TROTTING.

Otago Witness, Issue 4085, 28 June 1932, Page 51

TROTTING.

FIXTURES. July 2.—Oamaru J.C. (two events) July 30.—South Canterbury Hunt (one event). August 6, 10, 12.—Metropolitan T.C.

TRACK TALK.

By Adonis. CHENWOOD AT OAMARU. Chenwood is engaged in both trotting events at the Oamaru Jockey Club's meeting on Saturday, but in all probability he will be reserved for the Waikaura If so, he will be one of the fatourites, and he looks like being Very, hard to beat. Hard Words and Black Jester may give him the most trouble. In the Oamaru Handicap Lena Thorpe. Sunbrown, and Little Claire may carry the most money. THE TROTTING CONFERENCE. The New Zealand Trotting Conference will hold its annual meeting in Wellington on July 12, and some interesting matters will come up for decision. Among the many remits is one that, from the point of view of justice to everyone, should be passed by the delegates. The New Zealand Trotting Association will move the remit, which is that rule 425 be struck out and the following substituted: — “If a protest be lodged, or objection made, before the dividend has been ordered to be paid out, the totalisator money shall be retained until the protest or objection has been decided by the stewards. In the event of an appeal to the association, the dividend shall thereafter be paid in accordance with the decision on such appeal, unless there is a further appeal to the conference, in which event the dividend shall be paid in accordance with the decision on such further appeal; payments shall be made as early as practicable at such time and place as the stewards may appoint.” WILDWOOD’S SIRE. Russia, Germany, Denmark, and Austria are all good customers for American stallions and mares, but they must be trotters. Pacers are not raced in the principal European trotting countries. For the present year in Germany no fewer than 88 trotting stallions are at service. Eighteen are American-bred horses with records of 2min lOsee or better. The rest are American bred or bred in Europe from American blood. Denmark makes a specialty of trotting, there being no galloping races. For many years Russia would not allow American horses into the country, confining their racing to the Orloff breed of trotters, which was founded long before the American.

' Good Gift, the sire of imported Wildwood, was made a present to the Russian Imperial Stud, but evidently the gift was

not considered of much value. He wassent to an inland Government stud farm, and was never afterwards heard of. His. ? on > Wildwood imported to New Zealand in 1895, proved a big asset to the trotting, breed in New Zealand. Amongst a host, ot other good ones he sired Ribbonwood,, -mm 9see, and Wildwood Junior, 4mim 33sec, a great racehorse and sire. Wildwood was imported as a three-year-old to. -New Zealand in 1895, and the followingyear he won at New Brighton in 2min 241 2-osec. A GOOD “DOUBLE.” To win the Adams Memorial Cup, the> principal event at the winter meeting of’ the Auckland Trotting Club, has been thecherished wish of all the most prominent' owners interested in the light-harness, sport. Not only has the stake attached to the race been a good one, but to the owner of the winner is presented a handsome gold cup donated each year by Mrs; L A. Adams. Up till this year the value CU P itself wag £lOO, but in common with everything else these times, the value was reduced to £5O (says the Auckland' Star). I dca^l re °f the local sportsman,. Mr M. J. Moodabe, whose horse, Peter--1 irate, proved victorious, was doubled 1 by the fact that it was hig birthday, and congratulations and “ many happy returns ” were his lot throughout the afternoon. Mr Moodabe has raced a numberof horses in recent years, his outstanding performer being the little champion, Jewel Pointer, with whom he won some thousands of pounds in stakes. Other good horses he raced were Western King, Amaris, and Explosion, and he was not airaid to pay a substantial price for any horse he fancied. Although his horses won innumerable important races, the victory of Peter Pirate probably brought him most pleasure, as the winning of the gold cup on the anniversary of his birthday, he considered, was an event that did not fall to the lot of many sportsmen. Peter Pirate is held on lease by Mr Moodabe. The horse was bred by Mr W. Paul, of Mangere, and raced in his interests for some seasons, winning occasionally. However, being troubled with corns, it was only when the tracks were soft that Peter Pirate was seen at his best. In the Adams Memorial Cup last year, when trained by J. T. Paul, Peter Pirate ran a slashing race, being beaten by only a a head by Ngingongingo. It was after the meeting that Mr Moodabe leased Peter Pirate, and sent him to Christchurch later on to be trained by J. Shaw. In the south the horse started many times, but the tracks were always hard, and in April Peter Pirate was brought back to Auckland. He won a race at Alexandra Park that month, and was then given a spell. A couple of months ago he was placed in E. N. Kennerley’s charge to be specially prepared for the Adams Cup, and the result was a happy one for all concerned. The trainer Kenncrley had also Real Guy in the race, and having a financial interest in that mare, he had to drive her, J. Shaw being engaged to drive Peter Pirate.

IN SADDLE AND SULO.

