SPORTING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20156, 21 July 1927, Page 15

SPORTING.

RACING AND TROTTING. FIXTURES. . July 21.—Waimate District Hunt Chib July 23.—South Canterbury Hunt Club. July 28, 50. —Gisborne R.C. July 50.—Christchurch Hunt Club. August 6—Poverty Bay Hunt Club. August 6, 10, 12. Metropolitan T.C. August 9, 11. 13—Canterbury J.C. August 20 —Pakuranga Hunt Club. September 3—North Taranaki H.O. September 7, B—Marton8 —Marton J.C. September 10—Otago Hunt Club. September 14 —Dannevirke R.C. * September 15— Dannevirke H.C. September 17-Egmont Wanganui H.C. September 24 Ashburton County B.Q September 24. 26 —Napier Park K.O. September 24. 26—Avondale J.C. September 29, 50 —Geraldine R.C. October I—Hawke’s Bay J.C. October s—Manawatu5 —Manawatu Hunt Club. October 6 —Kurow J C October 6, 8-Whar.garei J.C. October 7, B—Otaki-Maori R.O, October 8, 10 —Oamaru J-C. October 8, 10 —Auckland R.O. October 13. 15. —Dunedin J.C. October 13, 15—Wanganui J.C. October 19. 20- Carterton R.C, October 22. 24 —Cromwell J.C October 22 24 - Wellington R.C. October 22. 24— Waverley R.O. October 22. 24—Gore R.C.

