SPORTING NOTES

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 63, Issue 4463, 13 August 1941, Page 5

SPORTING NOTES

ON RACING AND TROTTING. ITEMS FROM HERE AND THERE. [By Old Rowley] A final reminder is given that acceptances for the Pakuranga Hunt meeting close with the secretary at Auckland, on Friday next, August 15, at 5 p.m. * * * ♦ One of the starters in the first division of the Stewards Hack Handicap, run at Thames on Saturday last, was Flemington, a nicely formed chestnut mare, 5 years old, by Bronze Eagle, from Lady Swift. Owned by Mr A. L. Cobb and Mrs E. M. Howard and trained by R. H. Martin, at Matamata, Flemington may be worth keeping in mind for future engagements, for she ran quite a good race for her first start. * * * * As the nominations for the offices of president, vice-president and six committeemen did not exceed those required, there will be no election for these offices at the Waikato Racing Club’s annual meeting. Messrs F. R. Seddon and A. Miller will be the president and vice-president respectively, while Messrs P. H. Clarkin, A. E. Manning, J. C. Potts, H. Rothery, A. S. Sutherland and R. Worley, all retiring members will be automatically reelected to the committee. * * * * There was more merit than appears at first glance in the victory of Astral Flame in the Grand National Steeplechase yesterday, for he is trained by one of his owners, Mr W. E. Hazlett, who is probably the only amateur trainer to saddle a horse for the Grand National Steeplechase. In addition to this he was ridden by J. L. Strathern who is still in his apprenticeship to Mr Hazlett, and this young rider now joins that small band of flat race riders who have accepted a mount in the big steeplechase and won it. A. E. Ellis, it will be remembered, won on Snowfall and Thurina, while going further back, W. Clarke, who was a notable rider both on the flat and over obstacles, won on Freeman, Ahua and Norton. Perhaps the most accomplished flat horseman to ride in the Grand National Steeplechase was W. Clifford, who won most of the major events run in his day, including the Auckland Cup on Lochiel. He also won the Australian Cup and Newmarket Handicap on Lochiel. Clifford won the Grand National Steeplechase in 1882, his mount being the Dunedin-owned Katerfelt. After having every chance in the race he contested at Thames, the 4-year-old horse, Bournemouth, faded badly and finished at the tail of the field. He seems to have the necessary pace, but appears to lack the courage to go on at the finish and just throws it in when an extra effort is expected of him. * * * * It seems a pity that Mr D. Hope’s mare Elise is so excitable, for she is above the average and on Saturday last made a real effort at the finish of her race, but when produced for the Ngatea Handicap, later in the day, played up badly in the birdcage. Now six years of age, it is too much to expect that she can be cured of the habit, but she will only need to settle to become a factor in much better class than she has so far met. Stratford, the 4-year-old Iliad—Ann Shakespeare horse, ran his best race to date, when he finished right up in fourth place in the Ngatea Handicap at Thames, and now that he has setled down better, more may be heard of him. * * * * Smiling Thru’ which carried 9.0 when she wojj the Winter Steeplechase at the A.R.C. winter meeting, from a field of seven, in which four of the most likely horses fell, has been awarded 11.0 in the Pakuranga Hunt Cup. Saint Musk, which won the Waikato Hunt Cup, in October of last year, has been awarded 10.13, while Cherry Plum, 10.10, Summons 10.4 and Kinkle, 10.2 have all been recent winners, Summons in particular, which has won three similar events in his last three starts, must be considered to have been generously treated by the handicapper. Boloyna, which finished second in the Winter Cup yesterday, has put up a great record for consistency, having been placed in every start since February last and when it is taken into account that he has been meeting horses of the calibre of Royal Lancer, Knight Commander, Gay Parade and others of the class engaged in the Winter Cup, it says a lot for the ability of the trainer, A. E. Didham and the courage of the horse. * * * * In writing of the importance of the maternal side of a pedigree in a thoroughbred an American paper, in referring to light harness horses says:—All of us have seen numerous fast trotters and pacers, those capable of putting in work miles in 2min. ssec., and seemingly well trained and devoid of physical weaknesses, soundly beaten .in 2min. 7sec. or 2min. 8 sec. through an evident lack of that indescribable but essential combination of qualities termed “class,” which makes some try to the limit under pressure, and “come again” with renewed effort when seemingly destined to defeat. The foals from mares which have produced performers of this calibre are the ones most sought after, and remunerative prices result. There can be no doubt that in many instances the breeding of the sire is over-emphasised, both in racing and trotting and while many prospective buyers have eyes only for this side of the pedigree the seekers after futurity and stake prospects will be found investigating the accomplishments of the dam on the track, or, if any of her produce have attained racing age their qualities will come in for investigation, while if she is a young matron the grand-dam comes in for close scrutiny. At any important sale the difference between a cheap yearling and a high-priced one, both by the same sire, invariably rests on the qualities of the dam.