SPORTING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21199, 3 December 1930, Page 6

SPORTING

FORTHCOMING MEETINGS.

RACING. December 5, 6.—-Taumaratml Meeting, December 6.—Ashburton Meeting. December 9, 10.—Woodvllle Meeting. December 13.—Walpa Meeting. Decembei 26. Walpukuran Meeting. December 26. 27.—Westland Meeting. December 26. 27.—Taranaki Meeting. December 26, 27-.-Dunedln Meeting. December 26, 27. 29,—Manawatu Meeting, December 26, 20, January I, 2.—Auckland Meeting. December 31. lanuary I.—Greymouth Meeting. January I.— Walltoualtl Meeting.

RACING NEWS. By Sentinel Money Mine has rejoined C. Gicseler’s stable. Weather conditions are not favourable for local training operations, hut fortunately some weeks elapse before racing will he resumed at Wingatui. D. P. Wilson contemplates taking a team over to thy West Coast holiday meetings. Francolin is again amongst those in work at Wingatui. R. Reid will ride True Shaft and Knoekany at the Ashburton meeting. Gay Crest has been doing well since the New. Zealand Cup meeting, and is now striding along pleasingly in his work. Craigavon, who showed promise when he won last season, is again galloping well in his work. , Paquito has been showing signs iof lameness. •

Lord Thomond continues to show brilliancy in his track work. The Wyndham Cup will carry a stake of SOOsovs. and other stakes on the programme will in value from llOsovs to 500sovs. Nominations are due on December 0.

Genera] entries and forfeits for the Great Northern Derby, Royal Stakes, and Great Northern Foal Stakes are due on Friday, December 5. The programme for the Tapanui Racing Club’s meeting has been issued. The principal event will he the Tapanui Cup, of 140sovs, and a cup value at 25sovs, presented by Mr W. F. James. It may be taken for granted that the trophies presented by Mr James are worth more than their face value.

The Liinond—Water Wings colt, Zetes, is still doubtful as a racing proposition. He may. be placed in training this season, hut even if he is not worth the 2400gns paid for him as a yearling, the fact does not prove that other high-priced yearlings may not be worth the money. . Miss Nottava, who ran a good race in the second , division of the Woolahra Stakes at Randwick on November 15 (says a Sydney writer), is a sister to Gesture, the crack New Zealand two-year-old of last season. Gesture failed in Sydney, but the real Gesture has not been seen so far this season. Miss Nottava hails from the Cathmar stable.

Mr E. Moss’s unlucky colt Veilmond is to he given a few weeks’ respite at Richmond. He will then be brought in and trained for the A.J.C. autumn meeting, when the St. Leger is run. Veilmond has pottered about on the track since bis return from Melbourne.

Limerick has again shown a return of the chronic lameness which has nearly always been the bane of his racing career. Amongst the winners at a recent meeting held at Warwick Farm is Bennick, who was got by Tea Tray from Afterglow.

Pamona, by Paper Money from Minona, is amongst the recent winners in Australia. She raced as Chit in this country. Great Star has a fine turn of speed, and according to track reports an effort is being made to help him over more ground. The successful trainer G, Jones has accepted the position as private trainer to Mr W. R. Kemball’s stable. The appointment should produce good results if there is anything worth training in the stable.

The five-shilling totalisator at Takapuna has been deemed a great success. It certainly tends to' break up the money into more fractions, and so favours the club more than the punters. . According to recent reports from Hastings, Nea Lap, the three-year-old sister to Phar Lap, is being worked over long distances. She has proved a failure as a sprinter, but it is hoped she will do better as a stayer. The Kilbroney gelding Compris. who was among the winners'at the recent meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club, has been kept in quiet work during the last week or two, and he is in excellent health .to tackle holiday engagements. His ov/ner has not made definite arrangements i-L UT 6 aad an Hea going north for the Manawatu and Marton meetings (says ilt bu * .Dunedin, Wyndham, and Southland circuit may eventually be decided ou.

