RACING IN NEW ZEALAND.

Otago Witness, Issue 3870, 15 May 1928, Page 58

RACING IN NEW ZEALAND.

ECMONT RACES. First Day—Thursday, Alay 10. The winter racing opened with the first days programme of the Egmont steeplechase meeting. The weather was fine, and there was a large attendance. The track was firm and in excellent order for racing between the flags. The totalisator handled £18.355, an increase of £1123 compared with £17,232 on the corresponding day of last year. Results:— TONGAHOE HURDLES, Of 200sovs. One mile and three-quarters. 3— Mister Gamp, 9.9 (J. Proctor) .. 1 I—Afount1 —Afount Alarta. 9.9 (L. Jarvis) . . 2 4 — A’exatious, 10.3 (H. Burt) .. ” 3 Also started: 6 Ngata 12.4, 8 Airtight 9.13. 2 Rahepoto 9.13, 11 Strategy 97 9 Troilus 9.5, 10 Glengariff 9.2, 7 Olympic 9.2, 12 Flowing Bowl 9.0, 13 Radiate 9 0. 5 Wenday 9.0. Won by eight lengths, with a length and a-half between second and third. Time, 3min 15sec. TELEGRAPH HACK HANDICAP, Of 150sovs. Six furlongs. ’ 1— Keddar. 8.11 (R. Reed) .. .. 1 2— Miss Alercia, 7.12 (AV. H, Jones) 2 3— Desert Lad, 7.11 fA. Alurray) .. 3 Also started: 5 Onward 9.0, 8 Orcades 8.1, 10 Bright Comet car. 7.0, 7 Segment car. 7.4. 4 Green Acre car. 7.4, 13 Alonsogne 7.0, 6 Ardaile 7.0, 12 Royal Lover car. 7.2, 11 Fermanagh car. 7.3, 9 Le Champ car. 7.2, 14 Jew’s Harp-ear. 7.7. Won by two lengths, with a head between second and third. Time, Imin 15Asec. HACK STEEPLECHASE, Of 200sovs. Two miles. 4 — San Fera, 10.2 (Al. Conwav) .. 1 3— Royal Heather. 10.2 (A. APDonald) 2 6—Son o’Aline, 9.0 (S. Gordon) .. .. 3 Also staited. 2 Banjuke 11.5, 5 Gi'lgai 10.10, 1 Ruby Ring 9.2, 7 Waitanahau Won by three lengths, with half a head between second and third. Time, smin ssec. EGMONT STEEPLECHASE, Of 400sovs. Two miles and a-half. 1 — Brigadier Bill, 10.5 (A. Al’Donald) 1 5— Passin’ Through, 10.13 (H. Gilmer) 2 4 — Bonny Rill, 9.4 (L. Jarvis) .. 3 Also started: 3 Comical 11.3, 2 ’Frisco Jack 9.13, 6 Dick 9.7, 7 Haeremai 9.0. Spills accounted for Comical and ’Frisco Jack, the former falling at the fourth fence and ’Frisco Jack crashing when leading half a mile from home. Brigadier Bill took the last obstacle just ahead of Passin’ Through and won by four lengths, with Bonny Rill a furlong back third,’ followed by Haeremai. Time, smin 50sec. FLYING HANDICAP, Of 225sovs. Six furlongs. 4—Bonogne, car. 7.0 (P. AlTnally) .. 1 B—Partaga, 7.12 (J. Barry) .*. . . 2 2— Silvermine, 8.5 (T. Aletealf) .. . . 3 Also started: 7 Benzora car. 8.12, 3 Flying Juliet 8.5, 1 Broad Acre 8.4, 6 Ned Kelly car. 7.0, 11 Nastori car. 7.2, 12 Captain Gazeley 7.0, 5 Seastar car’. 7.3, 9 Lorna Doone 7.0, 10 Paul Lucerne car. 7J.. Won by a head, with two lengths between second and tiiird. Time, lmin 14Jsec. APCRAE HANDICAP, Of SOOsovs. One mile and a-quarter. 4—Day Guard, 7.3 (P. AlTnally) .. 1 2 —Yoma, 8.11 (B. H. Alorris) .... 2 I—Town Bank, 8.4 (R. Reed) .... 3 Also started: 9 Nukumai 8.10, 7 Vivo 8.2, 8 Orazone 7.13, 3 Alanly 7.9, 6 Kil-

