SPORTING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20287, 21 December 1927, Page 14

SPORTING.

RACING NEWS. FIXTURES. Dec. 26, 27.—Dunedin J-C. Dec. 26, 27.—Westland R.C. Dec. 26, 27 —Taranaki J.C. Dec 26 27. 29.-Manawatu R.C. Dec. 26, 28, Jan. 2. 3.-Auckland R.C. Dec. 30. 31, Jan 2.—Greymouth J.C. Dec 31. Jan 2.—Wairarapa R.C. January 2.—Wyndham R.C. January 2. —Waikouaiti R.C. January 2, 3. —Hawke’s Bay J.C. January 2, 3.—Stratford R.C. January 2, 3.—Marton J.C. January 3, 4. —Southland R.C. January 6,7, Reefton J.C. January 7. 9. —V-incent J.C. Jan. 12, 14—Dargaville R.C. Summer. Jan. 14—Ashburton Countv R.C. Summei Jan. 21, 23—Foxton R.C. Annual. Feb. I.—Tapanui R.C. Annual. Feb. 25. 25—Nelson J.C. Annual.

Acceptances for the first day of the Dunedin Jockey Club's Christmas meeting are due to-morrow. Acceptances for the yndham Jockey Club’s meeting are due on Friday next. Nominations for the Ashburton Racing Club's meeting arc due on December 21. The official calendar continues a mistake in connection with the handicap for the Auckland Cup, and it is particularly noticeable because it occurs at the most important part of the adjustments. Handicapping must be logically based on compensation calculated to balance victory and defeat. Winners in racing and trotting must make an allowance calculated to bring the ups and downs of form in line, and, as one might say, the victors bestow some consideration on those whom they drag at triumphant chariot wheels. Winners on either direct or collateral form must be penalised, otherwise fields would dwindle to nothing unless some few owners and trainers were prepared to run horses in ignorance of handicapping and without a fair chance of success on paper. A winning horse must show merit in success, and the mere fact of a win should never be accepted unless class is brought into considera-

tion. In the Fendalton Handicap, run on the final day of the New Zealand Cup meeting, Set Sail failed to concede 121 b to Countersign, and yet jn the Wyndham Cup the latter comes iir on Clb better terms. Set Sail won a double at

Timaru, and no doubt _ showed an im- . provement in form, but it is doubtful if it makes Countersign show/lb less ■ form than when they met at Riccarton. A very material fact in connection with the form in the Fendalton Handicap is that based on Set Sail being sent up from 5.2 to 0.6 —quite a good horse’s weight,--whilst the increase to Countersign still leaves her with a handy racing weight. The handicap for the Wyndham Cup makes Set Sail improve 71b. whilst Countersign, who beat her at Riccarton, and as a two years’ younger mare, has more fcope for improvement is, in effect of the 1 handicapper’s opinion, expected to show deterioration. Pink Note, after being badly ridden, also finished in front of Set Sail in the Fendalton Handicap, and he meets the Solferino mare in the Wyndham Cup on 81b better terms. Countersign came from nowhere in the Fendalton Handicap, and on paper she should beat Set Sail and Pink Note. There is another interesting line to take in connection with the Wyndham Cup. Booster gave 141 b and a 71b beating to Wingatui in the C.J.C. Members’ Handicap, run at a real speed and stayers’ rate of Imin 25 l-ssec. In the Wyndham Cup, Booster allows Wingatui 111 b, in spite of the fact that the Solferino gelding has demonstrated a 141 b superiority to the Tractor mare, and this leaves no margin for the success. It is an accepted fact that a Kovcn-furlong race and a ten-furlong race in good company are particularly hard to win. Success in either race must be accepted as a proof of stamina. The fact remains that for some reason or other Booster is, with much better form to his credit, marked down as a comparatively poor stayer in comparison with Wingatui. On the second day of the Gore meeting Pink Note galloped away from Taboo, when the latter was fruitlessly endeavouring to give the former 41b over a mile and a distance. It would be interesting to know how 16 ounces in favour of the Solferino gelding will bring them together in the Wydham Cup. Another point of interest consists in the fact that Baldowa meets Taboo on 2ilb better terms than when the former finished in front when they recently met in the South Canterbury Handicap. Baldowa came out again and won during the same day, but apparently winning form in his case does not count against the defeated Taboo. There are others in the field, and an analysis of a handicap may not find the winner, but it seems, at times at least interesting to note how handicappers appear to sidestep the logical basis of handicapping, which should always allow an avoirdupois' consideration to those racing under the pain and penalty of defeat. Battlement and Receipt were s ont north yesterday morning to fulfil their engage-m'-uts at the Auckland Cup meeting. -Hr J. M. Ramson and Mr W. Quirk leave for the north on Friday morning to partl€lPate in (ho Auckland Cup meeting and Aueklanr. 1 retting Cup meeting. Gascony has been shaping s o well in his Work that he will be one of the popular pci. s for the Railway Handicap. Cimabue, Ridgcmount, The Earth, and Amplifier are reported 'to be in excellent order r or engagements in the near future. /Conflicting opinions are abroad concerning Ridgeniount Some predict that he wilj beat Chiidsplay and now another critic claims that the Leighton will not get a place in the Great' Northern Foal Stakes.

