RACING AND TROTTING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 20038, 30 August 1920, Page 3

RACING AND TROTTING.

(»/sasmy.. %) FIXTURES. ; September 1-M«t<ra Jockey Club, hentombsr S—Mannwntu Hunt, j-cmptembcr 18—Ambeilty Racing Club. September 28 21—Anhbm’tau County Racing Club. September 23-25—TTwiganul Jockey Club. 1 NOMINATIONS, Auyuet 30—Wanganui Jockey Club, jeptmber B—Atnbetley Racing Club. September o—Ashburton County Racing Club. HANDICAPS. September .10—W«.ugaani Jockey Cbib. | September 10 —Arnbarley Racing Club. Geptp.mW U—Ashburton County Rucusa* Club. ACCEPTANCES, August 3t—Man»ir*t« Hunt, September B—New Zealand Cup. September 14—Araberloy Racing Club, September IS—Ashburton County Racing Club, Sap tom ber 17—Wanganui Jockey Club,

NEW ZEALAND CUP, Mr W, Q. Stead scratched Sasanof for the New Zealand Oup a few hours after tho weights made their appearmice, aud Mr F- S. Easton followed a bimilar course with Amy thus later in tho day. The two North Island own-, era were thus very prompt in expressing their opinions concerning the weights allotted their horses in the two mile race. Their early withdrawal will save backers a. lot. of worry and probably some money also. It Is a" matter for regret that the raco should have lost auoh star performers, whoso presence would have aroused tho * greatest interest. There will bo littlo surprise, however, over the retirement of the cracks, Tho weights allotted them were doubtless well earned, a study of their performances showing that they had only to keep right and it would have been hard to pick out many in the hold with reasonable prospects of heating them. On the other hand, the history of tho nee is all against tho heavily weighted division, and had tho handirnyper been anxious to attract the two champions, ho v might have let both of them off with a. few pounds less, without m any way endangering tho prospects. The withdrawal of Sasanof and Aiuythas leaves Vagabond top weight. He won last year, and has now gone up a stone, a big rise, which may stop him, though be cannot ho discarded altogether, as ho is one of tho few proved stayers in the field. The question of stamina is mtich more important in, this ©vent than, any question of weight. Snub is another stayer, hut probably on the 'down grade. Hoy a I Star, on the other hand, is a horse of whom wo probably hare not yet seed tho host. Tenterfield, second in the Australian Cup last mrtutnti, looks n very likely sorb. Gleu,fanny and Sterland arc a pair of four-year-olds who did well fate in tho season, and they are promising material for the Cup. Affectation was a. good one last spring, and if he comes hade,

nftei' his spell, he will have -to Tb« j beckoned with. Nightraider ua* a t •, disappointment last season, but he ran somo decent races, and as ho limped like a, stayer ho cannot ho left out i of thf calculations, Cashmere is an- ( other four-year-old who map develop 'into a good ofio later mi, as ho has not been severely tested yet. The three-year-olds do not appeal at ail, ' ’Among the other horses engaged are a. few useful: performers over a journey, who have heon unsound, and this must tell against their projects with a severe preparation <o he gone through ,on hard ground. The list includes a number of decent performers over shorter journeys, but whether they cn-u go two miles is anerther matter. Altofather, hi a flattering handicap, there is plenty of material for plenty of .interest. During the next few weeks most of tiie horses will, be racing, and their form should provide a line to . Ctt » cianCßi- < ~~— 1 ——“ ' H. Young returned last week from a holiday trip to Australia. Ho lost no timo on hi* return in getting to work and 1m ia a regular attendant at t]-,e Biccavton tracks during working hours. H L, Hager tv has been off the scene for I some time, as a result of a severe knock- £ ing about, when All Talk fell with him * in, the Grand! National Hurdle Handicap. He is now practically all right again, however, and he is once moro able to taka an active interest in ■ things, i —i—, 1 Don Francisco is back in his old rpiar- ■ iers in R. ‘Emerson’s stable. He looks veiy rough after his long; spell, but it Is hoped that he will vetnaxu sound now, in which case he should win some hurdle , races later in the season. H. I«ongley has iKoeaian in regnlar ■ work at present. The, Elysian gelding, who appears to be cpiito sound just now, ;is In be tried as a. hurdler and already Mhe. has shown lair promise .in a few ' (urns lie has had in, the iuniiim viug. l_ * a ) J. M'Combs is keeping Bon Spec busy j on the (.ranks and though, ho ha* not i been, sent along at top lately, he should 'be in. good order lor spring engago j moats. I H. El lie has taken Link Up in baud (again, after a spell. She has been ti disappointment so far but she is a smart . galloper if she can bo got. right. I .1. B. IVarson has had an. addition to bis Learn in the shape of a. six-year-old gelding by Martian -liravcwTier, by ... Slepoiak—Whirlpool. He. has only just /'Tfcen broken in and is now doing Heady pjciiig Onslaught'is a. daily attendant on the tracks and is getting through useful tasks. Ho ".Ti l.lisloroil ati er ruing into J. B. Pearson’s stables, ami from; present appearances then;- seems no reason why he should not get. througii r, preparation. ; Theatiim is again an inmate of I*. : iuGrnth’p stable, from winch the Martian gelding vrae prepared for his early racing, Mr A. G. Wood will act as staffer at the Ashburton County Pacing Club’;) meeting next month. Mr 11. B. Harley will bo engaged that neck at A-ondale. It, ig probable that Eight and Left *:i!l maik* hie tot %ee-ycar-cld‘ apjscayajiieo ia the. .Wao£uiui Guix^as.

