SPORTING

Southland Times, Issue 20014, 30 October 1926, Page 3

SPORTING

NOTES BY SIR MODRED. Birchwood Hunt meeting acceptances tonight. Masterton meeting at Trentham closes today. VJLC. Derby race at Flemington this afternoon. Melbourne Cup will be decided on Tuesday. Seven horses figure in the V.R.C. Derby field. Canterbury Jockey Club acceptances due on Monday. Payments for N.Z. Cup and Stewards’ Handicap on Monday. Banks Peninsula Racing Club Annual meeting due to-day. Birchwood Hunt Annual fixture, S.R.C.’s track, Wednesday. Opening to-day, Melbourne Cup meeting runs three days next week. Timaru Trotting Club’s Spring meeting will take place to-day. N.Z. Metropolitan Trotting Club acceptances close at noon, Tuesday. Cromwell Jockey Club Annual fixture Tuesday and Wednesday next. Handicaps for Winton J.C. Annual fixture on Saturday, November 6. Despite 10.1 to carry, Manfred is reported Melbourne Cup first selection. S. Waddell's stable combination, Beacon Light—Shirley, is highly favoured. A number of horses raced at Gore were backward in racing condition. The New Zealand-bred Naos is in fairly strong demand for Melbourne Cup. A lightweight rider is being sought for Arpent in the Stewards' Handicap. Gore pacer. Mate o’ Mine, looks particularly well, but on the lusty side. Birchwood Hunt meeting patrons will find changes at the S-R.C.’s tracks on Wednesday. Carnot will be one of the runners at the E anks Peninsula Racing Club fixture to-day. Manfred is the first four-year-old to win Caulfield Cup with a weight up like 9.6. On his form at the Gore R.C. meeting, Overdrawn will run well at N.Z. Cup fixture. On Caulfield Cup day Manfred gave no trouble in the enclosure or at the barrier. Heroic’s visit to the beach on Thursday s, ills salt water for limbs that are not right. Tarleton has displayed marked improvement since he became a pupil of J. Boyd. In the Caulfield Cup race The Banker was fourth last six furlongs from home and ran second. Only Archer, Carbine and Poitrel have been successful in the Melbourne Cup with 10.0 or over in the saddle. Full "wing ran better races on both days at Gore than many onlookers were prepared to give her credit for. Should Manfred earn- 10.1 successfully in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday the ring will be financially bent. Pacer Gillie Callum, by Four Chimes— Matilda H, in many respects greatly resembles his useful dam. Their races on the opening day at Gore greatly benefited the geldings Bilbo and Jack o’ Lantern for future racing. Equerry did not flatter-his supporters in the races in which he competed at Gore, but he will do better later on. On the day Manfred won the Caulfield Cup the railway officials estimated that 28,000 people travelled by the electric trains. The New Zealand Cup will be decided at Riccarton on Saturday next, with the N.Z. Trotting Cup at Addington on the Tuesday following. It is reported that Beacon Light had done • little or no work for a week before the Wellington meeting and his first-day race did him good. Had Ayrovski been as good a horse at Gore as he was at the Grand National meeting, he would surely have won the Wentwood High-Weight Handicap. Master Sandstone ran a fair race when the weather was good at Gore, but in the rain on the second day his breathing apparatus was at fault. Kilfane did not race up to his track work -4 at Gore and his form was hard to understand but it may be that the old fellow is getting cunning. At the Kingfield Stud, N.S.W., the Messrs Brien have a yearling brother to A.J.C. Derby winner, Rampion, who will be sold at the autumn sales. Nelson Derby is an unlikely starter in the New Zealand Trotting Cup, as he is sore again. It is stated that he has just about closed his racing career. An Australian studmaster has sent two light marcs across to Canterbury to be mated with Mr J. R. McKenzie’s Peter Chenault. The Melbourne Cup meeting opens at Flemington to-day and will continue over Tuesday (Melb. Cup), Thursday, and Saturday of next week—Nov. 2,4, and 6. His admirers claim that Waikaha, by Gold Bell—Wild Pirate, is the best trotter ever bred in Auckland at 4.38, and promising to travel faster in the days to come. It is interesting to learn that ex-Queens-land horseman, B. Rosen, has had his license restored by the N.Z. Racing Conference and that S. Trilford has received a conditional trainer’s permit. In the event of all going well in the meantime. New Zealand-bred horses in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday will include Limerick, The Banker, and Naos, by Martian—Lady Lucy. On Friday morning at Riverton Rose de Vai (dam of the McLean Stakes winner, Some Rose, foaled a very nice filly foal to the imported English horse Night Raid, who is located in South Canterbury. During the Greymouth Trotting Club’s recent meeting Mr A. J. Hastings was very successful in his efforts as starter and got through his duties in splendid style. His despatches were favourably commented upon by the public and the club’s officials. In connection with the Rangiora Cup, decided on Labour Day, it has to be chronicled that Red Wink ran a good race as long as his condition lasted It is noil hoped that he will remain sound and race in the best oxmpxny later on. “Musket” in Melbourne Globe says:— “Manfred proved himself one of the best, if not the best, thoroughbreds in Australia when he won the Caulfield Cup in sterling fashion. There can be no doubts about the merit of- his performance.”

