SPORTING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20317, 27 January 1928, Page 13

SPORTING.

RACING NEWS. FIXTURES. Jan. 28, 30.— Takapuna J.C. Feb. 1- —Tapanui R.C. Annual. Feb.' 1, 2.—Pahiatua R.C. Feb." 2, 4.—Egmont R.C, Feb 2, 4.—Gisborne R.C. Feb. 4.—Matamata R.C. Feb. 9. 11.—Dunedin J.C. Feb. 9. 11.—Taranaki J.C. Feb 9, 11. —Poverty Bay Turf Club, Feb 11, 13.—Rotorua R.C. Feb. 15. —Clifden R.C. Feb. 16. —Tolaga Bay J.C. Feb 16, 18.—Wanganui J.C. Feb. 18 —Canterburv J.C. Feb. 22, 23.—Gore R.C. Feb 22, 25. —Nelson J.C. Feb 23. —Waiapu R.C. Feb. 24, 25. —Woodville District J.C. Feb 25, 27.—Te Aroha J.C. Feb. 29. March I.— Dannevirke R.C.

When Rapine met with a mishap in the spring it was feared that the track career of the Martian gelding was at an end. 'He has made a recovery, however, and ho has been nominated for a sprint race at the Taranaki meeting next month. The licensing committee of the Racing Conference had the case of H. Gray under review this week. As a result he may go on a racecourse when his employer has horses racing. The Auckland jockey, W. S. Bagby, has had his suspension removed by the licensing committee of the Racing Conference, and he is now eligible to ride again. Ganymede’s injury received in the Douro Cup on Monday was of a serious nature, and it was found necessary to destroy him.

The yearling colt by Limond from Royal Exchange, purchased by Mr J. M. Samson at the Trentham sales, is a brother to Royal Lineage, and comes from the same family as Limerick. The yearling purchased by Mr W. Quirk, of Dunedin, at Trentham on Tuesday, is closely related to Kick Off, Bennanee, and Talisfcer, and gives every indication of turning out a useful galloper. Starshooter, a two-year-old brother to Starflight, by Archery from Stardancer, has been getting through a lot of useful work lately. He may be one of G. Murray- Aynsley’s team for the Cup meeting at Wingatui, where h e has an engagement in the Champagne Stakes. The successes of Full Feather and Skyquest at Trentham brought Sir George Clifford’s total of winnings since he commenced up to the 593 mark.

It is understood that C. Emerson made inquiries concerning the possibility of getting the mount on Pink Note in the Dunedin Cup. Historic, who filled second place in the Wallaceville High-weight Handicap at Trentham, is a three-year-old brother to Tarleton. He has taken some time to get into racing shape, and even now he is not nearlv at his best.

Miss Ransom, who filled second place in the Hopeful Handicap, is a sister to Hynanna. She has not done much racing, but she is a speedy galloper, and a game finisher. Hsr winning turn may not be long delayed. Flying Hero, one of Mr A. M'Donald’s Australian-bred youngsters, was solidly supported in the Hopeful Stakes at Trentham. He drew an outside position and settled his chance by getting off badly. He looks as if he will be worth keeping in mind.

There were one or two good examples at Trentham of the long strain imposed on horses and riders because of the present custom of allowing the totalisator to dominate commonsense (says “ Vedette The Rules of Racing were scrupulously observed in that horses were not permitted to leave the birdcage until 20 minutes before the advertised time of starting a race. As one race was delayed 15 minutes, actually the horses and their riders were kept 35 minutes on the course, part of which' time, and an appreciable part, was spent standing up to the barrier. Add to the 35 minutes at least another 15 minutes (a very conservative estimate) that the horses paraded in and out of the birdcage, which means that in all thev were kept strung up for 50 minutes and then asked to race. Quite'a number of owners are now becoming interested in this matter, and contend that it is time the systent was altered ajid horses sent to the post just a few minutes prior to the race. They state that after one race the public will become quite ready for the change. The Ellersjie rac© crowd is a good illustration of how easily one can be educated, for on the Auckland Club’s course the betting ceases to the second of the advertised time. The result is that just prior to the closing time the crowd rapidly forsakes the totalisator area for vantage points to view the race. The tardy bettor at Ellerslie may get round in time for the finish of an event.

