SPORTING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 1123, 17 December 1914, Page 5

SPORTING.

RACING AND TROTTING. BOTES BY "ARGUS." FIXTURES. December IS-Lake Cotuity December 19-Now Brighton «<>«*"» December 26-Kaike.ura K* om * t ~' u Baeing December 2G-Taratahi • Carterton December 26-Hurunui Turf Club. December 26-Porangah<m Kacii»b i-™ December 26, ffl-Dut.edin Jockey uuo. Deeember 28, 28-Tarauaki Jockey <ft December 20, 28- Croawel: Jockey uu°, December 90, 3S-Bsa!ton Jocke> cmo Dumber 2e! 28-Tha-m*. J<? k V A uckland December 28, 20, January 1, -— auc December 26-Asbburton Trotting Club. December 26-GoreJ Trotting Club" December 26, 28-Wo* port Tr°«ms> December SO, Jockey December 81, January I—Greymouui

January 1-Walkouaiti Ba«mS Club. January 1-Cheviot Haoing Club. January 1-Wyndham Racing Club. January'X, 9-Marton Jockey Uud. January 1 S-Stratford Club. Janua? 1 2-Hwke'a Bay Jockey C,ub. January l\ 9-Wadiarapa »« a °L. Club - January 1 JockeyOu*. January 1, 3-Cantatbury Pa™ l»nm 0 J«S,\ 4-G-reymouth Trotting Club. January 2, 4-Souibhnd. Baring Club. January 6, 6—Wostland Racing Club.

The first day of the New-Brighton Trotting Club's summer meeting was held yefterday. The weather but a*' strong north-west wind blew,all the afternoon and although there.was not a great deal of dust about there was quite sufficient to *ake it unpleasant, the public being glad of aU the sheltered spots to dodge the elements. The track was very fast, although a trifle slippery, hut the strong wind made it almost impossible for any fast times to be registered, as the horses had to battle against it all down the back stretch. There was a great crowd present, in fact, it was the largest attendance that I have ever seen, on the course. Most racing■ • and trotting clubs, especially in the South M«nd, are feeling the signs of the tunes through the war, and although the totalisator turnover showed a slight decrease from the holiday of last year it was not sufficient to cause the executive of the club any great alarm as to the result of its meeting, from a financial pomt of view. Tho need for the alterations and improvements carried out by the club since its last meeting was clearly demonstrated, but it looks as though the committee will soon have to get to work on a more comprehensive scheme and thoroughly remodel the whole of the ground, and possibly the track. For a great many years the club had to struggle for an existence. The tram service to its ocurse was not cood, the general appointments left much to be desired from the publics point of view, while the facilities for carrying out the meeting were of a crude order. But the committee was hampered for want of fwids. and saddled with a heavy responsibility m other ways. Despite these disadvantages, tho members stuck to their work like good sports and when the last few meetings of the club brought a, substantial, profit, they got busy with a scheme of improvements for horses, owners, riders, drivers and trainers and the public. The stewards and committee are now looked upon as the most progressive set now governing the sport in Christohurch, so it is to be hoped that the meetings will be financially successful, to enable them to go forward on the lines marked out and enable them to make the property right up to date in every way. The grand stand was crowded at least an hour before the start of the first wee, and ; the same can be said of the outside stand.. Although the totalisator house has been increased in size it is still too small, especially that part at which 10s tickets are sold, m the paddock. It is just as well the club altered tho position of its main entrance gates, because even with the alterations there was at times a serious blockage at the entrance to the paddock. It will be necessary for the club, too, to see that all tho traps that get into tlfe saddling paddock are not allowed to remain there but are taken to their proper place at the north end, as thev took up room that was required'for'the saddling and harnessing of the large fields that contested the various events. The general conduct of tho meeting was up to a high standard. AU the stewards,- or at least all of them that xrere appointed to duties, did thenwork well and the day passed off without hitch of any kind. One has got so used to observing how smoothly meetings go off when under the control of Mr A. I. Rattray that his work of organisation is too frequently taken as a matter of course. what Mr Rattray does not know about the general control of trotting clubs' meetings is not worth learning. Mr W. H. Macdougall has set a high standard for totalisator arrangements which he appears quite able to live up to. lam beginning to get somewhat tired of congratulating him on the excellence of his work. Accuracy, combined with speed, appears td be his chief stock in trade and he and his staff of excellent workers continued their good work yesterday. In the fourth race the dividend on the second horse was posted (but only for a few minutes) at ten shillings less than it should have been,'but it was'immediately rectified. It is so seldom that I get an opportunity of catohing him in even the smallest .of errors that I mention this slight slip. Although Mr Reynolds. th<> starter, had large fields to deal with he acquitted himself well al! through. Mr.Royriolds does not waste ro much time as formerly in arranging hi* field just before the start, and his work is grc&lty improved by the change of methods. When it is mentioned that 156 horses started in the eight events, or nearly twenty a race, it can be seen that tho starter had plenty of, work.

