RACING AND TROTTING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume II, Issue 438, 6 July 1915, Page 5

RACING AND TROTTING.

RACING FIXTURES. July 28—Pahiatua R.C. Annual. August 10, 12, and 14—C.J.C. Winter. ACCEPTANCES. July 9—Pahiatua R.C. Annual. TROTTING FIXTURES. July B—South Canterbury T.C. Annual. August 9, 11, and. 13— N.Z. Metropolitan T.C. Winter. ACCEPTANCES. August 3—N.Z. Metropolitan T.C. Winter. TURF TOPICS. In the course of the next few weeks most of the Riccarton trainers who have New Zealand Cup candidates in their stables will commence on the severe task of fitting them for the big two mile race. Already Aynslcy has Warstep and Snub doing light tasks, and ,no horse could look in better order to start a solid preparation on than the former. She is as sound as a hell, and, unless something unforsccn occurs, can be relied on to acquit herself with every credit in the Cup at anything like a rcasonablc impost. Ardcnvhor and Blitz: have been having an easy time since the autumn, and their past deeds do not augur well for their prospects over lengthy courses. It is almost an even-money chance that -Chrysotis does not survive the necessary preparation to fit her for the fray, but there arc possibilities associated with R. J. Mason's pair, Xanthos and Banksia. The Chokcborc stable has a useful couple in Wisebird and Nightwatch, the former of whom is as forward as any of the Riccar-ton-trained division. Slogan, Bee, and Briar Putch will probably sport silk at the Grand National Meeting, but none of them are ever likely to attain Cup honours. Altogether the locally-trained division for the big event of the year is not up to the standard of many previous seasons.

Since making his re-appcarance on the tracks Daylight Bill has done little fast work, but he appears to be quite sound again, despite a somewhat enlarged knee. During his temporary retirement the gfey put on a fair amount of condition, but he should be nearly at his best by the time the National Meeting comes round. For some time past matters in connection with the Wellington Racing Club's Winter Meeting have been in a rather unsettled state. Early last week rumours were flying about Wellington that the fixture was to be abandoned, and, as a matter of fact, the club actually offered to forgo the meeting if the military authorities were so desirous. Subsequently it was announced that the military officials had made all necessary arrangements in respect to the Kick soldiers who were being treated in the club's buildings, and consequently there would.be no necessity^ to interfere with the meeting. Since then it is evident the large amount of sickness at the Trentham camp has influenced the authorities to reconsider their former decision, as yesterday afternoon the stewards decided to postpone the meeting so as not to interfere with the hospital arrangements at the course. In the meantime-, all nomination and other fees .received in .connection with the fixture have been refunded, and it will probably be rearranged for some time in August, possibly just after the Grand National Meeting.

As the season progresses the poverty of Riccarton stables in the matter of hurdlers and 'chasers becomes more and more apparent. In the latter division it is satisfactory to notice that Daylight Bill is again in commission, for any prospects there may be of a local success in the big crosscountry event of the year rest with him. Corric's breakdown removes the best of the locally-trained hurdlers, as apart from her they are a poor lot indeed. There were possibilities associated with Troon till she unfortunately got hurt in the paddock, which necessitated her retirement from the tracks. Kilmeny has been under suspicion of unsoundness for some time, and was not forward enough to be given a nomination in the National Hurdles, and it has been left to Modditc and Snowrakcr to uphold Riccarton's prestige in that event. The former was to have made his public debut over hurdles at Trentham, but with the postponement of the northern fixture he will not now get the chance of a school in public before the National Meeting. There has been nothing to enthuse over in Moddite's displays at Riccarton, and it looks as if National honours arc far beyond his capabilities. Snowrakcr has done a good deal of schooling, but she is a long way removed from first class, while White Cockade is surely a spent light. Master Hamilton, Glenowl, and Art arc others that have been schooled, and of all the novices the last-named seems the most likely to make good at the business. The postponement of the Wellington

Meeting Interferes with tho programmes mapped out by several Riccartou trainers, who were intent on giving their charges a rim at Trcntham to fit them for Grand National engagements. Slogan, The Cornet, Banksia, Briar Patch, White Cockade, Sclwyn, Sir Hamilton, Free, Modditc, and Snowrakcr were all being got ready for the northern fixture, and it is quite probable that their exertions would have been rewarded witli a fair amount of success. As it is, they now have to confine their efforts to the Grand National Meeting.

Apart from the. special passenger train fixed for the South Canterbury Trotting Club's Meeting, arrangements have also been made to run a horse special. This will leave Christchurch at 0 a.m. on Thursday, returning after the meeting. Owners arc specially reminded that horses must be loaded at Christchurch not later than o.!50 a.m.

