SPORTING

Southland Times, Issue 25361, 13 August 1935, Page 10

SPORTING

NOTES BY THE CURRAGH.

Grand National meeting opens at Riccarton to-day.

There are fourteen horses using the tracks now at Riverton.

There will be trotting at Addington again to-morrow afternoon.

The Grand National Steeplechase is timed for 2.15 this afternoon.

Opening event at Riccarton to-day. Trial Hurdles, is set down for 11.30 a.m.

Smoke Oh has been claimed as the name of Mr D. Tweedie’s Woodend— Lucky Maid four-yehr-old gelding.

J. Thistleton has charge of Acla at Riverton, and expects to have two steeplechasers under his care shortly.

The promising pacer Greenmantle has just concluded a long spell, and is again in work under D. C. Watts, at Oamaru.

Mayam, who never looked better, and his stablemate Full Dress are doing satisfactory work on the Riverton racing tracks.

Mr Fred Kerse, owner of Acla, who has been laid aside with a severe illness for some time, is now out and about again.

Arctic King has arrived from the north to fulfil engagements on the second and third days of the Grand National meeting.

A. McKay’s stable includes Mr P. Riddle’s gelding by Balboa—Spearmaid, Mr F. Moore’s gelding by Balboa—Some Form and Miss Cuff’s filly by British Empire.

James White, South Riverton, has a maiden performer in hand, Repander, by Panmure out of Reminder. He has been treated well during the winter and is in great fettle.

G. Bain has Bay Biddy, Bay Duke and Character (a gelding by Balboa) in work at Riverton. They are all m good condition, having been well catered for during the winter.

According to private reports, Viking, who has three engagements at the National meeting, is expected to give a good account of himself. Trainer F. Shaw is in charge of the Rivertonowned gelding.

A filly foal, sister to Windsor Lad, has been named Radiant. Their dam, Resplendent, recently returned to England from France, where she had been on a visit to Blenheim. Next year she is to be mated with Fairway.

In R. McNay’s stable at Riverton is a bay three-year-old gelding Wild Career, by Balboa—Full Swing in good condition. He will probably be entered for the Gore meeting. The other occupant of the stable, Golden Lap, a bay gelding by Woodend—Divinial, is looking well.

The caretaker at Riverton, Mr A. Taylor, has the racecourse grounds looking very well at present. He has devoted a considerable portion of his time to the training tracks which, according to the local trainers, have been in a very satisfactory condition throughout the winter months.

The reason for Tudor not going to Riccarton is that he is suffering from a strained muscle in one of his legs which was manifest after working early in the week. Veterinary advice was sought, and although the trouble is not serious, it was thought inadvisable to take the risk of sending him south.

H. Rama, owner-trainer of Horowhenua, was recently asked to put a price on his horse, and the reply was 1000 guineas. Negotiations are still proceeding, but it is not thought likely that a’ sale will be made at the price quoted. Should one take place, however, Horowhenua will be taken to Australia for the spring meetings.

Riverton and district should be well represented' at the Grand National meeting, _ as quite a number of racegoers have signified their intention of being present. Included in the contingent will be the president of the local club, Mr D. M. Tweedie, who has been instructed to make full inquiries regarding the latest device in starting gates.

R. McNay, who has been in occupation since Easter at the Lodge, formerly owned by the late Mr J. O. Hymers at Riverton, has a string of three under his care. A handsome unnamed black filly by British Empire—Grand Eclat is in great fettle, and has come in for a great deal of inspection of late. McNay is well pleased with the way she is shaping. She is entered for the McLean Stakes in Dunedin.

While on his recent visit to Australia, L. H. Hewitt purchased that good horse Count Ito for a patron of his stable in India. Writing to a friend in Melbourne, Hewitt says that Count Ito had a very rough passage across. “He’s alive, but that is about all. During the trip he was so badly injured that they contemplated giving him a bullet. They did not have the authority, otherwise they might have acted. When I first saw him he was in a very sorry state. He looked badly knocked about and was marked by cuts and scars. He is now in a veterinary hospital, but is making slow progress.”

