SPORTING

Southland Times, Issue 20399, 31 January 1928, Page 10

SPORTING

NOTES BY SIR MODRED.

Entries for the Tokanui-Fortrose Hack Racing Club’s Annual meeting on February 8 are due to-morrow (Wednesday) evening.

The Tapanui Racing Club’s Annual fixture will be held to-morrow and promises to attract very satisfactory fields in trotting and galloping classes. •

Acceptances for the first day of the Dunedin Jockey Club’s Autumn meeting, together with entries for the Trial Stakes, are due on Friday ne# (February 3).

At the Wellington sales a filly from Dr. Ring’s stud was sold to an Invercargill owner at 60gns, the youngster being by Valkyrian—Rangitamuku, by Potoa —Polly Perkins, by Freedom—Modesty, by Tasman.

Tommy Dodds’ Melbourne owner, Mr W. S. McDermott, arrived in Invercargill on Sunday from the north and the following day on to Bluff to join the outgoing boat for Australia. Mr McDermott was present at the Wellington R.C. meeting and the Trentham yearling sales.

The Mataura Island studmaster, Mr W. Couser, recently suffered a severe loss, when a colt foal bred on his property by Songbird from Goldfire (dam of Mananui) died when three or four days old.

Writing in the Wellington Dominion •The Watcher” states that Silver Paper, who is recovering from his recent troubles and may compete at the Dunedin Cup meeting, may possibly do some racing in Australia before the season ends.

On Thursday last at Trentham at a sale of thoroughbreds conducted by Messrs Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd., the imported and successful racehorse. Grand Knight, who is now being retired to the stud, was offered under the hammer. The auctioneer refused to accept any bid under 1000 guineas, and the horse was passed in. Later it was announced that he had been sold privately to Mr J. Donald, of Westmere, Wanganui.

During the running of the Crescent Handicap on Saturday at the Forbury Park T.C. meeting (reports The Press) John Mauritius put his foot through Petroleuse’s sulky wheel, and the resultant smash looked very serious. John Mauritius fell heavily, with his foot entangled in the other’s sulky. Great difficulty was experienced in freeing the gelding from his awkward predicament, and eventually it was found necessary to ?aw the stays of the sulky to release the animal. John Mauritius was very sore afterwards, but there is nothing very seriously wrong with him.

The Hawk (says the Lyttelton Times) holds a place with bargains of the sale ring. At a sale of yearlings from the Kinloch Stud sent up to auction at Christchurch in the spring of 1919, a bay colt by Martian from Sparrowhawk figured among the collection, but he did not command much attention, and he fell to the bid of 180 guineas of Mr T. S. Roulston, of Hastings, who was acting for the trustees of the Douglas Estate. The youngster referred to made his debut on the turf in the spring of 1920, and in his third engagement he scored a win, while at the end of the season his captures in prize-money amounted to £1640. At three years old he won £2520, and after he had won another £1350 at four years he was sold to Mr J. M. Cameron for, it is said. £5OO. Since then he has gone on winning until his present stake earnings are approximately £22,600. In all he has contested eighty-eight races for twentyeight firsts, twelve seconds and fourteen thirds. Since racing in J. M. Cameron’s interests he has earned approximately £17,100 in stakes.

It transpires that the well-known Wyndham pacer, Sunstorm, was bred by Mr F. Thompson, The Homestead, Glenham. He was purchased as a yearling at a clearing sale by Mr G. Hunter. Maybloom, the dam of the Sungod gelding, was purchased at the same time by Mr G. D. McKenzie, Rosemount, Glenham, with a filly foal at foot by Sungod. Since then she has produced a colt (now a yearling) by Roving Don, which displays some promise. Roving Don, by the way, is a son of Adonis and a horse of masculine character. One of his progeny, Don cliff, who was raced at Forbury Park last week, paced in an attractive fashion.

It is surely something never recorded before of a three-day meeting at Trentham (says a northern writer) to note that not a single horse trained on that course won a race at the Summer fixture. What would the betting have been against such an occurrence before the meeting opened?

Entries for the N.Z. Metropolitan Trotting Club’s Summer meeting at Addington are due to-morrow. This is the fixture at which the mile pacing contest in which Great Bingen and Native Chief will be the participants is set down for decision.

Riccarton trainer F. D. Jones expects to race a team of five horses at the Dunedin Cup meeting, including Limerick, Arikiwai, First Sight, Stormy and Zaragoga The lastnamed is reported to be coming on.

A story was current at Forbury Park on Saturday to the effect that a backer who invested £lO on Kate Thorpe collapsed when he heard the amount of the huge dividend returned by the mare from Canterbury. There may not have been any truth in the story, but it was being widely discussed when the writer left the scene of the F.P.T.C. meeting to miss three races and catch a train round about 5 p.m.