miss 7.8, 5 Blimp 7.5, 10 Oration 7.2, 11 Toapaiti 7.0. Won by five lengths, with three lengths between second and third. Time, 2mtn Bsec. t .< ■ TAWHITI HACK HANDICAP, Of 175sovs. Eight furlongs and a-half. 4— Kawhakina, 8.4 (H. Wiggins) .. 1 I—Bisox, car. 8.1 (R-. Reed) ...... 2 7— Gisnapper, car. 7.2 (J. Cammick) 3 .Also started: 5 Broad Acre 9.0, 2 Mendip 8.11, 8 Barryanda car. 7.12, 6 Flying Shot 7.11, 3 Freeze Out car. 7.2, 9 Soveha car. 7.2, 10 Ranee 7.0. Won by half a length, with a similar distance between second and third. Time, Imih 50sec. • Second Day—Saturday, May 12. . The meeting was concluded in beautiful weather, before another large attendance. The tracks were in good condition. The totalisator handled £21,100 10s, compared with £17,592 on the second day last year, and for the two days the total was £39,455 10s, an . increase of £4,631 10s on last year. During the running of the Adamson Steeples, C. Tagpart, rider of Comical, sustained a Broken collarbone as the result of a fall at the post and rails, six furlongs from home. Some obstacle brought down Radiate, his rider (P. Holman) escaping with a severe bruising. Results: — UGAMUKI HACK, Of 150sovs. Six furlongs. 8 — Mr P. Tito’s Monsogne, 7.0, car- - ried 7.2 (A. G. Murray) .. .. 1 I—Mr1 — Mr M. Millar’s Desert Lad, 8.2 (R. Reed) 2 6 —Mr H. Spratt’s Orcades, 8.2 (T. Metcalfe) 3 Also started: 5 Onward 9.0, 3 Miss Mercia 8.5, 2 Freeze Out 7.10 (carried 7.7), 7 Segment 7.0, 4 Green Acre 7.0 (carried 7.5). Won by half ahead, with half a length between second and third. Tme, Imin 15sec. MANAWAPOU HURDLES, Of lOOsovs. One mile and a-half. 4 —Mrs R. I. Caro’s Wenday, 9.0 (E. Warner) 1 I—Mr J. L. M'Willan’s Vexatious, 10.5 (H. Burt) 2 6 — Mr T. O’Donnell’s Troilus, 9.3 (J. Proctor) 3 Also started: 8 Euchre 11.0, 3 Airtight 9.12, 2 Rahepoto 9.11, 5 Glengariif 9.2 (carried 9.4), 9 Blajo 9.0 (carried 9.3), 7 Whisogne 9.0. Won by half a length, with four lengths between second and third. Time, 2mm 48sec. ADAMSON STEEPLES, Of 300sovs. Two miles. 1 — Mr S. Hammond’s Puwhero, 11.9 (Alan M'Donald) 1 4— Mr W. R. P. Brewer's San Fera, 10.1 (11. Burt) 2 5 — Mr G. E. Trevor’s Son o’ Mine, 9.0 (11. Gordon) . . 3 Also started: 2 Comical 11.12, 3 Passin’ Through 11.9, 6 Gilgai 9.11, 8 Radiate 9.0, 7 Haeremai 9.0. Won by three lengths, with 10 lengths between second and third. Time, smin Jsec. MOKOIA HANDICAP, Of 200sovs. Six furlongs. 2 — Mr S. C. Tonks's Partaga 8.3 (J. Barry) 1 s—Air5 —Air E. George’s Melissa, 7.0, carried 7.3 (C. Gouldboro) .. . . 2 Mr W. White’s Broad Acre. 8.2 (R. Reed) 3 Also started: 3 Silvermine 8.5. 4 Bonogne 8.0 (carried 7.11), 7 Ned Kellv 7.0, 6 Lorna Doone 7.0, 8 Paul Lucerne 7.0 (carried 7.2). Won by a short head, with two lengths between second and third. Time, linin 14Jsec. SHORTS HACK HANDICAP, Of 150sovs. Five furlongs. 7 — Mr F. W. Storey’s Segment, 7.5 „ , r __ „„ (J- Cammick) 1 3 — Mr W. White’s Lee Champ, 7.11, carried 7.6 (C. Broughton) .. 2 10 —Mr A. J. Charge’s Tangerim, 7.5, carried 7.6 (C. Broughton) .. 2 Also started: 2 Eka 9.0, 5 Argue 8 12 I Royal Lover 7.5 (carried 7.0), 14 Jew’s Harp /.6 (carried 7.0). 11 Buster Cut 7.5 (carried 7.1), 6 Fermangh 7.5, 12 Mollah 7.5 (carried 7.0), 8 Bright Comet 7.5 (carried 7.2), 4 Ardath 7.5, 13 Allan Brae 7.5, (carried 7.3), 9 Rangiutu 7.5 Won by a head, with half a length between second and third. Time, linin 3sec. ' DAVIDSON HANDICAP, Of 225sovs. One mile and a distance. 