RACING NEWS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7853, 15 July 1911, Page 16

RACING NEWS

FIXTURES July 15. 13. 22.— Wellington R. O. Winter. August 8. 10. 12.— Canterbury J.O. o.'cQti National. Novamber 4.—C.J.C. Nevr Zealand Cup. NOTES AND COMMENTS (By "The Judge.”) Sir Frisco has before now shown a marked partiality for soft going. lie fihould bo well suited in this respect today, and, as ho is very well, ought to register a much better performance tli.au was the case* at Napier. Whether he can beat two or three others among the lOst, division remains to bo seen. It is very unfortunate that White Cockade should have gone amiss, as ho had h«Mi doing excellent work. On his i.-nn at the W.K.C. meeting last year t)u« i-.outherner would have taken some beating in hurdling events. Mr AV. O. Nightingale has born appointed acrting-secretary ol _ the Ihinncvirko Racing Ghih, tlio continued illness of Mr James S. Freeman necessitating this step. ilr Nightingale has been secretary of tho "Waipukurau Club for fonie years, and is well known all over tho North , Island, so that the Danno virko committee's selection scorns to have been a good ono. Tho Daimevirko Facing Club has applied to the Metropolitan committee for a permit bo hold a steeplochaso meeting in September. Tho filly Lifeline (ATaxpawa-L.ife.bolt) has joined K. Drinlavatnr’fi establishment at Dannovirke. She is being tried over tho himllcis but her early efforts have not been very encouraging. Air AV. McKonxio. secretary of the Manawatu Hunt Steeplechase meeting, will take nominations for the fixture up to 9 p.m. on Monday. Tho finish of the race for the riding supremacy of the season between Tl. Gray and A. Whittaker promises to bo very keen. The latter is 1 eliding by two wins, but Gray has hopes of overhauling his rival during the AA'.R.C. meeting. In to-day's contests Gray has been engaged to ride AVauchope, Electrakoff, Kinsrswcll, Sandy Paul, and Varna, whilst on the other hand Whittaker will have onlv two mounts, viz.. Semaphore ami Merrie Time. No doubt these horses will come in for some atention from backers to-day. 0 Price will ride AVindage in the Winter Hurdles to-day. After his bold choiring at the Napier Park meeting th* chestnut will not lack supporters in tho event named. W Wilson, tho successful Auckland rider, will pilot AVirihana in the Hunters’ Steeplechase to-day. This northern 'chaser appears a likely sort of jumper. F. Lind will ride Pleiades in the W.R.C. Steeplechase on Wednesday next, Zante, who hurt his stifle at Wanganui, is making a rapid recovery from the mishap under the care of hia trainer, B. Russell, at New Plymouth. . Walter Young (New Plymouth) is taking up a promising galloper in a four-year-old mare by Kilcheran from Niglitin gale. She is cx]>ectod to be ready xn time for early spring racing. Bay Paul has been sent home to his owner’s place at TJreuui for a couple ot months’ spell. Shining Star lias been sold by W ; Lovett to AV. Lyle, of Inglewood, ana goes into R. Johnston s stable at Lcpperton to bo prepared for next season s racing. A. Atwood, tho Foilding trainer, will start two horses from his stable in tho Winter Hurdles to-day. these being Waiputere and Te Ru. That capable rider W. Young, will be on tho back of the former, whilst EL Murtagh will ride Mr J. R. McDonald’s jumper. Emma is to bo ridden by W. Young in tho To Aro Handicap to-day. Tho Conqueror mare is looking very fit. The native owner, P. Tupaea, is the new owner of Fond Memory. This castoff from AV. Holmes’s stable will make his first appearance in his present owner's interest at Trentham. R. Goosoman, the Hastings trainer, has three horses under his care, whose united agis amount to 42 years. The trio are Pushful, Lingerer, and Yasmak. It will bo remembered that the latter won tho Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase recently. R. Barlow (New Plymouth) has been handling a two-year-old colt by Gluten from Merry Seaton. # The youngster gives promise of turning out well in next season’s racing events. Mr J. Glen, secretary of the Nelson Jockey Club, arrived in town last night *■o attend .the winter meeting, confor- , enoe and Sporting League gatherings, Percy Johnson, the once prominent cross-country horseman, is getting a nice little team together at New Plymouth. His list comprises AVatine, Pleiades, Sandy Paul, and a filly by Royal Artillery belonging to a well-known Taranaki sportsman. The quartette appear to be thriving well under Johnson’s care. J. T. Smith, the AVest Coast trainer, who had King Try, I to* and North Pole under his care, is on a visit to Wellington, The horses mentioned have found new owners. At the conclusion of the AV.IkC. meeting Smith is going to Grcymouth to engage in his profession. WELLINGTON R,C. WINTER ' MEETING COMMENCES TO-DAY. Once again the banners of the AVellington Racing Club will bo fluttering in the breeze at Trentham to-day, the occasion being: the opening of the winter meeting. The acceptances are large in all tho events, and should the weather prove fine, a success ought to be scored. There aro a great many visiting sportsmen in town, these having come to attend the meetings of the Racing Conference, the Trotting Conference, and the Sporting League, Ono and all of these are certain to be assisting at Trentham to-day, while the attendance of the general public is sure to be large, as jumping ©vents aro always popular. Trains will leave Te Aro, at 10.29 and 10J>5, and Lambton at 10.46, 10.55, 11.5 and 1.5, returning after the last race.

