SPORTING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19967, 8 December 1926, Page 5

SPORTING.

RACING AND TROTTING. FIXTURES. December 8, a. —Woodville Jockey Club. December 8, XI. —Wellington Trotting Club. December 10, 11.-—South Canterbury Jockey Club. December 11. —Waipa Racing Club. December 16, IS. —New Brighton Trotting Club. December 16, 18. —Dargaville Racing Club. December 27. —Gore Trotting Club. December 27, 28. —Westport Trotting Club. December 27, 28.—South Wairarapa Trotting Club December 27, 28.—Dunedin Jockey Club. December 27, 28.—Westport T.C mid summer. December 27, 28.—Taranaki Racing Club. December 27, 29, January 1, 3. —Auckland R.C. summer. December 27, 28, 30. —Manawatu Racing Club. December 28, 30. 31.—Auckland Trotting Club. January 1, 3. —Stratford R.C. annual. January 1. —Waikouaiti R.C. annual. January 1. —Wyndham R.C. annual. January 3, 4. —Southland R.C. The Imperial Produce States of 3797sovs> which is one of the richest races open to two year olds in England, was won by Crestu Ran, a bay filly by Hurry On from Bridgemount, by Bridge of Earn from Mountain Mint, by Spearmint, named Aly ra 'oira.» ,u no carried 5.1 and made nearly all the running. Myra Gray was got by Ambassador from Lady Canny, by Bridge of Canny from Geolfros. Ambassador is a son of Dark Ronald and Excellenza —tho latter being by Haunt Brion, one of the first of tho St. Simons to bo imported to Australia. Haut Brion was imported by the late Mr S. Hordern. This year’s Cesarewitch Stakes, which is run over two miles and a-qnarter, was cut out in 3min 45 4-ssec. This gallop overshadows the Australasian record put up by Pilliwinkie in March last, when he won in 3min Sljseo. This winner of the Cesarowitch Stakes is a six-year-old bay mare. M. M'Carten has decided to remain in Australia for the summer meetings at Randwick. The winner of the principal handicap, decided over a mile and a-half, at the A.J.C. November meeting turned up in Fondant, one of the rank outsiders in the field, who cleared away from the opposition, and won by seven lengths in 2min 33sec. Fondant carried 6.7. and it was good policy to make the running under (he featherweight. He is a four-year-old gelding got by the imported horse Cyliene More from Bon Bon, by Boniform —Barley Breo. the dam of Royal Scotch, who won the Greaf Easter Handican of 1912, and also the Caulfield Stakes. Royal Arms, who won the Grand National Hurdles of 1914 is a brother to Royal Scotch. Nelson Derby appears to have thrown off the soreness which troubled him prior to the Addington spring meeting. The number of horses at present in training must be amazing. The Ashhursc acceptances were large (says “The Watcher”), yet practically a new lot of horses competed at Feilding. and at Woodville next week there is another fresh batch of runners. The indifferent fortunes of the majority make it all the more puzzling how they manage to keep going. Hard as is the way of the “punter,” it must be a bed of roses to the lot of some horse owners and trainers. It is reported that Papercbase will be a starter at the South Canterbury meeting. Mr R. A. G. Barlow, of Victoria, hearing that Dioxide and the Solferino—Raid yearling colt was for sale, made an offer for them to Mr Cambridge, which was accepted, and the pair were shipped to Melbourne on Saturday by the Makura. Mr Barlow owns The M ensum, a half-brother to Dioxide, and also Ransack, a brother to the yearling which Mr Cambridge only purchased at the November sale in Christchurch. A well-known Wellington sportsman, making inquiries regarding Monaghan, found that he was not for sale. Footfall is being galloped over a distance of ground, and is evidently a sure runner in the Auckland Cup if all goes well with him. He was spun out over a mile and a-half on Saturday. , , - The fact that trophy was attached to the stakes going with the Methven Cup was primarily responsible for Mr J. Lindsay sending up John Bradbury to make one of the field. From a hard-headed racing point it seemed bad policy to expose the fact that John Br..dbury could stay a mil - and a-quarter even in the weak field which followed him home last week. The Riccarton-trained Rapier has been nominated in the Manawatu Cup, of lOOOsovs. . H. Jellis, a prominent English jockey, while driving his motor car in September, collided with two elderly women (sisters) when the” were crossing a road near London. Both died from the injuries they received. At the inquest it was proved that the car was not travelling at a high rate of speed, and that just after stepping into the roadway the women lies- ited, and it was then they were struck. The coroner found that death was due to accidental causes. Limerick ia back in New Zealand, and will now get a spell sufficiently long to benefit his foot. There is little likelihood of his racing again before the autumn, and, if that early, his reappearance may be in Sydney. Assuming he is given two months from the time he ran in the Melbourne Cup to recover from his trouble, that will leave him another three months in which to get ready for the A.J.O. St. Lcger. As he is a light-fleshed horse, that is sufficiently long to give him a fair chance of being in excellent trim, and, though beaten by Eampion in both Derbies, I do not suppose Mr H. A. Knight and F. D. Jones are yet convinced that the Rossendale colt is the better stayer. They can point out that, despite his bad foot, Limerick lasted longer than