ON AND OFF THE TRACK

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVII, Issue 21530, 18 December 1939, Page 8

ON AND OFF THE TRACK

A Budget of News And Views FIXTURES Racing: Dec. 23. 26, 27— Manawatu R.C. Dec. 26—Waipukurau J.C. Dec. 26—Westland R.C. Dec. 26, 27—Dunedin J. C. Dec. 26. 27—Taranaki J.C. Dec 26, 28, Jan. \ 2—Auckland R.C. Dec. 30, Jan. I—Wairarapa R.C. Dec. 30. Jan. I—Greymouth1—Greymouth J.C. Dec. 30, Jan. I—Hawke's1 —Hawke's Bay J.C. Jan. I—Wyndham R.C. Jan. 1, 2—Stratford R.C. Jan. 1, 2—Marton J.C. Jan. 2—Oamaru J.C. Jan. 2, 3—Southland R.C. Jan. 6. B—Reefton8 —Reefton J.C. Jan. 12, 13—Vincent J.C. Jan. 19—Wureo R.C. Trotting: Dec. 26—Ashburton T.C. Dec. 26—Gore T.C. Dec. 26. 27—Westport T.C. Dec. 27. 29, 30—Auckland T.C. Dec. 29—Reefton T.C. Dec. 30—Winton T.C. Jan. 1, 2—Canterbury Park T.C. Jan. 4, s—Greymouth T.C. Jan. 13—Cambridge T.C. Acceptances for the Waikouaiti and Oamaru meetings are due to-morrow. For the hurdle race on the last day of the Auckland Cup meeting, 38 horses have been nominated. Three-year-old pacers have dominated the All Aged Stakes at Ashburton since its inception, but this year none of them will have much chance with Nelson Eddy if he begins correctly. Colonel Axworthy. winner of the 2.56 sprint on Saturday covered the ten furlongs faster than Lightning Lady did to win the 2.48 event just previously. Jerry Parrish would probably have won the Salisbury Handicap if he had begun correctly. The Kurow pacer lost ground and position by his initial mistake, and in the circumstances did well to finish in the money. Three Tens tangled at the start of the Levels Handicap on Saturday. He quickly made up the deficiency, but he appeared to be hanging rather badly, and finally retired with a damaged sulky wheel. Cetewayo has won the only race in which he started, and it is suggested that he is one of the best two-year-olds of the season. His victory was achieved in a minor handicap, and his quality will be more severely tested if he tackles Absolve at Awapuni. Bcaupartir is reported to be the ruling favourite for the Auckland Cup, but there is a doubt concerning his stamina and it would not be particularly surprising if he is missing from the acceptances. In that case Catalogue might be sent north. Taurangi is not entered for any of th' Christmas meetings, but will probably reappear at Marton at New Year. She was sore after her win in the Waikato Cup, and is being nursed with a view to contesting the big race at Trentham in January. Mileston let his backers down in the Claremont Handicap. A hot favourite, he began well enough, but skipped early, and a break at the end half a mile left him in a hopeless position. It was a disappointing performance, but Milestone can do better. Ned Worthy was one of those caught on the wrong foot in the Kerrytown Handicap, and the ground he lost was more than sufficient to account for his defeat. While a good deal below the Nelson Eddy standard, the Wyndham - owned four-year-old is sure to win good races. M. C. McTigue is seldom seen behind a trotter, and Dark Hazard is possibly the first unhoppled winner from his stable. The Great Bingen gelding had had a little previous experience in this department, but on that occasion was asked to mix the two gaits. Three-year-olds have been particularly successful in open handicaps this season, and Gladynev and Our Jean improved their record by taking the principal double at Te Awamutu. Our Jean was one of the favoured candidates for the Railway, and the big filly’s popularity will be enhanced by Saturday’s success. Lightning Lady’s form in recent weeks suggested that, temporarily at least, she had lost her dash, but the Rakaia mare refuted that theory by her sprint along the straight in the Pareora Handicap. Once she ’.7: s asked for an effort, she cut the leaders down very rapidly and registered a comfortable win. Grace Fields outclassed the opposition in the Claremont Handicap on Saturday. Beginning smartly, R. Townley’s mare was quickly in a good position, and over the last lap *=he never looked in danger of defeat. The on' • one to give her any trouble in the last round was another Washdyke candidate Cracksman, who beat the rest just as decisively as the winner accounted for him. Gladynev, who won the Te Awamutu Cup, was not nominated for the big race at Auckland, a fact which may now be regretted, as he is bred to stay any distance. Gladynev (MusketoonCaviare) is a three-year brother to Rona Bay, a little mare who c id some racing in the South Island. His analysis

this season reads three wins and a second in four starts. Musketoon is by Stedfast, and Caviare is by Lucullus from Minsk, by Martian from the Stepwak mare Stephanie. Gordon Richards heads the list of successful jockeys in England for the 13th time in 14 seasons, with 155 wins out of a total of 726 races run. He has ridden 2586 winners during his career, and is only 160 winning rides behind Fred Archer’s full total. W. Nevett, the North Country jockey, was second this season with 71 firsts out of 500 mounts. Richards appeared set for another double century when the war intervened. The stiff easterly, which had to oe faced twice along the straight in a mile test, made it obvious that Lucky Jack had no chance of approaching a record on Saturday. The Trotting Cup winner was assisted by Silver Guy (unhoppled). driven by R. Townley, as a galloping pacemaker. The first quarter was covered against the wind at a fast clip, in 30, and the half took 62. The six furlongs were travelled in 1.33 2-5. but against the wind in the run home the Trotting Cup winner was tiring, and the full mile occupied 2.6 1-5. The quarters were run in approximately 30. 32. 31 2-5, and 32 4-5. It has been unfortunate that on both occasions that Lucky Jack has been brought to Washdyke with the object of racing against the clock a strong easterly has wrecked the project.