RACING AND TROTTING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume IV, Issue 1163, 2 November 1917, Page 7

RACING AND TROTTING.

RACING FIXTURES. Nov. 3, 7—Avondale J.C. Spring. Nov. 5. 7, 10—Canterbury .T.C. Spring. Nov. 10—Auckland R.C. Spring. Nov. 14 and 15—Winton .T.C. Annual. Nov. 21—Ashhurst-Pohangina R.C. Annual. Dec. I—Feilding J.C. Spring. NOMINATIONS. Nov. lft—Woodville J.C. Summer. Nov. 23—Taranaki J.C. Summer. Nov. 20—Wairarapa R.C. Summer. Nov. 30—Auckland R.C. Summer. Nov. 30—Manawatu R.C. Summer. TROTTING FIXTURES. November 6, 8, 9—N.Z. Metropolitan T.C. Spring. Dec. I—Forbury Park T.C. Spring. Dec. 2fi—Westport T.C. Summer. Dec. 27 and 31 and Jan. 2—Auckland T. C. Summer. Jan. 2 and 4—Greymouth T. C. Summer. NOMINATIONS. Nov. 2—Auckland T.C. Great Northern Derbv. Nov. 14—Forburv Park T.C. Spring. Nov. 22—Westport T.C. Summer.

TURF TOPICS. Most of the horses engaged at next week's meeting were on the tracks at Riccarton this morning doing light tasks. Want was sent two rounds of the schooling hurdles, but spoilt his display by twice refusing at the hurdle in front of the stand. Marsa and Midnight Star were on the tracks this morning, both looking in firstclass trim. There is sure to be a lot of interesting galloping at Riccarton to-morrow morning, which will be the last opportunity trainers will have of exercising their charges before the meeting. It is understood that Marsa, Rorkc's Drift, and John Barleycorn will be tried out over a mile and a-half. The well-known lightweight, G. Clarke, is at present indisposed, and may not be able to fulfil engagements on the opening day of the CJ.C. meeting. Large fields arc engaged in all the events at the Avondale Jockey Club's meeting tomorrow; indeed, in some of the events the competitors are altogether too numerous for their own safety. The Avondale course is not a very wide one,- and has two rather awkward turns. If all the 34 acceptors in the Maiden Plate go to the post Jthere is likely to-lie trouble, and owners wftl surely find difficulty in getting capable horsemen. On recent form Gluetanus is entitled to respect in the Grey Lynn Hurdles, and Marconi is not overweighted. With all his weight Chortle can be relied on to show a bold front in the Avondale Cup, but .the size of the field is sure to make his task all the harder. Chuckle and Kauri King are a pair of lightweights that should be able to keep the opposition busy. If Bingham is reserved for the Henderson Handicap he may run prominently, while King Lupin and Vagabond are a likely pair in the Flying Handicap. Trentham form points to Informal being the most seasoned of the two-year-olds engaged in the Avondale Stakes. This morning's arrivals from the North Island included A. Goodman with Pall Mall. Trentham Rose and Rose Pink; J. Prosser with Portland Lady and Zid, and W. Galbraith with Comment.

It was anticipated that a number of horses would be tried out at Addington this morning, but in this the many spectators who put in an appearance were sadly disappointed. A large number of horses were on the track, but none of them were sent against the watch. Amongst the first to work were Louie Drift and Rorkc's Drift, who cast two miles behind at a solid pace. The former is nowtrotting in greatly improved style and gives much more promise than when raced at the pacing gait. R. Allan gave Bundura and Fairy Whispers serviceable tasks, both pacing evenly.

Erin's King, who looks much more seasoned than when raced at the August meeting, showed great brilliancy in the sprinting tasks apportioned him. Norval King was on the easy list; and Michael Galindo was kept to half pace work. Steel Bell and Evelyn were only jogged. It is understood that both these cup horses will be hurried along to-morrow morning. Pitaroa, who is very forward, jogged several circuits, similar exercise being apportioned Armamcnter and Erleen. Dubosc was hustled oil at the mile and a-half post, hut at once left his feet. A recent arrival in Commander Bell got over ten furlongs in nice free style, and Law Chimes, with her owner in the sulky, was given sprinting tasks.

