SPORTING

Southland Times, Issue 19357, 24 September 1924, Page 3

SPORTING

NOTES BY SIR MODRED. Geraldine Racing Chib’s meeting opens to-morrow. Man&watu Hunt Steeplechase meeting due to-day. Geraldine R.C.’s Spring meeting will close on Friday. Entries for Wellington R.C. Spring fixture due next week. A. J. Peart won on Songbird at Ashburton on Saturday. Gold Light started third selection in the Avondale Cup contest. The two-year-old brother to Loyal Irish will be raced as Serang. G. Fisher was in the saddle of Dame Straitlace at Ashburton races. Ashburton winner, Ophir, is a full brother to the brilliant Soliform. Automne (first) and Golden Autumn (fourth) in Avondale Stakes are by Autumn. • Kauri King's helf-brother. Hyde Park (second) was fifteenth selection in Avondale Stakes. Sunart won the Teone Makitonore Memorial Stakes dim.), at the Otaki Maori Spring meeting. The Giabome-trained Automne and Golden Autumn (fourth) were bracketed in the Avondale Stakes. The Southland-owned pacer, Logan Chief, will be raced at the Auckland T.C. Spring meeting next month. The pacer, Stroller, a full-brother to the strapless performer, Don Wild, is said to be displaying improved form at Addington. Nobody would have Kilfaire twelve months ago at £l5O. Since then the son of Kilboy has won over £7OO in stake money. When the Southland-owned and bred Te Anau Lad won Coldstream Welter at Ashburton, he was ridden to victory by E. Ludlow.

The New Zealand Cup candidates, Gold Light, Sunart and Deucalion, were returned winners in North and South Islands on Saturday.

Jockey F. WaddeL a nephew of trainer S. Waddell, has been fortunate in having Mr W. T. Hazlett’s homes to ride for several seasons past.

The Harp had a great chance in the Farewell Handicap when the straight was reached at Ashburton but T. Metcalfs saddle slipped over the final stage.

.At Ashburton on Saturday H. Burns, rider of Deucalion, winner of the Cup, was suspended for a month for interfering with Palestrina (H. Were).

Happy Warrior was only half a length away in fourth place in Ashburton Cup, when Deucalion beat Lucinette by half a head, with Dame Straitlace a head away third.

The Southland-bred colt, Father O’Flynn, who started third selection in the Avondale Stakes, apparently got swallowed up in the b:g field, as he was not prominent in the races.

Tiff 6.13 (D. O’Connor) was favourite for the Ashburton Cup on Saturday, but could not get nearer than fifth place. He is a useful novice, however, and should not be overlooked in the days to come.

It is stated that Mr E. Govan’s colt Te Anau Lad will make his next appearance in public in the Dunedin Guineas next month. He is a good-looking, sturdy little fellow and may carry weight well with age.

It is reported that a clearing sale of trotting stock in the estate of the late Mr R Jopp will be held during the currency of the Gore Racing Club’s Spring meeting. Tne well-known brood mare The Pigeon, who will be one of the lots on offer, is in foal to the imported sire Nelson Bingen.

The nominations for the Dunedin Jockey Club’s Spring meeting total 284, as compared with 268 last season, and there is every prospect of the fixture attracting widespread attention, sa there are North Islanders in the handicaps and an uniwiial number of two and three-year-olds in the classic events—McLean Stakes and Dunedin Guineas.

