SPORTING

Southland Times, Issue 21561, 26 November 1931, Page 10

SPORTING

NOTES BY SIR MODRED. The first race at the Forbury Park Spring meeting to-day is scheduled for 12.15 p.m. Government taxation on the Waikato Racing Club’s meeting (two days) amounted to £2616 12/-. The concluding event of the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s Spring gathering this afternoon is booked for 5.15 p.m.

As he is not partial to firm tracks, the erratic but useful Rascal is to be laid aside until the winter season.

The recent New Zealand Cup winner, Spearful, was not nominated for the Auckland Cup at Christmas time.

Riccarton mentor, T. H. Gillett, has a new stablemate for Gustavo, a two-year-old filly by Chief Ruler—Mazabuka (imp. Eng.)

At 1.55 p.m. this afternoon Harold Logan will make an attempt to beat Emmeline’s Forbury Park one mile record—2.B 3-5.

Ohai, a half-brother by Some Boy 11, to the G.N. Steeplechase winner, Snowfall, was not prominent at Winton, but gives promise of improvement.

J. B. Pearson’s useful Riccarton pupil, Royal Love, who made a bold showing in the recent N.Z. Cup race, has been thrown out of work.

The three-year-old pacing colt, Nelson Pointer, by Nelson Bingen—Merce Pointer, by Logan Pointer —Merce, attracted keen scrutiny at Winton.

Eight of the horses beaten by Spearful in N.Z. Cup are eligible for the Auckland Cup, viz., Admiral Drake, Gay Crest, Jaloux, Compris, Ephialtes, Mt. Boa, Charmaine, and Kahikatoa.

Five-year-old gelding Ballance, by Balboa ■ —Naomi, at one time trained on the Southland R. C. tracks, is now putting in strong work at Dunedin J.C. headquarters.

Australian turf clubs, Sydney bodies leading, have been taking exception to the broadcasting of racing. The new National Broadcasting Control Board will consider the matter.

It is alleged that two owner-trainers of Sydney have been recommended for disqualification in connection with the Moneyspider alias Landlock case recently investigated by the Victorian authorities.

An Auckland writer says that, no matter what may be opposed to her, it is certain that Kewpie’s Guy will be favourite in the Waikato T.C. Handicap, to be decided on December sth.

The ex Southland square trotter Moneyspider has aroused more trouble in N.S.W. and Victoria than any other New Zealand light harness horse ever shipped from Maoriland to the Commonwealth.

The connections of Phar Lap may mark time in New Zealand awaiting a full and satisfactory statement of terms prior to embarking on the hazardous venture to Mexico and the United States.

Dunedin Star states that “a three-year-old full sister to Salmo Salar shaped well over half a mile at Wingatui on Tuesday.” By the way, the juvenile’s breeder, Mr E. Govan, was an interested observer at Winton last week.

Juvenile gelding Haulblow, winner of the Second Division of the Maiden Race at Levin, is the first of the progeny of the Australian sire, Top Gallant (imp.) by Swynford, to score in Maoriland. Top Gallant died all too soon in Australia.

Dunedin Star reports that Royal Saxon (R. Beale) was schooled over the hurdles along the back at Wingatui on Tuesday. He gets away cleanly' and quickly on landing, and looks like devloping into a good and valuable hurdler.

It is satisfactory to learn on the authority of a well-informed writer in The Dominion, that despite a shrinkage of £5393 in the totalisator returns at the Levin meeting on Saturday last, the club should enjoy a small margin of profit.

The fact that First Song was galloping tenderly at Winton was unfortunate for his owner and also his trainer (R. McLellan), as the son of Songbird—First Hope, by Markhope—-Brilliant Plumes, by Stepniak, is a well-bred galloping colt.

Wlien Spear Lad, 4yrs, won the Levin Handicap (1.1 m. on Saturday for Mr W. R. Kemball, it was the first success of the gelding’s career. He was not raced as a youngster, but, during his juvenile term last season, he ran in seventeen events for one second in a hack contest.

Quite a number of the lesser lights raced at Winton last week performed badly, but there will be a different story to tell later on. Down through the years it has been noticeable that, with few exceptions, gallopers bred here do not come to hand until late autumn.

Having captured the fancy of many Southlanders, it is instructive to read of Gallant Fox, per medium of Dunedin Star, that he was taken up again at Wingatui on Tuesday, after a short spell following on the N.Z. Cup meeting, and appeared to move quite soundly.

Another descendant of imported Lackham has arrived. The Dominion reports that the three-year-old gelding Arvada, by this English sire from Tigritiya by All Black, won the Hokio Hack Handicap (5f.) well at Levin, on Saturday last, and appears likely to earn further distinction.