9 — Mr G. K. Tito’s Paitonu, 7.8 (car. 7.9 (J. Barr) 1 I—Mr C. J. Preston’s Benzora, 8.8 (R. Reed) 2 4— Dr M. G. Louisson’s Blimp, 7.5, car 7.8 (A. G. Murray) 3 Also started: 5 Yoma 9.2, 2 Day Guard 8.1 (car. 7.12). 3 Flying Juliet 7.12, 11 Orazone 7.11, 10 Kilmiss 7.7 (car. 7.2), 8 Manly 7.7 (car. 7.2), 7 Hipo 7.4, 12 Captain Gazeley 7.0, 6 Kawhakina 7.0 Won by a head, with half a length between second and third. Time, Imin 55’.sec. ' BOROUGH HACK HANDICAP, Of 175sovs. Seven furlongs. 1 — Mr 11. Spratt’s Mendip, 8.9 „ „ n m Metcalfe) 1 2— Mr G. E. Trevor’s Keddar, 9.6 _ ~ , , _ (R. Reed) 2 3— Mr R. Hick s Bisox, 8.4 (A. M'Cormaek) 3 Also started: 7 Royal Acre 8.12, 8 Onward 8.9, 9 Flying Shot 7.10, 6 Some Lad 7.9 (car. 7.4), 5 Freeze Out 7.5 (car 7.2) II Sovena 7.0 (car. 7.2), 4 Gasnapper 7.0. 10 Green Acre 7.0, 12 Bright Comet Won by four lengths, with a head between second and third. Time, linin 29Jsec. • NOTES ON THE RACING. WANGANUI, May 12. The progeny of the defunct sire Bissogne had a good innings, winning five races. The Ngamutu Handicap, the opening event, saw the defeat of the hot favourite, Desert Lad, by the rank outsider, Monsogne, who paid a great dividend There was no fluke about the victory, for Reed had Desert Lad well placed all the way, and although he did his utmost in the finish Monsogne had the advantage and beat him by a head. Another feature was that Monsogne was ridden by the apprentice Murray, who was taken off Desert Lad, whom he rode on Thurs-

day. Orcades ran a fair race into third place. Miss Mercia was never prominent. In the Manawapou Hurdles another hot favourite went under, when Vexatious was relegated to second place by Wenday. Vexatious ran a creditable race, but had no chance with Wenday, who had gone out in front six furlongs from home. Troilus ran an improved race, and Whisogne and Glengariif were only fair, while Airtight and Rahepoto disappointed. The latter was a good second favourite. The form was somewhat different from the first day, with no Mister Gamp to carry them along. A short price was accepted about Puwhero in the Open Steeplechase, and he duly pulled his backers through. For a round it was an interesting race, as Puwhero, San Fera, Son o’ Mine, and Comical were running in fairly close order, but Comical lost his rider about six furlongs from home, and Son o’ Mine dropped back, leaving the issue to Puwhero and San Fera. They raced together until the last fence, where San Fera made a bad landing, Puwhero beating him home by three lengths. Son o’ Mine was 10 lengths away, and Gilgai fourth, with Passin’ Through and Haeremai well back. Although Broad Acre drew the outer in the open sprint, he was a firm favourite in a great betting race, and. after having every chance, he failed to do better than third. Ned Kelly and Lorna Doone made the running to the turn from Broad Acre who was followed by Silvermine and Partaga, with Bonogne and Melissa in the rear. Once in the turn Broad Acre took the lead from Lorna Doone, but Partaga challenged, and then Melissa came with”a strong run from the rear. Partaga just beating her home by a short head. Broad Acre was two lengths back, with Silvermine fourth, and Bonogne was next. Melissa was unlucky. Had she come sooner she must have won.

