RACING.

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 91, 8 July 1927, Page 6

RACING.

OLYMPIC GAMES

VISITORS’ “EXES” The dates for the 1928 Olympic Games, to be held in Holland, have been set up as follow: From May 17 to June 17, hockey, and Soccer: July 28 to August 12, athletics, swimming, boxing, and cycling. Advice has been received by Messrs. Russell and Somers, Ltd., agents of the Royal Packet Navigation Company, that hotel managers are preparing for the expected rush. The total expenses, such as hotels, meals, motor transport, and tips, etc., are estimated at £2 a day. Accommodation will be at a premium in Amsterdam next year, and at the present time feverish building activity is going on in the Dutch town.

MEETINGS TO COME

July 12, 14. 16—Wellington R.C. July 21—Waimate Hunt Club. July 23—Canterbury Hunt Club. July 28, 30—Gisborne R.C. July 30—Christchurch Hunt Club. 1927-28 Season August 6.—Poverty Bay Hunt Club. August 9, 11, 13.—Canterbury J.C. August 20.—Pakuranga Hunt Club. September 3.—North Taranaki H.C. September 7, B.—*Marton J.C. September 10.—Otago Hunt Club. September 14.—Dannevirke R.C. September 24, 26.—Napier Park R.C. September 24, 26.—Avondale J.C. September 29, '3o.—Geraldine R.C. October I.—Hawke's Bay J.C. October s.— Manawatu Hunt Club. October 6.—Kurow J.C. October 7, S. —Otaki-Maori R.C, October 8, 10.—Oamaru J.C. October 13, 15.—Wanganui J.C. October 13, 15.—Whangarei R.C. October 13. 15. —Dunedin J.C. October 15. —Carterton R.C. October 19, 20.—Cromwell J.C. October 22, 24.—Wellington R.C. October 22, 24.—Waverley R.C.

Gisborne Meeting Entries for the Gisborne meeting (on July 28 and 30) are due to close tonight. Rides at Trentham

In addition to Rahepoto, E. Stanway will pilot Mount Marta at Trentham, while he will have the mount on Gold Plain in the High-Weight Handicap on the second day. * Long Odds There were 23 starters in the Derby last month, won by the favourite, Call Boy, and some of the runners were at forlorn. Four were at 100-1, two at 200-1, while two others were quoted at 1,000-1! An Ellerslie Team H. Hastedt is not allowing Rapoa, Golden Krist and the five-year-old Spalpeen gelding Spalmoor to be very idle, for each of the trio is receiving sufficient work to keep them in. the right order for a spring preparation. Derby Prize English papers to hand this week show that the Derby was worth £12,615. Of this the owner took £ 12,01 5, the owners of the second and third horses collecting a mere £ 400 and £2OO respectively. Back to Work Although Vice Versa is somewhat rough in appearance he is in good trim, and his work at Ellerslie on the sand track during the last few days presages that when asked to do better in view of the Pakuranga Hunt meet-

ing the black gelding should do better. His last attempt under silk was in the Brighton Hurdles at the A.R.C. autumn meeting in 1925, when he ran unplaced. Previous to that event he accounted for the Hurdles on the second, day of the Takapuna summer meeting, run 10 weeks before.

Missed His “Parritch” What would our bookmakers say if they had to pay out such a sum as the leading London penciller wrote a cheque for when the Derby was decided? He ran a treble on the Lincolnshire Handicap, Grand National and the Derby, and he laid the winning

trio—Priory Park, Sprig and Call Boy —for £7,200. He paid up. Strange to say it was a Glasgow man who caught the penciller, and he received a magnificent return for the outlay of a fiver. The first two “legs in” scored in March, and it is a pretty safe bet to say that he went without his porridge during the 10 weeks that elapsed before the last “leg” came home.