Aristotle is an improved pacer who should win races next season. Warbird has been put into work again by G. M’Kendry. The ex-Ncw Zealand pacer Pessimist died recently in Hobart. Tasmania. Eureka Boy should be a really good horse next season. He is one for whom time will do a lot. The three-year-old Chenwood looks nicely placed on the front of tiie Waikaura Handicap at Oamaru on Saturday. That fine trotter Sir Voyage is being hacked about prior to being put in work again by W. J. Tomkinson. Plain Silk is becoming more solid and reliable, and now looks like being a good proposition next season. Pronto Bingen is being kept in work by A. Butterfield. He is speedy up to a mile, but is lacking in stamina. No fewer than 464 different horses have been raced in the Perth metropolitan area this season. Admiral Bingen is being prepared for early spring racing. He has shown brilliant form up to a mile and a-half, but is still lacking in stamina. Mountain Mist has just been taken in hand again after a spell, and he looks really well. He will be prepared for the August meeting at ■ Addington. The well-known owner and administrator, Mr J. R. M'Kenzie, is due to leave Auckland to-day on a business trip to Japan. Bingen Chief looks certain to develop into a high-class performer. He has breeding on his side, being by Nelson Bingen from Stanley’s Child. Lena Thorpe has recently been showing improvement, and she is likely to be in favour for her engagements at Oamaru on Saturday. The converted trotter Wild Giiy has settled down into being a really smart pacer, and he looks certain to reach much beter company next season. Colorado has recently shown great improvement. and the Wrack pacer should be one of R. B. Berry’s best winners next season. Silver Bingen is reported to be pacing attractively in his work at Addington. A win for him is overdue, but he never runs two races alike. W. J. Tomkinson is now giving Wilma Dillon plenty of solid work, and the exSouthland pacer will be raced at the Metropolitan Club’s meeting in August. Travis did not show anything like his true form at the Auckland meeting. The chestnut was working brilliantly just prior to the meeting. Guyziah, who finislied in a place at Ashburton on Saturday, is a four-year-old gelding by Real Guy from Wallacena. He is trained by L. A. Maidens. Windchat is not much to look at, but she is speedy and stays well. She won one race and finished third in two others at Auckland.

Guyson, who was among the starters in the Lyndhurst Handicap at Ashburton on Saturday, is a three-year-old by Real Guy from Sallywood, the dam of Yoicks and Red Eagle.

Donee can be ticked off as a good proposition for next season. On the first day of the Auckland meeting last week he paced a fine race after losing ground at the start.

Gav I’aree has found his mark for the time' being, but he is young as trotters go, and next season should find him improved sufficiently to take more honours over all distances.

The Methven Trotting Club has been grunted permission to hold its extra meeting next month on the Ashburton course. Mr J. B- Nicoll, secretary to the Ashburton Trotting Club, will handle the entries and acceptances. Benefice, who for some time was trained by J J Kennerley at Addington, was sent back to Auckland a few days ago. Accompanying her were two two-year-olds, a gelding by Wrack from Noiseless, and a gelding by Bey de Oro from a Logan Pointer mare. The youngsters are to join the stable of F. J. Smith. C. Tasker is handling at Addington a handsome yearling colt-by Nelson Dei by from Bridget Pointer, by Logan I ointer by Bridget Galindo. The youngster has been handled practically since he mas a few months old, and he is now bearing evidence of early careful attention., tn tne same stable there is also a very fine yearling colt by Jack Potts from Mauveen Galindo by Galindo from Mavoureeu. by Prince Imperial.

The committee of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club, at a meeting held on Friday afternoon, on behalt ot the Thames Trotting Club, presented to Mr G. Paul, handicapper, a lite membership gold medal. The Thames trotting Club, when Mr Paul resigned his position as handicapper, elected Mr Paul a lite member in recognition of the many services given by him to the club other than in his official capacity.

Roya.l Comrade cannot be regarded as quite an acquisition to J. J. Kennerley s stable, as he has reached a class which is keeping him in the background. V\ ith consistent but unlucky pacers in Brentlight and Kelp, and “ itf-ers ” in Silver Bingen. Warplane, Rare Ponto. and Park M’Kinney, Kennerley is not so -fortunately placed as he has been. Rare Pronto is best on dirt tracks, and may show improvement in the coming season. A remit to come before the Trotting Conference aims at making it compulsory for every club which races on four days during the season to run at least one race a year with a limit not slower than 4.27. There are only three fourday clubs, and the remit seems to be directed at the Auckland meetings, which make n<> provision now for the good horses. The tightest class on its programme this week is 4.36, and pacers cligib’e for the Trotting Cup are not worth feeding in Auckland. Peter Pirate, winner of the Adams Memorial Cup at Auckland last week, is the first winner trained by E. Kennerley since lie settled in the north a few months ago. Peter Pirate has always been a more than useful performer, who has not always been able to show his best on account of corn trouble, but on tracks that are of a yielding nature-he is seen to much better advantage. Now that Keuncrlcy has succeeded in reaching the winning list he may go on to further successes in Auckland, and he will not be begrudged a run of luck, as he has not long branched out on his own account as a trainer. An unusual ami interesting case is to come before the Trotting Association. When Winslow won the Wliakatu Handicap at the Hawke's Bay meeting, it was alleg: d that lie had not been entered for the race, but a protest was dismissed. The owner of Winslow stated that the horse was not included in the entries for the race owing to a clerical error at his end. and when he arrived at Hastings he advised the club. The committee, aftci conferring with, the stipendiary Steward, decided to allow the horse- to start. Winslow won. The stipendiary Steward claimed that there was power under rule 198 to correct an entry, ami it is against this decision that the appeal has been lodged by the owner of the third horse. The question is whether an omission can be interpreted as an amendment.

