SPORTING

Southland Times, Issue 19522, 23 May 1922, Page 3

SPORTING

NOTES BY SIR MODRED. (Special to the Times). CHRISTCHURCH, May 22. Private advice received here to-day advises that Khartoum will not compete at Ellerslie. With three wins out of her last four starts this promising cross-country horsd will probably go into retirement in the meantime. Prior to the New Brighton meeting a price in the vicinity of leur figures was offered for the pacer, Vice-Admiral, but his owner would not do business unless permitted to enjoy the horse’s prospects at the seaside meeting. It is on the cards that S. Humphreys will dispose of Vice-Admiral and Homeleigh Dick and devote his attention to rhe preparation ot a number of young horses. After his runaway escapade over more than six miles on the opening day at New Brighton it was thought that Homeleigh Dick would be too sore to start on Saturday and consequently he was not paid up for. Much to the surprise of his connections he was as fresh as a juvenile on the following day when he had to be left at home. Jockey G. Young informed the writer on Saturday that he did not take any risks by riding at the North Otago meeting owing to the fact that he expects to leave for Sydney early next month with the team controlled by R. J. Mason. Young declares that Randwick is easily the best course on which he has ridden and he is very anxious to renew acquaintance with the A.J.C. convincing ground. The well-known Invercargill light harness mentor, A. McLellan is remaining on here until after the Canterbury Park Trotting Club’s fixture with the Ashburton T. C. meeting to follow. Meanwhile Downcast and Blue Chimes are working into satisfactory racing condition. The first named performed in a promising manner at New Brighton and should be well favoured for the fixtures referred to early next month. The Riccarton-trained hurdler, Likelihood, is not altogether a novice at crosscountry racing as he has competed twice over the Canterbury Jockey Club’s steeplechase country as a hunter. At the same time he will have to be a maiden steeplechaser above the average to negotiate the Wingatui country at the first time of asking. Had his connections taken on the trip to Auckland he would have been supported from Canterbury. Following on her race for the New Zealand Treating Derby at Brighton Mr H. F. Nicholl’s, owner of the smart filly, Latona, announced his willingness to m. et the winner for £5OO aside over a similar distance (twelve furlongs) in a few days’ time. Mr J R. Carrigan was agreeable to set his treble classic winner, Great Hope, against the Ashburton filly but sportsmen concerned could not come to terms so the proposed match fell through. Had the agreement been arrived at the New Brighton Trotting Club was willing to manage the match on condition that the gate receipts were devoted to the fund for blind soldiers. On his performances Great Hope looked to have the best of the deal but Latona is very well at present. For the greater part of the journey on Saturday she was compelled to race on the outside of Edith Chimes and Great Hope, no mean handicap where young horses are concerned in a race over an extended journey. AUCKLAND RACES.

(Per United Press Association.) The following are the handicaps for the minor events on the first day of the Auckland Racing Club’s winter meeting:— MAIDEN HURDLES, of 500sovs. One pile and three-quarters.—Poanui 11.10, Vagabond 11.8, Passin’ Through, Crowhurst *1.2, Oakleigh 10.10, Voluble 10 9, King Abbey, Sir Agnes, Hyttus 10.3, Lord Kenilworth 9.13, Sturdee, Cliquot, Entente Cordials 9.12, Fiddlestrings, Walton 9.6, Hushman. Blue Cross, Glenotus, Guianfonn, Foxglove, Whakamuku, Piopio, Battleplane, Dempsey, Impudence, Tom Moore, Princess Charming, Bezant, Waikawa, Dardanelles, Mimiwhangata, Silver Stride, Royal Prince, Maori Tikanga, Oranga, Flowing Bowl, Silver Pine 9.0. MEMBERS* HANDICAP, of 650sovs. Six furlongs.—Prince Abbey 10.6, Irapuka 10.3, Mireusonta, Pavo 10.1, Chimera 10.0, Golden Bubble 9.12, Valkyrian 9.10, Sycorax, Gold Kip, Royal Present 9.5, Dovelet, Miss Gold 9.2, Loyal Irish 9.0, Strategy 8. 12, Queen Abbey, Hipo 89, Illumination 8.4, Sir Burnett, Lord/ Kenilworth, Whitianga, Golden Dream 8.2, Kilreid, Orchid, Lady Patience, Penona, Roman, Soulterina, Lady Glissas, Cold Steel, Jolly Princess, Hyllus, Ohinewairua, Pagoda, Bonny Doreen 8.0. HUNT CLUB HURDLES, of 500eovs. Two miles.—Hokimai 10.12, Sister Abbey 10.3, Irish Knight 9.12, Ginger Mick 9.12, Daddy’s Girl 9.9, Waikarehu 9.7, Glenotus, Never Despair, Esplanade, Myall King, Pittsworth, Te Kapoto, Tatton Park, Master Bounce, Te Rohae, Advise, Pipi 9.5, Big Ben, Queen Albyn, Lady Rosa, Salvor, Gamesome 9.3, Gladwin 9.2. MAIDEN STEEPLECHASE, of 500sovs. About two miles and a-half.—Explorer 12. 5, Hyginas 11.12, Maniahera 11.6, General Raven 112, Sir Solo 11.0, Shellshock, Master Boris 10.10, Te Toa, Strathglass 10.3, Cliquot 10.2, John Bunny 10.0, Hyttus 9. 12, Mangawai 9.11, Rathlin 9.8, Mary Bruce 9.3, Lady Lyddite, Toddy, Foxglove, Grand Canyon, Peer Rosa, Dumper, Eastport, Oak Abbey, Te Rohae, Indemnity 9. 0.