Rampion in the Melbourne Cup. For my own pai (says “Pilot”). I should like to see Limerick put by for next spring. Of course, such a long spell would cost him the opportunity of winning some valuable stakes, but it should assu’-e complete recovery from his lameness. His running in tlie Craven Plate should make him frood enough for any Australian company at four years. In that race lie appeared unlucky to be defeated by Windbag, and got home ahead of Valicare and Amounts, and it will be unnecessary ror him to improve upon that to enable him to pay expenses in w.f.a. races over here next season. , , Personal popularity with a certain section of racing men carries a few owners and trainers much further in some Australian States than it would in others. Tactics that should get them into trouble are glossed over fsays “Pilot”)* and though reversal of form is difficult to cope with anywhere, some of these favoured individuals seem immune from question no matter how erratic the doings of their horses. If horses run badly when practically unbacked, and then come out and win under similar conditions in respect of betting, little exception can be taken; but when, at short notice, horses receise their form in keeping "with the way they travel in the betting there is cause tor murmuring. When these owners and trainers travel to othei centres they do not leave their home tactics behind, in fact, they are inclined to take advantage of a certain amount of latitude generally permitted visitors. Therefore, the fact that Bill, T om. Dick, or Harry is a popular trainer in his own State, and Mr Blank is “a fine fellow,” should never cause stewards to omit keeping watch on their horses any more than on those of the ordinary battling owners and trainers of their own centre. . _ At the recent yearling sales at Deauville (Fiance), 926 lots wore catalogued. Of these 257 were passed in, and 78 were not offered. The total realised by the 591 disposed of was 42,331,000 francs — about £280,332, at present rate of exchange. That would also work out at jin average of £476. which, with the money market so unsettled in France, was not unsatisfactory. JHE WOODVILLE MEETING. (From Ouu Special Correspondent.) WANGANUI, December 7. With a run of holiday meetings approaching the running at Woodville tomorrow and Thursday will hold more than customary interest for race-goers. There are engaged at this fixture many horses entered for the principal events at the bi" Auckland and Manuwatn meetings at the end of the month. The Woodville course, with its fine straight, will ensure genuine tests. Quite apart from the fad that many of the horses will require a race to sharpen them up for the bigger events,, the racing this week will be full of interest. The going promises to be good. Only a lot of moderates will contest the •opening event, the Mangaatu Hurdles. There have been some big surprises sprung in tins very same race, although it is un-l(k-p|y this will occur on this occasion.

Gurnion was backed in the right quarter last week to beat Koauau, but his rider lost an iron. Gurnion has a good deal to learn about jumping, and if obstacles are as easy as usual he should be handy. Riccarton form favours Revel, but if Penens can jump he would have a chance. His schooling efforts at Hastings have been quite good, and he will bo favoured by having Alan M'Donald in the saddle. Gurnion’s rider (Panning) lacks cxpcri-„ ence. The field for the Maiden event is not so big, fortunately, as some of those experienced of late. This race is a Trial Plate. There arc three hoi-sos engaged who have been racing consistently— Kalos, Comedic, and Lady Cynthia. Given plenty of mud, the last-named would do best. Firm conditions favour Kalos and Comedic. A nice field promises to line up for the Woodville Handicap. Good as Star Stranger is, he is one of those that will benefit most by the race. Tanadees is going up in the list, but should be up to weight. The course should suit "Merry Day if she is in the mood. Nukiimai and Kilfaire arc consistent, while Novar and Opa will both have to show some improvement if they are to run prominently. Probably the favourites be Tanadees (L. G. Morris) and Kilfaire (T. Green). Of the 18 left in, there are some good ones in the Flying Hack. The Taranaki gelding Pop Off is very highly thought of, and with an oven break ho should make the others move. A. M'Cormao ridcs__ Pop Off, and P. Burgess will be on Kilmezzo. Pop Off has now won five out of the last six starts, the last three on cud. A fair lot will be on hand to contest the principal sprint, the Oetc Handicap. This will mark the first appearance in open company of Plain Sailing, who won so easily at Folding. H. Hickey is stronev represented in Royal Damon and Epistle, and .although this pair rareiy run two races alike they may finish near the front of the field. Royal Damon may be reserved for the later event. Some very smart youngsters will be among those competing in the Kursery Handicap. Chelone has shown good form, including a second to Laughing Prince at Avondale in the spring. Wreath of Myrtle is a promising sort and so too, is Expense, a filly l.ailing from the powerful Jefferd stable. She showed a lot of pace at Randwick in the two-year-old trials there not so very long ago. Then there are the Lowry pair, Auratum, who made such a very favourable impression in' her only start at Wanganui, and the Australianbred Grey mist. It should be a fine contest.