The diminutive Milliner (Some Boy II — Topsy Knight) displayed extreme speed at the Winton J. C. meeting, but the little daughter of a sire of pace will always be at a disadvantage in racing in open company, as a minor bump in fast travelling seriously affects her.

The starting times of the Forbury Park T.C. events to-day are as follows:—Roslyn Handicap (trotters) at 12.15 p.m.; Progressive Handicap, 12.55 p.m.; St. Kilda Handicap, 1.40 p.m.; Harold Logan’s test, 1.55 p.m.; Spring Handicap, 2.35 p.m.; Presidents’ Handicap, 3.15 p.m.; Dominion Handicap, 3.55 p.m.; Caversham Handicap, 4.35 p.m.; Dash Handicap, 5.15 p.m.

Although he is now owned and trained by the Canterbury light harness mentor, southerners will be interested in the performances of Black Lion at the Forbury Park T.C. meeting this week. The son of Lee Norris—Flower of Turi has yet to prove himself a tough racer —he is engaged in two fast class events to-day.

Mr J. A. Buckland’s will was recently sworn at £238,320 for probate duty in N.S.W. Mr Buckland may be written down as the one and only wealthy Australian who continued to take an interest in the trotting horse to the end of his days—Maorilanders will remember him as the owner of Fritz.

Present at the Melbourne Cup fixture was Sam Cracknell, who was a champion Australian lightweight jockey in the seventies and eighties. He is an orchardist nowadays. Cracknell, who is 85 years of age, won the Melbourne Cup of 1879 on Darriwell. He is a dapper little man still, with a long white beard.

In view of the recent demand for reductions of admission charges, it is interesting to note that the Takapuna JockeyClub has decided to make a further reduction for Saturday and Monday. The through ticket, including ferry fare and admission to the course, will be 2/-, another 2/- for the lawn for ladies, 4/6 for men.

In his tilt against the record over Forbury Park eight furlongs to-day, Harold Logan (pacer) will be driven by his trainer, R. J. Humphreys. The Christchurch gelding holds the world’s handicap race record for two miles of 4min 13 2-ssec, and also the record for the New Zealand Trotting Cup of 4min 18 2-ssec. A great deal of nonsense is being written about the success of White Nose in the Melbourne Cup, the grandstand critics responsible overlooking the fact that he won over two miles and ran out the distance in good time. They also neglect to remark that he won the Hotham Handicap (14m.) two days previously. Races like the Hotham Handicap and Melbourne Cup are not easy to win, and it is safe to say that the scribes referred to would find it difficult, if put to the test, to discover a galloper, even at the minimum weight, capable of securing both stakes. The erstwhile New Zealand Cup fancy Riri, has been engaged to compete in the Moretone Handicap (one mile and a quarter) at the Ashburton County Racing Club’s meeting on December 5. The field is not a strong one on public form, although there are seventeen entries, and, under favourable handicap circumstances, the brother to Chide should be well tried out as a horse fit and well to see out ten furlongs. The Viscount, a five-year-old full brother to Count Cavour and the more youthful Gustavo, by Solferjno—Bon Bard, is included in the nominat-

A very interesting light harness “double” was achieved on the concluding day of the Winton Jockey Club’s recent meeting, when the brothers, W. and J. Cosgrove, won the Oreti Trot Handicap and the Dash Handicap respectively with pacers owned, trained, and piloted by themselves respectively. Both young fellows are well-known in southern trotting circles for their ability to prepare and direct horses in saddle and harness, and, as on previous occasions with other performers, the winners referred to were turned out in the pink of condition, while at least one of the successful hoppled pair created the impression that he is likely to score again before the current season closes. The first leg of the double was accounted for by Just Shandhi, an aged son of John Dillon from Edith Charlotte, a useful pacer, who stepped the mile and a-half to the tune of 3.38 2-5, and may prove capable of better things, as his task was accomplished to sulky with something in hand. The son of a somewhat neglected sire may continue to secure prize money but on the day he djd not create the impression that he was likely to join the champion class. The second leg of the combination was brought off in the Dash Handicap (saddle) by J. Cosgrove’s Erin’s Pride, by Erin’s King—Sarita, and with his owner-trainer in the saddle the strapped racer never left the issue in doubt. Darting out from the starting point like a human sprinter from the toe holes, this five-year-old gelding at once reached the front, and here he stayed throughout, moving easily and faultlessly by the way. The ten furlongs representing the distance of the race were left behind in 2.57 and on a similar well-prepared track some day in the future he will probably do better in opposition to more select company than he encountered on Saturday last. The- two sons of the caretaker (Mr T. Cosgrove! of the Winton Jockey Club’s property take marked pride in the production of their respective racing candidates of the light harness brigade, and it is an open secret that they own several young horses in the growing stage that promise to keep the brothers’ friendly rivalry alive in future when the time comes to get them ready to meet all-comers in their initial competition careers.