JERVOIS HANDICAP, of 500sovs. Seven furlongs.—Danger Zone 10.6, Cantoris 10.3, Sir Burnett 102, Jolly Princess 9.6, War Path, Bitholia, Gold Bud 9.5, Machree, Doric 9.4, Ben Nevis, Gold Star 9.3, Pentagram 9.2, Glencairn 9.0, Te Kuri, Birkenella 8 13, Rippling 8.12, Marble Crag, Emerald Hill, Arizona Maid 8.10, Polini, Wish Wynne, Lady Polly 8.9, Golden Glass, Euphoria 8.8, Blissfulness, St. Waipa 8.7, Tireless 8.6, Aniform 8.4, Gold Jacket, Te Akitai 82, Cartoon, Halligan, Salveless, Mangawhera, Utukura 8.2, Election, Pengwen, King Neva, Master Mick, L’Amour, Economic, Sanhaven—Miss Jack filly, Posullus, Semper Idem, Lady Ridicule, Quintilian, Princess Bell, Ohiti, Firesight, Queen Albyn, Reretoa, Lady Varco, Merry Lines, Veleta, Malatua, Spirit Level, Inness, Valley Queen, Edieform, Lady Merriwee, Hypothesis, Uncle Jack 8.0. The following re-handicaps are announced:— Cornwall Handicap.—Printemps 9.13. Great Northern Hurdles.—Poanui 10.0. Great Northern Steeplechase.—Khartoum 9.11. NEW ZEALAND RACING. A TRAINER’S VIEWS. The following interesting comments on New Zealand racing are taken from the latest number of the Sydney Referee to hand:— New Zealand visitors to Sydney during the past fortnight have ilcluded G. Price, who rode in Sydney when he made occasional trips here several seasons ago, but for most of the past thirteen years has trained for the Highden Stable. He was away for a time on war service. There was recently a dispersal sale of the Highden stud and racehorses in training, and while Price may eventually continue to follow his calling in New Zealand, he determined to get an idea as to the opportunities in Sydney before making a definite decision as to his future movements. He has always had a good grip of the racing position in New Zealand, and is interesting on matters associated with the sport. Discussing things as they are at present in the Dominion, he remarked: “Placing is altogether too costly for many owners just now, owing bo over-taxation and heavy travelling expenses. The cost >f taking horses to and from meetings in Vew Zealand la much heavier than ever it

was. As compared with before the war, railway charges are 160 per cent, higher. We now have to pay both ways, whereas it only used to be one. Jockeys’ fees have increased, and where you could get board and lodging for boys for 6/- a day at towns you visited, it now ranges from 8/- to 12/-. Boxes were £1 each for a horse, but now you cannot get them under £1 10/-, except where the clubs make special provision on their courses for the accommodation of trainers, boys, and horses. Wairarapa caters well, and is about the cheapest place to visit. There are 70 or 80 boxes on the course. The meals are cooked there, and there is good sleeping accommodation. Wellington, too, makes similar provision, though I think charges are slightly higher. “Trainers of standing get from £3 3/- to £4 a horse. Some take them at £2 10/-, but I should say it was difficult for them to make ends meet at that price. And if you get £4 a week it is only right you should be able to show an owner where he is to get that and the other incidental expenses out of a horse. It is hard, too, as a recent experience of my own will show.

