On and Off the Track

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20896, 27 November 1937, Page 6

On and Off the Track

A BUDGET OF NEWS AND VIEWS $ _____ FIXTURES Racing Nov. 27—Ashburton C.R.C. Nov. 27, 29—Takapuna J.C. Nov. 27, 30—Feilding J.C. Dec. 4—Otaki Maori R.C. Dec. 11—Hororata R.C. Dec. 11, 13—Woodville D.J.C. Dec. 18—Walpa R.C. Dec. 27—Waipukurau J.C. Dec. 27—Westland R.C. Dec. 27, 28—Dunedin J.C. Dec. 27, 28—Taranaki R.C. Dec. 27, 28, 30— Manawatu R.C. Dec. 27, 29, Jan. 1, 3—Auckland R.C. Jan, I—Waikouaiti J.C. Jan. I—Wyndham J.C. Jan. 3—Oamaru J. C. Jan. 3. 4—Southland R.C. Trotting Nov. 27—Forbury Park T.C. Dec. 4—New Brighton T.C. Dec. 4—Waikato T.C. Dec. 4—Wairio T.C. Dec. 11—Reefton T.C. Dec. 27—Ashburton T.C. Dec. 27—Gore T.C. Dec. 27—Wairarapa T.C. Dec. 27, 28—Westport T.C. Dec. 28, 30, 31—Auckland T.C. Dec. 29—Winton T.C. Jan. 1, 3—Canterbury Park T.C.

First race at Ashburton at 12,20. The win and place system will be used at Ashburton to-day. There will be racing this afternoon at Ashburton, Feilding and Ellerslie (Takapuna); and trotting at Forbury,

Something slipped in connection with the opening event at Forbury, no official times being announced. Cantata, who won at Forbury yesterday, is now trained by R. J. Humphreys. Another recent addition to this trainer’s team is Ivy Peterson. It is probable that the American horse Sandyvale, who is doing stud duty in the Gore district, will be prepared for the championship meeting at Easter.

Renown’s Best would have been a certain winner, instead of Frisco Boy, on one day at Addington had she began even reasonably well, but like Big Author she atoned at Forbury, breaking up th? field in the Caver: '..am Handicap to establish a record for the track.

Colonel Grattan (favourite), Southern Chief and Red Ranger were first to show in the Spring Handicap at Forbury, and with a round to go Colonel Grattan was carrying on from Red Ranger,lvy Peterson, Southern Chief and Agility. Southern Chief took second position again at the top bend, and challenging the favourite in the run home secured the verdict by a narrow margin. Agility was third, with Superior Rank, who did not begin well, fourth. Ivy Peterson broke and lost her chance.

When he won the main event at Forbury yesterday Big Author was credited with 4.19, a second faster than Rollo’s record for the track. He improved O. E. Hooper’s wonderful record (mostly due to Willow Wave) in the principal events at Forbury in recent years and made amends for his lapses at Addington, i ' ere he twice threw away victory by a bad break at the start. On the first day at the Metropolitan meeting Big Author finished second after losing about fifty yards. If he can ever be cured of his bad manners at the barrier he will quickly reach the best company.

Two smashes in the Progressive Handicap at Forbury extinguished ha chances of more than half the field. The first occurred early in the race and left about half a dozen horses with a big advantage, and th- second at the back of the course the last time round. Among the sufferers were Taruna and Policy, who carried a lot of money. Irish Aggie, Norhain Lady, Loyal Pat and Bing Crosby wer- in charge after the first accident, and at the mile post the order was Irish Aggie, Bing Crosby, Norham Lady and Loyal Pat. Norham Lady fell in the final round, and Irish Aggie, Bing Crosby and Loyal ?at were left with the race pretty much to themselves. At the finish the American pader was too solid for the opposition, and won going away from Loyal Pat, who was a long way ahead of Irish Aggie.

Native Huon, who won the Roslyn Trot at Forbury after being omitted from the telegraphed acceptances, hails from the Buller district. She made her first appearance at Ashburton, in the expectation of getting a better price than in her own territory, but her reputation had preceded her. Since then she won again at Greymouth, and her record is now three wins and a second in five appearances.

. Royal Romance failed to get going in the Roslyn Trot at Forbury, and Jenny’s Guy, after beginning well, broke badly at the end of half a mile. Esther trotted to the front, from Chudleigh, Native Huon and Anna’s Voyage, but commencing the last lap Native Huon had assumed command from Esther, Chudlelgh and Anna’s Voyage. Two furlongs from home Anna's Voyage moved into second place behind Native Huon, but broke just on the winning post and allowed the Buller mare (who was favourite) to secure a narrow victory. Esther and Parrish Chimes were next.

Racketeer put another black mark against his name by breaking at the start of the mile race at Forbury yesterday, and the well-backed Heather Queen was another to crack up early. Alpine Prince led off from Royal de Oro and Dillon Queen, but at the end of two furlongs Harold Wrack took the lead from Alpine Prince, Royal de Oro and Dillon Queen. Harold Wrack was still in charge (from Royal de Oro and Alpine Prince) as they turned for home but Cantata, Reylena and Credit Fund came fast from the second division, Cantata securing the verdict from Reylena, with Credit Funds in third place.