A race-ling of the committee of Uic North Canterbury unci Oxford Jockey Club was Iraki at BangkKra on .Friday evening, Mr W. A. Deletepresiding. It was decided to' ‘2* to tko Northern AgricuHute? (Mid Pastoral As-: sociation’s prize fund in the polo a ami classes. An application from, the local military forces for the use of the grounds for training purposes once, a month was refused. Messrs W. Parsons, G. Cuddy and F. Johns were reappointed a grounds committee. It was decided to make an increase in tho stakes from £BOO to 31.050. as follows.; —lvaugiora Cup £2OO, Flying Handicap £d4o, Tiow Hill Trot £l5O, Ackley Trot £l3O. Welter Handicap £l2O, Oxford Hack Handicap £l2O, and Jumpers’ Flat Handicap £llO- It was decided to call for tenders for refreshment and grand stand booths.

The spring meeting of tho Marlon Jockey (Hub will bo hold on Wednesday. Tho holds are on the large sine, there being twenty-nine in the Trial Plate, twenty-three in the Hack Steeplechase, and thirly-ono in tho Mack Welter Handicap, while tho remainder of tho events have also ail filled well.

Olavcrhousa is to he as n hurdler, and with the opportunities that will offer in this department, tho Antagonist gelding should pay bis way on southern courses this season..

At tho ATaiktruac Stud, Lady Stewart, by Bezonia.n—Sister Franco?, and Mar* gurethe, by Birkenhead 1 -—Chant, have foaled colt a to Coniform.

Tho Now Zealand marc Star Lady ha.? been withdrawn from the Toorak Handicap aud Caulfield Oup,

It would appear aa if Eg mo nt Bark always races best when fresh. Last year he won at his first start at Marion and on Thursday he scored in tho open handicap at Now Plymouth, when ho won by a. narrow margin from the well bucked Scrap o’ Paper.

Gladful, who won the Kangilikci Steeplechase two years ago, is again down to compete in the same event this week.

There is a. good deal of interest In the decision of the Avondale Guineas this year, and it is considered that tho field that will take part u ill be tho strongest in the history of the raco.

There ig every likelihood of 'White Banker doing better over hurdles than ho did on tho flat. Last season the half-brother to Black Reynard) a, successful performer over hurdles, started twelve times in flat races, but failed to.gain a place. His first start over hurdles was at New Plymouth on Thursday, when ho beat a large field in tho Hunters’ Hurdles, but the opposi-

tiou could inert bo conjidercd strong,

Tho Trontha-ra trainer, H. Telford, will divide his team next month. Some of them will go to Wanganui, and a conplo to Avondale. Blackmail will probably go to Avondalo fox' the Guineas, and tho Bonifonn—VicoreiUO ib'y for tho Stakes, She ia tho fourth progeny of Vicereine, who has mo far not thrown a winner- Tho stable ran second in, the Avondalo two-year-old raco twelve months ago with Woary Willie.

The -well-known North Island hurdle, horseman, Allan M’DonnM, ■was kept out of tho saddle at some important jumping meetings at the end ol ! tiro season through accident. He made his reappearance at Kerr Plymouth on Thursday last, and "won the principal cross-oouutry race on Fapaterc, whose first success it was after racing several seasons. V ..

M’amwee. who unexpectedly scored in the Ureuni Hack Handicap at New Plymouth, when he defeated a. hot order in Karcao, is hy the Victoria St Legor' winner AVokwa 'from Musette. He used to be trained in the Hawke’s Bay district, but is now under the care of James Pcachcy at Wanganui. He was a, double winner at the Poraugaliau meeting on .Boxing Day, and ho also nlled n place in tiro other engagements last season. ..

The first foaling of the season reported from South Australia is a. fitly by Pistol—Bridge of Canny. This youngs* ter is a nisier to the Now Zealand Cun candidate Clen Canny.

