RACING AND TROTTING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1808, 29 November 1919, Page 9

RACING AND TROTTING.

RACING FIXTURES. it^,. Dec. I—Fcilding J.C. Spring. Dec. 4—Methven R.C. Annual. Dec. 10 and 11—Woodviljc J.C. Summer. Dec. 18—Taumarunul R. C. Annual. Dec. 20—Kaikoura R.C. Annual. Dec. 20—Porangahau ■ R.C. Annual, Dec. 2G, 27 and 29—Manawatu R.C. Summer. Dec. 26 and 27—Wcstland R.C. Summer. Dec. 26 and 27—Taranaki J.C. Summer. Dec. 26 and 27—Dunedin J.C. Summer. Dec. 26, 29, Jan. 1 and 2—Auckland R.C. Summer. NOMINATIONS. Dec. 3—Stratford R.C. Annual. . - Dec. s—Wairarapa R.C. Summer. Dec. s—Marton J.C. Summer. Dec. s—Hawke's Bay J.C. Summer. Dec. s—Wcstland R.C. Summer. Dec. s—Dunedin J.C. Summer. Dec. s—Auckland R.C. Summer. ACCEPTANCES. Dec. 3—Woodvllle J.C. Summer. Dec. s—Auckland Cup and Railway Handicap. Dec. 9—Manawatu R.C. Summer. Dec. 12—Taranaki J.C. Summer. Dec. 13—Kaikoura R.C. Annual. Dec. 17—Stratford R.C. Annual. TROTTING FIXTURES. Dec. 13 & 16—New Brighton T.C. Summer. Dec. 26—Gore T.C. Annual. Dec. 26—Ashburton T.C. Summer. Dec. 26 and 27—Westport T.C. Summer. j NOMINATIONS. Dec. s—Auckland T.C. Summer. '•)'' Dec. H— Gore T.C. Annual. Dec. 6—Otago Central T.C. Annual. ACCEPTANCES. Dec. 9—New Brighton T.C. Summer. Dec. 15—Westport T.C. Summer. TURF TOPICS. \

Though a light rain fell through the night, and a few showers during the morning, it was not heavy enough to interfere with training operations at Riccarton this morning. Nearly all the work before breakfast was done on the plough. Mason worked his team, comprising Gloaming, Rossini, Karo and the juveniles the reverse way. All were given strong, useful work. A. Cutts exercised all his horses on the plough, Miss Mimic skipping over four furlongs nicely. Heathercote did solid work over a mile, finishing up his task well. Moorfowl skipped over half a mile pleasingly. Night Raider and R6yal Stag were mates over a solidly-run six furlongs. Macduff and Onslaught were companions over a mile run in 1.47 4-5, the latter going easily the better of the pair. Mandrake and Bore were on terms at the end of seven furlongs, run in 1.38. Winter Wind sprinted three furlongs in 38sec. Burrangong, Amythas and Spyglass were on terms at the close of a mile, run in 1.47 2-5. Sophisticate and Grim Joke ran half a mile in 52 l-ssec. Foo Chow and Rangi Aroha were together at the close of five furlongs, run in 1.7 1-5. Warlove and Wardancer were evenly matched over seven furlongs, left behind in 1.33 1-5. Warform and Red Fool finished together after compassing six furlongs in 1.20, Orange Mart, alone, sprinted three furlongs in 39sec. Algidus finished badly at the close of five furlongs, run in 1.6 2-5. After breakfast the plough was. a little heavier, as rain fell during the interval, and a number of trainers used the outside of the trial grass. Link Up, on the grass, ran a useful six furlongs. Sans Souci left four furlongs behind from the mile to the half-mile in 53sec. St. Winnow went four furlongs in 49 2-5 on the grass. She only had a light boy up, but did it well. , Single Rose, who looks big and well, was given a useful half-mile. Rippingill and Thestius were on terms, with the latter going easily at the close of five furlongs, run in 1.7 1-5. Warlike was easily too good for Some Girl over, the last three furlongs of a six-furlong gallop run in 1.21 3-5. Strayshot and the brother to Partisan took 54sec to cover half a mile. Pyjama and Clean Sweep were on terms at the conclusion of four furlongs, run in 51 3-ssec. Reproachful left half a mile behind in 49 2-ssee, being assisted over the last three furlongs by an unnamed stable mate. Glentanner alone took 1.9 to run the last five of seven furlongs. Greekson and Sport ran four furlongs in 54sec.

