RACING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20174, 7 February 1929, Page 14

RACING.

SEASON'S FIXTURES. February 7, D—'Taranaki Jockey Club. February 7, 9—Gisbome Racing Club. February 9, 11—Rotorua Uucing Club. February 11, 16— Dunedin Jockey Club. February 11. 16—Wanganui Jockey Club. February 14, 16—Poverty Bay Turf Club t February 16, 18—Te Aroha Jockey Club. February 20, 21—Woodville Racing Club. February 23 Canterbury Jockey Club. Marcfci 8, 9—Napier Park Racing Club. March 9—Franklin Racing Club. March 16, IS- Wellington Racing Club. Mnrcli 16. IS— Ohinemuri Jockey Club. March 20. 21—Manawatu Racing Club. March 23—Bay o! Plenty Jockey Club. March 30. April I—Auckland Racing Club. April 1, 2—Canterbury Jockey Club. April 6, 10—Avondale Jockey Club.

'ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. " Wager."—Red Hecklo was raced at two years old. At. tho Canterbury Jockey Club s Autumn Meeting he won the Russley Plate.

NOTES BY PHAETON.

THE TARANAKI CUr. To-day's contest for tho Taranaki Cup will mark its 51th anniversary, so that it is included among tho old-time events of the New Zealand turf. In the matter of distances tho race has undergone several changes. From 1876 to 1889 tho distance was two mile 3; it was then cut down *.O a. milo and a-half, at which it remained til} 1907. when it was further reduced to a mile and a-quarter, but in 1924 it was reinstated to a place with mile and a-half races, and that is the position for to-day's race. A field of nine for the Taranaki Cup, with its £l5O a3 prize-money, is not to be ■viewed as quite satisfactory, but still, considering the situation existing by reason of tho amount of racing to be catered for, the position is not altogether surprising. A brace of previous winners of the race in the shape of Hynanna (8.10) and Yoma (8.4) figure as likely contestants in to-day's race, and apparently both are sure of a solid circle of admirers.

HONOUR AND AUSTRALIA. Advices )o hand from Riccarton continue to point to the probability of Honour being transported to Sydney with a view to fulfilling engagements at tho Australian Jockey Club's Autumn Meeting. Whatever may happen in regard to tho autumn campaign for Honour, it is made quite clear that tho chestnut colt is training on splendidly. Should the early trip to Australia be undertaken with Honour, it may bo regarded as quite safe to conclude thnt the colt has quite satisfied R. J. Mason that ho is up to the high standard. .

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. It transpires that included among the yearlings, taken to Sydney by G-. Price was a colt by Chief Puler from Boynette, bred and s owued by Mr. E. J. Matthews, of Wnikato.

Rercmoana is stated to have received nome injury when contesting the Flying Handipap at Hawera last week and this may prevent his fulfilling engagements at the Taranaki meeting.

In 1926 Yoma, at six years old, won the Taranaki Cup under 7.3, and in 1928 the four-year-old Hynanna scored under 9.6. In this year's raco Hynanna figures with 8.10. while Yoma "will have to carry 8.4.

Bold Front (by Magpie—Lace Front) alid Dimmer (by Sarchedon—Trimlight), •who were bought in Australia at the yearling stago of their respective careers in the autumn of 1925 for 750gns and 1550gns, are still in the " hack" class. They both figure in races of that description to be run at the Gisborne meeting to-day.

The Australian-bred filly Llanore, who displayed much improved form ill her races at Hawera last week, is engaged in two races at the Taranaki meeting to-day. She figures in tho Ngamotu Juvenile Handicap with 9.11 and in the Flying Handicap with 7.10. Both races arc to be run over six furlongs.

. The three-yea r-o'id Toxeuma is not to bo further raced this season, which may, I suppose, bo regarded as indicating that, tho ton of Arrowsmith might fall away in form if kept going at this stage. Toxeuma managed to win the Hawke's Bay Guineas and he also ran well in several other events. Possibly races up to a mile and a-quarter will be more to the liking of Toseumt; than beyond that distance.

Dominant (by Saltash—Weltea), who gave rise to bidding of the sensational order at the yearling sales in New South Wales last autumn and who was sold for 6750gns, has not escaped a trouble which affects the aristocrats and the despised youngsters alike. Owing to shin soreness he has not yet been able to race, but, as he is now in steady work, liooes arc expressed that ho will be ready to ruco when the autumn meetings come round.

In referring to tho 5000gns paid for a Solario colt foal by the Aga Khan in England recently a Sydney writer remarks that tho top prico paid for a foal in Australia is the 3000gns which Mr. E. M. Pearco 13 reported to havo given Mr. Harry Taylor privately for tho Valais—Bxirletta foal, subsequently named Valaisian. Tho snmo owner bought-Mollison as a foal for COOgns and a contingency of tho valuable stakes he won with the latter compensated for tho first unprofitable purchase.

In a recent reference to tho New Zealand steeplechaser Sir Itoaeberry an Adelaide writer remarks:—"As he broko down on his last effort, little has been done in the meantime with the steeplechaser Sir Roseberry. It is understood that (here was a moral agreement when he was sold that the gelding should be destroyed at the first indications of his breaking down, as his former owner was afraid that ho might end his days elsewhere than on the racecourse."

The announcement that tlie injury Rapino suffered while contesting the Egmont Cup last Thursday baß proved much less serious than was thought and that the veteran will probably be in a position to contest tho Wansanui Cup next week will bo viewed n3 very pleasant reading. Rapine has n Rood array of cup victories to his credit, but should a victory be in store for him in the Wanganui Cup next week such will not be undeserved, for in the decision of the fvent in question in tho autumn of 1927 he famed the steadier of 10.1 and was only beaten a head by Piuthair, to whom be was conceding 231b.

Oratrix is stated to have shaken off tho soreness that prevented her being raced at tho recent summer meeting at Trcntham, but she is not likely to be taken to Wingatui in order to fulfil her engagement in the to Quite likely at Oratrij may bo given an opportunity to win honours at Randwick when tho Australian Jockey Club's Autumn Meeting nnuf 8 r a". n ?' In ol ° decisi °n of tho Metropolitan Stakes at Rand wick in October last behind t C T , 0 7 ' 13 inU> ftecond P'»ce I n " d the had to bo ndden right out to defeat her New Zealand rival by half a length.

faaed° y s6 B f» d r Humb " S ~ Lono Gul » has ailed so far to score a win for Dr H Gumer. who bought him last year from A. B. Williams. This Beaßon the celding has contested 20 race ß and he has 1 figured among the unplaced division on 15 Bird 's b66t Wrformai.ee of late vas to tuu Becond under 7 ti ivf (7.8) in the Wardell Handican Lt longs) at the Wairarapa meeUnl » ur " Y«ar», Day. Decoy Bird l fl " E ° U ? 6W transferred to new quarttra in thT n Z interest!ng ° chestnut horse. ,n tho