SPORTING

Southland Times, Issue 19898, 17 June 1926, Page 3

SPORTING

NOTES BY SIR MODRED. Napier Park R.C. Winter fixture opens Friday. NX Derby entries (177) constitute an easy record. Canterbury J.C. yearling entries have increased by 247. Thursby ranks as the improving hack of AJLC. tracks. Aucklanders Eh Timi and Scat will be raced in Sydney. Mr W. G. Stead has ten rising two-year-olds now in training. Otautau R.C. is applying for an extra days racing next season. T. F. Quinlivan may train some horses hr Mrs M. A. Perry. It is stated that Bumptious, by Kilboy— Conceit, may not race again. Runnymede has been engaged in leading Australian spring events. The smart pacing mare Dolly Dillon is working again on Addington tracks. The Australian Steeplechase winner, Pericles, was bred by Maorilander E. J. Watt. Sir Wai jumped well at Otaki and R. Knox is said to own another good leaper. F. Holmes owns Lady Superior, dam of the New Zealand Sapling Stakes youngster Richore. Kendal's rider lost an iron during the Great Northern Steeplechage race at Eller•lie. The entry of rising two-year-olds in Canterbury and Otago are of an encouraging nature. The Auckland Trotting dub’s Winter meeting will open on Saturday and extent to June 23. The well-known Poverty Bay trainer, C. Morse, has a string of fifteen horses in work. Maori horseman Rangi Thompson's cheque for winning G.N. Steeplechase on Dick amounted to £135. Auckland mentor C. Coleman may race the smart hack Gay Comet at Wellington and Riccarton. The West Coast jumper, North Inch, has been schooling promisingly over the big country at Riccarton. Southland-owner pacer, Logan Chief, who has been in retirement for some time, has gone to Auckland to race. Australian Steeplechase winner, Pericles, is by All Black—Perseis, by Posh ano—Circle, by Castor—Cissy (a sister to Trenton, by Musket ■. The Canterbury pacing mare, Bessie Logan, who has gone to race at Auckland, is eaid to be a performer of more than average merit and a stayer. Mr J. S. McLeod, breeder and ex-owner of Runnymede. has engaged four rising two-year-olds in forthcoming Australian classic events. Some of the best cross-country steeplechase performers in commission in the North Island are likely to sport silk at the Napier Park R.C. fixture. The Canterbury J.C. received nominations for seven classic events last week to the tune of 964, which represents an increase of 247 over the entries for similar races last season. The limited distance of the Napier Steeplechase will suit Puwhero and he is likely to go out a short-priced favourite, particularly as the weight adjuster has not been unkind to him. Nukumai has been well treated in the Napier Steeplechase. as the crack hurdler carries 12.5, which is only 41b more than he with on his last appearance at the Egmont fixture. The breakdown of Sir Roseberry was doubly unfortunate for his owner-trainer W. Garrett, as space had been booked on the Ulimaroa to convey the jumper to Melbourne this week to run at the V.R.C. Grand National meeting. At a recent meeting at Moorefield, Sydney, the ex-New Zealand trainer, G. Price trained three winners. Bonne Chose and Cibud being the division winners in the Maiden Handicap, and My Chant accounted for the Juvenile Handicap. One of G. Price’s winners at Moorefield was a New Zealand-bred filly, Bonne Chose, who is by Absurd—Bon Espoir, by Boniform—Ring Dove (imp.), by Collar—Miss CTiififinch. The dam of the winner is a halfsister to Cooing and Cashmere. Up-to-date Dick, winner of the Great Northern Steeplechase, has contested 98 races. He has been placed first ©n 12 occasions, second nine times, and third nine times, while his unplaced record is 68. On Saturday morning the Auckland horseman. R. E. Thompson, was in attendance at Trentham to school Dubious and Master Peter. Dubious (writes ‘The Watcher” in the Dominion) jumped three hurdles in good style, being accompanied over the first two by the Absurd mare Star Chamber. Master Peter jumped the five steeplechase fences on the course proper, going over the sod wall, the logs and board fence down the back, the brush at the top turn, and the board fence on the last of the turn. He gave a good display. Both these jumpers will race at the Hawke’s Bay meeting, and will leave for Hastings a few davs earlier than usual in order to get some schooling on the scene of action. They are both in good order and well forward. Thompson will pilot Mr E. Riddiford’s representatives at the fixture at Hastings. The New Plymouth-owned Te Monanui has not been given a lengthy spell after a strenuous campaign in Maoriland and a fruitless visit to New South Wales, as he is again in work. He has been entered for a number of the leading spring handicaps in Australia and he may be found running again in Sydney at spring meetings. In view of possibilities of the future, it is interesting to learn that there has been some illuminating schooling at Hastings. On the occasion referred to Mount Clyde and General Carrington were sent over six hurdles, jumping well, the latter pleasing most. Mount Clyde is only green at the game as yet, but promises well, being a fine bold fencer. Good Sport jumped five fences carefully. He is getting much more confidence, and maintains the promise he showed at Wanganui. Sturdee, the Grand National Steeplechase winner of 1924, and Fireblight gave a fine exhibition over the country, neither ever looking like making a mistake. In the round and a half Sturdee finished in front. In connection with the Gisborne Racing Club’s winter meeting, the executive has decided to pay the steamer fares one way on all horses visiting Gisborne for the meeting, and actually starting in a race. The step is a radical one, but the lack of easy communications has so discouraged owners who used to visit Gisborne regularly that some special inducement is now necessary to bring them there. The entry list for the Hawke’s Bay Hurdle Race, £250 (about one mile and

