SPORTING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20710, 7 May 1929, Page 14

SPORTING.

By SEnriiiEt. - ‘

■RACING NEWS. FIXTURES. May o,' U.—Eginorit R.C. May 16, 18.—Wanganui J.C. May 25,—Ashburton R;C. June 1, 3.—Otaki -Maori-R.G. ’’ June I,’ 3, s.—Dunedin J.C. : June'l. 3, s.—Auckland R.C. June 20,*. 22.—South Canterbury J.C.

Nominations ‘for the Dunedin winter meeting close oh Friday, Royal Flower, who 1 won at-Marlborough, is ■ still-owned by Mr G. J. Barton, who leased her to a friend who was anxious to win a race in that part of the. world. She will in due tiriic return to Wingatui, and tinder e light scale of weights she may win over a distance. At the Sydney yearling sales, Mt A M’Donald, of Mastertpn, purchased a Nassau—Almsgiver celt fpr 160 guineas arid a Valais —Bronacre colt for 850 guineas. Both these youngsters will be trained a( Mastertpn.. There was on impression abroad that something might happen hi connection with the Dunedin spring meeting, but the list of dates applied for next season is as follows:—Otago Hunt Club, September 7; Kurow. Jockey Club, October 5; Waikouaiti, January. 1; Oamaru, January 2 and 3; Oamaru, March 23; Oamaru, May 3; Vincent', January 11 and 13; Tapanui, February 5; Cromwell, March 7 and 8; Tuapeka, April 19; Beaumont, April 21; Dunedin,' October. 10 and 12, December 20 and . 28, February 13-*and 15, June 3, 5. and 7. The Waikouaiti , Club is-applying for extra day’s racing. Tipperary Tim, who won the Grand National Steeples at Aintree last year, * started again at a rank’ outside price this year. Apparently, the fielders regarded liis win as a fluke. Sprig, who also ranks as a winner, also started at a “ long-shot ” price. Gigandra, who ranked with the best Sprinters of his time, died'at Jamberoo about 10 days ago. He won with all sorts of weights, and a fair idea of the handicapper’s opinion of-him is. given by the fact that he carried -10,10 to victory in a 6.7'limit Clyde Stakes at Rosehill in De : cetnber, 1913. No details of li’is death are ■ available, .but, as the sou of Ibex and Mira was'in his twenty-second year it is reasonable to assume that' it-was from natural causes. -Gregalach, the winner of this year’s Grand National Steeplechase, which - threatens to usurp the wide-world attention formerly’ bestowed, and, in fact, commanded by the Derby, is a ’..woughbred in every line of his pedigree. He was got by My Prince .from .St. Germaine, by St Luke—Germicide, by General Peace (son ef Gallinule) from Cider, by Harvester (son of Sterling), from. The Apple, by Hermit. My Prince was got' by Marcoyil from Salvaich, by St. Simon—Muiini.ii. by Scottish Chief from Violet, by "hormanby. A very interesting feature o» Gregalach’s pedigree consists in, the fact that, commencing with the fifth remove he shows no fewer than four strains of Hemit and another in the next through Gallinule’s dam. Gregalach is hence, in the writer’s estimation, bred on risky lines, but at the same time furnishes an instance where a'serious blot- on a pedigree may. be dominated-or.'rendered subservient to other strains* wielding a counteracting influence. It was thought that the Dominion held the record of a man having been twice disqualified for life on the turf, but another case has come to light in Australia. On. May 19, 1925, Victor Pyers, jockey, was, disqualified by the Ballina T.C. stewards “for ever.” A similar sentence was imposed on him by the‘committee of the Australian Jockey. Club at its meeting recently. The allegation is that Pyers went to Queensland and obtained a jockey’s license under an assumed name, after he had been banned by the Ballina stewards. In its official report, the A.J.C says;—“Victor Pyers, who, it was alleged, obtained a jockey’s license from the North Queensland Racing Association, under the. , name of John Riddle, .whilst under «' .i----qualification for over (which disqualifica-tion-was removed on November 29, 1928) attended,: and, ,af ten., taking . evidence, ii was decided to disqualify him for ever.’’ ‘ The latest mail to hand from England brings particulars of the Grand National Steeplechase, run over the famous Aintree’ country .in March. A. field of no fewer than 66 horses went to the post, and it must have been a really wonderful Jght. I 'to see the horses streaming over the first fence. Remarkable to relate," the entire field safely negotiated the fence, but * trouble started at the neit, where the first fall took place, but only one horse came down. The field commenced to thin out at the third obstacle,-'-where several got into trouble. Twenty-mine .'horses were, standing up at the approach to the canal fence, but about a dozen of'them were' knocked out by a loose horse. A previous winner in Sprig was stopped by another loose horse. Easter Hero looked a winner, at the third last fence, but was beaten in the run homo by Gregalach. /It tran-. spired that Easter Hero twisted a plate; at the second, last jump.; ,S.eyen J horses! passed the post. None pf tho unship; ' riders was hurt,, blit';one; hbjrse metwith fatal injuries. During .the' race '3O, for-; midable jumps ■ have to be,, negotiated Bechers _ Brook, which, is fbiir feetten inches high, three feet, three inches wide, and has a five feet six inches brook on the far side, has to be jumped twice.- So has. the fence at .the canal turn. It is five' feet high; three feet three inches wide, and there is a six-foot ditch on the takeoff side. The open ditch has a fence five' feet two inches high, three feet nine inches ■wide, and a six-foot ditch on the take-off. side. The water jump is 15 feet wide with a. two-feet, six-inch fence on the take ■ off side. All, the fences are thorn, and' the experience of the race goes to prove that they are far and away safer than post and rails for the riders, whilst at the same time providing the greatest raein° spectacle in the world. A fall at such formidable-looking- thorn fences carries less-risk than at the ordinary solid jumps Commonly used in this country. The well-known owner and breeder. Mi Gerald L. Stead, has qtqrted. a- blood slock agency in Auckland, and everyone who knows him will wish 'the venture every possible success. Mr Stead has had a long connection with the turf, and dur ing the last quarter of a century the writer has neycr_ met a'better judge of racing,. That being so,, clients can rclv on good judgment- being associated with the. selections made. Particulars of the Southern Cross disqualification by the Ascot stewards arc" contained in the mail. It,will be remembered that the horse, who, raced hero ns Covont Garden, was disqualified for six months, together with his owner, while the jockey .was suspended for a similar period and the trainer exonerated. Southern ■ Cross was one. of the egrly favourites for the first division of the Flying Handicap, , but the support accorded Lady Wedge and Dabble caused the. quotation to ease. He occupied fourth position-rounding tlie turn, and finished sixth.-. Southern Cross Boon made a reputation as a sprinter on A.R.G. courses, and prior to his disqualification he had won at his last five starts. Four successes were in tup events. Ho won the first division of the J.D. Gold Cup at Victoria Park, and had little difficulty in winning the run-off'; then he won a Flying Handicap at the same course; and in the Ascot Cup he surprised by winning the first division at a long price, and then the tun-off with greater ease. - It is only recently that he carried Halbert’s coloifrs, and the owner was ap- ■ parently.confident of him winning another cup, for the gelding occupied a prominent position in on the Kensington Cup. In ’ ordinary circumstances that would have been his. last #un in his owner’s presence for some time, • for Halbert has arranged a trip to England. Covent Garden is a four-year-old gelding by Absurd—Cherry Mart, and raced with moderate success ip New. Zealand.