The well-known pacer, Acron, one of the best hoppled horses ever produced in Maoriland, is apparently as moody as ever. In the Free-for-AIl at Greymouth he stood on the mark until his chance was gone and then left under the guidance of C. Donald to give an attractive exhibition of speed. During two and a half months of the current turf season in Australia, Rampion and Pantheon have won between them in stakes for the Messrs Brien the sum of £14,500 in stakes. Last season Messrs J. E. and C. H. Brien won nearly £14,000 in stakes for the full term. As was only to be expected, when the Maoriland hack. White Fang (Polydamon— Natalite) arrived in Sydney to join R. O’Donnell’s team, his performances were freely published and commented upon. The crack English three-year-old, Coronach, has won eight of the ten races in which he has started, finishing second in the other two. His first success was gained in a Two-Year-CHd Maiden Plate, worth £167, while this season he is credited with £39,624 in stakes. In alls Coronach has won £43,871 for Lord Woolavington since he opened his turf career. Taking into account the fact that the leading South Island handicap event of |he year is run on Saturday ’of next week, it may not be generally known that the New Zealand Cup has not yet been won by a horse carrying more than 8.9. This is the problem that Star Stranger has to face under 9.0 in November 6. Writing in Wellington Dominion “The Watcher - ’ remarks:—“Beacon Light received the coldest reception ever given a Champion Plate winner. An official inquiry into his two performances led to an announcement that the stewards were satisfied with the explanation They ftere always satisfied to allow a serious case of interference earlier in the day pass without penalty other than a caution. It will take more than these official explanations to satisfy the public that the control of racing is as strict as it should be.” In view of the fact that the writer did not see the Wellington Handicap and Champion Plate contests, it would be unfair to make confident statements in regard to the running of Beacon Light, but attention may be directed to one phase of the matter that does not appear to have struck adverse critics. It is generally known that Beacon Light has proved a difficult horse to train and it can easily be understood that he has become liable to tenderness in his limbs and shifty through pampered attention in the stable. Hence, when asked to race on an indifferent track on the day at Trentham, after working on the beautiful even sward at his home quarters at Greenmeadows, Napier, the Boniform gelding may have faltered when he struck a soft patch, as represented, and thus his rider, who is well acquainted with the horse, would be liable to pull him up when he lost his position, fearing a break down. There are two sides to the question, and the critics, so far, have only reviewed the happening from one standpoint. The scratching of Degage for her Wellington meeting and New Zealand Cup and other engagements was brought about by the Kilbroney mare striking herself prior to the Trentham fixture. She has been given a light blister, so that it will be some time before she is ready to race again. Haze has a most remarkable record of seconds ranging from hacks to first-class company (writes “The Watcher,” of Wellington) one of his seconds being to Rapine in the C.J.C. Metropolitan Handicap. Two years ago he was second on six successive occasions and last season in his only placings he was second twice. He has never won a race, but he had a great opportunity to break his maiden status on Monday, and could not succeed. R. J. Mason does not usually persevere so long with horses like Haze. The New Zealand Racing Conference authorities have refused jockeys' licenses to L. Manson and H. Goldfinch, while W. S. Bagby will not be riding again until after the Christmas fixtures are disposed of, a penalty that should