Since 1921 more favourites have been successful in the Grand National Steeplechase than in either the Grand National Hurdles or the Winter Cup. Five—Coalition, Oakleigh, Beau Cavalier, Wiltshire, and Aurora Borealishave won the Steeplechase during that period. On the other hand, Wharncliffe has been the only first fancy to win the Hurdles, while Le Choucas, bracketed with Nippy, and Fast Passage have been the only successful ones in the Winter Cup. In the past two years investors have been far astray in assessing the chances in the Winter Cup. Mount Boa in 1933 and Princess Doreen in 1934 both being outsiders. However, between Solferite’s surprise win in 1927 until Fast Passage won when favourite in 1932, all the winners were among the main fancies. Bisox, fifth in demand, being the least fancied one in that period.

Liniarch is the first of the spring casualties (says a Sydney writer). Recently he developed shoulder trouble, and although J. T. Jamieson lost no time in treating him, the trouble re- . mained. Limarch has been blistered and will be out of commission for a short period at least. When the double lists were opened on the Epsom Handicap and Metropolitan, the bookmakers assessed Limarch as favourite for the distance event. Practically no support was given, but he has been kept on the first or second line. He has been one of the most unlucky horses in training, for last spring accidents at Randwick and then at Caulfield ended his activities for the season. Since his return to training he has done well until this later affliction. It is early yet to have any definite opinion from his trainer, J. T. Jamie- , son, and the spring meeting is still more than several weeks away, but for a horse who has been without a race for the best part of a year the stoppage not improve his prospects.

The Wingatui trainer, C. Gieseler, who is at Riccarton at present with Travenna and Lycidas, has a promising lot of young horses awaiting his return home, in order that they may be got ready for racing later on. Sunny Jean, a three-year-old Siegfried filly, may be racing at the Otago Hunt meeting, early next month. A three-year-old gelding by Balboa from Green Cloth (sister to Centrepiep'e and half-sister to Cricket Bat) is a/ likely sort for the spring meetings -and so is one by Balboa from Joybridge. A two-year-old gelding by Roser.or from Wingatui has done a fair amount of useful work, but he is not being hurried. The team that C. Gieselerthas in work at Wingatui includes Tina Rosetta, a big mare by Tractor from Silver Patch, the dam of the speedy Silver Coat. This mare was tried as a two-year-old, but an injury to a foot made a long spell necessary. She is seven years old now and she looks as if she would make a good steeplechaser.

As usual, several stallions will begin their stud career this season, and the latest announcement is that the Paper Money horse Inflation is to take up duty in this role in the Manawatu district. He is the first Paper Money horse to go to the stud, but it is possible that Autopay, another son of Paper Money, will also be mated with a few mares this season. Inflation, who is owned by Mr H. E. Edmunds, of Palmerston North, had a worthy race record and, except for unsoundness, the result of a mishap that befell him in one of his trips to Australia, he would have been a much better winner than he is. In his interrupted racing career he started 46 times for 11 wins and 13 minor placings, including three wins in Australia, and he gained £2447 15/- in stake-money. Inflation, beside being a son of Paper Money, noted as a sire of early speed, descends from a successful female line, his dam, Fleeting, being by Boniform from the Clanranald mare, Snowstell, representing the Stonyhurst branch of the Mermaid family, through Safeguard.

With 46 victories to his credit, H. Skidmore had an easy win among the jockeys in the Melbourne metropolitan area, next to him coming the New Zealander K. Voitre, 35, and R. Bailey, 34. On actual results the honours are with Voitre, says the Melbourne “Herald.” His rise to fame has been little short of sensational, more so because the season was well advanced before he first rode in Melbourne. He did not have a mount at a city meeting until November - 6, and two days later he rode his first winner, Worthing, at Flemington. He left for New Zealand a little later, and did not resume riding in Victoria until February 20. It was then that he started his amazing sequence of successes. By February 23 he had ridden his second winner, and since has piloted no fewer than 33 winners within the metropolitan radius. Summarized, Voitre rode his 35 winners in a period of about six months. As he has had offers to go abroad, but is content to remain in Melbourne, his first full season will be watched with increased interest. He will, however, have a doughty rival in Skidmore and others, and friendly rivalry among the jockeys will be a feature of the new year of racing. F. W. Hoysted headed the trainers’ list with 241 wins, and was followed by the former New Zealander L. Robertson, 22| and J. Holt, 211. CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB ACCEPTANCES FOR TO-DAY. The following are the acceptances for the first day of the Canterbury Jockey Club's meeting on August 13, 15 and 17:— 11.31 a.m. TRIAL HURDLE RACE HANDICAP, £2OO. One mile and three-quarters.