threequarters) provides material for an ] instructive race, as follows—Comical, Ngata, ' Comedy Prince, Sir Wai, Dubious, Euchre, ! San Fera, Highway, Koauau, Monte, Royal Heather, Nukumai, Santiago, General Carrington, Crown Coin, Landbird, Good Sport, Merry Singer, Many Colours and Eonmark. The race will be run on Friday, June 25. Commencing to move along on the Randwick tracks is Bicolor, the brother to Windbag. The youngster shows galloping attributes of high order. Rising three years old, he has purposely been given time to I mature, an experiment which shows bene— ' ficial results in his appearance. Bicolour is • the property of Messrs BaiUieu and “Con—stable,” and is trained by J. Carey. He can be safely regarded as a likely Derby and Cup candidate. He had two unsuccessful outings as a two-year-old. With important events ahead in the 1 jumping line, it is very interesting to note i that a satisfactory entry has been secured for the Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase, £4OO ! (about three miles) as follows —Passin’ I Through. Mahia, Ranui, Mahee, Lark Hall, , Master Peter, Highway, First Line, Sup- i porter, Nukumai, Lady Comet, Puwhero, J Silent Dick, Landbird, Fireblight, Sturdee, Red Cent, Birka, Greekson, Velvet King, Woden. This list of twenty-one entrants contains the names of some of the best cross-country performers in the North Island and, if half the number go to the post, the Hawke’s Bay J.C. management committee will have cause to rejoice, while ; the result will be awaited with great in- i terest throughout Maoriland. It is understood that P. Mcßrearty’s collarbone was splintered and not broken when Tuki fell with him at Ellerslie. This may mean that Mcßrearty will not be fit to ride again until after the other horsemen who sustained just simple fractures of the collarbone at the Auckland R.C. Winter fixture. The £30,000 second prize in the London Stock Exchange sweep on the Derby went j to Miss Farr, daughter of a retired bank accountant. It was in a picture show, says a Sydney Sun cable, that Miss Farr learned of her good luck. The result of the Derby was thrown on the screen. Unable to sit any longer in a cinema show, she went out and bought a cup of tea to celebrate the event. Miss Farr states that she intends to travel the world later. She is described as young and extremely pretty. Apparently worth looking out for. Where weight-for-age events are concerned the Australian J.C. distributes handsome prize-money and it is thus possible for a good horse to win a large sum during any one season by simply running into places without actually winning a race. In this connection a list compiled by a Sydney ; Referee scribe shows Pilliewinkie at the top « of the tree for all classes of races decided at Randwick during the current turf term. Without having won a race at Randwick for the season the ex-Maorilander has ac— ■ counted for £2300, Petunia £l6OO, Frances ; Tressadv £1450, and Caserta £l2OO. . I For the Melbourne Cup, to be run in November next, 328 entries have been received, as compared with 353 and 351 for 1925 and 1924 respectively. Though less than the entries for the last two years, there are more entries this year than for any year prior to 1924. Altogether 336 horses have been entered for the Caulfield Cup—to be run a week or so earlier —compared with 321 last year and 334 in 1924. For the preceding years the number of entries was always less than 300. “Sir Lancelot” contributes the following remarks to the columns of the N.Z. Sportsman —“One has heard so much adverse comment in the past about the starting at Otago meetings that it is pleasing to report that Mr Mclvor’s starting was quite a feature of the Dunedin J.C.’s Winter meeting, and easily the best ever seen at Wingatui.” Had he been acquainted with the circumstances of the case the Wellington scribe might also have added that it has taken the majority of the South Island turf writers more than three years to admit the fact that the Southlander is a proficient ( starter—Mr Mclvor has been a very clever ! starter of gallopers and jumpers since the | opening of his career as official despatcher, | while he has acquired the art of sending fight harness fields away in the meantime. A message from Chicago states that three gamblers were so anxious to “make a killing” over the Illinois Handicap, the principal race at the Aurora (Ill.) meeting, that they poisoned four thoroughbreds. Ten minutes before the parade, news reached the track that the horses were ill, and j the evidence of tampering was so plain . that the race was cancelled. One mare died • during the evening and the others are still • sick. The police obtained confessions from • the gamblers that they had given the | horses strychnine in sugar. If the poison ' had not acted so quickly, the gamblers expected to make a £50,000 coup. In commenting on the running of the Wanganui two-year-old, Kiosk, in Sydney, several North Island writers hint that the son of Tea Tray ay not return to New Zealand as there is a likelihood that he will change hands. A sporting writer who resides beyond the boundaries of the home province and who is noted for his advocacy of the galloping horses and never failing adverse criticism of the hoppled pacer and his gear, is advised to peruse the following paragraph—Within the last ten years bandages on the forelegs of a racehorse have become not exactly common, but quite usual, an ex-New Zealand trainer equipping most of his longdistance performers with what the racecourse wag calls “spats.” That they are no hindrance to a horse’s propelling powers was clearly proved when such a commoner as Murray King could win the Sydney Cup in leg bandages. His stable-mate Windbag always wears them, and so did that good horse The Hawk, and the many victories of those two celebrities have caused other trainers to adopt bandages, probably in the hope that they may improve the speed of their charges. In America, however, they go one better than we do (says the Sydney Mail), and put the bandages on the hind legs, and they extend from just below the hock right down to the coronet, the pastern being completely covered. That is how the English colt Carlaris, now racing there with such success, was bandaged when he won the rich Coffroth Stakes, one mile and a quarter, in Mexico, on March 28. Not far from where he was photographed can be i seen another horse who is similarly bandaged ; so that while some of our trainers find that their charges require support to | the forelegs in their races, their American cousins are of the opinion that the hind limbs require it most. One of these days we may expect to see a horse step on the course rigged “fore and aft” in this manner. The once-useful welter performer, Battle Knight, was started in the hurdle race on the opening day of the Otaki meeting, but he gave an inglorious display, and at one stage looked to be a furlong behind the field. The Solferino—Madama gelding almost failed to raise a gallop at all. It is extraordinary what a change of stables does for some horses. Santiago is a case in point. Some months ago (writes the Wanganui correspondent of the Sun Sports Review) his owner made a present of Santiago to his trainer, H. W. Johnston, and later the latter tired and sold him for £lOO to the Rangitikei trainer, Clive McKay. The latter brought him back to Wanganui prior to the local meeting, and he was 100 per cent, better horse on appearances. After running quite a good race in the Century Hurdles, Santiago finished second to Crown Coin in the May Hurdles, returning a very fine price, and this, together with the second money, should very nearly repay his owner for his outlay. Santiago is in the Ahuriril Hurdles at the Napier Park R.C. meeting 1 to-morrow and it is reported that he will strip an improved horse. He may be ridden by L. G. Morris, who, it is stated, | promised to pilot the San Fran gelding prior i to swearing off riding in jumping events, i

