SPORTING

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1929, Page 4

SPORTING

TURF TOPICS.

(By

“Moturoa.”)

South Canterbury opens on Thursday. # # * Wellington form showed Elysianor in promising light. He may be a hard one to beat down south. In winning the Canterbury Handicap, run over 11 furlongs on Saturday, Oratrix showed that she was in great heart and she will naturally firm in the betting market for the Metropolitan Handicap. Last ytar she was unlucky to be beaten by that good performer Jocelyn. *## . * The imported horse L’Orient II showed a ton of speed when racing around the Auckland province, but he failed to be of much account. While he does not seem to be of top class, he should pay his way at the suburban meetings. # # * * Kopi, who had many friends for the Derby, was one of the slowest to get going and whatever chance he had was effectually settled near Tattenhain Corner, where, after bumping several other horses, he came down and finished the race riderless. # # # # Kawini did not return home from the Wellington meeting, and is still located at Trentham. He will probably .be taken down to Ricearton some time this week in order to fulfil his engagements at the Grand National meeting. * # # # The Australian-bred gelding Palmares is bearing a very bright appearance and continues to get through a fair share of useful work at Ellerslie. The grey gelding has a lot of pace and it would not surprise to find him developing improved form during the approaching season.

Mark Mint won a double at Wellington, and Hopwood was another light in °hack company at the meeting, but the hack that impressed most was Havering (Quin Abbey—Dreamer). The half-brother to Bon Rcve showed particular tenaciousness and gameness in winning’ on the final day. It is safe to expect him to show up in much better company next season. # & '*

Horomca improved with every race at Trentham and was produced in a condition Avhich was a compliment to her astute mentor, Perc. Johnson. While we accept the fact that New Plymouth has a promising hurdler in Horomca, it is difficult to see her as a National proposition, but she should run some good races at the meeting. She is solid.

Do track trials always prove good? Prior to the English Derby. Trainer R. C. Dawson had both Trigo (the winner) and Le Voleur (owned by the Aga Khan) in work, and he was fully satisfied that one house was much better than the other. His fancy was not Trigo, and after the race he is credited°with having said, “I expected Trigo to finish a-quarter of a mile behind Le Voleur —” feuch is the uncertainty of racing! J * * * «=

As usual, the riders of the beaten mounts in the Derby last month spoke of the event as the “roughest riding” race jn the history, and their complaints were emphasised by Tom Webster, the cartoonist on the Daily Times, who likened the race to a military engagement and concluded by stating that if Kopi kept up his Derby form for long he would end without an owner as well as without a rider.

A Hawke’s Bay writer who inspected Mr. H. Hassall's recent importation, Garter Blue, was much impressed with his appearance. Garter Blue is a three-year-old by Phalaris from Royal Order by White Eagle from Order of Merit. Garter Blue was bred at the National Stud, but owing to soreness ■was not raced. He has been in New Zealand only about two months, and is to have only a very light stud season this year.

F. D. Jones is booked to leave next Thursday on his way to Sydney. His team will consist of Mr. H. A. Knight’s three horses, Limerick, Paquito and Belcaire, while he will also have charge of Mr. A. J. Toxward’s three-year-old filly, Briar Root, on the trip. Jones’ own trio are in the best of health, and they should be ready to show good racing form in Sydney early in the new season.

Royal Saxon made his first appearance at Riccarton last August. He opened his account by winning the Brabazon Handicap at the Christchurch Hunt meeting, and after being unplaced twice at the Grand National meeting.he wound up by scoring in the concluding event, the -Selwyn Handicap, run over seven furlongs. He has done well since then and now ranks as a very, solid customer who will have to be seiiously reckoned with in the Winter Cup, in spite of the fact that lie has 10.3 to carry, compared with only 9.0 last year.

The recent arrivals at Endeavour Lodge, Celerity II and Spean Bridge, have settled down to business again on the Southland R.C. tracks and are getting through steady pacing, states “Sir Modred.” The former is keenly alive to the racing game and on Thursday morning, • following on a smart sprint by two gallopers preparing to race at Washdyke next week, the English mare was anxious to go out and do likewise. Some difficulty was experienced in keeping her in cheek and as a result Celerity 11° was blowing hard when her. pacing tapk was completed. Although they liave had very little work yet the imported pair are already commencing to display favourable results from regular track exercise.

Mr. G. M. Currie is expected back from Australia by the end of next week, when a decision will be made regarding sending his team across the Tasman. W. Raymer has tho horses all in good condition for this stage of their preparation, except Thaw, who has gone lame. Mask, Ceremony and the rising two-year-old Pompare are doing particularly well, and if any of the team go the three named can be regarded as certain to make the trip. However, it is likely that the team, will not be sent to Australia, but will remain here for the Wanganui, Avondale and Auckland spring meetings. « ♦ « #

The English-bred horse Greengrocer (by Honey Bee—Green Tea), who was imported to New Zealand by Mrs. E. A. Perry, of Hawke’s Bay, and who was subsequently transported to Sydney and sold there, is unlikely to again figure among the racing division. The Sydney sportsman who brought Greengrocer appeared to entertain hopes of

the English horse winning an important race, for he was very freely nominated. Greengrocer, however, proved a complete disappointment. As an excuse for Greengrocer’s poor form in Australia it is said that he never really recovered from the effects of a collision with another horse at Randwick. Greengrocer won races in New Zealand, but only in hack company. As Greengrocer is a stallion he will have an opportunity to distinguish himself as a sire.