“The Rook’’ has something to say in Christchurch Press in connection with the final event of the Ashburton County R.C. meeting on Saturday:—“Songbird was made a solid favourite for the Farewell Handicap, and he duly won, but he was perhaps lucky as, drawing No. 7 in a seven horse race, he began smartly enough to get a slight advantage, and, chopping in, he threw the rest into disorder, and was racing second before going one hundred yards. Clareina got the worst of the clash, but among others The Harp suffered. He, however, made up his ground, and entering the straight had a royal chance, that was spoiled by his saddle slipping. As it was. Metcalf, after having a most uncomfortable ride on The Harp, was only beaten for second place by Moorland. Songbird won comfortably and Moorland ran a much beter race than on the first day.” “Starter’ reports in the Mataura Ensign: —‘Trainer T. Pollock has a team of five trotters and gallopera. The consistent pacer Dark Rosine is looking well. The Harold Rothschild—Valerie mare will probably either be sold or leased in the near future. The aged Galindo—Rosetta pacer, Dndetta, is also looking well and pacing nicely in his work on the track. The gallopers in the stable are the three-year-old gelding by Crown Imperiall H. out of Rouge, by Qiarlemange ll.—Madder, by Gossoon—Madras, by Chester—Gymkhana, by Emulation—Gaiety, by Talk o’ the Hill —Levity (imp.) by Kingston. This big gelding is being taken quietly, and is only doing light work. There is a good looking four-year-old chestnut mare in the stable by Mohawk—Miss Clutha, by General Average—Flower of Clutha, by Trump Card— Stockflower, by Saunterer—Stockrose, by Tom King—Rosemary (imp.), by Stockwell. This mare resembles her sire very much. The other member of the team is a four-yegr-oki gelding by Balboa —Country Queen. He is a small, compact horse; in fact, only a pony, but can gallop well. Owin t ’ to training mishaps and other causes Mr W. T. Hazlett’s three-year-old filly Dazzling Light, has, so far, failed to emulate the deeds of her female relatives, Razzle Dazzle (sister) and Gold Light half-sister), but there is hope for her yet. On several occasions she has displayed galloping ability in public without returning much profit, but she went one better on Monday last by finishing in fourth place in the Avondale Guineas to gain £25. It was a great race as heads separated the first three, Tuahine, Master Don and Lady Rewa, while Dazzling Light was close up and thirteen other runners followed. Trainer J. R. McMurray (writes “Starter” in the Mataura Ensign) has a large team of pacers, and a couple of gallopers in work, which keeps the local mentor and his two assistants, Messrs J. Walsh and A. Rattray, very busy. The appearance of the horses and stable is a credit to them. The pacers include Bricklayer (Coldstream Bella— Bellman mare), Lucky Dillon (Harold Dillon—Vera Mauritius), Ivy Rothschild (Harold Rothschild—Kentucky Wilkes), Homer (Our Thorpe—The Pigeon), Fashion Queen (Belfaahion —McKin-

ney mare), Free Lance (Harold Rochd-? child—Winsoon) and May Tracey (Captain' Tracey—Horold’s Pride). The three-year-olds which claim engagements in the next Southland Juvenile Stakes are a gelding by Four Chimes—Game Chick, a gelding by Harold Rothschild—Vera Mauritius, a gelding by Harold Rothschild—Ravenschild mare, and a filly by Four Chimes—Dot Robins. The gallopers are Blazing Light and the brown mare Vogue, a five-year-old daughter of Boniform and Effort.

Since she made her debut on the turf as a two-year-old in Mr W. T. Hazlett’s colours, Gold Light, winner of the Avondale Cup on Saturday last, has been a valuable and consistent performer for the President of the Southland Racing Club. As a youngster she won £605 and has continued in winning vein since that period, until, to-day, the daughter of Hymettus— Simper (imp.) has to be credited with a stake total of £7,597 10s, including £l4OO secured last week. It was»hurely a happy inspiration that led to Mr Hazlett journeying to Masterton from Invercargill some years ago to attend the sale at which he outstayed all opposition to secure the English mare, with Gold Light at foot, for 1100 guineas. Simper also produced the champion mare Razzle Dazzle for her present owner, and there are others of her descent who will yet add to her winning account. Her son by Boniform, w’ho is due to carry silk as a two-year-old this season, will be known in the race book as Beacon Light.

The Southland-owned pacing gelding, Away (reports “Argus” in Christchurch Star) has a fine turn of speed, but in the past he has not been too reliable at the barrier. E. C. McMermott has improved the southerner in this respect. Away, it may be explained, is a gelding by Adonis from Castout, and has to be recognised as a full brother to the smart Invercargill saddle performer Downcast.

Rice ar ton-trained three-year-olds were prominent at the Ashburton County R.C. meeting Lava (2), Count Cavour, Ophir and Te Anau Lad all winning races, while Footfall, Starmist, Rowene, Retrospect and Deep Drive secured place money.

