Durf Notes

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 638, 15 April 1929, Page 6

Durf Notes

CONDUCTED BY

"EARLY BIRD"

Jockey Recovering Sportsmen will be delighted to learn that S. Henderson is making an excellent recovery, and has now left the hospital to undergo his convalescence at his home. It will be remembered that Henderson suffered a nasty fall when Mangaiti fell in. a. steeplechase at Paeroa on March 16, the base of the skull being affected, and for some time afterwards his condition was such as to cause grave concern. His many friends and admirers will be delighted to learn of the splendid progress now being made by this popular horseman. Racing at Hastings The Hawke’s Bay autumn meeting is to be held at Hastings on Friday and Saturday. First day acceptances are not due until to-morrow. Waikato Handicaps Weights for the first day of the Waikato Racing Club’s autumn fixture are not due until next Monday. Handicaps for Marton are also due on that day. Reminders Whangarei acceptances for the first day of the autumn meeting at Whangarei on Thursday and Saturday of next week close at 5 o’clock this afternoon with the secretary at Whangarei, or Messrs. Blomfield and Company, Auckland. Entries for the Marton J.C. winter fixture on May 4 close at 9 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday). Nominations for the winter meeting at Hawera of the Egmont R.C. close at 8.30 p.m. on Monday, April 22. For the oneday fixture on May 11 of the Franklin R.C. entries close at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 26, with the secretary at Pukekohe, or with the Secretary of the Avondale Jockey Club, Auckland. Wanganui Jockey Club’s winter fixture nominations close at 8 p.m. on Monday, April 29: In Work Again A. Morrow has recommenced working Bonny Day, and the chestnut is executing easy tasks at present. She went amiss recently and consequently was eased up, but a good recovery having been effected a programme has again been mapped out for her. Good Prospects The Te Rapa trainer, P. Brady, remained at Ellerslie at the conclusion of the Avondale gathering, and it is his intention to leave for Whangarei to-morrow morning with Wenday and Ned Kelly. The former has two engagements, but her mission is expected to be the Mclnnes Memorial Handicap, a race in which her prospects must be highly assessed. She gave some indication at Avondale of returning to form, and as a mile and a-quarter is within her compass there will be more unlikely things than Wenday winning. Ned Kelly is a proficient jumper, but does not stay too well. However, on the turning course at the northrn gathering and over a mile and a-half, hb is sure to lead his opponents a merry dance.

Missed a Chance When Break o’ Day won the Hack Handicap at Waipukurau, he covered the one and a-quarter miles, with 9.0 up, in 2.9 1-5. Considering that he was in the Cup, run over the same distance, with 7st. 131 b against his name, it looked as if an error of judgment had been made in not accepting with him in the big race (says a Napier writer), as it took Gaze 2.9 4-5 to get qver the journey. Mraking a Big Clash

A prominent Taranaki sport tells a tale overheard at Randwick, where two gaily bedecked Jews sallied forth Upon the turf, bent on business or pleasure. Approaching a prominent Randwick bookmaker, the elder of the pair breasted up to the layer of odds, saying, “I want to have a big splash upon a rank outsider.” The bookmaker thought for a second and returned with: “Why not buy a beer and splash it over your mate?” A Promising Juvenile

Riccarton track watchers have a good word, for the Valkyrian yearling colt in H. Nurse’s stable, and if appearances count this youngster should be able to gallop fast. He has plenty of size and substance, and when he matures thoroughly, he should develop into a fine thoroughbred. The colt, who will race in the ownership of Mr. W. O. Rutherford, is a son of the Flagfall mare Keep Watch, and is thus a half brother to the hardy Day Guard.

Well-known Vet. Passes Mr. W. J. Miller, one of the best known of veterinary surgeons in Australia who recently met his death by a motor accident, was the pioneer of equine dentistry in the Southern Hemisphere, having learnt the profession in Chicago. In his early days he was well-known as a capable trainer, experiencing a great deal of good fortune with his students in Queensland. One of his latest operations was to add Statesman, winner of the last Melbourne Cup, to the gelding list. Great Autumn Winner

The Great Autumn Handicap winner Nightmarch was eased up after the conclusion of the C.J.C. meeting, but the colt will not be thrown out of work. It is A. McAulay’s intention to potter the Night Raid three-year-old about the tracks till late in the winter months, when he will undergo a preparation for the spring meetings. A. McAulay recently recommissioned the two-year-old filly Bay Queen, by Salt,ash —Fairy Lass. Bay Queen, who was purchased as a yearling in Australia on behalf of Mr. A. Louisson, has rk»t yet raced. For Australia

