SPORTING

Southland Times, Issue 19772, 21 February 1923, Page 3

SPORTING

NOTES BY SIR MODRED. "Hie annual fixture of the Ciifden R.C. takes place to-day. Winton Stakes winner, Laughing Eyes, has been engaged at Gore. That good pacer Gleaming does not look like standing another preparation. The nominations for the light harness •vents at Gore are much above the averse The extra day—for charity— at the Dunedin J.C. Autumn gathering resulted in a distinct loss. A good quality field of thirteen has been entered for the principal event of the Gore RCs. Autumn fixture. Will Oakland stripped well at Riccarton on Saturday and should win again over short courses in the near future.

A meeting of The Hawk and Tamatete at t.O in the Jackson Stakes at Wanganui on Saturday will arouse keen interest.

It is reported that a prom inent Christchurch light harness racing enthusiast has been in treaty for the Waimate mare Vilo, who has New Zealand Cup qualifications.

Adjutor, who has been engaged in the principal flat events at the Gore A.C. Auttumn meeting, is a six-year-old hack by Adjudge. the sire of Silver Peak. He is a wellturned gelding and creates the impression that he will stay well when prepared and ■easoned for long-distance racing.

The Polymnian. who finished in third place to Gay Juliet and Parody in the Trial Stakes at. Riccarton on Saturday, attracted widespread attention from visitors to the Cheviot R.C. meeting. The brother to The Cypher is a compact, bloodlike gelding and a bulldog finisher. One hundred and fifty yards from home he appeared to be well beaten by the winner and runner-up, but a couple of light applications of the stick and he put in a few long strides that brought him almost into line with the leaders crossing the winning line. The son of Martian and Polymnia (imp.) is owned by Mr C. Gerard, of Canterbury, and trained by J. B. Pearson at Riccarton. He is possessed of sound limbs and good hocks and may be set down as a promising racing proposition, provided he is not overdone until he furnishes as a three-year-old performer.

Very few of the stock of Mr J. Grigg’s imported stallion Gay Lad have, so far, been seen in action, but two of the tribe, Ardour and Gay Juliet, have already demonstrated the fact that they ean travel fast and win money. Gay Juliet was lucky, perhaps. to win the Trial Stakes at Riccarton on Saturday, the loss of an iron proving a severe handicap to the lad on Parody, but she won cleverly and at a fast gait. Her breeding is interesting to Southlanders, as she is a half-sister to Brackenfield and Mr W. T. Haxlett’s gelding July Spark, and, like the geldings named, is somewhat inclined to be on the leggy side. Gay Juliet is raced by the Hon. Mrs Tahu Rhodes, and the initial success of the fair sportsman on Saturday waa popular in social circles.

It was recently discovered that the retirement of Reta Peter, twice winner of the New Zealand Trotting Cup, had been brought about by a nasty splint which took some time to develop. The trouble, having been practically overcome, the daughter of Petereta is being treated to light road and track work, the intention being to get her ready to race again during the Grand National Carnival fixture at Addington.

In reply to a deputation speaking on behalf of the smaller racing clubs in regard to excessive taxation, the Premier is reported to have replied that, “in accordance with the arrangements made with racing clubs two years ago, he proposed to introduce legislation during the coming session which would, tb a certain extent, relieve them of exafion. He had to be guided by the financial position, but he could not forget that horse-owners had voluntarily offered in a time of stress to submit to a 5 per cent, reduction on the stakes, on the understanding that this would be reviewed after two years. He would adhere strictly to this arrangement and would ask the House to legislate accordingly.”

With regard to Mr Massey's reply quoted in the foregoing paragraph, it is to be hoped that any relaxation of races taxes decided upon is made in the right direction. Any rebate of the 5 per cent, levy on stakes is going to benefit the big and rich man who wins the better class stakes as a rule, while what is really wanted is decreased railroad charges for horses and the general public patronising racing fixture?, the abolition of the dividend tax and a rebate to clubs whose receipts display a genuine decrease. In the meantime, the modest racegoer, whose mere numbers make or mar the success of a fixture, is well aware of the fact that he is the principal sufferer bj r turf taxation byway of railroad, dividend and admission charges, and on many occasions when he would have assisted at meetings in days gone by, he now remains at home and wagers with bookmakers or their agents, who call round in the morning of race-day in turn with the milkman and the butcher. A reduction of the 5 per cent, tax on stakes is not going to benefit racing club? to any appreciable extent, and it is to be hoped that Mr De la Perreile (Awarua), Mr F. Lye (WellingtonI and other legislators who have ‘he matter in hand will see to it that the wishes of the genera! public and the smaller racing clubs are set decidedly before the House when Parliament considers any reduction of racing taxation.