Bombproof did not please by the way he left five furlongs behind in 1.9. Henriette easily accounted for Trickery and another over six furlongs, run in 1.20 2-5. Steepholm and Checkmate were associated over four furlougs in 51sec. Happy Captain, who is in work again in A. Cutts's team, looks bright and well.' Sundance was given steady work and seems to have quietened down a lot. Brown Willey ran half a mile in 51sec. Hector Gray scored his first win, since returning from Australia, on Madam Ristori, at the Takapuna meeting. Satisfactory acceptances have been received for the Methven Racing Club's Annual Meeting, which takes place on Thursday next. Half a dozen useful performers stand their ground in the Methven Cup, while the Mount Harding Welter and Viewmount Hack Handicap have attracted very large fields. The track is reported to be in good order, and, altogether, the prospects for an excellent afternoon's sport look unusually "bright. Canyon, the filly by "Wolawa from Wairakau, which Mr T. H. Lowry recently sold to a Wellington sportsman, is being exercised at Trentham, under the supervision of C. Pritchard. The Australian-bred two-year-old Dunedin is reported to have freshened up considerably during the past few weeks, and is now doing useful work on the tracks at Ellerslie. J. Morris, private trainer to Mr J. Bull, was recently taken ill, and at present is an inmate of the Wanganui Hospital. The ex-New Zealand sportsman, Mr E. J. Watt, recently won the Brisbane Handicap, of 500 sovs, one mile, with All Aboard, by All Black—Float. Catalani, who figures in the A.R.C. Railway Handicap with the minimum impost, is identical with the Englishbred mare by Catmint —Symbolism, sold by auction in Canterbury recently for 825 guineas. Further than that she is now the property of Mr A. J. Nicholls, of Wanganui, nothing is known regarding the highly-bred mare's future. Catalani is to be trained by R. Brough, of Hawera. •

The Wellington sportsmen, Messrs Riddiford Bros., are having bad hick with their breeding 1 ventures. Besides losing Cycle, it is reported that Innocence (Downshire—Purity) died foaling to Absurd; also that Chakwana's colt foal by Absurd may lose the sight of an eye, in consequence of a kick from his (lam.

Since his return from Australia, Mr W. B. Kemball has found it necessary to put up 10 more boxes at the stablsa at Lansdowne. The new quarters will be ready for the horses that compete at Feilding and Auckland on their return. Tho Auckland Racing Club committee had a special meeting on Tuesday afternoon, when the lion. E. Mitchelson,

