RACING AND TROTTING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1507, 11 December 1918, Page 3

RACING AND TROTTING.

RACSNG FIXTURES. Dec. 2(l—Kaikoura R.C. Annual. Dec. 20 -Turnnnki J.C. Christinas. Dec. 20—Duncdin J.C. Summer. Dec. L'li nnd 27—Reelton J.C. Summer. Dec. 2(1 and 27—Manawatu R.C. Summer. Dec. 20, 28, Jan. 1 and \— Auckland R.C. Summer. Dec. 28-Cromwell J.C. Animal. Dec. 81, Jan. 1 and .TC icy mouth J.C. Summer. NOMINATIONS. Dec. 13—Southland J.C. Summer. Dec. 13—WestUmd R.C. Summer. Dee. 13—Cromwell J.C. Annual. Dec. 11— Greymouth J.C. Summer. Dec. IS—W'vudham R.C. Annual. Dec. 19 -Reelton J.C. Annual. TROTTING FIXTURES. Dec. 20—Westport T.C. Summer. Dec. 20—Ashburton T.C. Summer. Dec. 27, 30, Jan 2—Auckland T.C. Summer. Dec. 28—Manawntu T.C. Annual. Jan. I—Canterbury F-ark T.C. Summer. NOMINATIONS. Dec. 18 Canterbury Park T.C. Summer. Jan. 3—Wellington T.C. Annual.

TURF TOPICS.

It is certain that the Dunedin Jockey Club and Southland Racing Club will hold their summer meetings on the advertised dates. Several horses owned by the late Mr A. W. Rutherford, now in charge of A. M'Aulay at Riecarton, will be submitted to auction next February. Gang 'Awa, who has been off the scene pinee he disappointed his connections at the Grand National meeting, is down to make his reappearance at the Manawatu meeting. The Manawatu Racin., Club receives acceptances for its summer meeting up till this evening, also final payments for the Palmerston North Stakes. According to a Press Association message received from Sydney last evening Killowen was offered to Mr Sam Hordern for 1250 guineas. After watching the horse doing a gallop Mr Hordern's trainer declined the offer. Weights for the Kaikoura Racing Club's Boxing Day meeting will be declared to-morrow. A rather interesting trial was witnessed at Ellerslie on Thursday afternoon, when Lady Una, Princess Charming, No Mistake, and Gwenette were stretched out over half a mile on the juvenile track, Lady Una and Princess Charming were almost on terms in front of No Mistake and Gwenette at the close of the sprint, which took under l.'lsec to the furlong. Something near level weights were carried by the contestants. • According to Mr T. H. Lowry, there is every prospect of the totalisator being installed at Flemington at no distant date. The question of room is one of the big problems to be faced, but the probabilities are that the track will be made the reverse way round, and the whole of the stands, etc., moved up to the head of the present straight. This would easily get over the difficulty, and may bo an accomplished fact at no distant date. Australia claims a remarkable veteran racer in the shape of Raheny, who holds the Tecord as a starter. Up to date, Raheny has contested no fewer than 386" races. The best previous record was held by Avalon with 385. Raheny was got by Brilliant (son of Splendor); Avalon, by Strathmoie ("son of Nordenfeldt). The Railway authorities have advised the Southland Racing Club that the restrictions on the train service for racemeetings of the past two years will now be relaxed, and asked for suggestions regarding the requirements for the summer meeting to be held on January 2 aud 3. I also have it on the best authority, writes "Comet," that the through express trains will be running at the time of this meeting. That should help northern owners and trainers considerably.

The handicap issue by Mr Edwards for the Auckland Trotting 1 Cup is something of a puzzle. Though supposed to be a 4.39 class, it looks as if the handicapper has cut it down to a 4.37 race in an endeavour to attract the best horses. No fewer than 11 of the entrants have been lumped together on the limit, and it is quite likely that many of them will decline the contest. For instance, what chance can the majority of them have with such as Moneymaker, Matchlight or Author Dillon, unless they improve out of all knowledge? In the New Zealand Trotting Cup Moneymaker ran a fair race from a 4.33 mark, and now is only called on %p give away Sscc in a 4.39 class. Matchlight was placed on a 4.31 mark, and ran second in the New Zea-

land Trotting Chip, while subsequently lie won the Gourtonay Handicap from a similar mark. Now ho is only asked to givo away 6sec in a 4.39 race. Even harder to understand is Author Dillon's treatment. In the Christehurch Handicap on the last day of tho November meeting lip was placed on a 4.23 mark, and only Willie Lincoln finished in front of him. He left the two miles behind under very unfavourable circumstances in '..'24 3-5, yet now lie is apparently placed on a 4.26 mark. It looks as if Mr Edwards has made a serious mistake iu his estimation of Author Dilbn and Moneymaker, or else has quite ignored form in the Ghristehurch Handicap. In that event the former conceded Pringle's representative Usee and a severe beating, yet now there is only lOsec between the pair. Altogether it looks as if Mr Edwards has held out every inducement to Author Dillon's owner even at tho rrsk of sacrificing the chances of many others. At a committee meeting of the New Brighton Trotting Club, a vote of appreciation was accorded to the president, Mr A. M. Loasb? for the excellent work he had done in connection with the influenza epidemic. Sungod is being kept going by J. B. Pearson, and will sport silk in the big harness event at Canterbury Park on New Year's Day. B. Jarden intends taking a team to the Auckland Trotting Club's meeting which will comprise Author Dillon, Huon Patch, Marie Tempest and Lcewood. He leaves as soon as steamer accommodation is available. Adelaide Direct has freshened up a lot since her Cup exertions, and should be nearly at her best by the New Year : over short journeys. J. Armstrong has a big string in work at Brighton. Among the number is Beewood, Albertoria, Tc Kuiti, Koaheni and Disappear.

Irvar and Nancy Stair are both looking well, and thriving on their tasks. M. Edwards has decided to send Auckland Girl and Mykot to Auckland. The latter will be piloted iu the Great Xorthern Derby by ,1. Clarke. E. Carlyon is a patron of Brighton, where Sweet Agues is pacing freely under his supervision. 'Gold Queen can muster up an attractive turn of speed, but she is unreliable at the post. The Scottish bred mare Jenny Lind died recently from foaling at Oakhampton Lodge. The foal, which is by Wildwood Junior, is doing well. The Forbury Park Trotting Club intends applying for permission to hold its postponed spring meeting in conjunction with its March fixture. J. Bryce is making such satisfactory progress from his recent accident that he anticipates being able to don silk again at one of the New Year meetings. Amongst the horses J. Henderson proposes to take to the Auckland Trotting Club's meeting is Embracer, a three-year-old brother to Albert Cling, of whom reports sneak highly. At Alexandra Park Queen Pirate has been responsible for several pleasing-work-outs, and may prove troublesome to the best, of the southern three-year-olds in the Great Northern Trotting Derby. TEMPLAR.