scored a victory in the race on New Year's Day and Lochiel got home first in the contest that eventuated ou Boxing Day. WINDBAG'S BROTHER. Bicolor. the full-brother to Windbag, is viewed as a possibility for the Australian Jockey Club's Derby, which comes up for decision on the first Saturdy in October. In referring to the son of Magpie " Pilot,'' of the Sydney Referee, penned the following:—"As a yearling Bicolor was bought by Messrs. E. L. Baillieu and " Constable" for 1600gns. and it is not too much to say that he is now a better-looking colt than his brother. Windbag, was at the same age. It is not unusual for the price of a horse to depreciate after its sale as a yearling, but at Randwick recently I heard a well-known owner sa.v he was prepared to take a chance and buy Bicolor at the figure his present owners paid for him; in fact, would, go a little bevond it. Since then the announcement of Bicolor's backing for the Melbourne Cup has drawn attention to him. and nov; it is argued that, if he is a possibility for the Melbourne Cup with 7.1. he must ht*ve an A.J.C. Derby chance." A SMART FILLY. The Romeo—Dixieland filly Jeannette, who won the Flying Handicap at Gisborne last Thursday, has paid her way very nicely during the present season, for in the 19 races she has contested she b.as earned prize-money on 14 occasions. The record of the brown filly at three years old reads a3 follows: Six times first, six times second, twice third, and fivo times unplaced. Jeannette figured* among the yearlings sent up to auction at Devonport in the summer of 1924. when she fell to the bid of Mr. F. Hall at 45gns. Jeanette. it may be remarked, can boast of quite a blue-blooded pedigree. On the dam's side she can lay claim to no less than three strains of Musket blood. Dixie'and was got by Berriedale (son of Wallace "and grandson of Carbine), and the other Mu=ket strains come to the filly throuzh Bobadil and Trenton. Jeannette may yet have to display her best form. SELLING RACES IN ENGLAND. At various periods an attack has been made in England on selling race events, but they have always stood the assault, and. what is more, continue to be popular. It is quite easy to realise that those concerned in proprietary racecourses would declare "hands off the selling races," for on many occasions their funds are largely augmented by competition for horses claimed. London papers recently to han'tf relate a case in point. At the Hurst Park meeting Warrior's Star won the Richmond Plate, a two-year-old selling race .of £ 197. The filly was entered to be sold for £IOO, but the bidding for her possession assumed such a spirited form that it reached 1200g5., which represented a surplus of £ 1160 over the sum at which the filly was entered. The fiily was bought in by her owner The rules in force governing selling races provide that the surplus over the selling price shall be divided between the owner of the second horse and the race fund. It will therefore be quickly recognised that when it is a case of running-up the bidding for a selling plater the owner of the animal can have some searching moments, while the owner of the second horse, and, of course, the executive, can command broad ntniles •at the luck that has come their war.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.. The late Mr. P. W. Edwards, whose closing days were enacted in the roVfe of a successful handicapper. it is interesting to relate, was in his day one of best known, as he certainly was one of the most accomplished, photographers that graduated in this auarter of the Dominion j Photographing of children and of horses, i 3. indeed, a wide range. " Fred." Edwardf/ was always quite at his''ease in both thos/B situations, and I am happy to say that I have several very charming specimens of Yiis admirable work with the camera wheu he had his studio in Queen Street in tlj./e 80's and SO's. Wonderful advances have, 110 doubt, been mado in the art of photography during the past quarter of a century 'by reason of improved apparatus, etc., but I think it may be said with perfect secmrity that had Mr. Edwards elected to continue to direct his talents in that direction he would have held his own in the most select circles. When Colorado struck his colours to both Coronach and Lancft Gaye in the Derby contest his owner, Lord Derby, and the trainer, the Hon. Gl Lambton. were stated to have been greaf/iy disappointed, for the colt's victory in tho Two Thousand Guineas was effected in vetjy complete fashion. SubseQvient runnina. 