RACING NOTES.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 15885, 25 July 1923, Page 7

RACING NOTES.

(By “METEOR.”)

FIXTURES. July 26, 28 —Gisborne R.C. July 2G—Waimate District Hunt Club. August 14, 16, IS —Canterbury J.C. August 18 —Egmont-Wanganui Hunt August 25 —Pakuranga Hunt Club.

Pluto, one of Mason’s team in Sydney, has been sold to a Melbourne sportsman. Hamilton RjC. hold their meeting on 10th and 12th November. Omahu, Ruddy and Martulla have arrived at Christchurch in charge of A. McDonald, who is to ride them in their engagements at the Grand National meeting. Royal Abbey was favourite for the Trentham Hurdle Handicap, and “also ran.”

Comical has started in 20 races this season, and secured G firsts, 5 seconds and 3 thirds. J. B. Gaisford was the most successful owner at the Wellington meeting, getting £I7BO in stake

money. Thurnham was the most successful sire at Trentham, with £1525 to his credit. St, Amans came next with £I2OO. J. B. Gaisford had three wins at Trentham, J. W. Lowe, A. E. Browne, P. T. Hogan and A. M. Wright two each.

The Ivilbroney gelding, Loughrea, whose sale to a Melbourne trainer fell through, after the horse had gone to Wellington' for shipment to Australia, arrived at Riecarton from the north on Tuesday, and he will return to his old quarters at Wingatui.

R. Reed, M. MeCarten and H. E. Ryder were the most successful jockeys at Wellington, getting two wins each.

Tione, owned by Mr J. Richardson, of Dunedin, who won the Novice Handicap at Wellington, is a brother to Solfanello and Roseday. Musketoon and Importer raced so badly on the first and second day at Trentham, that they were sent home without waiting for the final flutter on the third day. It is almost certain they will be non-starters at the Grand National meeting. Winners at the Christchurch Hunt meeting on 30th. inst., will not incur penalties for the big events at the National meeting. The following clause was passed at the Racing Conference: —“’lf the jockey cannot draw the proper or declared weight, the clerk of the scales shall allow him lib.” Pamplona, who was one of the

'ancied ones for the Grand National

Steeplechase, met - with a mishap while being schooled at Dunedin, so it is very, doubtful if the Pallas gelding will fulfil any of his engagements at the meeting.

It is understood that H. McSweeney will ride Ex]3loher at the National meeting. •So far this season 1171 horses have, won money under the Rules ox racing. Of this number 110 have' earned £IOOO or over. Ivilbird, Boadicea' and Sunny Loch seem to be most fancied at the present lime for the Winter Cun in the South Island. Oakleigh, General Petain and Omahu read well in the Grand Na-

tional Steeples among the topweights, while Red Cent, Glenotus and Master Peter will not disgrace themselves among the lightweights. Isla Bank, who is engaged in the Grand National Steeples, was recently sold for 300 guineas. Last year Explorer won the Sydenham Hurdle Race, of 600 sovs, carrying 9.13, being ninth favourite, this year, in the Grand National Hurdles, he is asked to carry 10.9. Last year Clean Sweep won the Winter Cup, with Heather Sprig second, in 1.46 2-5. This year they have not received a nomination. Coalition, Coroglen and First Line were the placed horses in last year’s Grand National Steeplechase.

Tigerland got two first and a third in August last at the Grand National meeting. This year h 6 is not making the trip. Penury Rose won the Trial Hurdle Race at 'Christchurch last year, and came third in another hurdle race. This year he has the handy weight of 9.13 in the Grand National Hurdles and he is a much improved horse. Last year, Gladful 11.2, started seventh favourite, and won the Grand National Hurdles, with Kauri Kmg and Whipcord behind him. This year he carries 11.9, and will need all the luck of the game to win. When Jackaroo and Empyrean fell in the Talavera Hurdles at; the Wellington meeting, their riders, A. J. Thorner and M. Conway, got bad falls, and both were unconscious for some tune, but both quickly recover- , ed, and were little the worse for their , experiences. A good story is told of Thorner, He was being carried on a stretcher to the Camp Hospital and .just as the bearers were getting him through the gates he rmmd. “Where are you taking me?” he ask-

ed. “To the hospital,” he was told. “No good to me,” said Thorner, “I’ve a mount in the next race.” With that he rolled off the stretcher, and made lus way back to the course, while two stretcher-bearers„ stood looking at each other in astonishment.