Segment, who had finished fourth in the first race, sprang a surpirse when 1 the well-backed Le Champ in the hack sprint. Le Champ had every chance, running in behind Argue and Tangerin to the turn and leading at the distance. Here Segment, who had been lying handy, came with a run and beat' Le Champ by a head, with Tangerin half a length back. Backers suffered another reverse when the little-fancied Paitonu took the principal handicap off the favourite, Benzora, m the, last half-dozen strides. Benzora got stopped on the turn, and this cost h:m the race. As on the first day, Day Guard made the pace, but he never got far away, and Hipo and Blimp were always handy to him. Just as Benzora. who was next, made his run on the rails on the turn he got a bad set back, but be was again up at the distance, and was iu front 100 yards off the post. Here Paitonu came with a strong run and boat him horn? by a head. Blimp, who ran an improved race, was a length and a-half away, with Day Guard fourth. lhe last race was a good thing for the favourite, Mendip, who was alwavs in front, and left his field in the straight to win by four lengths from Keddar, who ran a fine race all the way, and just headed off Bieox for second.' Bisox was consistent, but not good enough. Gasnapper was fancied, but never showed up. Sovena ran an improved race into fourth place. ASHBURTON RACES. Saturday, May 12. The autumn meeting of the Ashburton County Racing Club was held in glorious weather, the sun being strongly in evidence al] day. The pleasant conditions encouraged many city visitors, there being a large attendance. Good fields were seen in most of the events, and the sport was uniformly interesting, while there were some close finishes. Star Stranger II fell in the Trial Plate, and her rider (A. E. Ellis) was taken to the hospital. He was suffering from slight concussion, and it was thought there might be some internal injuries as well. The totalisator investments for the day, with seven races, were £lO 335, compared with‘£lo.BB4 last year, when there were eight. races. The following are the results:-— LONGBEACH HACK HANDICAP, Of llOsovs. Six furlongs.' 7 —Mr G. Gerard’s br g Crossbow, by Archery—Peace, 4yrs, 9.9 (G. Salt) 1 11 —Mr J. J. Lewis's Philanderer, syrs, 9.1 (F. Thompson) 2 6— Mr J. M'Combe’s Despot, 3yrs, 9.0 (I. Tilson) 3 Also started: 5 Skyquest 10.3. 8 Red Heather 9.6, 3 Sea Gay 9.5. 2 Exide 9.3, 12 Heather Doon 9.0, 10 Thurso 9.0. 4 Zuexis 9.0, 13 Prompter 9.0 1 Star Stranger II 9.0, 14 Page Boy 9.0, and 9 Lytup 9.0. Tn a desperate finish Crossbow beat Philanderer by a neck, with Despot half a length away’. Zuexis, who came with a strong late run on the outside, was only half a length further back, followed by Star Stranger 11. Time, Imin 15 l-ssec. SELMA TROT HANDICAP. (In harness), Of llOsovs. Class 3.50. One mile and ahalf. 1— Mr P. Watson’s ch h Travis Axworthy, by Dillon Axworthy—Lady Peters. 6yrs, ser (F. G. Holmes) 1 7— -Mr R. Ramsay’s Royal Locanda, aged, 24yds bhd (J. Wallis) .. 