Ihe name of Massa Jonson ha? been applied to the colt foal by Nigger Minstrel out of Kapiti. The youngster was bred by Mr J. Bull, who also bred Kapiti. Kindle and Ovatrix have both been doing well since they won at the Now Zealand Cup meeting. Not a great deal is hoard about Lady Cavendish from Hawera these days, and in training note? from that centre her name is usually absent. Despite this (says Vedette”) usually well-informed people *eem to know that she is going great guns, and will bp at her best on Boxing Day At her only start at Riccarton. in the Stewards’ Handicap, she was one’ of those out with Eulalio in the early stages, but dropped out of it at the end. She was running on well in third place in the F'eilding Stakes behind Kiosk and Silvermine. so that with 8.5 in tho Fitzfierbcrt Handicap on Boxing Day ?ho should take all kinds of beating. After all, she was the best two-year-old of her year, and hov elt'nrts since have, many of them, been high class. '1 ho betting tax and greyhound racing has made a big difference to English racing club?. Lord Hamilton, a “toward of the Jockev Club, stated last month that the racecourse receipt? from the beginning of the flat-racing season to the end of September this year showed a decrease of £156,000 compared with a similar period of 1925. Nevermore, who ran third in the Cesarc■witch, and Niantic, who dead-heated Medal for the Cambridgeshire, are in the same' ownership, and the stable went for a colossal double win, getting as much as KBOOC to 1 about tho combination. Nevermore started at 50 to 1 for ids race, and Nianti: closed at 25 to 1. It would have been almost too much luck for a stable to get 10,000 to 1 about its own double, and bring it off. \V. Walter? train? both horses at Newma rket.

K. J. Moore, who broke a leg whilst riding at Riccarton about two years aeo. is still undergoing treatment, and recently returned to the hospital to undergo another Operation. The Paper Money—Afterglow- two-year-e'.ij Burnt Note is showing marked improvement in his work. Afterglow is a beautifully bred mare, a= she was got _ by Demo; theiics from Sunglow by Multiform front OUcrdam, the dam of Martian and Bomform. ... , Golden Armour, the third member oi Mr G. D. Greenwood’s team for Auckland, which recently passed through Wellington, is worth more than a casual glaTtce. She is a three-year-old filly by Leighton from Sunglearn. and has not yet had a race in public (says "The Watcher"). This fact, however, is not likely to prejudice her prospects in Auckland, and bred as she is. she can hardly help proving a good galloper. The Leightons have all proved themselves, and Golden Armour’s dam. Sunglearn. is exceptionally well bred, being by Sutnla from Boniform’s sister Sunglow. who threw Afterglow- and Many Kittle. Golden Armour is engaged in the Queens Plato on Boxing Day. but a more important engagement occurs for her in the Royal Stakes on the concluding day of the meeting, in which maiden three-year-olds can