cause a capable but daring horseman to reflect. Southland breeders will be keenly interested in the CJ.C. Welcome Stakes, run on Saturday next at Riccarton, from a personal point of view. Messrs F. Trail and W. McKay (Riverton) hope to be represented by Some Rose (Some Boy ll—Rose de Vai), Mr. W. T. Hazlett may have Glad Light • Paper Money—Simper) in the field, and Sir George Clifford will probably have Broadmoor (Panmure —Heatherbrae) or Scrambler (Panmure —Scrimmage) carrying his colours. Broadmoor is spoken of as a promising youngster. As far as southern studmasters are concerned, the running of Some Rose may create the greatest amount of as her sire, Some Boy 11, has several crops of his progeny coming to hand in the home province. The qualities of Glad Light are as yet unknown to the public but the half-sister to Razzle Dazzle, Gold Light and Beacon Light comes of a creat galloping family. The sum of £4,605 will be distributed in stakes at the Southland Racing Club’s Summer two-days’ fixture on January 3 and 4, with the Invercargill Cup Handicap (one mile and a-quarter) worth £lOOO and the Flying Handicap (six furlongs), decided earlier in the day, carrying stake money to the amount of £4OO. The leading events of the second day will be the Southland Handicap, £5OO (one mile and a quarter) and Shorts Handicap, £275 (six furlongs). The local club will maintain its proud position as the foremost galloping institution in Maoriland when it comes to the encouragement of the light harness sport, By devoting £BB5 to prize money* for trotting races—two harness and two saddle events. The jumping brigade will be catered for to the extent of a hurdle race each day, each race carrying a stake of £2OO, while the first day contest wifi be run over one mile and a half and on the concluding occasion the distance will be one mile and threequarters. Entries will close on December 17. to enable Mr H. A. Pierce to compile the handicaps. It was difficult to get a line on the respective New Zealand Cup chances of the siablemates, Ravenna and Overdrawn at Gore, as both won nicely, although over varied distances. Ravenna, who has always displayed a partiality for ten furlong contests, ran to the last stride in the Gore Cup, and although she may have had something in hand, she created the impression that she had galloped far enough for her liking, while her keen opponent, Full Swing, looked as if she could have carried on very much longer. While she may not prove a reliable N.Z. Cup entrant, Ravenna is well and may win a shorter event at Riccarton during the C.J.C. Spring fixture. On the other hand Overdrawn put real dash into his effort and won very nicely, despite the fact that he found Warhaven a very tough proposition from the last bend to the judge. Under the circumstances, it can rightly be claimed that Overdrawn displayed brilliancy in winning the Murihiku Handicap (seven furlongs), and it is generally known that he stays well, as he has a fine ten furlong performance to his credit in a fast Wyndham Cup victory, while he ran second to Count Cavour in the Dimedin Cup (one mile and a-half) last season. Allied brilliancy and staying power are necessary in a New Zealand Cup candidate and to the writer’s idea Overdrawn possesses these characteristics to a greater extent than his half-sister Ravenna, and be may be the more reliable of the pair to follow in the long contest at C.J.C. headquarters.

The Winton Jockey Club officials have every reason to be pleased with the result of the response made by owners in connection with their Annual meeting on November 17 and 18. The nominations received last evening by the secretary (Mr H. A. Pierce) totalled 340, as compared with 278 last season, an increase of 62. A glance through the names in the galloping,