2 2 — Mr J*. R. M'Kcnzie’s Danny Boy 4yrs, ser (D. Withers) 3 Also started: 9 Logan d’Or scr, 3 Dice ser, 11 Te Aike scr, 8 Mountain Ore scr, 10 Beatrice Locanda scr, 5 No Fear scr, 12 Becky Mine scr, 4 Limosa scr 6 Lough Neagh scr, and 13 Eiffelton Lass 120yds bhd. Royal Locanda led Travis Axworthy and Dice to the straight, and Travis Axworthy drew out and beat Royal Locanda easily by a length. Ten lengths away there was a bunch, Danny Boy getting third place by a neck from Lough Neagh with Dice close up. Time, 3min 33 2-ssec, 3min 31 3-ssec, 3min 39 l-ssec. AUTUMN HANDICAP, Of 175sovs. One mile and a-quarter. 2 — Mr A. J. Tutton’s br g Thorndale, by Antagonist or Sanquahar— Brambletye, aged, 9.1 [A. E. Ellis) 1 4 —Mr J. M. Samson’s Tintoretto, aged 7.0 (L. J. Edis) .. .. .. . 2 3— Mr H. C. Gye’s Carnot, 6yrs, 7.3 ,(C. Eastwood) 3

Also started: 1 Fresco 7.13 (car. 8.2), 5 Moratorium 7.10, 6 Killoch 7.0. Racing for the home turn Carnot had Tintoretto and Moratorium has his nearest attendants. Thorndale was going well at this stage, and, taking charge in the straight, he beat Tintoretto easily by three-quarters of a length. Carnot was a length away.- a neck in front of Moratorium, with Fresco close up. Time, 2min 7 4-ssec. TRIAL PLATE, Of lOOsovs. Five furlongs. 6 —Mr J. M. Samson’s ch g Red Jazz, by Solferino Tango, 2yrs, 7.7 (L. J. Ellis) 1 s—Mr5 —Mr J. M'Combe’s Despot, 3yrs, 8.4 (W. Bush) 2 I—Mr F. Beban’s Waihemo, 4yrs, 8.7 (J. W. Jennings) 3 Also started: 13 Great Spear 8.7, 10 Kempton 8.7, 8 Kells 8.7, 11 Cynelli 8.7, 1 Star Stranger II 8.7 (car. 8.11), 9 Claymore 8.7, 2 The Bailiff 8.4, 12 Pilot 8.4 (ear. 8.7), 3 Gay Crest 7.7, 7 The Viscount 7.7 (car. 7.12), 4 Amourette 7.7, 14 Fortune’s Wheel 7.7. Red Jazz beat Despot by half a length, with Waihemo half a length away third. The Viscount was a. length further back, closely followed by Amourette and The Bailiff. Time, Imin 1 l-ssec. EIFFELTON HACK HANDICAP, Of llOsovs. One mile. 1 — Captain W. Deans’s b m Malmsey, by Clarenceux—Charmilia, 4yrs, 8.2 (C. Emerson) 1 2 — Mr G. G. Holmes’s Lancer, 4yrs, 8.2 (A. East wood) 2 s—Mr F. 'Williamson’s Amor, 3yrs, 7.5 (C. Eastwood) 3 Also started: 6 Money Mine 8.11, 7 Oriflamb 8.8, 3 Honeycomb 7.8, 4 FailExchange 7.3 (allow. 51b), 8 No Resnonse 7.0. Malmsey won easily by a length from Lancer, who came with a great run over the last two furlongs. Money Mine, also finishing fast, was only a length away. Time, Imin 40 2-ssec. RAKAIA TROT HANDICAP (In harness), Of 105sovs. Class 2.26. One mile. 1 — Mr G. Thomas’s b g Audubon Lad, by Great Audubon—-Irvington mare, 6yrs, scr (Owner) *.. .. 1 3 — Mr C. V. May’s Forward Maid, syrs, scr (H. Law) 2 2 — -Mr C. Donald’s Fair Dillon, aged, 12yds bhd (Owner) 3 Also started: 4 Roger Lvon scr, 10 Thoreda scr, 7 Greateaux scr, 11 Lindbergh scr, 8 Strychnine scr. 9 Wallace Logan scr, 6 Eiffelton Lass 24yds bhd, 5 Tennis 24. Audubon Lad won as he liked by’ three lengths from Forward Maid, who beat Fair Dillon by four lengths. Wallace Logam was close up, with Thoreda and Greateaux next. Times: 2min 20 4-ssec, 2min 21 2-ssec. 2min 21see. FAREWELL HANDICAP, Of 115sovs. Seven furlongs. I—Mr1 — Mr F. T. Buchanan’s b m Gay Sonnet, by Gay Lad—Elocution, 4yrs, 8.10 (C. Emerson) . . . . 