TROTTING. FIXTURES. January 27, 28.—Forburv Park T.C. ' January 28. —Hawke’s Ray T.C. January 31, February 1. —Nelson T.C, February 2. —Takaka T.C. February 4. —Cheviot T.C. February 11.—N.Z. Metropolitan T.C, February 18, 22—Otahuhu T.C. February 25.—Kaikoura T.C. March 2. —Marlborough T.C. March 2, 3. —Invercargill T.C. March 3.—Waikato T.C. March 7. —Manawatu T.C. March 8, 10. —Timaru T.C. March 14. —Wyndham T.C. March 15, 17.—New Brighton T.C. March 24. —Thames T.C. March 24. —Wellington T.C. March 29, 31—Wanganui T.C. April 7, 11. —N.Z. Metropolitan T.C. April 7, 9.—Hawera T.C. April 14.—Taranaki T.C. April 21. —Te Aroha T.C. April 21.—Ashburton T.C. April 28. —Wellington T.C. May 3, 5. —Forbury Park T.C. May s.—Cambridge T.C. May 19. —Oamaru T.C.

THE FORBURY PARK MEETING. The Forbury Park Club’s summer meeting will be opened to-day, and, with the weather apparently set fair, there is every prospect of the card proving both a sporting and financial sucess. Naturally most interest centres round the running of the Cup, for which 14 is the main ,though there is a probability that Logan Park may be reserved for the mile harness race. Five horses stand their ground on the limit, but the favourite is not likely to come from them. Harry Audubon and Jolly Chimes look out of their class, while Logan Holme, brilliant though h e is over a sprint, may drift from the front at the end of a soundly-run two miles. Downcast ran second in each of the big heats at the Forbury Park spring meeting last season, but in his more recent races has not finished on well. William the Great is an improving pacer, but as yet lacks the little touch of brilliancy that would place him among the best. 'Apart from that, in the Park Handicap at the Canterbury Park meeting. Dalnahine and Silk Thread finished well ahead of him when standing him 72yds and 12yds respectively, and the 12yds allowed to him by the former is not likely to bridge the gap. Of the three on 12yds, Golden Devon will probably be one of the leaders for most of the journey, but the final furlong will find him out. Silk Thread, fit and well, would be among the most fancied ones, but the fact that a splint has been troubling him will lose him some supporters. The American-bred pacer stepped a fine rac e to win the Gold Cup at the Wellington meeting, and at the Canterbury Park meeting finished third to Dalnahine and Pan Yan after having led most of the way. St. Maura is generally r ®S® r<^e d as being merely a sprinter, su'd although she has been doing good track work it is doubtful whether she is sufficiently wound up to see the distance right out. Three goed ones in Terence Dillon, Concliff, and l*7.mv Logan are on 36yds. and the first-named (bracketed with Dal nahine) will probably be the actual favourite. In the Forbury Handicap at the spring meeting h e ran second to Dalnahine when in receipt of 24yds from his stable mate, and for that he is allowed another Th® Author Dillon jteld-

