GOOD STARTING

Taranaki Daily News, 19 February 1931, Page 10

GOOD STARTING

MR. A. VINCENT DOES VERY WLL-

A feature of the Taranaki Cup meeting last week was the fine starting—- & marked contrast to the abortive results so pronounced at the majority of meetings this season. Without; exception the fields .left in a remarkably good line, and, save for a couple of occasions where horses were crowded back ehbrtly after the rise of the barrier, few owners could complain at the treatment their horses received in Mr. Vincent’s hands.

"Carfrine JaZk,” as Mr. Vincent is popularly called because of his connection with that great racehorse’s career, acted courageously in the Flying Handicap on Thursday when he placed Bayacre behind the Add. Entrusted to. his care was one of the best sprint fields in the Dominion, and after the Acre gelding had delayed the despatch for several minutes he ordered him to stand behind the field in order that the chances of the good horses would not be jeopardised by the misbehaviour of the three-year-old. The course was a wise one even though it cost Bay acre a second placing at least. Starting is one of the most important phases in horse-racing and the interests of the public as well as those of the owners, who have to . bear the expense of taking horses to the meetings, must be considered. Unfortunately, the Dominion is very badly off for competent starters at present and in • too many cases the position is filled by men who have not the confidence of the riders nor the ability and courage to . deal drastically with jockeys who fail to handle their mounts properly at the barrier. One of the reasons for New Zealand’s present difficulty in respect to starters is that in his heyday Mr. Charles O’Connor so overshadowed his contemporaries that he was utilised to the limit of his capacity, and the exclusion of others who with greater opportunities might have done equally well. 2Jo one could be blamed for this. It was a position which created itself. Mr. O'Connor was a real prince at the barrier, and it was almost incumbent upon clubs to engage him if he was available. A natural consequence was the neglect of other men. Through failing eyesight and increasing- age Mr. O’Connor has practically dropped out of the game, leaving so few good starters that they can be counted easily on one hand. Mr. P. D. McNab .has achieved considerable success at Ricca r ton, but he is practically confined to starting on that course. Air. W. Price, Wanganui, an ex-jockey, has giyeii _ a fair indication of success in his initial efforts and, like Air. A. Vincent, he has the confidence of the horsemen. Air. A. D. Mclvor has done well in the southern part of the South Island, ffiu there are few starters outside of these men who are entitled to be considered reasonably good officials. However, “Carbine Jack” has the profound respect of the' executive of the Taranaki Jockey Club and it would not be surprising to find his sphere of activities widened considerably as the result ot fine control and keen perception at New Plymouth last week.

The Swell was badly kicked by Si'l-vp-rmine at Hawera and had' to be withdrawn from his engagements at New Plymouth. He is to be. given a long eIL • V- * * * fl * *

The big two-year-old Gibraltar was emasculated on Monday and ..will not race until next season. The course taken. with him seems to be a wise one as he was still growing. 0 # * «

Hector Gray hurried back to Rotorua after the races at New Plymouth on Saturday and was successful on Sir Mond and Sub-Editor. His tally is now 62 wins, wfiilo H. N. Wiggins is next on the list with 32 wins. .0 0 * *

Paitonu, who was unlucky to get beaten in last year’s Rangitikei Cup, and who won the Fraser Memorial. Handicap at the same meeting, is again entered for both events. oft * *

After a long run of “outs” the Wanganui trainer, Walter Rayner, broke it for a win at New Plymouth, and judginf by the form displayed by Impetuous and Ceremony he should lead in another winner or two at Wanganui. 0 * * *

The slump is evidently keenly felt in the South Island. A number of wellbred yearlings and brood mares went under the hammer at Dunedin last Friday and the best price realised was 100 gns. for a yearling filly by Tea Tray from’ that great sprinter. Bo Peep. 0 ft 0 *

The' four-year-old Sutala-Greehetreet Greenaway, who won the A.R.C. Royal°Stakes and £BO5 in stakes last season as well as running two seconds in three starts this season, was sold at Dunedin on Friday for the low sum of Gsgns. „ ° * # * *

The first race each day at Bulls is timed to start at 12.30, and the last at 5 p.m., but if the programme is not got off smartly a good number of Bangitikei “cockies” will be milking the cows by artificial light each evening.

The Australian-bred three-year-old Ozone (Saltash—Aries) for whom Air. G. D. Greenwood paid a high price, was sold at Dunedin for _Gsgn.s. Ozone has given promise of being a useful sort. Ilkley, from the same stable, was knocked down at 20gns. » # • »

Arisus has won the Wanganui Trial Handicap (£160), Feilding Nikau Handicap (£100), Alarton Railway Handicap (£160), and Egmont Wai mate Handicap (£178), in all totalling £598. He will have io do his racing after the Wanganui meeting in open company, but he should be a useful sort over six or seven furlongs. At Te Aroha. Marjoram, who has done the bulk of his racing at meetings in the Wellington province; has been entered for several events at the Te Aroha meeting. Last season Alarjoraip was successful on four occasions, but his form during the present period has been disappointing, for he has failed to win one race in seventeen starts, though he ran fair races at New Plymouth and Stratford during the holidays. He will be meeting strong opposition t Te Aroha and will require to improve on past form to have a winning chance.