SPORTING NOTES

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 73, Issue 6282, 16 September 1946, Page 5

SPORTING NOTES

ON RACING AND TROTTING BRIEF ITEMS ON AND OFF THE TRACK (By “ Old Rowley ”) Just Unlucky It would be hard to find a more consistent horse racing in the North Island than Jonathan Jo. His last five starts have produced the same number of second placings for his connections. Always handily placed, the Christopher Robin gelding just seems to lack that extra burst of speed in the straight. Bred as he is, it Would logically be expected that he would have sprint brilliance; but, instead, although he possesses a fair ..amount, of his role,,js^more that ' bp/i* *Noav£aged,\ Jq.nafllph *. Jo f still seems capable ;of.-roixtiriuifig-•in for a time, and maybe he will come home/when least expected.

Did the Right Thing Although it was rather unfortunate for his connections that Tweedsmuir was deprived of the major stake money in the Coronation Handicap at the Avondale meeting, nevertheless, the stewards of the Avondale Jockey Club did the right thing in reversing the placings, provided the interference was deliberate and justified such a course being taken. Hippodrome came with a very late run; in fact, N. Holland was lucky that he could call a protest. The manner in which Hippodrome ranged up beside Tweedsmuir certainly gave the impression that he would go away to a victory, and it is right and just that where interference of any kind prevents a horse from doing his best that the severest action should be taken. It is a rather belated effort, however, for there have been many glaring instances where, had protests been upheld as the one instanced on Saturday last, justice would have been done. It is to be hoped that in future more consistency will be seen in regard to these matters on all courses. Give Him Time

Kerry Lad was spoken of as being the upset for the Coronation Handicap at Avondale, and when it was known that top-rider H. N. Wiggins had the mount there were many shrewd-heads who placed good money on the Foxbridge four-year-old. He made-a dab in the straight, but could not sustain his run. Not a bad sort when right, Kerry Lad will win money if he keeps on improving the way he is going now, but give him time. He may need three or even four races before he can be taken as a payable proposition. In what is likely to be a year of outstanding handicap horses he will need to be judiciously placed.

Well Supported Somebody evidently was very, very confident about the prospects of Irish Fox on Saturday, for, despite the poor performances he has been putting up t on the flat and over hurdles, he was surprisingly well supported down to second favourite on the win machine. Irish Fox is a fair sort of hurdler when right, and this may be his forte, but unless he gets over his obvious reluctance to gallop when headed he is still likely to remain a very unsatisfactory proposition from the layman’s point of view.

Determined Victory It was not so much the fact of Demonic’s winning the Juvenile Handicap at Avondale as the m|anner in which he did it that impressed close observers of racing. Buried in the ruck for more than half the journey, the Defaulter-Gay Helen colt finished with a powerful run, and more should be heard of him as the season advances. While on the subject of Defaulter stock, it is pleasing to note that Privilege, a daughter of the above sire, won the John Grigg Stakes at Ashburton, and Howe, which is by Defoe, sire of Oefaulter, won the Wanganui Guineas. Evidently the successful blood lines of Defoe have been transmitted, and there is every reason to believe that even further and perhaps numerous honours will come the way of this young Dominion bred sire. Our Bridge Again

Return to racing after a short spell Our Bridge was capably handled by T. Hunter in the Shorts Handicap, and came away to win nicely from Peter Gregor. The Foxbridge mare is very smart up to a mile, and she is looking in great heart for the important races ahead. Mentor G. Cobb should have no qualms about this member of his team; she ought to earn more than her oat bill before the season is finished.

Just Not Good Enough Once again Bronzeman put up a courageous fight aaginst the opencompany sprinters, and at the distance he actually headed the field, but only momentarily, for he blew out a second later. It looks as if he is just good enough to get his followers into a spot of bother. He will need to be carefully placed, but if a little thought is used in the matter he should pick up a stake or two among the weaker classes. A trip round the circuit in December and January ought to see him paying dividends.

No Trouble at All Never really extended once Holland let him gallop, Brantome had no difficulty in accounting for the weak Spring Handicap field, and he yras just as much a certainty as was Majesty on the day. Patience and hurdling have made a world of difference to the Broiefort gelding, and withoutletting optimism run away with common sense, it is hard to say just how far he will go if owner-trainer E. H. Cucksey .keeps him in his present good order.