As a Melbourne writer puts it, “the New Zealand-bred, West Australian-owned, and Victorian-domiciled gelding, Second Wind, made turf history when he recently won the Williamstown Cup—one of the richest handicap events in Australia —for the second time in succession. The class of the field was exceptionally high, included among the runners being the Melbourne Cup winner, White Nose, the Caulfield Cup winner, Denis Boy, Shadow King (winner of the Moonee Valley Cup), Cimbrian (a previous Williamstown Cup whiner), and the juvenile who scored in the recent V.R.C. Derby, beating Maorilandcr Ammon Ra and a strong field, viz., Johnnie Jason.” The equine hero of the important event decided on a Melbourne suburban course, in the shape of Second Wind, it might have been pointed out, is a six-year-old New Zealandbred gelding by Psychology or Grandcourt (probably the latter) from First Blow, by Finland —War Talk, by Martian —Gossip, byWallace (son of Carbine) —Caroline, by Carlyon—Tuberose, by Grand Flaneur. Quite apart from the fact that Second Wind is bred to stay on the side of his quoted sires, he is very rich in stout blood where his dam is concerned. Here we find him descended from Finland, Martian, Wallace, Carlyon, and Grand Flaneur, all stallions of the very highest credentials where racing over extended distances has to be considered. In passing, it may also be remarked that, in winning the Williamstown Cup over a mile and a-half, the New Zealander secured the race for the second time in the colours of Mr E. Lee Steere, of West Australia, who it will be remembered, raced and won many important events, including the Caulfield Cup of 1920, with that able and enduring racehorse known as Eurythmic. An Australian-born thoroughbred. THE WINTON MEETING. LOCAL HORSES RACE PROMINENTLY. THREE LIGHT HARNESS EVENTS TO DISTRICT TRAINERS. (By “Stop-T/atch.”) The Winton Jockey Club’s fixture once again proved a popular outing with the sporting fraternity of Southland and good attendances, although not as large as those of last year, attended the fixture. Throughout both days the racing was interesting and public interest was maintained until the final event, although the first day followers of favourites had to contend with only one success. The fact that on five of the sixteen events only one dividend was paid out would undoubtedly contribute to the decrease in the totalisator returns. Trainers in the Winton district figured prominently on the list of placings, and four firsts, one second and three thirds were awarded local enthusiasts. In the light harness division, three of the four events went to local trainers. For many years owners and trainers in the Winton district have been recognized as being the most enthusiastic supporters of trotters and pacers in the home province and again this year. Racing and Trotting Clubs can be assured of entries from this centre in the light harness events of their meetings. As mentioned some time back, only a few of the many novices in the Winton district would compete at the Jockey Club fixture, but a good number of them would be seen out at New Year when the Trotting Club’s meeting came off. This season is said to be a record as far as numbers go for novices being trained locally. On all sides well bred youngsters are being gaited and educated for the game. The win of Marvin Dillon in the Hokonui Trot on the first day’s card of the Winton Jockey Club’s fixture was indeed a popular one, and Messrs R. and C. Rolton were the recipients of congratulations on all sides. This mare, as anticipated by the writer to do well in this event, is by John Dillon out of Lady Marvin, and by her winning performance she is capable of accounting for another win or two later in the season. She is a consistent visitor to the Winton track under the capable hand of R. Rolton, who also has a promising Lee Norris —Lady Marvin gelding under his charge. Slump was the other local entrant in this event and his performance was pleasing when it is taken into consideration that he has been in work only a short time. It would not be surprising for Todd to catch a race with him.

