NORTHERN NOTES.

NZ Truth, Issue 770, 7 August 1920, Page 7

NORTHERN NOTES.

<3y "Waimangu.")

The Auckland 'chaser, Slowcoach, has arrived at Riccarton and were it not for his notorious display m the Wellington Steeplechase, he would be favorite m the National, However, punters prefer to be on something more reliable, and Lochella is a good first choice for the big steeplechase.

Though defeated and badly bruised the Jockeys' Association served to bring about a number of improvements to the lot of the jockey, and saddle-sitters m future will receive much more consideration from Racing Clubs than m the past. The Hon E. W. Alison did not go on with his amendment to the Gaming Bill, which had for its object the re-introduc-tion of the double tote. The majority of racegoers would like to see the double"joint" once again on the courses, but all the same, it will not be missed. The consistent little 'chaser, Oaklelgh, has a good following for the National, but there is not a great deal of him, and a long journey over the big fences at Riccartcn will probably find him out. General Advance is a horse of whom the best has not been seen, and with his light impost he should be m the Winter ( 'up all the way. He was responsible for some good performances at the country meetings and at Easter he finished just outside a place m the Easter Handicap, and later Won an open welter.

It is nuJte expected that the programme for this season, when published by the Auckland Racing Club, will show very substantial increases m prize money. This is not surprising when one reviews the tote records and enormous crowds registered at every meeting last season. . F. Tutchen will probably desert the ranks or saddle-sitters 'and join the trainers. He already has been promised several horses to make a start on. A couple of months ago, Mr. W. R. KembaM had such a Jarpe team of jumpers that it was quite expected he would p'a.y havoc with the winter programmes, but evidently his horses have not cloiu* well, because all his entries for the big jumping events at Riccarton have been withdrawn. It is said that when the Jockeys' Association is wound up, or rather run down, the interests of those who guaranteed the finances of the Association will bo provided for. Jaearnnrta, who can boast of plenty of p'/.e. but that is all. is now a stablemate of Te Oro, m IT. Scale's team.

J. , Chisholm went south last week the hurdler Thrace. When Mr. Green pave 500 guineas for the son of Poseidon before tho northern meeting, It was the general opinion that he had paid the full value. However. Thrace has since won r>t Fapt«np«. and I* Hab'e to pick up a stake again at Rlecarton despite his weight. O. Henderson must consider himself vfM-y unlucky. When racehorses x were -■"eclarefl "hlaclc" he was marooned at Piccarton and could not get to the Great Northern meeting with Waimai. Then .lust when it looked as though Waimai * y ou'd be one of the very few runners m the National Steeplechase, the embargo is lifted and the North Island con-l-nprcnt are thus enabled to fulfil engagement's. Now thai tho bookmakers are down pn<\ out it is amushiKlo Hsl.cn to I heir minions of tho •'tole" which they claim v ill b'ptvl punters clrv. They appear to r ---r.et that tl'p. machine, was thoir best f-ipir l nn<i th?t ihe more money deduct- <•>•! f~"ni .4nvcrt-i'iir>nts by way of tax and ■ '•-WmisOi-'-'e better for the bookmakers, •"■'•.-n i)'p fir-vi»-nmpnt imposed a ta.f ''■"■'""" '" '-o £ on dividends the books did the same. Oak'.eigh. .Deviation and General Ad--I'^nce will represent C. Coleman's stable :»t the National meeting. It is a useful I"m and will only need ordinary luck to '-iy "exes" and a bit of "bunce" on the trip. Now that the Jockeys' Association has t.Tken the count, it would be wise if one or ..two horsemen were a little less outspoken m their opinions of race club f-.'ncials. Tn Auckland the prices on offer by the 'Tommies" m connection with the NaI'onal meeting are such as to warrant !he extinction of the whole fraternity. The two Locheltas, and All Talk and Lnehella are favorite combinations with .punters at this end for the National. Rid I-lodffe, who some years ago will l:;y remembered as the trainer of Grenadier. Manapouri and. many others, in-, tonds to set up as a trainer m the Waikato. Though Painty Step was badly beaten ot Wellington, she has plenty of backers for ihe Winter Cup. i Night Time has had a very hard season and a spell would do him no harm. Kauri King appears to have a!! the weight, he is entitled to m the Grand I National Hurdles, which ,race he won a I couple of seasons ago. In next week's ra.ee most people would prefer Lochella or Slowcoach at the weights. So far Rekenui and Mill o'.Gowrie. the braces sold by , R. Hannon m June, have Knot proved the good "spec" most people thought to their hew owner. Mr. W. 11. Kernball. However, both are young at ;the hurdle business and there is plenty '.'of time yet.