TROTTING FIXTURES. • May 9, 11.—Forbnry Park- T.C. May 18.—Oatnaru T.C June 1 3.—Hawke's Bay T.C. June I, 3.—Canterbury Park T.C. June 3.—Aehburton T.C June 22, 24.—Auckland T.C. By Senttwkl. The local light barnyss season will be brought to a conclusion on Thursday and Saturday of this week at Forbury’ Park.

when some record fields are likely to be seen at the' post, lb fact, 'some of the fields may place the club in the position of being embarrassed with riches in-their-numerical strength. From a racing spectacle point ol view big. fields form .a strong attraction, but the regular racegoer prefers to see them. limited to around a dozen or at least of a size that will not make the luck of the run a more important factor in bringing about the result than a horse’s chance bn paper. The committee, in common with other metropolitan clubs, will no doubt consider the advisability of tightening the class in order to reduce the fields, otherwise in the interests of safety it would be necessary to introduce the division system.

Horses;, engaged at the Forbury Park meeting’continue, to-arrive and the track work to-morrow morning should be particularly interesting. Kreisler is doing nice work and may trouble some of the better backed runners in the Renown Handicap on Thursday. .Slump looks an -improved horse and now gets into his full stride more quickly than he did previously. A. M’Lellan is expected from the south to-day with Downcast, Wilma Dillon, and Sunspeck. The last-named is not engaged on the first day of the meeting. At a Hobart trotting meeting a ’rider was suspended for three mouths for disputing the judge’s placing?. ’ It now transpires that the Sydney pacer Steel All is to go into D, Withers’s stable, at Christchurch. Steel All was a good performer in Sydney. A two year-old filly, Pola M'Elwyn, by Mr M'Elwyn (1,50}) —Mollie Knight (2.6}), was sold recently in America for 15.000 dollars, the buyer being Mr W. H. L. .M'Courtie, owner of Mr M'Elwyn. Pola M'Elwyn (rotted a quarter .in Sllsec, and a full mile in 2min 141scc. She is now trained by B. White. As showing the-great extent to which the breeding of trotters is carried on in America statistics recently published show that no fewer than 887 mares were nominated for the Horse Review Futurity Stakes, the guaranteed value of which is 15.000 dollars. The Calumet Farm alone nominated'9o marcs. Walnut Hall Farm SO, Hanover Shoe Farm 46, and Castleton 35. Kentucky is the headquarters so far as breeding is concerned, for 347 of the number hail from there, Ohio'and New York supplying 77 and 70 respectively, and, Pennsylvania and Michigan each 60. The Futurity will be contested by two and three-year-old trotters and pacers in 1931 and 1932. The executive of the Western Australian Trotting Association has decided that starting from nest season, the slower class of W.A.-brcd horse must .be classed at from 2.44 to 2.37, and the faster class from 2.37 to 2.26. ■ There are many Western Australian-bred ones in the first flight of their own State. These races are not popular with followers of the sport in the West, particularly ns there are enough horses classed at 2.23 or better,to provide seven races each meeting. The time is riot far distant, whim it will be set down that horses who cannot step at a 2.25 or better clip cannot race at headquarters. Encouragement of breeding in the State was the- reason for the introduction of slowclass, locally-bred races, and in view of the number of W.A.-bred horses now competing in open company, the necessity for continuation of the slow-class events is disappearing, A sensation was caused at the Western Australian Ttolting Club’s electric light meeting held recently, when the Victorian trainer-driver, Fraser, -was disqualified for 12 months.. About six.months ago-Fraser arrived in Perth frpni Melbourne with the pacers Vin Direct and Fulham's Pronto, and he had not enjoyed the best of luck, Fulham’s Pronto, driven by Fraser, was an even money favourite for the Autumn Handicap, of 10 furlongs, restricted to the 2.18 and faster class horses. Decorum, driven by. Arthur Gaukroger, was the only horse backed to beat Fulham’s Pronto.- Half a mile fr«-m home Fulham’s Pronto chopped across Decorum, whose chance was ruined. .The stewards disqualified Fraser for a 1 year, which is the severest penalty- ever, imposed by the stewards ■ for interference of this nature in Western Australia. Fraser’s hopes of reinstatement rest in an appeal to the Executive Committee of the Western Trotting - Association, which has without exception upheld every appeal against disqualification imposed by their stewards for some time past.

