SPORTING NOTES

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 63, Issue 4464, 15 August 1941, Page 5

SPORTING NOTES

ON RACING AND TROTTING. ITEMS FROM HERE AND THERE. (By “ Old Rowley.”) As Clinch is reported to be coming along nicely it should not be long befoife he is seen out again. Last season, after showing fine form in the earlier races, he met with a mishap, followed by a cold, which set him back further still. However, he is among those handicapped for the Admiralty Handicap, run over six furlongs at the Pakuranga Hunt mieeting. where he is assessed at 9.3. Nov,’ a five-year-old, Clinch should be at his best this season if only he can be kept well.' | ♦ * ♦ ♦ Chary, new being trained by A C. Jones at Te made his first appear ance for some time in the Parawai Handicap, where he finished quite well for fifth. He is a lightly-fraimed gelding, and no doubt needs careful handling, but he should pick up a race or two over snrint distances. * * * * When he wias jumped on by Son and Heir during the running of the. Enfield Steeplechase at the Grand National meeting, Dropped Catch suffered a broken back, and had to be destroyed. It was rather unfortunate that this should have happened at a time when this horse was beginning to show promise as a fencer, and, although aged, it is probable that he would have won a few races ‘in weaker company. * * * ♦ By winning the Grand National Hurdles The Dozer has proved himself a really fine horse, and it is interesting to note his performances prior to his latest victory. In the past season he had 19 starts for three wins, three seconds, and one third His victories comprised the Whangarei Cup, 1J miles, Mclnnes Memorial. 11 miles, also run at Whangarei, and the Waituna Hurdles, 12 mjles, run at Manawatu last nionth. He was second to Pern in the Matamata Cup,, where he was beaten by half a length and at Whangarei occupied a similar position behind Brahman, while at Te Ria pa he was beaten by Streamline in the Waikato Hurdles by three-quar-ters of a length. His third placing was gained at Rotorua, where he was beaten by Black Musk and High Delight in the President’s Handicap, the distances being a length and a half and a neck. To those taking a particular interest in the Jellicoe Handicap, chief flat race at the forthcoming Pakuianga Hunt meeting, it imay be well to remember that Lovaals was only just beaten by The Cardinal in the Cornwall Handicap, and as she appears to handle the soft going with ability may prove one of the hardest to beat. * * ♦ * North Island horses came into their cwn at yesterday’s meeting of the Canterbury Jockey Club, for The Dozer, Pekoe, Augment, Auburn Lad. Kanui te Pai, Cuisinier, and Colibri all gained places, as did Black Majesty and Aussie Ra. * ♦ * ♦ Before the running of the Grand National Steeplechase reports from the south suggested that difficulty was being experienced in procuring a rider for Dozie Boy. In the light of subsequent events it is fairlv safe to imagine there are some horsemen who will now be cursing their reluctance to ride the horse placed second in such an important event.

At the comparatively young age of 54 years Mr George (Jack) Hodgson, a prominent figure in snort, passed away at Auckland on Monday last. Mr Hodgson was a member of the Cambridge Trotting Club, and took a keen interest in the Waikato HuntTo many he will be best remembered as the owner of those good horses Tim Doolan, Thespis and Pendoon. Incidentally Thespis, which was given to Mrs Frank Baker, is quite a success in the show-ring.

Any suspicion of flukiness regarding Ferry Post’s victory in the Augus* Handicap on the first day of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club’s meeting was dissipated yesterday when he won the King’s Handicap by three lengths from 24 yards behind, after being badly placed early in the race.

Gold Land, which has been .a failure on the flat, has been schooling with ability over the steeplechase fences lately, and may yet prove a payable proposition in this branch of the sport.

In the programme for the Poverty Bay Turf Club spring meeting, to be held at Te Aroha on September 20 and 22, it is worthy of note that the only races which carry a stake of less than £2OO are the Trial and Maiden Handicaps. Seeing that the stake money over the two days will aggregate £3600, this meeting should be worthy of the attention of local owners. As far as can be ascertained, the Te Aroha Club will take over the two days’ racing from the Poverty Bay Club when the Latter has liquidated its debts.