RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19415, 25 August 1926, Page 8

RACING.

SEASON'S FIXTURES. August 25—Egmont-Wanganui Hunt. August 23—North Taranaki Hunt. September 1, 2—Morton Jockey Club (at Ffeikling). September 4—Ofngo Hunt. September 4—Manawatu Hunt. September 9, ll—Wanganui Jockey Club. September 15—Dannevirke Racing Club. September IG—Dannevirke Hunt. September 18. 20—Otaki Maori Racing Club. September 24. 25—Aehburton County Racing Club. September 21, 25—Napier Park Racing Club. September 25. 27—Avondale Jockey Club (at Ellerslie). September 30, October I—Gsraldine Racing Club. ' ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. "Historical."—The fact has to bo borne in mind that the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase has been run under different conditions, both as to locality and control. The highest weight carried to victory in the race since the Canterbury Jockey Club took it over in 1888 is 12.8, under which weight Norton scored at Riccarton in 1894. In 1886,, the winner, Canard, carried 12.10 in the race, which was run that year at Riccarton. "Imager."— Spade Guinea (188G) was the first mare to win the New Zealand Cup. The other mares to capture tho race in question were:—Rosefeldt (1893), Lady Zetland (189G), Tortulla (1901), Lady Lucy (1909), Sinapis (1913), and Oratress (1920). In 1900 Ideal ran a dead-heat with Fulmen, and in 1914 Warstep had a similar record with Indigo. NOTES BY PHAETON. THE NEW ZEALAND CUP. "How many times has a three-year-old •won the New Zealand Cup?" is the nature of a question that comes to me almost coincident with the publication of the entries for tho big two-mile race set down for decision on the first Saturday in November. In looking back there is some interesting material for thought under the heading named. Fusilade, who was tho first three-year-old to score, was really not of nn\ch account, and he was put in at the minimum. Manton, who led the field home in 1888 under G.lO, was of quite a different standard, and the samo applies to Tirailleur, the winner of the raco in the succeeding year, even though he carried an impost 101b. under weight-for-age, St. Hippo carried 7.8 to victory in the race of 1892, and he accomplished his task in high-class style. Euroclydon, who won the raco of 1895 under 7.0, was a true slayer and a horse of class. In 1899 Seahorse equalled the weight-carrying feat of St. Hippo by carrying 7.8 home in fro:nt, and in 1905 Noctuiform beat the field uncler 7.7. The race of 1914 was rendered memorable, for a three-year-old in the shape of Jndigo (6.12) dead heated with the four-year-old Warstep (7.11). In the interval the three" year-olds have been right out of it. A glance over the entry list shows that five three-year-olda are engaged in this year's Cup, viz., Kilperotx (by Kilbroney), Kilbox (by Kilbroney). Alyson (by Kilbroney), High Gear (by Tractor), and Seatoun (by Archiestown). There is possibly not a great deal of encouragement to sing the praises of this quintette of aspirants for New Zoaland Cup honours, but the one, I take it, thivt may be responsible for some good. form ■ this season is Seatoun, for with St. Simon 'on one side of his pedigree and two strains of Musket on the dam's sids, that should help him a good deal when the staying qual- j ity' is necessary. , MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. Gaillartl. who has not raced since last .Tanuaty, is stated to have come round nIT night, and further, that he maybe equal to winning an early race this season. Kilbroney is the sire most strongly reproRented in the nominations for the forthcoming New Zealand Cup. Ten of tho fifty entrants for the big southern race claim him as sire.

, Sdven mares figure in , this year's entry for the New Zealand Cup, the.list including the following:—Divinal, Full Swing, . Lucinda, Alyson> Dcgage. Ravenna, and Waetea. Vanninia, an aged son of Mar.iapoto, who is credited with showing considerable im--provement, is engaged in the Hack Hurd'e Race tp bo run at the Egmont-V/anganui ' Hunt meeting to-day. Seatoun, whona prospects at three years old are viewed in a promising light, is engaged to-day in the Fly.'ng Handicap (6 furlongs), to be run at the Egmont-Wnnga-nui Hunt meeting. Royal Present is still a disappointment. The Australian gelding w&b included with the - contestants for the Jellicoe Handicap, run at Ellerslie last Saturday, but he was never in a position to cause him to be included with the leading division. A quartette of Australian-bred horsss figure among the entrants for this year's New Zealand Cup, via.: Tauadees (by Rose- ■ worthy). Haze (by Demosthenes), Tresham (by Treßsady), and Mah Jons (by Comedy King). : _ 'A filly ticked off to race well this seaison Is Helen, the three-year-old haif-aister to Reremoana. At two years old Helen contested four races and she was only found out of a place on one occasion. Horses tracing to Carbine figuring as entrants for this year's Now Zealand Cup number five, viz.: Indian Sage (by Catmint), Benane« (by 'Catmint), Rapier (by Grey'spear), Shining Armour (by Greyspear), and Yoma (by Campflre). The Egmont-Wanganui meeting takes place to-day. The following is a list of the horses engaged in the Hunt. Club Steeplechase (2} miles) Young Thuxnham, 11.3; Gilgai, 10.13; Frizzier, 10.7; Oneroa, 10.4; Sea Comet. E'uweileh, 10.2; Atent, 10.0; Gold Breech, 10.0; Lupineel, 10.0; Grey Dawn, 10.0. The English-bred horse Rosenor, who is owi«'d by the Dunedin sportsman, Mr. A. 8. Cambridge, it is stated, may be a contestant at the Auckland Racing Club's Spring Meeting. It is considered probable that Rosenor may be sent across to Australia later in the seaaon. The offer of 10,000 guineas for the three-year-old colt Rampion, which, we are told in a Sydney cablegram, was refused, is another striking illustration of the prices that may be obtained in the present day for the proved racehorse. "With Rampion engaged in a Beries of important races, and the colt'B prospects of winning the A.J.C. Derby (the winner's portion of which will probably not be less than £0500) it is not after all so very remarkable that the Messrs. Brien should elect to keep Rampion.

The entertainment of visiting owners apparently greatly varies in certain quarters in the South Island. An Auckland owner in relating his experiences in Canterbury recently was loud in his praise of the manner. in which he and several others were looked after by the officials of tho New Zealand Trotting Club during the recent meeting at Addington, and that too in the face of their interests and payment? being confined to another quarter, where entertainment is apparently rigidly discountenanced. In this connection a rather good story is related. A well-known sportsman who had been recently elected to the committee of the C.J.C. was asked on the opening day of a big meeting at Riccarton as to how many luncheon tickets ho required, and he mentioned half-a-dozen. These were duly forthcoming, and on tho eeoond and third days the same number also came to hand. In relating the story in his own happy way the new committeeman remarked: "I fondly realised that my lines were cast in a great country." A debit slip for 18 luncheon tickets, however, came along for redemption at the close of .the meeting, *ud had to be promptly discharged.