One of the finest exhibitions of pacing ever s.'on in Western Australia was that given by the ex? New Zealand champion. Logan Park, in the principal race it Fremantle recently, when lie beat 11 others after conceding starts up to 111 yards, says a Perth writer. ll<- stepped at a 2.151 rate, which equals the Staterecord over one mile and three-quarters. Logan Park started favourite. He got up with his field in very quick time, and his driver then gave him a breather while he kept him well wide of the others. The pace livened at the bell, and the horses were at their top speed as they went down the back stretch the last time. Logan Park slipped past them quite easily, and he was not all out when he got to the line 12 yards clear of Maori Fuller. The record was established by Desert Bells on the Fremantle course 12 months ago. Logan Park came from New Zealand with a 2.10 record. There seems to be a necessity for a tighte’ling up of our stipendiary system, and possibly the ideal will not be reached until judicial committees are composed of professionals (says the Sun). While many of our stewards are keen Trotting enthusiasts and observant, there are others who regard a meeting as something of a holiday for themselves and their friends, and at any time are not thoroughly conversant with the rules of trotting. And while age must be re. ne, ted. it is quite plain that some of the -towards are getting to an age when they cannot expect to have the keen eyesight they enjoyed some years back. The stewards should be reasonably young men. with keenness and a knowledge of trotting conditions and trotting law. It is sad to relate that many otherwise estimable Sportsmen who nit as stewards have neitl the keenness nor the. knowledge that th ■ position requires. Guy Parrish is a comparatively young sire whose stock has scored 40 successes this season, which places, him third equal with Wrack on the sires’ list. There is nothing lop-sided about his pedigree, for hi a sire is the famous Guy Axworthy, who got Lee Axworthy 1.58}. Guy M’Kinney -1.58?, Arion Guy 1.591, and Mr M’Elwyn 1.59}. Guy Parrish’s dam. Margaret Parrish, is also the dam of Arion’ Guy and grandam of Protector, 1.59}, the

present three-year-old champion of America, The only other stallion to sire four two-minute trotters is Peter Volo, who is the sire of Protector 1.59}, Charlotte Hanover 1.591, Hanover’s Bertha 1.591, and Miss Bertha Hanover 2.0. The last-named three are full sisters, and their dam. Miss Bertha Dillon, shares with Royal M’Kinney (dam of Scotland 1.591, Rose Scott 1.59}, and Highland Scott 1.59, all by Peter Scott) the honour of being the only mare to produce three two-ininute performers. The Invercargill Trotting Club has framed a proposed alteration to the Rules of Trotting covering the appointment of judges when an appeal is lodged against a decision of the Trotting Association, (says the Timaru Herald). At' present the three appeal judges are appointed by the president of the confer- I enee. The Invercargill Club proposes that the Conference Executive (not the president alone) shall appoint two judges, who shall not be members of the association or of the club concerned, and that these two judges shall appoint the third, who must be a member of a registered trotting club, but not a member of the Conference Executive, the association, or the club concerned. There is a good deal to be said in favour of excluding interested parties from appeal courts. Such •a procedure would have obviated the position which arose at the special session of the conference over the Ngingongiugo case. There, one of the appeal judges, and three members of the Auckland Judicial Committee, voted in favour of the verdict of the club and the appeal judges. The proposal that the executive, and riot the president, shall appoint the first, two judges is apt to be interpreted as a motion of no confidence in Mr H. F. | Nico]!, and on that account will meet with very strong opposition. CANTERBURY DOINGS. By Observer. Nominations closed on Friday for the principal events at the Canterbury Jockey Club s Grand National meeting, providing evidence of the near approach of another racing season. The response by owners was quite up to expectations, the total lor six races being 212. or only three short of last years figures. The \\ inter Cup shows an increase of nine, so there is a drop of 12 in the.tive jumping events. This is not serious, and with all the best hurdlers and steeplechasers engaged there is a good outlook for the Riccurton carnival in August. As usual, the North Island provides the bulk of the jumpers, two-thirds of the candidates coming from that quarter, but southern stables, with 10 in the Grand National Steeplechase am] nine in the Grand National Hurdles, can claim a strong interest. Mr J. J. Corry’s pair. Landmark and Make Up. are apparently to stay in Australia, but Copey and Cap’ain's Gift may return early, as both have been nominated for Kicearton.