claim a 101 b allowance. Golden Armour’s presence in Auckland is not likely to be overlooked by keen racegoers. Sportsmen of the preceding generation can remember R. J. Mason producing a maiden in the .Jackson Stakes at Wanganui in 1906. This was Porcelain, a threo-year-old colt by Multiform from Saucer, and, despite the fact that this was his first race, he was sent out by Mason to oppose that great horse Achilles, then at the top of his form, and ridden by C. Jenkins. L. H. Hewitt was on Porcelain, and for once his active manoeuvring at the post did not bear fruit, for he eventually got very badly off. In the first furlong Achilles put a break on_ him of five or six lengths, but at the finish Jenkins had to do his level best to hold off this hitherto unknown maiden performer. That Porcelain’s effort made a big impression was shown a month later at Christchurch, when they were backed pound for pound in the Challenge Stakes, run over a furlong further. Again Achilles was the winner, but only after a desperate struggle, in which the judge alone could decide which horse had won. Golden Armour may not be a Porcelain, but it is not likely that she has gone to Ellerslie as a forlorn hope. Childsplay _ was sprung on the rading public from Riccarton this season without any flourish of trumpets, and Golden Armour’s showings at Ellerslie will be followed with considerable interest.

trotting. FIXTURES. December 26.—Ashburton T.C. December 26, 27.—Westport T.C. December 26. 27.—South Wairarapa. December 26.—Gore T.C. December 29.—Winton T.C. December 27, 29. 31.—Auckland T.C. January 2.—Waikouaiti (two events). January 2.—Wyndham R.C. (two events). January 2, 3.—Canterbury Park T.C.

Summer. January 3. —Westland T.C. Annua!. January 3, 4.—S. R. Meeting (four events),

Acceptances for the Winton Trotting Club’s meeting are due to-day. Acceptances for the two trotting events on the Wyndham Racing Club’s programme are due on Friday next. The Invercargill Trotting Cup is to ' carry a stake of SOOsovs. Cardinal Logan and Daytime are getting through useful tasks at Alexandra Park, with A. Rattray in charge of training operations. Gold Jacket and Black Lila are reported to be in good order for their engagements at the Auckland Trotting Club’s meeting. Peter Grattan has been training on satisfactorily since he was last seen in public. The trotter Pandora and the pacer Native Prince, who have arrived at Auckland from Sydney, were both successful at Epping a few days before they were shipped to New Zealand. Pandora won in 4.47 after breaking badly, and Native Prince in 4.36.

A field of 18 has been engaged in the 2.14 harness race to be run at the Canterbury Park meeting. J. J. Kennerley’s son, J. R. Kennerley, left here a few months ago to try his luck in Melbourne with a couple of horses. He was not successful in Australia, and he is returning at the end of_ the week with Sparkling Pronto and Princess Dillon. He will join his father again in the training of his large team. Searchlight Lad, who won at New Brighton last week, was making his first appearance in public. Jean M'Elwyn has been three times second out of five starts.

Shortly after the New Year fixtures have dropped into history those interested are invited to devote their attention to the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s programme, for which nominations fall due on January 9. The Hawke’s Bay horses The Shrew and Raima arc booked to race at the Auckland Trotting Cup meeting. A unique record was established last month at Indianapolis (Ind.), when the yearling bay colt Rapfast, by Trampfast (2.12 J), was given a yearling standard record at both gaits, trotting a mile in 2.27| and pacing one in 2.2TJ, this being a world’s record.

