SPORTING.

Southland Times, Issue 18764, 12 March 1920, Page 3

SPORTING.

GORE RACING CLUB. A RECORD AUTUMN FIXTURE. RORKE’S DRIFT LODGE SUCCESSFUL. The Gore Racing Club’s Autumn meeting was brought to a conclusion yesterday in overcast weather, but the afternoon was otherwise fine, with an absence of wind, and a large attendance of the public for an off-day put in an appearance to assist at what may be termed a record Eastern District fixture. The track was in good order, but . somewhat unyielding, and it is fully anticipated that its firmness will have found out weaknesses in some of the horses raced over it during the past two days. The racing was again very interesting with galloping, jumping and trotting divisions, and the n eetmg was well managed throughout, the secretarial machinery being well under control. With the exception of one despatch referred to eleswhsre, the starting was excellent, Mr R. E. Harley sending the gallopers away more promptly and on more even terms than on the occasion of any previous visit to Southland, while the yards system of starting the light harness horses won new friends under the guidance of Mr F. Wallis. Tn four races, all claiming strong fields, no contestant actually stood still, and, of course, there was no calling off for starting before time. A word of praise is due the club’s caretaker in regard to the neat and trim appearance of the enclosures, shrubberies ami Hower beds, and it has to be remarked that the G.R.C. have in their keeping a turf property second to none in Southland.

The totalizator investments for the day amounted to £14,263 10/-, as compared with £12,606 10/- on the corresponding day ot last year. The total for the meeting was £31,250, ns against £24,074 10/the previous year. Results:— GRANDSTAND HACK HANDICAP, £l5O. Second £3O, third £ls. Seven furlongs.

4 J. Thomson’s b g Caltach, by All Red —Replete, syrs, 7.11

(A. H. Wilson) 1 1 Theo. Russell's ch m Miss Camouflage, 3yrs, (allow 51b), 8.3 (G. Pickens) 2 3 G. A. Kain's b g Twinkle, 3yrs, 5.6

(C. H. Lowe) 3 (Winner trained by D. P. Wilson, junr.) Also ran; 2 Sunlit (allow 51b) S.l (A. E Ellis), 5 Pax 8.0 (R. McLelLm). From a good start Sunlit was first to show in front, but Cattach moved up and joined the leader at the four furlong post, the other three in line. Cattach was going well within himself at the distance and presently left Sunlit to win nicely by two lengths, a fine race for second place resulting in favour of Miss Camouflage by a head, with Twinkle next, a head in front of Sunlit. Time, 1 min. 29 3-sth secs.

PROGRESSIVE TROT (harness), £135 Second £25, third £ls. Class 3.48 One mile and a half. 3 D. Windle’s b g Haroldsoon, by Harold Rothschild—To§ Soon, aged, 12 yards behind (J. McLennan) .... J 1 J. Doogue’s br g Minimax, 6yrs, 4S yds behind (W. Jones) 2 2 Geo. Reid’s b g Silver Shoe, aged, 96 yds behind (Owner) J

(Winner trained by J. R. McMurray)

Also started: 7 Four o’clock limit (A. McLellan), 10 Lord Rokeby limit (A. Sim), and Evening Chimes 60yds (J. Bryce junr), 15 Sweet Chimes limit (J. R. Forbesj, Biddy Tracey 84yds (J. R. McMurray) coupled with Haroldsoon, 8 Laura Child 12yds (R. Bromby), 16 War Chimes 12yds (J. Winter), 13 Jolly Major 36yds (W. H. Muir), 11 Rothstar 36yds (H. Booth), 5 Tahiti 36yds (E. J. Dwyer), 9 Cross Battery 60yda (J. Paget), 4 Eros 60yds (F. E. Jones), 6. Matin Chimes 72yds (R. Berry), 14 Masterpiece S4yds (J. McCurdy), 12 Malice 120 yds (M. Dawson). All got away well, except Laura Child, who was slow to move off. Haroldsoon quickly headed off Four o’clock but Minimax was soon with the leader, Biddy Tracey lying third ot the stand, while Eros and Rothstar were also going well. Haroldsoon had his head in front of Minimax at the half mile post and the pair reached the straight in that order. After passing the distance Haroldsoon outstayed Minipiax and beat him cleverly by two lengths, with Silver Shoe eight lengths away third, just in front of Eros, then came Cross Battery, Biddy Tracey, and Malice all close up. Times, 3 min. 41 l-sth secs; 3 min. 39 3-sth secs; 3 min. 37 l-sth secs; 3 min. 40 3-sth secs.

