RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19412, 21 August 1926, Page 16

RACING.

SEASON'S FIXTURES. August 21—Pakuranga Hunt (at * Ellerslie). August 25—Egmont-Wanganui Hunt. August 28—North Taranaki Hunt. September 1, 2—Marton Jockey Club (at Feildinsr). September 4--Otago Hunt. September 4—Manawatu Hunt. September 9, 11—Wangnnui Jockey Club. September 15—Dannevirke Racing Club. September 16—Dannevirke Hunt. September 13, 20—Otaki Maori Pacing Club. September 24, 25 —Ashburton County Racing Club. September 24, 25—Napier Park Racing Club. September'2s, 27—Avondale Jockey Club (at Ellerslie). September 30, October I—Geraldine Racing Club. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. ■ " Wager."—At two years old Marble Arch was raced in England. He won several races in Australia at four years old. R.M.—l. Tasman (by St. Albanß—Zillah) is the only Australian-bred horse that has won the New Zealand Cup. 2. Achilles (by Medallion—Nereid) ran third for the New Zealand Cud in 1903. " Matai." Whangarei.—l. The stake value of the Auckland Cup in 1921 was £3500. 2. The totalisator investments at tho Auckland Racing Club's Summer Meeting in 1920-21 amounted to £511,455 10s, which stands as-tho record. NOTES BY PHAETON. FIRST DERBY OF SEASON. The Australian Jockey Club's Derby, which is set down for decision at Randwick on tho firat Saturday in October, is considered likely to attract a record field. Rampion 'b.V Rosendale—Royal Pet), who was the leading juvenile that carried silk last season, is stated to have furnished extremely well, and he is popularly regarded aB in every way fitted to aspire to Derby honours. New Zoaland-owned horses havo such on interesting record in connection with the blue ribbon contest at Randwick that it is hardly -necessary to" state that considerable interest attaches to the prospects of Limerick and Royal Tea, both of whom hail from this Dominion. The New Zealand pair are reported to be training on nicely, and they are both viewed in a promising light. DERBY BETTING. ' It has lons been noted that ante-post betting on Derby contests, even in quarters where the totalisator does not hold complete Bway, is not now characterised with anything like the same volume as that which .ruled in the 80's and 90's. Increased prize-money has no doubt played a strong part' "in fcftusing owners for the most part to rest contented without yrishing to bet heavily: but behind it all is (remarks a Sydney writer) the tendency to postpone speculation until near the day, and thus early betting on Derbies is confined to very limited lines.

A LUCKY SPORTSMAN. The season of 1925-26 can be regarded as the leanest oeriod experienced by Mr. G. D. Green-wood since he entered on racing on an extended scale some 18 years back, the horses carrying his' colours only capturing stake-money to tho extent of £I4OB. A compilation of figures in 1922 bearing on the amount won in stake's by horses trained by R. J. Mason carrying Mr. Greenwood's colours from the year 1908 amounted to £115,000. In the interval a further £24,088 has been captured by Mr. Groenwood's horses, so that tho grand total now amounts to £189,008. LEADING JOCKEY'S EARNINGS. The Sydney rider J. Munro, who is in his 21st year at the present time, has demonstrated diiring the season jmt concluded (remarks the Sydney Sun) that a jockey can earn in a year more money than is paid in salary to the Chief Justice or Premier of a Stats' in the Australian Commonwealth. Munro'e percentages in round figures last season amounted to £4OOO. It is quite reasonable to suppose that Munro's total would be considerably increased as a result of special presents he may have received as a result of steering the winners of such important races, as the Melbourne Cup and Doncaster Handicap. Tho fact that a jockey' can earn £4OOO in fees alone in one season furnishes . a striking illustration of how times have changed to tho advantage of the jockey.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. The weichts for the New Zealand Cup are due to make their appearance on Friday nest. Mr. A. Dickson, sporting editor of the Lyttelton Times and Christchurch Star, is included among visitors to Auckland to attend the Pakuranga Hunt meeting. W. Ryan has the record of steering the winner of the Jellicoo Handicap in two successive years. In. the race -of 1924 ho scored with Musketoon, and last year Passionate won in his, hands. Tresham will bo Ryan's mount in to-day's race, and it goes without saying that much interest attaches to his prospects of performing " the hat trick." A three-year-old who is expected to play his part well this season is Seatown. The son of Archiestown is said to have furnished very nicely, and that he will be auite ready to contest in early spring events. Seatown is engaged iri the Flying Handicap to be run at the EgrnontWanganui Hunt meeting, to be held on the 25th inst. Mr. W. A. Blackler, the well-known South Australian breeder, provided some "copy" in Adelaide recently by submitting a number of resolutions at the annual meeting of tho South Australian Jockey Club, which embraced the following:—"That the minimum weight in all races be 9 stone. That no race for three-year-olds and upward bo- less than one mile. That whips, spurs, and batteries be abolished. That stipendiary stewards be abolished and that in lieu thereof all members of committees be appointed honorary stewards. That guard rails be erected at each end of the straight in order to carry the field toward tho centre of the course and thus prevent cuddling, jostling, and pocketing that takes place freauently. That drawing for places be abolished and instead thereof the horses take up tho positions as numbered on the card."

A correspondent, who ha 3 apparently perused tho names of horses encased at tho Pakuranga Hunt meeting. sends me the following: —" The Waiau Lad walked in tho Dimlight of an early summer's morning on the shore of Ulva's Islo thinking of tho Beau Cavalier he had met the day before, who turned out to be King Selwyn. Tho sun was beginning to rise in 3 clear Bluo Sky when ho saw Sir Roseberry coming toward him. It was to bo a day of biff events and surprises, for a Royal Present was going to be presented to His Majesty to mark the Advent of a rising" artist. They strolled across the Brown Heath discussing the great event; when they met the War Officer and Queenio Latour, who. with Tulle, formed the Syndicate which represented Master Doon, who. after many unsuccessful attempts, had risen to tho heights of ambition by paintins: the Royal Picture which was being presented to His Majesty." The Now Zealand Turf Register for the season of 1925-26 made its welcome appearance this week, and once again it is a pleasing task to congratulate the compilers and publishers on the comprehensive character of the contents. In addition to a record of all racing in tho Dominion where the totalisator has operated, a mass of other information is given, which includes tabulated lists of winners of all the principal races decided on the New Zealand turf, lists of winning owners, winning sires, and winning horses, in addition to the complete rules laid down by tho Racing Conference for the government o£ the turf w the Dominion.