RACING AND TROTTING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 263, 10 December 1914, Page 5

RACING AND TROTTING.

EACING FIXTURES. December 12 —Rakaia R.O. Annual. December 16 and 17 —-Woodville J.C. Summer. December 17 and 18 —Lake County J.C. Annual. January I—Metliveu1 —Metliveu Racing Club Annual. ACCEPTANCES. December 11 —Taranaki J.C. Christmas. . December 15—Manawatu R.C. Summer. TROTTING FIXTURES. December 10 and 19—New Brighton T.C. Summer. December 26 —Ashburtou T.C. Summer. December 26—Gore T.C. Annual. December 28, 30, and 31—Auckland T.C. Summer. ACCEPTANCES. December 11—New Brighton T.O. Summer. December 18: —Auckland T.C. Summer. December 23—Ashburtou T.C. Summer. TURF TOPICS. A strong north-west wind prevailed while training operations were on at Eiccarton. this morning, and the plough track, on which the greater part; of the work was accomplished, would have been greatly improved had it received a good watering. As this had not been done, the work was performed under trying conditions, due to the continual cloud of dust raised by the strong wind. Camulus and Emperador were amongst the first to commence proceedings, their task being a gallop over six furlongs, which they cast behind in Imin 18isee, the latter showing to the most advantage. Camulus looks well, but has apparently lost all form, and at present seems unable to gallop with any of his one-time dash.

Quarantine, assisted by Wise Bird over the last six furlongs, galloped nine furlongs on the plough track in 2min 2ssec. Quarantine appeared to be a trifle sore after his gallop. He has always been more or less unsound, and it would come as no surprise if he is not seen out again until the autumn. Wise Bird, who cut one of her hind legs prior to the Cup Meeting, has made a good recovery, and it will not be long before she again strikes, her best form. Warstep, with MoCluskey in the saddle, registered an attractive performance by getting to the end of a mile on the plough track the reverse way in lmin 46isee. Taking the prevailing conditions into consideration, Warstep's effort was a creditable one, as she had a strong wind to face over the first halfmile. She was assisted by Snub over the first six furlongs, who also performed creditablv.

The two-year-olds Plying- Start and Holiday rattled over half a mile in Slsec. The former experienced little difficulty in holding* his stable companion safe throughout. He lias built up considerably since racing at the Cup Meeting, and looks like having to be reckoned with when it comes to deciding the two-year-old supremacy of the year.

Sutala, alone, dashed over five furlongs the reverse way, in lmin and the manner in which he accomplished his task suggests that he is a colt of great promise. It is questionable if there is any two-year-old at present in training at Kiccarton that can command a greater turn of speed. Flora Macdonald and Carolus galloped seven furlongs. The former defeated her stable companion by several lengths, running the distance in lmin 33Asec. Boniform's daughter finished her task in convincing stylo, and pulled up sound. She may be worth keeping in mind for engagements in the near future.

Scotch Melody was going better than Peg at the end of a mile run on the plough track in lmin 47tsec. The former had the outside running throughout and finished well. She may win a race at Dunedin.

Trilby is on the improve, ami her race at the recent Hoxorata meeting has evidently done her a lot of good. She galloped six furlongs in company with Gleneannieh this morning, but after the first couple of furlongs had been covered her rival proved of little use, as she finished up a winner of several lengths, running the distance in lmin ISsec.

Down and Panama, a couple of inmates of Murray Ilobbs's stable, dashed over three furlongs in convincing style. The former does not appear to be too sound, while the letter is progressing satisfactorily, and looks like turning out useful. Ladrone galloped iiine furlongs on the plough track, hitting out freely. He covered the journey in 2min 0 3-ssec, and is sure to pay his way at the Christmas gatherings.

Kttineny will bo ridden in his engagements at the Auckland Racing Club's meeting by L. Traill. The Wellington sportsman, Mr J. Cress, has presented All Guns (Pallas- — Greek. Maid) to the Expeditionary Force as a troop horse, and he will accompany the next contingent. In consequence of the continued indisposition of Mr J. Pollock, Mr H. Coyle has been appointed handicapper to "the Wellington Racing Club for the balance of the present season. Bon Ton was a competitor in the Bendigo Cup, but he was not mentioned in the betting, and never looked like having a chance. The Rakaia Racing Club has received excellent acceptances for its annual meeting, whicli takes place on Saturday next. Each of the nine horses engaged in the Rakaia Cup was paid ixp for, and as the list includes such well-known performers as Eaglestone, Federal, Trireme, Mumura, and Master Hamilton, the contest should be the best ever witnessed on the course.