BASKETBALL SECONDARY SCHOOLS’ ASSOCIATION. MATCHES FOR THIS WEEK. • . Matches to be played this week under the auspices of the Secondary Schools Basketball Association are as follows:— Senior.—High School B v. St. Catherine’s, at St. Catherine’s (3.30 p.m.). Junior. —Same as last week. -

Esteem 10 13 Sunward 9 7 Tareha 9 12 Giggleswick 9 4 Red Sun• 9 9 Prince Vai 9 3 Vitaphone 9 8 Trishna 9 2 12.6 p.m. PAPARUA HANDICAP, £200. Six furlongs. Cranford 9 1 Metal Bird 8 1 Kemal Pasha 3 13 Orris 8 0 Cottesmore 8 9 Dollar Bill 8 0 Fair Weather 8 6 Invoice 8 0 Trivet 8 o Control 8 0 12.15 p.m. * JUMPERS FLAT HANDICAP, £200. One mile and a-half. Polydora 11 9 Master Musk 9 13 Revision 10 9 Manawatu 9 11 Rasouli 10 6 Lycidas 9 0 Hounslow 10 0 1.31 p.m. CASHMERE PLATE. £ 150. Six furlongs. Arrow Glen 8 11 Glen Avon 8 0 Haste Away 8 11 Greek Vase 8 0 Horn's Reef 8 11 Grey Honour 8 0 Polygraph 8 11 Hine Ra 8 0 Princess Jack Ahoy 8 0 Rawene 8 11 John Ball 8 0 Tooley Street 8 11 Lady Graceful 8 0 Trumpet Blast 8 11 Lofty Night 8 0 Whaddor Chase 8 11 Bound 8 0 Bereft 8 0 Pink Abbey 8 0 Culotte 8 0 Superex 8 0 Doctor Duthie 8 0 2.11 p.m. GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE. £1000. Three miles and a-half. Valpeen 11 13 Free Air 9 5 Billy Boy 11 5 Umtali 9 4 Royal Limond 10 8 Pahu 9 0 Dunmure 10 7 Night Parade 9 0 Punchestown 10 1 Peterette 9 0 Ruby Meteor 9 13 2.56 p.m. ENFIELD STEEPLECHASE £200. About two miles. Make Up 11 9 Witui 9 0 Diamond 11 . i Parasang 9 0 Monastic 10 6 Dan Russell 9 0 Cardhu 9 7 Bandy Boa 9 0 Royal Buck 9 1 3.36 p.m. WINTER CUP HANDICAP. £500. One ipile. Golden Hair 9 5 Sunee 8 2 Rebel Chief 9 1 Travenna 8 2 Southdown 9 0 Chrysology 8 2 Gay Crest 8 12 Royal Banquet 8 1 Horowhenua 8 12 Korero 8 0 Osculate 8 9 Wino 8 0 Silver Sight 8 8 Royal Gallant 8 0 Lapel 8 6 Epris 8 0 Mercian Prince 8 5 Courtyard 8 0 Sea Fox 8 5 Adeline 8 0 Tuirau 8 3 Quite Soon 8 0 Knockfin 8 2 4.21 p.m. AVONHEAD HANDICAP. £175. Sever urlongs. Bella Rosa 9 9 Rose of Tralee 8 5 Dollar Princess 8 13 Land Raid 8 5 Viking 8 12 Linguist 8 5 Sisterina 8 11 Isaacs 8 4 McHeath 8 10 Joyous 8 4 Grand Review 8 9 Latitude 8 4 State Bank 8 9 Hunting Bag 8 3 Colombo 8 8 Friday Night 8 2 Arrowrose 8 8 Maro'na 8 0 Mount Vai 8 8 Tail. Light 8 0 •Golden Dart 8 8 Impossible 8 0 Dodge 8 8 Half Note 8 0 High Glee 8 8 New Note 8 0 Kurapae 8 7 Greek Riptide 8 5 Shepherd 8 0 Elbanor 8 5 Second Day. N.Z. GRAND NATIONAL HURDLE HANDICAP. £600. About two miles and a-half. Rasouli 10 9 Verden 9 9 Revision 10 4 Polydora 9 9 Hounslow 10 3 Lycidas 9 2 Valpeen 10 3 Master Musk 9 0 Esteem 9 11 Dunmure 9 0 Jolly Beggar 9 10 Tareha 9 0