RACING AND TROTTING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 871, 24 November 1916, Page 5

RACING AND TROTTING.

RACING FIXTURBS. November 25—South Canterbury J.C. Spring. November 25 and 29—Takapuna J.C. Spring. November 29 and 30—Feilding J. C. Spring. December 2 Hororata R.C. Annual. December 6 and 7—Woodville J.C. Summer. December 7—Methven R.C. Annual. December 8 and 9—Lake County R.C. Annual. ACCEPTANCES. November 25—Hororata J.C. Annual. November 29—Woodville J.C. Summer. December I—Auckland R.C. Summer. December 2—Methven B.C. Annual. December 7—Lake County R.C. Annual. TROTTING FIXTURES. December 1 and 2—Forbury Park T.C. Spring. December 6—Winton T.C. Annual. December 11 and 16— New Brighton T.C Summer. ACCEPTANCES. November 30—Winton T.C. Annual. December B—New Brighton T.C. Summer. December 1 I -Westport T.C. Summer. December 15—Auckland T.C. Summer. TURF TOPICS. Marc Anlony will not be a competitor at the Auckland Racing Club's meeting, but will be seen under silk al the Dunedin fixture. He lias made a satisfactory recovery from the mishap he sustained when racing al Riccarton, and is now in steady work again. After a lengthy spell Countess Tolstoi has again been taken up by W. 11. Thomson. She looks decidedly on the big side, but appears to have quite thrown off the muscular trouble that led to her retirement. For a good many years meetings held under the management of the Sonlh Canterbury Jockey Club have not made the progress that could be expected in such a prosperous district. Frequent changes of dates have been tried, but without satisfactory results, and the last move of the executive in extending the fixture over three days finds little favour with visiting sportsmen. To the outsider it certainly looks as if the club is damaging its meeting in the interest of Timaru business people. Early indications were none too [ favourable for yesterday's gathering, a light rain falling till well into the afternoon. This had little effect on the attendance so far as the club's local patrons were concerned, but the contribution from North Canterbury was disappointing. The rain was not heavy enough to effect the track, which was particularly fast, as evidenced by the high rate of speed at which all.the events were run. Good-sized fields contested most of the races, and generally the sport was of an entertaining nature. Though only seven events found a place on the programme the totalisator investments only fell short of last year's figures by £1129, which must be accounted quite satisfactory. The Olaio Hurdle Handicap, with which proceedings commenced, was a peculiar race. Rore, the favourite, was apparently anchored by his big weight, for, though with the leading division in the early stages, he dropped back when half the journey had been covered, and from this out never had a chance with Compulsion. The latter jumped really well, and, favoured, with his light impost, never gave the opposition a look in. From Ihe manner in which he won, it will take, a lot of weight to stop the Crichton gelding from repeating his performance in similar company. Kingsway fell in the back straight, fortunately wilhout injury to himself or F. Holmes, jun. They are certainly an unlucky combination. Bore's display was disappointing and St. Curio's was even worse. There were half-a-dozen elevcnlh hour withdrawals from the Trial Handicap, leaving a rather poor class field of 13 to face the starter. Ron d'Or, who was a better favourite than All Serene and Malvolia, soon joined the leading division, and with heads in line for home it looked as if he and Golden Prince would have the finish to Ihemselvcs. Just when they were settling their argument within the distance, All Serene, who had always been handy, put in his claim, and in a spirited finish, gol Ihe verdict by a head. All Serene was particularly well handled by F. Jones, who timed his run to a nicety, but Ron d'Or may have done belter had he not been so unduly hustled in the first furlong. Of Ihe others Golden Prince gave the best showing, though he cut up rather badly when tackled by All Serene. Each of the place fillers in this event is owned in the North Canterbury district. That the result of the Jockey Club Handicap was regarded as particularly open was demonstrated by the even manner in which most of the seven competitors were supported on the machine. The withdrawal of Oxenhope in favour of Aerial resultcd in the latter being sent out favourite, and nothing in the field looked in heller trim. II was by no means a happy send off for several of the riders were quite unprepared to sec the barrier rise before they had been given sufficient time to take up their positions. As a result the competitors were well strung out at Ihe end of a furlong, with Aerial out in front and Killena well in the rear. Going along the hack Killena put in a great run that look her into second position, on terms with Ringform. Aerial landed info the home straight with three lengths advantage and right till the distance posl was reached looked lo he going comfortably. When tackled by Ringform and Margerinc he failed lo respond, and, in a great finish between Ihe trio, Ringform just got his head in front as Hie posl was reached. Only for losing several lengths al tiie start it is any odds that Margerinc would have prevailed, while her task was made the harder by meeting with interference when going along (he back straight. Ringform showed that Ihe hard campaign he had at Riccarlon had done him no harm, for he jumped out well, and stuck to his task under pressure in most resolute style. Killena was ridden with little judgment, and Re-