I Lucullent contested the three leading hurdle events at the Auckland R.C.’s Winter meeting, and was getting better with every i race. When he fell at the second to last fence on the final day he looked like troubling Archibald and Black Cruiser, and this fact should be kept in mind. All going well in the meantime (says an Aucklandwriter) Lucullent should be a very fit horse for the Wellington R.C. Winter meeting, where he won the Winter Hurdles last year from Comical and Penury Rose, who secured Ithe place money. A well-informed North Island writer says that Bonny Rill displayed sufficient form at ! the Wanganui J.C. meeting to point to her winning a hack steeplechase at the Napier Park R.C. or Hawke’s Bay J.C. meetings. Writing of a good horse, a northern scribe who is on the spot, says that Nuku--1 mai is well enough to lead the field home i in the Napier Steeplechase. This will probably be a preliminary to the Welling- ! ton Steeplechase, and then the Grand | National. i If Omahu goes on the right way he will ! take his place in the Wellington fields. Although he failed at Wanganui, running a moderate third (remarks the Wanganui correspondent of the Christchurch Sun Review) from that performance, with the Maniapoto gelding going better than anything else at the finish, it was thought that another fortnight’s work and schooling would fit him for the Great Northern Steeplechase, but apparently his trainer was not sanguine, and the trip north was called off. Although there is a chance of Omahu going south for the Grand National, he does not like the country there, although he has won over the Riccarton fences.