"" The winter meeting of th • .Ashburton County Racing Club, which was held on Saturday, was very successful, good fields providing some interesting sport. The totalisator investments showed a slight decrease, but there would have been a much better result under this heading if money had not been locked up temporarily with inquiries. There was a delay in paying out on Monastic, second in the Moreton Hack Handicap, pending an inquiry i»to some crowding soon after the start. The stewards were unable to fix the blame lor the trouble. Ihe owner ot Guyziah, third in the Lyndhurst Trot, protested against the winner. Cloudy Range, on the ground of interference in the straight, but the protest was dismiss'd. C. E. Eastwood, the rider of Night Recital in the Mayfield Hack' Handicap. complained that G. H. Humphries, the filler of Craigaxon, pushed him on to the fence less than a furlong from the winning post, but the stewards, after hearing evidence, decided to take no act ion.

Morena registered a very attractive performance in winning the Hinds Hurdle Handicap. After following Dan Russell along the back he seemed lucky to escape serious trouble when that speedy novice fell in front of him about five furlongs from home. Tilson made a clever recovery, and Morena came on to win comfortably. This was his third success sinee his purchase l.mt month by the Dunedin owner. Air F. J. Conn, for whom lie is proving a rare bargain, as he shapes tike going on to good hurdle class. Royal Saxon ran a good race in the Hinds Hurdles. He is improving as a jumper’, and with a little move experience his paee on the flat will enable him to will in any hurdle company. Membo's effort in the Hinds Hurdles was much ahead of his form at South Canterbury a week earlier. He was slow to get going, but he was running on over the last half of the journey, and he may win a good stake before the winter racing is concluded.

Lord Ranald, having his first race after nearly three years’ absence, lacked the pace to go with the leaders in the Hinds Hurdles. His jumping was sound, however. and he may show up later in a steeplechase, provided he survives a preparation. When Dan Russell went out for the Hinds Hurdles he was making his first appearance in a race, while he was ridden bv AA'. J. Pascoe, a flat-race jockey, having his iir.-t experience in a jumping contest. Like many others of Thuruham’s progeny, Dan Russell is a bold goer, and he flew the early hurdles in great style, being out in front when ho fell, about five furlongs from home. He is a highly promising novice, who may go a long way when lie learns more about the business. Pascoe was taken to the hospital after his fall, suffering from a concussion. Ringing Cheer, the winner of the Moreton Hack Handicap, is a four-year-old by Huntin*! Song from Smoke Concert, ail Australian-bred mare by Land of Song from Smoky, by The Welkin from iniported Cape Hatteras, by. William the Third. It is a pedigree that might produce a horse of the highest class, and Ringing Cheer has the necessary speed. Unfortunately, ho is not sound,, and he can be trained only at. brief intervals. If he grows out of the weakness, no company will be too good for him. ■Monastic put up a good performance to finish second in the Aloreton Hack Handicap. He got into some trouble early, losing a lot of ground, and he had to make

a long run from the back to gain his position at the end.

Lord Buchan was well placed in the finish second in the Moreton Hack Handicap, but though he hung on to gain third Pqice. the brilliant run he unwound at afi ’ I< lyke a week earlier was missing, lhe climatic conditions were against a horse troubled in the wind. Belvoir showed great speed in the Moreton Hack Handicap. He led to the straight, but after that he collapsed very quickly. The Hunting Song three-year-old is touched in the wind, and his future racing prospects do not look bright. No excuses were possible for th e beaten horses in the Mayfield Hack Handicap, as Nightflyer won in spite of bad luck that wou.d have settled most horses. He was knocked back to last near the mile post, and later in the journey he received two more checks. He made up his ground in good style, took the lead some distance from the winning post, and stayed on resolutely. It was a fine effort. Nightflyer has made great improvement lately, and now he looks like doing J. B. Pearson good service next season over a distance. He is a four-year-old by Night Laid, whose progeny seem to require time, while he gets more stamina from his dam, Cheekie, a Martian mare from Ingleneuk, by Benzoin from Fireside, by Perkin Warbeck 11.

Sir Richard showed great improvement in winning the Dromore Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase, as a month ago he could only run a poor second at Washdyke to Valves, whom he beat in Saturday’s race. He was prominent all the way and finished strongly. His performance was marred by the consistency with which he ran outwards at each fence. In doing so he caused trouble to more than one of his opponents. French Fleet suffering seriously at the stand double, while Fresh Breeze may have had the ultimate winner to thank for his fall at the last fence. Sir Richard is a very capable jumper, however, no country being’ too big for him, ami he may win one of the minor cross-country events at the Grand National meeting. The North Canterbury gelding. Fresh Breeze, run a good race in the Dromore Hack and Hunters' Steeplechase. He was well placed all through the contest, being one of the leaders over the last mile and a-qiiarter. When the last fence was reached, Valves and Sir Richard were with him, the three rising together. Sir Richard, on the inside', ran out at the