RACING CLUB HANDICAP, £250. Second £SO, third £25. One mile and a distance.

1 “Mr P. T. Benoni’s” ch g Almoner, by Boniform—Cassock, 4yrs, 7.5 (A. E. Ellis) 1 5 Mrs J. Ellis’ b g Benefit, aged, 7.0, carried 7.2 (T. Metcalf) 2 4 W. T. Hazlett’s blk g Mazama, aged, 7.0 (F. J. McKay) 3 (Winner trained by P. T. Hogan). Also ran: 3 Rorke’s Drift 9.5 (F. E. Jones), 2 Eleus 9.5 (W. Robinson), 6 Claverhouse 7.10 (T. L. Reed). Benefit was heading Mazama and Claverhouse, with Rorke’s Drift last, as the field swept past the stand from a good start. At the six furlongs Claverhouse was moving up and had joined Benefit a furlong further on. Meanwhile Abnoner was improving his position and passed Mazama into third place near the final turn, with Eleus also making up ground. Benefit was first into the straight, but Almoner was catching him fast at the distance with Claverhouse and Mazama also well up, while Eleus was coming very fast on the outside. A slashing finish resulted in Almoner scoring by a long neck from Benefit, who beat Mazama by a short head for second place, with Eleus a length and a half off fourth, then Claverhouse and Rorke’s Drift. Time, 1 min. 56 2-sth secs.

HOKONUI HACK HANDICAP, £l2O. Second £25, third £lO. District conditions. Six furlongs. S Dr J. E. Rogers’ ch m Red Pul, by Pallas—Redstart, 4yrs, 7.8, carried 7.94 (I. Tilson l 1 T J. McKenzie’s b g Lewis Gun, 3vrs, 7.7 (T. L. Reid) 2 • “Mr S. Carey’s’’ b g Mettle Drift, oyrs, 7.9 (R. McLellan) 3 (Winner trained by P. T. Hogan). Also ran: 1 Martifors 7.13 (J. Andrews), 8 Erroneous 7.13 fF. J. McKay), 2 Pallah (allow 51b) 7,4 (A. E. Ellis). 5 Hinekura 7.7 (T. Metcalf), 4 Lady Knight 7.7, carried 8.5 (A. McKay). . Martifors was badly left through no fault of the starter. Red Pal was first to show out from Pallah and Lady Knight. Red Pal led into the straight and the field closed up. At the distance Martifors became prominent on the rails, but was headed off again by Lewis Gun and Mettle Drift. Staying on well, Red Pal won by four lengths, Lewis Gun beating Mettle Drift by three-quarters of a length for second place, while Martifors was a neck further back fourth. Time, 1 min. 16 secs.

SUBURBAN STEEPLECHASE, £145. . Second £3O, third £ls. About two miles. 1 L. C. Hazlett’s ch m Take Down, by Downshire—Decoy, aged, 10.6 (W. Griffith, l ' 1 3 J. Flynn’s b m Miss Trixie, aged 9.9 (P. Willis) 2 2 E. J. Ellis’ blk g Glenisla, aged, 10.5 (Mr E. J. Ellis) • 3 (Winner trained by W. Griffiths). Also ran: 5 Dunmure 9.7 (J. McChesney), 7 Fair Play 9.7 carried 9.11 (L. Smith), 6 Whipcord 9.7 (T. Ruthven), 4 Wilden Loch 9.7, carried 9.91 (G. Fielding). Dunmure and Miss Trixie showed the way over the first fence, where Fair Play fell. At the post and roils Dunmure ran off. Glenisla was left in front from Miss Trixie, followed by Take Down. Both Miss Trixie and Take Down jumped badly at the first fence of the double. Racing to the post and rails Take Down, moved up and led Glenisla over the sod wall, but Miss Trixie was second at the final jump. In the run borne Take Down easily beat Miss Trixie by a length and a half, with Glenisla fif-