ing stood Bonny Logan 24yds in the same race, and now that they meet on level terms he looks to have it well on her. Since winning the Waikato Cup last season in 4.30 3-5, soon after his arrival from Australia, Concliff has failed to come up to the reputation that preceded him from Australia, but his recent work, coupled with the fact that he would have betaen Bonny Logan in the Mace Memorial if he had been more patiently handled, raises the belief that he will go a good race today. Logan Park (coupled with Concliff) and Machine Gun, on 48yds. should, on recent performances be among the leaders when heads are turned for hime. The former won the Canterbury Handicap brilliantly in 4.28, when in receipt of 48yds from Dalnahino, and with the 36yds between them in to-day’s race backers will prefer the Logan Pointer gelding again. Machine Gun finished a good third in the Auckland Cup, among those finishing behind him being Concliff, both of them being started from the limit. In the Summer Cup on the second day the latter wa s in _ receipt of 24yds from _ the Machine Brick gelding, and beat him for second place by half a length. There is now 12yds between them, and that should about balance them if Auckland form works out right. The back-marker, Dalnahine, has been travelling along a winning groove, but unless the track is heavy, which seems unlikely, two or three of the others appear to hold him safe. In the event of Logan Park being scratched, horses that should run well , are Terence Dillon, Machine Gun, and Bonny Logan. A nice field of eleven will go out for the Otago Cup Handicap, and backers may concentrate on the chances of the backmarkers. At the Canterbury Park meeting Trampfast finished second to Logan J’ark in the smart time of 4min 28 l-ssec, and from a 4.30 mark lie should beat most of the others In today’s race. Elzear and John Mauritius, on 60 yards, will carry heavy support, and providing the former moves away at the right gait she will step into the money. She pulled out a great burst ®f speed to win the Dominion Handicap after having lost a big stretch of ground at the start. Engagement, Clonmel, and Cannonball are likely outsiders, but the order of favouritism may be Trampfast, Elzear, and John Mauritius. Big fields stand their ground in the balance of the events, and in most cases the public will probably experience difficulty in locating the favourites. Recent race and track form points to the following horses running well in their engagements: —Hawkesbury's Pride, Oval, and Ruby Bingen in the Vauxhall Handicap, Locanda General, High Jinks, and Four Bells in the Electric Handicap ; Randolph, Sea Queen, and Sarsaparilla in the Musselburgh Handicap; Don Derby. Red Swithin, and Nelson M’Elwyn in the Southland Handicap: Tennessee's Child, Vesuvius, and Liberal in the King George Handicap; and Diamond Child, Bob Logan, and Desert Star in the Flying Handicap. Nantwich and Ayr were not accepted for to-day, but will probably carry silk to-morrow.

Mr H. Davey will act as stipendiary steward for the meeting.

Although J. Bryce has no horses engaged he has come down for the meeting, and will probably hold the lines over several horses.

Nelson M'Elwyn, Fashion Queen, and Lucky Dillon arrived from Gore yesterday. The first-named looks particularly well, and is expected to run prominently in the Southland Handicap. J. Walsh will be behind him. YESTERDAY’S TRACK WORK. The track at Forbury Park was in capital condition yesterday, and the training operations were watched by a large crowd. Most of the horses were restricted to strong work, and in no case was the watch brought into requisition. Stockade Junior and Kibiringi worked together over twelve furlongs.. The former, who is not engaged to-day, was always going the better. Four Bells and Mountain Chimes both moved well over several circuits in saddle, The former will be ridden in the Electric Handicap by R. M'Kewen, a cousin of J. M’Kewen, who trains the Four Chimes gelding. Liberal was given strong work without the hopples, and moved attractively. A. M‘Lellan schooled him at the barrier, but he did not make any friends by his disinclination to move away.

Downcast, looking somewhat dry in the coat, was jogged over several circuits, aari was then spun out over five furlongs at a good clip. He paced very evenly. S. Todd worked Cardinal and Blue, Young Tom, and Slump, for whom the acceptances were missed. They will be started to-morrow.

Ruby Bingen, who will be driven by J. M’Kewen in the Vauxhall Handicap, and may trouble the favourites, trotted very evenly over several circuits. She is rounding out into a nice mare, and is shaping as though she will turn out to be a good one. . Desert Star, who is looking really well, seemed anxious to increase the pace at which he was allowed to go. He is a great beginner, and that fact will find him in favour to-day. Don Derby did a good strong work-out, and made many friends. He is a very promising pacer, and from the front of the Southland Handicap he will set a clip that will make it hard for the backTennessee’s Child, who promises to be one of the favourites in the King George Handicap, was given long, slow exercise. R. Robinson has him in capital condition. , Several other horses were on the track, but were not asked to do anything that would give a line on their prospects. There is a probability that Logan Park will be reserved for the Flying Handicap to-day.