The Waimate Hunt Club’s meeting takes place to-day. Beau Cavalier, Tuki, and Peter Maxwell are the popular fancies for the Grand National Steeplechase. W. J. Tomkinson’s patience with Logan Park is likely K be rewarded (says “Mascot”). The gelding needs careful handling at the barrier. That is where Tomkinson’s ingenuity comes in. The successes of South Island horses at Trentham last week provided southern horsemen with good winning mounts. J. T. Humphris scored two wins and two seconds, a record which A. E. Ellis equalled. I. Tilson rode two winners, while J. W. Jennings, F. C. Porter, and C. Dawson each rode one winner, and F. Voight was on a second. Mr H. A. Knight has tired of Ortego, and she has been given away to a Kaikoura farmer. . > The Hawke’s Bay trainer, J. Griffiths,' was due at Riccarton yesterday with Maunga, who is a much-discussed Grand National candidate. He has not had much experience as a steeplechaser, and his early arrival at headquarters is prompted by a desire to school him thoroughly over the Riccarton fences. The two Southland horses, Scamp and Cassolette, are to remain at Riccarton until after the Grand National meeting. Cartoon and Relic are to compete at the Soutli Canterbury Hunt meeting on Saturday, after which they will stay (with Honey) at Riccarton for the jumping carnival. A. E. Wormald intended to take Radiac south for the Waimate and South Canterbury Hunt meetings this week, but he has had to cancel the trip. The Absurd gelding showed signs of lameness after galloping on Tuesday morning, and he may have to be spelled. The death occurred in Hobart this month of Mr David H. Harvey, who was the manager of Tattersall’s consultations since they started in Sydney 42 years ago. He went to Sydney from New Zealand in 1879, and before joining the late G. Adams was associated with a couple of Sydney business firms. Mr Harvey/ who was 72 at the time of his death, moved with the sweeps from State to State. Sir Charles Nugent, who was prominent as a trainer, died in England at the end .of May. In his younger days he was a first-class amateur rider on the flat and over jumps. As a trainer, Drumcree (1906 Grand National) and Illuminator (1921 Ascot Royal Hunt Cup) were among his big winners. His only son was killed when riding in a steeplechase on the Continent. King George’s first win of the season was with Spear Dance (Spearmint—Lady Star), in the Portland Welter, at Doncaster on May 19. His Majesty did punters a bad turn, 00, as Spear Dance, who was an outsider in a field of 10, beat S. Wootton’s favourite, Saturn. A London paper says that “I’ll back the King!” was the slogan from the ring during the running of the race, and when Spear Dance passed the winning post well ahead of the favourite the leaders of the cheering cxclainyed: “God bless him —one for the book!” The following day the King won again with a filly named Scuttle (Cautaiu Cuttle —Stained Glass), but the books were scarcely enthusiastic in their cheers, as Scuttle was a well-backed third favourite in a Told of nine. The Paris correspondent of the Horse and Hound (London) takes Mr Edgar Wallace (the well-known writer) to task for liis arguments against the introduction of the totalisator in England. With absolute correctness the Paris scribe points out that the rover j from the totalisator has given patrons of French racecourses comfort unknown in England, and that the stakes are so large that they have induced many foreigners to invest enormous sums in bloodstock and keep up huge stables and studs in France. He then refers to the absence in France of those runners, wolshers, thieves, and tipsters, who infest English racecourses. Increased comfort would also mean largo attendances, and he expresses surprise at the small crowd he saw at quite an important meeting in England in April. He was appalled at the stands, which, ho said, would disgrace a country meeting in France. The French writer is of opinion that the totalisator, in conjunction with the bookmakers, would benefit English racing, provided it was not introduced merely for the purpose of adding revenue to the Government exchequer. That is where the trouble comes in, says a Sydney writer —the English Government, as in New Zealand and Australian States, whore the machine is used, would probably wish to take too large a percentage from investments, and return nothing to racing. Arpcnt was one of the disappointments of Trentham (says a northern writer). Prior to'the meeting ho galloped in great style, and accordingly was a well-backed horse on the first day. He missed the jump out, and was never in a winning position. On the second day he was drawn off the course and hung out badly, losing all chance. Ho was heavily backed again on Saturday, and failed to reach the firing line at any part of the contest. It is doubtful where ho will race next, for his trainer, the exAustralian J. Fielder, said that he might take Arpont and other horses to Australia. No definite decision has been arrived at. The Winter Cup field is a mixed lot (says “Vedette” in the Evening Post), and of ’really poor class. Top-weights have none the best of it in this race, but Degago at 10.12 looks a possibility to make a change. She is really well treated. Another Trentham horse in Black Mint should bo suited well by tho Riccarton course with its long straight, while tho Ilawko’s Bay mare Hatlior has only to go on the right way to bo well in the picture. A southerner who appeals is Peho, particularly if a jockey of the calibre of F. 11. Jones was engaged for her. Her Trentham effort was most impressive, even if it was only in a hack field. The move to Australia commences this week. J. M. Cameron is booked to go by tho Mnheno on Friday with Merry Mint, The Hawk- Goshawk, and Egyptian Flower* Cameron knows what is necessary in Ausl .ilia now, and bo should be able to exploit Merry Mint quite successfully. A week later, by tho Marama. a big contingent will leave. F. D. Jones goes with Limerick, Arikiwai, and some of his rising two-year-olds. He is having some trouble in selecting what will go, as his juvenile band all show some promise. Roscrca, the half-brother of Rossondalc to Limerick, has a slight leg weakness, and it is possible no risks will bo taken with him. A." D. Webster goes on tho same boat with First Acre and Co., and George Jones sent a special cable to “Pilot,” of the Sydney Referee. to say that Commendation will leave also by tho Rarama on July 29. The two rivals thus are booked to journey to Sydney together. The owner of Beau Cavalier has ideas of taking bis horse to England to run in the Grand National Steeplechase at Aintree, so it was learned during the currency of tho recent Wellington meeting (says “Vedette"). Mr A. G. Quartenoy ha? a most nromising Vhn?er, and if he undertook the experiment he would bavotho good wishes of all New Zealand racing folk. Peril.ms he will have a better idea after Roan Cavalier lias raced at Riccarton. which is the real test of a inmper in New Zealand. If the Auckland horse comes through (hat test well, his prospect? will he enhanced. It is 23 veai-s Give Mnifna tmhcld the honour of New Zealand at Aintreo. and (t, seems nlmo'-t too much to hope that another New Zealander could succeed at (lie next attempt.