During the past few seasons the stock of the imported stallion Lucullus have been making their way to the front on New Zealand racecourses in ever-increasing numbers and hardly a meeting passes in the North Island nowadays, particularly in Auckland province, at which his progeny do not get some of the money. On both days of the recent Avondale fixture the descendants of Lucullus ran well for winning and place money, but they set the seal on their fame when it came to the Avondale Guineas on Monday, the winner (Tuahine), runner-up (Master Don) and third performer (Lady Rewa) all being credited to the sire from overseas. Imported to New Zealand by Mr J. 0. Hayward, Lucullus is a particularly well-bred horse and descends on his dam’s side of the pedigree table from a mare prominent in the eyes of breeders the world over today, viz, Illuminata, who can claim Gold light, Razzle Dazzle, Heroic and St. James (America) as some of her famous tribe. The Auckland stallion referred to has had very few real opportunities at the stud but he has made his way to the front in spite of limited patronage by owners of the best of mares. The member of this family most successful in the south has been Miss Muriel, now reported to be safely in foal to Tractor. Lucullus is a brown horse, bred in Germany in 1908, by the Epsom Derby winner, Ard Patrick, while his dam, Lucca, was by Gazabat (son of Rueil)— Lucerna, by Sir Bevys—llluminata, by Kisber—Palm Branch. Foaled in 1908, Lucullus was imported to New Zealand in 1914, as the son of a Derby winner, Ard Patrick, by St. Florian (son of St. Simon) while his dam, Lucca, ranks as a winner of the German Oaks. The descendants of Lucullus, who should stay, have already proved that they are an enduring breed. The three placed performers in the Avondale Stakes all ran well as two-year-olds last season.

The Avondale Guineas winner, Tuahine, only started three times as a two-year-old last season. Her debut was made at the Napier Park R.C. Autumn meeting when she won the Kuao Handicap from Father’s Voice, Royal Diadem and a big field. Her next start was at the Wellington R.C. Autumn fixture in the Plunket Nursery Handicap, in which she filled third place to Father’s Voice and Lady Bentinck. The following day she made Ker final appearance as a youngster in the Pacific Handicap, when she started favourite, but was beaten by half a length by the outsider Fulmar, the pair being followed home by a big field. Tuahine, who is by Lucullus, is a full sister to a winner of the Avondale Stakes some time back, viz., Lady Lois, a filly who gave backers a rude shock on the occasion referred to. The dam of Lady Los and Tuahine is Persia, by Marble Arch —La ton a, by Phoebus Apollo—Antelope, by Apremont —Miss Kate, imp. (dam of Prime Warden, Sulton, Battlefield, etc.), so it will be seen that the Guineas winner of Monday last comes of an old-time famous South Island family while there can be no doubt about the credentials of her sire, Lucullus.

On the concluding of the Otaki-Maori R.C. Meeting on Monday two well-known horsemen R. J. Mackie and J. Barry monopolised the seven flat races on the programme. Mackie won on Miss Hupana, Correspondent, Rose of Athens, and Happy Day' while Barry was successful on Cierinda, Imperial Spark, and Bonena.

On the concluding day of the Avondale J.C. Spring meeting H. Gray was fined £lO for breaking his engagement to ride Town Bank in the Guineas. He steered the unplaced Glengariff, while Town Bank did not start.

The Auckland correspondent of the Christchurch Press describes the final stages of the contest for the Avondale Guineas:— “Master Don was in front half a furlong from home, and then Tuahine, Lady Rewa and Dazzling Light challenged and a great race ensued, the verdict going to Tuahine by a head, with the same distance separating Master Don, Lady Rewa, and Dazzling Light. The last-named was carried wide entering the straight, and finished under the judge’s box, and this cost her the race.” The solid race run by Mr W. T. Hazlett’s filly enhances her chance in the Dunedin Guineas if her owner should elect to start the sister to Razzle Dazzle at Wingatui. NAPIER PARK RACING CLUB. ACCEPTANCES FOR SATURDAY.

SYDNEY TURF NEWS. AN OFFER FOR BALLYMENA. THE RETIREMENT OF WINDBAG. WORKERS AT RANDWICK. GLOAMING DISPLAYS TENDERNESS. SYDNEY, September 23. It is reported that after the Hill Stakes on Saturday, Mr H. A. Knight was offered £5OOO for the winner, Ballymena. He replied that the Nassau gelding was not for sale. Windbag’s owner intends to take no risks in connection with the slight leg trouble which developed after his collision with a flagpost on the Randwick tracks recently and has decided to spell him. New Zealand will be poorly represented in next Saturday’s Hawkesbury races, the only entrants being Nora Agnes, Falladeen and Danger Zone. The middle of the grass track was open for training at Randwick this morning. The going was heavy. Gloaming did steady work, but showed faint signs of tenderness in the near foreleg. R. J. Mason’s two-year-old Breeders’ Stakes candidate, Nincompoop, by Absurd— Chelmoa, ran three furlongs in 38Asecs. Ballymena, Stony and Colloroi, three prominent members of the ex-New Zealander G. Price’s string, finished in that order after going seven furlongs just outside even time, but the trio were not extended.

