Successful Season

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 714, 13 July 1929, Page 6

Successful Season

TROTTING CURTAIN FALLS New Records Established YOUNGSTERS’ FORM FOR CLASSICS By ABAYDOS WHILE it is customary at lie conclusion of the season to review the work of the year from its various standpoints, it is in reality the future of the sport that mainly interests its myriad followers and a perspective of forthcoming events of special moment is popular at this period.

In the light harness world the present represents the off-season, the calm that follows the storm. With the cessation of activities in June at Epsom, the curtain is lowered on the trotting stage each season, to be raised again at Addington in August, when the first scene in the new year’s production is presented. During this lull period affairs in the

light harness business are quiet in this province, owing to the fact that locally the opening of the season does not transpire till October, and except for the few eligibles for the Metropolitan National Carnival being kept in work, the tracks at Epsom and Otahuhu have a deserted appearance. Making Headway Quito a lot can be written of the late season’s activity, which was marked by progress in many ways, and of the ups and downs of various clubs. Taking a broad view of the situation, the pastime gained in popularity, despite the fact that at one- juncture, certain happenings threatened to alienate public sympathy and support. These unwelcome features, purely and simply sport-spoilers, were tackled bare-knuckled by The Sun, and while the articles created a sensation throughout the Dominion in trotting circles, and won the approbation of the rank and file, it is pleasing to be able to state that the warning was heeded, and during the latter part of the season the sport generally has been of a high order and above suspicion.

The continued improvement in the racing stock during the year was very

pronounced, some remarkable performances being registered and numerous records broken. The Gisborne crack trotter. Peterwah opened the record ball at the first Addington meeting, when by training two miles in 4.23 4-5, Bob Pis ken’s great horse established a world’s race record, and set a remarkable standard for New Zealand. Then followed the wonderful

contest in the New Zealand Cup in November, when the placed horses, Peter Bingen (4.22 1-5), Great Bingen (4.13 2-5) and Aliuriri (4.20 3-5), finished “heads” each way, establishing record times for the heat. But even these speed phenomena were eclipsed when the Free-for-All came up for decision. In a great finish Peter Bingen (2.38 4-5) defeated Prince Pointer (2.39) by a narrow margin, with Jewel Pointer (2.39 2-5) close up, third. Great Bingen (2.39 3-5) was fourth, and the four placed horses fractured the Australasian record of 2.41 1-5 for 10 furlongs held by Minton Derby. Recently at Ashburton the three-year-old marvel, Wrackler, registered a record of 4.29 1-5 for two miles, and on the same day the placed horses in the Sapling Stakes, John Jinks (3.28 1-5), Real Huon (3.28 2-5) and Ngingo Ngingo (.3.2S 3-5) all got under the existing two-vear-old Australasian record of 3.29 4-5. That the youngsters of today are the adults of tomorrow is just as true in the horse sense as in other paths of life, and with the advent ■of a new season the baby clement, which has been tested in the two-year-old classic, is watched with keen attention as it approaches the Derby stage, and next to the New Zealand Cup no event is taken ! more seriously by owners, trainers I and the sporting public than the New Zealand and Great Northern blue ribands. i While the history of the annual two- ; year-old test discloses the fact there j has been * some high-grade youngsters i gaining the supremacy, it is admitted j on all sides the recent contest brought I out a greater number of classical conj testants than has been the case since the race was instituted.

This demonstrates clearly that when the two Derbies come up for decision next season the blue riband contests will be fought out stubbornly by good and evenly balanced fields, and whereas in past years one or two candidates have stood out in bold colour, the coming three-year-old tests hold big possibilities for nearly a dozen juveniles. The remarkable feat of the placed horses, John Jinks, Real Tluon and Ngingo Ngingo in the Ashburton classic will lead many followers of the sport to decide early in their favour, and while the John Dillon colt gained the mastery, the honours of the Sapling Stakes struggle go to Real Huon, who displavcd wonderful speed, stamina and grit over the final stages of the stirring contest. Premising Candidates The performance of Plying Prince, who finished a good fourth, must be viewed favourably arid he is an aspirant for Derby honours that will bo well in the limelight. The failures of Grand Canyon may lose the colt many admirers, but he is just the sort of youngster to develop into a high grade Classic contestant. Then there is Purser, who raced much below his best