"there was a largo field for tho Ladies' Bracelet, of one mile and a furlong, for unhoppled trotters, but im'st of them were far from educated •to race well, besides being out of condition. It has always been surprising what a number of owners there are who ra/>e horses when they are unfit to race, either from a condition or education point of view. _ It costs money to educate and train horses and why more eh«'uld he thrown away in nomination \nA acceptance fees is beyond my comawhonsion. Tho raco in question was in open one, without any limit, but thfl imagination of some owners must have been outsido the possibility of ordinary reasoning, as quite half the liorses failed to travel the distance at a three-minute gait. Surely they c-of»ld not have imagined they had any chance of success in the race. . There must have been at least three to four furlongs between the leading and rear tfifisions. It is frequently urged by owners that clubs, by making tho classes too tight, provide no races for th« slow- horses to make a start at tho racing game, but surely tho owners ow6 something to clubs in return, by a.t least having their horses flt to compete in a glow race jtcd not give such performances as were witnessed yesterday, when a slow class race is provided for tlvsm. The' time is long past when bo-'Ses can expect to win races at a three-minute gait to the mile. Sherry, cotfpled with Tot Huon, was the favourite for this raoe, possibly because the jti&te came from Mr J. H. Power's .stable, as that trainer has produced >HVenil good' trotters in addition to eoiae fast pacers. Th 6 favourite was e «r& seen throughout the race. After

Rio Grande had led the field for about half a mile, Special Ribbon went to the front and won easily. The winner is by Black Ribbon, a son of Ribbomvood, and although he got over the ground at a good rate for a green trotter, lie has not a good action, and also lookcu in bad condition. Black Ribbon, the sire of tho winner, is also the aire ol that fast pacor Edith A. Hardwood showed u lot of speed at a peculiar •mit, but broke once or twice, or lie might have troubled tho winner, finally linLiiing in second place, with i'-lla Princess, who won a race at Ivakaia last week, third. Rose \\ilkcs> a three-year-old lilly by Marvin \\ iUe». from that good trotting mare Kusenoath, was in the held, and looks as though she might do better later, btu as a.roady mentioned most ol tho held were not lit to race.

There was a promising field in the Innovation Handicap, ol a mile and a half, in harness, a large number oi voting horses making tneir iirbt appearance. Oanzouetta, a four-year-old .by Woodburn Chief from the Australian mare Myrtle Girl, by Vaucieve, • was made ft strong favourite. Canaonetta showed a good deal of speed, and looked like winning easily, but failed to stay out the last furlong, and was just beaten by Alphio K, who was coupied with her on tho totalisator. 1 1 hc^V 1 n " ner showed a good turn of speed at the Oamaru Trotting Club's meeting on Labour Dav. She is by Wallace L from Coral, tho dam of Coral Hue, Gorans, Bernie L and Corbel), and was bred by Mr E. Bowes, of Riccnrton. bhe did not-begin 'too well, but stayed on better than most of the others. The much boomed Icicle, handicapped on tho scratch mark, despite the tact that he has never paced into a place, was well supported, but he never got near the loading division. A three-year-old colt by Harold Dillon from Redmire, tho dam of Kedchild, began very badly, possibly because he was very green to racing, but he paced attractfvely once he got into his gait. He is owned by Mr I C. Clarkson, who was making his initial entrance into the field of owners. Another good look ng youngster, Lucille, by Harold Dillon from that well-bred mare Alice Wood, was also in the field, and" is one of the candidates for thhe New Brighton Club's Derby, to be contested m May. Royal Moor was well supported, but he failed to strike his gait, and recused to race on even when he got into his stride. Another well-bred three-year-old filly, Sidona, by Harold Dillon, from the American mare Muriel Maddison, finished fifth, and' should be capable of a good deal of improvement.