fence, as usual,, bumping . with Fresh Breeze, who came down. Fresh Breeze should make amends with a win very soon, as he is a useful sort in minor steeplechase company. Water Power showed her success in the Alaronan Handicap to her stamina. She was in a handy position all the way. and she stayed on too well for the early leaders. She has been racing very consistently during the last few weeks, and she may get some more money at Tren-

tham, as she can be relied on to race well in the heavy ground that may be expected next month. Ratielagh enhanced his reputation for consistency in the Maronan Handicap. H>> was not prominent till the straight was reached, but a brilliant finishing run brought him home in second place. This was his best performance to date, and though he is now mounting up in the weights, he may get some more money at Trenthani.

Dunraven showed plenty of speed in the Alaronan Handicap. He looked a likely winner a furlong from home, nut his final effort lacked the resolution required to stall off his late challengers.

T’aku Tama was responsible for a solid pace in the Alaronan Handicap, but though still in front when well into the straight, he drifted back to fifth place. It looked as if he ran into some trouble, however, and he may be a winner before long. C. Emerson expects to leave for Sydney next month with a team of horses, who will be raced at the principal spring meetings. The present intention is to include Concentrate. Oratorian. Oratorious. Early (’up, owned by Air R. J. Alurphy. also Air AV. O. Rutherford’s Chief Ruler —Comedy Qiicti yearling, who has been named Top Rank. 1 boy are all working along quietly at present. Gesture was nominated for some races, hue she has been retired to the stud, and will be mated with Iliad. Compris is being restricted to road exercise just now. but C. Davey expects to have him at Ricearton this week. It is intended to race him at Trenthani. and then probably at the Grand National meeting, while an Australian spring trip is possible. T. Lloyd has made another start with Gay Crest. The Quoin. and Tout le Aloud. Thev look in excellent health after their spellCricket Bat has resumed work, and though doing only light evercise. yet he is in the best of health. Ho should be a good horse next season. Sailor’s Love is

another of Cutto Brothers’ team in active commission again. She may win minor races, but there is the doubt as to her soundness. Rational IT is having a short rest, which he has earned, after some hard racing. He will be out. only for a short spell, however, as he may be racing-again at Trenthain next month. Nightmarch is getting through a lot of useful work, and A. M’Aulay should have him in nice order as soon as he fixes the date of his denarture for Australia. Elude is back in work, under the care of F. Holmes. He is a horse, who may develop useful form next season. Tarquinius has not done well lately, and A. M’Aulay has decided to spell him. He has never been right since his collision with Don Jose some weeks ago. A. 11. Eastwood, though a visitor to the tracks at Ricearton, is only a spectator, lie has his left arm in a slingi due to a cracked shoulder result of a fall a fortnight ago. with Diable. The Invercargill trainer F. J. Al’Kay has Baris, Taramoa. and Irish Chieftain doing useful work, but Apache is on the easy list. The first-named pair were schooled over the fences last Thursday. I’aiis fell at the. first obstacle, and later did not shape so well as Taramoa. There are more horses in work than usual on the local trotting tracks, owing to the approach of two extra meetings. The Methven Trotting Club will race at Ashburton at the end of next week, while a week later we will have the relief meeting at Addington. So far as can bo learned, big. fields may be expeetd at both of these fixtures.

A. Cox is persevering with A r esuvius, and the Matchlight pacer is standing up to his work, which to date has been of an easy nature. He broke down last November, and had to be given a long spi.lL The trotter Norman Fox looks in fine order. He raced badly at Ashburton this mouth, but he may do better on a dirt track. Hard AVords is doing a lot of useful work. He can muster up plenty of speed, while he is a good stayer, so he may win a two-mile race before long. The big trotter, Don Giovanni, looks as though he has lightened up with his recent racing. He lias not learned to get back to his gait quickly after a break, but his owner-trainer, N. L. Brice, is a master hand with trotters, and he will soon educate thi s one. Rollo is doin'* good work, in view’ of events ahead, lie is one of the most improved pacers out this season, and he looks none the worse for his racing. Royal Comrade is now an inmate of J. J. Kennerley's stable. He is a speedy pacer, but not reliable. It Author Jinks stands up to his training he should race well in the near future, as he has never looked better than he docs at present. AA. J/ Tomkinson is now giving the pacer Wilma Dillon plenty of useful work, and he should be at his best for the August meeting at Addington. Silver Bingen is pacing attractively in his work, and he should earn some money very soon.

Although Kelp has kept sound since last he was put into work, lie has not yet reproduced his best form. This unlucky pacer can go fast and stay when he is rinht.

Admiral Bingen, after a good spell in the paddock, has resumed work, but it w'l| take some time to get him into racing trim.

Free Advice, who was put into training again recently, is carrying a lot of condition, but it is worth noting that she has on occasions raced well that nay. Great Barrish continues to please in his training. He has done well since he came to Addington, and he may be expected to race in improved form next season.

