HASTINGS TEAM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23109, 6 August 1938, Page 13

HASTINGS TEAM

HORSES TAKEN SOUTH PROSPECTS OF PADISHAH GIRONDE IN GOOD FORM [n\' TKLKCHAPIT —OWN CORRESPONDENT] HASTINGS, Friday

In the past Hawke's Bay-trained horses have plaved an im])ortant part in tho decision of the three important races at the Grand National meeting, the Steeplechase, Hurdles and Winter Cup, particularly the first-named. For the forthcoming meeting only four horses, Padishah, Royal Banquet, Curie and Gironde, will represent Hawke's Bav.

Padishah lias very little to recommend him for the Grand National Hurdles outside, his flat handicap form. However, he lias been a, much-discussed entrant since the weights appeared. His form in the Trial Hurdles 011 Tuesday it. awaited with much interest and, if ho makes a good showing, he might retain his place as one of the favourites.

A few keen judges discount Padishah's chances on the score that he lacks racing experience over hurdles, no matter how much schooling he has done in the past two years.

Boyal Banquet has accepted in two races on the opening day, the Grand National Steeplechase and the Jumpers' Flat. A decision may not bo made as to which race lie will contest until after he is schooled over the Biccarton country to-morrow. In the ilat event he is nicely placed and only for the recent interruption in his preparation he would have in all probability started favourite. However, he is expected to put up a bold showing if started in the Jumpers' Flat. In the Grand National his jumping may tell against him,over such formidable country. Unfortunately Curie met with a slight mishap to one of his knees, which has yielded to treatment. Nevertheless, his owner-trainer on this account has decided to run him in the Jumpers' Flat on Tuesday. Later at the meeting Curie will contest minor hurdle races. The Arausio gelding still . retains his speed and, although he was never impressive beyond a mile on the. flat, should be a possibility in the Jumpers' Flat. On the form he displayed at Trentham he appears likely to pay his expenses on the trip. Gironde left here very fit and on the winning form he displayed in a mile hack race at Hastings last June he should have prospects. Gironde has improved and should lack nothing on the score of condition. AUCKLAND TROTTING RE-ELECTION OF PRESIDENT After tributes had been paid at a recent meeting; by members of the Auckland Trotting Club's committee to the fine work for the sport of Mr. E. G. Bridgens, ho was unanimously re-elected president. Mr. T. J. W. Buxton was re-elected patron, and Messrs. T. E. N. Wade and Jas. McColl were appointed vice-presi-dents.,. . ... , Through the . election of Mr. B. W. Beaumonferto the committee, «nd the resignation of Mr. C. A. Best,' two vacancies occurred in the list of stewards, and in accordance with^ the constitution of the club the committee appointed Messrs. Claude Henderson and E. C. Webberley to the positions. As an incentive to increased membership, the committee decided to waive the entrance fee for the current season, and several new members have been "enrolled. Improvements at Alexandra Park were decided upon. The committee discussed the limit of the Orakei Handicap, and decided, as the programme was approved _ by the New Zealand Trotting Association, and circulated prior to the appearance of the reassessments, and as horses beyond the limit could compete in the 3.38 Grev Lynn Handicap, to retain the 3.33 limit. Officials for the season were appointed as follows: —Judge, Mr. E. V. Sutherland; starter, Mr. J. Gavin; clerk of scales, Mr. E. Longville; clerk of course, Mr. W. A. Cole; birdcage steward, Mr. A. E. Watkins.

TROTTING BREVITIES NEWS FROM ALL QUARTERS E. R. Smith, who has a large and useful team at Hamilton, is going into business in Auckland for a term and his horses during the time may stay at Epsom. J. Gee, who has been a popular trainer at Epsom for many years, will transfer his team to Mangere, where he has purchased a property, after the August meeting. Stables are being built and a track is under formation. Parrish Belle, winner of the Rowe Memorial Trotting Handicap, is now being trained at Addington by G. Mouritz, who camo to New Zealand a few years ago with the Melbourne owner, Mr. F. B. McFarlane. Mouritz has had a fair measure of success as a trainer and reinsman. Two seasons ago Treasure Bond, handicapped on 4.42, contested 4.39 class events at Epsom, being second each time and going to 4.38. Off this lino he was third in the Hawera Cup and Waimato Plains Handicap, and has now been let up to 4.39. Carver Doono, who won each day at Hawera, is on the end of the 4.29 August Handicap. Peggotty was bred originally at tho pacing gait and proved a failure, but as a trotter she made rapid progress. Tho Auckland improver, Pirate's Last, was also paced without success, while Tonee. the most successful trotter on tho West Coast circuit, had a similar experience. REVIEW OF PAST YEAR CAMBRIDGE TROTTING CLUB [FROM OUR OWN COmiESPONDKNT] CAMBRIDGE, Friday An active and successful year is reviewed by the president, Mr. 1?. Hannon, in tho report to be presented at the 17th annual meeting of the Cambridge Trotting Club. In addition to its permanent fixture the club had again secured the permit relinquished by the To A roll a Trotting Club. Membership continued to show an increase and the committee had conferred the honour of life membership on an original member, Mr. W. McMillan. A comprehensive reconstruction of tho course had been completed, with the formation of grass and plough trial tracks, so that the club was catering for the ever-increasing number of trainers seeking training facilities in the district. At present, the horses in commission exceeded 40. It was regretted that a second permanent day had not been granted by the Conference.