in the Sapling Stakes, and his defeat will not be taken as a correct criterion of his ability. Already there are several good judges ticking off the Man-o’-War youngster as a Derby winner. It is, of course, in the face of these facts undeniable that the Southern representatives hold a particularly strong hand in the New Zealand and Great Northern Derbies, and while at least half a dozen of them have excellent credentials to lend colour to their prospects, there is no reason to

believe they will have things entirely their own way. Auckland's Hopes While “Abaydos” did not see the excellent performance put up on a decidedly fast track by John Jinks, Real lluon, Ngingo Ngingo, Plying Prince and Co., he did witness the high-class achievement at Hastings of the Auckland crack two-year-old colt Great Parrish, and would make bold to state that when Jim Paul’s youngster won the Clive Handicap from 60yds behind in 3.33 3-5 on a track that was anything but conducive to fast times, he proved himself a real classy colt. The decisive manner in which the son of Guy Parrish —Bertha Bell fought out the latter part of the 12-furlong journey—and ho had to fight in deadly earnest to head off Rangahau in the run to the judge—stamped him as a game, determined customer. The Manger© youngster did everything right both days of the Hawke’s Bay meeting, and after seeing his truly splendid performance the writer, like many others who saw the colt in action, will keep Great Parrish well on side when the Derbies come along for decision. Auckland will also have another representative in Jack McKendrick’s handsome, well-mannered and bred-in-the-purple Blue Mountain King—Guiding Star filly. The young lady will probably not be as experienced in the ways of racing as the majority of her rivals, but if she continues to improve as anticipated the black youngster will be in rare shape for the Great Northern at Christmas. While the race is

usually won by experienced candidates, it must not be forgotten that in 1927 Free Advice went cdose to bringing off a surprise coup, and last year Rolfe Audubon finished a creditable second to Wrackler. From the foregoing review of the probable classic candidates for the honours next season, it can be readily seen that the Derby contests at Addington and Epsom will be full of merit, and fields of more than average ability will face the starter at each

Three-Year-Olds In Two Victorian Cups A QUESTION OF STAMINA ‘‘Holdfast, you can’t stay. So I let you off with 7.0 in the Melbourne Cup.” This in effect is what V.R.C. Handicapper Davis says of Holdfast, who until he failed to act in the mud when the Champagne Stakes was run was Sydney’s unbeaten two-year-old, comments a Sydney writer. That Holdfast was highly superior his five wins proved. But they were never beyond six furlongs. And the fact that he is by a sire never represented by stayers, and out of a dam whose sire never had a stayer of note, suggests that Holdfast will belong to the sprint brigade. Owner Has Hopes But, of course, there arc exceptions to rules of breeding which sometimes result in a freak, and Holdfast may prove so. At any rate, his owner, Mr. Frank Gahan, hopes to be able to make the handicapper metaphorically eat his words, if in allotting the youngester 7st. he says that Holdfast won't run two miles. Mr. Galian had the champion entered for both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, and the Caulfield handicapper also slighted his stamina in giving him only 7.4. Others that lie often defeated have more. In allotting Holdfast’s two-year-old rivals of the season just closing, Comanche and Parkwood, 7.6, the Melbourne Cup handicapper has given them none the best of it, though it is merely weight-for-age. Critics have been saying for years that a three-year-old has a pull in the spring at weight-for-age. But how many tliree-year-olds win the Melbourne Cup with 7.6, or far less? A * Better Chance This year’s Derby winner may have a better chance than usual, lnVwever, if, as indications now suggest, the Cup field is a poor one compared with other years. Parkwood is of the Derby and Cup type. His Champagne Stakes win in the mud at Kandwick was a striking performance. Comanche’s close second to Honour in the Sires’ Produce Stakes at Rand wick was also a feat that promised future ability to stay. Carradale, winner of the Easter Stakes, revealed, in a lesser degree, the prospects of running a distance in the new season, and Nedda, winner of the Sires’ Produce Stakes at Flemington and a place-getter in both the Sires’ Produce and Champagne Stakes at Kandwick, was always finishing. But she is a filly, and fillies rarely strike form in the spring. She may be the exception, of course. May Be Fair Horse Pentheus disgraced himself at the A.J.C. autumn meeting after a sequence of good wins, but there is a belief that he will stay this year. He has returned to work one of the handsomest youngsters in training. Hebrus, a half-brother to Heroic, without winning a race, showed finishing powers occasionally, and notably in the Champagne at Randwick, so he may develop into a good three-year-old. His sire. Devizes, was a stayer of note. RACING CONTROL NEW ZEALAND CONFERENCE OBLIGATION ON OWNERS Press Association WELLINGTON, Friday. The conference decided, at the meeting today, in regard to horses taken out of New Zealand and brought back, that no horse shall race until its owner has lodged with the secretary of the conference the original New Zealand Stud Book certificate or certificate of pedigree issued with such horse, with a certification of the identity of the book, and also that a certificate of identification, signed by the New Zealand veterinary surgeon who had examined the horse after its return, shall be lodged. An amendment regarding obligations on owners who change ownership of horses two years old and upwards, was passed, providing for a fine of £2O or disqualification for failure to comply with the rule. A remit by Dunedin giving a :rainerjockey the right to ride either of his horses if two are bracketed was passed.