The Otapiri Trot saw Just Shandi beaten by a head for second money. This novice of Bill Cosgrove’s seems to be in heavy con-

dition and when fined down a bit should make a name for himself. He is by John Dillon out of Edith Charlotte. In the Oreti Trot on the second day’s card Cosgrove stepped out Just Shandi and won fairly easily by two lengths from Lady Direct. Lady Direct, by Harold Direct from a Bellman mare, is owned by T. Hamilton, of Riverside, and trained by T. Cosgrove at Winton, and in running second to Just Shandi she repeated her training work performances. Cosgrove’s work with this mare is worthy of mention and as he is only a young trainer he has reason to be pleased with his efforts. His team comprises Graham Paige, who will be an-entrant at the Trotting Club fixture, and also a four year-old gelding by Erin’s King out of a Bellman mare, who will be given more serious work later in the season. The Dash Trot, on the second day, went to Erin’s Pride (a five-year-old gelding by Erin’s King from Sarita), who is owned and trained by J. Cosgrove at the Winton course. His performance was a very creditable one and big things will be expected of this novice later in the season. He did not do so well in the Otapiri Trot on the first day and it has been officially reported that part of his gear .was tangled.in this race. Anne B'oleyn, a pupil of J. Stewart’s at South Hillend, made her initial appearance in the Otapiri Trot Handicap. Being by Lee Norris out of Country Queen, this four-year-old mare is particularly well bred and under the care of this capable young trainer she should develop into a useful sort.

Fair Noreen, a five-year-old mare by- Lee Norris out of Young Weary, is being worked by J. McTavish in the South Hillend district, and she also faced the starter in the Oreti Trot at Winton.

One of ths niost handsome novices seen in the light harness fields at Winton was Nelson Pointer, a three-year-old colt by Nelson Bingen out of Merce Pointer. This youngster made his debut in the Oreti Trot, ami big things were not expected of him in his initial per.V>rmance, but at the same time he was always in the picture. Since “Thorny” Wallace has been working in the Winton district, Nelson Pointer is one of his pupils and under good care he should develop into a handy customer. Sunflash (Sungod—Dragoon mare), who is being trained privately at Lochiel, had his first start this season in the Dash Trot at Winton. He is a useful sort and was promnient throughout in his race at Winton to finish fourth.

Baker Boy was also an aspirant in the Dash Trot, and although he raced as well as could be expected, he has not been in solid training for any length of time this season yet.

The . Some Boy ll.—Bondage gelding. Rombeau. was the only locally trained entrant in the Trial Stakes. Rombeau is nowfive years old and has accomplished good work of late under his trainer, Frank Langford, and his effort at Winton when he ran into fourth place was pleasing.

Money Mine started on two occasions, and although he did not pass the judge first on any occasion his performances were quite creditable when it is considered that he has had very- little solid work this season. He was taken to J. A. Rowland’s ctable in Invercargill after the meeting, and he will be asked to do more strenuous work than he has been doing on his owner’s, Mr W. Swale's, farm at Limehills. The Some Boy 11. gelding. Leading Boy, who is being trained at Bayswater, faced the barrier in the Benmore Handicap. He is a speedv customer and was always prom l inent in this race, which was his first for the season.

Patrons of the Winton fixture usually look forward to something of an outstanding nature in the cross-country events, but this season the steeplechase events were poorly patronized, with the result that they were very ordinary exhibitions. A field of five faced the Winton Steeplechase on the first day’s card, but with the first and second favourites running off at the first obstacle, the public did not get a very good rim for its money. A similar field went out in the Turi Steeplechase on the second day’s card. Altogether, the cross-country events of the meeting were disappointing in comparison with what has been given at previous fixtures. Calham, who was the public choice for both events, did not run to expectations and was not jumping at all well. The first day he was run off by Polling Day, while the second day he landed on his head after half the course had been completed. Polling Day, another ’chaser from the Turi district, made amends for his mistake in the first day’s event and accounted for the second day’s steeplechase. He won fairly easily after Calham had tipped out. Pantier, 'who ran third in both events, was probably the best jumper that went out. but his age told when it came to speed on the flat and this was where he failed. FORBURY PARK TROTTING CLUB. ACCEPTANCES FOR TO-DAY. The following are the acceptances for the first day of the, Forbury Park Trotting Club's Spring meeting on November 26 and 28:— ROSLYN HANDICAP, £l4O. Class 3.45. One and a-half miles. Brent Boy scr Margaret Parrish 24 Esbine scr Nellie Hugo 48 Radley scr Stanley Bingen 48 Royal Purple scr Mr Penalty 132 yds bhd Louis Bingen 24 PROGRESSIVE HANDICAP, £l4O. Class 3.42. One and a-half miles. Colorado scr yds bhd Copper Nob scr Blue Mountain 12 Jolly Queen scr Plain Silk 12 Laracor scr Little Victor 24 Manoeuvre scr Deste 36 Special Sun scr ST. KILDA HANDICAP, £l6O. Class 2.19. One mile. yds bhd Donard scr Ron 12 Ixjrd Antrim scr Sunranes 12 Master Roy scr Priceless 12 Pronto Bingen scr Sunny Mom 12 Silver Bingen scr Holly Bank 24 SPRING HANDICAP (harness), £l5O. Class 3.16. One mile and three furlongs. Aristotle scr Schoolmate scr Elite Bingen scr War Paint scr Great Chenault scr Willie Wilkes scr Madam Locanda scr Headlight scr Mountain yds bhd Dweller scr Llewellyn 12 Sister Rose scr Dusolina 12 Sandown scr Prairie King 24 PRESIDENT’S HANDICAP (harness), £300.. Class 3.34. Two miles. Colonial Boy scr Tarndale 12 John Noble scr Royal Silk 24 Surprise Journey scr Delightful 24 Sir Guy scr Black Lion 24 yds bhd Meteor 36 Grand Canyon 12 Pageant 36 Golden Pedro 12 Arikitoa 36 DOMINION HANDICAP, £l6O. Class 4.50. Two miles. Peter Fashion scr Biddy Parrish 24 Iwanta scr Arctotis 36 yds bhd Great Nelson 60 Dark Great Way 84 McKinney 12 Lee Todd 132 Mr Penalty 24 CAVERSHAM HANDICAP (harness); £l5O. Class 3.30. One and a-half miles. Donard scr Ulm scr Ratloc scr yds bhd Ron scr Priceless 12 Jolly Wave scr Guy Bingen 24 Morrison scr Holly Bank 24 Location _ scr Logaleen 48 Sunranes scr DASH HANDICAP, £2OO. Class 2.49. One and a-quarter miles. Surprise Journey scr Grand Canyon 24 George Rey scr Golden Pedro 24 yds bhd Sir Guy 24 Nor’ Wester 12 Black Lion 24 Wild Voyage 12 Royal Silk. 24 Brentlight 12 Logan Hanlon 48 Mac Dillon 12 Pageant 48 Arethusa 24

