TOPICS OF TURFDOM

Taranaki Daily News, 25 June 1931, Page 14

TOPICS OF TURFDOM

FANCIES FOR NAPIER PARK RACES GOOD FIELDS ARE CARDED TO-DAY.

(By

“Moturoa.”)

r The first race at Napier Park to-day fc timed to start at 12 noon and the subsequent events at 12.40, 1.20, 2.0, 2.40, 3.20 and 4 p.m. * * * * Mountain Heath heads the list in the Moteo Hurdles, but the let-up he has had since his injuries may not improve his prospects. Goshawk and White Fang are both reported to have schooled well, while WARZONE won decisively at Otaki. She' may be too good for Mountain Heath and Goshawk at the weights. Anywhere near well, the Petane Steeplechase should be a good thing for CALL AGAIN. On Hawera form Win- . ter Day must be given a chance, and Kaokaoroa is improving. * * # ♦ False Scent has struck form and is top weight in the Meeanee Handicap. However, NAVAHO and Moutoa may be in more demand to-day. # * * Red Fuchsia may not be forward enough to show his best in the Napier Steeplechase and more attention will be attracted to Fine Acre. He is reputed to be a clever ’chaser and is very well. Pangolin has only to fence well to have a chance, while Handy will set a hot pace while his condition lasts. PANGOLIN is the one that appeals. ♦ # * * Of the dozen in the Maiden Scurry only Dick Whittington and Happy Hit have shown any form. If HAPPY HIT has improved since the autumn the daughter of Kinscm should break the ice here. # # * ♦ Great Charter is an interesting entry for the Stewards’ Handicap, but he may require a race. Kahikatoa, Pewa and Arikira are all in form, and it would not be surprising to see PEWA wind, up the actual first choice. There is not much in recent form to recommend many in the Settlers’ Handicap, which completes the first day’s programme. However, CHIEF SAVAGE ran good races at Wanganui and is given •a chance to prove that his Otaki form was quite wrong. * * * * Two more of Mr. G. F. Moore's horses have arrived at Riecarton and have joined F. D. Jones’ team. They are the six-year-old Morena, by Bisogne from Senyora, by Signor from True Shot, and the yearling by Diacquenod from Phrosa'. by Limond from Cowl. A report was current recently that the two-year-old Belvoir had been sold to a southern owner, but it lacks confirmation. The Hunting Song youngster still occupies a box at the stables of F. D. Jones, who knows nothing of the reported sale. Napier Park Course. The new second stand at the Napier Park racecourse, built to replace that which was destroyed by fire some time ago, has been completed, and will be ready for occupation at the club's winter meeting, which will be held on Thursday and Saturday next. The course, too, is in good order, and the caretaker, Mr; ,E. Elliott, is to be congratulated upon its appearance (says The Herald). The earthquake raised the centre of the club’s ground considerably, and in due course the centre will have a much deeper sward of grass than it has ever had before, and will provide training facilities for a very large number of horses. The course is recognised as being one of the best training tracks in the Dominion, and it is likely to retain that reputation in the future, when even more horses are trained there.

The members of the Taranaki Hunt Club will hunt over the property of Mr. A. Parli; Motunui, on .Saturday. ... * #. ♦ There was some indication at Ellerslie early in . the month that True Blood would soon have to .be reckoned with. He performs best' under winter conditions, and is one to keep in mind for Trentham. Staying on Better. Sleipner won the Novice event at the South Canterbury meeting in a very determined manner,, but it was only Bert Ellis’ superior horsemanship that' got him home ahead, of Ilkley. Both stayed on well. Was Unlucky. Although Birk beck's injured leg is improving there is little chance of his racing again this season. However, there may be a stake or two for him in the spring. His injury after his good form at Hawera and Wanganui prevented him from winning good races at Ellerslie. Not in Demand. At a thoroughbred sale at Sydney on June 9 Manx Cat (Catmint —Bleriot) was sold for* 35gns., Kahu Kura (Catmint—Queen Boadicea) for luOgne. and Prince Otto (Nassau —Dovelet) for 434 gns. Prince Otto showed good form early in his career, but has been just good enough to be beaten at the Sydney meetings. He is a half-brother to Eaglet, while Manx Cat is a half-'broth-er to Radiate. Happy and Bright. Happy Hit, a three-year-old filly by Leighton —Kinseiu, is pleasing the Awapuni track-watchers, and Knapp intends taking her to Napier. The maidens over there are not a very smart lot,, and Happy Hit, who looks very bright at present, may go well in such company. Off to Hawke’s Bay. Three horses trained at Bulls have been sent across to race a.'- Napier. They are Chief Savage, -t charge, of Alf. Neale; and Waifortc and Lady Wangaehu, in T. Better's care. Of the trio the prospects of . Chief Savage are most highly assessed by Bulls touts. A Speedy Recovery. When the hurdle horseman A. Jenkins was spilled off Easterly at Ellerslie he fractured a collarbone, but the mend has been such a good one that he expects to be riding again at Napier, where his mounts will 'be Disrank and Princess Elizabeth. New Zealand Blood. Many racegoers will remember the good little Martian mare Bee, winner of the Wellington Cup in 1910. Bee eoneluded her racing career in Sydney, and looking through the results of Victoria Park and Kensington races not long ago I came across a —inner named Devon Maid, a four-year-old mare by Dane’s Vol from Bee, states ‘‘The .Watcher,” in the Dominion. At the same meeting a couple of other results are interesting to New Zealanders. The ■Plying Handicap was won by Vallar '(Valkyrian—Bellacity), and the Encourage Stakes by Lucky One (Magpie —Bayonne). Both were bred here. Vallar by Mr. W. C. Motion, and Lucky One by Mr. W. G. Stead. Lucky One is * half-brother to I’m Alone. Time For Relief. The balance sheet of the Accident Fund of the New Zealand Racing Conference, to be presented' to the annual meeting of delegates next month, shows * very satisfactory position. The excess of income over expenditure tor the period ended May 30 is £l4B'B Is 7d, and