teen lengths away- third. Whipcord a long way off fourth, Wilden Loch practically walking in. Time, 4 min. 21 secs. L. Smith, rider of Fair Play, was injured when his ‘mount fell and he was removed to the hospital. PRESIDENT’S HANDICAP, £l5O. Second horse £3O, third £ls. Six furlongs. 1 J. Biggins’ b g Kilbrogan, by Kilbroney—Showano, 6yrs, 9.12 - . (F. E. Jones) 1 3 C. Christie’s b g Palamon, 6yrs, 7.7, carried 7.8} (A. H. Wilson) .... 2 4 R. Harrison's br m Revolution, aged (allow 51b), 6.9 (L. McDonald) .. 3 (Winner trained by owner).

Also ran: 2 Benefit 7.8 (T. Metcalf), 5 Robert Bell 7.5, carried 7.6 (S. McDonald), 6 Glensponse 7.0, carried 7.7 (R. McLellan). There was a long delay at the post, the first of the meeting, principally caused by the vagaries of Kilbrogan, while Palamon also gave trouble in a minor degree. Eventually Kilbrogan was taken back and as he moved up the barrier rose, with the result that he was soon out in front, attended by Palamon and Gleneponse, while Revolution and Benefit got all the worst of the dispatch. Kilbrogan led into the straight where Palamon challenged, but the favourite won by a neck, Palamon a similar distance in advance of Revolution, with Glensponse two lengths off fourth The honours of the race were with Revolution. There was Hooting from the spectators as Kilbrogan returned to weigh in. Tims, 1 min. 15 secs.

TELEGRAPH TROT (saddle), £IOO. Second £2O, third £lO. Class 2.35. One mile. 1 F. F. Smith’s ch m Lucalena, by Gen-

eral May—Moorish Maid, aged, limit (F. E. Jones) 1 2 O. Kelly’s b m Vera Mauritius, aged, 36yds behind (W. Jones) 2 8 G. Haworth’s b m Indiana Girl, aged, 36yds behind (R. J. Homs) .... 3 (Winner trained by owner).

Also started: 9 Chiming Bells limit (J Bryce junr.), 10 Dandy Dragoon limit (A. O. Hodgson), 6 Kentucky Wood limit (T. Tilson), 2’ Quickmarch 24yds (J. Walsh) coupled with Vera Mauritius, 7 Dragoon 36yds (A. McLcllan), 4 Anna 48yds (J. McLennan), 3 Van Director 60yds (W. Lidstone), 5 Matin Chimes 84yds (R. Berry), 11 Masterpiece 96yds (J. McCurdy). Quick - march wobbled at the start. Dandy Dragoon was in front for a short space, but left his feet. Dragoon led to the five furlong poet, where Lucalena, followed by Vera Mauritius, ran past. Lucalena led into the straight and beat Vera Mauritius by three lengths, with Indiana Girl twelve lengths off third, then came Mati-ft Chimes. Timgs, 2 min. 26 l-sth secs; 2 rain. 24 secs; 2 min. 25 secs; 2 min. 22 2-oth secs. BOROUGH HANDICAP, £l6O. Second £3O, third £ls. One mile. 2 Thos. Deegan’s hr g Kiikee, by Kilbroney—Latchet, Cyrs, 5.12 (W. Robinson) 1 3 Jas. Todd’s br g Thaddeue, aged, 8.3

(T. L. Reid I 2 4 D. Morton’s ch g Aycliffe, 6yrs (allow olb), 6.12 (A. E. ElBs) 3 (Winner trained by P. T. Hogan).