Although the Tinwald Handicap, the chief event at Ashburton next Saturday, has attracted only, three nominations, it should be an interesting race. The Riccarton candidate. Beau Geste, will be ®tT°Dg|F fancied, but (says "Argus”) High. Court, though a disappointment so i lar since he came south,' is about due for improved form Glenrowan has raced well up to a mile, and his recent running showed that he was nearing his best

Prior to the racing at Geraldine this season the writer walked the course and lound it in a rather unsatisfactory conclition Hence it is pleasing to publish the following paragraph from the Press; ~ Ta e Geraldine racecourse was a scene of great activity and enthusiasm last week when the president, Mr J. C. South, the committee, and the secretary, Mr J. Kennedy, of the Geraldine Racing Club, along with some forty farmers of the district, gathered together to inspect and criticise a special type of harrow, which the club lias purchased for its race track. After a race day held in wet weather the track, being soft, becomes very bumpy. The harrow made a good job, and with one work over the track, followed by chain harrow and roller, a splendid galloping surface was made.”

Questioned whether the recent removal by the Commonwealth Government of the prohibition _ against the carriage by post of. communications to or from the proprietors of a lottery conducted in Hobart extended to enable letters to be sent directly from New Zealand, an officer of the General Post Office (says the Wellington. Post), replied that the address was still a banned one here, and letters would not be forwarded. ■ There had been no move yet to have the ban lifted in New Zealand, lie added. The Federal .Ministry decided to abolish the prohibition a fortnight ago. Although the Commonwealth 1 ostal Department had been gaining considerable revenue from the purchase of postal notes for tickets in the lottery and from the postage of letters that found their way_ to the lottery through devious channels, it had. until the removal of the ban, officially ” been opposed to the conof tlie institution. Since March, 1!)0_, there had been an official prohibition against the delivery of letters addressed to Tattersall, care George Adams, Hobart, Tasmania,” o r to any agent or representative. T n the Commonwealth Gazette issued a fortnight ago tins prohibition was cancelled by the Postmaster-general (Mr J. A. Lyons), ilic Gazette also contained a notice cancelling the prohibition against the dclivery of letters to 123 other addresses, chiefly in Hobart or Launceston. Some of the addresses had' been on the prominted list for more than 20 years.

TROTTING. By Sentinel. Stakes for the Tirmau Trotting Club’s meeting, to be run on January 10, run from 120sovs to SOOsovs, The principal event at the Timaru Trotting Club’s meeting, to bo held on January 10. will be the President’s Handicap of 300sovs, for a 4.36 class or better. They are still debating the question of re-handicapping. Rule 453, of Part XXXIX after the handicaps are declared may be re-handicapped.” Question: Was the handicap for the Tainui Handicap de* dared before or after Red Shadow won the Brighton Handicap? Answer: The handicap for the Tainui Handicap was declared before Red Shadow won the

RACING AND TROTTING NEWS

January 1. 2.—Stratford Meeting. January I.—Wyndbam Meeting. January I, 2.—Hawke's Bay Meeting. January I. 2.—Marton Meeting. January 1, 3.—Wairarapa Meeting. January 2. 3.—Southland Meeting, TROTTING. December 13. New Brighton Sleeting. December 20.—Hawke's Bay Sleeting. December 26 —Ashburton Meeting. December 26.—Gore Meeting. December 26. 27.—Wairarapa Sleeting. December 27, 30, 31.—Auckland Sleeting December 30.—Wlnlon Meeting. December 30. Reefton Meeting.

