RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19780, 29 October 1927, Page 16

RACING.

SEASON'S FIXTURES. October 29—Poverty Bay Turf Club. October 23, 31—TbameB Jockey Club (at Ellrfslie) October 29—Masterton Racing Club. October 29—Banks Peninsula Racing Club. November 5, 7, 9, 12—Canterbury Jockey Club November 10, 12—Whangarei Racing Club. November 16, 17—Winton Racing Club. November 19—Levin Racing Club. November 26, 28—Takapuna Jockey Club. November 30, December I—Feilding Jockey Club. December 10, 12—Taumarunui Racing Club. December 17—Waipa Racing Club. December 26, 28, January 2, 3—Auckland Racing Club. December 26, 27, 29—Manawatu Racing Club. February 4 —Matamata Racing Club. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. "Onehunga."—The distance of the Gore Cup is a mile and a-quarter. not a mile and three-Quarters. Constant Subscriber.—Star Stranger only won one race in Australia—the Metropolitan Stakes (1 mile 5 fur.). " Wager," Otahuhu.—Gloaming never contested in a handicap event. The longest distance over which he competed was a mile and a-half. " Hone," Rotojrua.—ln the Auckland Cup of 1906 Paritutu (8.2) and Akarana (6.13) ran a dead-heat for third place. Grenade (6.13) finished second. " Southerner."—ln the contest for the New Zealand Cup in 1888 the ldaces were all filled by three-year-olds, viz., Manton, Son-of-a-Gun, and Exchange. NOTES BY PHAETON. THE LATE MR. R. WYNYARD. The death of Mr. Robert Wynyard marks the passing of one of the most popular figures in Auckland racing circles. From boyhood it can be said that he was always in close touch with almost every branch of sport, and. those who remember him when he competed as an athlete in Ihe 70*8 on the running track inside the wall surrounding the old Albert barracks will focus a man of glorious physique. 4.nd his performances in running Bhoe3 were in full keeping with his fine physique. In everything he undertook it can be said that Robert Wynyard was thorough. As secretary of the Takapuna Jockey Club for the long stretch of 44 years he played a strong part in the affairs of that body, and the genial temperament that characterised his whole career endeared him to hosts of friends. During the last couple of years Mr. Wynyard's health was such as to cause grave anxiety, but he faced recurring attacks of illness bravely, and be was always hopeful of a return to health. It was not to be, however, and he was ushered to the Great Beyond last Tuesday afternoon. Remembrances of Robert Wynyard will long be treasured in the hearts of those who knew him, for truly may it be said he was a most lovable man. As the years rolls on and we assemble at the raceside at the North Shore to take cur pleasures there will be many a kindly thought for the memory of Robert Wynyard. THE V.R.C. DERBY. The V.R.C. Derby, set down for decision to-day, will mark the 74th contest in connection with the Flemington race. Qhe names of many high-class horses are included in the lißt of winners, and possibly none greater than Grand Flaneur, the bay son of Yattendon and First Lady, who went off the scene unbeaten. As to the probable contestants in today's race, the list was reduced to the following seven after the declaration of the final forfeit on Thursday: Avant Courier, b c, by Valais—Courante. Sacedon, gr c, by Sarchedon—Aqua. Leontes, ch c, by Sea Prince—Perdila. Trivalve, ch c, by Cyklon—Trey. Winalot, ch c, by Rossendale—Princess Volga. Statesman, ch c, by Demosthenes— Marcella.

Merry Mint, b g, by Catmint—Merry Roe. Trivalve displayed such true grit in his dash for victory in the decision of the A.J.C. Derby as to give him a first-class certificate for gameness. Avant Courier subsequently defeated his rival over a mile in the Caulfield Guineas, but it is solidly argued that Trivalve will prove the better stayer, and the opinion ventured by the general body of critics points to Trivalve being nicely positioned to take a place as a winner of dual Derby honours.

THE NEW ZEALAND CUP.

As we are now within a week of the day fixed for the decision of the New Zealand Cup, interest in connection with the big event at liiccarton may be expected to liven up considerably. A final payment for the cup falls due next Monday, and. judging from recent advices, several defections may be looked for, but a ticking off of the probable acceptors leaves a field of 14 likely contestants. Star Stranger, Te Monanui, and Rapier comprise the favourite division, but the top-weight. Count Cavour, also claims a good circle of admirers.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.

So far this season Battlement has proved a complete disappointment, but he is ticked off among the probable acceptances for the New Zealand Cup.

Raasay, tho two-year-old half-brother to Rnnnymede, shaped bo well in his early engagements that he looked like earning further distinction before the spring season was through. The son of Lord Quex has not, however, made the advancement expected and he will not be a contestant at the Canterbury meeting. The late Mr. Robert Wynyard was everywhere held in such warm affection that it was only to be expected that many loving hands would weave a wreath to rest on the bier. There was one wreath, with a purple ribbon attached, on which, in gold letters, the following touching lament appeared:—" Haere kite moe roa" (Farewell). With Pantheon, Spearfelt, and Royal Charter withdrawn from all engagements at the V.lt.C. Spring Meeting, the New Zealand-bred gelding Pilliewinkie would appear to be well placed to win the Melbourne Stakes at Flemington to-day. In the spring of 1925 Pilliewinkie brought off a, big surprise in the Melbourne Stakes by defeating Pantheon, Windbag, Whittier, nnd Heroic. As was ciuite to be expected, the Whangnrei Racing Club secured a Capital list of nominations in connection with its spring meeting, to bo held at Kensington Park on Thursday and Saturday, November 10 and 12, and matters shape well for a record gathering at the popular northern township. The weights for events to be tun on the first day will be declared next Tuesday by Mr. F, J. McManemin. November, 1890 —tho year Carbine won the Melbourne Cup—constitutes a very bright page for Auckland in the history of Australian racing, but there is another year (1885) in the same month when two brilliant horses shed lustre on Maoriland Trenton (four years) and Nordenfeldt (three years) were the stars of that period. Nordenfeldt won the V.R.C. Derby that year, and ho played a part in one of the most sensational finishes that has ever taken place for the Melbourne Cup. On the fourth day of the meeting the two doiighty sons of Musket were set to measure strides in the Canterbury Plate, an event run over the long course of two miles and a-half at weight-for-age, rend odds of 2to 1 were laid on Nordenfeldt. The Derby winner mad© a game bid for victory, but after a stirring battle all the way up the straight Trenton got the better of his young rival and won by a short necfe in 4m 39is.