jumping and light harness races suggests that large fields will be in evidence for Southland’s time-honoured fixture. WINTON JOCKEY CLUB. NOMINATIONS RECEIVED, The following nominations have been received for the Winton Jockey Club’s Annual meeting on November 17 and 18. —First Day— TRIAL STAKES, £lO5 (6f.)_Spean Bridge, Haphazard, Grand Eclat, Battle Colours, Gipsy Maid, Sparkling Eyes, Red Racer, Gulden Fleet gelding by Ngatapu — Chatsworth mare, Tarader, Strathnaver, Taramoa, Glenham, French Belle, Mudlark, Gold Mark, Ballinagard, Lewis Gun. HOKONUI TROT (harness),. £145, class smin (2m.) —Revolt, Turi Chimes, Greystone, Lingfield, Aard, Golden Dawn, Sandown, Canude, Desert Star, Homelight, Day Pointer, Chimer, Nelson McAlwyn, Lucky Prince Wee Spark, King Pointer, Dixie Dillon, Queen Betty, Underviewer, Young Tom. WINTON CUP, £320 (l}m.)—Warhaven Monoxide, Corn Rigs, Kilfane, Doleful Ditty, Ravenna, Bugle Note, Geranial, Heather Lad Soltoe, Full Swing, Apache, Baldowa. - FIRST STEEPLECHASE £l5O (about 2 Am.)—Goodform, Kipling, Night, Vice Grand, Andy, Greenstone, Londonderry, Soldier’s Dream, Mainspring, Nimrod, Ngarata, Maungamoe, Scamp, Punjaub, Mazama, Nyanza, Cartoon, Kilkee, Grand Fleet, Diamond Nap, Soldier’s Pride. FLYING HANDICAP, £145 I6L) Bloom, Master Sandstone, Com Money, Corn Rigs, Sweet Melody, Cupidon, Bright Mark, Valdamo, Ecuador, Jack o’ Lantern, Good as Gold, Geranial, John Bradbury, In the Pink, Dancing Days, All Style, Francaise, Baldowa. BARKLY HACK HANDICAP, £ll5 (6f.) —lncursio, Obligio, Rippling Lake, Flying Mist, Sweet Melody, King Balboa, Quarrelsome, Jack o’ Lantern, Good as Gold, Solzia, Solrose, Divinial, King Cup, Equerry, Piton, Strathnaver, Soldier’s Hope, Ayrovski, Arras, Dismantle, Spearmaid, Tholomon, Kyleboa, Black Duke, Frivol. OTAPIRI TROT (saddle), £125 (14m.)Adail, Perfect Pointer, South Star, Ferry Stream, Princess Pointer, Pert Pointer, Pere Pointer, Desert Star, Fairy Gold, Needles, Fair'Lad,-Chiming King, Baker Boy, King Adonis, Revolt, Greystone, Logathete, Sea Hawk, Liberal, -Vasiliki, Sylvia McKinney, Northope, Queen Betty, Coy Bells, Billy Garthne, Breadoughe. TRADESMAN’S HANDICAP, £145 (Im.) —Warhaven, Receipt, Doleful Ditty, Bugle Note, John Bradbury’, Calibration, Soltoe, Atapo, Soldier’s Hope All Style, Bloom, Corn Rigs, Queen Balboa, Bilbo, Ronaki, In the Pink, Apache, Kilbafry, Ardour, ' Some Kid. —Second Day— COUNTY HACK HANDICAP £ll5 (7f.) —Obligio, Rippling Lake, Jack o’ Lantern, Bilbo, Golden Fleet, Tarader, Divinial, King Cup Equerry, Ngatapu gelding, Strathnaver, Paris, Glenham, Spearmaid, French Belle, Highburn, Mudlark, Ballinagard, Lewis Gun. ORETI TROT (harness), £135 (11m.)Revolt, Turi Chimes, Lady Zita, Jock's Pal, Greystone, Aard, Golden Dawn, Pere Pointer, Prairie Chimes Liberal, Day Pointer, Homelight, Vasiliki, Fairy Gold, Joy Chimes, Chimer, Sea Hawk, Nelson McAlwyn, Lucky Prince, King Pointer, Northope, Dixie Dillon, Colehill, Queen 5 Betty, Jazalock, Baker Boy, Arch Locanda, Young Tom, Lady Freeman. STEWARDS’ HANDICAP, £145 (6f.)— Master Sandstone, Bloom, Flying Mist, Corn Money, Corn Rigs, Sweet Melody, Bright Mark, Valdamo, Ecuador, Jack 0’ i Lantern, Good as Gold, John Bradbury, ! In the Pink, Dancing Days, Francaise, Bal- • dowa. MEMBERS’ MEMORIAL HANDICAP, £220 (Im.) —Warhaven, Monoxide, Receipt, Corn Money, Kilfane, Queen Balboa, Ravenna, Bugle Note, Geranial, Heather Lad. Soltoe, Full Swing, Dancing Days, All Style, Apache, Dismantle Ardour, Baldowa. SECOND STEEPLECHASE, £l5O (about 24m.) —Goodform, Kipling, Night, Vice Grand, Andy, Greenstone, Londonderry, Soldier’s Dream, Mainspring, Nimrod, Ngarata, Maungamoe, Scamp, Punjaub, Mazama, Nyanza, Cartoon, Kilkee, Grand Fleet, Diamond Nap, Soldier’s Pride. AWARUA HACK HANDICAP, £ll5 (6f.) —Rippling Lake, Incursio, Obligio, Spean Bridge, Haphazard, Flying Mist, Battle Colours, Sweet Melody, King Balboa, Quarrelsome, Gipsy Maid, Suarkling Eyes, Red Racer, Good as Gold, Solzia, Solrose, Divinial, King Cup, Ngatapu gelding, Piton, Soldier’s Hope, Ayrovski, Taramoa, Dismantle, Spearmaid, Tholomon, Kyleboa, Black