TOPICS of the TURF

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 66, Issue 5596, 24 March 1943, Page 3

TOPICS of the TURF

(By

“PILOT”)

NOTED STARTER

An important position on the racecourse is that of starter—a fierce light beats upon him from the time he mounts the barrier until the tapes are released—but Ralph Skipwith is well equipped for the critical job. He has boxed the racing compass as owner, trainer, handicapper, judge and even racing journalism (described in the higher editorial circles as the last infirmity of the human mind). But “Skip” tackled all these things thoroughly and had the honour to be the first stipendiary steward appointed in New Zealand, acting in that capacity in the Taranaki district prior to the stipendiary system beingbrought under the control of the Racing Conference. He has acted as starter for over 30 years and still officiates for the Auckland Racing Club and many of the provincial clubs. Jockeys at the barrier have come to respect him for his fairness, and it is this mutual regard that gives him such wonderful control on race days.

As an owner, the best horses he owned were St. Simon, his half-sister, Ladybird, from whom he bred Melwood by St. Leger, who ran second in the New Zealand Cup and won the Thompson Handicap on the old Hutt Park course, Bonny Blue, the pony performer Valencia, and the steeplechaser Othello. St. Simon won the Great Northern Hurdles with 12.12 and numerous other events. He did not, however, find ownership “roses, roses all the way,” but like most men who go racing, he could “take it.”

“Skip’s” story is not one of inertia —his fifty years in New Zealand have been packed with hard work, from banking to farming, and to-day he walks many miles each week for exercise. It maintains the streamline effect, so noticeably absent in those who do all their walking in motor cars.

Withal a likeable personality, “Skip” is held in high esteem by a large circle of friends on and off the racecourse.

Regal Fox registered a good performance in the first division of the Ohinemuri Cup, and will probably start favourite for the Tauranga Cup on Saturday. He has the same weight, 9.4.

Record Fields No less than 255 horses have been accepted for the Bay of Plenty’s autumn meeting, to be held at Paeroa on Saturday, and provision has been made to run the Trial Plate and the President’s Hack Handicap in three divisions. , Provision has also been made for two divisions in the Tauranga Cup and the Alf Brown Memorial Handicap.

Tauranga Cup Prospect Hogarth’s third in the second division of the Ohinemuri Cup is an indication that he is returning to form. By Vermeer from Hyades, dam of that sensational galloper Ammon Ra, Hogarth should be good enough to win the Tauranga Cup.

Great Draw Penalised Advice has been received from the secretary that Great Draw was omitted from the list of acceptors for the Jack Tanner Memorial Handicap, to be run at the Bay of Plenty Racing Club’s annual meeting at Paeroa on Saturday. . As a result of her win in the second division of the Karangahake Handicap at Paeroa last Saturday, Great Draw has incurred a rehandicap of 10 lb, which makes her weight 8.5.

LIST OF RE-HANDICAPS The following re-handicaps for the Bay of Plenty Racing Club’s annual meeting at Paeroa on Saturday have been declared by Mr F. J. McManemin: Jack Tanner Memorial Handicap: Sweet Biscuit, 7 lb, making 9.8. Handicap Hurdles: Ginno, 7 lb, making 10.2. Handicap Hurdles: * Ginno, 7 lb, making 10.2. Tauranga Cup: Volifox, 9 lb. making 7.13. Alf Brown Memorial Handicap: Minko, 7 lb, making 8.4; Manora, 7 lb, making 8.0; Icefloe, 3 lb, making 7.10. Flyino- Handicap: Sleepy Fox. 111 b, making 7.11. President’s Hack Handicap: Kouraeka, 7 lb. making 8-11. Balblair will not be re-handicapped in the Tauranga Cup. April Trotting The South Auckland Trotting Clubs, including Thames, Cambridge, and Waikato, will hold their combined meeting at Te Rapa on* Saturday week ( 3rd April). Big fields and good racing may be confidently anticipated. New Zealand Racing Conference The Racing Conference will hold its annual meeting in Wellington on July 19th. Leading Trainers The list of successful trainers this season is headed by F. Smith, of Takanini, with 19 wins, H. Dulieu, New Plymouth, being next with 15, and R. H. Martin and A. C. Didham third with 12 each. High Stakes The stakes, £4OOO, allotted by the Waikato Racing Club for its winter meeting constitutes a record for a country club in the Dominion. Easter Events The Canterbury Great Easter Handicap is to be run at Riccarton bn April 26th, and the Great Autumn on May Ist. The stakes in each case are £lOOO. Most Successful Jockeys Consequent upon a win at Trentham W. J. Broughton is at present top of the list of winning riders this season with 33 wins, W. F. Ellis being next with 32. Whackie Improving It is reported that Whackie is now nearly at the top of his form. . His second at the Wellington fixture was very meritorious, but he will be seen at his best before long in heavy going. Two Thirds At the Trentham meeting the Taranaki trained War Effort, known as a Patriotic Fund prize, registered two thirds in the same afternoon. The place dividend for his second effort was nearly three times as much as that paid out earlier in the day. The Steeplechase Season The well-known Canterbury owner, Mr J. H. Grigg, will be represented during the winter in the big steeplechases of the Dominion by Leopardstown and Troytown. Both are in active commission now and should be well forward in respect to racing condition by May next.

The Reverse Way Auckland sportsmen attending the Wellington meeting were of the opinion that Lord Chancellor’s Trentham prospects were detrimentally affected by the fact that he failed to handle the left-handed going at all satisfactorily. He hung out badly throughout or would have won comfortably.

A Trotting Enthusiast Mr J. R. McKenzie, of Christchurch, has long been accepted as one of the Dominion’s leading trotting enthusiasts. In the last few years he has invested no less than £35,000 in trotting. Two years ago new rules were introduced affecting trotting handicaps and Mr McKenzie has now entered his protest. He maintains that penalties in many cases are too severe and sudden, and that it is now exceptional for any horse to win more than £5OOO, whereas under the old order Great Bingen won £14,000, and several others £lO,OOO and over. The New Zealand Trotting Association will need to give consideration to Mr McKenzie’s protest, as the popular sport can ill afford to lost a patron like him.

“ Both Feet ” Many good stories are told of Maoris on the racecourse. When Beau \fcte was racing a party of Maori women made up a ticket on him and deputed one of their men to get it. He approached the totalisator window and asked for a win ticket on “ Both Feet.” “ There is no such horse in the race,” said the clerk, and the Maori returned to consult the investors. When he got back it was too late, and of course Beau Vite won.