RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19397, 4 August 1926, Page 8

RACING.

SEASON'S FIXTURES. August 7—Poverty Bay Hunt. . August 10. 12, 14—Canterbury Jockey Club. August 21—Pakuranga Hunt (at Ellerslie). August 25—Eginont-Wanganui Hunt. August 23—North Taranaki Hunt. September 1. 2—Marlon Jockey Club. September 4 —Otago Hunt. September 4—Manuwatu Hunt. September 9. 11—Wanganui Jockey Club. September 15—Dannevirke Racing Club. September !IC— Dannevirke Hunt. September 13. 20—Otaki Maori Racing Club. September 24, 25—Aahburton County Racing Cluii. September 24, 25—Napier Park Racing Club. September 25. 27—Avondale Jockey Club (at Ellerslie). September CO, October I—Geraldine1 —Geraldine Racing Club. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. ''Hobo."—The New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase has been won by the same horso in two successive years on three occasions, viz.:—Mutiny (1895 and 1596), C*oa:ition (1920 and 1921), and Oakleigh (1922 and 1923). NOTES BY PHAETON. It is computed that descendants of Woorak have won stakes to the valuo of £102,100 einco they came on the turf in 1920. Pony meetings in the Sydney area are •tated to be quite in the boom period, and at a recent gathering the number present was estimated at 14,000.

The V.R.C. Derby winner Spearfelt was ona of the big disappointments of last season, but tho prediction is ollered that he will succeed in reinstating himself at the forthcoming spring meetings'. Advices to hand from Sydney credit Count Cavour with training on splendidly at Randwick, and the prospect* are said to be bright for the Soiferino gelding being ready lor the fray when the spring meetings come round. Joe New Zealand colt Limerick i 3 stated to have trained on nicely since his arrival at Randwick. It is considered highly probable that the son of Limond will be given a race or two before the Australian Jockey Club's mooting cornea round in October. It would seem as though the owner of Eh Timi contemplated an early return to Auckland with the grey gelding, as his name figures among the entrants for the Jellicoe Handicap, to be run at the Pakuranga Hunt Meeting on the 2lst instant. Clan Robert, who figures at the bead of the list for both the Australian Hurdle Race and the Australian Steeplechase, is ticked off. as a probable winner of the double. The first-named race is run over a course 3J miles and 20yds. and the cross-country event extends to four miles. It was considered likely that Windbag and Yalicare would have their first meeting this eeason ;n the Chelmsford Stakes, but it is now stated that the two cracks will figure among the entrants for the Warwick &take 3, which event i 3 set down for decision on September 4, and that race may Bee them under silk. The race in question is run over a mile at weight-for-age, with certain allowances, Advices to hand from Riccarton state that Kawini has made a good recovery from the mishap that befel him by slipping up on the wharf after landing from the ferry etearner at Lyttelton las', week, and all continuing to go well with him he can be safely counted among the probable contestants in the Grand National Steeplechase «ot down for decision on the 10th iast.

The Autumnus-Margerine gelding rejoicing in the name of My Hobby, who was taken •crosa to Sydney with Mr. A. B. Williams' team, it is understood, makes the trip across the water with a view to his being offered for sale. Last season My Hobby contested 16 race 3, and he won three of his engagements, his last victory being gained in the Ohiti Handicap (9 furlongs), run at Hastings 'last April. Tke Avondalo Jockey Club has issued the programme in connection with its two meetings to be> heJd at Ellerslia during the season of 1926-27. The sum allotted in prue money amounts to £ 14,000. which is exactly the same as in the preceding season. The value of the Avondale Cup has been reduced from £2OOO to £ISOO. but £250 of the reduction of £SOO has been distributed over the minor events. The other £250 is allotted to events at the autumn meeting, the prize money of which has been increased to £5750. There is every reason to anticipate a good year for the Avondale Club. Mr. A. B, Williams' team of half-a-dozen having been sent across to Sydney will serve to infuse further New Zealand interest into the training operations at Randwick, and their prospects during the coming spring meetings wiil be closely watched. Rapine. who can, I suppose, be safely cited as the main hope of the Hawke's. Bay sportsman's team, must have satisfied his' trainer, J. H. Jefferd, that the Martian gelding will be found equal to reproducing his best form in Australia, for the opposition in the weight-for-age races promises to be specially strong. It was stated eome little time back that Joy King might Jiot be included in the team for Sydney, but tho «on of 'Comedy King was taken across, and wo must now await hi 3 exploits on the training tracks in order lo ascertain what prospects he possesses* as a candidate for Derby honours. With Star Stranger, Dishonoured, and Expense in addition, it can bo contended that "Mr. Williams holds a team that may be expected to capture some prise money on Australian soil. Centrepiece, who led the field home in tho Brabazon Handicap at Riccarton last Saturday hails from Chokebore Lodge, and that, of course, means ho carried Sir George Clifford's colours. During the past season j Centrepiece contested 14 races, and he won three of his engagements. At the C.J'.C. epring meeting • Centrepiece won the Apprentices Handicap (I mile) under Bst 101b in lm 41s. On the same ground in the autumn ho scored a victory in tho Yaldhurst Welter Handicap (7 furlongs) tinder Bst 111b, in the fast time of lm 275, and going on to tho South Canterbury meeting he won tho Pareora Handicap (6 furlongs) undor Bst 421b. By all accounts Centrepiece acquitted himself really: well when ho won the Brabazorj Handicap under 9st Blb at Riccarton last Saturday, for ho was timed to compass the seven furlongs attached to that raco in lm 28 3-ss, Centrepiece, who is a four-year-old 3on of The Ace, and the Martian mare Equipment, figures in tho Winter Cup at the minimum (9st), and he is ticked off among the popular fancies.

STTJI) NOTES. BY PHAETON. The imported stallion Day Comet (by St. Frusquin—Catgut) will be at the service* of breeders at "Waikato again this seacon. Last year Day Comet was stationed at Te Eapa, but this year arrangements have been made for the English horse to stand at Mr. Frank Marshall' 3 estate at. Morrmsville. The first foal or the season was reported yesterday from Mr. J. Paterson's Eilerslio estate. Pell (by Hymettuti—Pellicule) produced a filly to Surveyor. In advocating the mating of sires and dams of the same age, an English expert says that horses so bred include. Common. Diamond Jubilee, Florizel 11., Flying Fox, Isonomy, Melton, Orville, Persimmon, PetraroJ. Royal Hampton, Sterling, Sunetar. and other classic winners. The idea may ue a good one up to a certain age, but after that it is reasonable to give preference to a disparity of years between a etalhon and mare. VICTORIA RACING CLUB. SUCCESSFUL YEAR. A. 'and N.Z. MELBOURNE, Aug. 3. At the annual meeting of the Victoria Racing Cltio, the profits for the yaar were stated to amount to £ 25,000 sterling.