Duke, Frivol. DASH TROT (saddle), £125 (l|m.) — Adail, Chimes, South Star, Ferry Stream, Liberal, Desert Star, Spring Chimes, Vasiliki, Joy Chimes, Our Star, Needles, Sea Hawk Wee Spark, Gold Print, FanLad, Chiming King,'-King Adonis, Perfect Pointer, Greystone, Logathete, Princess Pointer, Pert Pointer, Prairie Chimes, Sylvia McKinney, Coy Bells, Four Days, Baker Boy, Georgette. FAREWELL HANDICAP, £145 (Im.) Warhaven, Receipt, Cupidon, Doleful Ditty, Queen Balboa, John Bradbury, In the Pink, Bugle Note, Atapo, Soldier’s Hope, All Style, Bloom, Corn Rigs, Ecuador, Ronaki, Soltoe, Calibration, Francaise, Tholomon, Kilbarry, Ardour, Some Kid. MASTERTON RACING CLUB. SPRING MEETING AT TRENTHAM. TANADEES WINS THE CUP. INCREASED TOTALISATOR RETURNS. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, October 29. The Masterton Racing Club’s Spring meeting oj>ened at Trentham to-day by permission of the Wellington R.C., owing to the country club’s course being in the hands of improvement workers. The weather was fine, but a strong wind prevailed. The track was in good order. The totalisator investments amounted to £27,239, as compared with £12,641 on the opening day of last season, an increase of £14,598. The following are the results, as compiled by "Sir Modred”: — HIGH-WEIGHT HANDICAP, £l5O. Second £3O, third £l5. One mile and a quarter. 7 J. B. Gaisford’s b g Koauau, by All Red —Harmonious aged 10.8 .... 1 10 F. F. Newman’s b g Matu, by Polydamon (imp.)—Penroe 5 yrs 9.0 2 1 C. McKay’s br g Santiago aged 10.13 3 (Winner trained by J. Hastie, Bulls.) Also ran —2 Lady Gay 10.6, 3 Gauntlet 9.13, 6 Lady Ben 9.12, 5 Pan tier 9.11, 8 Asleep 9.9, 9 Revel 9.7, 4 Ardfinnan 9.5, 6 Polyastra 9.0. Won by two lengths, a head between second and third. Time, 2 mins 15 2-5 secs. NOVICE STAKES, £l3O. Second £2O, third £lO. For horses not having won a flat race at starting. Six furlongp. 1 T. Clegg’s b c Jazz Baby, by Tea Tray (imp.)—Dixieland 3 yrs 8.5 1 3 General Wai 8.5 2 2 Comedic 8.5 3 (Winner trained by E. George, New Plymouth.) Also ran —9 Climax 8.5, 4 Essential 8.5, 7 Land Guard 8.5, 10 Niculus 8.5, 8 Royal Pointer 8.5, 5 Sandburr 8.5. 6 Theodolite 8.5. Won by a half a length, a neck between second and third. lime, Imin. 16 2-ssecs. JUVENILE HANDICAP, £l5O. Second £3O, third £l5. For two and three-year-olds. Five furlongs. 6 W. Higgins’ b g Gleninnis, by Kilbroney (imp.)—Glen Helen 3 yrs 9.3 1 2 W. G. Stead’s b g Welkne (imp.) by The Welkin—Angelina 3 yrs 8.5 2

5 Dwan Bros.’ b g Tom Bracken, by Arrowsmith (imp.)—Sweet Tipperary 2 yfs 7.8 3 (Winner trained by E. T. Yuile, Levin.) Also ran —8 Royal Game 8.12, 3 Note 8.11, 7 Jemidar 8.3, 4 Merry Mint 8.1, 1 Reckless 7.5, 9 Mandy 7.0, 10 Par Money 7.0. Won by a length, half a length between second and third. Time, Imin 3secs. LAWN HANDICAP (hacks), £l5O. Second £3O, third £l5. One mile. . 10 A. E. Browne’s ch g Pangolin, by Panmure (imp.)—Bengaline 4 yrs 7.5 1 1 E. George’s b h Mint Leaf, by Catmint (imp.)—Potono 4 yrs 8.13 2 6 T. O’Donnell’s b m Sovena 4 yns 7.9 3 (Winner trained by Owner, Awapuni.) Also ran—2 Kilperon 8.9, 8 Royal Mint 8.1, 4 Gardant 8.1, 5 Our Jack 8.0, 7 Sir Moment 7.11, 3 No Favours 7.9, 9 Catcall 7.7, 14 Hymestrason 7.4, 11 Peggy Ford 7.0, 15 Inoe 7.0, 12 Mister Gamp 7.0, 13 Mountain Jean 7.0, 16 Conviction 7.0. Won by two lengths, a head between second and third. Time, Imin. 44 l-ssecs. MASTERTON CUP (handicap), £3OO. Second £6O, third £3O. One mile and aquarter. 1 W. J. Jorgensen’s b g Tanadees (imp.), by Roseworthy—Burletta 5 yrs 8.8 (R. Reid) .. ... • - 1 3 C. Haldane’s ch g Queen’s Choice, by Garenceux (imp.)—Novoc Viemya 3 yrs 7.3 2 5 H. P. F. Blundell’s b h Diogenes, by Cynic (imp.)—Minora 4 yrs 8.0 3 (Winner trained by J. McLaughlin, Trentham.) Also ran—4 Merry Day 8.9, 2 Vaward 7.13, 8 Star Ranger 7.6, 10 Mah Jong 7.3, 7 Olympic 7.3, 6 Kilfaire 7.3, 9 Alyson 7.0. Won by a neck, a length between second and third. Time, 2mins. 11 l-ssecs. FLYING HANDICAP, £175. Second £35, third £l5. Six furlongs. 