Also started: 1 Silver Peak 9.0 (S. Walls), o The Boss 7.2 (G. Pickens). From a good start Silver Peak was first to find her legs with Aycliffe in close attendance, while The Boss was close up. As the leaders ran past the half-mile post Thaddeus was closing on them and held command at the home turn, with Kiikee coming fast. Silver Peak was beaten at the distance, where Thaddeus was clear of Aycliffe. At this stage Kiikee came with rare dash, and, giving Thaddeus the go-bye beat him comfortably by a length and a half, Aycliffe was four lengths away third, then came Silver Peak and The Boss. Time, 1 min. 42 2-sth secs. NOTES ON THE RACES. The officials and members of the Gore Racing Club will have every reason to look back with pleasure on their Autumn meeting of 1920, with its keen and exciting racing, large attendance, and successful financial outcome. A meeting such as that just concluded will make for a progressive future and the encouragement of flat, crosscountiy, and light harness racing and that is what those who devote time and trouble to the management of the equine sport in the Eastern district are aiining at. During the currency of the fixture the writer ran across veteran followers of the turf hailing from Central Otago, North Otago, and several centres of the home province, all of whom spoke in terms of praise of their experiences of the two days’ racing, despite the fact that some had met with an unprofitable time.

Cattaeh was last to leave the paddock for the Grandstand Hack Handicap and his late appearance on tne track cost his trainer a fine of £l. The other starters cantered down well, but Cattach appeared to be lame behind and was not warmed up until his rider got him round to the back stretch. Sunlit made the early running, but Cattach was always with her and won well at the finish for a limping horse. There was a very fine battle for second honours. The winner is an upstanding son of All Red and a good mare in her day called Replete, who is also know as the dam of *the brilliant Clynelish. The fact that he was apparently lame behind kept many people from backing him, but there were others, again, who knew that he has long suffered in this respect and they profited accordingly. He did his work really well and may win again soon psovicied he remains sound. It is stated that his connections anticipated his success with confidence, and, if so, they obtained a remunerative price about their representative.

The fine field of eighteen pacers contested the Progressive Trot and there were some smart horses in the field. With one exception the competitors moved out well, Minimax and Eros being prominent in this respect. Haroldsoon was presently joined by Minimax and the race resolved itself into a very’ enjoy able duel between the pair, with a big bunch battling for third place. Haroldsoon outstayed his rival over the last one hundred yards and beat him by a couple of lengths with something in hand and -cleverly driven on the inner by J. McLennan Silver Shoe, who also commenced smartly, was in third place, after pacing a good race. Haroldsoon was bred at Willowbank Stud by Messrs Stevenson and McMath and has to be classed as bred in the purple. He is a son of the successful stallion Harold Rothschild from Too Soon (sister to Go Soon and Wiusoon, N.Z. Cup winner), by The Gossooa—Topsy, by Maclethean—thoroughbred mare. He also ranks as a full brother to the speedy Lady Rothsoon and a half-brot-her to W airo'ngoa. As he has not been overraced and Is only a six-year-old Haroldsoon should be heard of again in more select company. Minhuax looked to be a better horse than ever before in his racing career, and he was somewhat, unlucky to meet a good pacer like the winner on the day. Biddy Tracey put up a good showing, and Malice proved that he is developing into a very solid customer over twelve furlongs or two miles.

