RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19699, 27 July 1927, Page 15

RACING.

SEASON'S FIXTURES. 1926-27. July 28, 30—Gisborne' Racing Club. .July 30—Christchucch Hunt. 1927-28. August 6—Poverty Bay Hunt. August 9, 11, 13 —Canterbury Jockey Club. August 20—Pakuranga Hunt. August 27—Taranaki Hunt. September 2. 3—Marton Jockey Club. September 8, 10—Wanganui Jockey Club. September 9—Egmont-Wanganui Hunt. September 10—Otago Hunt. September 14 —Dannevirke Racing Club. September 15—Dannevirke Hunt. September 24—Ashburton Racing Club. September 24, 26—Avondale Jockey Club (at Elleralie). September 29, 30—Geraldine Racing Club. October I—Hawke's1 —Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. October s—Manawatu Hunt. October 8, 10—Auckland Racing Club. October 7, B—Otaki Maori Racing Club. October 8. 10—Oamaru Jockey Club. October 13, 15-r-Dunedin Jockey Club. October 13, 15—Dunedin Jockey Club. October 15—Carterton Racing Club. October 19, 20 —Cromwell Racing Club. October 22, 24—Wellington Racing Club. October 22, 24—Waikato Racing 'Club.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS

"Axeman."—Bitlane and Gloaming were both bred in Victoria. Biplane won the A.J.C. and V.R.C. Derbies, and Gloaming scored victories in the A.J.C. Derby, N.Z. Derby, and Great Northern Derby.

NOTES BY PHAETON,

N.Z. GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE

Auckland holds such a strong hand in connection with the impending Grand National Steeplechase that it is safe to conclude a very keen local interest will be maintained in regard to the probable outcome of the contest at Riccarton on August 9. While it is quite admitted that Beau Cavalier has received his full deserts with 11.7, the dashing character of his fencing abilities attracts many to his side. Kawini mastered the big fences at Riccarton last year in fine style and though he was defeated his effort was attractive. Peter Maxwell led the field in last year's race in dashing style and with strong hopes entertained as to his being right back to form he must be ticked off as being nicely placed to again claim the attention of the judge.

NORTH Y. SOUTH.

Going back to IS7G, in which year, so far as I can gather, the first New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase was contested, this year will mark the 53rd race. In a survey of the records I find that horses hailing from the North Island hold the Tecord with 31 wiria to their credit. The following are the respective lists:— North Island.—Mangaohone. Chemist, Waterbury, Norton, Mutiny (twice), Levanter, Dummy, Blackberry, The Guard, Gobo, Haydn, Awahuri, Inniskillen, Eclair, Eurus, Nadador. Te Arai. Paritutu, Captain Jingle, Ngatoa, Waimai, Master Strowan, St. Elmn. Coalition (twice), Oakleigh (twice), Sturdee, Tuki, and Peter Maxwell. South Island.—Royalty, Fakir, Moflsetrap, The Agent (three times), Clarence, Katerfelto. Kosciusco, Moody, Canard, Faugh-a-Ballagh, Daddy Longlegs, Freeman, Ahua, Slow Tom. Phaetonitis, Eurus, Tim Doolan, Lochella.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

The amount received by the Auckland Racing Club last year in the shape of members' subscriptions amounted to £2712 2s.

Some idea of the operations of the Auckland Racing Club may be gathered from the fact that the sura paid away in wages alone during the year ending June 30, last amounted to £14,564 9s.

As a result of the heavy rain which fell on Monday and through the intervening night, the Ellerslie racecourse presented a flooded appearance, almost the whole of the flat being covered with water.

Maunga is stated to occasionally display signs of soreness and it is deduced that bis trainer will be anxious until the Mountain Knight gelding is through with his preparation for to.e Grand National Steeplechase.

While tb.a opinion is fully endorsed that Zircon stood well the two races exacted from him at Trentham recently, a mark went against his name for , running off at four fences when schooled at Riccarton on Saturday.

With two wins, a second and a third in four starts in Australia. The Thorn won a good record for consistency, and as the son of Absurd was in the market for salo it was thought he might race under other colours than those of his breeder. Mr. G. M. Currie, but so far no mention is made of his having changed hands, and it is possible that he may be retransported to the Dominion.

Mr. R. A. McKenzie's mares Piuthair and Clarinda are both booked for a trip to Australia and it is anticipated that the two sisters will be shipped from Wellington to Sydney next week. The performances registered by Piuthair this season placed her well ahead of Clarinda, who is a year older than her sister, and those in a position to sum up the two daughters of Kilbroney and Black Ada venture the opinion that Clarinda is unlikely to ever outstrip her relative.

The Lucknow gelding Cawnpore, who was sent across to Sydney some little.time back by Mr. E. W. Alison, jun., has been sold there, and that may, 1 suppose, be taken to mean that his racing career has closed so far as New Zealand is concerned. When a yearling, Cawnpore was bougiit by Air. Alison ior 425gns„ and. though he did not advance beyond the sprinting stage he paid his way well at four years old, lor the records show that his earnings in stakes at that period of his career amounted to £2035. As Cawnpore was only required to carry 7.3 in a recent race in Sydney, he is well down in the weights.

Charlatan's victory in the South Canterbury Steeplechase raises a hope in the south that in the chestnut son of Winkie and Divinia Mr. J. S. Barrett may be able to furnish the winner of the Grand National Steeplechase at Riccarton next month. Charlatan's best feats across country, it may be remarked, wero registered at the Dunedin winter meeting, held in June, 1926. Ho won the Wingatui Steeplechase and the Dunedin Steeplechase under 11.10, In each of the races won by Charlatan the distance extended only to 2} miles. A. very different course awaits Charlatan at Riccarton, for the Grand National Steeplechase course there extends to 3i miles.

T. Tagell, who rode C'oybeau to victory in the V.R.C. Grand National Hurdle Race on the lGth. inst., counts himself lucky. G. L-eonard had been engaged to ride C'oybeau, but he had a fall with Alaski in the Maiden Hurdles, and was unable to carry out his engagement. W. Burke (the trainer of Coybeau) had therefore to undertake a hurried search for a substitute and Tagell was the first rider in mufti whom be encountered when he peeped into the jockeys' room. Luckily for him, Tagell had brought his togs with him and the engagement was profitable, as, in addition to his percentage of .£lB5. lie received a present of i! 100 from W. Burke and a solid monetary gift from the owner, Mr. T. M. Burke.

HORSES FOR AUSTRALIA. ARRIVAL IN GOOD CONDITION (Received July 26, 7.44 p.m.) A. and N.Z. SYDNEY, July 26. The racehorses, Tho Hawk, Goshawk and Merry Mint arrived to-day by the Maheno in good condition.