RACING AND TROTTING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16451, 13 June 1921, Page 3

RACING AND TROTTING.

(By * ARGUS.’** FIXTURES. "Sine 17, is—Napier Park Racing Club, June 18—BrackenfiMd Hunt. Juno 22, 23, 25—Hawke's Bay Jockey Club and Hawke’s Bay Hunt. June 25—Christrhurch Hunt. June 20. 29—Auckland Trotting Club. . Jxine 29—Dannevirko Hunt. NOMINATIONS. Jane 14—Rangitikei Hunt. July 6—Rangitikei Hunt. HANDICAPS. June 14—Auckland Trotting Club. June 17 —I/annevirke Hunt. Juno 20—Christchurch Hunt. June 20—Hawke's Bay Jockey Club end Hunt. June 24—Rangitikei Hunt. ACCEPTANCES. Juno 14—Braokenfield Hunt. June 14 —Napier Park Racing dub. June 3 7—Auckland Trotting Club. June 00—Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club and Hunt. June 22—Christchurch Hunt. June 24—Darunevtrke Hunt. Juno 28—Rangitikei Hunt. It is understood that in addition to riding Mr G. D. Greenwood’s horses In Australia in +he spring, G. Young will act as first horseman for the stable in New Zealand next season. Tn order to comply -with the Rules of Racing, the South Canterbury Hunt Club has been compelled to alter the conditions of the rare. The Hadlow Hurdle Handicap, instead of being open to hacks and hunters, will be confined to hunters. The- Parcora Steeplechase. which originally was open to hacks as well as hunters, will be restricted to hunters who have not. won a race of the value of 100 sovs. On account of the alteration of the conditions of these two events, the order of the races has been changedMazama who recently went into S. Trilford’s stable, to be prepared for hurdle racing, had his first lesson as a. jumper at the end of last week, and acquitted liimsejf very cerditaUy. The three-year old pacing filly Child© Pointer, the best of her ago in the Dominion, has won £lon7 in stakes this season, as a. result of being live times first, once second and once third. The Canterbury Jockey Club took yearling nominations on Friday for a. number of races. The following are the totals in each race, the figures for the previous year being shown in parentheses:—Welcome Stakes 88 (105), Middle Park Plate 84 (BSR Champagne Stakes 97 (138), Challenge Stakes, 1922, 85 (111), Challenge Stakes. 1923 (all ages), 107 (133), Derby 38 (136). Oaks 74 69). Mr W. Norman, who has acted as starter to the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Chib for some time past, has received a bonus, accompanying the congratulations of the committee on his good work, and has been reappointed for next season at an increased remuneration.

Fight horses went on to the track for the New Zealand Sapling Stakes, for two-year-olds, at the Ashburton Trotting Club's meeting on. Saturday. While they were at the starting post, However, Ma Cush la reared and fell heavily. She was stunned and was unable to take part in the race. Ma (dish I a was favourite, so that the mishap affected a large number of people. The stewards' met subsequently and decided to refund the money invested on Ma Cush la. There was some delay, owing to the opposition of the Government totnlisator inspector, who eventually agreed to the proposal of the stewards. The seven two-ycar-olds who took part in the New Zealand Sapling Stakes at Ashburton on Saturday provided an exceptionally tine contest. When half the journey had been covered six of them were racing m close order and three of the youngsters fought out an exciting finish all the way u[> the straight. The winner, Latona, was twice unplaced at the Ashburton County Racing Club’s meeting last month, when Betrayer, the rimrrer-up on Saturday, was a winner. Cracie Thorpe was making her first, public appearance m the Sapling Stakes, so that she was at a disadvantage compared with her rivals. After the New Zealand Sapling Srakes had been decided, at the Ashburton Trotting Club's meeting on Sattion in the bird cage. Mr D. 'M*Donnell. ihe senior vice-president of the club, presented the silver cup to Mr H. I'. NieOll, the president, and confilly. Latona, one of his own breedingML* Nicoll decorated ihc winner with the blue ribbon. Air Nicoll, in rcplv sa.d that the two-year-old race had been put on l>v the Ashburton Trotting Club in order to induce owners and trainers to devote special attention to the education and condition of their young ones. He thought it had justii'cld itself from that point of view, as ihc horses who took part in that day’s i;o c were a particularly well conditioned lot. Mr H. F. Nicoll* has placed a prominent part, in each of the contests for the New Zealand Sapling Stakes, the two-y ear-old -race at the Ashburton Trotting Club’s winter meeting. He was represented in the first year by Lady Swithin, who was just beaten l>v Dora Id i na, while he won last year with Child** Pointer and again on Saturday with Latona. Prior to the Ashburton Trotting Club's meeting on Saturday. J. McLennan. and B. -Carden were on equal terms at the head of the winning riders’ •and drivers’ list for the season, but A 1 Lennan gained an advantage by winning the Farewell Handicap - on Auguste Dillon. The keen contest will provide additional interest at ihe Auckland Trotting Club’s meeting, at which both horsemen will be present* at the end of this month.