The party behind Almoner and the general public went for the son of Boniform strongly in the Racing Club Handicap and he duly pulled them through, but they had a narrow squeak of losing their money or getting but a small portion mf it back, as it was only in the last few strides that he got his head in front to increase the advantage to a neck at the winning post over Benefit, with Mazama a head away. Eleus was going great guns one hundred and fifty yards from home and looked like a winner at the time, but, a little further on he was let alone for a few strides, Robinson appearing to fumble the reins, and it was then too lafe to reach the money. At the same time the black gelding was very close to the placed horses at the finish. Almoner ran a determined race and it looks as if he is going to come * back to profitable form. Little A. E. Ellis rode a vigorous finish on the winner and T. Metcalf also stirred Benefit up to advantage. Almoner is a well-bred gelding by Boniform from Cassock, by Ladurlad—Urania, by Elected (son of Trenton) —Monkshovel, by —Nightmare, by Panic—Evening

Star (imp). As Boniform represents a great staying family and Cassock descends from -that great taproot of enduring horses. Nightmare, it is only to be expected that Almoner should race well beyond eight furlongs. '

Martifors, who may be classed as An unducky mare, dwelt at the send-off fir the Hokonui Hack Handicap and thus lost her chance, as Red Pal went out smartly and ran hard and fast all the way to the winning post, to score by four lengths from Lewis Gun, a rather useful son of Calibre, whose dam is claimed to be a marc of unknown breeding. Red Pal, who was bred by her owner, Dr J. E. Rogers, is a halfsister to two good performers Neuroma (De la Rey) and Red Admiral (Vice-Ad-miral) and there is every hope that she, too, will take a prominent place as a scoring galloper, but it may be over the battens, as she is intended to race with the jumping division presently, and she is built that way, while she is naturally gifted in negotiating obstacles. Mettle Drift again ran well and it is evident that the son of Rorfke’s Drift is getting into form similar to that of last season. Lady Knight carried 121b overweight which was quite enough to account for her indifferent showing.

When Dunmure dodged the second fence in the Suburban Steeplechase and Take Down encouraged the belief that she was going to stand up to her task a great deal of interest went out of the race. Miss Trixie displayed greatly improved form from that of the opening day, but Take Down had to be reckoned on as more than her match on breeding and performances, and so it turned out. The well-bred daughter of Downshire (imp.) and Decoy, by Medallion—Siren, by St. George—-Watersprite, by Traducer—• Waterwitch, is descended from families equal to furnishing an Invercargill Cup w>nner, hence soutnern horses are always Likely to have a hard time of it when opposed to a mare of her calibre over country with a stand-up guaranteed until the day comes when she has earned substantial burdens, Miss Trixie ia capable of improvement on the score of condition in the near future, but it will take time and trouble to fit Fair Play, Whipcord and Wilden Loch for crosscountry work.

Kilbrogan was rushed into the position of first favourite for the President’s Handicap and rightly so in the company he was • to uooa to keep, but it was unfortunate for his rivals-that he ehould be coming in on the move when the barrier shot up. He tried the patience of the onlookers and riders of the other starters alike by his stubbornness at the post and was finally taken back behind the field. He was next asked Ur move up and as he came in the signal was given, the result being that he made his way to the front in a few strides, and the race was practically over Added to this, two of his most dangerous opponent.'. Benefit and Revolution lagged on the mark and also had to-start flat-footed. Palamon got to the favourite at the end of a furlong and pressed him to the home stretch, but Kilbrogan’s initial advantage stood him in good stead and he won hv a neck, while Revolution came fast < • ;.:f- ’• i neck further away, and it looked as if she might have won had all started from a stand and on even terms. Time and again Kilbrogan has benefited in this manner after keeping well-behaved horses fretting on the starting line and it is almost time that the racing authorities took his case into serious consideration and either refused his entry or compelled starters to stand him flat-footed behind other people’s well-mannered performers. It was not surprising that the public protested loudly when the bad one who always gets the best of it at the starting gate came back to the weighing enclosure hailed as a winner.

The race for the Telegraph Trot resolved itself into a trial for supremacy between Lucalena (General May—Moorish Maid) and Vera Mauritius, but the former was too good over the full journey and thus the imported Australian mare had to play second fiddle and the South Canterbury Jones (F. E.) defeated the Southland Jones (W.) by several lengths. Lucalena exhibited promise at the Wyndham and S.R.C fixtures on the opening days of the current year and it was thus not surprising to find her a winner yesterday, as she has been nicely conditioned since then. Kentucky Wood made a good showing to the distance, but there was not a great deal of merit in Indiana Girl’s placing, as several of the riders engaged did not act as if they had any desire for third money. Matin Chimes was an exception and the clock showed that she had paced round the track at a fast gait.