•Brighton Handicap. Question; In the rule granting power to re-handicap winners after declaration of a handicap, is any reference made to the class in which a horse may win? Answer: No. Question: Is any limitation imposed on a handicapper as to how far he may penalise a horse? Answer: Yes. Question: If a horse wins ip 3min 2se c or under 2min oJsec, can any such horse be penalised lor a handicap already declared? Answer; the rules state that the winner of auv race after declaration of, handicap may be re-handicapped. The rules state that winners in 3min 2sec or slower may be re-handicapped 48 yards and under 2min SSsec 24 yards. Red Shadow won under Amin 53sec and hence can- be re-handi-capped to the extent of 24 yards. The system of handicapping, now operating m the trotting sport was brought into torce at the commencement of last season, and although it was viewed with a lot of suspicion in some quarters, when hrst it was mooted, it has proved its worth in nearly every direction. As was to lie expected (says “Argus,” in the Christchurch Times), difficulties were soon encountered, necessitating the clearing up of doubtful points, but most of them have been got over quite satisfactorily. When the i rotting Conference met in July the subject was due for review, as the system was in operation for a year only. Ihere appeared to be a prospect of the whole subject coming under review again with a lengthy discussion, the result of which was not easy to forecast. Fortunately, however, an easy way out was disln tbe . decision to give the present season a trial for another year before taking any action to alter or amend the Wjth full consideration for the whole situation, this was a wise move, i?? p, reß ent season i s now well advanced and the time seems opportune to discuss the question, with a view to further improvements m the system as originally formulated. One thing that appears to be quite certain is that there will he methyl mu- £ h ? old handicapping , T hie being the case, those in authority should set to work to perfect he present system. Its general prin--18 , a limitation of penalties for horses who are placed in races, graded according to the classes in which they result ef' S +h re( f th ! ir Performances. One result of the freedom given to the hanus tf ,* at some striking inconsistencies have been produced. As matters stand at present, this is unavoidable, due to the varying views of different officials concerning the value of per- & on .f handicapper imposing the Penalty allowed, while another is content with something less severe. This .3* f e . atu re of the system which has given rise to much discussion. Many elutions of the problem have been offered, home keen followers of the sport got the length of suggesting that the discretion ahiMhflw* handicappers should be abolished and that hard and fast penalties. graded as at present, according to class, should become the rule. This proposal has much to recommend it, as it treatment 06 311 horses on an qualify of

Another point that has been much discussed is the position of horses entered for races on the actual time they have recorded, when they are entitled' to be handicapped under the system, to a place in a slower class. A definite rule to cover such cases would be welcomed, borne critics urge that if an owner chooses to enter a horse in a race for which he has qualified on time, he should not later expect to be handicapped on the slower mark which was his due under the sys- • Tbe ar S«ment of these critics is that an owner is not entitled to have lus chance both ways. He has his option and having chosen he should be compelled to abide by the result. It must be admitted that this view is reasonable and logical, and its official recognition would get rid of some difficulties.. .. B enera l review is needed in another ■ j j I c n * While a definite scale is provided for the distance at which a horse registers his performance, something is required to cover the position as it applies to other distances. A pacer winning a mile race, class 2.24 or slower, may be penalised up to 48 yards for future race of a mile, but there is no uniformity in the method of treating him in races over other distances. The difficulty caused in this way is continually in evidence, and some strange anomalies have been created by the differing views of handicappers. It is rarely that a meeting takes place without difficulties of some kind cropping up—difficulties which, in the main, could have been avoided.

Those who framed the present handicapping conditions are deserving the thanks of all followers of the sport. They produced a scheme which, on the whole, has worked well. That is an assertion that admits of no doubt. The racing has improved wonderfully under the new order. But the time is now opportune for another step, and the executive of the New Zealand Trotting Conference should set up a committee to formulate a scheme which would get over the difficulties which have beer disclosed since the system has been in force.

RICCARTON TRAINING NOTES. fSPEciat to Dailt Times.) CHRISTCHURCH, December 2. The conditions were decidedly mixed and at times very unpleasant during working hours at Riccarton this morning! Several heavy showers fell, and some of the work was interfered with. The inside of the trial grass and the plough provided good galloping ground, but there was nothing of an exciting character about the proceedings. P. V. Mason restricted hie team to light exercise in the centre. Paquito was given three-quarter pace

work, while Coroner and Shatter were associated in a useful spin over five furlongs, run in . Imin 3 l-ssec. Spoon was given an easy half-mile. Footfall and- Raimo were associated over a mile on the. plough in Imin 47scc. Count Cavour went twice round tlie plough, brushing home over the last half mile.

Pharaoh and Jael covered seven furlongs on the grass in Imin 30 l-ssec with not much between them. They will both bo racing at Ashburton, Jael being in the High-weight Handicap, in which G. Salt will ride her.