Our George is being kept in strong work, but the imported pacer is not moving in his best style. It looks as if J. 8. .Shaw will have some d fliculty to place him to advantage. A little over a year ago Air J. R. Al'Kenzie’ visited Addington with three yearling pacers, all by Great Bingen, and provided some interest by working them at a last speed. The youngsters were I’r.nce Roydon, Tollgate, and Taxpayer, and to prove that the experience did them no harm. Taxpayer won the Sapling Stakes at Ashburton this month. Air Al’Kenzie repeated the experiment last week, when he worked the yearling sister to I’rince Roydon. by Great Bingen from the imported mare. Slapfast, ’j he filly, driven by her owner, paced two furlongs in 34 l-.isec. and the manner in which she did her work made a big impresson. I he AA ra k two-year-old Cloud.v Range was responsible for a smart performance in winning the Lyndhurst Trot Handicap at Ashburton on Saturday. He was a trille slow oil the mark, but he was iu a handy position after going half a mile.

and for the remainder of the journey he always looked a possibility. Turning for home there stiil was a b g bunch in trout, but Cloud.v I’ange is endowed with real AA’raek stamina, and lie stay ed out the

distance very solidly. Tins was easily his best performance in t'lree .-.tarts at Ashburton, but he showed good iorin in running second at AA'ashdyke last month, t loudy Range should deveioji into a good class pacer for more important handicaps next season, while lie may prove a useful candidate for classi- events. Guyz.iah. a four-year-old by Real Guv.

paced’a ,-otind r.-u-c in the Lyndhurst Trot at Ashburton, lie was one of the leaders al! the way, and tailed only in the final furlong, where he got into .some trouble, lie may be a winner before long. War Officer is worth keeping in mini lor an early stake. He was slow to gel going in the Lyndhurst Trot at Ashburton, but he came on the scene at the home turn. He seemed to have the race in hand when he headed Cloudy Range a little over a hundred sards from the post, but he left his feet, finishing fifth. At ihl Guy stored a very easy ss in in the Win<-limore Trot at Ashburton after taking the lead nearly a mile from home, lie hits raced very consistently lor some time past, ami his latest success was only further evidence that lie is a horse of good class up to a mile and a-half, though he does not stay two miles so well, in the meantime. The balance sheet of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club discloses a loss of £541)7 on the year’s operations. The stakes were £28,200, compared with £30.300 the previous year. 'The club has an excess- of assets over liabilities of £81,147, including Government inscribed stock £38,700, land at I’iccarton £29,384. and city office £11,502. 'The New Brighton Trotting Chib showed a loss of £471 on the past season's working. but this was chiefly made up of £448 for depreciation. The aceummulatel funds total £13,252, including cash on deposit £2400, land £2830, ajiJ buildings £7226. WELLINGTON NOTES. (From Our Own Correspondent.) .Tune 24. Local racegoers are looking forward to seeing the southern ’chaser French Fleet in action at Trentham next month. At South Canterbury he had behind him the last Grand National winner, also two winners at Wingatui more recently. Hawke’s Bay. formerly an important winter fixture, was this year a one-day affair. The stakes were very light, and the club should come out all right. With 21 runners in the Trial Plato, of 65sovs, owners found two-thirds of the prize money. The Woodville-trained Foreign Queen (Mercian King—Megan), who had won in her previous start at Marton, was better backed than the Hast-ings-trained two-year-old Margaret Rose, and the pair finished first and second. I). Kemp bred, owns, and trained the winner, and resided at Hastings for some years before he shifted to Woodville, where he now lives. He bought Megan at Christchurch as a yearling the same (lay he bought another useful Solferino in Patuki. that lie trained for a patron. Backers sorted out Megaphone and

Alpinist as the best of those in the Kidnappers Hack Handicap, but they had to be content with the minor places behind Sabatini (Arausio —Gortyn), owned and trained by AV. M'Kinnon at Najiier Bark. Sabatini was presented by MT F. Ormond to Mr Cecil Louisson in place of a horse that dild at AVanganui the first time he carried the latter’s colours. Sabatini won a race at Napier Bark in the spring, but ran poorly afterwards, and was given back. Megaphone is the only horse that has beaten I'aiao. Alpinist was giving him 161 b. She is getting plenty for * three-year-old. She was saddled up again later in the day. and ran second to the AA’anganui winner Royal Hunting (Hunting Song—Royal Moment). After running unplaced in the Kidnappers Handica[>, the Otago-trained AA’illowmere (Acre —Heather) came out later in the day' and won the Hastings Hack Handicap. AVillowmere is owned and trained by A. AL AA right, who formerly trained Niikumai. Court Lady (Gainscourt —Noisy) beat her opponents with something to spare in the Winter Hack Handicap. I’rincess Elizabeth was considered the best of the field in the big steeplechase, but could only get fourth to Hard Gold, by Gold Soiilt, a useful performer when trained by J. H. i’rosser at I’orirua. Otneo. who was allowed to go out unbacked, beat Airtight for second place. The latter is owned by J. Fryer, trainer of Copey. Hard Gold should win again at Napier Bark.

