On and Off the Track

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20768, 1 July 1937, Page 10

On and Off the Track

A BUDGET OF NEWS AND VIEWS FIXTURES Racing July 3—Oamaru J.C. July 3—Manawatu R.C. July 6, 8. 10—Wellington R.C. July 17—Waimate Hunt. July 24—Rangltlkel Hunt. July 24—South Canterbury Hunt. July 31—Christchurch Hunt. Tire first race at Oamaru on Saturday is timed to start at 12.30. There will be no trots on the Christchurch Hunt's programme this year. Four races lor jumpers are included. The New Zealand Trotting Conference will meet on July 7, and the Racing Conference on July 9. Kahikitoa, who has been entered for the Winter Cup, won the race six years ago. It would be a real resurrection if he came back to win again at ten. « * * * Nominations for five seats on the committee of the South Canterbury Jockey Club, and for a similar number on the committee of the Timaru Trotting Club must be lodged by noon today. Apparently six owners are prepared to consider the possibility of making history by winning the two Grand Nationals with one horse. Tudor, Valpeen, Black Marlin, Irish Comet, Polydora and Brigadore have been nominated for both races.

Four more harness races remain to be run before the expiration of the season, but all are included in racing or hunt club programmes. There will be two at Oamaru on Saturday, and one each at the Waimate and South Canterbury Hunt fixtures.

Dictate could not be regarded as harshly treated with 9.10 in the hack sprint, at Trentham, as there are few hacks in commission capable of unwinding such a brilliant run as he produced to win the open sprint at Ashburton. It is unlikely, however, that the Chief Ruler gelding will run at Trentham.

A total of £9790 was distributed in trotting races in Southland this season. and the wide distribution is evidenced by the fact that the principal winning owner was Mr A. Robertson with £390, all credited to Coherto. R. Townley and T. Cosgrove were next with £360 each. E. Todd was the most successful trainer and J. Walsh the leading reinsman.

Mr S. Solomon, whose death is reported from Dunedin, had not taken an active interest in racing in recent years, but at one time he owned some good horses. The best of them was Blazer, a very brilliant sprinter able to handle big weights, who won many races at a period when weight-for-age contests over four and five furlongs were common. Blazer won over long distances, but it was as a speed merchant that he was best known.

Riding engagements for Trentham have been made as follows: C. T. Wilson, Grey Honour, Short Circuit, Rebel Mate, and also Last Refrain in the Parliamentary Handicap on the second day; G. Ridgway, Streamline, Silver Sight and Burglar; R. Beale, Sky Pilot. Tire Grasper and Spearmint; L. J. Ellis, Wino and Royal Dance; T. Boyle, Hunting Go and Signaller; L. Dulleu, Pahu; C. Goldsbro, Greek Gold.

Tudor and Irish Comet appeal as much as anything engaged in the Wellington Steeplechase. Northerners appear to fancy Sky Pilot and Streamline, the two youngest horses in the race, but there is just a doubt whether either is quite seasoned enough for such a task. Another year should do a lot for both Day Comet geldings

T. H. Gillett, with Streamline, and C. C. McCarthy with Sky Pilot, left last night for Trentham, where they will be schooled in company over the fences on Saturday. J. S. Shaw will send Pahu and Greek Gold north to-night. Most of the other Riccarton horses that are to race at Trentham will leave on Saturday night. H. Cutts will delay his departure till Tuesday night, as SilCharles Clifford’s pair, Daydress and Rival Hit, are engaged only on the second and third days. H. Nurse will have no horses to race at Trentham on the first day, and it is only a possibility that Rousseau will be sent for the later days,

"An analysis of some of the Auckland horses entered at Trentham makes it obvious that beliefs in forlorn hopes are not yet extinct,” says an Auckland writer. “It would not be fair to point to any horse as possessing the proverbial Buckley’s chance; however, there are one or two of this species in the large northern string for next month’s fixture and it will be interesting to observe if the long winter train trip and the change in environment will enable them to pay expenses.” Still Auckland has no monopoly of racing optimists.

The Executive of the Racing Conference recently advised District Committees to exercise caution in recommending applicants for dual trainer’s and jockey’s licenses, and it was even rumoured that all such applications will be refused. There may be good arguments in favour of such a course so far as flat race riders are concerned, but the case is different with riders over fences. Most hurdle and steeplechase jockeys find it difficult to make ends meet, and no obstacle should be placed in the way if they are willing to undertake the education of jumpers.

One remit from the Executive of the Racing Conference is designed to delete from the Rules the following:—"Provided that neither the Executive nor the Conference shall grant registration to any Club (not being a Hunt Club, Polo Club, or Sports Club) the racecourse of which is situated within 20 miles of the course of any other such club.” This clause, which does not apply to existing clubs, has been in existence for very many years, and there is some speculation regarding the move for its repeal. Presumably it is inspired by a situation that has arisen at Dannevirke.