Gallante and Juniper sprinted three furlongs up the back on the grass in 38sec. Owlstiight and Ball Dress occupied Imin lOsec for six furlongs on the plough. Full Feather went twice round, finishing up each time with a three-furlong sprint. Sharp Thorn accompanied him the first time.

Giggleswick and Weatherly occupied Imin 20sec for six furlongs. Gay Crest and Desert Song took Imin 33sec for seven furlongs on the plough, both going freely with not much between them at the finish.

Lord Thomond and Painkiller ran six furlongs on the grass, taking 52sec for the last half-mile.

Royal Baby was given an easy run over half a mile.

Call Girl finished in front of Great Star in a useful gallop. Sight Draft sprinted half a mile on the grass in 50sec, going in attractive style.

Locksley and Parysia were companions in a working gallop over seven furlongs. Hounslow accompanied Gustavo over seven furlongs on the plough in Imin 35 2-ssec. Gustavo is coming on nicely in his preparation for holiday engagements. b

Don Joee ran seven furlongs on the plough m limn 35sec. He looks in great order.

Silver Coot took 52 3-ssec for half a mile on the ploughland Pixie Gold was given a three-furlong sprint. Nightmarch was worked twice round the reverse way, finishing up with a sprint clown the straight. He looks in the best oi /, r , , for approaching engagements.’ Aberfeldy strode over a circuit on the plough, finishing up with a half-mile sprint.

Mime and Fresh Breeze were associated in a working gallop on the plough. Pangolin went once round, sprinting home the last half-mile. The Raider, who is now being trained by Jus owner, was given a useful half-mile sprint.

Night Recital dashed over half a mile on the grass in 49 3-ssec. It was an attractive effort, and he should be bard to beat at Ashburton.

Appeal and General Assembly galloped five furlongs together, taking 51 4-ssec K)r the last half-mile. Their stable-mates Sapient and Audience took 52 3-sseo for separate half-miles.

The Raider is now being trained by his owner Mr J. S. Barton. He is a lightlyfleshed horse with great speed, but since lie lias been at Riccarton he has been a big disappointment, stopping very quickly in all his races.

Discourse, who has been in R. Longley’s stable fox some time, lias been sent home to her owner in the North Island. The. Gasbag mare was a failure during her sojourn at Riccarton.

H. Donovan has his team moving along freely in useful tasks, and some of them look as if they would get some money before long. It is probable that he will take Topere, Appeal, Sapient, and General Assembly to the Dunedin meeting, after they may be raced at Waikouaiti. G. Murray-Aynsley contemplates racing some horses at the Dunedin and Waikouaiti meetings during the holidays. I'ootfall may take on the principal handicaps, but the balance of the team has not been definitely decided on yet. Spoon, Meprisant, and Kakara, however, all look in good order in case they are required for the trip. W. 6. Hobbs will nominate Pharaoh, Jael, and Juniper for the Dunedin meeting. They are all working well and the tfirst-named pair will be raced at Ashburton on Saturday. . F. D. Jones is working his team with a view to Auckland engagements. Paquito, First Sight, Solvent, and possibly a hack will constitute the party if the trip is made. Much will depend, however, on how the horses progress. Paquito has shown evidence of soreness, though it wears off quickly. F. Christmas has Flair and Minerval looking in good order. It is probable that they will be raced on the West Coast circuit during the holidays. ASHBURTON COUNTY RACING CLUB. (Per United Press Association.) ASHBURTON, December 2. The following are the acceptances for the Ashburton County Racing Club’s ing:—-High-weight Handicap. One ' mile.— Footfall 11.11, Smithereens ,10.9, Shortly 10.2, Audience 9.10, Dumblane 9.9, Quinopal 9.8, Mime 9.6, Fresh Breeze 9.5, Parysia 9.4, Sporting Life, Jael 9.0, Winchmore Hack. Handicap. Six furlongs.—Lord Thomond 9.0, Flair 8.9, Painkiller 8.6, Giggleswick 8.4, Red Royal 7.12, BuJolo, Proud Knight 7.8, Coll 7.4, Tariff 7.3, General Assembly. Shatter. Owlsllight

