RACING NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26328, 6 December 1946, Page 5

RACING NEWS

By Sentinel December 7 .. Canterbury J.C. December 7 Avondale J.C. , December 7 .. Woodville J.C December 14 .. ~ Hororata R.C. December 14 .. .. Waipa R.C. December 14 .. .. Tapanui R.C. December 21 .. .. Ohinemuri J.C December 21 .V .. Kurow J.C Jottings Lady Christine may not be able to race again for some considerable time. The Night Fox gelding Dymondy is brilliant, but seems to lack a fighting Nominations for the Ktfrow. Waikouaitl. and Oamaru meetings are due at 8 o’clock to-night. The Waikouaiti track is being widened on the outside, but will not be fit for use until next season.

Red Pickle was unlucky in his draw for barrier position in the Stewards’ Handicap and the Jockey Club Handicap. Master Dash seems sure to make a bold bid in the Members' Handicap, but 10.1 represents a good load in what is sure to be a fast run race Finished Well Double Cross put in a solid finish when he won the Rlccarton Handicap, and was also finishing on well when close up to the placed lot in the Jockey Club Handicap. ' May Do Better Joygiver shaped well in the New Zealand Cup up to the home turn, and may do better in the Fendalton Handicap. Off Colour Bridge Acre went off colour on the eve of the New Zealand Cup, for which she had been shaping well in her preparation. Suited by Distance Lexia has an extra 11 Jib to carry in the Members’ Handicap than what she carried when she won the Jockey Club Handicap, but the shorter distance Is m her favour. Garry’s Weight The Broiefort gelding Garry drew 12 at the barrier in the Pioneer Handicap and finished second to Excellency, who drew 2. Excellency scored a comfortable win in 59 3-ssec, and Garry has been sent up 121 b to 9.1 in the Irwell Handicap. Garry is giving 121 b to Sea Flower, who won the Spring Nursery Handicap with 7.4 in lmin 0 2-ssec. Four Wins on End The Chatsworth gelding Iwo Jima has now had four wins on end and his form has drawn attention to his sire; who is now standing at Waimate. ,He is a four-year-old gelding produced by Basra, by Bronze Eagle—Unitoa, by Potoa —Unity, by Lupin, the sire of Lupulite. " Taking a Risk What happened to Lady Foxbridge, who contracted pneumonia after winning at Avondale, might also have happened to Catterick Bridge after winning the New Zealand Cun. He was led round the birdcage after the race for several minutes in a cold wind without the protection of a rug. A Hurdle Prospect Battle Chief has improved in his schooling and may get amongst the money In the Pott Cooper Hurdles. He finished second to Lost Art at Tlmaru when in receipt of lib over a mile and three-quar-ters. and again at Geraldine. An improvement on that form would make him dangerous at Riccarton. Unwieldy Fields The Canterbury Jockey Club is faced with the problem of reducing fields, at least in the principal events decided at Riccarton. It is not sufficient to reduce fields to the safety margin of the course, because it still leaves them somewhat unwieldy and dangerous. On their form several horses who have run at the meeting had a remote chance of success, but apparently they had shown their trainers something to justify the expense of racing them. The club is faced with the problem of finding a solution of the trouble. Some years ago the writer suggested that a substantial sweepstake should be attached tc a race when a field exceeds the safety number, but this may not have the desired effect. The idea of barring hacks and non-winners from certain races is a step in the right direction, and the form of some of those who have raced at the present meeting and finished “ down the course " suggests a lack of judgment on the part of their trainers. An examination of the form displayed by about half of the fields in handicaps may assist the club and give some idea of what action should oe taken in the future.