RACING AND TROTTING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19833, 27 December 1919, Page 11

RACING AND TROTTING.

NOTES SY "ARGUS.”

The Ashburton Trotting Club was very unfortunate in connection with the Boxing Day mooting. The weather was warm and fine in the morning, and everything, promised well. This was the view of a big crowd of Christchurch sportsmen, as tho two special trains were crowded. Soon after ten o’clock there was a sudden change, and by the time Ashburton was reached rain was falling. For the remainder of the day, with a few brief spells, tho rain continued steadily. Pools of water made their appearanneo on the lawns, and the conditions proved very unpleasant for everyone- The racing track was in good order for the opening event, but it gradually became heavy and for the later events fast times were out of the question. The state of the course affected the racing to some extent, but all things considered, the sport was very interesting, the Ashburton Trotting Cup providing a great contest. Hie starting was under the yards system and th(» dispatches were excellent. On tho whole, it was a successful meeting, and under favourable conditions it would probable have been the best the club has ever held.

Racing opened with the Trial Handicap, for which tho field numbered thirteen, Jessie Fraser, Florence la Radio, Miss Edith and Winnie G- being fancied in that order. Tho first named, hailing from J. Grice s stable, was never prominent, but the other three were always well placed, and they fought out an interesting finish. Florence la Radio was out in front early, followed by Miss Edith, and these two looked like having the race to themselves. They showed great pace for a mile, but thev were both tiring a bit at the end, and Winnie G. finishing well, beat Florence a Radio by a neck, wtih Miss Edith two lengths away, just clear of llcwanm. The winner is by the Prince Imperial horse, Advance, and she looks as if she would stay. The pair who followed her homo are promising throe--3 ear-olds, Florence In. Badie beinor b v Logan Pointer, while Miss Edith is by Van Coronado, from Edith A, who was a brihiant three-year-old, her performances at that age including a win in the chief event at the Ashburton Eoxinw Lay meeting, when she covered two mues in 4mm 40sec. Apart, from Rcwauui, none of the other competitors ever looked like threatening danger.

~ The scratching pen was very busy in the Mitcham Handicap, a mile and a ‘, race Tor unhoppled trotters, ten of the seventeen acceptors bcin ? withdrawn. Marama Girl, driven by N. L. I rice, was favourite in an even betting and sh< f m front practically all the way. Simple Peter, by Petoreta, from the speedy pacer, Rema Rosa, was ™ term " SI: F furlongs from homo, but apparently it was only on sufferance, as Marama Girl soon drew away again and she won easily. Simple Peter failed to stay, his iorm in this respect recallmg some of the efforts of his dam and hlm J’ ome comfortably n P r- rtle winn °r trotted soundly all the way, save for a skip half a mile from the finish, but she k never likely to get beyond the moderate class. Grand Dillon showed a fair W ° f i R m CC for e half a mile . and then broke badly. Sunrise and Imperial ] “tor broke early, but the last named finished on well in fourth place, being assisted by one or two of the others easing up.

Tsl f thirteen acceptors lined up for the Ashburton Trotting Gup. It was a great betting race, Hannah M winding up a little better backed than Agathos with Jack Arrah a good third choice’ and the contest was on© of the best ever seen on the course. Rorke’s Drift began in great style, and was soon well clear of Bandura,, with Jade Arrah, Hannah M handy. When six funengs had been covered these five were in a hunch, and half a mile from home Vice-Admiral was with them, with Mintson, Admiral Wood and Agathos all within striking distance. All this lot were in close order as they swung into the straight. A little further on Rorke’s Drift, Bandura and Jacljc Arrah were in trouble, and then Gleaming retired- Vice-Admiral was in front a furlong from home, and staying on Strongly, he beat Hannah M. by" two lengths, Mintson being close up, just clear af Admiral Wood and Agathos. The uerformance of the winner was full of merit, and ho paid an exceptional dividend, the pool support he received being a matter for surprise in view of the consistent form ho has shown lately. _ Hannah Af. ran one of hey iioual solid races. Mintson paced a uhh race in third place, a position ho also occupied on each day at New Brighton. He has struck an unlucky patch, but a win should come his way shortly. Admiral Wood began in great style, and looked like having a. winning chance half a mile from homo, but he could not quite see the journey out at his top sliced. Agathos, aftei being a trifle slow in getting into his stride, was travelling on well at the finish.

There were eight sera tellings for the Amateur Handicap, leaving a field of eleven. Florence la Badie, on the strength of her form in the opening event, was made favourite, and she did not give her admirers much cause for Uneasiness. Beginning smartly, she was in front all tho way, and she won easily. Rainbow, Tho Dingo and Gerlefan were bunched behind the lender in the early stages, but at tho end of half a. milo Tho Dingo appeared to have the measure of tho other pair- Ho tired in the run home, and Rainbow, sticking to her work well, gained second place with a bit to spare, waile Hutana, from tho back mark, was close up. Tho winner is by imported Logan Pointer from the Vanclevo mare Vanquish., the dam of DJario Narelie, Van Troian, Galvanita and Queen Chimes, and she shapes like developing into a good one. Winnie G., penalised two seconds for her earlier success, never got near the front, while the good-looking Fetor Kincr once more let his admirers down badly.

A field of eleven contested the ■uhean Handicap, and they provided ;i good race, hirst Carbine was favourite. and bo was one of the front lot al! tho way, only fading out over the last couple of furlongs. King Lear was out in front early, and looked n winner at the home turn, hut ho broke in the j straight and was beaten into third . placo. Mill o’ lie Wisp began slowly but ho was in a handy position half a milo from home, and wound up hy winning with a lilt in hand. He was for a long time in It. Allan’s stable, but he is now under the care of R Pollock who lias him ui fine fettle. Sir Gavin paced soundly anil gained second money. Hex Coronado went well for six furloiigs and then stopped. Lady Wayward ran another of her consistent races. Eoymatta. was well hacked, but never looked dangerous.