• A smart, horse in Harold Dillon was killed under somewhat unusual circumstances at "■Perth on -April -10. He, was. owned by Mr G. P. Fraser, who trains his horses outside business hours, _ and is assisted in this by his wife who is" a keen anu- expert horsewoman. Mrs Fraser, after exercising Harold Dillon on the roads, walked him into,a shallow lake at a spot near an electric light pole. The horse was, electrocuted and the woman escaped with, a very frightening shock. Harold was so good a proposition at one time that he was a hot favourite in ante-post betting for the W,A? ; Trotting Cup, won by Lord Derby' ; in--025. ~v i -. ’ ‘ Pi 'The Chicago paper, the,.Horse Review, supplies : a list of the leading money-win-ning trotters in the'last-30 years,-and 'the figures quoted for the past 10 years show the great amount in stakes that can oe won by the champion of the year. They are as follows: • , . , , ■ ' Dollars. 1910-fM‘Gregor. the Great .. .. 24,947 J; 1020—Peter Manning ... .. .... 26,550 ■lO2l-—Jeannette! Rankin .. ..; 28;220 1022—;Czbr .Worthy .. ~. 22,800 : :1023—Favoiiian ~. ... ..- ... •21,143’ • 1024—Mr APEhvyn. .. 24,873 ' ,1925—Trumpet ' . . ... .. .. 20,275 1026 Guy M'Kinney -.. 08,742 1027 — Kola’s .Worthy . . . . 5G;538 • 1928—Spenecr.. ..... ... .. .'. 55,036 In the .whole 39 years’ racing, Crcsceus, who won 13.250'-dollars in 1900 and 22,874 dollars in-T901,, is the only horse that has l topped-the list twice, while the ,only one of the, number -that has. sired one that topped the list is Etawah .(sire of Petep-; wall), who led with 24,498 dollars in 1013, '■ and afterwards-left Trumpet, who was. at’ the head in 1025 with'2o,27s dollars In the pacing division,the big stakes are not so numerous, as the followin'' figures show: — ■/ Dollars. 1910—Grace Direct ... 16,980 1920 Ha! Mahone . 11,562" 1921 .Timmy .APKerron ■ 14,385' 1922 Alargaret Dilion .. .. 12,337. 1923 — Anna Bradford's Girl ... 13,444 1924 Baron Worthy .. .. .. 20.003' 1925 Ribbon Cane ... .. 27.320 1926 Jean.Graftan .. .. ... 24,285 1927 Bert Abbe .. ... • .. .. 29,812 1928 Bars . . .. .. 40,015 OAMARU TROTTING CLUB. (From Our Own’Corbkspondeni.; OAMARU, May 0. Following arc the .'nominations for the Oainai'ii Trotting Club’s winter meeting;'— Innovation Handicap. One mile and-a-lialf. Class 3,45. In harness, for unboppled trotters. —Miss Binnie, Sunspeck Bonne F-ilio,. Molly Nelson, Tolly Gray. Teannino, Marvin Drift, Wee Patch, Nelson Parrish, Wattle- Patch, Kitty Patch. Silurian, Fernlcc, Stand By, Dillon S, Gildcn Girl, Pavo, Dccreps, Rustle, King Oscar! Kcrcta, Oval, Took Bingen, Kyra. Jimiight, Lady Bingen. Hawkcshnry’s Pride. Sid Wilkes. Ambition. Nelson Prince,' Bofictu. Llano, Tot Logan, Ruby Bingen. . Manhattan. Nancy MTvinney. Peter Boy, Great Nelson, Tom Wilkes, Admiral Bingen. Eva Beta, Dipnoi, Great Harvester, Repute, Midland. Bon Bov. Great Way, Etta Bells. Advance Handicap (harness). -One mile and a-half. Class 3.40. —Target, Devon Child, Liberty Hall. Petroiiius, Betty Bingen, Bingen Maid, Lady Oran, Wee Brent, Ardgour, Lady Zephyr, Nell Dobeau,’ Harold Bingen, .John Jinks. Becky de Oro, Pando Pointer, Kantonia Ethopian, Tiny Bingen, Wild Bingen. Myra Locanda, Author Franz, Lady Wrack, Reveller., Great Heart, Great Scott, Onoto, Alary Locanda, Levanter, Imperial Logan, Kate Logan, Princess Pointer, Almont Cling, Student Prince, Ngingo Ngingo, Alonopolc, Imsln, King’s Cup, Lady Bee, Roy Child, Bonny Locanda, Cuddles, , Grand- Canyon. Nelson Bingen—Sadie Wilkes filly.- , President’s Handicap (harness). Two miles. Class 4.36.—Fight Ever, Downcast, Bonny Spec, Dihvorth, Linkman, Omaha, Alacaranda, Dnndas • Boy, H.non Denver, Desert Star, Erin’s Lynn, Billy Sea, Lingfield, Shadowland, Atlmlone, AYraelder, Neerson, St. Alaura, Trimmer, Jolly Chimes, Evelyn Locanda, Avenger, Trampfast. Papakaio Handicap (saddle). One mile and a-auarter. ■ Class 3.o.—Great Aujo,