Nigger Minstrel appeared to have got over his trouble of Saturday foUowing on his RosehiU Guineas victory, as he cantered freely. ■ Blackadder, who will carry the Maoriland horseman, G. Young, in the Epsom Handicap, covered eight furlongs in even time. The Victorian A.J.C. Derby candidates, Heroic and Bonaparte, ran six furlongs, the former being first home in lmin 244 secs. The brilliant Absurd mHer, The Monk, ran six furlongs in lmin 244 secs. The Melbourne horse, King Carnival, galloped a mile in lmin 49secs. The Hawk covered seven furlongs in lmin 38secs. BALLYMENA STAYS IN AUSTRALIA. z TO FULFIL AJ.C. ENGAGEMENTS. MR KNIGHT REVOKES HIS DECISION. SYDNEY, September 23. (Received September 23, 9.5 p.m.) It now appears that the hope expressed yesterday that Mr Knight might revoke his decision to send BaUymena back to New Zealand without fulfilling his Randwick engagements, is to bear fruit. Mr Knight stated this afternoon that both F. D. Jones and the jockey, McCarten, requested him to reconsider his decision, and leave the horse in Sydney to compete in Randwick weight-for age events. H® decided to faU in with their request and allow the horse to fill engagements which would include the A.J.C. Spring Stakes, Craven Plate, and Randwick Plate. In commenting on the result of the Hill Stakes, Christchurch Press of Monday last hints that Mr Knight was asked from New Zealasd to reconsider his decision, and this fact may have influenced the owner of BaUymena in changing his mind, a contingency that was hoped for by sportsmen of ail grades throughout Maoriland. The Press remarked:—“Now that BaUymena has beaten Gloaming at a mile, speculation wiU be rife as to the result of such races as the Spring Stakes, over a mile and a-half, and the Craven Plate, a mile and a-quarter, at the big spring carnival at Randwick. It is sincerely to be hoped that Mr H. A. Knight

will amend his arrangements under which Ballymena and the remainder of the team in Sydney were to be shipped home on Friday next. On receipt of Mr Knight’s cable, a reply was sent back expressing the hope of several prominent owners that last year’s ‘'AJ.C. Derby winner would be left in Australia to gather in some of the valuable stakes there, a ‘habit’ which most of the New Zealand horses who have been sent over during the past decade seem to have acquired.”

HACK HANDICAP. Five furlongs. lb st. lb. st. Serene . . . 9 0 Lochaby . . 8 9 Araby . . . 8 12 Epistle . . . 8 7 Silver Mill . 8 11 The Strand . 8 7 Kenyon . . . 8 11 Chama . . . 8 7 GREENMEADOWS HURDLES. Ont B , and a-half miles. st lb st lb Jovial . . . 11 5 Damon . . . 9 0 Pavilion . . 9 10 Birkenella . . 9 0 Good Mark . 9 7 Suspicion . . 9 0 Solid d’Or 9 3 Athens II . . 9 0 PRINCE OF WALES’ STAKES, £150. For two-year-olds. Five furlongs. st lb st lb Hymestrason 8 2 Race Day . . 7 11 Runnymede . 8 2 Gurnion . . 7 11 Tiega . . . 8 2 Shirley . . . 7 11 Beacon Light 8 2 Taradiddle 7 11 Paris .... 8 2 PARK STAKES. One and a-quarter miles. st lb st lb Correspondent 9 2 Kalakaua . . 7 11 Bumptious 9 0 Watchman 7 11 Festivity . . 8 6 Blissfulness . 7 1 Merry Singer 8 5 Master Blaci : 6 7 AHUR1RI HACK HANDICAP. Six furlongs. , st lb st lb Kilceit . . . 7 10 Stymie . . . 7 0 White Ensign 7 10 Bonnie Gold 7 0 Minstrel Boy 7 7 Epistle . . . , 7 0 Road Hog . . 7 4