Two Sydney performers. Stroller and Lilac Time, have gone to West Australia, and will be raced by their new owners at Perth night meetings. Both have won a number of events at Sydney, and should be successful in West Australia. Stroller, who is a brother of the free-legged pacer Don Wild, was disposed of by W. J. Bryan to George Badcock, of Perth. Some years ago he was purchased by Peter Riddle from Mr Bryan, and raced unhoppled in New Zealand, but failed to win. Brought back to New South Wales, he competed in Sydney Thousand last year, and disappointed his connections. Mr Bryan bought him back, and gave him to Gordon Brown to train, and he won a number of events with the gelding whe he was strapped. Of the incidents which made the meeting of the Danbury Park Trotting Club at Launceston a fortnight ago one of those eventful in the history of sport in that city, the most outstanding was the tragic death of the popular owner-trainer-rider, L. T. Allender, 34 years of age. Allender was a railway signalman, who rarely rode, hut he took the mount on his horse. Ruby Carbine, as his regular rider was engaged for another horse. During her preliminary Ruby Cabine jumped in her hobbles and crashed head foremost, falling on Allender, who sustained a fractured skull and a lacerated brain, from which he died. Despite his sequence of failures—he did win two small races towards the end of last, season —there arc some people who still believe that Concliff will win the Auckland Trotting Cup. He may do so (says Orion, in the Auckland Star), but on form he is one of those who could not be recommended. When the chestnut left Sydney to come to New Zealand ho was hailed as the best horse to ever leave Australia, and it would now appear ho was ovorhoomed. His best effort in Sydney was a mile and a-half in 3.21, but it was claimed for him that he did that in a “ jog,” and that he would shatter all the records (hen existing. Now it is claimed that he has never struck his tru© form since ariving here, but a close perusal of his performances hardly bears this out, because when he won the Waikato Trotting Cup last March at Alexandra Park he went the two miles in 4.30 3-5, which is every bit as good a performance as 3.21 for a mile and a-half, as there is an extra half-mile to cover. Later Concliff went 2.10 to get third in a mile race at Addington last August, and those two performances would suggest that, so far Irom Concliff not being at his best, ho was, in fact, a -bettor horse than when racing in Australia, and the only reason he has not won more races in New Zealand is because ho is not good enough. His trainer. W- J- Tomkinson, more than once remarked that the horse was not the wonder he was and it would seem that Tomkinson is right. Concliff is a good horse, or he could not go two miles in 4.30 3-5 and a mile in 2.10, but the position is that, where 4.30 horses are few and far between in Australia, they can be found in plenty in the Dominion.

ELLERSLIE TRACK NOTES. SOME GOOD TIMES RECORDED. (Special to Dailt Times.) AUCKLAND, December 20. There -were many brilliant gallops registered at Ellerslie this morning, the majority of the horses claiming engagements at the Auckland meeting being sent against the watch. The tracks were in excellent order. The course proper was in demand, and here the trestles were about 58ft out. so that no horse galloped closer than within 60ft of the rails. This makes the times recorded in many instances the more remarkable. The outstanding performers this morning were Te Monanui, Rapier, and Great Charter of the Cup candidates, Limited and Aussie of the Railway representatives, and Mandanc and Artheno of the remainder. Bcnnanee and Te Monanui were sent a mile and a-quarter in company. They got away together, running the first three furlongs in 43sec, four in 56 3-ssec, six in Imin 23 2-ssee, and coming home from the four-furlong post in a good 53 S-fisec. The full distance was covered in 2min ITsec. Te Monanui finished in front, and was much too good for his companion, who was being pushed along at the finish. Ridden by a light-weight. Great Charter went once round inine furlongs i. He got to the end of the first three in 41 see. cut out five in Imin S l-ssec, and finished over the last half-mile in 54 l-sse-. making 2min 2 2-ssec for the round. It was an impressive effort. Rapier, who is generally regarded as a had track worker, surprised by the manner in which he went in a spin with Papatu and Star Stranger over nine fur-

longs. The trio ran the first three furlongs in 41 l-ssec, four in 54soc, five in Inun 8 3-ssec, and ran the final four home in 54sec, the full journey being loft behind in 2min 2 3-ssec. Papatu finished slightly in front of Rapier, both going well, particularly the'latter. Star Stranger began to lose ground half a mile from home, and was about eight lengths behind his companions at the post, but ho could have done better.

