SPORTING NOTES

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 76, Issue 6533, 30 June 1948, Page 7

SPORTING NOTES

ON RACING AND TROTTING BRIEF ITEMS ON AND OFF THE TRACK (By “Old Rowley”) Net Quite Proficient Race-goers wiio saw Flying Jim’s effort at Te Awamutu were falling over each other to support him at Hastings on Saturday last when he was sent out to contest the Hastings Hack Hurdles. Once again he was well to the fore, and until he bungled the last fence looked as though he might finish in the money. He certainly did better than at the Waipa meeting, for on Saturday last he finished fifth. It should not take many more outings for him to rectify his chancy fencing, and once that happens, look out! Flying Jim is young as hurdlers go, and on breeding—he is by Contact —« Flying Rose he should prove a money-spinner for his owners, M*egsrs S. Booth and S. Spalter, for whom he is trained by Alec J. Gilmer, of Te Rapa, who is no slouch with jumpers. Improvement Needed Some enthusiasts had been suggesting Vassilikos as a possibility over hurdles at Trentham prior to last Saturday, but they will have to revise their opinion somewhat after his poor showing at Hastings, where he never flattered his supporters, and finished well back in the field. It may have been the mud that upset him, and should good weather prevail Trentham may be in better order, but with the amount of rain which had fallen up to the time of writing it seems hardly likely that anything better than very dead winter going can be expected. They Win to Lose Investors who supported Sonia on the place machine at Hastings last Saturday lost a substantial amount of their investment even though she did prevail in a tight finish. This is not the first time such an occurrence has been noted, and it appears that there is more likelihood of its taking place on country courses than at the metropolitan meetings, where up-to-date investment boards show the public exactly how strongly a horse is supported. It would appear that there are two factors responsible for such a lamentable happening—firstly, the inability of the totalisator staff to keep right up to date with the recording of investments placed; and, secondly, a failure on the part of the public to realise that in a division race the amount allotted to each place-getter is only one fourth of the total place investments instead of one third, as in the case of a straight-out race. Again, with the large crowds attending the meetings, there is always a rush for the totalisator windows just before closing time, and many of those who have waited until the last moment have been calculating the return which the favourite will make if it succeeds. The average number of tickets purchased on the favourite in the latter stages of totalisator operation for each race can be guaranteed to easily out-strip those asked for on any of the lesser lights, and it is remarkable that investors do not realise that the equine so solidly supported, when the totalisator is first opened cannot possibly make a fair return when still further large sums of money are wagered on its chances of success. Playing the totalisator is about the easiest way of losing money the modern world knows, but surely it is expecting too much of the mass of guessers to let them support an equine and when it does return a dividend announce the fact that they will receive substantially less than their original investment.

Huntore Not Disgraced Huntore ran a good race when stepped out for the Winter Handicap at Hastings. He began fairly well, and was in the call to the distance, where he seemed to find the going against him. Should he be taken to Avondale this Orelio gelding is likely to make a very bold showing, especially if a week of wind and frost firms the ground somewhat. One for Wellington

Never in the hunt until two furlongs from home, when she put in a paralysing run. Welcome Guest finished right up close in fifth place. On this form it is safe to say the mare should be a definite prospect if started at Trentham, and it is not beyond the realms of possibility that her connections have honours at the Grand National meeting in view also.

Promising Young Hurdler Flying Attack continued to show the good form which he produced at his first public showing over hurdles at Ellerslie, and ran a creditable third at Hastings on Saturday last. This young hurdler, owned by Mr W. S. Goosman and trained by J. L. Mhir at Te Rapa, appears to have the makings of a good stake winner, and his career will be watched with interest, although it is doubtful if the stable will attempt any seriofis hurdle contests until he is more seasoned. Could Succeed The field for the Mariri Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase at Trentham is not a strong one, and the form of Ballinabuoy has been sufficiently promising to make him a prospect. Lunaria, Whirlwind Star, Grand Central and Vernon have also shown to advantage in easy company, and Kotu Bahru is improving. However, Ballinabuoy is a fairly safe mount, and it has been lack of stamina which has so far stopped him from succeeding. Hard to Win

Owners who decide to accept wit*h a horse for the Te Aro Handicap generally find that it is a hard race to win, but track watchers are generally more optimistic. According to one or two of the latter, Colorado Maid has been working well enough to make a very bold showing in this race, and with 8.1, one pound above the minimum, she wpuld only need to be in form to have definite prospects.