SPORTING NOTES

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 73, Issue 6284, 23 September 1946, Page 5

SPORTING NOTES

ON RACING AND TROTTING BRIEF ITEMS ON AND OFF THE TRACK (By “Old Rowley”) Just a Gift It is easy to see these things after the event is over, but there is no doubt the handicapper made it very plain that Bonny Pay was a cut above the rest of the Stewaids’ Handicap field. And what a grand win the connections had. I have heard it whispered that many disgruntled sports are writing to a prominent Auckland daily declaring an open season on whoever was responsible for the notification that Bonny Pay was scratched for the Stewards’ Handicap on Thursday of last week at 3.55 p.m. It looks as though the Autopay gelding is as good as ever and will need to be respected in the open sprint events ahead. Returning to the subject of the alleged scratching, certainly mistakes can and do occur in all walks of life, but if Bonny Pay was really scratched in official terms, then surely he had no right to have started in the race, and I think that a full open inquiry is justifiable if there is any doubt about the issue.

Kennerley’s Good Day The average trainer, taking a small team to a meeting at this time of the year generally feels very happy if he can come back with a minor share of prize money won by one horse. But Edgar N. Kenner ley with Noble Star (second in the Introductory Handicap, trotters), Daphne Grattan (third in the United Handicap), Sandstone (fourth in the Presidents’ Handicap), and Single Direct (second in the Orakei Handicap), can chalk up 100 per cent return, even if the place moneys were only small. Permanently settled in Te Awamutu, Mentor E. N. Kennerley should prove an asset to the sporting fraternity, and being a Kiwi who is still in the process of rehabilitating himself, all good wishes go out to him that his successful run will continue. _ Just Too Much

Running out of his hack nominations at Thames, Kenwyn looked a good thing in which ever race he competed, and when he prevailed in the Ngatea Hack Handicap, few thought that he would be sent out to contest the Parawai Hack Handicap, but he was asked to attempt a dual victory, Brown Atom beating him for first place. It was evidently just too much for the gallant Pink Coat—Night Gift gelding. He was a promising sort of hack, and I mean “was” for maybe that last race might prove his undoing. However, time will tell. A Good Effort

La Fillette has been racing fairly well since being trained again by Mr A. Rowan, and on Saturday, at Thames, put up a game fight for third money in the Presidents Handicap. She is at a stage where too much cannot be expected, although there is a likelihood of her catching a race in a weak open company field.

True Sportsmanship Mention was made at the annual meeting of the Waipa Racing Club to tft effect that Mr J. Fisher, of Auckland, would again be donating a 50 guineas gold cup for the club’s summer meeting. Inquiries elicited the information that Mr Fisher, who is in the textiles business, was so enamoured of the general conduction and hospitality of the local racing club that he felt it a sportsman duty to help promote the well-being of the club by donating such a magnificent trophy. I understand that Mr Fisher does not race horses, although he displays a keen interest in the thoroughbred equines which grace some of the courses. It is refreshing to see somebody putting something into the sport instead of trying to take out. In these days when racing has developed far along commercial lines, one is apt to look askance when apparently disinterested people make substantial gifts to a club, but I can assure followers of racing that Mr Fisher is one of the few true sportsmen left, and it is to be hoped that he will take a far keener interest in the game before long. Racing can do with a lot more men of this calibre within the ranks of active participants.

The Membahs! ’ - I It is, I imagine, quite nice to be a member of a racing club, especially such a strong and flourishing body as the Waipa Racing Club, again it lends tone to whoever happens to be one of the elect, and it must be very gratifying to stroll around on raceday wearing that little badge which proclaims to all and sundry that you arc at least a small step above the motley. Yet how many can honestly say that they have ever done anything to claim such a distinction. Listening on Friday night to the recounting of some of the early struggles of the local club, set me to wondering how many of the present members would have the courage to take the risks which several of the foundation members took. And as I looked round I saw many whose true worth will never be really appreciated.

A Worthy Member A surprising defection from the list of the committee of the Waipa Racing Club for the coming year was Mr H. O. Kay. However, this did not appear to worry that worthy sportsman at all and his services sterling—in fact one might say invaluable—will still be available to the club. Mr Kay has worked along in a quiet way over the years, giving his best, at times with great inconvenience to himself, and can be justly proud of his close association with the club during its critical years. Men of such a calibre are hard to get at any time, for they are above the fortunes of office and their interest never flags.

Wide Sporting Interest Racehorse owner, breeder, secretary of the Alexandra Racing Club, oldest racing institution in the Dominion, and farmer, Mr J. L. Macky, junior, should prove a worthy acquisition to the committee of the Waipa Racing Club. He has ability and youth to help him and a pretty thorough knowledge of racing.