RACING NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21569, 15 February 1932, Page 4

RACING NEWS

By Sentinel, ’ It is likely that the grey Araunah, whose Trentham win created a deep impression, will be sent to Australia shortly. In that case he would be accompanied by the two-year-old sister to Watch Officer. R. Reed has made arrangements to be in Sydney for the autumn meetings. He will ride Lady Pam and Peter Jackson when the weights suit. He will also be available for Nightmarch in all his engagements should that proposed trip be made. ' Mr A. D. MTvor got his fields away from a satisfactory line during the Dunedin Cup but at times seemed slow to accept an opportunity for a good start. Filosol was fancied and had every chance in the Owhiro Handicap, but he could not reach a place. Ranelagh made a bold effort to repeat his success on the first day of the Dunedin Cup meeting, but he had only a small chance of heading Rational 11. Glenrowan’s chance of a win depends a good deal on a change in the handicappers’ opinion. Babel did not shape at Wingatui on expectations based on her Trentham form. Sandard Rose can go fast, but at present not very far. He should show improvement before the end of the season. The Quorn looks sure to add to his winning account. He won in most convincing style last week and looks sure to achieve more success. Master Anomaly had a great pull in the weights for the Plying Handicap, but he ran miles below his first day’s form. W. Cooper broke three of his ribs when he came off Assemble in the Flying Handicap. Blue Metal would have been a lot closer up at the finish of the Flying Handicap if he had obtained a clear run in the early part of the race. Black Duke had every chance in his races last week. He had a clear run, but was not good enough. Fair Weather’s form is not in keeping with what he displayed in his first season. Royal Limond has been always shaping well with Admiral Drake in track work, but runs a lot below expectations when the colours are up. The Smuggler should be a good horse next season, as he still requires time to furnish. Assemble dropped her rider in the Flying Handicap, and this fact led to a general warning to all the riders at the meeting. Bold Brigand is a big gelding that will benefit by his racing last week. Silver Ring was generally regarded as the best of good things for the Hopeful Handicap. He, however, did not get well away, and Arden’s Beauty made a good break and the issue was never in doubt. Cricket Bat, who won the James Hazlett Gold Cup, was got by Winning Hit from Equipment, by Martian. Martian Chief may stay a lot better next season. Red Racer won the Dunedin Cup from end to end. On the second day he scraped a leg and ran nearly last all the way. Enwood is smart, but she had her full share of weight in the Waihola Handicap, and was anchored at the finish. Mr J. M. Samson was a strong supporter of the Dunedin Cup meeting, but only captured one race. He won with the imported filly Princess Argosy, who stayed on well at the finish of her race. A pleasing win was scored when Rational II won the Owhiro High Weight Handicap. He is trained by W. M'Donald, who at one time was established at Wingatui as private trainer for the late Sir George M‘Lean. There would be something lacking in the Dunedin Cup meeting if T. Allan did not come from Wellington to participate in the time-honoured gathering. He was associated with the late Mr Harry Goodman’s stable for many years, and the records show that he once rode winners in the old days at Forbury Park. Amongst the visiting trainers to the Dunedin Cup meeting was W. M'Donald, who was once private trainer to the late Sir George M'Lcan. His ability as a trainer stands second to none, and this opinion was endorsed by Mr W. T. Hazlott, who, in the course of conversation with the writer, said: “I’ll give him a couple of horses any time he will take them.” It was old-time association that was responsible for Mr W. T. Hazlett having some of his horses trained by the late S. Waddell, who carried the southern sportsman as a baby in arms. It is always very pleasing to see owners show a sporting loyalty to old-time riders and trainers, particularly when it is based on a recognition of ability, as in the present case. It was stated a few months ago that America’s crack three-year-olds of last season, Twenty Grand and Mate, would bo racing in England this year. There now appears no likelihood of either visiting England. Neither was nominated for the Epsom w.f.a. race, the Coronation Cup, to be run in June, nor for the Ascot Gold Cup, w'hich is decided about a fortnight later. They may be included among Phar Lap’s opponents at either Arlington Park (Chicago), Belmont Park, or Sara-

