RACING ON AND OFF THE TRACK

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21998, 25 June 1941, Page 8

RACING ON AND OFF THE TRACK

A Budget Of News And Views Racing June 23— Manawatu R.C. vunt zo—vaimevirke Hunt. une 28 —Oamaru J.C To “Gay Parade”: Post your tickets with name and address on back, to the secretary of the Racing Club. Treasurer has, finished second in his last three starts, and a win for him would We appropriate. Following the Oamaru meeting, G. Feilding may bring his team to Canterbury and remain here until alter the Grand National fixture. Tudor broke down after clearing two fences in the Park Steeplechase at Te Awamutu. He has been unsound for a long time, and perhaps the last has been seen of the Little England gelding. Floodlight, qne time a good performer on the flat, finished second in the steeplechase at Te Awamutu. He has lost much of his pace, but as he carries weight well he might pay is way as a jumper. Symphony, who won the Great Northern Stakes for two-year-olds at Auckland in race record time of 2.17, has not started since, and thus has made only one appearance for the season. In scoring his win at Awapuni—his fifth in succession over hurdles —Foxiana was not in front all the way as he had been previously. He was restrained for a mile, and it was not until the last obstacle was approached that he was allowed to range up alongside the leaders. After Mungatoon’s runaway win on the first day of the Dunedin meeting, it was predicted that he would go on to greater success as a hurdler. He has registered two thirds in three subsequent starts, but has not fulfilled expectations. Although he is a stronglooking gelding, weight appears to trouble him. Prince Rewa and Te Haka, who won successive races at Avondale, and for an original stake of £2 paid such big dividends that their owner, Mr J. Clothier, lifted £2200 from the machine, repeated the performance at Te Awamutu. This time Prince Rewa was a two-way favourite, but Te Haka was again neglected and started 10-10 in the betting. With Clarion Call out of commission the topweight in the Wellington Steeplechase is unlikely to receive 12.0, the maximum allowed by the conditions of the race. The absence of the champion ’chaser will mean a higher scale for other horses. The main points of Interest will be the relative positions of Streamline and Slayer, and their proximity to the maximum. References to Whirr as a pony (actually he is 14.35) have revoked inquiries as to what a pony really is. Ponies are not mentioned in the Rules of Racing, and even in past days when races for the lilllputians were legal there was nq official definition. In the Rules of Trotting there is a provision that in saddle races the weight to be carried by ponies “under 14.2” is 9.0, but that does not mean that a 14.2 horse is not a pony. In Australia, when pony racing was booming, there were 14.3 ponies, the measurements being taken, if necessary, with the horses shoes removed. • • • • The report to be presented to members at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Metropolitan Club next month says the club has had a most successful year, which showed a profit of £1912/11/7. Earlier in the year the committee passed a resolution that the profits for the year should be given to patriotic organisations. A sum of £1331 has already been given, and there is still in hand £581711/7 to be distributed. in addition, £lO,OOO had been lent to the Government free of interest for the duration of the war, and £3250 had been subscribed to the last Government way loan. During the present season the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club gave £33,800 in stakes, and paid £30,721/18/8 in Government taxes. Expenses of race meetings amounted to £3905/11/8, totalisator expenses £5694 13/10, salaries £1650/15/-, wages £1339 16/-, Trotting Conference levies £1259. repairs and maintenance £1373/17/5, advertising, printing and stationery £2lBl/8/3, donations £1437/16/-, and depreciation £2029/1/4, while the reserve for taxation is £6900. Nomination fees received by the club amounted to £2324, acceptances £3835/10/-, totalisator £69,824/3/9, stands and gates £13,280/5/6, members’ subscriptions £134”/3/-, race cards £3494/2/3, and booths £1053/l/6 ; e e In New Zealand, people who participate in racing contract to abide by the decisions of racing courts, but apparently the position is different in South Africa. A jockey who was disqualified at Durban appealed to the Supreme Court and succeeded in having the ban removed. The ground on which the appeal was upheld was that a steward who was at the start made a statement that the horse involved was deliberately pulled up, and then sat as one of the stewards at the inquiry. The Judge ruled that there was nothing in the club's rules which expressly provided that a steward might be both witness and judge. It is Interesting to recall that not long ago the New Zealand Racing Conference issued an instruction that stipendiary stewards must retire from inquiry rooms after the hearing of evidence had been concluded, it being objected that it was inequitable for a stipendiary who had laid a charge, and given and conducted evidence for the prosecution, should be allowed to take a hand in judging a case and in apportioning any punishment imposed.

RICCARTON NOTES

CHANGING CONDITIONS (Special) CHRISTCHURCH. June 24. There were signs at Riccarton this morning of a change in the weather. Another severe frost last night made the tracks very hard, and again training operations were delayed. About 9 o’clock this morning a cold southerly wind sprang up, and there were a few lights showers of rain, not sufficient to have much effect on the ground but with a threat of more to follow. The No. 9 grass track was open, but it was not in great favour following the frost, most of the trainers preferring the sand, which provided satisfactory going for useful work, which was the general order. M. B. Edwards was down from Yaldhurst with two of his team, who got through useful tasks. The two-year-old Gunga Din, strode along freely. He has lightened up after his race at Ashburton. his first outing in public. It was an attractive performance and he looks like being a good sort next season. He will now be got ready for engagements at the Grand National meeting. His stable mate, the three-year-old Irvington, was given pace work. He met with an injury recently and appeal’s to be suffering from muscular trouble in the hindquarters. It is to be honed he will make a quick recovery as. though he has not shown much form yet, he is a very promising young horse. He is a well grown

chestnut by Hunting Song, and he is bred to make a stayer. Gold Don was allowed to move along in a sprint. He has not had a race for more than six months, but he looks well, so he may not take long to get back to the money-earning stage. Winter conditions should suit him and he is due to race at Oamaru this week, with Trentham to follow. Haughty Winner Is none the worse for his race at Ashburton, and he may go a little better at Oamaru, though he will not be at his best till later on. Cymric and Areas will accompany him to Oamaru. Roman Son was galloped on at Ashburton and he is on the easy list at present. The trouble is not serious and, as he is in good order, he may be seen to advantage at Trentham next month. T. H. Gillett has a newcomer in his team, a yearling colt having arrived. He is half-brother to Doria, being oy Solicitor-General from Princess Doreen. A year ago his brother was taken in hand, but he had the misfortune to break a leg. The latest arrival is shorter in the leg than this ill-fated elder brother and looks a likely sort, while he is in great order to start on the early stages of his education. Princess Doreen has a foal at foot by Lang Bien and she is in foal to Battle Song.