RACING AND TROTTING

Timaru Herald, Volume CL, Issue 22052, 27 August 1941, Page 7

RACING AND TROTTING

ON AND OFF THE TRACK A Budget Of News And Views FIXTURES I Racing Aug. 28—Egmont-Wanganui Hunt. Aug. 30—Taranaki Hunt. Sept. 4, 6—Wanganui J.C. Sept. 6—Otago Hunt. Sept. 13—Ashburton R.C. Sept, 13—Carterton R.C. Sept. 13, 15—Avondale J.C. Sept. 25, 27—Geraldine R.C. Trotting Aug. 30—Auckland T.C. Sept. 6—New Brighton T.C. The new totallsator house at Wingatui is expected to be complete for use at the Otago Hunt meeting at the end of next week. The only race meetings this week are those of the Egmont-Wanganui Hunt on Thursday, and the Taranaki Hunt on Saturday, both at New Plymouth. The John Grigg Stakes, which was dropped last season, will reappear on the Ashburton programme next month as a race for three-year-olds, the distance being seven furlongs. High Caste, although loaded with 9.13, is nominal favourite for the Epsom Handicap. He has not been backed by anyone allied to the stable, but the bookmakers are keeping the price short in case of emergency. At a flag steeplechase meeting held by the Otago Hunt, the handicaps were based on the yards system, the same as in trotting. The committee of the V.R.C. considered letters from the Bookmakers’ Council and the Victorian Trainers’ Association protesting against tire ban on ownership of horses by bookmakers. It is understood that there is no possibility of the prohibition being lifted.

The Walkouaiti Racing Club has paid off another £BOO of the debentures in connection with the erection of its grand stand, and this liability has been discharged. It has a cash balance of approximately £5BO, and assets valued at £8495.

The South Australian Trotting Club was worried by unwieldy fields on its tiny trick at WayviUe. It reviewed the form'of all horses that raced in the previous season, and decided that more than a hundred of them were unlikely to win a race. Nominations of these horses will not be accepted.

Gold Salute, now in Melbourne, will have a fine chance of cleaning up the races which Ajax used to farm until the cracks arrived from Sydney. The only weight-for-age winner likely to oppose him is Tranquil Star. This mare was something of a giantkiller last season, but only on very soft going.

Cherry Plum is in the Hunt Cup and the Ladles’ Bracelet at the Hunt meeting at New Plymouth to-morrow. It was Intended to run him in the flat race, with Mr G. G. Beatson as pllqt, but now that Summons has been allowed to drop out of the Cup there may be a revision of plans.

The Riverton Racing Club showed a profit of £2178 on last year’s operation. The credit balance from farming activities was £641. Gate receipts for the three days totalled £3670, aiid totalisator turnover £92,608. The president’s report stated that £1384 was received in nomination and acceptance fees, and only £3 was outstanding.

Randwick trainers were not impressed by their first sight of Kindergarten, but it was different after they had seen him gallop. They got another surprise after the horse had sprinted. Most Sydney horses are rugged immediately after working, but Kindergarten has his legs hosed with cold water and likes it.

The A.J.C. recently had an eyeopener. Sydney commercial stations have agreed to broadcast descriptions of racing only on Saturdays, Wednesdays and public holidays. A Bank holiday meeting at Randwick was not broadcast by any station, and instead of the expected 12,000, about 25,000 people rolled up. The committee will soon consider the question of cutting down broadcasts on other days.

Laveur, who won the Australian Steeplechase, was bred by Mr C. Leonard, chairman of the V.A.T.C., but was presented to J. Mulcahy before he had raced. This trainer passed him on to his son. Mulcahy junior secured a permit, and set to work on Laveur, but for a long tin.e the gelding spent most of his time in a paddock apparently incurable lameness keeping him idle. Mulcahy is at present in a militia camp and had to secure leave to take his horse to the races.

The A.J.C. will have a big draw card if Kindergarten, High Caste and Beau Vite run in the Warwick Stakes on Saturday. Kindergarten comes to hand quickly, and may be most forward of the three. Another attraction will be the Hobartville Stakes, for three-year-olds. Yaralla, True Love and Beau Son (latest Derby favourite) are expected to run. Yaralla, not so long ago “another Phar Lap,” has receded in favour consequent on being beaten into third place in a handicap won by Beau Son, but on that occasion he was conceding 281 b. In the Hobartville they will meet at level weights.