5 T. O’Donnell’s ch m Avola, by Bisogne—Avena 6 yrs 7.13 (L. A. Pine) 1 7 N. King’s br h Oration (imp.) by Ciceroi —Elsie Hart 4 yrs 7.9 .. 2 6 H. Hickey’s b m Epistle, by Polydamon (imp.) —Communique 5 yrs 7.1 3 (Winner trained by W. Pine, Hawera.) Also ran—2 Orchid 9.0, 3 First Acre 8.2, 1 Royal Damon 8.1, 4 High Pitch 7.12, 10 Joy Bird 7.3, 8 Gold Box 7.1, 11 Ladyfingers 7.1, 9 Anthonie 7.0, 13 Misgovern 7.0, 12 Bonideer 7.0. Won by half a head, two lengths between second and third. Time, Imin. 14 2-5 secs. LANDSDOWNE HANDICAP (hacks), £l5O. Second £3O, third £l5. Six furlongs. 6 W. Higgins’ b g Bronstell, by Kilbroney (imp.)—Snowstell 3 yrs 7.9 1 1 W. McKenzie’s b g Outfit, by Mountain Knight (imp.)—Vaecovia 6 yrs 8.1 2 12 L. G. Browne’s br g Riyerna, by Elysian —Bradamante 5 yrs 7.0 3 (Winner trained by E. T. Yuile, Levin.) Also ran—4 Mime 9.0, 3 Gourmet 7.12, 2 Resinous 7.11, 5 Volplane 7.7, 9 Thomond 7.7, 8 Royal Time 7.5, 11 Lady Ideal 7.4, 10 Molto 7.0, 7 Kilmezzo 7.0. Won by a length" and a half, a similar distance between second and third. Time, Imin. 14 l-ssecs. GRANDSTAND HANDICAP, £l5O. Second £3O, third £l5. Seven furlongs. 1 A. McDonald’s b g Polyphemus, by Polydamon (imp.)—Sanguinary aged 9.1 1 3 Blonde 7.9 2 2 Beaumont 9.1 3 Also ran —8 Prince Hal 8.13, 5 Birthmark 8.3, 4 Santonin 7.9, 9 Agitato 7.9, 6 Jubilance 7.9, 7 Benmure 7.7, 10 Stream 7.7. Won by a length, a neck between second and third. Time, Imin. 30 3-ssecs. COMMENT ON THE RACING. COUNTRY MEETING AT TRENTHAM. (Special to the Times.) Wellington, October 29. The Spring meeting of the Masterton Racing Club was commenced at the Trentham course to-day in fine bright weather, after a storm overnight which hardened the track. There was a fair attendance for an off day and the sum of £27,239 went through the machine, as against £12,641 on the first day at-Opaki twelve months ago, an increase of £14,599. The racing was interesting and there were some surprises. A fair amount of the running was unreliable, to say the least, but no questions were asked. One or two are likely to show considerable improvement shortly, perhaps to-morrow. The Hawera trainer, W. Pine, had a good win over Avola, who put up a gallant performance. Backers started badly in the High-weight Handicap, Santiago being a good favourite from Lady Gay and the rest at' good prices. Both favourites failed to pay a dividend, the winner turning up in the little-fancied Koauau, while the second horse had only thirty-one tickets on his chance. Santiago was last away, Polyastra being in the lead from Lady Ben and Gauntlet. Down the back Polyastra still prevailed from Gauntlet, Pantier, Lady Gay and Lady Ben. At the top the order was Polyastra, Pan tier, Gauntlet, Lady Gay and Revel. In the straight Polyastra was collared by Koauau, who came up fast from the halfmile followed by Matu and Ardfinnan. Koauau shot to the front at the distance, where Santiago came up fast from the rear. Koauau, going on, won very comfortably by a couple of lengths, while Santiago failed by a neck to reach Matu. Polyastra was a close fourth, with Ardfinnan, Revel and Gauntlet handy. Jazz Baby was a solid favourite for the Novice Stakes from Comedic and General Wai, who were evenly backed. At. the start the most prominent were Sandbun, Essential, Tazz Baby and Comedic. Running for the course proper Comedic (on the rails) was attended by Jazz Baby, Royal Pointer and Sandbun. Comedic and Jazz Baby ran on into the straight and Jazz Baby at once took the lead. He was challenged at the distance by Geheral Wai, but came on and won nicely by half a length, General Wai beating Comedic by threeparts of a length. There was a gap of four lengths to the remainder, who were headed by Essential, Climax, Royal Pointer and Sandbun. Reckless and Welkne were very evenly backed at