A special feature of the Ashburton Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday was the form shown by -Air TT. F. XicoJPs horses, the president of the dub capturing the two chief events on the programme. Ho took the Ashburton County Handicap with the three, year-old lillv Childe Pointer, winner of the Sapling Stakes last season and the he?t of her age racing in the Dominion his season. The following event, the Sapling •Stakes, was won by Latona, after an exciting contest. After the Winter Handicap, at the Ashburton Trotting Club's meeting on Saturday, O- Hooper, Hie driver of Trooper Dillon. entered a protest against Belmont Chimes, the second horse, for galloping nt the finish. After p. brief inquiry the stewards dismissed the protest. Coalition, the winner of the Great fort hern Steeplechase, was trained by Quinlivan. who had never previously previa red a horse for the cross country r 3 rc at LJlorslio. A. Worm a Id. tb« T ■ i ! ■-r of Coalition, was having his first lido u. •' r tin Flier die country.

When the rising three-year-old Royal Box entered the sale ring in Auckland tiiis week he gave signs that he was wintering well, for he was full of life and appears to ha»ve furnished considerably since he last raced, writes

‘‘ Whalebone.” A knock on one of his bind legs was evidently not serious, for he walked soundly, and -when an offer was called for the colt 300 gs was shouted. The bids came very quickly in fifties and 1000 gs was soon reached, and then 1025g5, which came from Ml* J. Bull or D.lr A. M’Donald. who were standing together, but though the- auctioneer 1 ried hard to send things further along he could get no response. .Mr Stead named loOOgs as the price at which lie was prepared to let the colt go, and no one responding the son of Nassau went back to Ins box. ASHBURTON TROTS. A SUCCESSFUL FIXTUREThe Ashburton Trotting Club had almost a summer's day for its winter race meeting on Saturday. There was a slight nor’-west wind blowing and the air was quite warm, this in some measure accounting for the fast times recorded. The racing was held on. the largo galloping track and whilst it probably was in much better order than the smaller track would have been, thus affording a better chance for the horses racing, the spectators did not get such a good view of the contests. Ther/i is not the .slightest doubt that much of the popularity of the sport has been brought about by the .fact that the public . are much closer to the racing on smaller courses and rightly or wrongly can form a hotter estimate as to the manner in which the horses perform. On the large course this is impossible. There was a very large attendance, both trains from Christchurch being packed, whilst many visitors came from the South side of Ashburton. Tli© local district has many strong (rotting adherents. so that the capacity of the stands and paddocks was sorely taxed. The fields were large in all the events, with the exception of the classic race, and this attracted seven starters. Fight went out to the track hut Ma Cuslila, owing to an accident, did not take part in the race. Some of the races were won with ridiculous case, whilst in others there uore fine finishes. the classic event producing a keen struggle. Air W. Norman acted as starter and had a busy day with the large fields, but lie got through his work in a commendable manner, the fact that a number of horses failed to go off right being no fault of the official. Whilst strongly advocating the yard?, style of despatch, it must he admitted that there were some horses whose chances were ruined at- the start. Still, with the largo fields, the same might have obtained under any other style. The meeting was easily the most successful ever held by the club at this time of the year, and when the size of the fields is reduced even better racing will probably result.