1 9 —Mr J. Black’s Gold Mint, syrs, 7.0 (A. Eastwood) 2 3— Mr H. A. Knight’s Zaragoza, aged, 8.4, allow. 51b (G. Humphreys) 3 Also started: 8 Chickwheat B.S. 5 Sagittarius 8.3, 2 Poly dec ten 7.6, 10 Sprinkler 7.5, 4 Money Mine 7.1, 6 Ronaki 7.0, 11 Bronstell 7.0. 7 Finora 7 0. In an exciting finish Gay Sonnet beat Gold Mint by’ half a head. Zaragoza was a length and a-half away, with Sprinkler fourth. Time, Imin 26 2-ssee. NOTES ON THE RACING. ASHBURTON, May 13. Circumstances combined to make Saturday's meeting at Ashburton a success. To commence with the club secured large fields, which furnished some exceptionally keen sport. The fine weather atti acted a big attendance, and as speculation was keen the meeting should produce a very’ satisfactory balance sheet. There was an unfortunate accident in the Trial Plate. Star Stranger II fell when the field had gone about two furlongs, the New Brighton-trained mare being in a prominent position at the time. Her rider (A. E. Ellis) was taken to the hospital suffering from slight concussion, while it was thought he had sustained some internal injuries. An inquiry' was held, and the evidence of some of the jockeys convinced the stewards that the occurrence was quite accidental. Crossbow was responsible for an attractive performance when he won the Longbeach Hack Handicap. He is an unreliable horse, but on this occasion he responded to vigorous riding, battling out the last two furlongs very resolutely. Philanderer, who has not done much racing for some time past, showed useful form, and he may pick up a stake before the end of the season. He is raced now by J. J. Lewis, who may try him out over the hurdles later on, that being a department for which the Ashburton owner-trainer has a partiality. Despot was prominent all through the handicap, but his finishing effort was not particularly good, though he came home in third place. Later in the day he finished second in the Trial Plate, in which he came home with a strong run. Despot may win races later on, but he will need to improve a lot to get out of the moderate class. Zuexis made a very favourable impression by his effort in the Hack Handicap. He began slowly, and he was a long_ way’ back at the home turn, from which point he put in a great run. He came along the straight on the outside rail, finishing under the judge’s box. Many people on the grand stand thought he had won, their viewpoint favouring a horse on the out-side. Had he jumped out decently Zuexis might have won easily, and his turn will come soon, as he should be benefited by racing experience. Star Stranger II showed plenty of speed, but she cannot stay, and she was done with before going five furlongs. Sea Gay was well placed in the early stages, but she collapsed in disappointing fashion soon after the straight was reached. The withdrawal of Battle Colours and Assurance weakened the field for the Autumn Handicap very seriously. The absence of Battle Colours was specially regretted, as many people were anxious to see if he was capable of still further improvement, and it is certain he would have been favourite had he started.