the head of the quotations in the Juvenile Handicap and they were well clear of the remainder. Reckless was out of the contest at the start, getting away badly. Tom Bracken, Welkne, Mandy and Glen Innis (on the rails) were prominent at the start. Into the course proper the order was Par Money, Tom Bracken and Mandy, from Welkne and Glen Innis. Once in line for home there was a good contest, Welkne (in the centre) and Glen Innis (on the rails} forging ahead. In a good finish Glen Innis stayed on better to win by a length, while Welkne beat Tom Bracken by half a length. Royal Game was very close up, followed by Mandy (who carried 81bs overweight), Merry Mint, Reckless and Jemidar. Mint Leaf was a firm favourite for the Lawn Handicap, being £3OO ahead of the second favourite, Kilperon, with money for Gardant, No Favours and Our Jack. The favourite ran a good race, but had no chance with ah outsider in Pangolin, who drew number one at the post and led all the way. The order out of the barrier was Pangolin, Sovena and Peggy Ford, the last two being No Favours and Mister Gamp. At the five furlongs the order was Pangolin, Sovena, Hymestrason, Peggy Ford, Our Jack and Gardant. Crossing the top Pangolin led from Sovena, Peggy Ford, Our Jack, Catcall and Mint Leaf. Mint Leaf drew up strongly in the straight, but had no chance of reaching Pangolin, who won by two i lengths, while he was only a head in front of Sovena, with Sir Moment right up. Then I

came Our Jack, Mountain Jean, Peggy Ford, $ Catcall, Gardant and Inoe. Royal Mint, from the same stable as Mint Leaf, is liable to improve on his form to-day. Tanadees, with R. Reed up, was a hot favourite for the Masterton Cup, carrying just over four figures, as against £6OO on Vaward. Queen’s Choice was almost as well backed as Vaward and Merry Day was carrying support, but the remainder were at good prices. From an excellent start the order was Kilfaire, Tanadees and Alyson, the field being bunched. At the mile Alyson was in charge from Kilfaire, Vaward and Mah Jong, the last two being Merry Day and Queen’s Choice. At the seven furlongs Vaward took command from Mah Jong and Kilfaire, with Alyson heading the bunch. Queen’s Choice and Merry Day were still last. Past the five furlongs the order was Vaward and Mah Jong, from Diogenes, Kilfaire and Tanadees, Merry Day being last. Crossing the top the order was Vaward, Mah Jong and Diogenes, from Kilfaire. Queen’s Choice here began to move up, but he got checked, as also did Tanadees, both losing three or four lengths. Queen’s Choice, however, was quickly moved up again and as they'turned into the straight the order was Vaward, Mah Jong and Diogenes abreast, from Kilfaire and Queen’s Choice. Dio’tJenes took the lead at the false rail, but was immediately challenged by Queen’s Choice. Queen’s Choice had the lead to the distance and was winning very comfortably when Reed brought Tanadees along with an electric run and he went on to cut Queen’s Choice out of first place by a length. The latter stopped very quickly over the last bit and was a bare length in front of Diogenes, with Star Ranger only a head away. Then came Kilfaire, Merry Day and Mah Jong. Star Ranger also got checked at the five-furlong post and is coming back to form. Royal Damon was only a £5 better favourite than Orchid for the Flying Handicap, and there was good support also for First Acre, High Pitch and Avola. Boni- • deer shot out from the start and the colours of First Acre, High Pitch, Orchid, Anthonie and Oration (on the rails) were also prominent. Bonideer led on to the course proper from Royal Damon, First Acre, Oration and Anthonie. Once in line Oration came along and was well in front at the distance where Avola came with a determined run and cut him out of first money by a short neck, a length away being Epistle, who ran into third place, just in front of Orchid. Then came Gold Box, Royal Damon, Misgovern and High