Easterley, favourite for the Hawke’s Bay Hurdles, failed badly. Adventus (Bisogne-—Footstep) beat Conjuror 11, who was giving away a stone and a-half. None of the four horses carrying Mr W. it. Kemball’s colours managed to get in the money. The local owner must be making a (on of money out of his picture theaties. Still he will want to make some with ten horses m training at Caulfield and 30 at Trenthani. _ , The exodus to Australia from this island < ontinues. Otaki trainer A. D. Webster, who has been regular in his visits for several seasons past, goes again next month. C. Britchard is also under orders to cross the Tasman in a lew weeks’ time with Autopay and Solitaire. Autopay won the Epsom last spring, when in charge of T. Britchard. This time he goes under C. Britrhard, who is making his first trip. The Auckland owner-trainer 11. Rama leaves on Friday with Manawhenua, and his younger relatiie, who won twice out of three starts at Ellerslie recently, and has earned the expenses of the trip. His owner may have gone in anv case. Other owners who gut expenses at Ellerslie ami have already' sent their horses across are Alessrs J. J. Corry and J. Fryer. AATit n Fryer leaves next month with Beter Jackson and Gaine Carrington he will probably take the two-year-old Inflation, as his trainer (Airs Al’Donald) is unable to make the trip. J. 11. Telford leaves next month with Star Stranger ami Cylinder. Both are well known performers at Randwick, where the former won the Metropolitan a few seasons back. A good many horses are already in Australia. J. T. Jamieson has a team of 15 at Randwick, where Havering and Epliialtes are in work. In Melbourne G. Jones has ten working. R. T. Al’Donald recently took across four ami Al’Leod and Slater have tv.o. The

authorities here do not appear t»> be worrying about the eai.se of the drift. I’robaldy if enquiry was made in nine rases out of ten the reply would be that owners can make more money in .Australia than by staying at home trying to get rich by supporting the totalisator. Mr A. B. A', ilson, chief stipendiary steward, was in AAellingtou on AVedriesday. and returned home to Auckland the same night. Billy Boy will probably be seen In action at I'rontham and Ricearton. He was unplaced in the Great Northeim, but in tile AViuter Steeplechase on the I'om lmling day", with a change of riders, scored a comfortable win. There is a newspaper broadcast that he did not go to Victoria owing to the handicap. That is probably for the benefit of the AVellington and Christehureh handicappers. He cmild not very well be on both sides of the ’Lisman at the same time. The Hon. E. AA’. Alison, president of Takapuna Jockey Club, was in AA’ellington cm a business visit on Tuesday, ami returned home cm AA’ednesday night. Air Alick 0 Brien will again represent the far south clubs at the Racing Conferences this year. He will miss his oM friend Air Baddy Griffen at the Gresham, where the Otautau president made his home when in AA'ellington. After racing at Napier Bark the Auckland performer Alonatize, twice second at Ellerslie, will come on to Trenthain. If the form here is considered good enough he Mill go on to Ricearton. Racing officials come and go. Air AV. Bere. for some time acting secretary of the AA’ellington Trotting Club, has been appointed secretary. Air F, D. AlA’ay, the popular secretary of the Takapiint Jockey Club, is out and about again after an attack of lumbago. Air J. Beake has been appointed acting secretary of the AA’estlaud Racing Club, relieving Air D. J. Evans. mlio has been secretary and treasurer for about 20 years, and is at present recuperatiug. After the amalgamation of East Coast clubs racing will be carried on at the Boverty Bay* Club’s course at Alakaraka. Air D. R. De Costa, for many' years secretary of the Turf Club, has recently umlerwent an operation, and is nearly all right again. One of the whitest ami best, Dave De Costa is thought a lot of by racing officials ami others who visit the East Coast. The local OMiier, Air R. J. Alurphy, advises your correspondent that he intends making another effort to win the Aletropolitan and Alelbourne Cup. in which he has not been lucky in previous years. C. Emerson will leave next month with a team of five lor Sydney, and make Chisholm's stables at Randwick his headquarters. Gesture was entered for the Toorak and Cantala, the big mile races at Caulfield and Flemington, but was withdrawn before the weights appeared. Jayson (Hunting Song from Cynic — Blue Jay), whose name appeared on the schooling list not before it was due, was raced over hurdles each day at Otaki and gave poor exhibitions. However, it did him good, as at his next appearance at Napier Bark home he came at the head Af the field, whbh included some previo.i.-* winners over jumps. The runner-up; (.Tenton, is a New South Wales-bred horse b>

