RACING AND TROTTING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 173, 27 August 1914, Page 6

RACING AND TROTTING.

RACING FIXTURES. August 20—Amberley Steeplechase Annual. September 2—Marton .T.C. Spring. September 9—Bannevirke R.C. Steeplechase. September 10 and. 11 —Asbburton County R.C, Spring. September 24 anil 25—Geraldine R.C. Spring, September 24 and 26—AVangn.nui J.C. Spring, ACCEPTANCES. September I—Dannevirke R.C. Steeplechase. Septemlrer 4—Xew Zealand Cup. • September 4—Ashburton County R.C. Spring. September 17—Geraldine R C. Spring. September 21—Wanganui J.C. Spring. TROtTING FIXTURES. .September 9—lTorowhenua T.C. Spring. October 26 and 29—Greymotith T.C. Spring. ACCEPTANCES. August 3 I —lTorowhenua T.C. Spring. October 20—Gre.vmouth T.C. .Spring.

TURF TOPICS.

Proceedings at Riccarton this morning were of a decidedly quiet nature. The sand and tan tracks were the only ground available, and they were responsible for nothing beyond sprint work.' The inside of the No. 0 trial grass was thrown open for two-year-olds only, and several of the youngsters were given a spin over a couple of furlongs. Gazette appears to be going on the right way, and the manner in which he strode over five furlongs this morning suggests that he should not be long be-

fore he picks up another stake. Forest Belle (Emerson) and Martial (O'Connor) were given a spin over a couple of the schooling hurdles this morning. The former gave a very creditable showing, while the latter has made little headway, and will require a lot of time and practice before he can be classed as efficient.

The hunter Look Out (lid a sound gallop over a round on the sand track this' morning. He lias a peculiar action, throwing his near hind leg very wide, and requires a lot of room: when at his top speed. He is nevertheless a useful sort, and can muster up a fair amount of pace. The southern pair, Royal Medal and Kia Ora, hit. out freely over a round on the sand track. Both horses are looking bright and well, and the former may take a lot of beating at Amberley.'

Murray Hobbs has the members of his teem looking in excellent trim to commence the season's racing. Charmilla, Honesty, and Angelina are looking muscular and well, and are bowling along freely in their daily tasks. Peg is also bearing a healthy appearance, and it is a great pity that she is not endowed with a more, substantial set of feet, which is the chief cause of much of her unsoundness. She is a big, powerful sort, and should not fail to run over a journey. Rinaldo is another that is in the pink of condition to commence the season's operations, and there is no doubt about his beii'ig able to galop fast. All going well, lie should be able to reproduce his best form by November. Corrie appears- to have suffered little from her National exertions, and isJooking muscular ami well. She appears to be able to stay well, and should not fail to add to her already creditable' list of successes over the battens.

The juvenile brigade under Hobbs's care are also acquitting themselves creditably, and it looks as if this popular mentor will play*a strong hand in the events ef the coming season. Winning Way, who injured one of her hocks, will not be raced again, it having been decided to mate the daughter of Cannie Chiel and Lady Wayward with the English horse San Francisco. Troon put in a useful working gallop over a mile this morning, though timemaking was not her mission. She is looking very bright just now, ami should strip in excellent trim at Ashburton.'

Thrax was restricted to n sprint task tliis morning over three furlongs. He looks in fine trim to commence the season 's racing'. Perhaps the smallest two-year-old seen in training at Riccarton for some time is the Obligado—Tournament filly in Mason's stable. This youngster stands about 14 hands, and is very lathy. Another year's respite in the paddock should not do her any harm. The Clauranald gelding Eaglestone was given his last lesson over the sticks yesterday morning. The old fellow at first resented the change of programme, and instead of jumping the obstacle dislodged his rider, Shaw, who landed 011 top of the wing of the fence. On being remounted and taken back the pace was made much faster, and the hurdle was cleared in a satisfactory manner.