At a sale of racehorses at Trentham on Thursday last, conducted by Messrs Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd., the following gallopers were submitted on account of W. G. Stead, Hastings:—Ridgemount, by Leighton—Lalla Rookh, T. Johnson, New Plymouth, 275 guineas; Pari, by Leighton —Cassock, F. Flipp, Kilbirnie, 100gns; Amplifier, by Leighton—Lady D. passed; The Earth, by Leighton—Lady Ball, passed, lOOgns; Eliminator, by Leighton—Salvette, 180gns passed.

The licensing committee of the Racing Conference had the case of H. Gray under review this week. As a result he may go on a racecourse when his employer has horses racing. The Auckland jockey, W. S. Bagby, had his suspension removed, and he is now eligible to ride again. He had his first race on Flying Hero on Wednesday. A. G. Campbell and M. Kirwan have been granted jockey’s licenses. A. E. Mullin’s application for a jockey’s license was discussed by the licensing committee, and it was refused. A. Rhodes, pf Auckland, has been granted a trainer’s license, but J. Malone and T. Pritchard were unsuccessful in their applications. G. E. Tricklebank, of Hawkes Bay and K. Lambess, of Wanganui, have been refused jockey’s licenses, while th# jockey’s license of H. J. Tinker has been cancelled.

At a meeting of the Tokanui-Fortrose Hack Racing Club, held on Saturday night, Mr F. Hagen was appointed judge in place of Mr A. McEwan, who will be absent from the district for a few weeks on the occasion of the club’s annual meeting on February 8. Messrs A. G. Sutherland, F. Conway, and T. Black were appointed dismount stewards. Mr G. Hunter (Wyndham) was appointed advisory steward.

Peneus (says the Hawkes Bay Tribune) has again been unfortunate, this time having poisoned his foot. He is yielding to treatment (injections) and may possibly recover in time to be prepared for the Napier Autumn meeting. It is predicted that the Boniform gelding will win one of the big hurdle races this winter.

Negotiations were in progress during the Wellington R.C. Summer meeting (remarks The Press) for the Riccarton mentor, A. E. Wormaid, to take over the position of private trainer to the northern owner, Mr W. Scholium, but Wormaid has since decided to decline the offer and remain at Riccarton*

The Dunedin Jockey Club has been assured that the champion galloper, Limerick, will be a competitor at the Dunedin Cup fixture next week, his special mission being the Hazlett Memorial Stakes. This will afford southern racegoers an opportunity to see the handsome Maoriland racehorse who has assisted of late years in making high-class turf history in Australia.

A Canterbury scribe, who takes it for granted that Childsplay and Silver Paper will not fulfil their respective engagements in the D.J.C. Champagne Stakes, says that Goblin Market’s next race will be in the D.J.C. two-year-old classic event, and with the youngsters mentioned out of the way his task should not be a difficult one. At the same time it has to be remembered that Full Feather may give Goblin Market a difficult task, and it is on the cards that more than one southern youngster will be in the running. The writer can nominate at least two baby racers from the south who will gallop fast in the Champagne Stakes provided all goes well in the meantime. It will be interesting to see what a payment of forfeits on Friday evening next will disclose in connection with the Champagne Stakes.

What appears to have been an abortive conference took place in Dunedin on Saturday morning in connection with the disputed racing dates claimed by the Otautau Racing Club and the Oamaru Jockey Club. It is understood that the representatives of the North Otago body, who asked for the conference, had no proposals to make, and as the Otautau delegates held their ground there was nothing doing. For some time past the Otautau R.C. has raced a week prior to the Southland R.C.’s Autumn fixture and now the Oamaru J.C. propose to come in between the two meetings with a two-days’ fixture held at Wingatui—the dates are as follows:—Otautau R.C. March 21, Oamaru J.C. March 23 and 24, Southland R.C. March 28 and 29. A few minutes’ reflection will result in the deduction that if these dates are adhered to the Otautau R. gathering is likely to be squeezed out as far as northern horses are concerned, as owners would not care to journey from outside the home province to race at Otautau, rush back to Wingatui for a two days’ meeting, and return to Invercargill all within a week. If the Oamaru J.C. meeting were held at home the consequences would not be so serious, but with the venue changed to Dunedin the outcome would surely be disastrous to the Otautau gathering, while it would probably adversely affect the Southland R.C. fixture as well. The Otautau R.C. has been unfortunate for several seasons in succession with floods and other drawbacks to contend against, hence it does not appear to be fair that Oamaru J.C. should be permitted at this stage to take up new dates and race at Wingatui to the detriment of the southern provincial meeting. The Otautau R.C. had to experiment over quite a number of seasons to find the suitable date of a week prior to the S. Autumn gathering and having adopted that date some time ago it should be left in possession of its dearly bought advantage. Southern owners who have in the past extended generous patronage to the Oamaru J.C. and invariably assist materially in furthering the cause of the Dunedin Jockey Club will hardly welcome this unexpected and powerful opposition to the Otautau R.C. threatened at Wingatui. It is to be hoped that an amicable settlement will be arrived at, but, in the meantime, the Otautau R.C. appears to hold prior rights to a clear run as between March 21 and the Southland R.C. Autumn fixture on March 28 and 29.

