RACING NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20323, 3 February 1928, Page 13

RACING NEWS.

FIXTURES. Feb. 4. Egrnont R.C. Feb." 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.-Cli£den R.C. Feb. 16.—TolaRa Bay J.C. Feb. 16, 18.—Wanganui J.C. Feb. 18.—Canterbury 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.

A deep gloom hung over local sporting circles when the news became known of the tragic and painfully sudden deaths of Mr A. B. Armour, Mr T. Wilkins, and Mr J. Biggins, who were all killed by a motor car overturning with them whilst on the road home from a sporting trip to the Tapanui races. Mr L. G. Hill was also in the car, but fortunately he escaped serious injury. iThe accident, with its fatal results, "is the most tragic occurrence that has ever happened in local sporting circles, and very deep and sincere sympathy will be felt for the bereaved families and relatives. Each of the deceased had been well and popularly known in sporting circles for many years, and took far more than an ordinary interest in racing. They were frequent visitors in good and bad weather to the training tracks, and were always keen to note how the various horses were progressing in their work. Mr A. B. Armour ana Mr J. Biggins were owners of many years standing, and so was Mr T. Wilkins, who, however, at one time became principally interested in the light harness sport. Both Mr Biggins and Mr Wilkins showed more than an ordinary knowledge by displaying ability to train their own horses, and it is only this season that the former assumed the responsible position of handicapper to the Dunedin Jockey Club. The painful tragedy leaves one loth to discuss the subject, aiid everyone who knew them will deeply regret the abrupt termination of their careers just when life had apparently years of pleasurable and useful existence in store tor them.

At latest reports Mr L. G. Hill is not so seriously injured as was originally thought, and he may be about again during the course of the next two or three days. Very little fast work took place at Wmgatui yesterday morning. The principal reason is due to the fact that most of the horses engaged at the Dunedin Cup meeting have already been raced a good deal this season. , Receipt and Phaster sprinted five furlongs on the course in Invin 10 2-ssec. Overhaul, in receipt of weight, was going better than Apple Dighton at the end of six furlongs in Imin 22sec. Quickform and Martist went away from Felony, when covering six furlongs on the plough in Imin 19sec. Coastguard and Beauty Light were schooled over four flights of hurdles, and several others got through slow work. There are not many winners amongst those originally engaged jn the Dunedin Champagne Stakes, for which a forfeit is due to-day. Full Feather, Childsplay, Silver Paper, Night March, and Riu Tin Tin, are amongst the best known performers in the race, and Childsplay and Silver Paper can safely be regarded as non-starters in this event. Acceptances for the first day of the Dunedin Cup meeting fall due to-day. A forfeit is also due at the same time for the Dunedin Champagne Stakes. A. E. Ellis may have the mount on Stormy in the Dunedin Cup, and in the event of his not starting will be on Thorndale. Pink Note looks none the worse for his exertions at the Wellington Cup meeting. Ho has been kept at work, but mostly treated to fairly lenient tasks since his return from 3,'rentnam. .Tarleton has been showing signs of One of the riders at Tapanui was fined for looking round in a race. There is no power granted in the rules to impose such a fine, and there is also no reason for doing so, as many races are saved by a glance that realises danger. Nincompoop’s indifferent form at Trentham is said to have been due to the fact that he struck himself. Limerick is commencing to show a return of brilliancy in his work, and a couple of days ago ran down a smart six furlongs at Riccarton. Mr L. C. Hazlett’s lucky star was in the ascendant when he could not complete his original intention of motoring to the Tapanui races with Mr A. B. Armour, Mr J. Biggins, and Mr L. G. Hill. Mr Hazlett’s withdrawal from the party created a vacancy which was taken by Mr T. Wilkins.

The Chokebore Lodge stable will be represented at the Dunedin meeting by Front Rank, Impertinence, Full Feather, Skyquest, Sudden Storm, and Quarterdeck.

Footfall, Booster, Celerity 11, Battlement, Countersign, Sir Roy, Ark Royal, Assurance, and Arikiwai are likely to drop out of the Dunedin Cup. Most of them are amiss, and consequently could not be sent to the post. It is bad luck for the club to experience such a compulsory weeding out for the principal event. Arikiwai developed lameness when racing at Tmntham and will be allowed to drop out * his engagements at Wingatui. Silver Paper still shows lameness and may be regarded as a likely absentee from Wingatui next week. Although Footfall is not likely to start in the Dunedin Cup, he is in work and getting through useful tasks, but perhaps not showing enough to get him ready to race over a mile and a-half under a big weight. Money Order is said to have thriven on the racing he received at Trentham. First Sight is an improving sort and one that will probably stay well. Southern reports state that Jack o’ Lantern .is in good order for his engagements at the Dunedin Cup meeting. I'hat may he so, but the gelding’s owners are extremely lucky to find his name amongst the nominations.

The three-year-old filly Eliminator has been purchased by Mr A. H. Murdoch and has joined C. Geiseler’s stable. Eliminator ran second to Skyquest in the Kaitoke Handicap, and is evidently a fairly smart galloper. She has a rather pronounced dip in the back which is accentuated by very high withers.

The Wanganui breeder, Mr G. M. Currie, has received a satisfactory return for the yearlings sent up to auction from the Kontanui Stud. The five drafts from Mr Currie’s estate since 1924 collectively number 33, and the sum realised amounts to 17.715gn5. A. D. Webster, who brought over a team of horses from New Zealand several months ago (says the Sydney Herald) and has had a fairly successful time, is going hack to the Dominion on February 3. He will take most of his horses with him, and they are to enjoy a rest. If present intentions are adhered to, Webster will be back in Sydnev in May. Mr T. Clegg, owner of Jazz Baby, has gone into business in Sydney, and has decided to keep Jazz Baby here. The horse will be given a spell for a month or six weeks, and it is more than likely he will then enter the stables of one of the Randwick trainers.

Something of a doxible coup was brought off when the New Zealand-bred mare Polly Flinders, by Paper Money from a mare by Solferino-—Stepka, won, first, the third division of the Novice Handicap, and, later on the same day, the first division of the Fourteen-two Handicap at the Victoria Park (Sydney) meeting last week. In the first case she was backed down to a very decided odds-on price, and in the second she touched even money. In each instance she won from end to end, with lengths to spare at the finish. Immediately after the second success she was srJ>d at a high figure. A good little ’un is good property in Sydney. Tlefore leaving New Zealand, Pollv Flinders’s best performance was a second to Spear Miss in the Trial Stakes at last season’s Dunedin spring meetipg.