toga, though, as has often been pointed out, there are very few good w.f.a. races in America for horses of four years or over. Owing to being a gelding Phar Lap is barred from two of importance — the Saratoga Cup (Saratoga) and Jockey Club Cup (Belmont Park). _ Unless special races are put on for him, Phar Lap’s opportunities, other than in handicaps, will be limited when he goes to the eastern side of America. _ One owner and breeder who is not feeling the financial depression is the Aga Khan. He is not reducing his racing operations in England, nor cutting down his stud in Ireland. In France many breeders have been reducing their studs, but “ Faraway,” the Paris contributor to the Horse and Hound (London), says the Aga Khan evidently does not intend doing so with his, at all events for the present. There are about 60 mares at his two establishments, and a large number of sireg other than the home sires, Blenheim, Zionist, Dark Japan, and Rustom Pasha, have been patronised. _ What strikes one most in connection with the mares ig that there is not a single one older than 12 years. Seventeen are only in their third season, and many of them have not yet been covered.

The Derby (England) racing executive has been out of luck for years with its fixtures under National Hunt rules. Frost and snow caused the cancellation of the December meeting in 1927. That meeting in 1928 suffered a similar fate foi similar reasons, and the February fixture that season had to be abandoned because of floods. In 1929 both these fixture.; were again abandoned, though the reasons were reversed. The February meeting in 1930 could not be held because of frost. Fog caused the postponement of the first day of the 1930 December fixture, and the second day was cancelled. In January, 1931, one day of the meeting was abandoned owing to frost, and the February fixture suffered similarly because of snow. The first day of the last December fixture was postponed owing to fog, and the second day was cancelled.

F. M'Grath, one of Sydney’s most popular trainers, roused the ire of a section of the public at a recent Randwick meeting. He had two horses eligible for similar types of races in Satmoth and the Caulfield Cup winner, Denis Boy. Both started in the January Handicap, one mile and a-quarter, Satmoth < A. Knox) being favourite and Denis Boy, ridden by an . apprentice, claiming an allowance, at good odds. Knox was a trifle too eager with Satmoth, and Denis Boy beat him home. Three days later they ran again in the Anniversary Handicap, • one mile and a-half, the weights being in Satmoth’s favour because an allowance could not be claimed for Denis Boy on account of the size of the stake. C. Scahill, a rider who is not often seen out, but soon to be M’Grath’s son-in-law, was put up on Denis Boy, and Knox again rode Satmoth, Denis Boy being a hot favourite and Satmoth this time at extended odds. Satmoth, more patiently ridden, won handsomely, while Denis Boy was a poor second. _ A section of the public raised a hostile demonstration, while occupants of the official stand, with whom the two owners are popular, staged a cheer. An inquiry; resulted in Scahill being censured for his poor handling of Denis Boy, M'Grath satisfying the stewards that the horses were run on their merits. .... Responsible officials of the Associated Racing Clubs are not disturbed at the statements by the jockey. W. Donaldson, who was disqualified for life at the meeting at Rosebery for having used a battery on Fidele in the Rosebery Handicap. Subsequent to the decision of the stewards, Donaldson is credited with admissions that he had used batteries on many occasions, having once gone to a course with one fitted around his body. Donaldson’s statement that batteries of all kinds are used frequently is regarded as greatly exaggerated by Mr J. B. Dowling, a director of the Rosebery Club, “ I am of opinion,” he said, “ that the subjecting of jockeys to search from time to time would not be warranted by the circumstances. We have the stewards and other officials, whose special duty it is to watch out for this kind of thing, and the fact that Donaldson was caught with the battery in his hand seems proof of their efficiency. Donaldson brought suspicion on himself when he rode on Fidele some months ago. Since then he has not had much riding, for he was under suspension for some time, but he did not cause additional suspicion to be aroused on any horse other than Fidele. Donaldson has ridden comparatively few winners at A.R.C. meetings.”