RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20172, 5 February 1929, Page 14

RACING.

SEASON'S FIXTURES. racing. February 7, 9—Taranaki Jockey Club. February 7, 9—Gisborne Racing Club. February 9, 11—Rotorua Racing Club. February IJ, IS—Duuedin Jockey Club. February 11. 16— Wanganui Jockey Club. February 11, 16—Poverty Bay Turf Club February 16, IS—Te Aroha Jockey Club. February 20, 21—Woodville Racing Club February 23— Canterbury Jockey Club. 3!arch 8. 9—Napier Park Kacing Club. March 9—Franklin Racing Club. March 16, 18—Wellington Racing Club. March 16, 18— Ohinemuri Jockey Club. March 20. 21—Manawatu Racing Club. March 23 of Plenty Jockey Club. March 30, April I—Auckland Racing Club. April 1. 2—Canterbury Jockey Club. April 6, 10—Avondale Jockey Club. TROTTING. February 9—New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club. February 16—WellitiKton Trotting Club. February 23, 27—Otahuhu Trotting Club. March 2—Waikato Trotting Club. March 23—Thames Trotting Club. March 30, April I—Hawera, Trotting Club. March 30, April 3—N.Z. Metropolitan Trotting Club. .Tunc 22. 24—Auckland Trotting Club. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. " Sport.'' Waitoa.—Appellant was not ineluded among Ihc starters on the second day of tho Takapuna. Jockey Club's recent summer meeting. " Sport," Epsom—Gothic's performance (2ra 29;5) in the contest for the C. B. Fisher Plate at Flcmingtou last November is the fastest record for a mile and a-half so far recorded in Australia and New Zealand. NOTES BY PHAETON.

THE TARANAKI CUP. The next noteworthy event to claim attention is the Taranaki Cup, which comes up lor decision next Thursday. r iho acceptance clay saw the number engaged reduced to nine, with the Australinn-brcd gelding Yertigern at the head of tho list with 9.0, which represents an impost lllb. in advance of that under which he won the Wellington Cup on January 22. Hynanna (8.10) should be able to combat n challenge from Verti gern if he is light back to form. As u result of Yoma's success in the Egmont Cup his impost has been raised from 7.11 to 8.1 By all accounts, tho veteran sou of Camp,lre won his race at Hawera in good style and, he should be equal to taking a hand in the settlement of Thursday's race at New Plymouth.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. It is stated that Rapine was galloped on vhen contesting tho Egmont Cup last Thursday and doubts are expressed ai to his racing again for some little time. Rapier has not been raced since last November, but. according to Canterbury tho big son of Greyspear may be expected to make a reappearance under silk this month.

It is stated to be quite likely that The Hawk may be again taken across to Australia in the event of his training on satisfactorily. The Hawk is engaged in several events set down for decision at the autumn meetings.

Count CaVour was reported to have displayed symptoms of soreness after a gallop at Riccarton recently, but he is stated to have performed satisfactorily later, and, all going well with the veteran, ho will, it ia stated, probably be given an opportunity to distinguish himself in the Dunedin Cup, m which race he figures top-weijht with 9.0.

In summing up matters as between Vertizern and Talisker for tlie Auckland Cup last December the latter was preferred to his sto.ble mate, the respective weights of Ihe pair in tlie Ellerslie race being 7.13 nnd 7.4. In casting the weights for the Wanganui Cup Mr. H. Coyle has awarded Verticern 8.11 and Talisker 7.2—a difference cf 23ib.

At the sale of yearlings held at Trentham in January, 1927, Mr. Eric Riddifo'rd beat the opposition with a bid of 600gns for the possession of a bay colt by Leighton from the All Black mare Blended. The colt, who has raced under the name of Shot Silk, has proved a disappointment and was allowed to go at 55gns when submitted to auction recently.

According to advices to hand from Christrhi'rch. F. D. Jones is fully seized with the necessity to have Limerick ready for his lace in the Hazlett Gold Cup on February 16, in which he will have a worthy rival in Aussie. Limerick, it is stated, is striding nh.ng in a manner remindful of his best form, and Aussie will therefore require to hr.ve -'every strap up to give him a chance of defeating the Limond gelding.

The New' Zealand-bred gelding Reonui continues to be a good speculation to the Sydney sportsman who races under the name of " air. J. Babin." Reonui's latest success v,;<s registered in connection with the Roseau H Stakes, and. with the stake-money attached to that race added, his winnings

under the Sydney sportsman's colours since lie bought him from F. D. Jones in the coring of 1926 amount to over £5300.

111-luck still continues to follow Sir Ocorgo Clifford's horses. When Childsplay won the Metropolitan Handicap at Trentlnm liist month matters looked bright for her carrying the popular yellow ar.d blue chequers with distinction in events ahead. Now, however, comes tho unwelcome news that the bay filly is so seriously amis? us 1o make* it quito clear that she will be in jetirement for some time 'o come

The Australian-bred horse Staghunter having gone into new ownership and been transferred to new quarters, it will bo interesting to note whether this will bring in its train a change of form on the part, of the brown colt. There is certainly plenty of room for this to occur, for a survey his performances this Beason reveals that in the eight races in which he has taken part lie finished outside the placed division. The Fum paid for Staghunter when he changed hands recently has not transpired.

Ark Royal, who suffered a scvero injury 1)y a kick delivered by the imported mavo Jny Bird prior t} the start for the "Well ington Cup of 1023 and who. it was feared. w;is settled as a racer, is reported to be spain in training at Wingatui. Up to Ihe tiiric of his mishap Ark Royal had displayed galloping qualities, so that in losing tho services of tho Kiibroney gelding at sin important stago of his career the owner •sustained a luirsli turn.

'J he monetary value of the tv. o races won in 2\ew South Wales by the New Zealand gelding Boston was only of comparatively *niall account, but all the sanio it is some Futisfoction to his owner that tho son J 'lra Tray has displayed decent form It was Stated early l aß t month that Mr. 11. Blundell had decided to havo Boston rc--1 ram-ported to' New Zealand. Boston is engaged in the New Zealand St. Leger and Oreat Northern St. Lege, but l 8 f o[ li.no to reveal whether he possesses the necessary staying quality to contest iho classic races named, which come up for decision at Trentham and Ellcrslie, rupee lively, in tlio /autumn.

! FORTHCOMING MEETINGS.

ROTORUA' RACING CLUB.

.Acceptances for all events to bo run on the first day of tho Rotcrua Racing Club's % close (Tuesday), at 5 p.m., i h Mr. A. J. Farquhar, secretary AvonT AucWa,Kl ' 811(1 with the ® Kill. Kotorua,