In the face of several unlucky experiences of late in races with various members of his string it was unfortunate that the local light harness mentor, S. Todd, should meet with alleged interference at Forbury Park on Saturday in the Stewards’ Handicap, when Cardinal and Blue was apparently knocked back at the far turn the last time. While the local owner-trainer’s representative, Cardinal and Blue, could hardly have beaten the winner, Dundas Boy, she would have possessed a very fair chance of heading off Royal Authoress for second place and the return of a fair price, as

she started ninth in order of selection. After being checked, Cardinal and Blue came on strongly again to gain third berth, while Royal Authoress (F. Holmes) paced home very tired, and the three horses mentioned were the only contestants concerned in the finish. The check sustained by Cardinal and Blue may have been accidental, but she is a moody racer, and it was very unfortunate for S. Todd that she should strike any trouble by the way at the most serious stage of the contest.

It is reported from Christchurch that Mr J. Porter, owner of the Great Northern Derby winner, Mart anna, has completed the purchase of the Hunting Song (imp.) Royal Man' colt submitted at the Trentham yearling sales last week. The youngster, who has had the name of Grand Song registered for him. has arrived at Riccarton and passed into the care of his future trainer, F. Christmas.

The North Island owned gelding, Stormy, who was recently reported to be sore, appears to have made a good recovery, as he is galloping strongly again at Riccarton in view of his engagements at the Dunedin Jockey Club’s Autumn fixture next week.

Provided the clerk of the weather proves kindly disposed towards the Tapanui Racing Club to-morrow (Wednesday) a bumper attendance is expected at the annual turf fixture conducted by one of the oldest sporting bodies in the South Island. The fame of the inland gathering as an attractive motoring fixture has spread far and wide with the result that extensive patronage is promised from Dunedin, Central Otago, and various Southland localities. The meeting at the quaint little town beneath the shadow of the Blue Mountains has attracted fair fields and one of the attractions of the outing will be the number of minor performers who are to be tried out over ten furlongs in the Tapanui Hack Handicap, while several well-bred gallopers are to be tested over sprint courses. The light harness races at Tapanui invariably produce good fields and a similar experience is entertained in connection with this week’s fixture, the candidates forward promising to represent stables scattered over a very wide area. A welcome innovation to residents of the district and many visitors will be the convenience of a ten-shilling totalisator, a departure that has been suggested and expected for several seasons past. The totalisator accommodation has been increased since last season with this end in view, and it will be interesting to note the effect of the new wagering convenience on the afternoon’s investments. TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB. MEETING CONCLUDES. DESERT GLOW LEADING WINNER. TOTALISATOR INCREASE. (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, January 30. The Takapuna Jockey Club’s Summer meeting concluded to-day. The weather was fine and there was a large attendance. The totalisator handled £57,303 10/-, which gave a grand total of £105,697 10/for the meeting, compared with £97,313 last year. The results were:— MOANA HANDICAP, £250. Seven furlongs. 4 H. Pharazyn’s Liaison, 8.5 (S. Henderson ) 1 5 Air King, 8.5 2 1 Palmaris, 8.0 3

Also started.—2 La Roma 8.7; 9 Captain Cobham 8.3; 3 Atapai 8.2 and High Tide 8.0, bracketed; 10 British King 7.12; 11 Brilliant Light, car. 7.7; 6 Luxurious 7.7; 14 Sir Henry car. 7.10; 8 Good Boy, car. 7.12; 7 Idun car. 7.4; 13 Ahingaro 7.7; 12 Storm Fiend 7.0.

Won by a length, third three lengths away. British King was fourth. Time, Imin 28 l-ssecs.