There was a large field for the chief event of the day, the Mace Memorial Handicap, of two miles, in harness, no fewer than twenty horses starting. It is worth mentioning that included in the field were Muricata, Electrocute, ■Master Raymond, Flamingo and Michael' Galindo, all trotters, and although none of them finished in the first five, they would have made an excellent field in themselves had all been in their best form. The favourite, Childsdale, mixed his gait at the start and was never in the actual contest. General Elmo, who was coupled with Succeed, "finished in third "place and raced more generously than usual, but Succeed began too slowly and soon lost aU chance. Evelyn got to the front at the end of three-quarters of a mile and Jed tho field throughout, finally win"ning comfortably. Jack Ashore paced a most consistent race, and was excellently driven, travelling over the last half mile in good style. Since coming here Jack Ashoro has been very unlucky. He was in two bad smashes at Addington, , when he had good chances of success. Little' Tib looked like troubling the winner at the end of a mile and a half, but he failed to stay out the journey. Disappear went well for some distance but he also failed to see the journey out, .finishing in fourth place. Michael Galindo went off well but did hot settlo down to his work in his best style and it looks as though Tasker is going to have a lot of trouble with him before he gets the. horse to thoroughly control his speed in the manner in which he did when he trotted so successfully at the November meeting at Addington a year ago. Evelyn is a four-year-old sister to Emmeline, by itothsohild—lmperialism. She much resembles her well performed relative and appears to be on the improve. At tho end of a mile she looked as though she might leave her feet, as she was nearly "on a break, but she settled to her work better in the later stages of the race and stayed out the journey well. M'Donnell's mare, although taking longer to come to her speed than her famous sister, may yet reach the deeds of Emmeline on the track.

In the Trial Handicap, of one mile and a half, in saddle, Royal Moor, who had previously started in the Innovation Handicap, in harness, was ridden by A. Pringle, and it was almost solely due to his good horsemanship that the South Canterbury horse was successful. In the early stages of the race Royal Moor was out in front, but when half the distance was covered he showed a decided inclination to shirk his work. Prjngle straightened tho horse up and got solidly to work on him ; forcing him along at his best gait again. He was tiring at the end and just managed to beat Doris Wilkes at the finish by a narrow margin. Royal Moor, who is a good looking horse, is by Wild Moor (sire of Country Belle) by Wildwood—Alice Azmoor, whilst his dam, Jannie Belle, is by General Tracy from imported Fannie Belle. Mr H. F. Nicholls'B. representative, Lyndhurst, was made a strong favourite for the race, but was never prominent. Doris Wilkes, who finished second, did not go too well over the first half mile but finished fast. Gold Drift finished some distance away third, but staved out the journey well. He is by Driftwood from Elsa Huon and therefore a full brother to Huon Drift. A promising looking throc-year-okl geldinoGeneral Wilkes, by Marvin Wilkes from that good trotting mare Pansy, locks as though he will improve with age.

There Was a field of twenty-nino in the Rita Handicap, of two miles, m harness, for trotters only, but they were a very ordinary lot. Sir Ivan, on the limit, quickly got to the front, and finally won very easily. The winner is by that fast pacer Pygmalion, by Rothschild—Ham, and is a big upstanding trotter with a good action. Ho was driven by the votcnn James Wright, who, since coming back into tho trotting sport, has had a fair amount of success, a.s he trained mid drove Electrocute to victory in thechiof trotters' raco last month at Addington. Othello, who finished second, is by Wildmoor from the imported mare Al. F. He was for some time trained by the late Charles Kerr, but is now ii>. R. T. Day's stable. Frontier, who .showed a lot of pace at tho_ recent Hororata meeting, finished in third place. Tho horse wan sore after his race at the country meeting and did not gc so freely yesterday. Rio Grande commenced well and led for somo distance but failed to maintain his speed, pnd that good trotter Quick Eye, from tho back maik, did not seem capahlo of making up much ground.

Tho mile harness event produced a good race Brown's Nugget, tho far-} ourite, did not start well and soon j lost all chance of success, while another i well fancied competitor, Bonnie M'Kin-'' ney, mixed her g-Mt at the commencement _ Wingatui showed a lot of sped early in tho raco. Then ho 'eft h's ivol iind lost several lengths, but hj" ~'ot going again and outsi-vcd Dollar Pnnce s at the end. Do.Jar Princ.ks also mixed lie." gait when in tho straight. Grey Owl. was with tho leaders ior three quarters of tho journey, but did i.ot stay the last part of the race too well, and Espincl got third place, just beating tho Rakaia mure. Fusee, got rid of his drivej- and travelled rouad

the track by himself, but no injury happened to either driver or. horse. DoJhr Princess paid a very big dividend for finishing in second place.

