TO TRAIN GAY BALLERINA

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 693, 19 June 1929, Page 12

TO TRAIN GAY BALLERINA

TRAINER O’ROURKE’S LUCKY DAYWON A DOUBLE TOO One of the most popular Randwick trainers, C. O’Rourke, received a nice present last week at the pony and aliheights meeting at Victoria Park, Sydney, when Leslie and Ramondale, ponies prepared by him, won the divisions of the Fourteen-one Handicap. What pleasure the successes meant were augmented by the knowledge that this week he will take into his stables the New Zealand performer, Gay Ballerina, who is now the property of Mr. H. Kirkpatrick. Gay Ballerina Mas formerly owned by Mr. W. G. Stead, who sold her to her present owner for 2.000 guineas. She was left in the Dominion to contest races for which she was entered, and she has Avon on three occasions, and amassed in stakes just £IOO more than her purchase price. Such a galloper is a welcome addition to any string. It is about 15 years since O’Rourke relinquished operations as a trainer of unregistered horses, but lie has not lost his regard for a good pony, End has always one or two in work. Leslie and Ramondale both give great premise. Leslie was opposed to a good | sprinter in Pacaport in the first division, and gave him about three lengths’ start entering the straight, beating him by nearly that margin. Ramondale Avon just as easily. She is a tAA r o-year-old filly by Rossendale from Countess Malt, but Avith a sterling effort in the straight she beat Princess Oriel by nearly three lengths in the second division, the tAvo being 10 lengths in advance of the third horse. No doubt part of the money Avon on Leslie Avas in\’ested on Ramondale, for at the last moment the filly Avas supported Avith such animation that she Avas favourite.

AVONDALE’S YEAR

DISASTROUS SPRING MEETING PROSPECTS FOR NEXT SEASON The annual report to be presented at the general meeting of members of the Avondale Jockey Club on July 2, is as follows: In submitting the statement of accounts for the financial year which ended on May 31, 1929, your committee regrets that the season's operations were not as successful as anticipated. The atrocious weather experienced at the spring meeting was responsible for a serious loss, and although the autumn meeting was a big success, financially and otherwise, the deficit of the spring meeting could not be made up. It is, hOA\*ever, satisfactory to note that notwithstanding the exceptionally adverse conditions obtaining at the spring meeting, the racing at both fixtures Avas Avell up to the standard of previous years. The new course was especially appreciated by OAvners and trainers, and despite the severe test it was subjected to stood the strain \\ r ell, and its possession is a most A'aluable asset to the club. “A reference to the balance sheet Avill slioav that the club is in a sound financial position. The loss on the Avorkings for the 12 months was entirely due to the disastrous result of the spring meeting, and it Avill be noted Avith satisfaction that the assets greatly exceed the liabilities.” Stake Money “The stakes given aAvay during the year totalled £12,070, Avliile Govern* ment taxation absorbed £10,209, the stakes being well over the amount required to be given by the rules of racing. For the coming season (in common Avith other clubs) a reduction under this heading Avill be compulsory, but your committee can be relied upon to act as judiciously as possible in the matter. “Among the improvements recently effected has been the top dressing Avith scoria, of the area outside for the parking of motor-cars, Avhich makes it equal to that obtaining inside, and this should be greatly appreciated by the club’s outside patrons.

“The club has still a strong membership, but during the year lost through death several of its number, Messrs. A. W. Currie, Hugo Friedlander. H. C. L MoAvbray, Donald Munro. J. F. McCarthy. Geo. McEwin and W, Watson passing away. Your committee feels sure that members will join AA*ith it in extending to their relatives their heartfelt sympathy in their bereavement. “Messrs. Donald McLeod and A. DaA’is are the only nominees for the offices of president and vicepresident, and Messrs. Geo. Baildon, A. Hanna. T. F. Jeffries, J. Paterson and J. Raynes (retiring members), for the fiA'e A'acancies on the committee, and as the number nominated does not exceed those required, are therefore elected.” Thrills at Menangle The Three-year-old Handicap at Menangle Park (N.S.W.) last week provided plenty of excitement. The form of the runners was so poor that backers went strongly for Coolodion, A\ r ho had previously shown pace on the provincial course. Coolodion touched eA’en money, but started at longer odds, slightly worse odds than those accepted about Imposter, another Rosehilltrained horse GloavAx, Avho threw his rider A\’hen cantering to the post, and careered to the mile and a-quarter laneAvay. He A\'as remounted, and was one of the smartest out of the barrier. Coolodion cleared aAA’ay at the start, and in the first tAvo furlongs had opened up a gap of about ten lengths from Impostor. Coming to the turn, it Avas noticed that the apprentice, I. Mclntosh, had difficulty in keeping Coolodion near the rails, and one bookmaker was accepting Avagers of t\A'o to one on as fast as he could lay them. He obviously realised that Coolodion Avould run Aside, but backers of the favourite Avere nevertheless surprised to see him career to the outside fence. Before ‘the straight entrance. Coolodion looked almost a sure winner, but after making the turn almost any price could be had about him. Imposter Avas left in front, and he came on, to Avin easily by three lengths from Granville. Avith Coolodion a length and a-half further back.

RACING FIXTURES AUGUST 3 —Christchurch Hunt. 3—Povertj' Bay Hunt. T 3. 15, 17—Canterbury J.C. 24 —Pakuranga Hunt (at Ellerslie). 24 Hawke’s Bay Hunt. 25 Dannevirke R.C. 29—Dannevirke Hunt. 31—Taranaki Hunt. SEPTEMBER 4. s—Mar ton J.C. 7—Otago Hunt. 12, 14—Wanganui J.C. 21—Ashburton R.C. 21—Napier Park R.C. 21, 23 —Avondale J.C. 23, 27—Geraldine R.C. 2S—Hawke’s Bay J.C. OCTOBER 2—Manawatii Hunt, a—Kurow J.C. 5, 7—Auckland R.C. 10, 12—Dunedin J C. 19—Masterton R.C. 24, 26—Poverty Bay J.C. 26, 28—Wellington R.C. 26, 28—Waikato R.C. 28—Waverley R.C. 2S—Waikato Hunt. 28—Waipawa R.C. 2S—North Canterburv 28, 30—Gore R.C. 30—Birehwood Hunt. NOVEMBER 2—Banks Peninsula R.C. 7, 9—Whangarei R.C. 20, 21—Otaki R.C. LI, 13, 16—Canterbury J.C. 20, 21—Winton J.C. 23 —Levin R.C. 23, 25—Te Kuiti R.C. 30, Dec. 2—Takapuna J.C. SO, Dec. 2 —Feilding J.C.