WAIWERA HIGH WEIGHT HANDICAP, £275. One mile and three furlongs and 40 yards. 3 J. Clothier’s Red Comet, 10.9 (S. Henderson) 1 6 Pekatohi, 9.0 2 1 Bold Front, 9.11 3 Also started.—2 Uralla 11.1; 4 Beau Cavalier 9.10; 5 Acushla 9.3; 7 Lady Spalpeen 9.1; 8 Blago 9.0; 9 Fane 9.0. Won by a head, third three-quarters of a length away. Uralla was fourth. Time, 2mins 28secs. Acushla fractured a fetlock after the field had covered a couple of furlongs. DEVONPORT HANDICAP, £250. Seven furlongs. 6 Roulston Bros.’ Micrometer, 7.9 (K. Gill) 1 3 Ripon Abbey, 8.7 j 4 Orchus, 8.1 j tDead heat for second. Also started.—2 Winsome Boy 9.5; 5 Abbey Day 8.9;, Speechless 8.5; 7 Lady Robinson 8.1; 10 Dress Circle 7.13; 11 Adjuster 7.7; 9 Luxurious 7.7; 8 Salamander 7.7. Won by half a length, dead heat for second. Winsome Boy was fourth. Time, Imin 29secs. SUBURBAN HANDICAP, £4OO. Six furlongs. 2 H. D. Jones’ Dave, 8.2 (R. McTavish) 1 •3 Flying Juliet, 7.3 2 1 Tea Time, 8.7 3

Also started.—6 Day Guard 8.5; 5 Melissa 7.8; 4 Prince Otto 7.0; 7 Appellant 7.0. Won by three-quarters of a length, third half a length away. Melissa was fourth. Time, Imin 14secs.

TAKAPUNA JOCKEY CLUB HANDICAP, £7OO. One mile three furlongs and forty yards. 2 D. R. Walker’s Desert Glow, 7.12 (R. J. Mackie) 1 3 C. G. Maclndoes’ Eden Hall, 9.0 (T. Green) | 1 D. Twohill’s Transformer, 8.6 (E. Keesing) | tDead heat for second. Also started.—4 Princess Ronnie 7.7; 5 Hipo 7.7; 6 Scat 7.0; 7 Wedding March 7.0.

The field was well bunched at the head of the straight. Desert Glow shot away in the run home and won by two lengths. Eden Hall got up in time to make a dead heat of it with Transformer, with Hipo fourth. Time, 2mins 25secs.

HOBSON HANDICAP, £4OO. Six furlongs. 1 Colin Anderson’s Mithra, 8.3 (T. Green) j 4 Prodice, 7.0 (R. J. Mackie) .... 2 3 Mauriaena, 7.10 (R. McTavish) .. 3 Also started.—2 White Wings 7.2; 5 Footpad 7.1; 6 Mercia 7.0. Won by a length, third three-quarters of a length away. Time, Imin 15secs. RANGITOTO HACK HANDICAP, £325. Nine furlongs. 4 H. B. Philcox’s Baby Bun, 8.7 (H. Wiggins) J 1 Cynthia N., 8.5 o 10 Arch Queen, 7.6 3 Also started—l Judge’s Box 9.7; 3 Piet 8.10; 7 War Officer 8.6; 8 Value 8.1; 9 Quinsilia 7.13; 2 The Lover 7.12; 5 Schorr 7.8. Won by a neck, third half a length away. Time, Imin 55 2-ssecs. ANNIVERSARY HANDICAP, £4OO. Seven furlongs. 1 W. S. Glenn’s The Immigrant, 7.7 (T. Green) 1 4 Matinee, 8.3 2 7 Macroom, 8.0 3

Also started.—9 Day Guard 9.2; 3 Saiosi 8.12; 6 Town Guard 8.11; 5 Archeno 8.1; 2 Auramavis 7.13; 10 Te Koroke 7.8; 11 Automne 7.8; 8 Quillfire 7.7. Won by a length and a quarter, third half a length away. Time, Imin 27secs.

COMMENT ON THE RUNNING. ACUSHLA BREAKS A FETLOCK. MITHRA A SMART AND PROMISING YOUNGSTER. (Special to the Times.) Auckland, January 30. Palmares was backed as if the Mona Handicap was all over but third was the best that the imported grey could do. The winner turned up in Liaison who went much more kindly than on the first day. She won nicely at the end, giving S. Henderson a comfortable ride. Air King attempted to win all the way but had no chance over the last furlong with the winner. British King showed a glimpse of form" to get fourth. Brilliant Light, one of Jamieson’s string, went a fair race. After Lady Spalpeen had made the pace for half a mile in the Waiwera Highweight, Red Comet went to the front and after stalling off Bold Front and then the outsider Pakatahi, won by a neck from the latter who finished strongly. Bold Front, hard ridden most of the way, was a good third while Uralla was unlucky to do no better than fourth. Acushla broke a fetlock during the race.