Gay Ballerina has returned to Awapuni, and she has now run her last race as a two-year-old. She will be pottered about for a couple of months before being sent to Australia.. The new owner of Gay Ballerina, Mr. H. G. Kirkpatrick, would have liked George Jones to-, take the filly to Sydney, but Jones has never had any other intention but to stick to his New Zealand patron. Mr. W. H. Gaisford. Incidentally. Gay Ballerina carried Mr. Gaisford’s colours at Avondale, for her owner is without his own racing jacket. Ormond Cup

Says the Christchurch “Sun”; “Aussie’s defeat in the All-Aged Stakes at Avondale was surprising. Probably Aussie wall be seen to much better advantage at Hastings this month, but ft is questionable whether he will improve sufficiently to lower the colours of the Riccarton three-year-old Silver Paper in the J. D. Ormond Memorial Gold Cup. Silver Paper’s victory over Pink Coat in the Challenge Stakes was a performance of high merit, and he will carry heavy southern support in his coming engagement. Of course there are others in the mile weight-for-age who will prove formidable, but at wpight-for-age Silver Paper should triumph.”

Whangarei Meeting There will be racing at Whangarei on Thursday and Saturday next. A Springer Lands • The Paper Moneys seems to be doing almost better in Australia even than in the land of their birth. A nice little coup was brought off with one of them at the last Menangle Park (New South Wales) meeting. “Knowing nothing about the three-year-old Short Order,” writes “Posiedon,” “bookmakers were caught off their guard at Menangle Park, and some of them laid 15 to 1 against the filly in the Welter Handicap. Even then the fielders did nat take the backing of Short Order 'seriously, and the commissioners were able to snap up good bets at tens and twelves all round the ring. So solid was the support accorded the filler that the public fol-~ lowed the lead until her price shortened very considerably. Short Order carried out her part of the contract, and won well from the speedy Goodstead, to whom she had conceded a fair start down the long straight. Naturally the question was asked: ’Who is Short Order?’ And it was then found that this was not the first galloping display that she had given. Last season Short Order appeared in three races at Orange and won them, all. Sent to Sydney to be prepared at Victoria Park, her Menangle race was the first run given her, so that her record is now four starts for four wins. Short Order’s success came as a great surprise to many people who had seen her work at Victoria Park, as her gallops had not been of a particularly Impressive nature; but evidently she is a filly who shows her best under race conditions. The filly is by Paper Money from Snow Waif, and cost 130 guineas as a yearling.”

THE TEMPEST RAGES

SUSPENSION OF L. ELLIS METHOD OF CONDUCTING INQUIRIES The recent suspension of leading light-weight jockey L. J. Ellis at Riverton has provoked a hot controversy in the far South, and, following the arguments of both sides, It would appear as if the boy has been harshly dealt with. Arising out of the discussions. “Sir Modred,” of the Southland “Times” has something to say anent the methods obtaining of conducting inquiries, and his remarks in the main will come in for the fullest support from those acquainted with the inside control of racing. Probably the writer, in his remarks upon “an eager stipendiary steward, all bustle to prove his point and very often to gain a conviction . . .” had a specific occurrence in mind, for it can be said tfcuit of the North Island stipendiaries—Messrs. Wilson, Gordon and Sandilands—none would stoop fo gain a conviction. However, this is what “Sir Modred” has to say on the subject: “Recent happenings have convinced the writer more than ever that an amendment of the Rules of Racing is necessary in the direction of the procedure adopted in connection with racecourse inquiries where alleged offences in connection with the actual running are concerned. An alteration of procedure as proposed by the writer would permit of a member of an adjacent District Committee or neighbouring club steward appearing before a Judicial '‘Committee assist and keep an eye on the' proceedings in support of an accused jockey, particularly where apprentice horsemen are in question—there should be no provision to permit of retained legal gentlemen acting as this would be contrary to all accepted ideas, of. sport being governed by sportsmen 1 in a sympathetic fashion as laid down by the aims, objects, and ideals of the turf in this country. At the present time inquiries are presumed to bp carried out in a sporting spirit, but as a matter of fact that is not so in practice. The most striking instance is that of the small boy apprentice jockey. For weeks he had been keyed up to take part in an important race and on the day of test he is called upon to ride a very hard race and take part in a desperate finish for places to win out. A Rush Job “On his return to the birdcage, flushed with success, the cheers of the multitude ringing in his ears, and with a sense of having carried out his master’s and employer’s instructions to the letter, he no sooner dismounts than he is hurried into a stewards’ room and called upon to face an inquiry, the object of which is to investigate an allegation of a breach of the rules during the contest on his part. The presiding investigators are anxious to get on to the next race and the public are eager to have the totalisator money, which has been held up in the meantime, paid out Then an eager stipendiary steward, all bustle to prove his point and very often to gain a conviction, takes the floor without delay. The procedure of the meeting is speeded up, always in accordance with accepted rules of such occasions let us hope, leading questions are put to a breathless and awed alleged offender, hasty evidence is taken from other concerned, and ,the youngster is hurried out to join his connections labelled as a suspended rider. Now, what chance has almost any jockey, or what shadow of a chance has any indentured rider under such particularly when the tribunal is composed of experienced men, as often as not fortified by legal training, who are thoroughly acquainted with the conduct of meetings and have the Rules of Racing at hand to guide them? The alleged culprit is convicted in many instances before he knows what has happened to him. his career is in a sense blighted, and for the rest of his life he looks upon the Rules of Racing as arbitrary and stewards of clubs as his natural enemies, while the people with many thousands of pounds at stake are in most cases unaware of the very poor run they have had for their money. This is no overdrawn picture, but an actual statement of facts as sporting writers can testify, and those pressmen who take a live interest in the turf repeat time after time,. ‘Wliat would any one of those presiding stewards do if he were suddenly placed at a similar disadvantage?’ It is neither right nor fair, and the powers that be should see that the present system is altered as the writer proposes or in some way take steps to afford suddenly accused and promptly tried jockeys a fighting chance.”

