POINT=TO=POINT STEEPLES

Taranaki Daily News, 22 July 1929, Page 5

POINT=TO=POINT STEEPLES

EGMONT-WANGANUI HUNT . HAEREMAI SCORES .IN TALLY-HO. MISS ALEXANDER AND LIVELY FIRE Showery weather somewhat spoilt the Point-to-Point Steeplechase of the Eg-mont-Wanganui Hunt Club at Waverley on Saturday from the spectators’ point of view, but even under the advere conditions the course was in fairly good order and the spectators were treated to some fine racing. Spills there were in plenty, but the events were well contested and some good sport was witnessed. The Ladies’ Steeplechase provided the most interesting race of the day and, after making the pace throughout the journey, the leaders, Haeremai and Lively Fire, took the last fence on terms. A fine struggle ensued over the final stages when both riders were seen to advantage* and when the winning post was reached the judge gave the verdict to Lively Fire by the narrow margin of a nose. Dr. Simmons, on behalf .of the club, thanked Messrs. Lupton and E. Dickie for the use of the course, also the donors of trophies. Following are the results:— LIGHT-WEIGHT STEEPLECHASE (for qualified hunters); distance, 2J miles; minimum, 11.0. First prize, Mr. E. Parson’s trophy; second, Mr. Tussock’s trophy.

RANGIKURA, Mr. F. Shield’s (F. Shields) 1 GLENDHU,, Mr. W. Mackie’s (R. Watkins) 2 Also started—Mr. S. Bosley’s Actress (fell), Messrs. E. and S. Davidson’s jcharmaine (fell). Glcndhu fell, but was ; remounted and ran a good race to finish | second. :TALLY-HO STEEPLECHASE; 3 miles; . minimum, 11.0. Mr. J. E. Palmer’s trophy for first and Mrs. Simmons' trophy for second place. HAEREMAI, Mr. D. R. Jackson’s (D. Jackson) 1 GILGAI, Mr. I. Higgie’s (Higgie) .. 2 Won by a length. A splendid race, i At the road double Pikimai fell and the rider C. Hurley, broke a collar-bone, but remounted and finished fourth. HEAVY-WEIGHT STEEPLECHASE; *3 miles. Dr. Simmons’ trophy for first and Mr. Peppercorn’s trophy for second place. WALLACE, Dr. Simmons’, (Sheahan) 1 NITA, Mr. J. Mossop’s, (Grindley).. 2 The winner won comfortably by three lengths. LADIES’ STEEPLECHASE; '2 miles; minimum, 10.7. First prize, gold wristlet watch, presented by Mr. G. V. Pearce; second, trophy, presented by Mrs. S. E. Jefcoate. LIVELY FIRE, Miss J. Alexander’s' (Owner) 1 HAEREMAI. Mr. D. R. Jackson’s (Miss Gibson) 2

HAD IT PICKED FOR HIM TOO I PUNTERS’ DOUBLE-BED DIALOGUE. (By “Moturoa.”) They “strike them” sometimes down Moturoa way, but the happy occasion is so seldom that the lucky punters become somewhat bustled with the novelty. Recently a popular- purveyor of lactial fluid down that way. had the second -“leg” going two ways and with both fancies- coupled with a popular pick for the second event he was naturally on his toes, and so mine host of a sporting hostelry in New Plymouth promised to ring if the desired news became a fact.

Saturday afternoon found the punter absorbed in an essentially domestic task of varnishing the ceiling and at this precarious task he was perched on a step-ladder of doubtful pedigree when the ’phone called. At the first tinkle the ladder rjeked visibly and in the attempt to emulate the speedy “Slip” Carr, the worthy sport forgot hie occupation and the ladder. In a spectacular nose-dive to verify and substantiate his expectations, his foot caught in the second step and the punter and an oversize in pots of varnish were precipitated on the bed with undue vigour—for the punter at least. The four-guinea quilt later found its way to the cleaner’s, where its death warrant was duly signed, but the cheque for 73 “quid” quite recompensed our friend for his loss. Strangest of all, many aver that the layer picked the winning way on himself I

TURF TOPICS.

(By “Moturoa.”) Marjoram is on the easy list at present.

Schorr is in steady work at Bulls in preparation for spring racing. #

Glendowie has been sent south to be 1 ained by W. J. Tomkinson, the wellknown trotting mentor. # # « *

Elysianor arrived at Riccarton in good trim, and will not be taken to Timaru until the day before the meeting.

Merry Mint is nominal favourite for the Winter Cup in some quarters. He will need to finish better than he did at Trentham to win.

Bert and Snowy Morris will be riding at the Gisborne meeting, and no doubt Goldfinch, Wiggins and H. Dulieu will also make the trip.

Now that Roy Reed has left for Sydney, the Ellis brothers will have the jockeys’ premiership to themselves. The championship will be fought out at southern meetings.