this, with accumulated funds £12,262 7s Id, makes a total of £13,750 Ss Sd. Investments and accrued interest amount to £13,'605 4s lOd, and there is £973 l'ss Id in the current account, a total of £14,678 His lid. It has always been sought by the general trustees to maintain this fund in a substantial position, but it would appear that there should be a limit to this accruing amount. The bulk of it is obtained from accident fees,'which last year contributed £3G9O 10s, the next largest item being £l2BO 2s 6d commission on jockeys’ and apprentice riding fees. In other words the owners are responsible in very large part for the building up of this substantial sum. 'Surely the time has arrived when, considering the position of the fund, a little relief could be given to the owners, especially during the present period of depression. The accident fee at present is 30s, and there is a remit by the Southland Racing Club to be discussed next mouth to reduce it to 20s. This remit is worthy of the serious consideration of the delegates. If at any future period calls upon the fund should place it in a position where more money is required, the fee could again be increased. With nearly £15,000 in hand to carry on with, the risk of the fund being depleted in the next few years looks extremely remote. (Relief to owners is very desirable at any period, but present circumstances make such action imperative.

“Strictly Honest!” Jack Maori is generally pretty straight-forward when it comes to horse-racing, and a down-the-line secretary told a good story the other day of a happening of the dim and distant past. Jack came along on nomination night, and said: “Mister ecc'try; you put my horse, Rangi-eomething-or-other, in te hurdles each day. I pay you sometime.” So Rangi's name was duly added to the lists. On the first day of the meeting Rangi ran an inglorious last; in fact, he looked as if he was running in a second division of the jumping event. That evening the acceptances were, due for the second day’s races', and, just on time, Jack strolled into the office and requested that, the Maori weed should be put in again. ‘’But he’s got. no earthly chance,” said the secretary. “Never mind; you put him in ’gain,” persisted Jack. “What’s the use?” eaid the secretary; “he ran half a mile last to-day.” “Never you mind 'bout that,” replied Jack. Then he leaned over and whispered in the astonished secretary’s ear: “He wasn't on the job to-day; that's' all!” Got a Chance Entries for the next season’s w.f.a. events are not as numerous as usual, but the lists of entrants still leave the regular follower of racing form in a quandary. Quite 80 pci- cent, of the entrants —both young and old—have only Buckley’s chance of starting, let alone of winning. Which reminds one of a story told of that prince of optimists, the late (and respected) Harry Hickey. Mr. H. S. Mose, secretary of the Hawke’s Bay’ Racing Club, received a reminder from Christchurch that nominations were due for the New Zea-, land Cup, and (like the good fellow he is) gave the C.J.C. a helping hand by mentioning the fact to as many Hawke’s Bay owners and trainers as he could ’phone or otherwise get in touch with. Amongst the number was Harry Hickey, and “Hick.” at once complied, stating “Put The Admiral in.” “But Admiral Codrington would have no chance in a two miles race like that,” said Moss. “Well,” said Harry, “if the old fellow is in then he has a chance; but if he isn't in thjn he has no chance at all!? So The Admiral was “in.”