Black Arrow, Ella Wood, Sand Drift, No Sheanaghan, Minoru unci Ravenswood were all well supported lor the Burwood Handicap, of two miles, in saddla. 'Eila Wood commenced very fast/but after going Ir.lf a' mile put in a tod break and interfered witii TJlaek Arrow, who failed to settle to lis work again. Sand -Drift commenced very slowly but was rushed up to die leaders at a great pace and tins settled any chance ho had of winning, as he fried out at tho end of a mile and a quarter. wood fell at the mile and a half starting post, but M'Dermott got clear with a severe shaking. The pony Granger paced a solid race all through, travelling well over the last half mile, but he could get no nearer than fourth. Gertie L, from one of the back marks, put in a great run over the last naitmile and looked like catching the leadera when she broke about one hundredvards from the winning post. Myrtle Palm commenced very slowly but paced a consistent race throughout and finished in third place, passing several o* the tiring and breaking leading division. After breaking at half am le Ella Wood got going again and quickly caught and passed the leaders. fane had a commanding lead in the straight but her effort left her without any finishing powers and No Shenanaghan, who had also mixed his gait, caught the Driftwood mare and just beat her on the post. No Shenanaghan, who has been tried at both the trotting and pacing gaits, was ridden by tho veteran T. Cotton, who received an ovation on returning to the paddock. Rexcordium anticipated his bell at the start of the race and was called off. Clmgschild. from the back mark, did not go with his usual freedom and failed to get near the front divisicm.

Redfern looked like having a good winning chance at .tine end of half a mile in. th;> mile saddle race, but left his feet and faded out of the contest. Belette, who was again well supported, misbehaved herself at the start and was never in the race, whilst the favourite, Young Tohu, lost all chance at the start. Ottawa went fast for a short distance, when he left his feet, and after looking hopelessly out of the race got going again and cam© very fast over the last half-mile. Dollar Princess, who had paced a good race in the previous mile event, finally won very easily and paid a dividend out of all proportion to what she should have done after her previous effort. Miss Advocate finished in second place, chiefly on account of her reliability. Belroy, who is getting up in years, was early in the firing line but did not stay on to the end of the race, though he got third money. Espinel, who looked at one time to have a .'chance, d'd not come home at a satisfactory gait. The trotter Treasure 'Sector went solidly all through and finished fourth.

A fresh breeze was again blowing' at Ricearton from the north-west to-day. As the morning advanced the weather became hot and dusty and after breakfast matters were far from pleasant.

Martins and Findhom were the first pair out. and | they > reeled off a mile in lmin 45sec, finishing together. Quarantine, with a feather-weight up, assisted by Merry Trick over the last six furlongs, ran a mile in lmin 45 4-ssec, pulling up well.

Troon, who gave some troublo before she got on to the track, galloped a mile. the last seven furlongs of which occupied lmin 32sec

Twelfth Night, Banian and Sartorze were companions in a gallop over six

furlongs, which thev ran in lmin ISsec, while Mo'dallist cast a similar distance behind him in lmin lO^sec.

Peg and Oharmilla rattled over seven furlongs in lmin 32jsec.

Briar Patch and Sir Hamilton, with light-weights up, galloped a mile m lmin <l6Jsec Ladrono, who started with them and was carrying a good weight, was beaten off.

Honesty and Angelina brushed over five furlongs in lmin 4*se<\

Samisen was not extended while running five furlongs in lmin osec, bul Holiday was ful'y extended over a similar distance, which she ran in lmin 3 3-ssec

Andrea easily defeated Don Char! in a spin over five furlongs, which occupied lmin 4sen.

Flora. Macdonald was much too good for Cortes while running 'seven furlongs in lmin 32sec, and the Boniforin mare appears to be on the improve.

Emperador was given a, sound gallop over six furlongs and ho did his work in a tradesmanlike manner.

The success of Rewi Poto in the Woodvillo Handicap yesterday servos to confirm the opinion that ho is ono of the most useful handicap performers in commission at present. He did a good deal of racing last season, when he was a three-year-old, aa he started fifteen times for five wins. During the present season he has raced very consistently, his successes including the Marangai Handicap, ono mile and half a furlong, at Wanganui, and the York Stakes, seven furlongs, at Feuding. At Woodville he won over a mile and a quarter, which is the longest journev ho has yet been tried over. Rewi Poto is a good-looking black by the Soult horse Maniapoto, his dam being The Boyne, by Merriwee —tV: Shannon, by Torpedo—Rivulet. There are thus two strains of St Simon blood in his pedigree, through Soult and Merriwee, while Musket comes in three times. Two of them come through Merriwee and Torpedo, the third being introduced by Maniapoto's dam, Lady Fisher, who is by Cuirassier.

There was a sensational dividend as the result of Sandstream's success _in the Borough Handicap at Woodville yesterday. He is a ten-year-old gelding by San Fran—Da, by Mute—Whaitiri, by Musket—Uira. Sandstream had not won a race for nearly four years, and he did no racing at all last season. •

Croasus, who won the Maiden Plate at Woodville yesterday, is & three-year-old half-brother to the crack two-year-old, Desert Gold, being by Royal Fusilier—Aurarias, an Australian-bred mare by Malster —Aurous, by Wallace —Aura, the dam of Auraria and Golden Slipper. '■