Lucullent contested the three leading hurdle events at the Auckland R.C.’s Winter meeting, and was getting better with every race. When he fell at the second to last fence on the final day he looked like troubling Archibald and Black Cruiser, and this fact should be kept in mind. All going well in the meantime (says an Auckland writer) Lucullent should be a very fit horse for the Wellington R.C. Winter meeting, where he won the Winter Hurdles last year from Comical and Penury Rose, who secured the place money.

RUGBY. EASTERN DISTRICT GAMES. (From Our Correspondent.) The Eastern District Rugby fixtures were continued yesterday in unfavourable weather, wet grounds and greasy leather combining to make good play difficult. At Mataura the home team defeated Albion by 23 points (7 tries one converted) to 3 (one penalty goal). In the first spell play was fairly even, but the second half was distinctly one-sided. The Albion backs were very weak on defence and while their forwards acquitted themselves fairly well the lack of cohesion coupled with technical mistakes gave Mataura the upper hand. Mr. F. Daubney controlled the game. At Gore, Pioneer defeated Edendale by 13 points (3 tries and one penalty goal) to 3. Mr. D. Mulvey refereed. SECOND GRADE. At Gode, Pukerau defeated Pioneer by 21 points to nil. Mr. J. J. Shanks was the referee. THIRD GRA.DE. At Gore, Pioneer defeated Albion by 33 to nil. Mr. F. O’Kane refereed. At Mataura, High School defeated Mataura by 15 to 5. Mr. I. W. Martin refereed. FOURTH GRADE. Pioneer defaulted to Wyndham. SELECTORS CRITICISED. Christchurch, June 16. Criticism of the South Island selection was voiced at a meeting of the Canterbury Rugby Union. The chairman remarked that the selectors had not seen the front rankers before choosing them. Other members held that the selectors should have more time in which to see the players, and to do their work properly. A sub-committee was set up to draft suggestions to this end. ALL BLACK TOUR. NEPIA AND McGREGOR NOT AVAILABLE. (Special to the Times.) Wellington, June 16. Mr. S. S. Dean, Chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Union, stated to-day that in reporting the selection of the All Black team for the Australian tour the selectors (E. McKenzie, Geddes and Davies) said that N. P. McGregor (Canterbury) and George Nepia (Hawke’s Bay) were not available. MEETING OF MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. THE AUSTRALIAN TOUR. Wellington, June 16. ' At a meeting of the Management Com- : mittee of the New Zealand Rugby Union to-night the chairman, Mr S. S. Dean, said he thought that New Zealand should be j adequately represented at the next Olympic Games when an appeal for support was made by the Olympic Council. It was decided to reply that the Union would give all the help it could. A letter was received from Hawke’s Bay asking for a match against the All Blacks i to tour Australia. To be considered but at present not thought practicable to reply to. It was decided that the captain and vicecaptain unveil a memorial to the late Robert (Dickey) McGregor in Sydney, now being erected by the New Zealand footballers and admirers over his grave there. The South Canterbury Union complained that the South Island selectors made no effort to gain first hand knowledge of the players nominated by their union.—Letter received. Mr C. J. Rutherford, secretary of the French Rugby Union, wrote stating that he would be able to advise definite acceptance of the French tour of New Zealand next season in a month’s time. Rugby is evidently booming in Samoa as a letter received from the Union there stated that over 200 had been engaged in the competitions there this season. Their teams had beaten representatives from the warships and they were looking forward in the future to tour New Zealand and play their Maori cousins. Mr H. S. Leith was appointed manager of the New Zealand team to tour Australia, C. G. Porter was -appointed captain and M. F. Nicholls appointed vice-captain. MAORI SHIELD. WIN FOR WANGANUI. Wanganui, June 16. At Rugby a match to-day between Wanganui and Wainui-a-rua (upriver) Maoris for the Maori Shield, was won by Wanganui by 14 points to 7, after an interesting and exciting game.