imported Tomatin and cost 375gns as a yearling. He has some winning form at Ellerslie. The Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase winner. Hard Gold, took on the easiest task in the Petane Hack Steeplechase, and had only to stand up to beat the moderates opposed to him. The East Coast hack Aguille was not produced in the Meancc Hack Handicap, which went to Megaphone, also owned up the coast, but now trained by J. H. Jcfford. They met on level terms, whereas the last time they met Aguille conceded 71b and a beating. Megaphone lias been unlucky bumping into J. Nixon’s pair of gallopers, although he has the credit of being the only opponent to beat Taiao. It is being broadcasted that if the handicapper for the Winter Cup treats Taiao right he will take part. If the handicapper treats him the same way as at Feilding on Easter Monday he will take beating. Taiao has only won at six furlongs, but Aguille has scored at a mile, and he may be the Winter Cup one. Although he did not run first day. Aguille was raised nine pounds second day, and met Sabatini (second) on four pounds worse terms. The Aucklander Monetize was not produced in the Napier Steeplechase. This, weakened the field, and also made it a one-dividend affair. The winner was the Christchurch-owned and Awapuni-trained Pangolin (Panmure —-Bengaline) who bolted in at Marton about six weeks previously. Pangolin was successful on the concluding day at Napier last winter. The best he had to beat was Copey’s stablemate Airtight, who was in receipt of nearly two stone. The Morris brothers have a great following with punters. The defeats of three favourites in Margaret Hose, Statuary, and Beacon Fire were body blows to some of the punting pressmen who get the right oil. The. Hawera-trained Orby’s Choice (Orbv’s Pride—Kenilworth Maid) scored his first win in open company in the Stewards’ Handicap, in which he just struggled home from Juggle. Mr W. R. Kemball’s horses have recently been ridden by apprentice riders, but in the Settlers’ Hack Handicap a change was tried, and the Auckland horseman E. Kessing. substituted Vitaphone (Cape Horn —Velour), who ran third in his only start at Otaki, won from two other’ unfancied ones in Anemometer and Captain Dan. Riders in the Meanee Hack Handicap wore arm bands as a mark of respect to the late Mr W. G. Stead. His passing may mean the folding away of the wellknown yellow jacket and black cap, well known and successfully borne during the long association with Mr G. G. Stead and Mr R. J. Mason. Mr E. F. Healy, M.P.. birdcage steward to the Nelson Jockey Club, will be with the Ottawa party when the Aorangi leaves Auckland on Monday. He comes down to ’Frisco from Vancouver, and returns to Wellington. To Mr Fred. Hamilton and Mr Ted, Healy, both good fellows, your correspondent wishes bon voyage and a safe return to sunny Nelson. AUCKLAND TOPICS. By Digger. Since the Great Northern meeting J. Lambess has been allotting Claremore plenty of hill work away from the track, and the Cynic gelding is doing well. He was a little backward for the Ellerslie meeting, but dispite that fact he ran good races. AH going well, he will be fitter next time out. and his prospects will be better at Trcntham and Riccarton, where he is likely to race next. Corinax is now making good progress in his work, and he promises to be in good racing shape for the Pakuranga Hunt meeting, at which he will resume racing. Win or lose at that fixture, his outing will serve to sharpen him up for early spring handicaps. He appears to have lost none of his ability, and his future usefulness will depend solely upon whether he remains sound. Since winning twice at Ellerslie, Town Beauty has trained on very satisfactorily, and he can be regarded as a certain visitor to the Wellington meeting. lie is a much improved steeplechaser, and a fine jumper whose best may not yet have been reached.

Although he did not perform quite as well as expected at the Great Northern meeting Master Lu has still plenty of time to make amends before the winter is over-. He has freshened up nicely since racing at Ellerslie, and he is capable of doing much better. He may give a much better account of himself at Trentham, where he is to race next.

G. Holland is now beginning to send Croupier along on his work, and the Surveyor colt is doing as well as his best admirers could wish. He has both grown and furnished during his respite from racing, and he should make a very useful four-year-old.

Full Measure bore out the expectations formed of him as a hack hurdler at the Great Northern meeting, ami he is likely to do still better. His absence on the final day was due to receiving a knock in his winning effort, but he is again working freely, and is a likely visitor to Trentham.

H. Rama is contemplating a trip to Sydney with Manawhenua and his two-year-old brother Horowhenua. Manawhenua is now in the pink of condition, and it is in his favour that he is equally at home under all kinds of track conditions.

Refresher, who was formerly trained at Takanini by J. T. Jamieson and subsequently by R. S. Bagby, is now under R. Barlow’s care at New Plymouth. W. J. Porter has decided that at present Kaiwainga is unlikely to stand a preparation, and he has turned the Adjutant mare out for a good spell. Kaiwainga is a very promising hurdler, and her defection at this stage is hard luck for her owner-trainer.

The idea of taking Billy Boy on an Australian trip has been abandoned, and the Archicstown gelding i e likely to race at Trentham and Riccarton. He is a finished fencer that should shine over tile big timber at Riccarton.