There was some interesting racing witnessed at Petonc on Saturday, when the Hutt Valley Trotting Club brought off its Patriotic Meeting in aid of the Wounded Soldiers' Fund. That speedy pacer Fashion wood accounted for the two principal events, being followed home in the Queen of the Carnival Handicap by Colleen Bawn and Our George, while amongst the. unplaced division were Dick G., All Steel, Francis H., and Silver Black. I.ater in the afternoon Nyhan's representative just managed to struggle home in front of Bobalink and Colleen Bawn in the Allies' Handicap, and he stood out as the star performer of the day. Silver Steel and Dick G. fought out a great finish in the Dardanelles Handicap, which resulted in the former's favour by a head, while an unknown quantity in Dinah had a comfortable win in the Wounded Soldiers' Stakes. Major Samuel (president), who made his last appearance as an official of the club, acted as judge, and also presented the trophies to the successful horsemen. Altogether it is expected that the good cause will benefit to the extent of about £7O as the result of the meeting. The Gisbornc trainer G. Jones has only booked accommodation for one horse at Riccarton, so it is a mettcr of much speculation whether he will bring Chortle or Multiply down for the Grand National Meeting.

Although El Gallo has been having a comparatively easy time of it since .the A.R.C. Meeting, a northern authority expresses the opinion that there is plenty of time to get him right for his Riccarton engagements next month. Nevertheless, his knees do not fill the observant with too -much, confidence, and it would not be surprising to learn that the joints mentioned will cause a lot of anxiety to Trainer I\ Jones during the next few weeks. Beldame knocked her" knees about when competing in ,thc hurdle events at Napier Park, and as a result could not fulfil her engagements at the Gisborne Meeting. Her next appearance will be in the hurdle events at the Grand National Meting.

Racing will be continued at Flemington to-morrow, when the leading attractions will be the Kensington Steeplechase and Kcilor Hurdles. Amongst the New Zealand contingent engaged are Suuci, Tim Doolan, The Pole, and Bon Ton. Golden Slipper, the bay daughter of Multiform and Aura, who holds the Australasian record as the highest priced filly sold under the hammer (4500g5), will probably be represented by her first two foals during the coming season. Both arc fillies by Wallace. The eldest will race as a three-year-old and the other as a two-year-old. .

"Tcrliuga," of the "Australasian," considers that Mr Gerald Stead has a good chance of furnishing the winner of the V.R.C. Grand National Steeplechase. Though Tim Doolan finished third in the Wanda Steeplechase at Caulficld on the 19th ult., the Victorian critic gives the son of Brookby a high word of praise for his perfect fencing, and expresses the opinion that by the time the V.R.C. event comes round the New Zealand 'chaser will be a much improved' horse. Although it is not generally known, the tote is maintaining a battle-cruiser in the North Sea (says the "Bulletin"). All patriotic wowsers who favour Isaac McShortodds and the bag method of betting are exhorted to consider this fact. In 1909 the Clovernmcrit tax on tote receipts in Maoriland was 1* per cent., but in that year, when louscph Ward rushed Father Bull with the gift Dreadnought, the tax was increased to 2J per cent., and a special tax of 1\ per cent, was put on all racecourse receipts, such as gate money, privileges, and race cards. In 1909 the Government got only £29,645 from the clubs, but in 1914 the income from this source had risen to £107,813, owing chiefly to the increased taxation designed to meet the cost of Ward's famous present. The sum realised in 1914 was sufficient to pay 3J per cent, interest on the cost of the ship (£1,701,000), and to establish a sinking fund capable of defraying Uic entire sum inside 24 years. Now, will brother McSniffle address.the congregation? Latest English files give the information that the King's colt, Friar Marcus, did not start in the Derby. A writer in the "Sportsman" of May 19 says:—"The news that Friar Marcus had been scratched for the Derby caused no surprise; indeed, I was enabled to anticipate in my notes from

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Newmarket that his immediate withdrawal was under contemplation, the reason being that he had shown himself beyond all doubt a non-stayer, with no pretensions to galloy a mile and a-half at top speed In first-class company. To put him through the severe preparation necessary for a Derby could hardly fail to impair his brilliant; speed, which, witli ordinary luck, will ensure his winning sprint races by way of compensation for the great disappointment consequent on the discovery of his deficiency of stamina. It is safe to say that every loyal sportsman lived in hopes that the handsome son of Cicero would follow in the footsteps of Persimmon, Diamond Jubilee, and Minoru at Epsom, but, as it happened, the 'Blue Riband* raee, for the first time in its history, provoked no speculation during the recess, consequently the public will not suffer loss, though, influenced. by sentiment rather than judgment, there would have been hundreds who, hoping against hope, would have supported him had he gone to the post. Friar Marcus is accompanied into retirement by Markie, Border Don, Mark Hope, and Jungle Cock, and at first sight this looked as if there would he no Royal representative, and doubtless the opponents of sport in general and racing in particular would rejoice at the announcement, but fortunately there is still one left of the half-dozen originally entered. Samarco is, I believe, certain to run for the Derby provided he continues as well as at present. A direct inference is to be drawn from this fact; indeed, the King was the fii : st to express opinion that a discontinuance of racing would mean serious hnrai to the breeding industry and ruin to many thousands of employees dependent upon it and racing for their livelihood." TEMPLAR.