Speechless, a short favourite in the Devonport Handicap, never looked like winning for she was well back over the first part. Micrometer was always handy, being fourth into the straight and she came through to win by half a length from Ripon Abbey and Archus who dead-heated, this pair always being near the leaders. Winsome Boy was beaten by weight and Abbey Day had every chance.

Tea Time and Dave monopolised the betting in the Devonport Handicap and they were always prominent. Dave piloted Tea Time into the straight with Prince Otto and Flying Juliet handy. Then Dave left the field and won hard held by nearly a length from Flying Juliet who pushed through on the rails. Tea Time finished poorly half a length away with Melissa another couple of lengths away. Prince Otto went a fair race and will be better for it.

Transformer was backed like a certainty for the Jockey Club Handicap- and when she dead-heated for second, backers lost the major portion of their investments. Desert Glow was almost as well supported as Transformer and Eden Hall headed the remainder. Scat set out to win all the way, his nearest attendants at the end of half a mile being Hipo, Wedding March, Eden Hall, Desert Glow-, Princess Ronnie and Transformer. The favourite endeavoured to get up on the rails rounding the bend but was knocked back by Desert Glow and lost ground and went round on the outer. Hipo was up with Scat five furlongs from home, 1 Eden Hall, Princess Ronnie, Transformer ; and Desert Glow being close handy. A • little farther on, Desert Glow made a fast j run round his field and landed into the [ home stretch a couple of lengths ahead of i Hipo and Scat with Transformer and Eden ! Hall following. The latter had hugged the ’ rails too long and got into trouble on the ' bend although it is doubtful whether he could have beaten Desert Glow who won by two lengths, Transformer and Eden Hall being bracketed together for second place. Hipo was only half a length away fourth and Scat and Princess Ronnie further back.

Mithra again proved herself a good youngster by capturing the Hobson Handicap. She was a warm favourite. The Australian Sun filly dwelt slightly at the start, Mauriaena going out first, being quickly joined by Footpad, the last pair being White. Wings and Prodice. Crossing the top, the favourite ran up to Mauriaena and led her to the straight with Footpad, White Wings and Prodice next. Mithra won easily by the best part of a length from Prodice who finished too well for Mauriaena. White Wings was right up fourth. The winner is not yet at her best.

Unlucky the first day, Baby Bun made no mistake when she captured the Rangitoto Hack. She was fourth in request.

Cynthia N, The Lover and Piet being preferred to her value. Piet, Arch Queen, Baby Bun and Cynthia N comprised the leading division going out of the straight but the favourite pulled her way to the front at the three furlongs post and going easily was showing the way to the straight a couple of lengths in front of Baby Bun, Judge’s Box, Arch Queen and Piet who were in a bunch and it looked odds on the leader. However, she stopped badly 50 yards from the post and Baby Bun collared her, winning by a neck. Arch Queen finished very resolutely half a length away and fourth was The Lover who got away badly. Schorr also finished well.

The final event, the Anniversary Handicap, saw backers go for The Immigrant who was the hottest favourite of the meeting. He hit the front after going a couple of furlongs and then went on to win easily by a length and a half from Matinee who headed Macroom on the post. Te Koroke, Siaosi and Day Guard were at the head of the remainder.

AQUATICS. REGATTA AT HAMILTON. Hamilton, January 30. The Hamilton Rowing Club’s Anniversary Day regatta was held on the Waikato river to-day in fine weather. The principal results were— Junior Fours—Tauranga first, St. George’s and Whangarei, dead heat, second. Won by two lengths. Senior Challenge Fours and Ladies’ Challenge Cup—Hamilton (B. Sandos, V. Bayly, 'G. St. Clair, E. Waters) ; St. George’s • second, Waitemata third. Won by five ; lengths. Only starters. ; Handicap Single Sculls —R. Cruickshank, > hdcp 65sec, first; F. W. St. Clair second, |C. Molesworth third. All are Hamilton oarsmen. Won by one length. ; Four picked crews rowed in two eight- ' oar trials, which provided an excellent i race, and the first of its kind seen on the : Waikato.

CANTERBURY RACING NEWS.