It is understood that the meeting held at CJ.C. headquarters on Saturday last will result in the Cheviot Racing Club being placed in a sound financial position. This, of course, will be cold comfort to small country clubs unable to draw upon metropolitan centre.? in a similar manner.

Th? Hororata Racing Club’s annual meeting will be held at Riccarton on Saturday. March 24, a week before Piaster. Substantial increase? have l>een made in the stakes for the fixture, and there will be no race on rhe program me worth less than £lOO while the sum of £275 will be attached to the Hororata Cup, and the open sprint contest will be of the value of £175.

It is reported from Auckland that the steeplechaser Oskleigh and the promising hurdler, Volo, are in work again, in preparation for winter racing. Volo broke, down last season after changing hands at a substantial price.

During a recent visit to Maoriland an American light harness sportsman recommended the purchase of a certain horse in his own country for export to New Zealand. On his return to the United States the tourist, according to promise, made a personal inspection of the trotter he had suggested as worthy of importation, and as a result advised his friend in the Dominion in terse terms:—“Examined horse and found no tra<*e of spavins, but discovered some nice where same might grow." The horse referred to will stay in America.

Having become sound again. Duo. the b*~t of his age in New Zealand as a three-year-old is in work again at Hastings. The son of Demosthenes will probably be found racing at the Napier Park and Hawke's Bay Cup fixtures.

The success of Cbelidon in the Oakleigh Plate at the V.A.T.C. meeting at Caulfield on Saturday last is of interest to New Zea landers, as his sire, Broadsword, was bred in this country- by Sir George Clifford. The son of Cl an ran aid was subsequently purchased for Australia where he won two good races, Doncaster Handicap (1 mile>. and Adelaide Birthday Cup (14 miles L On being relegated to the stud, where he was. reatrirted to a few mares owned by Mr S.

A. Puiwdon, in whose colours he raced in the Commonwealth, he became known as a successful sire, his winning progeny including: Chelidon, Pindarics, Lamart, etc. I>amart, it may be mentioned, caused surprise some time ago by winning six races in succession in and around Melbourne.

Three light harness horses recently imported from America are now in quarantine at Lyttelton. A colt and a filly of the consignment will become pupils of B. Jarden’s stable while the third member of the party, a mare, will be handled and trained by Mr H. F. Nicoll’s private mentor, D. Warren. at Ashburton.

The promising three-year-old La Fayette, trained by- W. J. Tomkinson in Christchurch, is at present suffering from a severe cold, an ailment that has been prevalent in a number of Canterbury stables of late.

It appears that there was more merit in the performances of Logan Chief at Addington than met the eye. Prior to his success in the Juvenile Stakes Mr J. Duffy’s fine pacer cut himself badly in his stall on the racecourse, the injury being a deep and lengthy one. Despite the fact that he stiffened up to some extent the son of i Logan Pointer and Regina Bell won a race as reported and later in the afternoon acted as runner-up to Happy- Voyage in the contest in which the Australian-bred horse put up the best performance over one mile and a quarter ever seen under similar conditions at Addington. Christchurch followers of trotting would like to see Happy Voyage sent against the watch over a mile in harness at Addington prior to being shipped back to Australia.

Questions were being asked at Riccarton last week a= to why a recent winner was not produced to oppose some horses whom be beat pointless a week or two ago.

It is reported that the woolbrokers in a big southern centre have not satisfied their clients in regard to the “paying out” ceremony in connection with a recent race in Canterbury. At the same time, the pencillers quoted are finding it hard to explain their refusal to meet their obligations.

The steeplechase races at the Gore R.C.’s Autumn meeting should creat great interest with the flat racers Glensponse and Killory making their deput over big country and Achilleus and Glenthore appearing in public again following on lengthy spells.

The Wanganui Jockey Club’s Autumn meeting will open to-morrow (Thursday) and extend over Saturday. The principal event of the opening day will be the Wanganui Cup, while the Jackson Stakes will be decided on Saturday. A great deal of interest will be deducted from the contest for the latter event if The Hawk should be an absentee from the field and it is quite on the cards that he will be shipped to Australia this afternoon.

The Monk, who won the Federal Stakes, £lOOO (of > in 1.1 J at Caulfield on Saturday is a New- Zealand-bred two-year-old by Absurd from Cowl and it may be explained that he ranks as a brother to Rational and half brother to Almoner. Recent events have caused the Australians to fully realise the fact that the progeny of Absurd can gallop very fast as a rule.

