RACING AND TROTTING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19878, 20 February 1920, Page 2

RACING AND TROTTING.

(By “ ARGUS.”) The weather conditions were decidedly unfavourable yesterday for the opening of the North Otago Jockey Club’s autumn meeting. Following on a very hot experience on Wednesday a light rain set in early yesterday morning and continued with only slight intermissions until well on in the afternoon. There, was some talk of a postponement, but the stewards decided to go on. and in this they were well advised, as the rain was never heavy and the club's patrons did not allow it to seriously Interfere with their pleasure. The track was a bit cut up by the racing, but at no stage was it really heavy. Save for the weather the day's proceedings wore very successful. The fields ■ were large and the racing was full of interest, while there were tome very exciting finishes. A feature of the day's sport was the consistency with • which the public failed to locate the i winners, as only one favourite was successful, there being a succession of i ccllent dividends.

j The twelve acceptors lined up for the Autumn Hurdle Handicap, Tuticorn, Takedown, and San Hebastian being the popular fancies. All these ran well, but they bad to be content with chasing Brooksdale home. Getting away smartly and giving a good exhibition of jumping Brooksdale was in front practically the whole way. Tuticorn was one of the lending lot over the last six furlongs, but his lightly weighted opponent stayed on too well for him. San Sebastian was third, after being handled with very poor judgment. When half a mile had been covered he • must have been fully a, hundred yards behind the leaders, and it was not till more than half the journey had been covered that he set out ■in real earnest to reduce the gap. Over ; the last couple of furlongs he was run- . uing past his opponents in great style, I and it looked as if he would have won I easily had he been even decently placed jin the early stages. Takedown also had a good bit of ground to make up over the last half-mile, and looks like being useful during the autumn and winter. Golden Prince showed up in the early part of the race, but as has so frequently happened he failed to stay. Spyglass gave a. very promising ■ display for_ a beginner, but Warfonn and The Novice cut up badly. The winner is by Pallas, from Bealey, a mare of uncertain breeding, who has left a few speedy performers.

The Trial Stakes attracted a field of eleven. Mr J. Grigg's bracket, Saxby and Heath Lass, were first choice with backers, but the English bred pair did not realise expectations. Saxby jumped out smartly, but failed to hold his place, dropping back rapidly, and never improving his position. Heath Lass did much better, being well placed till about two furlongs from home, when she faded right out. Proceeder was actually the first to show out along with Caliburn, who failed to hold his position, and Proceeder led the field for the whole of the journey. Grim Joke troubled him in the straight, after being in the middle of the field in the early stages, and though he did not quite get up, he ran a solid race, showing great improvement on some of his other efforts this season. Proceeder raced rather unluckily at the Dunedin meeting- Like most of Antagonist’s progeny he is well endowed with pace, and looks certain to win again shortly. Russet, who finished third, was always one of the first lots. He just beat Beda, who came from a long way back. She is a three-year-old filly by San Frisco, from Formnal, a sister to Bon Spec, and looks like being useful. Master Dennis, as on several previous occasions, let an army of backers down badly. He showed pace, but was done with some distance from home.

There Trove eleven starters for the Pukeuvi Welter Handicap, five of them being solidly supported. Mythology jumped out smartly, and soon gained an advantage of several lengths, but he stopped badly over the Inst couple of furlongs. Belgian King, more patiently handled, did not join the front division till about three furlongs from home, and finishing under punishment, he won in good style. This was his third success during the last few weeks, and he looks like earning further distinction. Admiral Talbot was in second place most of the way, and after he settled Mythology, he looked like a winner till Belgian King appeared on the scone. Bondage finished with a. brilliant run to get third money. She was very unlucky, as she met with serious interference about two furlongs from home. This was caused by Connie Jack galloping on the heels of tho horse in front of him, and bumping into The Boss, who in turn, stopped Bondage. An inquiry was held, but it was shown the occurrence was accidental. Rapid River was running on strongly just behind the placed lot. Ardmore, the favourite, was well back in the early stages, and though he was showing up two furlongs from homo he failed to sustain his run He was heavily bandaged, and he may not stand much more racing.