Harina, Editor, Sunbell, Shady ‘ Spot, Eiffelton Lass, Bingen Maid, Wehr Bingen, Red Shiner, Wild Spur, Lady Cello, Kid Logan, Streak, Morning Sun, Awaiti, Lough Neagh, Kautoma, Lindelia, Chiming Dale, Needles, Regime, Willie Wilkes, Rap, Imperial Bingen, Lady Freeman, Imperial Thorpe, Berm a Pointer, Hushabye, Tahoe,_ Emulight, Heroic, Logan Hanlon, Krina,. Return' Voyage, Onoto. Kriesler, Royal Comrade, Imperial Logan, Free Pointer, Kennylou, John Dee, Suncroft, Erin’s Fortune, Mognonue, Lady Bee, Fair Dillon, Gold Chimes, Starina. Waikaura Handicap (harness). Two Miles, For unhoppled trotters,—-Repute! Bomie Fille, Marvin Drift, -Wattle Patch, Silurian, Jade, Dillon S, Golden Girl. Kereta, Peter Lynn, Oval, Trampcrisp, Jock Bingen, Kyra, Western Voyage, Hawkesbury’s Pride, Nelson Prince, Llano, Boneta, Tot Logan, Ruby Bingen. Nancy MTviuney, Peter Boy, Admiral Bingen, Eva Reta, Dipnoi, Midland, St. Petros, Commander Bingen, Great Way. Enfield Handicap (harness). One mile aiid a-quarter. Class 2.so.—Fight Ever, Downcast, Lulu Lad, Dilworth, Hector’s Own, Omaha, Macaranda, Author Jinks, Liberal, Stormbell, Lingfield, Shadowland, Rey Logan, Great Logan, Wrackler, Neerson, Brentloc, Terence Dillon, Final M'Kinney, Trimmer, Jolly Chimes, Firpo, Tommy Direct, Evelyn Locanda, Avenger. Steward’s Handicap (harness). One mile and a-half. Class 3.36.—Editor, Pet Locanda, Black Wattle, Sunbell, Lily Bingen, Mussolini, .Kinney Dillon, Shady Spot, Jessie Huon, Ardgour, Lady Zephyr, Erin’s Fortune, Eollo, Le Thorpe, Lady Cello, Becky de Orb, Streak, Morning Sun, Awaiti, Chimingdale, Proud Dillon, Regime, Rap, Imperial Bingen, Hushabye, Tahoe, Emulight, Tennessee’s Child, Torchlight, Firebrand, Arikitoa, Nelson dc Oro, Yoicks, Mountain Ore, Royal Comrade, Imperial Logan, Asset, Lady Zita, Red Shiner, VVild Nita, Marinca, Dillon’s Pride, Monopole, Lady Bee, Ngingo Ngingo, Fair Dillon, Fair Orphan. Electric Handicap (saddle). One mile. Class 2.18. —Our Bird, Harina, .Lulu Lad, Nelson Fay, Mavis Wood, Hector's Own, Rollo, Author Jinks, Sunchild, Lcn’s Liberal, Bingen Patch, Stan Wilkes, Storm 8011, Shadowland, Grey Cloud. May Bird, Rita M'Kinney, Key Logan, Logan Lad, Imperial Thorpe, Milo Minto, Logan Hanlon, Bob; Logan,. Bismurate, Kreisler, Bing Boy, Slump, Firpo, Glen Fai-g, Marinca, Becky Mine, Mac Dillon, Four Bolls, Needles.

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB. (Per United Purs- Association.) AUCKLAND, May 6. Matu has been penalised 51b for the Groat Northern Steeplechase. Beau Cavalier -was- scratched for the Great Northern Steeplechase at 10.45 today. EGMONT RACES. (Per United Press Association.) lIAWERA, May 6. Bonzora has.nofc F accepted for the M'Rac Handicap. ■ ■ : Imperial Spark has. been scratched for the. Flying Handicap on the first day; and Matu has been scratched for all engagements.