The ihrea-yoar-olds down to make their first appearance this season at Marion include LA towel (who will contest the Trial Plate), Rouen. Pure. Laziness and' Agkari (who ar« in the. .Electric Hack Handicap), ami Raccful (who is in the 11 ail way Handicap).

Tbosa who expected to see the ,For-dell-trnincd three-year-old Demand at the Marton meeting this week will be disappointed, as bis name does not appear among the acceptances. This is probably accounted for by the fact l hat his owner. Mr Tom Duncan, a popular steward, of the -Marlon Club, [recently lost his mother. This would also account tor the withdrawal of other For-uell-traiuod horses owned, by Mr AV. Duncan, who is at present in Australia.

’the annual meeliup of the Auckland Trotting Club was a very enthusiastic one, and there is no doubt about; the intention of those at the head of affairs to more with the times. During the past ton years no club, racing or trotting, has muda Uu; same progress as the Auckland body, writes “ Whalebone,’’ and it has gone, about, things in such a whole-lmarted manner that there is now no fear of the sport ever taking a backward step. One only has to lomembc-r llio difficulties and prejudices the club .has had to face to recognise the big uphill light those at the head of affairs had to go through to reach, the position they' arc in to-day. Gradually, however, the march of progress has been continued, and though there, is no thought of stopping thei conditions obtaining in 1920 were undreamt of ten years ago. From the financial point of view the club is very strong, and the management arc to be congratulated on. thoir position, more especially as they have not been afraid to launch out with an extorsive scheme of improromots instead of adopting the ’more conservative method of drifting along with a .makeshift, to the. inconvenience of tho public. " The president, Mr John Bowo, ami the secretary, Mr C. F. M;n k, aro primarily responsible for the changed order of 1 kings, but I hey have had tho backing and support of a very strong committee, ami with •all of (he one mind, the outlook furl rot. ting in Auckland is at present exceptionally bright.

AUSTRALIAN RACING.

ADELAIDE RACING CLUB. Bj - Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright, AnatruJian and N,Z. Cabin Association, ADELAIDE. August, as. At lh* A del side Racing Club's meeting tho folloi ring rag the result of (hj» GRAXD XATiOKAJ/ STEEPLECHASE, of 500 sore. About three miles. Air G. Anderson's b g Destructible, by Aijcn—Clash, aped, fat Bib . ". I Air A. ‘Webbers b £ Goof a, by Koran— Flirt, aged, sst 11b . - . ,*3 lit E. R. Warhtiui's b tt Sir Pistol, by Pistol—Tiilre, a.ged, iOst 71b . . 3 AYca easily by tig, lengths, lim-teia Stan,

SOUTHLAND NOTES. (Special to the “Star. 1 ') INVERC.VRGILL. August Oik OnsstrJwt weather prevails boro but t-ho majority of tho local trainers are wording their teams steadily, the track as jet being unsuitable for sprintin'-' exorcise.

It is understood Hint Messrs Price bare placrd .llorku’s Drift. Wild Shot (vahbre v\ ilji Oai&) and two novic-is bj . \ icc-Admiral_ with the .Riverton U'aiyiov, \\, 31 Ko.t.

I'Jous is moving along in great heart lit the present tamo fund is daily displaying a desire to increase the pace permitted. He is not to be worked in earnest for some time to come. The con ol Ely Han appears to be quite Hound-

M Ivor has Silver Peak in a forward Eta.o m her.preparation. H is hoped that clio will bo ready in time to conics.' some of tho leading sprint races at- the New Zealand Cup meeting. The other horses m Mr Stone's stables, Mar- , Canoe, Prinium, Mantua and Checkmate, oro all thriving apace. A social gathering wax Tendered: to tho jockey, G. Fielding, by his professional and other friends hero on Friday bight. Tho rider of Loohella was on Ins lioneyniaou tear, having recent!v joined tile ranks of benedicts. On behalf o! his brother horsemen, J. A. Rowland presented Mt 3 Fielding with au afternoon tea set and also handed ever a handsome travelling bag to tho happv bridegroom. Fielding has long ranked as a very popular man in Southland turf cirok-s.

The imported horse Fleet-ham has been definitely retired to tho stud. Ho »s w the property of the oac f tinio well-known steeplechase jockey, Frank Donovan, who resides in the vicinity of Invercargill, finding employment nt" tho local freezing works in ,Hio season. The jumper Notability has been purchased by Messrs Bolton Bros., tho owners of_ Zarkoma. It is reported that Notability will in future bo trained at Win ten.

The imported fillies recently in F. D. Jopes a stables at Biccarton are now being attended to In tho IVastmu l>istriota by A. M’Ketmic, on behalf of their owner. Mr A. Chisholm.