' CRICKET. HIGH SCHOOLS’ MATCHES. Dunedin, November 25. The Otago-Waitaki High School cricket matches concluded to-day. The junior game finished in the forenoon, Otago winning by an innings and 29 runs. The senior match was drawn. Waitaki made 247 and Otago 51. At the luncheon adjournment Otago had scored 104 for five wickets, but heavy rain in the afternoon prevented further play and the match was drawn. THE NEW ZEALAND TEAM. MR A. T. DONNELLY’S OBSERVATIONS. Wellington, November 25. According to Mr A. T. Donnelly, chairman of the N.Z. Cricket Council, who returned by the Rangitata after a tour of England with the , New Zealand cricket team, the English cricketing public has a great regard for the players from the Do minion and any New Zealand team will bo assured of a wonderful welcome in the Old Country. Mr Donnelly arrived in England just before the first lest match at Lord's and he accompanied the team from that stage onward. He remained a .further month in the Old Country, engaged on work of importance to New Zealand cricket. When the Rangitata left Southampton, he was farewelled by a large gathering of wellknown cricketing people. Mr Donnelly expressed appreciation of the wonderful hospitality shown the New Zealanders and the sportsmanship of the spectators. The batting strength of the team did much to make up for the bowling weakness. Although Dempster was outstanding, the general level of the batting was sound. Merritt and Cromb impressed by their performances at the first test, but after that Merritt lost his length and spin. The main deficiency was the absence of bowlers who could spin. The fielding was generally good and James did good work behind the wicket. Vivian was the only bowler who improved as the tour progressed and some of his batting innings were as good as any played by the great left handers. The tour was worth while for the discovery of such a player. Lowry’s captaincy had won great praise. He was considered one of the best captains to visit England. The weather during the tour was the worst for years. Had the weather been good, the tour would have shown a substantial profit. As it was, he was afraid there would be a loss. The gross gate takings amounted to £BOOO. BOWLS. POSTPONED MATCHES. The postponed A and B grade four-rink bowling matches, which were set down to take place on Tuesday evening, will be played this evening. The inter-club match between Southland and Te Rangi, which was postponed last Saturday, will be played on Saturday afternoon. The following players will represent Southland: — On Southland Green: Brown, Brass, Fortune, Hewitt (s) ; Crawford, Pollard, McRobie, Reed (s) ; Smith, Parker, Campbell, Strang (s) ; Donaldson, Stevenson, A. Clark, J. E. Taylor (s). On Te Rangi Green: A. Cooper, Kingsland, Gardner, Ayson (s) ; Forbes, W. Kerr, Manson, Dykes (s) ; Ayling, C. Kerr, A. Taylor, Snow (s) ; Jones, Leggat, Torrance, Stewart (s) ; Holliman, Lumsden, J. Thomson, D. Thomson (s).