RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20088, 27 October 1928, Page 18

RACING.

SEASON'S FIXTURES. October 27—Poverty Bay Turf Club. Octobor 27—BankB Peninsula Rucmg Club October 31—Birchwood Flunt Club Novomber 1. 3—Dargaville Racing Club (at Avondale). November 3 5. 7. 10— Canterbury .Jockey Club November H. 10— Whanuarei Racing Club November 21, 26—Te Kuiti Racing Club. November :H) December I Takanuna Jockey Club. November 30 December I Peildins lockey Club December 7. B—Cromwell Jockey Club. December B—Taumarunui Racing Club. December B—Ashburton County Racing Club. December 12. 13—Woodville District Jockey Club December 14. 15—Oamaru Jockey Olub. December 15—Waipa Racing Cluf . December 26 Waipukurau Jockey Club December 26. 27—Dunedin Jockey Club December 26, 27—Westland Racing Club. December '26, 27—Taranaki Jockey Club. December 20. 27. 29—Manawatu Racing Club December 26, 28, January I. 2—Auckland Racing Club. . _ . December 29. January 1. 2—Greymoutb Jockey Club January I—Waikouaiti Racing Club. January 1- Wyndham Racing Club. January 1. 2— AVaiiurapa Racing Club. January 1, 2—llawko's Bay Racing Club. January I. 2—Stratford Racing Club. January 1. 2—Marlon Jockey Club. January 2. G —Southland Racing Club. January 5. 7—Vincent Jockey Club. January 7. B—Reefton Jockey Club. January 12, 14—Thames Jockey Club. January 16 —Opotiki Jockey Club. January 19—Bay of Islands Racing Club

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. " Inquirer," Remuera. —The law prohibit' ing the publication of totalisator dividends in New Zealand came into force in 1008 0., To Aroha.—The placed horses in the New' Zealand Cup of 1917 were Menelaus, Johnny Walker and Snub, who finished in that order. " Otahuhu."—Wairiki was bought privately by Mr. S. Bradley from the late Mr. William Walters. It was a full-brother to Wairiki that was sold by auction when a yearling for llOOgns. That colt, who was subsequently named Seddon, was sold at Glenora Park on January 3, 1006. NOTES BY PHAETON. LONG DISTANCE RACES. " How many flat races of two miles are included in. events of the New Zealand turf?" was the nature of a Question addressed to me by a correspondent yesterday. This, it will bo quickly recognised, can bo very readily answered, for tho number is now down to three, viz., the New Zealand Cup, Auckland Cup, and Trentham Gold Cup. In disposing of a question based on this distance question one is tempted to dip into old-timo history and to realise the altered state of affairs. fhe Auckland Cup and Wanganui Cup were once run over a course extending to two miles and a-quarter, tho distanco of the Dunedin Cup was two milos and a distance, while the Wellington Cup was run over a twomile course, and quite a number of the minor clubs fixed the distance of its leading race similarly to the latter. Tho C.J.C. Handicap, which gave place to tho New Zealand Cup in 188:3, was always run over a two-mile course, and tho Canterbury Cup. run at weight-for age, had a lons life as a two mile and a-quarter event, but what was termed " tho exigencies of the situation caused the C.J.C. Conunitteo to this year cut down the distance of the weight-for-ago race to a mile and three-quarters. Considering that tho Canterbury Cup figured on the spring programme, the step taken in reducing the distance can no doubt be stoutly defended. All tho same, it would be refreshing to recognise an awakening and something like an enthusiastic cry in tho air, " Keep up tho distances." WEIC.IIT-FOR-AGE RACE Prince Humphrey having been paid up for in connection with tho W. S. Cox Plate, it would Bcem safe to conclude that, all being well with the Auckland-owned colt, he will be given nil opportunity of winning weight-for-age honours at the Moonec Valley meeting to-day. Amounis (Oyrs), Winalot Uyra). and Statesman llyrs) represent the elder division engaged, and a brace of three-year-olds in the shape of Hamulus and Oatendale figure in the race. The value of the raco to the winner is i'7so ond a gold cup of the value of £IOO. A LUCKY PURCHASE. The lucky purchase made by the Otago sportsman. Mr. W. 'I. Haslet!, when lie bought tho Symington mare Simper al the dispersal sale of the late Mr. K. D- Morrison's stud in tlie autumn of 1010. line many times formod the subiect of remark, as well it might, for Simper has proved a marked success at the stud. Tho victory registered by her two-year-old daughter Spcpd Light ill tho Wellesley Stakes, run at Trentham last Saturday onco again brings Simper's stud record into prominence. In making up a statement of the winnings in stakes bv tho produce of Simper since tho English maro fell to Mr. Ilazleft's bid of HOOgns. nine years back. I found tho sanio to bo £"24,247. Of lliis sum Gold Light was responsible for £ 12,117, and no one requires to be told that Gold Light won a place with the illustrious marcs that graced the turf in this Dominion. In the event of Beacon Light training on properly and Speed Light developing the form that may be expected of her. tho record for Simper's produco should be largely increased before the present season, ends, for the pair arc well engaged in many important events.

FULL brothers as racers. How widely different horses bred 011 exactly similar lines can bo is once again brought out in the case of Poitrel and COll- - who are full-brothers (by St. Alwyne— Poniard). Conjuror had been well beaten in every flat race 110 contested up to tho present season, and he was then relegated to the jumping department. At Caulfield lust Saturday he scored a victory in the Oby Hurdle Uace. and as tho distance of that rnco extended to over two miles it can at least bo claimed for him that he has tho staying quality. Poitrel. the lull brother to Conjuror, i on all hands accorded a good place with the great horses that have figured 011 the turf, and that fact, of course, serves to bring Conjuror up in striking form for a comparison COUNT CAVOUR. Count Ciivour. who is now included anion;! the veterans of the race track, is credited with training on satisfactorily at llic.cartou. and the veteran son of Solferino may bo expected to play a part at the forthcoming meeting at Kiccarton. One of the well versed critics, however, expresses the opinion thaabout Auckland Cup time " The Count" may be fully ready for the frny If a victory in the Auckland Cup ih in store for Count Cnvour, it will bo well deserved, for he has filled second place 111 the Ellerslio race in three successive years. In the race of 1025 he carried 8 and ran Rapine (9.81 tj a short head, in the lollowing year he carried 9-5 and was beaten by Tanadees. to whom he was con ceding l'.'lb., and in Inst year's rare he carried 9.5 and beat all his field with the exception of Rapier (S. 10). THE VICTORIA DERBY. Tho issue in tho "Victoria Derby is voted to be very open. It is, however, on all hands admitted that Prince Humphrey's winning performance in the A.J.C. Derby was invested with true grit, and the Auckland colt having placed a mile and il half race to his credit that ensures him a solid following. Strenhon is held to have acquitted himself ho well that his prospects of earning bine ribbon honours are very warmly voiced. Then there is Balmerino, who won the Caulfield Guineas in racehorsolike style and who is reported to have ir;iinerl on well in tho interval. Hnnuilns and Oatendale comprise a pair that are by all accounts to be accepted as colts in every way qualified to aspire to classic race distinction.