The love of adventure is evidently strongly developed in New Zealand jockeys, for at least a dozen have volunteered for active service. Amongst their number are L. Hill, T. Trask, and F. Douglas. Eight races will be decided at the Amberley meeting 011 Saturday, and for the convenience of visitors from distant centres the last event is timed for 4.50 p.m. Horses engaged in the opening race must be in the birdcage at 12.5 p.m., and strict punctuality will have to be observed in order to get the programme through on time. During the past twelve months the travelling expenses of members of the New Zealand Trotting Association amounted to £ll6. This year there is .sure to be a big increase in that respect as five out of the nine representatives reside outside Canterbury. The many who intend travelling to Amberley 011 Saturday by road need have 110 scruples concerning their condition. for the main northern thoroughfare has never been in better order. The best route is to turn to the left after crossing the Ashley Bridge, which brings one out at Set'ton. Then it is advisable to keep on the left side of the railway line till Balcairn is passed, after which the main north road can be followed to Amberley. The election for the New Zealand Trotting Association yesterday resulted in a sweeping change being made in the constitution of the board. Three very old and respected members in Messrs \V. Havward, C. S. Howell, and A. L. Myers suffered defeat, as did Mr W 11. Denton, whose connection with' the association has not been of such long standing. Their places were taken by Mr H. W. Kitchingham, the wellknown Greymouth sportsman, who maintains a big stable in Canterbury, Mr T. T. Ritchie, of Dunedin, and Mr-J. M. Barron, of Gore, two keen followers of the sport who have both been associated with its management in Ota go. Mr \Y. G. Garrard's return after a retirement of twelve months will be hailed with general satisfaction. The Gore Racing Club has appointed Mr R. H. Hurley as starter to its spring meeting. TUieffiction of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's Committee in not going on with the stewards' stand, has h6t found favour with a large portion of the club's members. it is understood' that the discontented ones are preparing to call a general meeting to discuss the committee's action. "Visitors to Amberley on Saturday

will be agreeably surprised at the many improvements that have been effected to the racecourse ' since last year. A new stewards' building has been erected which contains a large weighing room, jockeys' dressing room, with all conveniences, a stewards' room, scratching room, and reporters' room. In I front of the stand a birdcage has been ! formed, nearly as large as that at Rie- | carton, and the stand will accommodate j fully a thousand spectators. All the stalls have been removed to a more convenient situation, and their number increased to thirty-five. This has been j the means of doubling the size of the i paddock, while a new entrance has been ' provided for motor cars. | Should a recommendation passed by ! yesterday's meeting of the New Zea- : land Trotting Association be adopted by i the new board, the last has been heard ! of the Alexander Park-Red Cloud case. J The handicaps for the New Zealand I Trotting Cup, due on Monday next, are ; being awaited with the greatest interest in local trotting circles. There has been a lot of speculation as to the extent of the limit, and opinion is divided as to whether it will be six or seven seconds. On his first appearance at Rosehill Merrimax • was sent out favourite and ran unplaced. On the second day he was sent out one of the biggest outsiders and won by five lengths. ~ Jn the August Steeplechase at Flemington on August 15, Pladda, ridden by the New Zealander, S. Neary, fell and broke his back. L. Hagerty had the mount, on Statecraft, who also rolled over. - , ■ j After her win in the National Plate, | one mile and a quarter, on the opening day of the Queensland- Meeting, Yen--5 turn, started at a very short price in the Dc-nman Plate, a weight-for-age event, run over a mile course. The race on the opening day must have taken full measure of Mr E. J. Watt's mare, for she finished out of a place. The race was Avon by the New Zealand-bred Lord Burnside (Yasco-Ilma). M. Edwards's team for the November meeting will comprise Denver Iluon, Dillon Bell, and probably Adelaide Belle. Edwards expects to arrive here in October, and anticipates driving Dillon Bell in the New Zealand Trotting Cup. Trainers who use the Canterbury Park track complain that it is getting very ! hard, with the result that several I horses worked on it have been going sore.

• The speedy but erratic pacing gelding, Professor, has been purchased by a North Island sportsman, and will do his future racing north of Cook Strait. After his exertions at the National meeting, Slogan was given a short spell. He fresened up considerably and is now in strong work again. The disappointing Bonne Bouclie has been recoinnvissioned by .1. Franks. Should she regain her form of last spring the Boniform fillv cannot fail to

pick up a stake at the-spring .meetings for which she is now being prepared. Though First Glance h&s been responsible for several useful gallops at Rieearton it is improbable that she will be seen out.at the Ashburton meting. It is shown in the annual report and balance-sheet of the committee of the Australian Jockey Club that the revenue amounted to £165,066, of which. £95,1.12 came from admission charges. There was a surplus of £70,705 at the beginning of the year, but owing to the sum of £61,79:5 being spent during the year on improvements, the surplus has been brought down to £58,053.", The stakes distributed amounted to £87,120, of which £70,750 was added by the club. The added money provided by the club for the current season amounts to £BO,OOO. TKMPLAR.