Mr E. J. Watt, having purchased a portion of the Nandillyan Estate, formerly owned by Major Claude Smith, intends starting breeding operations there. Mr Watt already breeds rather extensively in Ne^ r Zealand, where, among his stallions, is Wolawa, who this season has been mated with La Notte, by Eiridspord-r-La Tosca; Musette, by Cuirassi er —Matamataharakiki; Tatters, by Quilt —Spearfeldt; Tupono, by Medallion —Patrie; Bubbles, by Quilt — Waikaha; Bluey, by Merriwee —Blue Water; Float, by Captain Webb —Bonne Idee, and Wordy Warfare, by Camp Fire—Palavarer.

For a number of years an English bookmaker, Mr Fred Goll, of Liverpool, has offered the odds of 2000 to 1 against anyone naming the whole of the winners on a day's programme. These odds were landed by a Chester punter at Nottingham a few weeks ago, the lucky backer being assisted' by the walkover to Eoyal Weaver. It is worthy of note that when the fortunate sportsman received his haul, he promptly handed Mr Goll some of it, to be placed to the credit of the Prince of Wales's Fund. This was the first occasion for many years the layer was struck.

Some of the drawers of horses in Tattersall's sweeps on the Bendigo Cup were so keen on getting a run that they are stated to have paid owners as much aa ££so for a start.

A large number of horses are being trained at the Jifew Brighton track at

present, the biggest teams being those of A. Wilson, J. Messervey, and T. Frost. The course is iu excellent order and promises to be particularly fast for next week's fixture.

The speedy but erratic pacer Millwood has been sold to a Peninsula sportsman, and will in future be used as a utility horse.

Harvey Huon, who figures 111 the Auckland Trotting Cup, is a six-year-old stallion by Iluon Junior from a thoroughbred mare. He is owned by the Sydney sportsman, Mr W. Black, and will be driven in the big event by J. H. Williams, a Sydney trainer. The New Brighton Trotting Club receives acceptances for its Summer Meeting up till 8 o'clock to-morrow evening.

The Petone trainer, Dan Nylan, is taking a team of six to the Auckland Trotting Club's Meeting. They include Jewel Chimes, who won the last Auckland Trotting Cup, and who claims an engagement in the coming race. The Wanganui Trotting Club has paid a tribute to its late secretary, Mr Selby Morton, by naming one of the events on the programme of its annual meeting the Morton Memorial Stakes. Amongst the competitors at the Auckland Trotting Club's - Summer Meeting will be four Australian horses, which were landed from the Sydney boat this week. The visiting contingent comprises Harvey Huon, Buff, Kempsey, and Mummell Bob. The quartet is in charge of J. 11. Williams, a young trainer who has been very successful on New South Wales tracks. He won the Sydney Thousand of 1913 on Playboy, and was second with him in' the Melbourne Thousand of 1913. He drove Harvey Huon home first in several races at Epping and Victoria Park; that horse twice won the Australian Trotting Club Handicap, one mile and a half, and was second on May 29, when the event was two miles. Harvey Huon's racing has been confined to this year. Both Buff and Kempsey have run well in metropolitan company, and Mummell Bob has done a little racing in the Gunnedah district. With the exception of Russia the United States leads the world as far as horsebreeding is concerned. These two countries between them possess 5],769,165, and of this number Russia is credited with 30,729,165, and the United with 21,040,000, while Germany is - at the head of the other European nations with 4,345,000. Austria-Hungary comes next with 4,264,571, Fraftce has 3,094,000, and Great Britain 2,151,375. These immense numbers include horses of all breeds, and considering that Mexico, South America, many other European countries, the vast continent of Asia, Turkey, Arabia, Japan, Australia, Canada, and other places are not included, and in some of which a census of horses is impossible to ascertain, the horse, notwithstanding his modern rival, the automobile, looks as if he was well able to take. himself and perpetuate his breed for many a long day. TEMPLAE.