'nowever, went to confirm the view |hat the son of Phalaris is not nearly as good a colt as he was held to be, for he could onl],- get third in the decision of the Rous Memorial Stakes, in which race he started a strong odds-on favourite. No one requites to be told that America claims records under quite a number of headings. In perusing a recent copy of the New York Herald mention is made of Thomas Cheek, who is referred to as " 101 years young turfman and philosopher," who led in a winner of a race last month at Aurorrt. The New York Herald adds: " That Mr. Cheek is the oldest turfman in the world is unquestioned; that he is one of the happiest is also certain. He attributes his long life to the fact that he has been with the horse 3 for 90 years—first as an exercise lad later as a iockey, and then as owner and trainer." When American crooks are after money they are regardless of human or other life. At Exposition Park, Aurora, Illinois, at the end of May. a scheme for the poisoning of racehorses was brought, to light. Two of the horses—Apology and Elizabeth K.—died, and two others escaped death. The outcome wan that the stewards warned off five individuals for " conspiracy to commit fraud, and for participating in a plot to poison and preparing and administering poison to thoroughbred horses." One of the participators. it is stated, was a woman. Solario having proved himself the best horse at present performing on the English turf, the form his three-year-old sister Imagery would display this season was awaited with not a little curiosity. In the decision of the Midland Breeders' Foal Plate at the Birmingham meeting on June 8 Imagery dead-heated for first place and is booked to improve. When offered by auction as a yearling Imagery was bought by Sir S. Scott for 1800gns. Sturdee, whose exit under tragic circumstances was reported from Hastings last Thursday, was well 'up in years, for the Stud Book reveals that he was foaled as far back as 1912. so that when the Bon of Advance scored his surprise victory in the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase in 1924 he was in his twelfth year. Further details bearing on the mishap that came to Sturdee while schooling at Hastings last Thursday, and which led to his death, state that when approaching the hencoop Sturdee apparently misjudged it and put in an extra stride, breaking the obstacle and falling on his head. Mainspring, who won the steeplechase events to the hunter division respectively at the Waimate and South Canterbury meetings, is a descendant of the Light Artillery horse Calibre. Broken Faith, who won the Goodwood Stakes last Wednesday, is a half-brother (by King's Proctor) to the Ascot Gold Cup winner Solario. Broken Faith is a nine-year-old gelding. The annual meeting of members of the Auckland Racing Club is convened to be held on Monday, August 9. at 2.30 p.m., at the Hall of the Chamber of Commerce, Swanson Street. Final payments respectively for the New Zealand Grand Nationals and for the Winter Cup fall due next Wednesday. Mr. o'. Bull's trio, Omahu. Ngata, and Brigadier Bill, are reported to have reached Riccarton in capital form. STUD NOTES. SIRES OF THE SEASON. BY PHAETON. Potoa and Valkyrian are this season again to bo at the service of breeders at Mr. W. C. Ring's Hinuera estate. Potoa. who was gbt by Monoform (son of Hotchkiss), represents the Musket line, and on the dam's side he can boast of a strain of Blair Athol through stout-hearted Tasman. a descendant of St. Albans. In physique Potoa is endowed with much of the Musket character, and in 1 e Monanui it can be said he has obtained a fine advertisement. Valkyrian is an English-bred horse of commanding physique, and the initial batch of his descendant are Of decidedly promising appearance. Got by William the Third (one of the most noteworthy sons of the celebrated St. Simon) from Valkyr, by Eager (son of Enthusiast) from St. Natalie, by Common (son of Isonomv), Valkyrian can certainly boast of a pedigree that will stand a deal of scrutiny, and with such an array of winning blood in his veins something above the ordinary may be expected to evolve from his progeny. Surrevor. another noteworthy scion of the St. Simon tribe, is to be at the service of breeders this season at Mr. J. Patterson's Ellerslie estate. The performances registered by Surveyor stamped him as one of the hardiest horses that has figured on the New Zealand turf, and in the pages of the Turf Register are- enrolled many noteworthy victories on. his part in important races Surveyors sire Nassau, is a descendant o' William tne Third (Bon of St. Simon) and the Buccaneer mare Stolen Love, and his dam. Pedometer, is by Steoniak (son' of .Jvordenfeldt) from the Wallace mare Demeter. The mating of the St. Simon aud Musket families has proved wonderfully successful and. with Surveyor possessing all the qualities and physique to be pxpected of a stallion, the chestnrt horse can very appropriately be placed with the sires of the season. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. Martian will not. it is stated, bo further used. Foaled in 1901, Martian is in his 25th year. Descendants of Martian still on the turf may. however, be expected to increase in a marked degree the wonderful record down to the credit of the Martagon horse before his days are ended. From Gisborne comes news of the death of the St. Paul—Curacoa mare Paulsen, dam of that good performer Gazioue. Foaled as far back as 1902. Pauleen had reached an age well bevond the average of equine life.