The race for the Trial Handicap was a, very poor one, despite the large field. When the. time was posted it was easily understood why so many made such a poor showing, as the winner reduced his handicap time by nearly 9 secondsLandlord, who was one of the outsiders of the field got a big break at the start and won rather easily. The winner is a useful three-year--old bv Brent Locanda from the pacer Rural and is owned in the Methven district. Kodol. who was favourite, set out after the leader but could not get closer than a couple ot lengths at the finish. There were some well-bred young pacers in the field, who are certain to bo heard of later, provided they train on right. As in the first race, the winner of the Longhead i Handicap, of a mil© and a half, in harness, for trotters, led throughout and won easilv. Roi Alto is owned by Air J. R. Corrigan and is trained by J. Bryce. He is by AVin Alto, a stallion brought here a few years ago and raced nt Addington as a member of Mr R. Riddle's team. Roi Alto has a fair turn of speed but. has the reputation of being a non-stayer.

The favourite, Swiftest, ridden by J. M’Lennan, began very slowly and at the end of half a mile did not look to possess the remotest chance. She trotted on solidly, however, but had no chance with the winner. Moving Picture, who continues to show improvement, finished well in third place. Ardwood went a fair race and so did G literal Quincey. Sherry came through a lot of breaking norses and was fourth. The chief two mile harness event of the meeting saw the triumph of Childe Pointer, who put the seal on her fame as a three-year-old pacer by winning rather easily. To cover the two miles in 3min 36 3-osee and race through a big field was no mean accomplishment and stamps Childe Pointer as easily the best three-year-old ever raced in the Dominion. She has such an easy action that pacing seems no effort and she is a fine stayer. She should train on to take high honours on the track. Prince Huon wont a fine race. He was out in front early but later dropped back, only to com* on again and finish well. Gaske.ll has got Prince Huon very well and in addition to going fast he now stays out two miles satisfactorily. Rorkc’s Drift, who usually race's well on this course, finished up strongly in third place. Pegasus did not leave the mark. Embracer was early in the front but he was pulling hard and although ho whs going well at a mile and a half, a quarter of a mile further on he was well beaten. He was' expected to race much better.

Lotitia. went well for a mile. Agathos went a sound, solid race all the way. finishing up in fifth, place. "Whispering Willie did not go away us fast as usual but he- finished up well in fourth place. He met with had interference on the last round, which enhanced the merit of his performance. Sympathy did not go off right. Alako Alako went a better race than usual. Emperor is o long vroy from his best form. The club has been, particularly fortunote to date with is classic event, and this will probably continue. The race, being for two-year-olds, early form is not much disclosed, and there is almost certain to be plenty of competitors each year. An argument has been used that the distance is too far to race two-year-olds, but it must , be remembered that they are within two montria of three years'and past performers in the race do not seem to have suffered to uny extent- by early training and racing, jf the event were much shorter trainers would hurry up the youngsters tor speed only, and neglect stamina, which might be the means of spoiling some promising horsesFrom a financial point of ri©av. the race must- have proved quite satisfactory- to the club, as the investments on the machine were above the average for the day. Eight wont to the post for the race, I.i.i :i lew minutes before the start tlie favourite, M. Uuslxla, reared up ana

caused some delay. It was finally decided to scratch her, with the permission of the stewards. The money invested was returned, but there was some delay before the stewards secured the approval of the Government totalisator inspector to this course. The warne. point has cropped up previously and a uniformity of ruling should he made a.t once. The accident was unfortunate for the owner and trainer of Ala Cushla. both of whom have been keen to succeed in this