* TARADALE HURDLES. One and three-quarter miles. st lb st lb Highway . . 11 5 Crown Coin . 9 10 Woden . . . 10 11 Ore Ore . . 9 5 Jovial . . . 10 7 Pavillion . . 9 1 Toa Taua . . 10 6 Rebuff . . . 9 0 Merry Bells . 10 6 RAILWAY HANDICAP. Six furlongs. st lb st lb Wassail . . . 9 11 King Folly . 7 11 Barrier . . . 8 8 Avonlea . . 7 5 Civilform . . 8 6 Royal Diadem 7 0 First Salute * 8 4 Crown Gem . 6 8 COUNTY HANDICAP. Seven furlongs. st lb st lb Gaze .... 9 2 KiUoch . . . 7 7 Sweet Heather 8 11 Silver Mill . 6 12 Lady Joyce . 8 10 Mount Marta 6 12 Crishna . , 8 4 Rowley . . . 6 12 Mountain Top 7 8 Kilmint . . 5 12 GERALDINE RACING C|,UB ACCEPTANCES FOR THURSDAY. TIMARU, September 23. FIRST HURDLE HANDICAP, £150. One mile and five furlongs. st lb st lb Blue Socks . 11 9 Votist . . . 9 0 Bellrock . . 10 3 Sayonora . . 9 0 Agnola . . . 9 9 Kerry Star . 9 0 Pomposo . . 9 6 OHAPI HACK HANDICAP, £110. Five furlongs. st lb st lb Gorgeous . . 8 10 Douce Lad . 8 4 Entreaty . . 8 8 Gold Brick . 8 4 In Time . . 8 8 Michigan . . 8 4 Golden Loch 8 8 Bonnywood . 8 4 Faloose . . . 8 8 Elba .... 8 4 Dame Fortune 8 4 Saxette . . 8 4 Lord Seadown 8 4 Moiselle . . 8 4 Gay Lassie . 8 4 Marzoin . . 8 4 Frilford . . 8 4 Shandre . . 8 4 GERALDINE CUP, £300. One mile and a quarter. st lb st lb Deucalion . . 8 12 Printemps . . 7 2 Kilfane . . . 8 11 All British . 6 12 Guncase . - . 7 7 Kukume . . 6 9 Prince Ferouz 7 6 Stream . . 6 7 Happy Warrior . . 7 3 GERALDINE TROT HANDICAP (saddle), £125. One mile and a-half. Juan Dillon . scr yds bhd Sea Pearl scr Laddie Linton 12 Logan Tree . scr Whetu . . . 24 Greywood . . scr King Sandy . 36 McNab . . scr Haunui . . . 36 Logwood . . scr Tickletoe . . 36 Bridget Lynn scr Miss Denver . 72 Bertha Dillon scr Morning Glow 72 Talent . . . scr Fireman . . 72 Wastewood . 96 SQUATTER’S HANDICAP, £125. Six furlongs. Moorland . . 8 2 Fulmar . . . 7 1 Los Ambus . 7 13 Paddy’s Hope 6 11 The Harp . . 7 13 March Off . 6 7 RAUKAPUKA HANDICAP, £110. Seven furlongs. st lb st lb Solferite . . 9 0 Cherry . . . 7 10 Waetea . . . 9 0 Bonatic . . . 7 7 Heather Lad 8 2 Brown Lady 7 0 Clontarf . . 7 13 ORARI TROT HANDICAP (in harness), £120. One mile and a quarter. Kilnine . . scr Junior . . scr Edith Locanda scr Hoy .... scr First Imperial scr Carbine Direct scr Talent . . . scr Great Epsom scr Thelma Pointer scr General Bingen scr Marvin Lass . scr yds bhd Moonlit . . scr Winsome Melody 12 Matagouri scr Rufine . . . 24 Hard Knocks scr Bob Dillon . 36 Accumulation scr Fireman . . 48 Athenic . . scr Miss O’Neil . 48 Prologue . . scr Meddler . . . 60 Jimmy Chimes scr Bruce .... 84 BELFIELD WELTER HANDICAP, £135. Seven furlongs. st lb st lb Mountain Zero Hour . 8 Lion . . . 9 9 Prosperity . . 8 5 Giantkiller 9 5 Petunia . . . 8 3 All British . . 8 8 Stream . . . 8 1 Ophir . . . 8 7 Pickaninny . 8 0 Paddy’s Hope 8 6