corder, after having every opportunity, failed very badly at the business end. The English-bred mare Week End was made a particularly strong order, for the President's Welter, probably I on account of her prominent running \ at Riccarlon. She was well placed all through, and, after disposing ofj Gallupin at the distance, looked to have winning prospects. By a wellsustained run Treadfire cut the leader down in the last few strides, andj got the verdict by a neck. After making all the early running Gallu-j pin faded out badly over the last half furlong, and was particularly fortunate in getting third money, for it looked as if Twelfth Night finished nearly half a length in front of him. Obsono showed some of his early brilliancy for three parts of the journey, but then faded right out, while Kiitess never got into the lighting line. The Finn, an amateur-trained soiU of Finland and Disappointment, hailing from Rakaia, effected a surprise win in the Spring Stakes. Bellrock, who carried the bulk of the investments, looked to have the issue in safe keeping a furlong from the post, where The Finn could be seen putling in good work on the outside. Gradually overhauling the leader, he stayed on much the better of the pair,| eventually winning decisively by! half a length. This marked The Finn's first success, but it is quite certain that the best of him has not yet been seen. Bellrock put up a creditable performance in getting second place, but at least half of the competitors are never likely to earn; distinction, even in the poorest company. Backers had a rare surprise sprung on them in the Kerrytown Hack Welter, Bill Terry, the winner, being the least fancied of the eight com-' petitors. British Rose was in slight-i ly better demand than Ascalaphus j and Glendower,buthada very rough; passage when going along the back? straight, being knocked back nearly, last. This quite spoilt his prospects,! but under the circumstances it is doubtful if he could have won. Not I a little of Bill Terry's success can be ascribed to the vigorous manner in which he was hunted along for the last furlong by Hewitt, who has seldom shown to better advantage on a lazy horse. Ascalaphus and Glendower finished on such level terms that the judge was unable to separate them. After his withdrawal from the Jockey Club Handicap nothing but Oxenhope would go down with backers for the Flying Handicap, despite the fact that he was giving away up to three stone to some of his opponents. Holding a handy position from the start the big son of Obligado made light of his load when called on for a final effort, and though Findhorn struggled on gamely he could not stall off the final challenge of the favourite. Looked at from every standpoint, it was a fine achievement on the part of Oxenhope, whose brilliancy does not appear to be diminished by the heavy weights he is always called on to shoulder. Big fields are engaged in most of the events at Takapuna to-morrow, and zest will be lent to the racing in view of so many horses with engagements at the more imporlant Ellerslie fixture being down to sport silk. The majority of those figuring in the St. Andrews Handicap are locally trained, but a visitor in Depredation may be capable of keeping them all busy. Such a quick beginner as Kilty Bellairs should be well suited by the distance of the Borough Handicap, and Waiuta is not badly placed in the Cheltenham Handicap. Racing will be continued at Timaru to-morrow when the South Canterbury Handicap of 200 sovs., and Farewell Handicap of 120 sovs. will form the leading attractions. A special train has been arranged to leave Christchurch at 9 a.m., which will take visitors direct to the course and return from Timaru at 6.45 p.m. Owners are given a reminder that acceptances for the Hororata Racing Club's meeting close to-morrow evening. An overnight cable message from Sydney mentions that Mr W. G. Stead's horses, including Kilboy and Sasanof, are on their way to Auckland in the Niagara. On arrival they will be located at J. Rac's stables, Ellerslie. At the Tasmanian Racing Club's Meeting, on the 13th inst., Tuticorn (Sarto—Chinook) won the Elswick Purse Handicap, six furlongs. The yearling full-brother to this youngster recently went into the Porirua stable. * Very fair support lias been accorded the Westport Trolling Club for its meeting which takes place on December 2(3 and 27. Canterbury stables are fairly well represented, and only for the many counter altractions j their contributions would have been much more numerous. Mr G. E. Perkins has heen appointed in act as stipendiary steward lor the trotting events at the Westland Racing Club's Meeting. J. O'Shea was engaged to ride Blackall in the Auckland Cup before the weights appeared, hut the weight i allotted is a hit 100 low, and unless \ Mr Watt is prepared to put up a few pounds overweight, Ihe Aucklander lis hardly likely to lake the mount. While being worked'at Ellerslie a few mornings ago El Gallo look charge of his rider, galloping about three miles before A. Rae, who was mounted on anotherhorsc, got alongside of him and succeeded in pulling him up. The manipulation of ihe Higgins patent starting barrier at Alexandra Park gave general satisfaction, and there is little doubt thai Ihe new method of starling is meeting with Ihe general approval of Ihe public and influencing fresh converts to the trolling sport, says an Auckland writer. During his recent visit to Sydney the Auckland sportsman, Mr R. Goldwater purchased the imported horse Thurnham. He was brought to Auckland by the Westralia on Monday,

and is now under F. McManemin's charge at Ellerslie. Thurnham is by John o' Gaunt from Disdain (halfsister to Grafton and Polymelus), bv Bend Or. F. Tillcy's team for Feilding will consist of Client, Rinaldo, Acre, and Arrowfield. The former, says a northern writer, has not yet raced this season but if he is lit and well he will keep the opposition busy in the Riwitea Welter. Rinaldo is said to he going well, while Acre has improved since racing at Trentham, where he made a creditable showing. Arrowfield is a line-looking two-year-old colt, some preferring him to the other Australian-bred colt Acre, but it remains to be seen how he will race, though his track form is promising. Both these two-year-olds are in the Trial Plate, and also the Oroua Stakes. If they start in the latter they will be well tried, as the field will probably include Bimeter, Interlude, Panmure, and two or three other speedy horses. TEMPLAR.