CHILDSPLAY PRACTICALLY IN RETIREMENT. THE IMPROVING WAYWARD. NINCOMPOOP’S KNEES GIVE TROUBLE FULL FEATHER VERY PROMISING. COUNT CAVOUR IN TROUBLE. SILVER PAPER WORKING SOUNDLY. (Special to the Times.) Christchurch, January 30. At last we have had some summer. It has been hot and dry all the week. One day the heat was so great that it nearly reached 90 in the shade. It goes without raying that trainers are not at all anxious for grass gallops. The plough however is (n great order and is quite good enough for all to use. The racing track at Trentham was so bard last week that most of our horses who raced there are suffering from it. It is doubtful if several of them will be recovered sufficiently in time to race at the Dunedin J.C. Autumn meeting. The most of the horses that raced at the Wellington Summer meeting did not come south until Friday night. Those of them that hailed from South Canterbury and further south continued their journey on Saturday. It is very doubtful if Childsplay will be seen racing again this season. When she (eft here for Trentham a week before the Wellington meeting was to commence, she had apparently got over the soreness contracted at Ellerslie, as she had been galloping brilliantly. One smart sprint at Trentham left her very sore once again, and the race in the Wellington Stakes completed the job. Her doubtful joint is now giving a lot of trouble, and is likely to do so for some time.

Mr J. M. Samson has for a long time been considered a “lucky owner.” It was certainly a lucky day when he bought Wayward. The three-year-old son of Sutala and Egotism, has won six races for him practically on end. Having been reared on grass without any forced feeding, he is likely to go on improving for a long time. His trainer, R. C. Keeper, thinks a lot of him.

First Sight was a very plain gelding when he first arrived at Riccarton, but he has improved out of knowledge since then. He is growing into a commanding fellow, and if his Wellington form can be believed, then he will be a very useful winner next season. Riccarton people were very disappointed with Good as Gold at Trentham. They expected her to be first out in her races, and to take no end of catching. They say she was always one of the first to show out, but that she could never get clear of her brilliant opponents, and was always first beaten of the leaders. I think it can be taken as read that Footfall will not be seen at the Dunedin Cup meeting. He is in work, and is not showing any signs of lameness. The work being allotted him, however, is of the mildest description, nothing stronger than easy pacing. An effort may be made to get him to the post for the Great Autumn Handicap at Riccarton, but it is doubtful if he will be persevered with if he shows any signs of unsoundness. G. Murray Aynsley has several of his team engaged at the Dunedin Cup meeting. It is a fixture at which he has been very fortunate, and naturally he likes going there. But it is doubtful if he will go to Wingatui this autumn.

G. Murray Aynsley has presented Radiant Knight (Paladin—Rhine Gold) to F. Shaw of Wingatui. Assurance could not act on the Trentham track. Given a course with the sting out of it and the Gay Lad gelding will run out a solid mile. If on the contrary the course is hard he will run correspondingly badly. In his last essay at the Wellington meeting he could hardly raise a gallop, and was “out of sight,” when the winner passed the post. Since arriving home he is revelling in the plough, which is in perfect condition.

One hard and good race was enough for Nincompoop at the Wellington meeting. His knees have always been this fellow’s trouble, and that was the cause of his poor showings at Trentham. R. Emerson has got Master Clarence in hand again. It will be remembered that he fell at the start of a race at Riccarton in November. He was lame after his accident, and was turned out on account of it. He is doing well at present, but of course is not ready. When right he is useful above the average. In the late autumn he will prove this.

All going right with him from now on, and Full Feather will be Sir George Clifford’s representative in the autumn classics for two-year-olds. He does not possess Childsplay’s great burst of speed out from the barrier. In fact he is slow to find his feet. This will of course always be against him. Once galloping he can go just as fast as most youngsters, and as he is improving steadily, he is likely to do good service in Childsplay’s place. He promises to be a rare good three-year-old. The Challenge Stakes at Easter is a race that will suit him very nicely this season.

Countersign has got a lot of people thinking hard. Before going to Trentham she was responsible for several good gallops, in which she did work far above the capabilities of the average handicap horse. One performance over ten furlongs was high class. In her races at Trentham she was always tailed off in the early stages, and was galloping over everything when it was too late. The only conclusion to arrive at about this mare, is that she is moody, or else she requires a lot more work. Trentham is an unlucky spot for Wild Work. As a two-year-old she showed great promise. She was sent to Trentham to get some experience to be of benefit to her in the Dunedin Champagne Stakes. She overreached, and that was the end of her as a two-year-old. From then on she went to pieces, a month ago she showed distinct signs of coming good again. She was sent to Trentham once more. This time she got galloped on so badly, that it is doubtful if she will ever race again, certainly she won’t this season. Count Cavour has still got a rather badly swollen leg. It is not likely that he will be asked to do any more racing this season.

Tuki is an inmate of the Trilford Bros.’ stables at the Washdyke. He has been up for several weeks and is looking big and well. He was taken up early on account of the steeplechasers at various of the Southland meetings. J. T. Humphris, who is the stable horseman, will do well on Tuki.