Carrying a little less weight than Footfall, Count Cavour beat the Autumnus gelding over a round, being two lengths and a-half to the good at the post. The first two took 2!) 2-ssec, half-mile 54 l-ssee, five furlongs Imin S 3-ssec, and they came homo from there in 55 3-ssec. Count Cavour ran the nine furlongs in 2min 4 l-ssec, and was doing it easily at the finish. Footfall was not pressed, and will be all the better for the gallop. The Cup and Derby colt Satrap was tried with the Derby colt Martarma in a bout once round, and the former did bis work well in good time. The first quarter occupied 29 I-ssec, and they got to the end of four furlongs in 54sec, completing their task in 2min 3 l-ssec, the last .halfmile being run in 55sec. Satrap finished well up with his companion, but he was doing it much better. A large number of competitors for the Railway Handicap were seen out, and, as was to be expected., they reeled off some fast times. Gascony, with a light boy up, set the main by getting over half a mile in 49 2-ssec, finishing strongly. No rider has yet been secured for the King John gelding in the big sprint. A good try-out was witnessed when Cimabue and Silvermine were paired over five furlongs. At the finish Cimabue was going much better than the Taranaki colt, and it was obvious that he could have done much better than the Imin 5 3-ssec registered. Cimabue will start one of the best backed horses in the sprint, in which S. Henderson will have the mount. Silvermine, too, went well. Assisted by his stable companion, Awarere, Aussie was asked to sprint four furlongs, an order which drew all eyes ms way. The gold galloping bay had it on his mate throughout, and, despite the fact that Aussie was wide out all the way, he finished clear in 49 l-ssec, the best time of the morning for this journey. Just before breakfast Limited put up a smart five furlongs, which showed in unmistakable fashion that he is ready for the fray. He ran the first furlong uphill in 13sec, and completed the full journey in Imin 4sec, finishing full of running. On this fine effort he will gain a lot of friends on Monday. The two-year-old Childsplay sprinted twice along the back, on the first occasion cutting out two furlongs in 25sec and the second time in 26 2-ssec, this being from the six to the four-furlong pegs. Possibly the idea of this procedure was to get the filly used to taking the hill she will be called upon to negotiate in the Foal Stakes. Jumping off irom the barrier’ at. the new five-furlong post, Whaka King quickly \ headed his companions, Judge’s Box and Speechless, and he finally beat the former by a length. Whaka King was wide out coming round the bend, so that it makes his time, Imin 5 l-ssec, read well. Centrepiece and Front Rank had little between them at the end of a useful task over six furlongs, which, by herself, Doree got to the end of in Imin 19 2-ssec. Marion’s Birthday and Raasay sprinted half a mile in 51 3-ssec, the former being half a length in front at the finish, but her companion was bowling along nicely. A smart six furlongs was credited to Archeno, who went the distance in Imm 19sec, the final four being cut out in 53sec. Ridgemount pleased by the way he hit out over four furlongs in 53sec. Oyer the 'last furlong he was interfered with by a couple of horses in front who were aboiit to set out for a long gallop, and R. Reed, his rider, had to dodge in between the trestles, so that the time was quite good in the circumstances. The best six furlongs gallop went to the credit of Mandane. in company with Laughing Prince. They really wont seven furlongs in Imin 30 2-ssec, which was extra good going, but timed from the six thev ran to the five furlongs in 11 d-oec, to the four in 26 l-ssec. and came home from the latter peg in 51 4-ssec, making Imin 18sec for the final six furlongs ot their spin.

