ON AND OFF THE TRACK

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21576, 12 February 1940, Page 8

ON AND OFF THE TRACK

A Budget of News And Views FIXTURES » Racing: Feb. 12—Poverty Bay T.C. Feb. 12—Gore R.C. Feb. 12—Rotorua R.C. Feb. 16, 17—Winton J.C. Feb. 17—Tolaga Bay J.C. Feb. 17—Opunake R.C. Feb. 17, 19—Waikato R.C. Feb. 22, 24—Dunedin J.C. Feb. 24—Waiapu R.C. Feb. 24, 26—Westland R.C. Feb. 24, 26—Te Aroha J.C. Feb. 24, 26—Woodville J.C. Trotting: Feb. 14—Auckland T.C. Feb. 17, 19— Manawatu T.C. Feb. 17—New Brighton T.C. Mar. 2—lnvercargill T.C. Mar. 9 —Timaru T.C. Mar. 16—Wyndham T.C. Mar. 16—Taranaki T.C. Mar. 16—Cheviot T.C.

Weights for the Dunedin Cup should appear to-morrow.

Final forfeits for the Tlmaru Nursery Stakes must be declared to-day.

Heidelberg’s name is missing from the entries for the Dunedin Cup, and it appears that his first essay against good horses will be made at Riverton.

At the end of last week more than fifty two-year-olds were still in the Tlmaru Nursery Stakes. A good many will be withdrawn to-day, but the number of registrations effected with the Association suggests that there will be a big field, and possibly a divided race.

Southern Sail is a bit undersized and does not show a great deal of quality, but the daughter of Set Sail is a smart galloper. She beat her opponents off the mark in the Novice race at Gore and although Royal Money looked like heading her a furlong from the post, Southern Sail shook him off and won decisively.

Cherokee was made a hot favourite for the Summer Hack Handicap at Gore, but along with Exult and Vanity Queen she was chopped out at the start. Islay Downs and Blissful Lady soon ran to the front and stayed there, Blissful Lady winning by a head after a great tussle between the pair. Vanity Queen arrived late to collect third money.

Bay Duke began with his customary celerity in the open sprint at Gore, but two furlongs from home he had surrendered the lead to Waitoru. Waitoru looked to have the race won half way up the straight, but Boaform finished with a strong run and beat him on the post. Wild Career and Phalanx (who was slow off the mark) were next.

Tire first two-year-old race for pacers this season is to be run at Auckland to-day, over a mile. Fourteen horses remained in after the final forfeit, but there seems to be a possibility that two or three have not been registered in time. Tire pick of the Auckland lot is believed to be Earl’s Pride, owned by Mr D. R. Revell and H. Gray. Tire only outside competitor will be Diamond Jim from R. B. Berry’s stable.

Silkwood not having won a race for two seasons, was the outsider of the field in the Gore Highweight, carrying c- 'y £4/10/- on the win machine. Gusterlna and Garonne led for most ' the way from Merry Simon and Royal Style, but as soon as the straight was reached Merry Simon and Royal Style headed them. These two were fighting it out when Silkwood appeared on the outside and got up to beat Merry Simon by a head, with Royal Style half a length away, and Craiglea was fourth.

Counterlunch 461-332 was preferred to King's Chorus 353-356 in the Longford Handicap at Gore. New Note, King's Chorus, Pink Bond and Prince Ruenalf were the fastest to begin. Counterlunch and Heidelberg being slow. King Chorus got to the front in the last furlong and won comfortably by half a length from Pink Bond. Counterlunch and Prince Reunalf, who were almost in line. King’s Chorus, who is by Nigger Minstrel from the Dimedin Cup winner Queen Balboa, appeared to win with something in reserve, and he looks like graduating into the open class quickly.

Backers selected Norseman, Night Wings and Peony Rose for the Racing Club Handicap at Gore. Valantua lost his chance by stumbling at the start and Norseman and Sailing Lady also began slowly. Peony Rose soon ran to the front and on the northern bend her rider stole a lead of several lengths. Her advantage was reduced by half at the top and Sparkle actually headed her 100 yards from home, but Peony Rose came again to make a dead-heat. Mona's Song was three lengths away, followed by Valantua, Night Wings and Norseman. Sailing Lady was unhappy in the soft going and was never prominent.

Usually the yearlings which fetch top prices at auction win less money than many which make much lower figures, and than others which do not go under the hammer. The odds are against the colt which fetched 2000 gns. at Trentham last month proving a good investment. In this connection, it would be interesting if a judging competition were held at the sales. A contest of this kind was inaugurated in 1937 by the Thoroughbred Club of America. It is held in conjunction with the spring race meeting r.t Keeneland. The contest is open to the public. The yearlings are shown in the beauti'ul saddling paddock at Keeneland, and then paraded on the race track. Those who wish to participate in the contest are furnished with a list of the yearlings, showing their breeding and relationship to great horses. A ballot paper is provided, which competitors use to indicate their choice of the best

yearling in the group. The contest is determined twelve months later by the stake winnings of the yearlings in their two-year-old season. The competitor who selects the youngster who wins the most in stakes at two years is declared the winner, and receives a handsome trophy. Only one breeder has ever won the prize.

Victoria was the last State in Australia to legalise the totalisator, and was looked upon as the bookmakers’ strong • hold. Indeed, when it was introduced many scoffers asserted that the machine would die from lack of support. Now we read that there is a feeling among Melbourne bookmakers that it is only a matter of time before large scale betting will cease and racecourse wagering confined to the totalisator and a few diehards among the ringmen. Mr J. B. Connell, secretary to the Bookmakers’ Council, declares that several men who ten years ago were worth £25,000 to £30,000 are struggling to keep their heads above water. He says that before the advent of the machine bookmakers were able to lay outsiders, now the public fancy they get a better return from the totalisator. and the books do business only on fancied horses. Men who ten years ago made £4OO and £5OO books on a race now operate in £4O and £5O books. Mr Connell believes that big bookmakers are going to the wall. Many are dropping out, and more will have to go. • Some of the biggest men in Melbourne are feeling the pinch, and "what some of the smaller men are going to do I have no idea. I only know that as things are at present they have no chance of pulling through.”