■who was. in the chair, gave particulars, of a new issuing machine which he was shown while in Sydney recently. The machine (writes ''Whalebone") is'used" •for taking investments on big races' from the time racing starts until the time arrives for the opening of the machine on that particular event. The investments, which are not shown previously, are then transferred to the main machine. Two of these issuers, which have proved a success at Eandwick. have been ordered, and it is to be hoped they will be ready for Christmas. The committee has decided to open four additional selling machines, and with change boxes provided for getting the right amount to be invested, expects to be able to cope with the anticipated rush. The apologist for the committee explains that they are fully alive to the position, and it is to be hoped this is so, but most people would like to hear of something being done to provide extra facilities for paying out, as well as for the making of investments. In the past the paying-out business has been, to say the least of-it, bad, and an improvement is urgently wanted. The course was so dusty at Forbury Park yesterday that fast time recording was out of the question. Most of. the events were won so easily as to detract from the interest of the racing, and in nearly every contest one or more horses failed to start smartly. Marvin Chief was made a solid favourite for the Amateur Handicap, and, despite one bad mistake, always had the speed of his opponents. Swiftest, a well-fancied candidate, swung round at~ the start, and Delville- Wood made his' task hard by breaking. The winner is owned by Mr J. D. McCurdy, who drove him a well-judged race. Nell Pointer was thought to be unbeatable in the Progressive Handicap, and was backed accordingly. She paced well all through, but never looked like overhauling Medallius, who won , with a good deal in reserve. Medallius is trained at Addington by C. James, who drove him nicely. Young Star Pointer was putting in good work through the last -circuit, while Norma* Dillon, Billy Dillon, Hock Aye and Erin's Logan all gave promising displays. Backed down to less than level money, Locanda Jun. never left the result of the Spring Handicap in doubt. He started very smartly, and had a lot in reserve when the post was reached. Locanda Jun. is a four-year-old gelding by Brent Locanda, owned by-Mr E. E. Cuneen and trained by A. Hendrieksen. It is quite certain that yesterday 's effort did not reveal his best form. After breaking at the start, Eialto showed a lot of speed, while Marie Tempest, after putting in a good mile and a-half, tired to nothing. For some unaccountable reason Dean Dillon was installed a good favourite for the President's Handicap, with Shanghai next in demand. Neither ever flattered his supporters, Dean Dillon's showing beingmuch below his .true form. Commencing very smartly, Capriccio had made up nearly all her lee-, way at the end of a mile. Taking charge five furlongs from home, she won with the greatest ease from Whispering Willie. J. McDermott has effected a big improvement in the O.Y.M. mare, who only has to keep sound to enter the most select lists. Shanghai failed to reproduce his Oamaru form, while A 8 * turio and Star Queen found the journey too far for them.

After racing for over two seasons without earning winning brackets, Young Star Pointer came to light in the Caversham Handicap. Norma Dillon, the favourite, and Erin's Logan, looked to have winning prospects until halfway through the concluding round. There both tired badly, and Young Star Pointer soon had their measure. The winner is trained at Addington by F. Holmes, who has effected a great improvement in the mannc". of the Araeßa_ can-bred gelding. With his stamina and fine turn of speed other good races should come his way. After losing a lot of ground at the start, Leila Denver showed a rare turn of speed, and under more favourable conditions would have been dangerous. A local representative in Parkfield* carried most investments in the Dominion Handicap and scored a somewhat lucky win. His display was marred by a couple of bad breaks, and ho just managed to scramble home from Miss Patty. The latter made her task very hard by going to a break soon after the start. She also met with some interference by Parkfield's breaking across her. James Maddison pulled off a boot, which quite spoilt his chance, while Pieter Timmerman gave a patchy exhibition. Guardess was backed down to a very short price for the Dash Handicap, but spoilt her-chance at the start. Once under way she demonstrated such a fine turn of speed as to show ample justification for her backing. Emperor went off at a solid clip, and, leading throughout, scored decisively from Guynemer. 'The winner is a member of*F. Holmes's team, who, though on the small side, is an attractive pacer. Melisande and Bothcliff both raced well for oyer a mile, but Boyal Chance broke his sulky at the start, the investments on him being returned. f Backers were right on the spot in the St. Kilda Handicap, the two mostfancied candidates, Matty's Boy and Borke's Drift having the finish to themselves. Taking the lead half a mile from home, Matty's Boy always had his opponent's measure, and scored decisively. After being slow to begin, All Bell was finishing well, while Our Chum and Cromstall refused to strike a gait. A second payment for the New Zealand Trotting Derby must be made by noon on Monday. At the same time, entries close for the corresponding race of 1922. The two trotting events at the Methven Bacing Club's meeting have both drawn excellent fields, the acceptors including such high-class performers as Gold Queen, First Carbine, Eulius, Indra, Sir Gavin, Wandsworth and Driftminc. TEMPLAR. '