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB ANNUAL MEETING Monday, ALigust 12, is the date fixed by the Auckland Racing Club for the annual meeting of members, which will be held in the Chamber of Commerce rooms. Nominations for the offices of president, vice-president, five committeemen and three stewards will be received by the secretary, Mr. W. G. Spence up till 12 noon on Saturday next, July 20. *

PONY JOCKEYS FREEMASONRY GONE ILLUMINATING INCIDENTS Recent happenings on A.R.C. pony tracks contain the suggestion that the freemasonry among pony jockeys, which demands the protection of each other in trouble, has temporarily passed by the board. Recent instances of riders carrying tales of interference to the stewards, only one .of which was made public, came as surprises to those used to finding the boys defending each other, sometimes at the risk of their own licences. The latest case, which the stewards allowed to go no further, occurred at Ascot a few days ago. The complaint against a very well-known rider was that he deliberately allowed his mount to lie over on the favourite, but the stewards, after hearing the evidence of the complaining rider, refused to consider the case further and dismissed the information. Possibly it was only the heat of the moment and the disappointment of defeat that caused the boy to run to the stewards. But it is only one of many recent incidents. Little Fear Now Apparently some jockeys have lost that fear of being shunned by their fellow riders for carrying tales. It was not always so. There was an instance at Victoria Park about two years ago, when after the suspension of one leading rider, the rest of the boys congregated in the jockeys’ room and cheered loudly over the stewards’ decision. This lad was believed to have been behind most of the suspensions for interference on pony courses for months, and his absence was looked upon by other riders as a distinct relief. Fought It Out More recently, at Kensington, two well-known riders are said to have taken the racing law into their own hands. One alleged interference against the other. There was no talk of allowing the stewards to judge the merits of the case, for they started to fight it out with fists in the jockeys’ room. Possibly, however, a few lads have found interference so gross that they have had their own hands forced in the matter; but, even though some riders are now said to be practising the carrying of tales, it is still the unforgiveable sin with many.

TE AROHA TOPICS PREMIER PARK BROOD MARES GO SOUTH MARBLE KING PLEASES (Special to THE SUN) TE AROHA, Friday. Among.the entrants for the 1930-31 Great Northern Derby, of 2,50050v5, are Mr. R. B. Hines’s King Win and Balfour. Both have already done a little light work, but have not yet made their appearance on the local tracks. Lucy Rose is thickening up as the result of her winter holiday, and judging by the way she careers around a ten-acre paddock, is in great heart. So far her owner has not yet decided as to when she is again to be put into work, although it is quite on the cards that she will again join G. A. Reid’s team. C. Mallowes has Master Latour in active commission, and he is benefiting by his work. He has plenty of size and weight-carrying ability. He is 'by no means one of the most unlikely of the local horses to pay his way in next season’s contests. . Bert Hinkler Improves The connections of Bert Hinkler are doubtless pleased With the way the Quin Abbey gelding has settled down to his work. His track behaviour is a decided improvement upon his early vagaries here. Through the sale of several thoroughbred mares by Mr. W. Dunn to a Southern buyer, the Premier Park stud will be depleted of some of its best stock. Lassie Doon, Miss Alicia, Lassie Thurnham, Starellor and La Roma were entrained South on Wednesday. Their places will in due course be partly filled by the inclusion of some of the younger fillies and mares that are now in racing commission. Since Mr. Dunn took up Premier Park about 15 years ago it has received good advertisements from the victories of such horses at Arch Marellor, Statuette, First Born, Flying Juliet, Master Doon and others. The running of Marble King at Trentham on Wednesday and Thursday must be considered as satisfactory,