Melrose Trot Handicap. Two miles.— Belle Somerton, Captain Heath, Cora Locanda, Fleet Arrow, Little Victor, Logan Fraser, Oinadora. Tatsy de Oro, Zane scr, Eiffdton Lass, Gold Chips, Lord MatchU ght, ,^ yall ° Sllk 12yds bhd, Great de Oro, Mister Pointer 36, Derry Pointer 48. Flying Cloud 72, Play Wave, Torchlight

Timvald Handicap. One mile and aquarter.—High Court 9.0, Beau Geste 8.8. Glenrowan 7.10

Laghmor Plate Handicap. Five furlongs.—Valpine, Lorette, Bronzewood 10.0, Segrave 8.4, _ Skysign 8.10, Weatherly, Coroner, Invictus, Knoekany, Minerval, Night Recital, Solwit, Mistress, Quickly, Nightcap, Hunting Song filly, Granulate, Totolomai 8.4, Lady Valkyrie, Eclair, Tautbow, Isabella 7.5, Ringing Cheer 8.4. Moreton Hack Handicap. One mile.— Shortly 9.0, Night Effort 8.9, Dumblane. Craigavon 8.5, Home Coming 8.4, Pharoah 7.13, Water Power 7.11, Ball Dress 7.10, Parade 7.9, Raimo, Palmary, Appeal, Locksley.

Wakanui Handicap. Six furlongs.— Great Star 9.1, Arrowmir 8.12, True Shaft 8.5, Mount Boa 7.12, The Raider 7.11, First Raid 7.7, Solferite 7.2, Narrative Miss Mercia 7.0. - Selma Trot Handicap, One mile and a-ijuarter.—Ayr Lass, Apdo Dillon, Captain Heath, Cora Locanda, Doll Dance, Estermoa, Goldworthy, Madam Locanda, Matchlight Junior, Tatsy de Oro, Tiger Lily, War Bird, Zoneaphone scr. Gold Chips, Llewellyn, Master Don, Rafa, Sea Mist, Rollo, Snowy Huon, Tiny Bingen 12yds bhd, Checkers 24, Albita 60, Arethusa 108.

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB. (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, December 2. Ihe following are the weights for the chief events at the Auckland Bacing Club’s summer meeting:— Auckland Cup, of SOOOsovs. Two miles.—Nightmarch 9.13, Star Stranger, Concentrate 8.13, Historic 8.9, In the Shade 8.3, Hunting Cry 8.2, Corinax 7.13, Paquito 7.9, Seatown, Cylinder, Prince Humphrey 7.6, First Sight, Goshawk, Bright Glow 7.4, Count Palatine, Gay Crest, High Court, Sargon 7.1, Bennie, Bold Front, Courageous, Count Cavour, Claremore. DuelJona, Desert Glow, Gay Cockade, Great Star. Joheen, Monalof, My Own, Moteve, Nassock, Organiser, Palm, Patadown, Prince of Orange, Standfast, Spearmiss, Trishna, Te Horn, lunbndgo, Vali 7.0. Railway Handicap, of 1200sovs. Six furlongs.—Toxeuma, Pegaway 9.6, Cimabue 94, Hunting Cry 8.12, Lady Quex 8.10, Supremacy, Silvermine 8.8. HaverlnS B A 7 ,’ Awa , rere > Consent 8.6, Paganelli 8.5, Uiromadyne 8.4, Hunting Day 8.2, Gesture 8.1, Leitrim, Karapoti. White’ Fang Autopay, White Wngs 7.12, Arrow Lad, Praise 7.8, Awaken 7.7, Lucy Rose L 6, Vallar, Great Star 75, Love Song, Hard Words Refresher 7.4, Staghunter 7.3, Koyal Parade, Awamutu, Biddy’s Boy, Courtesy, Chief Joy, Chief Link, Glenrossie, Havaspot, Honiton, Ilkley. Kiosk, King Ford, Merry Cry, Organise, On lop Pomp, Royal Ruler, Royal Tea, Sumba, Sir Ivay, Tenterden, Tetrarcliate Treasury, Tru« Shaft, Valuation, Volimond /,0.