R. C. Keeper has got several jumpers in hand at Orari. They will be seen out at the Southland meetings. Silver Paper came home from Wellington early. He has been working along steadily, but has not been asked to do any serious galloping. His trouble at Trentham is said to have been festered corns. Whatever the trouble he is sound now. He of course is backward. Sore when he went to Wellington, Sir Roy was decidedly worse on his arrival home. It was useless to ask him to race on such hard going. R. C. Keeper has had Volant fired. The brilliant son of Solferino has been turned out until the winter. One of his legs was much enlarged, and it is doubtful if firing will do it much good. Mr G. Gould the breeder and owner of Jericho, has an idea of putting the Archery —Judith colt into work again. Jericho has done a small season at the stud. His damaged fetlock joint is set stiff. There is not an atom of flexibility in it. Veterinary advice is to the effect that the joint will stand, cases being quoted in which horses have stood training when similarly damaged. Stormy beat Limerick in a gallop on Saturday morning. Beat him easily. They went out to gallop on the plough. When they jumped off Limerick, who was very jolly, bounded on to the grass, and con-'

tinued there despite his rider’s efforts to pull him up. Trainer Fred Jones’ heart was in his mouth for a minute or so. Limerick is not at the top of his form, but he is forward enough to make it a good horse’s job to beat him in the Hazlett Memorial. He will get away to Australia shortly after the Dunedin Cup meeting. ATHLETICS. BROWNS SPORTS. HANDICAPS DECLARED. The handicaps for the bushcraft events in the forthcoming sports at Browns are as follow: 12in Maiden Chop.—C. O’Neil sot.; J. O’Neil scr., J. Kidd scr., C. Hooker scr, J. Manson scr, J. E. Thomas scr., J. Stewart scr., W. Wilson scr, McEwan scr. 15in Underhand Chop.—C. O’Neil 25sec, J. Kidd 25sec, C. Hooker 25sec, J. Manson 25sec, J. E. Thomas 25sec, J. O’Neil 25sec, Herb. Murdoch 25sec, Martin Forde 22sec, Dan Kelleher 22sec, E. J. Smith 20sec, M. McDowall 16sec, G. Blanks 12sec., J. Te Au 6sec. 12in. Standing Chop.—C. O’Neil 16sec., J. Kidd 16sec, C. Hooker 16sec, J. Manson 16sec, J. E. Thomas 16sec., J. O’Neil 16sec, Herb Murdoch 16sec, G. Blanks 13 sec, E. J. Smith lOsec, Dan Kelleher lOsec, J. Te Au Bsec. 18in Double-handed Sawing.—M. Cosgrove and mate ssec., T. Cosgrove and J. Stewart ssec, A. W. Smith and J. T. Smith ssec, Collinson Bros ssec, McEwan Bros ssec, C. Hooker and M. Sheffelbien ssec, S. Fisher and J. Cosgrove 4sec, W. Gill and mate 4sec, J. Manson and J. Thomas 2sec, G. Blanks and mate 2sec, McEwan Bros 2sec, E. J. Smith and mate 3secs. 18in. Maiden Sawing.—M. Cosgrove and mate; T. Cosgrove and J. Stewart; A. W. Smith and J. T. Smith; Collinson Bros; C. Hooker and M. Sheffelbien; J. O’Neil and mate; D. Kelleher and J. Kelleher; H. Murdoch and Henry Murdoch all scratch. BOWLS. TEAMS FOR TO-NIGHT. Waihopai team to play Southland on Waihopai green:— A team —Nicholson, Gray, John Johnston, Kingsland (s); Baxter, Oughton, Rice, Macdonald (s); A. E. Broad, Cunningham, Cuthill, Turnbull (s); Hunter, McCurdy, Joseph Johnston, McLachlan (s). B team on Southland green—J. Ritchie, Bell, McDoweli, Speirs (a); McChesney, McNeil, Winders, Miller (s) ; Donaldson, Pickford, Scandrett, Ritchie (s) ; Martin, Tapper, C. J. Broad, Robertson (s). Team to play Invercargill on Waihopai green to-morrow’-J. Ritchie, Bell, Winders, Macdonald (s); Donaldson, Edmonds, McDowell, Turnbull (s) ; Stone, McNeil, McCurdy, Robertson (s).

Southland Club rinks to play against Waihopai:— A team on Waihopai green—Donaldson, Thomson, Snow, Thomson (s); Ayling, C. Brass, Hewitt, Stewart (s) ; Torrance, McRobie, Dunlop, Cooper (s); Forbes, Israel, Taylor, Reed (s). B team on Southland green—M. Murchison, Parker, Ure (s); Black, Stevenson, Stead, Ayson (s); Holiman, Gardner, England, Dykes (s); McAlpine, Brown, Dakin, Manson (s). Emergency—Leggat.

NORTHEND RINKS v. INVERCARGILL.