Pitch. Outfit (R. Reed) was a screaming hot favourite for the Landsdowne Handicap, being nearly twice as well backed as Resinous. Gourmet was the best backed of the others. Bronstell led practically from start to finish and paid a good price, being the second winner for Mr W. Higgins during the day. He was attended on to the course proper by Thomond, Lady Ideal and Royal Time, with Outfit heading the bunch. From the distance Outfit came strongly, but failed by half a length to reach Bronstell. Riverna came fast over the last bit and took third money a length away, four lengths in front of the fourth horse, Kilmezzo, who was followed by Royal Time, Lady Ideal, Resinous and Molto. Resinous was beaten a long way from home. This made Outfit’s third second placing in succession. Polyphemus was a hot favourite for the concluding event, Grandstand Handicap,.being twice as well backed as Beaumont or Blonde, and there was money for Birthmark and Santonio. Blonde endeavoured to win from end to end, but was comfortably defeated by the favourite. Blonde was attended out of the barrier by Beaumont and Polyphemus, but at the five-fur-long post Birthmark was second. Across the top Santonin ran up and the order was Blonde, Birthmark, Santonio, Polyphemus and Benmure, Beaumont having dropped back. Blonde and Santonio led into the straight from Polyphemus, Birthmark, Jubilance and Benmure. Blonde had the lead at the distance, but Polyphemus challenged and won decisively by a length. Beaumont, who appeared rather unlucky, came fast at the finish and was only a neck from Blonde. Santonio was a couple of lengths off, and the next to finish were Birthmark, Agitato, Stream and Prince Hal. R. Reed lacked his usual polish on Beaumont. ACCEPTANCES FOR TO-DAY. Wellington, October 29. The following are the acceptances for the second day of the Masterton R.C.’s Spring meeting at Trentham :

OCTOBER WELTER, £150. One mile. st lb st lb Killocra . . 11 5 Pantier . . . 9 () Koauau . . 11 2 Asleep . . . 9 3, Star Shell . 10 9 Polyastra . . 9 3 Jubilance . . 10 3 Ardfinnan 9 1 Lady Gay . . 10 2 Stream . . . 9 1 Gauntlet . . 9 10 Vexatious 9 0 Lady Ben . . 9 7 TRIAL HANDICAP, £130. For horses not having won a flat race at entry. Six furlongs. Vesperus . . 9 9 Petal . 7 7 Welkne . . 8 10 Royal Pointer 7 4 Cerf . . . . 8 5 Landguard . 7 4 Comedic . . S 1 Sandbun . . 7 4 General Wai 7 12 Theodolite 7 4 Essential . . 7 9 CAVE HANDICAP, £150. For two year-olds. Five furlongs. Frenzied Wild Pigeon . 7 0 Finance 8 1 Laity . . . 7 0 Tom Bracken 7 10 Priceless . . 7 0 Panther . 7 5 Bright Spear 7 0 Irish Lad . 7 5 Grev Mist . 7 0 Royal Caves 7 3 Exhibition 7 0 Tone , . . 7 0 Bourse . . . 7 0 SPRING HANDIC.AP (hacks), £140. One mile. Mint Leaf . . 9 3 Lady Outfit . . . 7 13 Passenger 7 1 Bronstell . . 7 13 Inoe .... 7 0 Kilmiss . . 7 13 Peggy Ford . 7 0 Royal Mint . 7 11 Jazzv . . . 7 0 Sir Moment . 7 7 Molto . . . 7 0 No Favours . 7 7 Mountain Jean 7 0 Catcall . . . 7 5 Conviction 7 0 OPAKI HANDICAP, £250. One mile. Diogenes . . 8 6 Buoyant . . 7 11 Hipo .... 8 5 Olympic . . . 7 11 Vaward . . . 8 3 Alyson . . . 7 0 Beaumont . . 8 3 Ki'lfaire . . . 7 0 MACARA HANDICAP, £170. Six furlongs. Orchid . . . 9 1 Nadarino . . 8 0 Inferno . . . 8 8 Epistle . . . 7 5 Merry Jest . 8 3 Gold Box . . 7 0 Royal Damon 8 1 Anthonie . . 7 0 First Acre . 8 1 Bonideer . . 7 0 WAIPIPI HANDICAP, £150. Seven furlongs. Beaumont 9 5 Santonio . . 7 12 First Acre . 9 4 Misgovern 7 9 Prince Hal . 8 11 Benmure . . 7 7 Jov Bird . . 8 8 Agitato . . 7 7 Blonde . . . 8 2 FAREWELL HANDICAP (hacks), £150. Five furlongs. Glen Innis . 9 0 Royal Time . 7 2 Mime . . . 8 12 Silver Tray . 7 2 Spode . . . 8 8 Hymestrason 7 2 Royal Game . 8 5 The Bolter . 7 2 Note . . . 8 4 Riverna . . . 7 0 Polonaise . . 7 13 Molto . . . 7 0 Gourmet . . 7 9 Humoresque 7 0 Resinous . . 7 7 Star Chamber 7 0 Thomond . . Single Lady . 7 0 Volplane . . 7 5 Sand Burr 7 0 Lady Ideal . 7 3