Another good field is down to contest the Borough Handicap. This claso of race is revelled in by Tiega, but little is known as to his condition. Kiflocra is very forward, and in the hardest race of the day ho should run on wAll. The day’s sport closes with the Whariti Hack. No Favours was decidedy unlucky at the recent Levin meeting, and here will have a chance to make amends. General Wai should be suited by the distance. RACING IN ENGLAND. MR T. M. WILFORD’S IMPRESSIONS. A DAY AT EPSOM. Mr T. M. Wilford, M.P., who has just returned from a health 1 recruiting trip to England and tho Continent, saw some of the racing there, although not so much as ho would have liked to witness. He attended an Epsom meeting, and by the courtesy of Mr Vivian Riddiford, occupied a seat in a box. Like all oversea visitors, Mr Wilford was astounded at the primitive conditions on this historic course. Ho sav' Warden of the Marches win tha City and Suburban Handicap. This horse, raced by Lord Lonsdale, is regarded by some as equal to Solario, if not superior, and Lord Lonsdale expressed the opinion to Mr Wilford that with his horse fit and well he hoped for a meeting with Solario. However, after Solaiio’s defeat in the Jockey Club Stakes, he was withdrawn from the Champion Stakes, which was won by Warden of -the Marches. The latter, said Mr Wilford to “The Watcher,” of the Dominion, is a magnificent horse of a type rarely seen, standing fully 16£ hands, and magnificently developed in proportion. The only other meeting he attended was Royal Ascot, to which ho made a special trip to see the Gold Cup. After paying £1 admission to the course and another 30s to the saddling paddock, he jibbed at another £4 to get into the ring enclosure, and contented himself with watching the parade of the horses and witnessing the contest for tho Cup. In the; parade it was clear to him that the quality of the English horse is superior to the colonial, and they are, moreover, produced in much better condition, generally speaking, which would indicate better methods of training. He ■ was greatly taken with the appearance of Priori 11, tho French contender for Gold Cup honours. Not a big horse, said Mr Wilford, but a very compact one, and in the primest of condition and greatly resembling Rapine. Had Solario not been such a hot order and been looked upon as unbeatable, Mr Wilford said he would have backed tho Frenchman, and he was sorely tempted to wager when the bookmakers, despairing of doing business at the short odds offered on Solario, commenced laying against the first two past the post. It was Mr Wilford’s impression that Priori II gave Solario the race of his life as against the English idea that he won easily, and this opinion has been fully confirmed by the subsequent form of Solario and Foxlaw, who beat him in the Jockey Club Stakes. Solario, ho thought, as did Mr Rainey Jackson, of Wanganui, resembled Sasanof. Other features to impress tho visitor were the amount of betting on selling races, the straight course tho Jockey Club compels riders to steer in the straight, and the capable apprentices being turned out, especially by S. Wootton, which simply meant better education from their employer. Lord Lonsdale weighs his horses once a week, and this method of determining their condition must be an unheard-of procedure with, colonials. Mr Wilford also witnessed some racing in France, seeing the principal steeplechase at Cannes and Auteuil. The French courses are in marked contrast to those in England, being on the colonial scale of appointments and conveniences, while tfieir horses are also magnificent specimens of the thoroughbred who jump fences as big and go as fast as do our own horses hero in the jumping season.