RACING AND TROTTING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1066, 12 July 1917, Page 5

RACING AND TROTTING.

RACING FIXTURES. July 14—Wellington R.C. Winter. August 16 and 18—C.J.C. Grand National. ACCEPTANCES. August ."V-C.J.C. Grand National. August 13—C.J.C. Grand National. TROTTING FIXTURES. August 15 and IT—N.Z. Metropolitan T.C. August. ACCEPTANCES. August S—N.Z. Metropolitan T.C. August. turf Topics. When the unfavourable conditions (both as regards weather and means of transit) are taken into account, the opening day of the Wellington Racing Club's Winter meeting must be written down as a great success. No course in New Zealand is less conveniently situated than that at Trentham, yet without the least consideration from the Railway Departracing enthusiasts from all parts of the Dominion turned out in strong force, while the fields showed no falling-off on those of previous years. Naturally there was a slight shortage in the totalisator receipts. but as this only amounted to a lilile over €4OOO. the executive should be more than satisfied. Quite the star performance of the day was that registered by Crib in winning the Wellington Steeplechase. For a maiden attempt over country, it was full of merit, and opens un a bright future for the South Canterbury-owned gelding. During the past two seasons Sant llano's son has worked Ids way from the ranks of hunters to a foremost place amonost South Island hurdlers. His great stamina and weight-carry-ing ability at once suggested him as a very likely candidate for crosscountry honours, and under the tuition of "Sam" Trilford at the Washdyke. he has evidently bad his natural jumping abilities developed to their fullest extent. In that wonderful jumper, Grey Renown, Crib has had a most proficient schoolmaster, and from the confident manner in which he was supported for yesterday's contest, it is quite certain that his schooling tasks must have been of more than average promise. Crih is only a six-year-old, so there should be a long sphere of usefulness still ahead of him. Naturally his Trentham achievement has been the means of bringing him into prominence for the Grand National Steeoleehase. for which he will probably be reserved. Merrv Cad and Kirkbv both put up creditable efforts in the Wellingion Steeplechase. The latter made a lot of the running, but, as generally predicted, was hardly seasoned enough to see out such a lengthy journey. Over shorter courses he is bound to make good, for few bolder jumpers have ever been schooled at Riccarton. Merrie Lad looked like winning when the home straight was entered, and he raced past Crib. Evidently it was only on sufferance, for on the Canterbury representative being given his head, he drew right away from his more experienced opponent. El Gallo put up a game fight under his big weight, and his task was ma le an almost impossible one by the wretched state of the going. He struggled on till most of the journey had been completed, only to turn a seven at the hencoop when well beaten. It is unlikely that the Aucklander will be asked to tackle the treacherous going aeain at the meeting, but he can be looked on as an almost certain competitor at Riccarton. Miss Sation and Sensitive, who ran and second in the Vittoria Hurdles at Trentham. were both got by the Hotchkiss stallion Sensation. The former's victory was so easily attained as to suggest her taking much higher honours in the near future. San Sebastian showed a bold front in the early stages of the Vittoria Hurdles yesterday, hut compounded badly as soon as the real business of the race commenced. The lightweight division had matters all their own way in the Parliamentary Handicjip, and it was left to Orleans, the biggest outsider of the field, to show the way home from Grand Idea and Coldstream. St. Elmn's display in the Wellington Steeplechase was quite in keeping with those given by him at Napier Park and Hastings. It was against his prospects that, as the result of over-reaching, he had done little work for a week before being brought to Trentham. The greatly-boomed Johnny Walker was little fancied for the Parliamentary Handicap, and ran accordingly. Strange to say, his poor showing has not weakened his position in the early speculation over the Winter Cup. After his race in the Wellington Steeplechase, Kirkbv was bleeding at the nose. This is an old complaint of the Birkenhead gelding, but appears to cause him little inconvenience. The heavy going quite settled Art's chance in the Winter Hurdles, and under the circumstances he did well to finish just behind the placed horses. For a first attempt in public. Rewi Poto put up a promising race in the Winter Hurdles. He is just the type for the business, and will be greatly benefited by his Trentham experience. Sir Fisher was made a good favourite for the Winter Hurdles, but quite failed to race up lo expectations in the heavy going. Tararu Jack. Ron Reve, Iceberg, Marconi, and Sir Solo also gave disappointing displays. I.eonta gave a taste of the form that is credited him in private by making a runaway race of the Winter Hurdles yesterday. The Forded representative was always in a handv position, and had the result Rt in <;afe keeping a long way from Kaupokonui. who put up such a " race in the Hack SieeplePPr/Uise yesterday, is a stable companof Crib. Like the latter, he r has had the benefit of schooling at the Washdyke course in company with Grey Renown. A monster recruiting campaign was held ;tl the Cauliield racecourse on Sunday last. The lending feature was a procession of over 200 lady riders, each leading a horse with an empty saddle. The Racing Conference will meet in Wellington to-morrow. There is a large amount of business on the order paper, but most of the remits are of a minor character. To-morrow will be an off day at Trentham, but on Saturday most of the best horses at the meeting are

likely to measure strides again in the July Steeplechase, Final Hurdle Handicap, and Winter Oats. The Karamu. stable has a great record in connection with the W.R.C. Trial Plate, which was added to by Marker's success yesterday. For some time past the son of King Mark has held a great private reputation for speed, and that it was well founded was evidenced by his easy j win in yesterday's contest. The well-known trainer David ' Price appears to have again struck j trouble in Australia. According to ! a paragraph appearing in the Syd- | ney "Referee," A. E. Cockran, in the j High Court, moved for the appointment of a receiver in a case in which j he is proceeding against T. T. Traut- ' wein and I). Price in connection jwith the racehorse Quinologist. The evidence went to show that in April, i 1015. il was agreed thai on the payment of £SOO Trautwein should be- | come a partner with plaintiff in I Quinologist. Trautwein had to ar- | range for the training of the horse, and profit and loss were to be shared i equally. On January .11 Quinologist ! was offered for sale. Trautwein, ! according to the affidavit, bad agreed jwith David Price that he (Trautwein) should represent lo Messrs , Wm. Inglis ami Sons that QuinoloI gist was of no value, was gone in Mhe wind, and was unfit for racing. ; He was knocked down to David ! Price at 40gs. Cockran protested, lie had since discovered that at the 'sale Price was acting for Trautwein. Quinologist had since won £SOOO in stakes. At the last meeting of the Australian Trotting Club, only one ticket was taken out on Tar Boy. who finished second in the Novice Handicap, I with the result that the fortunate i holder found himself entitled to a i dividend of well over a quarter of a i century. On the conclusion of Ihe race, on going lo collect his win- | nings, the lucky one discovered that he had lost his ticket. He took the , usual step of making a declaration, j but ad.ditional trouble was obviated Iby someone finding the valuable i "brief" and giving it up later in the i afternoon. TEMPLAR.