HOCKEY. THE WEDNESDAY COMPETITION. YESTERDAY’S GAME. At Queen’s Park yesterday afternoon Technical College defeated Fortrose by 5 goals to one. The ground was sodden and not conducive to good hockey. The Fortrose members were frequently penalised for “sticks” and the play on this side was hesitating and ill-timed. The teams were:—Technical: M. Edgar; D. Godward, J. Burt; M. Smith, M. Killy, G. Macdonald'; E. Smith, N. Olsen, M. Dixon, N. Soper and I. Lister. Fortrose:—E. Shirley; H. Anderson, M. Riddle; C. Stirling, A. McKenzie, I. White; M. White, R. Lawson, M. Hagen, Mrs. McCarthy and O. Chisholm. Technical won the toss and played in an easterly direction. From the bully the ball went from Miss Dixon to Misses E. Smith and Olsen, the latter cleverly dummying the goalie to score the first try for Technical. Fortrose took command of the ball from the

bully and led by Miss Hagen the forward? succeeded in bringing play to the Technical circle. Miss Killy, beating Miss McKenzie for the ball, relieved. The ball passed to Miss Olsen, who sent it up the line but missed a shot at goal. From the ensuing bully Miss Dixon, by a good solo effort, dribbled to the Fortrose circle from where she shot a neat goal. Misses E. Smith and Olsen were the only players on the ground who had any idea of combination, and after some up and down play a rapid interchange of passes between these two resulted in the latter scoring. A few minutes later Miss Smith also scored from a scramble in front of thelFortrose goal. The 'half-time score was 4—o. In the second spell play slackened down greatly. Miss Dixon secured a goal for Technical, Miss McKenzie scoring for the visiting team. Mr. E. H. Battin refereed. EASTERN DISTRICT COMPETITION. (From Our Correspondent.) The weather was showery for the Eastern District hockey fixtures yesterday afternoon and the grounds were heavy after the recent rains. On the Hostel grounds, Gore, the Mataura “B” team defeated High School “B” by 2 goals to one after an evenly contested game. Mr. P. Pauline was the referee. At Edendale the Gore High School “A” team defeated Edendale by two goals to one. Mr. J. Brady was the referee. Mat aura “A” and Gore Ladies had an interesting game on the former team’s ground, Mataura, winning by two goals to one. The home team forwards combined well and played the short passing game to advantage. Mr. G. C. Hamilton controlled the game. GOLF. LADIES’ MATCH AT OTATARA. The following is the draw for the ladies’ golf match to be played at Otatara to-day: Miss Pilcher plays Mrs. T. M. Macdonald. Mrs. Hall-Jones plays Mrs. Handyside. Mrs. Tansley plays Mrs. C. F. A. Jones. Miss M. Perrin plays Mrs. Carr. Mrs. Pottinger plays Mrs. Mackrell. Mrs. A. E. Smith plays Miss S. Perrin. Miss Henderson plays Mrs. Barclay. Mrs. Gilmour plays Mrs. Gilkison. Miss Crofts plays Mrs. T. F. Macdonald. Mrs. Camm plays Mrs. Broad. Mrs. Mac Ewan plays Mrs. Broad. Miss McQueen plays Miss Watson. Miss Anderson plays Miss Hamilton. Mrs. Macleod plays Mrs. P. Thomson. Mrs. Thomas plays Miss Speirs. Mrs. Chilwell plays Mrs. Cruickshank. TENNIS. DAVIS CUP. MOTION FOR LONGER INTERVAL IN CONTESTS. (Rec. 7.20 p.m.) London, June 15. The Lawn Tennis Association decided to I support the South African forthcoming moj lion in favour of Davis Cup contests being played at longer intervals than a year.— Sun Gable.