SPORTING NOTES

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 77, Issue 6566, 15 September 1948, Page 7

SPORTING NOTES

ON RACING AND TROTTING BRIEF ITEMS ON AND OFF THE TRACK ' (By “ Old Rowley ”) Luminous Injured It was very unfortunate for owner Dr F. C. Blundell and trainer J. L. McDonald that Luminous received a kick last Wednesday morning which failed to respond to treatment, thus forcing the horse’s withdrawal from the Wanganui Guineas. Wfhile it is not suggested that the Helios three-year-old would have defeated Rumba, Luminous certainly attracted considerable attention on the Taranaki circuit, and track watchers were impressed by his style and ability.

Consistent Galloping Exponent showed great consistency on the Taranaki circuit during the past few weeks, and was unlucky not to be credited with a victory. Unsteadiness at the barrier has been the main handicap, and the Te Hero 3-year-old on Saturday last did very well to run second in the Spring Hack Handicap after being last into the straight at Wanganui. On this form Exponent should win a race soon.

Another Good Race Tommy Gun ran another good race to just lose, in a photo finish, the major portion of the stake attached to the Owen Handicap. The Trench Fight horse is still nicely placed in the weights, and his showing against the much-boosted Langspiel was very impressive.

Not Ready Yet No doubt the withdrawal of Aggravation from the Owen Handicap caused many people to support his stable-mate, Beau le Havre, but it was surely super optimism to expect the Beau Repaire horse to win the open sprint at Wanganui. One look at him should have told them that he was in need of racing, and it is possible he will need quite a lot of work before he reaches his best. There is no official confirmation of the suggestion, but everything points to his being prepared for another attempt on the New Zealand and Auckland Cups. If this is the case, it would seem that trainer J. Farrell is bringing him along in a manner which should see Beau le Havre at his best by the end of next month.

A Trentham Prospect ’ Yasda was neglected by the public when he contested the open sprint at Wanganui on Saturday last, and in this respect their judgment was sound, for he failed to maintain the pace set by the sprinters. However, the Coronach—Lady Phrosa six-year-old dooked well, and with a couple of gallops before the Trentham meeting opens he should have excellent prospects in the main distance events if his connections elect to let him contest them. Yasda can handle easy going very well.

Maintaining Form Gratuity continues to run good races and her fourth placing in the Spring Hack Handicap at Wanganui was quite a good effort. Gratuity is by Battle Song—Payroll, and should be seen to advantage as the season advances.

Looking Well Chung Chong looked very well when paraded at Avondale last Saturday, and it is possible the Lang Bian gelding might have raced prominently had he not met with serious interference at the barrier. He was badly left, and his rider merely gave him an exercise gallop behind the field. Chung Chong should not be discarded because of this display; he was definitely unlucky in being so badly served at the start of the race. He is fit enough to win an important handicap, and D. J. Arnott is capable of maintaining him in this condition provided nothing more happens to jeopardise Chung Chong’s chances. The latest exasperating upset may just be the turn of the tide of fortune in so far as this galloper is concerned.

Showing Promise Having the second start of his career, Beau Astaire did well to finish fourth in the Grandstand Handicap at Avondale. This four-year-old was ridden a patient race by the promising apprentice D. J. Wyatt, who allowed him to get balanced properly and then gradually gathered in the field. Beau Astaire finished determinedly, and should figure prominently in future engagements. He is by Beau Repaire from Fan Dancer, and thus a half-brother to Tweedsmuir and Beb, both good gallopers, the former proving himself over middle distances. Like Beb and Tweedsmuir he is owned by Mr L. R. Nelson. J. J. Goodwin trains him at Papatoetoe.

Disappointed After his good effort on the first day of the Avondale Jockey Club meeting, Jon Rosa was expected to figure prominently in the running of the Soring Handicap, in which he was well supported, but he failed to begin well, and was at the tail of the field for the whole journey. It was a very poor showing, and I am inclined to the opinion that he needs a very strong and vigorous rider; he also appeals as a gelding which would show to more advantage over more ground, and he may have his chance later in some of the ten and elevenfurlongs hack events.

Photo Finish Needed There were some closely contested races at Avondale last Saturday, in which great strain must have been placed upon the judge in deciding the winner. W'ith horses spread across a bi" track like Avondale, the photofinish apparatus seems a necessary adjunct, and with the suburban club in the position of a metropolitan body teh installation should be speeded up in order to maintain public confidence and support. Snap Starting

Throughout '.the day starter J. Gavin performed an onerous duty commendably, but some of those present at Avondale were 'critical, no doubt having witnessed excellent starting at Ellerslie, where the stalls

are in use for most of the races. In addition, Mr Gavin’s apparent belief in snao startin" caused the riders to be caught napping on one or twb occasions. Taking a broad view of this method, it is to ‘be expected that occasionally one or two horses will be badly left; but in the past all too often the starter’s endeavours to get rhe field a wav evenly have resulted in riders either wittingly or unwittingly delaying a meeting considerably. Once the jockeys accustom themselves to Mir Gavin’s determined intention to have no delay once the all clear is given, there is every likelihood of a great improvement being evident.

‘lnsufficient Grading Although the Avondale Jockey Club is congratulated on the improvements made to the course, it is unfortunate that the ramp in the enclosure is not bn a steeper grade. With the large crowds attending racing, and preferring the enclosure to the outside amenities, it is impossible to get a full view of the racing in progress because of obstructed view’. Either a change to terracing or a steeper nrad”ng oi the existing ramp is necessary if a clear view is to be obtained,, Ind from the number of complaints.heard j ’ast Saturday it would certainly repay the Club to consider re-planning the existing lay-out.