RICCARTON RACING NEWS. (Special to Daily Times.) CHRISTCHURCH, December 20. The Riccarton horses which are to race at the Dunedin Jockey Club’s summer meeting will go south by Thursday night’s train. Those booked for the trip are as follows-:—Nincompoop. Tarleton, Koauau, Luminant, Merivale, Court Jester, Amorist, Countersign, Rotor, Sir Roy. A large contingent of horses from the Riccarton stables will leave for the West Coast this week. They are as follows: Miss Doyle, with Moratorium and St. Nicholas; A. E. Wormald with Gold Mint, Bronstell and Spode; F. P. Claridge with Thorndale, Donne and Jarretiere; R. Longley with Rascal. Ophir, Motor Smash, Heisler, Salamat, and Thirzo; F. Christmas with Fresco, Kenmore, Oriflamb and Bcnshcc; H. Nurse with Grcyfinch, Projector, Martian Spear and Pledge; J. Beal with Arrowmir and Rina Mangu; R. Adamson with Tentcrfiold, Rapid Rose, Scrambler and Lady s Maid; J. W. Jennings with Smithereens and Pickaninny; R. "lOllis with Diana’s Lad, Lytup and Nunutm; J. B. Pearson with Royal Land. F D. Jones will go north on Thursday night with Stormy. Arikiwai, and First Right, who should 'pay their way at the Manawntu and Marton meetings. H. Emerson is going north for the Manawatu and Marton meetings with Assurance and Hoylake, both of whom aro very well. They will leave on Thnrsday night. Battle Colours was responsible for a smart gallop over seven furlongs this morning. Stormy went with him the last five, but Battle Colours was going on in good style at the' end of his task. With average luck ho will win a good race very soon. Ho will not bo racing at any of the Christmas meetings, but he will go south next week for the Wyndham and Invercargill meetings. He will bo accompanied by Moorland, who is sprinting well.

AFsm-anco was responsible for an attractive gallop over a milo and a-quarter this morning, Hoylake accompanying him for the last mile. Assurance finished very well, while Hoylake’s effort was one of tiis best he has registered on the track. Diana’s Lad shaped well in a school over four hurdles this morning, hut Tarloton, who went with him. gave a disappointing display.

WAIKOUAITI RACES. | The following arc (he acceptances for the Waikouaiti races: Bray Memorial. Fire furlongs.—Arrowmir 8.11, Gay Sonnet 8.9, Martis, Royal i Saxon, Hardy Gurdy 8.1, Solgele 7.12, Tripaway 7.8, Lady Dilatory, Dark Spot, Ail British, Real .Glad 7.0. Waikouaiti Cup. One mile and aquarter. —John Bradbury 8.12; Sir Boy 8.4, Heather Lad 8.1, Gold Brick 8.0, Black Duko 7.12, Gay Sonnet 7.7, Arpcnt 7.2. Money Peer 7.0. Highweight Handicap. One mile.— | Heather Lad 10.11, King Sol 10.2, Green j Cloth 9.9, Kaikahu 9.6, Incursio, Arm- I chair, Rory O’More, Rhondda 9.0. j Hawksburjt Hack Handicap. Six furlongs. ; —Money Mine 9.2, Solgele 8.10, Tripaway I 8.7. Felony 8.2, Lady Dilatory, Amorist, \ Appian Way 7.13, Rory O’Moorc, Dark j Spot 7.12, Incursio, Rina Manga 7.9, ! Rhondda, Karitanc 7.8, All Smiles, Puff, Streamer 7.7.

Orbcll Stakes. Seven furlongs.—Gold Brick 8.12, Sir Roy 8.11, Black Duke 8.10, Gay Sonnet 8.4. Arpcnt 7.11, Blue Dragoon 7.9, Martis, Royal Saxon, Real Glad, All British 7.7.

New Year Trot. One mile and a-half.— Great Heart, Emulight, Leona Bingen, Last Pointer, John Appear, Roi L’or, fasten In, Lily Audubon, Locandaiine per, Trcs Bon 24yds behind, Kinney Dillon 60. Kelpie 34. Domain Trot. One mile. —Brown Pointer, Donclitf, Great Heart, Capo Logan, Onnto. Emulight, Last Pointer, Fairy Chimes, Listen In, Princess Hazel, Wilkie Bard. Locandaiine, Lily Audubon scr, Mcrrigal, Red Shiner, Sunny « no, Vasiliki 12yds behind. Ties Bon 24, Nelson Fay 36, Malice. Spring Flower 48, Sasiu 60. Planet 84,