“I took a horse by train from Palmerston to another town about 100 miles away. The prize-money was on the light side, and for a win and a of places the total earned by the horse was £l6O. As a set-off against that, the expenses were as follows': —Nomination and acceptance, four races, £10; riding fees, one winning and two losing mounts, £l2; train charges—horse, trainer and boy, £7; board and lodging and box, £4; trainer’s 10 per cent, on prizemoney, £l6; Government tax of stakes, £l6; total, £65. The deductions left my owner £95, so you will see expenses were out of proportion to the return. I don’t see how owners are to carry on unless travelling js made much cheaper, and the tax on stakes is reduced.

“Things will probably improve, but meanwhile racing is going to get a set-back, as 'many clubs cannot avoid reducing their stakes. Racing was never more popular in New Zealand, but though attendances are larger, tote betting, as you know, has fallen off. How is the decrease accounted for Well, while the war was on there was a lot more money floating about, and when it was oyer a lot of the gratuity money found its way to the totalisator. That has gone, and, in addition, the slump in the value of various commodities since the war has further tended to a shortage of cash. There are few big bettors in New Zealand now. Some who would invest £lOOO in a day have been forced to shut right down. Notwithstanding the recent falling-off, totalisator investments are still greater than in 1914, just before the war.” In reply to my query as to the horses racing in the Dominion just now, the New Zealander expressed doubt as to whether the form was quite as good as over here. “Gloaming makes everything he meets look cheap,” he remarked, “and if he makes a noise it is slight. Amythas is a marvellously good horse, but gets very sore, and that would tell against him if he met Gloaming at a mile and a-quarter or a mile and a-half. The latter goes much more kindly in his races than he used. The Hawk is brilliant, but little cc.n be said about him one way or the other as a stayer, as he has never really been trained for a distance. Winning Hit is too hard a puller to be a first-cla&s stayer. Thespian, a finelooking colt and a great galloper, and Gasbag and Grotesque are also good. The two-year-old, Rapine, strikes me as likely to make a rattling three-year-old. He is one of whom I have a very high opinion.” Chatting about the fast times made at Trentham (Wellington) Price said he did not see any reason for supposing there was any mistake. “Private watchholders make the times the same as those returned by the official timekeeper, and a white flag which goes up with a barrier makes it easy to tell when the horses Jet away. There is no better track in New Zealand than'Trentham, and as it is nothing unusual for horses carrying good shoes to run six furlongs on it in 1.15, fast times in races are easy to understand. In sprint races at Riccarton (Christchurch) a strong wind often helps the horses.”

Special tribute was paid by the New Zealand trainer to Mr O’Connor’s ability as _a starter: “Good anywhere, but for some reason or other he gets better results at Wellington than at any other course. His starting there is wonderful.” He went on to say that with those clubs now using the automatic totalisator the horses are unlikely in future to be sent to the starting post as early as was previously customary. Touching on betting in New Zealand he stated that most of the illicit book-making was restricted to doubles, both backers and layers giving preference to that form of speculation. The petition favouring the readmission of bookmakers to racecourses for business purposes is being numerously signed, and “they think they will get back,” he added. In the event of Price deciding to try his luck in Sydney, his excellent record should command itself to some of our owners, and he should also be sure of a few horses from New Zealand. , r TENNIS. BRUSSELS HARD COURTS TOURNAMENT. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn,—Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association) BRUSSELS, May 21. (Received May 22, 5.5 p.m.) In the hard court tennis championships Cochet (France) beat Degomar (Spain) in the final of the men’s singles. In the womens’ singles Mdlle. Lenglen (France) beat Miss Ryan (America). In the women’s doubles Mdlle Lenglen and Miss Ryan beat Mrs Beamish and Miss McKane GOLF. THE KIRKWOOD FUND MELBOURNE May 22. A committee appointed to raise £750 for Kirkwood, despatched £5OO on Saturday. FOOTBALL. CENTRAL DISTRICT RESULTS. The following were the Central District results on Saturday:—■ Calcium (9; v. Waianiwa (8). Otahuti (11) v. Drummond (nil). Heddon Bush (9) v. Wright’s Bush (3).