Trix Pointer and Billy Parole were kept to jogging work. Fox's and Nelson's teams were out doing the mildest of exercise. With 10 well-bred colls and fillies standing their ground in the Welcome Stakes there can be no doubt as to the success of the two-year-old contest. Wellington form points to Pontoon and Finmark dominating the position, but the Hawkc's Kay pair will meet worthy opponents in Sir Fanciful, 80-Peep and Cherry Mart. Estland appears to dominate the position in the CJ.C. Derby to such an extent that only six other owners deemed it advisable to pay up for their representatives against the Hawkc's Ray colt. Even this small list is likely to be further reduced before the horses go to the post. Only light horses were allowed to forfeit their engagements in the Stewards' Handicap, leaving a serviceable field of 18 to contest the six furlong sprint. The only fancied candidate missing from the list is Disdainful whose preparation had to be checked as the result of lameness. With such high class sprinters as Croesus, Form Up, Fiery Cross, Gazique and Nvstad engaged the race will not lack in interest. The Canterbury Jockey Club should be more than satisfied with the acceptances received last evening for the first day of its spring meeting. Only half a dozen in Egypt, Bjorncborg, P.laekall, Thaddeus, Orleans and Nottata dropped out of the Cup, and with the exception of Egypt their de-

fections were fully anticipated. Mr Lowry's colt looks rather backward for a two mile contest, and no doubt some of the shorter distance events will be his mission. Though

the 17 likely competitors in the two mile event are by no means a high class coilec-

tion they are such an even lot as to ensure ;i spirited contest. On the conclusion of the Hiccnrton meeting the Trcnthuin mentor 11. Lowe toes into camp. 'l'll.' l(i Waikanae-brcd yearlings to he auctioned in Lhristchurcli next week are expected to arrive from Wellington tomorrow morning. big weights do not seem to stop the performers at tiie unregistered meetings in Sydney. In September the New Zealandbred Hrisi is carried 10.., and won, hut this performance has now been eclipsed by Lady Liddell, who carried 11.7 and won the' Fourteen One Handicap from a big field on October 20. A visit to J. Bryce's stable forms the subject of an article in to-morrow's issue of the sports and magazine number of The Sun.

The Auckland Trotting Club receives entries for its Great Northern Trotting Derby up till nine o'clock this evening. Several Canterbury trainers have juveniles in preparation for the northern classic. It was intended to step Author Dillon a fast mile at Addington to-morrow morning, but the exhibition has now been cancelled. According to an Auckland writer, J. O'Shca, acting on the advice of his surgeon, will not complete riding engagements in the near future. His arm is still weak, and he will not journey to Rlccarton. Though no New Zealand owner has ever had the pleasure of leading in a winner of the V.R.C. Derby, two Dominion-bred ones in .Martini Henry and Xordenfeldt did that service for the Hon. ,Tas. White. Everything points to this omission being made good in to-morrow's contest, for on Randwick form Biplane appears to dominate the three-year-old position. Since his arrival at Flcmlngton .Mr Greenwood's representative has gone on quite to his trainer's satisfaction, but he will meet two greatly-improved colts in Thrice and Bionzetti. The latter had only done a light preparation before racing at Handwick, and since then has placed a Caulflcld Cup to his credit. Though not so brilliant as Biplane, he is such a genuine stayer that the former will ; need to be at his very best to shake oil | Bronzino's son over the concluding stages. i The Melbourne Cup favourite, Lanius, claims engagement in the Melbourne Stakes | to-morrow, and there appears every chance !of him playing his part really well. i Amongst his opponents may be The Toll and Kilflinn, but on recent showings neither ; can have much chance with the brilliant ] Englishman. TEMPLAR.