It will not be at all surprising if Angelo should develop into a useful performer for his new owner in Otago. The Kilbroney— Angelina gelding has always looked as if he would be served by age and the bracing climate of his new home should assist in building him up to solid racing strength.

LAKE COUNTY MEETING POSTPONED. Owing to paucity of nominations, the Lake County Jockey Club’s meeting has been postponed. CRICKET. MARYLEBCWE v. SOUTH AFRICA. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.— Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association). CAPETOWN, February 19. The fifth test match was resumed at Durban. The weather was cloudy and the attendance six thousand. Light rain fell overnight, but the wicket was protected. Marylebonp, in the second innings, had lost nine wickets for 201 runs when stumps were drawn. The outfield was slow at first and the bowling keen with judicious changing. Marylebone collapsed except Sandham and Russell. The former, after a bright display, played back. Russell received an ovation, the crowd being highly appreciative of his stand, which was made despite indisposition. He engineered the bowling from Gilligan, bur owing to the bad light stumps were drawn ten minutes before time. Russell gave a chance, to short leg when twenty. The bowlers divided honours, supported by brilliant fielding throughoxit. SOUTH AFRICA. First innings 179 M.C.C. First innings 281 —Second Innings— Brown, 1.b.w., b Snooke 1 Kennedy, c Taylor b Hall 1 Woolley, c Nourse b Snooke 8 Sandham, b Francis 40 Mead, b Conyngham b Meintjes .... 5 Russell (not out) 90 Carr, b Bianckenberg 5 Fender, b Bianckenberg 0 Mann, 1.b.w., b Conyngham 15 Macaulay, b Hall 1 Gilligan (not out) 20 Extras 15 Total for 9 wickets 201 A GOOD SCORE. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, February 20. In a cricket match between teams repre sooting Canterbury and Wellington tramway employees. Wellington made 613 runs (Renner 205. Dine 179, Forenan, not out 88). Canterbury have lost one wicket for 20. SOUTHLAND ASSOCIATION MEETS.

The weekly meeting of the executive of . the Southland Cricket Association was held 'last night, there being present Messrs A. Ip H. Hoyles (chairman), A. Wish, A. 1 Driscoll. T. Battersby, James Gilbert.-on, R. Gimblett, N. Weir, M. Stanton, Bro. ; Anastasius and Mr J. Hamilton (hon. ■ secretary). 1 The secretary of the Otago Association | advised that his Association was enquiring 1 amongst the clubs to find out. what players were available for a second-grade match at ! Invercargill at Easter. ' On the motion of Mr Wish, it was derided to close the first and B grade conil*etitions and to play the team chosen to play Otago against a side drawn from the senior teams on March 3 ai d 10; also the B grade representatives against another senior team. At the suggestion of Mr Battersby it was decided to play Appleby first eleven against a team drawn from th? other clubs next Saturday. The following junior grade fixtures were arranged for next Saturday. Waironga v. High School—Gala street No. 3 area. Old Boys v. Bluff A—Biggar street No. 2 area. Bluff B a bye. THIRD GRADE. Appleby v. Union —Biggar street No. 1 Marist v. High School—Forth Street. NEXT SATURDAY’S GAMES. The following have been chosen to represent the three senior elevens in the match, Appleby v. Rest. In the B grade, Union will play a team drawn from the other teams in the competition. Both matches will be played at the Showgrounds, commencing at two o'clock: —

Fogo, J Hamilton, A. Hamilton, Dixon, Dykes (Union), J. Gilbertson (captain), Goodsir, Cook, Dr Brown (1.C.C.), Walsh, Hob (Marist).

ATHLETICS. OLD CHAMPION’S TASK. (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) LONDON, February 19. C. M. Hart, former champion runner, and now 58 years of age, has undertaken to run from Liverpool to London and hack, 430 miles, within eight days. THE N.Z. LADIES. (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) SYDNEY, February 20. (Received February 20, 7.35 p.m.) Misses Walrond and Shand are competing on Wednesday in the 220 Yards Championship of Australia, at Coogee Aquarium, which is only 32 1-3 yards in length. COURSING. (Per United Frees Association.) DUNEDIN, February 20. At a meeting of the National Coursing Association of New Zealand to-night it was resolved that the New Zealand Waterloo Cup meeting tor 1923 bo allocated to the Selwyn Coursing Club. Christchurch. The Hamilton Coursing Club was allotted the control of the Derby Oaks St. Leger.