—On Invercargill Green.— A Grade: Joyce, Taylor, Wallace, Hain (s); Cutt, Adamson, Smith, Hannah (s) ; Reed, Scandrett, J. A. Wesney, Steans (s); Leek, Battersby, Watson, Service (s). B Grade, on North End green: Pasley, McKelvey, Credgington, Yates (s); McEachran, Adam, Cowie, Daubney (s) ; Greig, Kerr, O’Toole, A. E. Wesney (s); Shand, Kensington, Meredith, S. McDonald (s). CROQUET. SOUTHLAND CHAMPIONSHIPS. The finals of the championship singles were played off yesterday the results being as follow: Mrs Corbett 26 beat Mrs Quinn 14. Miss Corbett 26 beat Mrs T. M. Macdonald. CRICKET. MATCH AT WALLACETOWN. Last evening Mr Percy Shaw’s colt team visited Wallacetown and played a team composed of West Plains, Underwood and Wallacetown Junction combined. Quite an enjoyable evening’s play was experienced, and the match will be continued this evening. The combined team made a total of 68 runs, J. McLennan (9), J. Braxton (9), and B. Lavelle (8 not out) being the top scorers. The colts replied with 96 for eight wickets, Lee (13), Titchener (13), Blue (22), D. Agnew (14), Weir (9 not out) and Gooch (not out 4) being the principal scorers.

BAT SOLD FOR BENEFIT. AUTOGRAPHED BY NEW ZEALANDERS. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, January 29. A cricket bat autographed by the New Zealanders in 1927 realised 55 guineas for the benefit of the Alexandra Orphanage at Hampstead. The highest bidder was Sir Edgar Bowring who is presenting the bat to the orphanage cricket club.—A. and N.Z. and Sun. RUGBY. WARATAH’S ENTERTAINED. London, January 28. The Waratahs were the guests of the Honourable Artillery Company, the oldest regiment in England, at a notable dinner at which the ceremonial of carrying in a boar’s head was kept up while pikemen and trumpeters were present in the costume of the Stuart period. The Company joined the Waratahs in telegraphing their loyalty to the King. The King’s reply was received two hours later thanking them for the sentiments, and expressing his Majesty’s regrets that the last game in England was marred by rain. The Earl of Denbigh presided and paid a tribute to the Waratah’s attractive play. Shaw and Wallace responded and thanked the Company for providing facilities for a practice centre in London. —A. and N.Z. CYCLING AUSTRALIANS ARRIVE ON TOUR. Wellington, January 30. Among the arrivals by the Makura from Sydney this morning were two Australian amateur track champion cyclists, J. Standen and D, Gray, and their trainer-manager, Mr F. W. Kaltenbach. Standen and Gray have been brought to New Zealand by the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association, and are to compete at various centres, making their first appearance at Wanganui on Wednesday. Standen is a youthful champion, being only 18 years of age. Gray is a more experienced rider. Both have been chosen to represent Australia at the Olympic Games. A civic welcome was accorded the visitors by the Mayor to-day. RUGBY LEAGUE. CONFERENCE IN AUSTRALIA. Auckland, January 30. Messrs D. W. McLean and C. A. Snedden, representing the New Zealand Rugby League, will leave by the Aorangi to-morrow to attend the Rugby League Conference at Sydney, at which the New South Wales and Queensland Rugby Leagues will be represented.

The object of the conference is to form a board of control for league football in New Zealand and Australia; to make arrangements for overseas matches and complete arrangements for the visit of a British League team next season. Mr McLean was first president of the Auckland Rugby League and first president of the New Zealand Rugby League, two positions which he filled with conspicuous ability. TENNIS. AUCKLAND TOURNAMENT CONCLUDES Auckland, January 30. The Auckland tennis tournament concluded to-day. The championship finals resulted: Men’s singles.—L. G. Knott beat Dr. Lawrenson 6—4, 6—l, B—6.8 —6. Men’s doubles. —N. Sturt and Knott beat E. W. Griffiths and H. L. Brinsden 3—6, 6—2, 6—4, 3—6, 6—4. Ladies’ singles.—Miss M. Macfarlane beat Miss B. Knight 6—4, 6 —2. Ladies’ doubles.—Mrs Marshall and Miss Macfarlane beat Misses J. Ramsay and D. Nicholls 6—3, 12—10. Combined doubles. —H. Brinsden and Miss D. Nicholls beat M. L. Lampe and Miss B. Knight B—6, 6—2. DAVIES CUP ENTRIES. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) Paris, January 29. The Davis Cup entries now total 32—25 in the European zone and 7 in the American. India is the only non-entrant. —A. and N.Z.