AVONDALE RACES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20967, 2 September 1931, Page 9

AVONDALE RACES.

[THIS MONTH'S MEETING! notable classic events. [THE STAKES AND GUINEAS. PROMISE OF FINE FIELDS. The Avondale Jockey Club's Spring Meeting on September 26 and 28 is the nest racing fixture <0 be held in the '.Auckland Province. It is always interesting, bpcijise it. virtually marks tho real opening of the flat racing season in this district, but this year it, is likely to attract more attention than ever. The Avondale Guineas field promises to bo exceptionally strong, while there arc indications that tho Avondale Stakes, the first two-year-old classic of the season, will draw, in point of numbers and breeding, the best field in the history of the race* There are other notablo events on the programme, especially tho Avondale Cup/and the Champion Hack Plato, and the prospects for a very successful meeting, in spite of the prevailing economic stress, are bright. Horses from all parts of tho North Island'ami from Blenheim in the South Island are expected to compete. Mr. W. R, Kemball, of Wellington, is tho first lo make definite arrangements for his team, and he has already engaged accommodation for eight horses. Bronze Eagle's Opponents. It, is generally conceded that tho brilliant' Bronze Eagle dominates the position in the Avondale Guineas, and ho has only to continue to make good progress in hi! preparation to bo assured, of warn favouritism: The race should provide a. good test for him, for he will have as opponents some very promising horses. High Comedy and Royal Artist, Eastei „ Ti me and Gibraltar, Aspian and Limeen. Croupier, Golden Wings, Actaeon, King Colossus, Hampden and Baroscope art among the large number still remaining in. Ammon Ra, Zeebrugge, Cricket Bat and Soloist have dropped out, but Cypres: is still in, although advice is expected a( any time to take him out. The two-year-olds in the Avondal< Stakes list are as attractive in theii breeding as they are strong in numbers. There is always the element of the unknown quantity in such a race as this and a surprise is often provided. Tea Trader, Sastrugi, Mr. Kemball's pair Posj end Rulanut, and Gold Trail (Chief Ruler —Puro Gold), are a few who have thus early shown promise. Numerous trainers - hav£ several entrants under their charge,, one alone having five, and the final selection of the ones to take their place in tht field will be invested with much interest. Soatown to Ooma for Cup. The Avondale Cup, of £SOO, miles is one of the most important early spring handicaps! of the season, and a good fielc for, this month's race is anticipated. Th< Taranaki horse Seatown is likely to com pete, and other prominent performers frorr elsewhere in the North Island, as well au the best of the Auckland provincial division, may be expected to figure iz. the nominations. The Champion Hack Plate is attracting ituch attentiou, for there are a large number of notable entrants. This race is rut; on the first day, and probably a numbei' of those engaged in the Guineas on thu second d.iy will be given a run in it Croupier is one of these, while Mr. T. H. Lowj-y has Monarchy (Chief Ruler—Bonny Brian) and Niggerhead (Nigger Minstrel —Silver Grey), in both events. 'Entries for the handicap races and forfaits for the Stakes and Guineas close a; 5 p.m. 011 Friday. TE AROHA JOCKEY CLUB. PROFIT ON RACE MEETING. ' A debit balance for the j-ear of £130!, •gainst oae of £I9GS for the previous yeai, is. shown in the report of the Te Aroh 1 Jockey Club, to be presented at the annuel meeting n.ext Wednesday. The presiden', Mr. R. L, Somers, states that tho con - mittee hau followed the plan of including i 1 the inconi'B and expenditure account a 1 amount ol! £779 spent on the construction c i the new .;ourse and course improvement!, which amount could have been charged 13 capital account, and the debit balance i 1 income and expenditure account has bee 3 correspondingly reduced. In addition, d<Preciation amounting to £sfiS ha» bee." written otf. -■ V The laet race meeting, in spite of tht wiae-spread depression, was one of the most successful held by the club. The totalisator returns were £44.155, against £56,864 for th previous year. The drop in totalisator ri - ceipts was considerably less than experienced by other- clubs, and the meeting r< ■ •ulted in n satisfactory profit of £9Ol. During the year, the final payment ci! *450 was made in connection with the cor • struttion of the new course, which watJ raced on for the first time at the lfifit mee'J ng. The new track was very favourable commented upon by owners, trainers nn 3 alike, and he was safe in eayins tnat the club now had a track second none in the North Island. In. this conneition, the thanks of the club were due tn Mr. Gibtm, on whose plans, and undtr whole directions, the work won carried ouv The total cost-of the work was £4324. As forecasted in the report submitted lad increased taxation had weighs-I heavily on the club. Although the totalis, tor returns decreased by £12.709, the club paid £39?:) to the State an increase of £2(O on the previous year. It had been iiu roj'cy in the past to give stakes consider July in advance of the amount- required by the racing authorities, and the stakes laft yfeftr were higher than those of any "two aayi" club in New Zealand. In view of the prevailing depression, however, t seetied that for the coming meeting tho executive would be reluctantly compelled t(i to nri e cori ?iderable reductions. "" ..The retiring officers, namely, the presi cen!',, the vice-presidenta (Messrs. P Buin<i, ?- P- Goodfellow and J. B. Johnson), anil the hon. treasurer. (Mr. J. P. Somers), who retire annually, have agnin been nominated, snd as no further nominations have been received they will be declared elected unopposed. The four retiring members of tho committee. Messrs. P. W. Bliss. G. M:Glashan, F I. Hunt and F T. Howe, havs oeeil nominated again, together with Messra J. L. Hamilton, F. C. Kennedy and "• Kenny, and an election is therefore necessary HUNT CLUB'S PLIGHT. // " ALMOST BANKRUPT." Jhe totalisator stuff at the Taranaki Hunt , j" 8 meeting at New Plymouth last Sn 1 - urd&y gave its services free, and so did t.li's majority of the officials. In a speech wh«n Presenting the hunt cup. the mnstcr, Mr. Halcombe, said tho club had had m j U i l,ea . s °n. being almost bankrupt: iahe might say. it was bankrupt. Tln:r? however, decided to carry on the meet lng , anf j ] lO thanked the public for il3 He also expressed appreciatiim a Lj spirit shown, by the totalisator sti.'if "0; other officials in so generously giving «ie:ir eeririces. racing fixtures. r 6—Otago Hunt Club. Ptenibor 12—Dunedir Tockey Club. ;7 19—Wanganui Jockey Cluf, etitembiir 10—Ashburton County Racing R Clnh September 24, 26-Geraldine Pacing Club. f r 26—Hawke's Bay Jockey Club, oeptembsr 26. 2&-Avondale Jockor Club. '