The opening ©vent, the Stewards’ Handicap, seven, furlongs, starts at 12.5 pan. It has attracted seventeen runners, with Effort, Wauchopo and St. Bill at the head of affairs. The race looks very open, and the punter trill bo lucky who leads off with a win. There axe sixteen in the Miramar Handicap. seven furlongs. The well-bred Kopek is a good deal fancied, but with Morecambe, Tnrna, Sandy Paul and Epsom Lass in the race the winner will take some finding. Although twenty remain in the Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase, two miles and a half, it may be expected that a number of those will drop out. D’Xil and Hoanga will probably prove the favourite selections with backers, bnt there are one or two others engaged who might easily effect a surprise. Judging from recent races of the kind this event may not bo without amusement for the onlookers. .The big event on the flat will be . the Parliamentary. Handicap, one mile, the probable starters and their riders being as follows: —Pull Kate 10.13 (S. Reid), Provocation 10.13 (R. Hatch),. Sir Frisco 10.10 (C. Jenkins), Electrakoff 10.7 (H. Gray), Merrie Zealand 10.6 (F., Lang, stone), Wimmera 10.6 (W, Young), Dreadless 10.5 (P. D. Jones), My Lawyer 10.3 (J. Beale), Flitaway 9.12 (F. E. Jones), Projectile 9.12 (AV. Ryan). Meross 9.10 (T. Pritchard), Bracken WO (P. Porter),

Smilax 9.9 (F. Coleman). Ariom 9 7 (E. Lorrigan). Inev 9.4 (Buchanan). Kdosten 9 (A. Olliver). and Seaweed 9 (C. Price). This should provide a splendid race from oud to end. No doubt many will rush ai to back Provocation, but it must not be quite overlooked that it is a long timo since ho carried silk, and there are tonm very smart gallopers in the race. A\ it.h Full Rare, Electrakoff, AVimmera, My Lawyei and Co. to make tho pace solid there will be no loitering on the journey. Sixteen remain in the Winter Hurdles two miles, and seemingly nearly all will go to the post. This should provide a tino contest, for there are some smart hurdlers in tho list. John and AVaiputero have been in some demand, but good track work by Compass has caused Mr 1 Gas-erlej's gcldin/g, who won in 1908, to bo Inquired for, while North-East, Pantutu and The Rover will have plenty of followers. The result looks very open No Jess than twenty-four figure in the Trial Plate, six furlongs, with Sir George Clifford's Somersault at tho head of affairs. The .Soult horse will no doubt meet with support, as will St. Gate, Monologue, Ovation, Ainsdalc and Biakeney. This is just the sort of race where the winner may pay a surprise dividend. The To Aro Handicap, five furlongs, will bring the day « sport -to a close, and here again a big field will turn out, as twenty have accepted. Percelcr Inns dropped out. but with Longstep, Eiya, Lady Fran, Big Blast and Septimus among the runnel's, the finish should be interesting. TRACK NOTES A cold southerly wind, with rain, greeted trainers and sporting folk at Trentham yesterday morning. Upwards of eighty horses were out and the gallops proved very interesting. The sand track, which is in excellent condition, and tho outside of tho course proper were availed of. J. Cameron’s (Ecilding) quartette, AViniata, Exiilogue, Mahura, and Eva, were restricted to three-quarter pace work. They all bear a well-trained appearance. Mcrrio Time (A. Whittaker) strode over four furlongs in a very attractive manner. This candidate appears in caxiital trim. J. Sullivan’s pair, AVaipunui, who will bo a starter on the second day, and VVindage, were indulged in a circuit at moderate speed. The pair are in nice racing trimAVimmera (AV. Young) strode over a mile in such a style as to denote that the Merriwcc gelding is back to form. Kilosteri (A- Olliver), looking very fit, ran a cajiital six furlongs. - This Kih cherau colt is expected to make a bold showing in his Parliamentary Handicap engagement. Wauchopc (H. Gray) executed a cir« cuit in a very impressive manner. Tho Auckland galloper appears to relish the going at headquarters. Lady Frnn ran four furlongs in 5-lsec. which suggests that this chestnut mare i will not want for admirers in tho last race to-morrow.