Thorndale won the Autumn Handicap in impressive fashion. He was near tlie tail of the field at the home turn, but he was travelling smoothly, and he made short work of his opponents when he made his effort. The merit of the performance was enhanced by the fact that he had done no fast work since he raced at South Canterbury a fortnight earlier. It was his first success in the colours of Mr A. J. Tutton, who sh mid have no cause to regret his purchase. Thorndale is likely to be one of the freely-dis-cussed candidates for the Winter Cup. Tintoretto ran a good race. He has the reputation of reserving his best form for the training track, but on this occasion he finished on in resolute fashion in second place. Fresco’s form was disappointing. He was one of the pacemakers all the way to the straight, where he stopped quickly. Red Jazz won the Trial Plate in good style. He was in front practically all the way, and he stalled off the challenges of his rivals, finishing very strongly. He is a two-year-old by Solferino, and he should be very useful next season. Waihemo was prominent all through the Trial Plate. Like his stable mate, Star Stranger 11, he has a good turn of speed, but he lacks stamina, and he was stopping at the end of five furlongs. These two are by Quin Abbey, many of whose progeny can stay fairly well. The Viscount put up a useful performance in the Trial Plate, in which he finished fourth, after being one of the leaders all the way. The brother to Count Cavour should do well as a three-year-old. Amourette showed improved form, as she finished on much better than usual, but even then it was only a fair effort, not up to her best doings on the track. Malmsey ran out a mile very solidly in the Eiffelton Hack Handicap, which she won very easily, having demonstrated that she can stay. She will be worth keeping in mind for other engagements this season, as she is very well. Lancer seemed unable to keep pace with his rivals in the early stages. This was a surprise, as he shows plenty of dash as a rule. Over the last two furlongs he put in a, fine run, and he should be a winner very soon. Honeycomb settled his chance in the Eiffelton Handicap by failing to. begin smartly. Once on the journey, he showed some pace, but his effort was expended a long way from home. Gay Sonnet was a warm favourite for the farewell handicap, as a result of her good form at South Canterbury, and she pulled her backers through, though they must have had a fright when Gold Mint put in his late challenge, which failed only by a narrow margin to land him a winner. Gay Sonnet is at the top of her form at present, and further successes may be looked for. Sagittarius showed brilliant speed, but he was well beaten about two furlongs from home. He has raced badly this season. Polydectes never looked dangerous. He never got near the front, and he was in hopeless difficulties early in the race. So far he has been very expensive since he went to Riccarton. The American stallion Travis Axworthy was a pronounced favourite for the Selma Trot Handicap, and at no stage of the journey did his backers have much cause for anxiety. He was one of the front division all the way, and he drew away without an effort when the straight was reached. Although he is six years old, tnis was his fiist start following on several seasons at the stud. When trained early in his career he showed no great promise, but he has grown into a very attra.ctive pacer, with perfect manners, and it will be no surprise if he works his way into good company very soon. The three-year-old filly Dice, by Happy Voyage, looked certain to earn third money in the Selma Trot. She was allowed to stop at the end, however, and she finished fifth. After the race’ the stewards fined her driver £3 for not driving his mount out. The win of Audubon Lad in the Rakaia Trot Handicap was one of the easiest that has been seen on the Ashburton track for some time. He was out in front from the start, and he was traveling so comfortably in the straight that it looked as if the winning margin could have been increased to anything his driver desired. He started favourite, and on this form he may score again soon in much better company. RACING IN AUSTRALIA. HORSE AND RIDER DISQUALIFIED , SYDNEY, May 8. A jockey named Puekeridge, and the racehorse Chirino, have been disqualified for life. At a country meeting at \Vyong Puekeridge used an electric battery, and the horse bolted and won. THE FREE ADVICE CASE. REFERRED BACK TO TROTTING CLUB. CHRISTCHURCH, May 7. At the New Brighton Trotting Club's meeting in March, Free Advice finished first and Baron Bingen second in the Eclipse Handicap. An inquiry was held after the race into a complaint for interference, and the judge’s placings were reversed. Baron Bingen being placed first and Free Advice second. M'Kendrick Brothers, of Auckland, owners of Free Advice, appealed to the Trotting Association against the decision, and the associaton referred the ease back to the Club Committee of the New Brighton Trotting Club. The latter will hold an inquiry into the case on Thursday. CHRISTCHURCH, May 9. A meeting of the New Brighton Trotting Club to-night had before it the Free Advice case, which was the subject of an inquiry recently by the Trotting Association. The matter was referred back to the club for a rehearing, and the club decided that the previous decision of its judicial committee should be adhered to. At the New Brighton Trotting Club’s summer meeting Free Advice (J. Bryce) defeated Baron Bingen (J. N. Clarke) in the Eclipse Handicap, a race for three and four-year-olds. A protest for interference was sustained, and Baron Bingen was placed first and Free Advice second.