RACING NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26043, 5 January 1946, Page 7

RACING NEWS

By Sentinel

Jan. 5 Rangitikei R.C. jan. 5 Hawke's Bay J.C. Jan. 5 Reefton J.C. Jan. 11 and 12 .. Vincent J.C. Jan. 12 .. .. Marton J.C. Jottings Handicaps for the Vincent Jockey Club's meeting are due on Monday, and acceptances on Tuesday. Backers of Aurora Australis lost money when she ran a dead-heat with Pride oi Mossburn in the Invercargill Cup. Sea Venture, who won at, Invercargill, is a three-year-old filly by Man's Pal — Set Saji. She is trained by A. McKay. Grill won so well at Waikouaiti and Oamaru that he should be dangerous at Invercargill to-day in the Summer Cup. He finished full of running in each of his races, and the extra distance should not trouble him. Prize Ring won the Owhiro Hurdles at Wingatui with 10.5, and a rise of 71b should not stop him at Invercargill. Sir Saladin was sort. when he ran at Wingatui, and if in better condition he may shape well in the same race. Good Cast finished a neck behind Aurora Australis in the Dunedin Cup, and in the Southland Handicap meets her on 171 b better terms. Good Cast appeared to train off at the end of the Wingatui meeting, and failed again in the Wyndham Cup. At one time when an owner started two horses in a race he had to declare which he considered the better of the two. Now owners accept with horses in two races, and should be made to declare in which race tliev intend to start them. Lady Foxbridge, the winner of tkie Great' Northern Derby, is a black fillv by Foxbridge—Flying Falcon, by Bronze Eagle—Eva Rose, by Lapidary—Blodwyn. by Bisogne—Vivacity, by St. Cyr—Vivat, by Captivation—Vivandiere, by Musket. Vincent Meeting

The Vincent Jockey Club is in the fortunate position of being able to race on consecutive days, and will hold a meeting on Friday and Saturday of next week. The club is the first to benefit from the relaxation of what has been generally considered an unreasonable restriction on racing.

form Compared There was not much between Naughty Lady and Faithful Pal in the Pioneer Handicap, run at Riccarton, when they finished third and fourth. At Invercargill Faithful Pal meets Naughty Lady on 81b better terms and should beat her. Faites vos Jeux meets Naughty Lady cn 91b worse terms than in the Hopeful Handicap. run at Wingatui. in which he finished first, five lengths in front of the Haughty Winner filly. Faites ves Jeux should beat her again, and the order of favouritism may be Faithful Pal and Faites vos Jeux. Splitting Hairs

Aurora Australis and Pride of Mossburn ran a dead heat in tine Invercargill Cup. and thev will meet on the same terms in the Southland Handicap to-day. Aurora Australis has the worst of the deal because she goes up 71b from 8.7 to 9.0, and Pride of Mossburn from 7.13 to 8.6. This is. against the top-weight, although it may savour of splitting hairs in a mailer of opinion. It also means that Royal Lancer, who is possibly returning to form, has been allowed the liberal margin of 51b for a length beating by the two who ran a dead-heat.

Family of Horsemen W. F. Ellis has been following in the footsteps of other members of the family by riding three winners of the Invercargill Cup in Mona’s Song. Spanish Lad and Roval Lancer, and a dead-heat on Aurora'Australis. A. E. Ellis was one of the best all-round riders ever seen in a saddle, and L. J. Ellis ranks second to none as a horseman. E. J. Ellis and F. W Ellis arc very capable trainers, and so is A. S. Ellis. L. J. Ellis is building up such a reputation as a trainer that he could drop rding and be sure of having a stable full of horses.

A One-horse Race The Invercargill Cup was first run in 1883 and the most notable winner in the records of the race is Amythas, who won ir. 1920. Amythas was one of the best of his year when racing as a two-year-old. He won three times in his first season, his final success being in the Pacific Handicap at Wingatui with 9.2 in lmin 12sec In the Otago Handicap Amythas was weighted at' 7.1, and after an easy win also won the St. Andrew’s Handicap A’ith 8.0. He received the same weight in the Invercargill Cup, of £IOOO, and the field was reduced to three starters, two of them with only a chance of getting place money. Amythas won 12 times and ran second once in his last 14 starts that season, and proved himself one of the best gallopers ever raced in New Zealand. He was bought as a yearling for 500gns, with the object of winning the Grand National Steeplechase, but. proved far too good to race over jumps.