Merozo (W, Young) galloped seven furlongs in a very attractive manner and Mr Best’s favourite is in rare nick and her chance to-day in tho principal event is highly assessed by some. Blakeney, the two-year-old colt by Soult from Innamorata, was indulged in a circuit at half pace- This bearer of the blue and bull livery of “Mr Highden” will have to be reckoned with in the decision of the Trial Plato, in which ho will be ridden by M Olliver. Provocation and Ovation, both bearing a well-trained appearance, strode over a mile at half pace. Mr Bidwill’s representatives look exceptionally well. Afterthought and Gaelic were restricted to easy pacing. Tho former will be ridden by E. Lowe in the Stewards' Handicap to-day, whilst Gaelic will be found among the runners on Wednesday next. Sir Frisco (C. Jenkins) and St. Bill (C. Garment) from a flying start ran four furlongs in 55sec, the latter having a length’s advantage as the post .was passed, but Sir Frisco appeared to have something in reserve. The gallop was a good one and proves that both horsefe arc very fit.

Hydrant (stable boy) strode over a couple of rounds at half pace, pulling up very fresh. The chestnut will bo ridden by "Tartar” Julian in his Hunters’ Steeplechase engagement this afternoon. The Rover (C. Price) strode over a mile in a very capable manner. Tho Advance gelding’s prospects of paying expenses on the trip look bright, as A. Wright will land him at tho post in capital condition. Hoanga was schooled over the obstacles, jumping in a faultless style. The chestnut will be ridden by Raugi Thompson in his several contests at the meeting. MASTBRTON RACING CLUB ELECTION OE OFFICERS. SPECIAL TO THE "TIMES.” MASTERTON, July 13. Tile following were to-day elected unopposed olhcens of the Mastertou Racing Club:—Patron, Mr A. W. Cave; president, Mr C. F. Vallance; vice-presidents. Mossier J. Macara, D. McLochlan, A. G. Pilurer, and C. A. Pownall; treasurer, Mr C. F. Vallance; auditor, Mr G. \\ . Sellar; clerk of course, Mr H. W. Smith. Tho nominations received for positions as stewards are as follow Messrs C. J. Bennet, K- Buick, D. Caselberg, O. C. Cooper, W. Cooper, Frank Dorset, Frederick Dor-set, VV. Irons, J. Irons, J. B. Moodie, W. Platt, A. Reside, A. J. Welch, J. Whittaker, and G. H. Yates. SOURCE OE ENDLESS DISCUSSION The comparative iherits of tho forward and upright seats are a never-ending source of discussion both in England and Australia. The jockey who rides in what is generally termed the American style certainly has the call in each country, but in Australia tho tendency of lads to ride with their leathers ridiculously short is lessening by comparison witli a few years ago, when many youngsters seemed to think that ability to perch on. a horse's back with their knees almost touching their nose put them on a level with Tod Sloan in the matter of ability'. In England many of the critics now take exception to the forward seat on tho score that its exponents Cannot keep their mounts straight, which elicits tho following reply from one of its upholders:—“We are told that jockeys cannot keep their mounts straight because they ride in American fashion, but if that be so, tho trouble is not one in which weight is concerned. No doubt a boy who commences riding in American style before he has become a good horseman is comparatively as helpless as would bo an ordinary man who tried to row in a racing shell before ho had ever been in a boat, but good horsemen such as Maher. Herbert Jones, and Wootton have their horses in . perfect control in whatever way they may ride; therefore, it is not the style of seat, but the imperfect schooling in the rudiments of horsemanship that has led to there being so many helpless jockeys. I could cite instances, not a few in which a horse has gone straight, when ridden American wise, and swerved all over the course with a traditional English jockey. Ard Patrick was one such case. Ridden by Moruington Cannon for the Newmarket Stakes, he swerved very badly, and humped Fowlingpieee to such purpose that he was disqualified. In the Derby with J. H. Martin up he went straight as a gun barrel.”