On hie running hi the Trentham Hurdles Elysianor might have been a possibility in the Grand National, but -his<l party‘did not think he was good enough.; Now they are full of regrets.

Brigadier Bill never showed a liking for big fences, though he has won over easy “country.” In the Wellington Steeplechase he was troubled by several of the obstacles, and on Saturday, though showing a lot of pace, he landed flat on all fours at many fencea and lost a lot of around thereby. ° # *

You hear a lot of yarns after the race about the money won on outsiders, but a friend of Mr. Ken.. Duncan assures the writer that Mr. Duncan’s investment on Otairi when the Paper Money gelding won the Winter Oats at 1 rentham was a modest quidlet. The winner was given a very rough chance by his owner, despite the fact that Roy Reed was on top.

In recent years Mr. J. B. Gaisford has had bad luck with his jumpers, losin<r good horses like First Born and Koauau in races. Arikinui, one of the smartest hacks seen out this season, is “carrying” the rest, and “discards” like Anticipate and Duetto are paying their way in West Australia. Euphonium, another of Mr. Gaisford’s breeding, won good races after Me. Gaisford sold his interest, and Rash and Bissac failed to do much good. * * * *

Though Jim Coyle has had a temporary setback with Mister Gamp, his succors is phenomenal and a win with Brilliant Light and two seconds with the Bronzetti gelding made the Wellington trip profitable. Now that Overhaul has climbed up in the weights and his jockey, A. Hobson, has climbed down to the ground, Mister Gamp’s party are not afraid of the southerner, and it looks as if recent reverses will be productive of better luck at Grand National time.

Mr. H. W. Burch had bad luck with Dalston in Australia, but Stormy aud Becalmed made amends at the finish, and Mr. Burch was wise to quit the trio when good offers were showered upon him. Dalston was well sold’ at £l5OO and Becalmed at £B5O. Stormy should be worth the £6OO his new owner paid for him, especially as the son of Quin Abbey has now proved himself as ■a stayer. # # # # Secret Link is best known in New Zealand as the dam of that great sprinter Silver Link, but in Australia several of her progeny have made their mark. Secret Note, Bradbury and Bondi all won races in Victoria, and Goldminer has won three two-year-old races in New South Wales in as many weeks. Secret Link was foaled in 1910 and has produced ten foals, all good gallopers. 1 # # * #

Nincompoop, who won the valuable Breeders’ Plate in Sydney in 1924, is reported to be showing aptitude for jumping, and his half-brother, Chelone, is also taking kindly to the illegitimate game. Prince Ferouz, another of Cheloma’s progeny, could jump, though he never did anything remarkable over fences. Nincompoop, however, may turn out the best of the trio.

Gay Ballerina is said to be looking bright and well, and Roy Reed has beeu engaged to ride her in the Epsom Handicap. She is amongst the fancied division, and New Zealanders know how she can scamper. Reed will also ride Nightmarch in his races, so that with any luck the trip should be a profitable one.

In his report on racecourse inspection Mr. A. Ward, chief racecourse inspector, states that fewer undesirables have been .. en on our courses during the present season. During the year 153 persons were warned off, as against 180 the previous year. The small meetings do not seem to be so attractive to the undesirable as hitherto, but a number have been in evidence on metropolitan courses. Supervision has been exercised, where possible, over persons holding licenses. He pays a tribute to the assistance given by racing and trotting executives and by the Police Force. « # # *

Mr. A. Wilson, chairman of the stipendiary stewards, in his report states that the management and control of race meetings has, generally speaking, maintained a high standard and, if it is sustained, will leave little room for improvement. The rule regarding unruly and vicious horses requires more rigorous enforcement. Racecourse scales are still unsatisfactory, and race books show inaccuracies and want of requisite information. The false rail is again condemned. The standard of racing continues to keep up and greater interest is manifested in classic races. Too many accidents still occur in jumping races owing to starting green and improperly schooled horses. The conduct of trainers and jockeys has improved, but there appears to be a lack of instruction to younger riders to enable them to attain proficiency and competency.

Joy King is reported to have been sold to an° Australian sportsman, and has been shipped to Sydney. During the Wellington meeting he was put up to auction but was passed in at 150 o-uineas. Joy King was bred in Australia in 1923 and is a brown horse by Comedy King —Joyeuse, by Bayardo —Joie de Vivre, by Gallinule. He was imported to New Zealand by Mr. A. B. Williams in 1925, and won many good races including the A.R.C. Royal Stakes, Hawke’s Bay Stakes, Manawatu Stakes, Thompson Handicap and innumerable handicap sprint events. Though now on the down grade, Joy King should pay his way in moderate company and might be a good proposition as a jumper.

The latest from Wanganui is that' the Fordell trainer, Mr. Fred Tilley, will leave on that long-considered trip to England in March. Sportsmen in those parts will believe it when Fred is on the boat. He loves his horses too well to leave them, and his farewell appealances have been almost as frequent as those of Dame Melba!