inasmuch as his conquerors, Black Duke and Kaiti, are much more seasoned performers. Marble King ran right up to form, and is evidently becoming more solid. He was well backed by Te Aroha district sportsmen, and they are not regretting tlieir action on this occasion. The Lamb Over Obstacles Evidently The Lamb is going to make a satisfactory hurdler. Either alone or with company he clears the obstacles in fine style, while he handles the heavy going very well and his condition is right to see out a fair distance. G. Reid has Trig, Crown Arch and Glenstar doing regulated work in readiness for some of the meetings early in spring. The King Nassau gelding, Trig, was for some time a stable companion of Day Guard, and is said to have some pace. Among the two-year-olds in J. Wallace’s stable the first to be ready to race may be William of Orange and Belle Star, both of which are solid in condition even now. J. Wallace is keeping Unique and Sir Russell up to their work, and they are responding right well. Sir Russell is looking very racy indeed, and were he not one of the lean kind would appeal better with more solid condition. Track Essays After the heavy rain of Wednesday the plough gallop was not in use on Thursday, so the centre of the property was the scene of the work. The Lamb, Ah Wera, Unique, Trig, Glenstar and Grand Arch were sent useful gallops. Lucky Alice and Belle Star were sent five furlongs together, going well throughout, and Black Maire went six furlongs in his usual free style. Sir Russell worked very freely over a round. Master Latour was sent twice round steadilv’’, while similar work was allotted Bert Hinkler. ENGAGEMENTS FOR WEBSTER (United P.A. —By Telegraph — Copyright} SYDNEY, Friday. T. Webster, the New Zealand apprentice jockey, has been engaged to do the light-weight riding for Trainers Price and Lewis during the spring season.

RACING CONFERENCE ELECTION OF OFFICERS Press Association WELLINGTON. Today. At the racing conference yesterday the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, Sir George Clifford; vicepresident, O. S. Watkins; executive committee, IT. O. Nolan (Auckland), H. A. Knight (Canterbury), A. C. Hanlon (Dunedin), IT. F. Doogan (Greymouth), J. S. McLeod (Hawke’s Bay), W. T. Hazlett (Southland). L. A. Xolan (Taranaki), J. H. Perrett (Wanganui), D. M. Findlay (Wellington). RACING FIXTURES JULY 10, 11, 13—Wellington R.G. 25—Waimate Hunt. 25, 27—Gisborne R.C. 27 South Canterbury Hunt. AUGUST 3—Christchurch Hunt 3—Poverty Bay Hunt 13, 15, 17—Canterbury J.C. 24—Pakuranga Hunt (at EllersUe). 24 Hawke’s Bay Hunt 28— JDannevirke R.C. 29 JDannevirke Hunt 31—Taranaki Hunt 4, s—Martoo J.C. 7—Otago Hunt 12, 14—Wanganui J.C. 21—Ashburton R.O. 21—Napier Park K.C. 21, 23—Avondale J.C. 26, 27—Geraldine K.C. 25 Hawke’s Bay J.C. OCTOBER 2—Manawatu Hunt s—Kurow J.C. 5, 7—Auckland K.C----10, 12 —Dunedin J.C. 19—Masterton K.C. 24, 26—Poverty Bay J.C. 26, 28—Wellington R.C. 26, 28—Waikato K.C. 28—Waverley R.C. 28—Waikato Hunt 28—Waipawa K.C. 28—North Canterbury--28, 30 —Gore R.C. 30— Birchwood Hant