The leading event set down for decision at the Queensland Turf Chib’s spring meeting next month is the King’s Cup of £2OOO, to which is added a gold cup of the value of fIOO presented by his Majesty. The entries received are held to be entirely satisfactory, and New Zealand will have some interesting in the race by reason of the inclusion of Oratrix, Concentrate, Seatown, Star God and Satrap. Following are the nominations: —King Osrie, Polyglen, Lord Eiffel, Wee Glen, In Pgtto, Guncraft, Vain Bachelor, Sleet Eagle, Brown Apples, Soulton, Valparaiso, Lucy Thrice, Rconui, Persse’s Fortune, Dudley Persse, Seatown, ’Canning Queen, Ington, Tradescrnft, Crazy Molly, Silvern San, Marella, Paddi Eve, Star God. Bacchus, Oratrix, Charlie B, Pearl Prince, Avant Courier, Willow King, Dora Fay, King King, Royal Flavour. Lori Bold, Kitty Paddington, Snowman, Specchnmker, * headlight, Concentrate. Good Health, Brown Pie, Trainer, Sorevale, Astrologist, Mondain, Sheila’s Lad, Satrap. Albius, Fair Devil, Sharp Son, Moncello, Caramelo, Star Warden.

Reremoana has been brought in by O. Cox from Kai Iwi, and is being exercised by his trainer.

J. Fryer is making preparations for his Sydney trip and, if satisfactory arrangements can be made, will leave in about a fortnight’s time with a team which might include Bright Glow and Mendip.

The New Zealand-bred Willow King, by Greyspear—Lochiela, won the Novice Handicap at the Queensland Turf Club’s meeting on July 6.

The ex-New Zealander Waicullus ran second to Hitachi in the Iramoo Welter on the first day of the V.R.C. Grand National meeting, being beaten by a short head. His conqueror was one of the outsiders of the field, and was quoted at very long odds. # # # »

On the first day of the V.R.C. winter meeting the Flaxmcre-bred Horoscope opened his winning account ns a hurdler *by winning the Maiden Hurdle Race, and on the second day of the meeting, July 10, won the Keilor Hurdle Race, in which he beat a good field, including Adit, who at one time was a well-backed candidate for the Grand National Hurdle Race. Horoscope is by Absurd (imp.) —Lady Ball, so that he is a half-brother to Gay Ballerina.

TALE OF FIVE 808 EACH WAY.

HUMOUR FROM ENGLISH DRUNKS.

'“'Noises off”’ disturbed the police court at Westminster, states the Daily Mail, when Mr. Boyd, the magistrate, patiently listened to evidence disturbed by comments on the Derby. Bridget, a cripple on crutches, who was a day late in answering a charge of being drunk, said something that nobody heard because out in the waiting room policemen and prisoners were talking about the Derby.

“Were you drunk?” inquired the clerk. Bridget tried to say that she had been sober for three years, but her defence was spoiled by sporting comments from the corridor. This is how it sounded; Bridget: I was visited by a neighbour and she—

Noises off: There is something queer about Cragadour’s trial. Look at the money pouring in. And the rain during the night will make it easy going. Bridget: She drank too much and I was seeing her home when the policeman came along and said — Noises off; If Richards had ridden P.D.Q. it was a dead cert. The Derby is a jockeys’ race. Bridget: I am the mother of four children, and I live respectably, and I ask you to give me another chance because— Voices off: Mr. Jinks can’t stay a mile and a-ha'lf. My money is on Kopi. Mr. Boyd: You are fined ss. Noises‘off: And I’m having it. each way on Walter Gay, rain or no rain. GISBORNE HACK FLAT DIVIDED. By Telegraph—Press Association. Gisborne, Last Night. The 28 acceptors in the Hack Flat Handicap at the first day of the Gisborne’ Racing Club’s meeting necessitate two divisions, as follow: First Division. —Bold Front 10.6, Malahat 10.5, Mouri Rangi 9.12, Kinsel 9.10, Essential 9.7, Outfit 9.6, Winnington 9.4, Patutahi 9.3, Rapiata, Cynette, Lightwood, Fall o’ the Year, Polydorus, bun Yat Sen 9.0. Second Division.—Mangaharei 10.5, Partial Eclipse 9.13, Otene 9.10, Princess Rain 9.9, Dimmer 9.6, Simeon 9.5, King Manu 9.3, Tan 9.2, Nahi, lago, Evensong, Atapai, Lady Castlemam , Pereki 9.0. \ „ ■ Sunny Mint J 9.0) is an acceptor in the Maiden Handicap.