LAWN DERBY AND GREYHOUND

Southland Times, Issue 23680, 1 December 1938, Page 10

LAWN DERBY AND GREYHOUND

NO EQUITABLE BASIS FOR MATCHING

HORSES FROM DIFFERENT HEMISPHERES

Lawn Derby and Greyhound Some trotting fans have expressed the opinion that the owner of Lawn Derby is erupting hot air when he talks of matching his pacer with Greyhound, Actually he is submitting a sound business proposition, says The Timaru Herald. He makes the important reservation that the match should be staged in New Zealand, preferably at Addington. Greyhound is a 1.55 trotter in the States, but it would be surprising if he were equal to 2.0 in New Zealand, unless he were brought here many months before he raced. In the United States of America the shoe would be on the other foot, and he acclimatized Lawn Derby would do well to go 2.5. There is not and never will be any equitable basis for matches between horses from different hemispheres. Manawatu Cup Worth £7OO

This year’s Manawatu Cup, one of the few mile and a-half races during the holidays, will be worth £7OO.

Hawke’s Bay Dates

The Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club’s New Year dates have been changed from December 31 and January 2 to January 2 and 3. Valuable Trophy A gold trophy valued at 200gns has already been given to the Wellington Racing Club for the Centenary Wellington Cup in 1940. The donor desired to remain anonymous. Fast Tracks

Probably the two fastest trotting tracks in New Zealand are the race track at Gore and the old track at Canterbury Park, says "Sentinel in The Otago Daily Times. The Gore track is laid out on high ground with shingly subsoil and with a closecropped surface could be made very fast for an exhibition of speed on grass. Ordinary horses have been timed to go fast at Gore, and gave an indication of how a class horse could perform. First Winner

R. Caddy, a brother of M. Caddy, steered his first winner when Elmarch got the verdict in a kaleidoscope finish between four horses in the Apprentices’ Handicap at Ashburton. Overdue Win

Wotan’s win in the Manchester Handicap at Feilding is his first since he won the Easter Handicap there last April, and only his second since his sensational success in the Melbourne Cup over two years ago.

The Buzzer at Auckland The Buzzer is considered to have improved in condition since his races at Riccarton,and is. expected to be very fit for the Auckland Cup, which he won last year. The Buzzer appeared to be difficult to control at Riccarton, and it will not be surprising if he is more at his ease on the right-handed track at Ellerslie... . .. ... . .. First in Six Years

Satin King’s win at last week was his first since he registered 4.16 in the Courtenay Handicap at Addington at the Cup meeting of 1933. That is nearly as remarkable as the “comeback” of Black Odin, who won a hack sprint at New Plymouth two seasons back. Black Odin was 11, and had not raced for seven years.

Champion Stakes Under the conditions of the Champion Stakes at Ashburton on Boxing Day, Aidershot . and Shadowson, as winners of three-year-old classics will have to concede 12 yards to the rest of the field. Those on the limit will include Bed Rock (who beat Aidershot in the Sapling Stakes), the filly having yet to make her appearance as a three-year-old. ■ A Well-bred Sort

Awapiini stables supplied the first and second favourites for the Aorangi Trial Plate at Feilding and they paid the dividends but in reverse order, Thrasos beating Old Bill for the major honour. The winner is a handsome son of the Australian sire Thracian from the Psychology—Flora McDonald mare Pythia, who did her early racing in New Zealand in the colours of' the late Mr F. J. Nathan, wh6 also had interests in Australia. At Rangitikei he had failed to handle the turns and although he was able to secure a handy place early on this occasion, it was not till he was headed for home that he put in his real claim. Although Thrasos won really well, Old Bill was undoubtedly unlucky, for after a smart beginning he lost his place and had to come from some distance back over the last two furlongs.

Tod Big a Risk It can be accepted as pretty definite that Greyhound will not visit New Zealand. None of the major trotting clubs is enamoured of the proposal to guarantee £lO,OOO, and while the Grey Ghost at his best would be a magnetic attraction there would be a big risk of loss if, after his first appearance, he failed to reveal his true ability, says The Timaru Herald. It is unlikely that he would get within five seconds of his world’s record until he had been several months in the country. Another suggestion is that a visit should be arranged for the 1.55 pacer Billy Direct, whose cost would be only about half of that of the trotter, but 2.0 would be as much as we would be entitled to expect from him here, and although he does not wear hopples his colour would not make the same appeal.

A Change of Stables It is reported that the trotting gelding Norman Fox has joined J. J. Kennerley’s stable. Norman Fox was in Kennerley’s care about three years ago when he won a double with him at Oamaru. Kennerley understands Nelson Bingen horses, and if he can get Norman Fox tuned to his liking he will win two or three races with him.

Lawn Derby’s Tasks It is understood that the contract which the Forbury Club wished to set Lawn Derby was to endeavour to break his own record of 1.59 2-5. The New Brighton Club is less exacting, and it is reported that the Australian champion will win a purse of £lOO if he reduces Nervie’s Last’s grass track record of 2.4. This should not trouble Lawn Derby if conditions are suitable.

Otago Leads It is very pleasing indeed to be able to record a sporting gift as a trophy, large or small, as a gesture of desire to embellish a programme, says The Otago Daily Times. A trophy of the value of £2OO has been added to the Wellington Centenary Cup of 1940. This is probably the richest individual

trophy presented in New Zealand, but still it has to run second to the James Hazlett Gold Cup of £lOO, for several years annually presented as a private gift to embellish the programme of the Dunedin Cup meeting. The Dunedin Cup has been carrying a trophy valued at £lOO and two such trophies for a two-day meeting take same beating, if in fact, it is not a record for New Zealand. Some of these days it is to be hoped that the Dunedin Cup meeting will return to its former prominence of a three-day programme and be restored to the sporting glamour, gold, and glory that surrounded it in days of yore.