PENALTIES FOR HASTINGS

Press Association WELLINGTON, Sunday. Hawke's Bay rehandicaps are: Nursery Handicap, 5J furlongs.—Courtlike, 8.4. Poukawa Handicap, 6 furlongs.—Second Thought. 8.7. Autumn Handicap. 1 mile 1 furlong.— Starboard Light, 5.7.

1 Footpad, 8.3; 6 Australia, 7.11; 8 Spearopa, 7.11. Won by a length, a head separating second and third. Time, 1.31 2-5. Cave Handicap, of £130; 5 furlongs and 110 yards.—3 Courtlike, 8.4, R. Reed, 1: 1 Oral, 9.1, B. H, Morris, 2; 6-Tobaccoland, 7.11, H. Wiggins, 3. Also: 2 Retract, 7,13; 7 Push, 7.11; 4 Hunting Call, 7.8; 5 Ben Hur, 7.6 and Pat’s Boy, 7.5 (bracketed); S Halftime, 7.3. Won by a head, with a nose between second and third. Time, I.S 4-5. OPAKI HANDICAP Of £200; 1 mile. 2—RAMESES, 7.3, A. G. Murray .. 1 I—BONOGNE, 8.1, R. Reed 3 4—JOY BIRD, 7.10, T. Green 3 • Also: S Teri, 8.3; 3 0 Tiega, 7.12; 5. Stanchion, 7.10: 9 Locarno, 7.9; 3 Tcheka, 7.9; 7 Spearmiss, 7.5; 6 Rory More, 7.2. Won by a neck, half a length separating second and third. Time, 1.42. Mikimiki Handicap, of £130:; 1 mile.—2 Full Mark, 7.12, C. Davis, 3 ; 1 Atholspear, 9.8, R. Reed, 2; 3 Royal Black, 8.9, Robinson, 3. Also: 5 Mothpla.ne, 7.10: 4 Aurora Borealis, 7.5; 6 Shortly, 7.0. Won by a length, a nose separating second and third. Time, 1.45 2-5. Macara Handicap, of £150; 6 furlongs. —5 Last Crust, 7.0, J. Fergus, 1; 1 Quantum. 8.7, A. Fratus, 2: 2 Veronese, 7.11; H. Dunn, 3. Also; 3 Miss Ransom, 7.11; 4. Borsalene, 7.8. Won by a head, with two lengths between second and third. Time, 1.15.

Farewell Handicap, of £120; 5 furlongs and 110 yards—3 Second Thought, 8.8, T. Webster, 1; 2 Roi De Val, 9.3, EL Morris, 2; 1 Arrow. Boy, 8.1, 3. Also: 6 Imitation, 8,7; 5. Miss Gowrie, 7.5; 4 Money Mint, 7.0; 7 - Streamer, 9.0. Won by a neck, half a length separating second and third. Time, 1.8 3-5.