Too Much Weight Glenross has been scratched for all engagements at the Wellington winter meeting. Twelve months ago he was the winner of I:he Winter Oats Handicap on the concluding day. The weight given the Absurd gelding the first day was considered prohibitive. As Others See Us

Following these convictions of bookmakers, in New Zealand, a number of licensed premises have been closed on the ground that they are common gaming houses. Thus the totalisator has failed, the bookmaker, whose presence is the natural sequel to a public demand, is being harried and harassed by the police, and the hotel business is being carried on under extreme difficulty. Altogether a very pretty spectacle—to witness from afar. —London “Sporting Life.” Blood Will Tell

Six years ago, the English owner, Lord Glanely, gave the record price of 14,500 guineas lor a chestnut colt, by the Tetrarch, from Blue Tit. Galled Blue Ensign, he was a magnificentlooking fellow but. like others from the same mare who brought high priceg, was a failure on the turf. He could not go fast enough to lead a funeral, as a trainer may be heard to say, when he is disappointed with a horse tnat he has backed. Blue Ensign was quickly sent to the stud, and Livid, a grey two-year-old by him, won recently at York. He showed some of the pace which had been expected from his sire. Change of Stables

Te Awamutu is shortly to have an addition to the large number of horses trained there. Mr. Wilfred Johnstone, a prominent Waikato sportsman, who owns a number of trotting horses, has decided to take up his quarters there. He has purchased from Dr. A. Henderson the commodious and up-to-date stables, which were formerly occupied by Mr. A. Cook, in which were stabled Pegaway, Te Kara, Hyde Park, Tall Timber, Green Bonnet and others of lesser note. The purchase price of the stables, which were built to the order of Mr. Gerald Stead about six years ago. is stated to be in the vicinity of £2,000, and that possession is to be given on August 1, by which time Mi - . Cook is to vacate the premises. Mr. Cook is hopeful of getting other suitable stabling accommodation in or near Te Awamutu.

Cost 1,550 Guineas; Sold for 70 Great was the fall of the once mighty at Inglis’s sale in Sydney last week. A two-year-old that a year before had realised 1,550 guineas was'sold for,. 70 guineas. The younger horse that had once been so promising was Helmsman. a gelding by Rossendale from Demeter, and the most remarkable about his sale was that he had not even raced. He was such a handsome youngster at the 1926 sales that Mr. Percy Miller bought him for his daughter for 1,550 guineas, but he has been a dead loss, and evidently has a lot to learn about galloping for his owner to sell him at such a low price without giving him a race.

Buyers are Shy Owner-trainer H. W. Burch’s estimation of Stormy and Breezy is somewhat higher than the value placed on the pair by at least a couple of wellknown Sydney trainers, says a Sydney scribe. M. Poison went to Newcastle last week-end with a view to purchasing the New Zealand performers. but either was not impressed by the trial shown him. or considered the price too high, for he returned home without any additions to his Moorfield team. The latest trainer to inspect the pair is W. Kelso, who looked them over soon after their arrival from Newcastle recently. However, no busi-

ness resulted, Kelso evidently being of the opinion that Burch asked too much money. It has been stated that the New Zealander wants 3,000 guineas for Stormy and Breezy, but unless they

can improve on their Menangle form, buyers are likely to shy at that figure. (Breezy was reported on Monday as having been sold.) Crown Coin’s Rider

The latest from Trentham states that A. McDonald may ride Crown Coin in the Wellington Steeplechase next Tuesday. The horse is trained at Wanganui and advices from there state that W. J. Bowden will be in the saddle. Not Starting THE SU IN’S Wellington correspondent reports that Peter Maxwell is not running at Trentham next week, his accommodation having been cancelled. Bonny Rill is on the scene, but she has not fully recovered from the injuries sustained at Wanganui and Napier. Whangarei Improvements

The work of further improving the Whangarei racecourse is shortly to be undertaken. The six-furlong start is to be done away with, and in future races from this post will be reduced to five and a-half furlongs. For this purpose a new' starting barrier is to be placed near the entrance gates, and the provision of the alley there will give a straight run of a couple of furlongs along the back. It is also proposed to move the hurdle at the fivefurlong post some distance forward, to give the horses a better run to it. These are much needed improvements, and the Whangarei Club i,s to be congratulated upon its decision, which was arrived at as soon as the difficulties in regard to the lease were surmounted. Hawera Team for Trentham

The Taranaki horses intended for Wellington all look in good shape, says the Hawera “Star,” and although the weather has been bad, they have managed to get plenty of track work in and should not fail in their respective engagements for want. of condition.