For the. North Otago Cup the field numbered eight, Snnart being a little better backed than Swanee River and Radial. It was one of the least interesting races of the day. Swanee River jumped smartly to the front early, and stayed there to the finish, winning very easily. Snnart gradually worked his way past the others, but ho never looked like catching Swanee River, who gives the impression of gaining honours in better company and over a longer journey. She is by Demosthenes—Northern Rose, by Finland—Rose Shield, so she is a halfsister to Trentham Rose and Miss De Val, while she runs in the same interests as the last-named. Snnart carried his weight well. Elens began slowly but finished in great style, and his run of bad luck may soon come to an end. Gamecock ran a decent race, but Braid stopped badly at the end, after being one of the pacemakers for more than half tho journey. Radial and John Barleycorn both dropped out in the run homo after being handy to the front lot at the final bend. Kilbrogan began smartly, but could not hold bis place, his performance bein ■> very moderate. °

There were sis starters for the Juvenile Handicap, but two of them had the race to themselves the whole way. They had not gone far before Fabniiado and Ruena were out clear, and nothing got near them. Fabrinado appeared to have a slight advantage at the end of two furlongs, but Buena outstayed him and won decisively. The winner is by Solferino from the cam of Marianne, and she should win more races next season. Windermere just got third money from Dal Signo, who finished on well.

A field of sixteen hacks contested the Aldersyde Handicap. Sleepv Head was favourite, but after being in a handy position in the early stages failed to see the journey out. Sunlit soon opened out a gap from the rest of the field, and though she covered a lot of ground on the turn, she lasted long mo ugh to beat Link Up, who finished fast. It, was the best race that LinkUp had run since early spring, and she was unlucky to meet such a smart Jilly as Sunlit, to whom she was conceding nearly two stone. Sunlit, who' is a halt-sister by Sunny Lake to Kilmoou hails from Southland, and looks certain to win many sprint races later cn. Killallu, who has filled out; into a fine mare, ran a good race, and onlv lost second money in (he last couple of strides. The others were well back, headed by Primuni, who had a bunch just behind him.

There were nine starters for the Belfield Welter Handicap, Tyne. Pnlamon, Kilkee and Recorder being evenly backed- A long delay occurred at the start, due to the fractiousness of several of tho competitors. Tyne and Pnlamon kept company in the lead for about sixfurlongs, when Palamon retired, giving place to Olaverhouse, who gradually wore Tyne down, winning a fine race by a narrow margin. Tyne battled it out well, but the conditions were against him. Clarerhonse ran a. solid race, finishing very gamely. Miss Camouflage was always handy to the leaders and just got third money from Recorder, who came on fast after being q long way back. Starlike was well placed” early, but never looked like a. winner, while Kilkco lost all chance through getting off badly.

The concluding event, the Flying Handicap, drew a field of eleven, Silver Peak being a staunch favourite, with Morthaiu a good second choice. Mortham got. away smartly and opened out a gap of several lengths. He appeared to he going comfortably two furlongs from home, but the hill stopped him. and he had to put up with third place! Silver Peak did not get off well, but she soon worked her way into a. good position. She drew out half wav up the straight, but had to be ridden right out to stall off a late challenge from Eight Bells. The latter has had a reputation for a. long time, but she has been a disappointment, so far. Redshire was running on at the end. while Pyjama was stopping. Kilboyiie appears to have lost form, hut Rokelaino should do much better very soon- Sundance caused some excitement by dislodging her rider, J. Pickens, before leaving the birdcage. The youngster was badly winded and could not, fulfil his engagement. L. Hegarty took the mount and though carrying two stone overweight the Sunny Lake filly showed a great hurst of speed, being just behind Mortham for the first half-mile.

Tro Cheviot Racing Club is giving away £7.j() in prize money for the eight

events, including two trots, and is sparing no effort to make the racecourse up-to-date. The new totalisator building is well in hand, and in the course of a ■week will he completed. The grandstand building is near completion, also the alteration to the luncheon rooms. The Ball Committee are doing their utmost to make the ball, which is to be held tho night before ’the. races, a success. The club has made arrangements with the Railway Department for a special train to be run on race day. With fine weather the meeting should provide a very pleasant outing for visitors.

The following are re-handicaps for the Wanganui Cup:—Rose Wreath 7st 41b, Lovematch 'st 31b.

RACING PERMITS

The Mayor (Dr Thacker, M-P.) has telegraphed to Sir Francis Bell on behalf of a permit for the proposed trotting meeting during the visit of the Prince of Wales. Helms asked if the report can be true that permits for galloping meetings at Auckland and Christchurch have been granted and leave to hold a trotting meeting withheld.