Albert Clin" was withdrawn from the Boxmg, Day Handicap, leaviim a field ol nine. Captain Stanley :md Chid broke up early, but the others provided a tine race. Bmulura and Pax assisted m the pacemalcing all tho way to the straight, when they retired. A little further on All Bell was out in front, and though, lie was tiring at the finish ho lust lasted .ong enough to heat Frank Tracey, who lias run several good races lately, with very little luck. Iroudspnng lost some ground through broaKing naif a mile from home, and then finished cose behind the other pair. \ ice-Admiral was turned round when the starting signal was given, a misfortune which spoilt an excellent chance, as ho w as just out of a place. Iho winner had oeen four tiroes in a place tins season, so his success did not come out of its turn.

There were seven starters for the President Handicap, for unliopp/od trotters. Lovebird being rather better backed than Mungoutu, with Succory

third choice. There was a good, finish between two, Dragoon Junior'just winning from Succory, but it was a disappomtmg race, f or the reason that most r ii c , om P e 'Jfcors bioke at some stage ol the journey. Dragoon Junior owed his success to his steadiness. Mangoutu broke .at the end of a furlong, Sunrise folio wing her exampje a little further on. Then Lovebird took charge, only to leave her feet half a n-ilo from home. Succory ther “coked t-U over a winner, but settled ass chance by breaking near the post, and iust failing to catch Dragoon Junior again. The winner was anven an excellent race by N. L. Price, ivho thus scored m both the unhoppled events, while he also piloted All Bell in the Boxing Day Handicap.

A field of eight lined up for the Final Handicap, ,aucl in a spirited betting race Breadalbane, Legacy, Eulius and Miss Havoc were fancied in that order. Eulius showed out for a tint?, but Miss Havoc, Joyful and Tho Linnet were soon in close attendance. Half a mile from home Breadalbane was handy to the loaders, and before the straight was reached he was with Eulius in the lead. Then Eulius retired and Miss VOC second place. A little further on Legacy put in his claim, and he won decisively from Breadalbane, who faded out badly at the end. Ho is a speedy customer, but a non-stayer, and tho heavy voing found him wanting. Legacy has been a very consistent performer for some time past, as he had six placed efforts against him this season, the Ashburton race being his only success.

The starting at the Ashburton Trotting Club’s meeting yesterday was under tho yards system, and the fields were got off in excellent order. Mi- H. Reynolds bad tho horses well under control, nnd with lew exceptions thev began very smartly.

Price was easily the most successful driver at tho Ashburton Trotting Club’s mooting yesterday. He won the two luces for unhoppled trotters. with Marama Girl and Dragoon ./iiinor respectively, and he was behind i -ii ITI Poring Day Handicap, while he wound up by driving Breadalbane into second place in the Final Handicap.

L loronce la Badie ran two good races at Ashburton yesterday, being narrowly defeated in the ojw-ning event and winning the Amateur Handicap a couple of hours later. She is by the imported sire * began Pointer, who has alreadv earned distinction this season as the. siro of Jean Logan, while her dam, the \ anclovo mare Vanquish, had previously produced some good jierformers, including Marie .Niirelle. Galvnnita, Van lioinp and Queen Chimes. Being only a three-ycar-old, with verv little racing experience, Florence hi Radii mav be expected to improve a lot before" the close of this season.

.Mr G. D. Greenwood has a fine winning record in connection with important events at the leading fixtures in the Dominion, and ho got his name on another list when Karo won the Auckland Cup for him yesterday. A year ago, in the colours of Mrs M. A- Perry Karo won the Shortland Plate and ran third to Gloaming and Sasanof in the Islington Plate- • She was then purchased by Mr Greenwood, whose colours she carried into third place, behind Gloaming and Kilmoon in the Great Northern Derby. She was then brought to Riccarton, but did no more racing last Reason. Taken to Sydney, she won the (Squatters’ Handicap early in October, at • the Australian Jockey Club’s meeting, and on her return she ran » couple of decent races at the Canterbury Jockey Club’s spring fixture. She was one of the early favourites for the Auckland Cup, being freely supported straight out and in doubles, but had been rather out of favour during the past week or more.

Amythas, who was successful yesterday in the Otago Handicap, was one of tbo best, two-year-old performers of last season, when he won three races and was placed in two other engageOne of his closing efforts was his third to Warplane and Hotana in the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes, Affectation, Miss Mimic and Roval Stag being among the field that finished behind him. A few months ago, when very backward, he came to Riccarton, and since then ho has been under the care of F. D. Jones, who has had the colt working well lately. Having struck form, he is likely to earn further distinction before long.’

Demosthenes was well advertised as a siro in important handicaps yesterday, when Karo won the Auckland Cnp and Amythas captured the Otago Handicap.

. Nominations for the Ellesmere Trotting Club’s meeting will close at eight o clock to-night.

Acceptances for the first day of the Canterbury Park Trotting Club’s summer meeting are duo at nuor on Monday.

A new means of determining star colours, devised by Dr E. S. King, is described in the " Journal ” of the British Astronomical Association: Over the telescopic objective is placed a piece of plate glass (commercial glass is good enough for the purpose), which is coated with a gelatine film, one half of which is stained yellow and the other half blue. The images of the Stars are then photographed out of focus on isochromatic plates. Each iuiage, therefore, appears as a disc, ono portion of which shows the effect of the yellow light, and the other the effect of the blue light. The two halves of tho imago aro then compared by means of a photographic wedgo or by some other similar means.