ON AND OFF THE TRACK

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21969, 22 May 1941, Page 6

ON AND OFF THE TRACK

A Budget Of News And Views •facing May 24—Foxton R.C. May 31, June 2 —Napiei' Park R.C. May 31, June 2—Wanganui J.C. May 31, June 2—Dunedin J.C. June 2,4, 7—Auckand R.C. June 7—Dunedin J.C. June 7—Hawke’s Bay J.C. Trotting May 24 —Ashburton T.C. May 24—Auckland T.C. June 3 —Canterbury Park T.C. June 7, 9 —Nelson T.C. Gladstone Park sale to-day. Game Pit, who won the Rangiuru Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase practically all the way. was repeating his success in the same event 12 months ago. It was his first outing this season. II a Waik’ato proposal is adopted by the Racing Conference, it will be necessary next season to scratch horses an hour (instead of half an hour) prior to starting time. The nrobable field for the Sapling Stakes ‘has been reduced to 12—there were 20 in after the final forfeit should have been declared—and three (Pacing Power, Sandiways and Papillon) are in R. B. Berry's stable.

Worthy Need, who was in top form at Forbury, has excellent prospects in the Adams Memorial Handicap at Auckland. He races well on the Epsom track, and in December established a course record of 3.12 2-5.

Not a great many new remits have been submitted tor consideration by the Racing Conference, but all those which were held over last year (when only a skeleton conference was held) will come up in July.

When Willen won the Hunt Cup at Riccarton last August his breeding was returned as "unknown.” It has been learned that this gelding is by Ollatrim (by Moutokawa) the sire of Mataroa. Previously it was said that Willen was by Moutokawa. The Rangitlkei Hunt Club is moving to have the conditions of the Gloucester Cup amended, so that in allotting the right to hold the race, preference shall be given to clubs which annually Include events In which only gentlemen riders are eligible.

Bidding on behalf of Australian breeders is expected for the imported stallion Battle Song, who is to go under the hammer at Gladstone Park to-day. The success of The Buzzard, who is very closely related to Battle Song, is no doubt responsible for overseas interest.

In his first race since October, the American pacer Josedale Grattan established a track record of 2.40 3-5 when he finished third at the Waikato Trotting Club’s meeting. That race should have him and, coupled with Our Jewel, he will be in strong demand at Epsom on Saturday.

The Canterbury Jockey Club paid out £36,555 in stakes this season, and £54,000 in taxes. Of this last amount £29,000 was ordinary totalisator tax and £24,000 dividend tax—a war tax imposed in 1916 and never lifted. Revenue from totalisator percentages was £67,000 and gate receipts totalled £11,530.

Recently Riotous won the Egmont Steeplechase, a race he had won seven years ago also. It is unusual for a horse to win the same race twice with such a long interval. On Saturday King Rey came close to putting up a similar record when he won the President’s Handicap at Waikato, a race he had won in 1935—six years ago.

Some men keep on paying high prices for yearlings without any luck. A Brisbane trainer, J. Gould, has had a different experience with bargain lots picked up at Sydney sales. Some Cure, bought for 20 gns, won £6400; Linart, 321 gns, £2400, and Indian Faker, 30 gns. £l9BO. His latest piece of luck was in buying Gartilla for 80 gns, who as a two-year-old, has won £7OO.

The veteran King Rey won the President’s Handicap at Te Rapa impressively after leading all the way. His success did not render him liable to a penalty in the Great Northern Hurdles, and as he is a proficient jumper his prospects were enhanced by his success on the flat. He is weighted at 10.3, compared with 11.7 last year. King Rey is 11 years old.

The Wanganui District Committee is desirous of amending the Rules of Racing in order to have the fees payable in flat races for hurdle and steeplechase riders calculated as if the race were run over obstacles. At present jockeys receive double fees in jumping races as compensation for the extra risk, and it is doubtful if the proposal will meet with universal approval.

Among the remits to be considered by the Racing Conference is one from Marlborough, designed to allow trotting clubs to hold not more than two races per day for hack gallopers. The Rules of Trotting already provide for the inclusion of such races, but unless the Rules of Racing are amended trotting clubs cannot avail themselves of the privilege.

Twenty-one pacers, six of them three-year-olds, have been paid up for in the All Aged Stakes at Ashburton. Three-year-olds filled the first four places in the race at Addington, but they are faced with a more formidable task at Ashburton. The marks are the same, and an extra two furlongs and the big track will prove of material assistance to the older division. The Taranaki jumper Aussia Ra was stripped for the steeplechase at Te Rapa. His supporters were not long in knowing that their money had gone. After jumping the second fence, which the gelding punched very hard, he was pulled up and when returning to the birdcage was very lame. It may not be serious but it is unfortunate just prior to the Ellerslie meeting when the big stakes are offering.

Rehandicaps for the Great Northern meeting are: Great Northern Hurdles, Streamline 71b, making 11.5; Gold Spot 71b, making 9.11. Great Northern Steeplechase, Bridegroom 71b, making 10.3. Cornwall Handicap, Kentucky 61b, making 9.0. Esquire has not been rehandicapped for the Cornwall Handicap, and Dark Rose is not rehandicapped for the Great Northerrf Steeplechase.

Streamline, winner of the Great Northern Hurdles last year, won well in the Waikato Hurdles. Nicely situated all the way, he was fortunate in getting a clear run through on the rails, making the home bend. At that stage The Dozer and Master Appellant were in front and once again there was a gap at the last fence. The boys on both horses went for it and collided, causing Master Appellant to fall and The Dozer to lose ground, which may have helped the winner to gain the major honours.

Applications from 68 persons for the post of stipendiary steward were considered by the committee of the Australian Jockey Club, but no appointment was made. None of the applicants was deemed entirely to fulfil the conditions and the matter is likely to be held over pending further inquiries. Many’ racing men consider that at £7OO per annum few men of standing would apply for such a position. It is probable that the club will seek fresh applications ami increase the net salary.