TAPANUI RACES. (From Our Own Correspondent.) GORE, January 26. The following are the acceptances for the Tapanui Racing Club’s meeting: Trial Stakes. Six furlongs,—’Ginamoc 9.0, Thessaly, Lady M'Kenna, Hildreth 8.11, Mananui 8.7, Tractnx, All Smiles, Attractive Lady 8.4, Wine Tray 7.0. President’s Handicap. Siy furlongs.— Puff 8.13, Ace of Hearts 8.0, Olympia 7.12, Wensleydale 7,10, Valves, Karitane 7.7. Dominion Trot. One mile and a-half. Continuance, Southern Light, Young Bingen scr, Tarndale, Bonnie Boy, Overture, Gillie Callum 24yds bhd, Postmark, Maybird 36, Wee Spark 48, Matilda’s Match 72, Caesar 84, Trevillion 96, Scottish Maid 108 Tapanui Handicap. One mile and aduarter. —Cartoon 9.0, Eyed Ova 8.12, Real Glad 8.11, Solzia 8.8, Olympia 8.0. Mananui 7.8, Lady M’Kenna, Taimn II 7.7. Flvinc Handicap. Five furlongs.—Ace of Hearts MO. Thessaly 8.2. Fleetoff 8.0, French Singer, Karitane, Connthia, Attractive Lady 7.7. Stewards’ Handicap. Six furlongs and a-half. -Puff 9.4, Relic Solzia 8.5 Wenslevdale 7.12. Taimn II .Valves 7.7. Tapanui Trot. One mile and a-quarter. —Continuance, Southern Light, Young Bingen. Mavora scr, Tarndale, Bonnie Boy! Gillie Callum 12yds bhd, Postmark, Maybird 24, Matilda’s Match 60, Caesar, Trevillion 72, Scottish Maid 96. _ Farewell Handicap. Six turlongs.— Real Glad 8.8, Relic 8.6, Thessaly 8.2, Corinthia, Tractrix, Karitane 8.0.

CLIFDEN RACES. (Special ro Daily Times.) INVERCARGILL, January 26. The following are the nominations for the Clifden Racing Club’s annual meeting:— , „ ... r Lilburno Handicap, of SOsovs. Six furlongs.—Miss Fleete, Fenham. Nyanza. Navambie. Swimashore, Gong, Red Luce, Karamba, geldins by Fleetham, Monica, Attractive Lady, Scamp, gelding, 4yrs, by Fleetham —Cora Dhu. Tuatapere Trot (saddle), of 6osovs. One mile and ahali. —Stella Maris, Sunspot, Hushabye, Cloverlea, Eons, John Logan, Branchie. Master M'Grath. gelding by ° Cathedral Chimes —Blackwood mare. Belmont Hack Handicap, of 60sovs.

Seven furlongs.—Takaka, Divinial, Navy Cut. Caramba, Attractive Lady. Clifden Cup, of lOOsovs. One mile and a-quarter.—Some Kid, Piton, Snatcher, Bugle Note, Kilbarry, Bloom, Solzia, Equerry, Counterstroke. ■Orawia Hack Steeplechase, of Sosovs. About two miles.—Ngarata, Cazna, Soldier’s Dream. Nyanza, Blazing Light, Flag Lieutenant, Cashmau, Night. Waiau Hack Handicap, of 60sovs. Six furlongs.—Wairio. Takaka, Gong, Navy Cut, Swimashore, Red Luce, Caramba, Attractive Lady, Scamp. Alton Trot, of 65sovs. Two miles.— Stella Maris, Sunspot, Sunshade, Black Friar, Hushabye, Cloverlea, Great Gun, Master M'Grath, gelding by Cathedral Chimes —Blackwood mare. Farewell Handicap, of 70sovs. One mile. —Some Kid. Piton, Divinial, Bugle Note, Snatcher, Kilbarry, Bloom, Solzia, Soltoe, Counterstroko.