Troilus was given a schooling over the hurdTes on Wednesday, jumping proficiently, and on Thursday morning was galloped a mile, Denier joining in at about five furlongs. Both horses worked well. Gaillard and Killoch were sprinted over four furlongs on the grass, the old mare having slightly the best of the spin. The time, sec., under the conditions, was good. Bevis did strong pace work and looks in great shape for his debut over the hurdles.

On Saturday Gaillard and Denier had a nice work out over five furlongs on the grass, which was heavy. Denier finished ifi front in lmin. 9sec. Killoch was given strong pace work on the sand. Bevis and %Taitaiata were sent round the hurdles, both jumping well. Troilus was allotted pace work.

R. Brough has Royal Acre back again looking in splendid condition after his spell to commence work. This horse had to be let up early on account of contracting a heavy cold when approaching his best. He is a fine stamp and should be heard of in the new season.

Lady Desmond and Euphonium are pottering round and will not take long' to shape up. Enare was given pace work and looks in good heart.

Commendation’s Trip Certain? Commendation is booked to leave the Dominion for Australia on the 29th of the present month. The gelding is in great heart and bloom at present, and it is just a sure thing that, provided lie goes on all serene in the interim, he will be at his best to tackle the opposition on the other side. In his venture Mr. W. H. Gaisford will have the hearty wishes for success from the sport-loving side of the population, not only in the Bay, but further afield in the Dominion. George Jones will be in command of the gelding. He will be accompanied by J. Prendergast, as attendant upon the champion gelding. During Jones’s absence in Australia the team that at present, in addition to Commendation, is under his control will be attended to by “Sid” Hodge, who for quite a long period has ably occupied the position of first lieutenant to Jones. He will have a somewhat busy period as the team will consist of Moneytize (Paper Money—Ohiwai), Disranlc (Lord Quex —Morganatic), Home Made Archeria (Archery—Rosellate). and Excess, while later on it will be increased by Ateriria and Clielone, who have been resting on Mr W. H. Gaisford’s property at Oringi. Excess, who is devolping into a fine-appearanced youngster, is a relative to Commendation, as his dam. Fulsome, is a halfsister by Absurd to the successful gelding.

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS The annual meeting of members of the Auckland Racing Club is to be held at the Chamber of Commerce on Monday, August 8. Nominations lor the offices of president, vice-president, five committeemen and three stewards must be deposited with Mr. W. S. Spence, secretary, by mid-day on Saturday, 16th in§t.

STRANGE COMPANIONS

GOAT AND RACEHORSE WOULDN’T BE DRIVEN AWAY Some strange stories are told of thoroughbreds and their companions, and none could be more remarkable than the hurdle racer Hysteria's fondness for a billy-goat. Hysteria roams about the place in the vicinity of his trainer’s (George Murrel) establishment at Mentone, Victoria, and, to Murrell’s surprise one day he returned to the stables with a billy-goat at his heels. They turned the bewhiskered companion out, but he hung round the place, and so often defied his owner’s efforts to keep him at home that in the end nobody bothered. Hysteria and the goat just continued being mates. CAMP TOGETHER Now, the goat will not leave the horse. He camps with Hysteria, and George and Billy Murrell often get a laugh out of their frolics. The goat runs in and out of Hyseria’s legs, and tliere is ample evidence in his actions that the horse is greatly attached to his new-found friend. They have been mates for about seven months.

Whenever Hysteria is taken away to a race meeting the billy-goat follows him to the station, and then returns to the stable to await the gelding's homecoming.