At the Bircihwood Hunt, meeting on Wednesday last the fields fen- the tex events on the card were drawn from ten horses. Tho clever jumper Glenisla scored in three menu Golden Link, by Golden Vein—Seclusion, by Casket, won both tbc- back events, Tho veteran jumper, Captain French, fell at tho first obstacle in tife back steeplechase, breaking his neck. This accident left nine horses to draw upon for the balance, of tho races. The defunct steeplechaser ran well on a number of occasions in past years, but he never won a- race. The Gove light harness inenter, J. Ik. M’Mmray, invariably finds -a; place in bis stable tor a few galloping horses. At prerent he is preparing Sunlit {Sunny Lake—•’Sophia) and a two-ycar-oTd by Sunny Lake—ltutlnnl, for Air It. Miller. Tho juvenile is engaged in the M'Lean Stakes at the Dunedin Jockey Club's spring meeting.

m J. Wl. HI ALL,

BIG AUSTRALIAN SPORTSMAN.

Mr J. M. Niall, a. prominent Victorian sportsman, ft member of tho | committee of the Victoria Bacing Club and a lending owner, has come Tory much under discussion, by reason of presenting his horse Kinlark to tho I'rinco of AVnks, who will take him home and try to win the Liverpool Grand National Steeplechase with him. It was in every tray a fine gift, as Linlark had just won the Australian Steeplechase at Caulfield, carrying top weight, end establishing his right to be regarded as the best cross-country horse in the Commonwealth Mr Miall was not at Caulfield to see his horse rein. He had just finished entertaining the Ibrince of Wales and his staff on one of the hie stations ho has charge of, and he was enjoying a day’s racing at Randwick, in the company of tbo Jtovul party. Mr Niall forms the subject of some interesting notes by “ Alilroy ” in the ‘‘Sydney Mail' 1 f have known Mr J- M. Niall for a long number of years, ho writer, as a horse-owner,, an energetic, tjuick-wilted man, and a firstclass manager «T stock. I met him first at Biacknll, tiien the capital of the great prairie country watered by the liarcoo and Thompson Hirers, ill Niall was then a young ami enterprising South Australian, who struck out into that wonderful pastoral country to °cftk his fortune. As Blacknil is about UUU miles west of Rockhampton, and .Rockhampton is in tho vicinity of 1 COO miles north of Sydney, while Mr Nidi’s homo town is over 1000 mile* south of that city, he was a long way from home when we were in Blackall the year Martini-Henry won tho Melbourne Cud nod sent half New Zealand crazy with delight. That was in 1683. Air Niall had ■« paw-oral holding somewhere in the Blackuli district, and a steopledlaser running at tho raw meeting. The local people certainly took morn interest in the man than m the horse, for Air 'Niall is a very fmo specimen of humanity. While at homo in Adelaide for a spell Air Niall purchased Standard Hearer, and, bringing him over half the continent to Blackall, won Mlc big double, there when it was worth winning—in 1864.—and he broke the betting ring. Since then he has owned many horses. One of the best of hia Queensland lot was Citadel, a son of Wellington, with whom he won the j Queensland Cup in 1888, and his Bar- | coo friends greatly profiled, by the re- | suit. Bcche-de-Aler was another good ; one 1m owned. .Since lie returned to 1 live permanently in. the south (in Melbourne) Air Niall, who used to race as Air A* Mansfield, shared several horses with the .late' Mr R. G. Casey and the laic .). C. Williamson, of theatrical lame. .1 hey owned that good horse Cadouia, who is now in Germany. As a judge of sheen, cattle, horses and grazing land Air Niall has few superiors, and, being brimful of energy, ho naturally got on well in the world. Ho is now' tho head and front of the great Gold,through, Alort Company, which owns some magnificent stations, and lie has several in his own name, besides being a large holder in Mount Morgan. lie does most of hia work now in an oinec chair. Wlicn bis work took, him out. into the open, in tho saddle from daylight to dark,' he was always in groat health and condition: but the, olfice chair is often too muck for him. Hemitly Air Niall, as tho head of Goldshrough, Alort. entertained 'he. ITince of Wales at tho company’s great station Miowera. on'*the Duck Creek plains, about 3-50 miles west of this narrow-,streotod city. Thc Priuco came across from Coonnmblc, where in times _of plenty the trefoil is hHi enough to hide a bullock in. Over f lmro ho was entertained by Mr IV. AI. Keogh, who when ho owned Warraua was Hr> king of the Coonamble cmuila'y; therefore tbo Priam was in tbo best of hands, and the wonder of it all is that his Loyal Highness did not make lord* out of “Billy” Keogh or “Jim” Niall. lor both a,vo splendid specimens of manhood, an far as looks gm and have every attribute that makes a man,