the race was full of interest all the way, ending up in a very close finish between the first three. Latona. just beat Betrayer at the end. and Air Nicoll.s’ fillv was staying oil in rare stvle. She is a well-grown, quality-looking filJy. bv Logan. Pointer from that good mare Gianella. arid so** was bred by her owner. Air Nicoll, who was mainly responsible for the establishment of the race, has done well so far in the three contests. Lady Swithin was narrowly beaten in the first race by Doraldina.* the following year Childe Pointer was successful, and now comes Latona*s win. Cannot Air Nicoll make a further forward movement and inaugurate another classic race in his club? Betrayer went a fine race, a* after leading the field nearly the whole way lie .just succumbed at the end. He won a. mile race on the. same course last month and is one of the solid, hardlooking sort, who might develop into a rare good two-miler. He is by Brent Locaada, from a mare by Advance. I have heard for nearly six months that the filly by Our Thorpe from Grace Darlington, trained by A. Fleming, was something out of the ordinary, and in the race she proved to be more than useful. I think ij» she had had a, couple of races s/to would have won, as she ran very gyeen and was all over the course nr the back. She is the first of Our Thorpe’s progeny to race and is a ra.ro advertisement for her sire. Grace Thorpe is a quality filly, with an easy, free action, and she seems to be particularly well gaited. Lottie Audibon went a fair race but although she finished fourth she was some distance back from the other three. She may he seen to more advantage later. Swithin’s Child tailed off at the start but along the bf.ck she put in a run and closed on the leaders. She could not, mtaintain her effort,-however, and was some distance away at the end oi' the race- Swithiivs Child does not look as though site has clone much work. Ratana, from J. Bryce’s stable, is a small eo]t by Logan Pointer from Our Aggie. He vent off very* slowly, failing to show any speed in the early stages. Once he gathered confidence, however, Ratana paced along at a- good clip and caught up a. fair amount of ground along the back.

The race altogether was a. really good one in every way and proved that tho club was quite justified in making it a permanent fixture on its winter programme.

Reappear, on account of bis showing at Canterbury Park, was made a hot favourite for the Acton Handicap, but lie got beaten. Carlyon’s lior.se was a trifle unlucky, as although he drew the front position on the rails lie did not begin quickly and had to race to keep his place in the early stages. Over the last hundred yards Henry Tracy came with a rare run and won by a narrow margin. The winner is now trained by J. Lorgelly, who is having a rare run of luck at the. close of the racing year. Henry Tracy was raoecx as a. youngster on the West Coast and has some fair performances to his credit. Coil set out to win all the. way and almost succeeded. He went one of his most generous races. Reappear, as at Canterbury Park, was unlucky, as had he begun smartly he could hardly hare been beaten. Now he will be on a mark which will necessitate him making further improvement before he can be expected to have a chance of success. Gladiola went a sound race all the way. Then did not quite stay out the distance. Waste wood went well for a mile. Doraldina, who has developed into a fine-looking mare, did not Took ready for a solid race. Kola Bell was backed as though she would be hard to beat in the two-mile trotters’ race, in harness, and it looked at one stage as though she would lanu

the stake.'as she trotted well and had a good lead. Over the last fifty yards, however. Our Lady, who had been trotting well, closed up and just beat the favourite. The winner, who looks a useful sort, is trained bv JR. AN . I'ranks, who drove her. She is by Petereta —Lady John. Rio Alto showed that his win in the first trotters’ race was well earned, as, penalised 60yds, he finished in third place. "• . . , Ben AVilkes showed some speed, but did not trot at all steadily and it may be some time- before this fine trotter docs himself full justice. Once be gets out of bis gaitt lie takes a long time to settle down to work again, but this fault is usually overcome with age and * Diameter went a sound race all the way, just failing to sec out the journey and finishing up fourth. First Carbine easily accounted for the mile and a quarter, for which ho was a solid favourite. After showing a good deal of-temper at the start First Carbine eventually got away brilliantly and the final issue never seemed in doubt. , „ The winner was successful at Canterbury Park and he should not be long before lie is found racing in the best company. He is a good pacer and the best of his sire s progeny so **Belmont Chimes finished in second place but lie broke some distance from the winning post and went on at a gallop to the end of the race. Trooper Dillon, who has been racing consistently for sonic- time, finished ■well in third place.Greta finished fourth and went a S °Embracer was again heavily backed hut he performed indifferently and he has cost his connections a good deal of money lately. , , Willie Lincoln, from the back mark, paced a solid race, after S°i»S oft slowly, but lie could not catch the leaders.

Auguste Dillon’s racing at Canterbury Park made Ins chance in the mile event look good, and he a hotfavourite. Commencing fast, no got a good lead, which was maintained throughout, M* Lennan taking no risks until the winning post was reached. Lady Wayward finished fast in second place, after a very bad beginning, and it looked ns though she might have extended the winner had she gone off smartly. . Henry Tracey was responsible for another fine race and showed that he is a much improved pacer and one■who races a good deal above his training form. Cock Bob in, who is quickly coming to the mil© races, went well in fourth Riga mist- lost all chance at the start. Tlic was a very poor contest.