Silver Peak was a very warm first selection for the Borough Handicap, but she could not see the distance out after making the pace over the greater part of the journey and Kilkee came along fast to win with his ears pricked while supporters of

Thaddeus were counting their prospective gains. Kilkee, who looked well and galloped very freely, was the third winner pro- ; uuced from Korke’s Drift Lodge during the j afternoon, the others being Almoner and j R-'d Pal. The third horse, Aycliffe, ran ‘ a i solid race, but the useful Silver Peak created | the impression that a rest would do her no i harm. ! CLIFDEN- RACING CLUB. 1 HANDICAPS FOR TROTTING RACES. The following are the handicaps for the trotting races at the Clifden R,C.’s meeting on Wednesday next: — TUATAPERE TROT (1} miles)— Lady Tux, Dandy Dragoon, Zingiber,, Wallace Mirandy, Guy Wild. Greenhorn, Te Temutu, Fenchild, Harold Yet, limit; Minim, 12yds behind, Bushranger 60, Restoration 72, McConnochie 120. ALTON TROT (2 mil»)— Lady Tux, Kentucky Hector, Dandy Dragoon, Zingiber, Frenchild, Te Temutu, Wallace Mirandy, Guy. Wild, Greenhorn, limit; Bushranger, 84yds behind; Restoration, 96; Princess Cok, 132. CANTERBURY JOCKEY JLUB. AN IMPORTANT SCRATCHING. (Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, March 11. Silver Link has been scratched for oil engagements at the Canterbury J.C.’s Autumn meeting at 1.30 p.m. to-day. BOWLING. 0 TE RANGI v. NOKTHEND. The semi-final in the four rinks championship between Te Rangi and Northend was pßfyed on the Southland Green last evening. The green was a little heavy and was not drawing well on one baud, but some of the bowling was decidedly good. In two rinks Northend scored heavily and won tiie match by 20 points. Northend and Invercargill play off in the final. The scores were as follow: ITEnd. TeR. WaEace .. .. 15 Waugh Hannah 23 Strang U Yates 27 Ayling g Steans 9 Prycie Totals 74 54 CRICKET. SOUTHLAND v. OTAGO. The following team has been selected to represent Southland in the match against Otago to be played on Rugby Park on March 17 and 18:—James Gilbertson (captain), D. Mcßeath, J. A. Doig, A. Washer, H. Gleeson, A. Poole, Don Hamilton, J. Darragh, V. Raines, T. Groves, E. Kavanagh. Emergencies: T. Battersby, G. Fraser, A. Hamilton, R. Caxnm, H. Mcßeath. The emergencies are to be selected from the men mentioned at the discretion of the selectors.

James Hamilton -would probably have been chosen, but he was not available. A WANGANUI INCIDENT. •EXECUTIVE’S RESIGNATION DEMANDED. , (Per United Press Association.) - WANGANUI, March H. A big meeting of cricketers and supporters of the game demanded the resignation of the Wanganui Cricket Association executive. At the conclusion of the day’s play in the senior match Victoria v. Imlay on February 21, a member of the former team is alleged to have stmck one of the umpires who was a visitor from Dunedin. The matter was discussed by the executive lest week, and it was decided to . take no action, after a motion to suspend both the player ami the umpire, who was alleged to have given provocation, had been defeated by one vote. This decision created indignation among the majority of the cricketers, who convened a meeting with the result stated above. SWIMMING. LADIES’ BREAST STROKE RECORD. BRISBANE, March 10. Miss Venning won the Ladies’ 100 Yards Breast Stroke Swimming Championship of Queensland in Imin 27 4-ssec—a world’s record.