Racing and Trotting

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16811, 14 August 1922, Page 2

Racing and Trotting

% s r|i Notes and Comments by “Argus"

The Canterbury Jockey Club distributed £12,750 in stakes at the Grand National meeting last week. Fortyright owners received a share. The principal winnexe were:—Messrs G. and F. Peach £163-0. W. R. Kemball £1285. J. Bull £9lO. S. V. Rodney £7OO. J. H. Prosser £7OO. Brown and Brereton £620. T. E. Welch £525, C. T Tveeblo £SOO. R. Graham £490. A. N. Dingle £460. J. S. Barrett £430. W. C. Vincent £550, J Gaffanev £345. W. C. Gillie- £330 A. M’Donald £330, with thirty-three others for sums ranging from £2BO to £2O.

Thirty-seven sires were represented in the money at the Grand National meeting last week, eighteen of them having winners, while the other nineteen weie responsible for plaoed horses only. St Amours headed the list with £I6BO. while Birkenhead won £1425, Form by 11090. Maniapoto £995. Bomform £7OO, Spalpeen £690, Demosthenes £570. Martian £525. Strowau £SOO, Solferino £470. Hymettus £460. All Red £430. Kiibrone\ £3BO. Signor £350, Rose Noble £345 and Advance £3OO. with twenty-one others for smaller amounts. Of the twenty-four winners at the Grand National meeting last week. Formby sired three. All Red two. Demosthenes two. Strowan two. and Maniapoto two. while the sires with one winner each were Heroism, Mystification, St Amane, Birkenhead, Boniform. Rose Noble Spalpeen. Absurd. Kilbroney, Solferino. Martian, Hymettus and Probable. North Island owners won thirteen races and South Island owners eleven at the G-rand National meeting la6t week. The wine credited t-o the northern visitors included the Grand National, Beaufort and Lincoln Steeplechases. also the Grand National and Sydenham Hurdle Handicaps, while the Winter Cup was the only one of the big events secured bv a southern horse. North Island owners secured £8505 of the prize money and South Island owners £4245. Seventeen jockeys secured winning honours at the Grand Nation meeting A. M’Donald was an easy first with rix wins. R. Thompson rode two winners. C. Emerson two, F. E. Jones two. while those with one win were Mr R. M. Johnston, Mr J. Dalv. A. Ruthven. R. S. Bagby. A. S. Ellis. T. Roacd, H. Young. A. E. Ellis. F. C. Porter. J. R. Kaon, L. G. Morris and W. Bell. Twenty other riders were placed without winning. A. M’Donald was the star performer among the jockeys who were riding at Riccarton last week. He rode six winners and was twice in third place. On Saturday he did the hat trick, as he piloted the winners of three successive races, being on Rowan in the Styx Hurdle Handicap. Passenger in the Sydenham Hurdle Handicap and Omahu in the Lincoln Steeplechase. The judicial stewards of the Canterbury Jockey Club met after the Heathcote Handicap on Saturday, to consider a report from the starter, that J. T. Andrews, the rider of General Advance, had deliberately broken the tapes. Tt was resolved to suspend Andrews’b license until October 31 for deliberately breaking the barrier and disobedience at the starting poet. In the A vies bury Steeplechase on Saturday Dick and Sartoline refused at the first fence and they were immediately pulled up. The judicial stewards hold an inquiry , as a. result of which the two riders, C. M’Seveney and C. Mask were fined their losing fees. £5 Bs, for not further persevering at the fence after refusing.

C. Raek and E. Shaw were each fined £2 by the starter for anticipating the start, of the Longheach Hunters’ Hurdle Handicap on Saturday. Prior to the same race Rask was also fined £1 by the stipendiary stewards for untidy clothing. H. Were was fined £5 for anticipating the atari of the Heathcote Handicap.

A number of Riccarton trained two-year-olds had a run down the straight on Saturday. The first lot. comprised five of Sir George Clifford's young tters. Owlscombe (Autnmnug—Glenowlet) finished in front of Top Score (Autiimmis— Winning Way), with Viewpoint (Autumnus—Telescope). Dinner Bell 'Autumnus—Full Speed) and Wild Hind (Autumnus —Rirriemur) following in that order. The seoond batch was made up of Mr H. A. Knight’s Nassau—Medley colt. Mr F. D. Jones’s Murihaupo (Sunny Lake—Equitag) and Mr G. Gerard’s Lucinetfce (Martian — Lady Luoy) and The Polymnian (Martian—Polymnia), who finished almost in line. RICCARTON RACES. GRAND NATIONAL WEEK. THE FINAL DAY. The Canterbury Jockey Club’s Grand National meeting was concluded on Saturday in very pleasant conditions. The morning was dull and threatening, following rain overnight, but the sky and the afternoon was bright and mild. There was a large attendance, the half-holiday enabling local sportsmen to fill the gaps caused hv the departure of many visitors. The Governor-General and Lady Jellicoe were among those present. The. totalisator investments were £64,834 10s. compared with £72,847 on the corresponding day last year, the total for the meeting being £189.024. against £207.324 last year. The meeting was highly successful in every respect, in spite of the drop in the totalisator figures. The secretary, Mr F. O. Cother, and his staff had all their arrangements in the best of order, and there were no hitches from start to finish, a particular! y pleasing feature being the excellent time that was observed throughout the three days. • • Racing opened with the Longbeach Hunters’ Hurdle Handicap. Backers went strong!v for the Wingatui-train-ed Mystico. while Hereweare and Btrangewaysi were best backed among the others. The favourite was never far from the front, and going right away in the straight, he won with ridiculous ease from Hereweare. with Kauwhero, Agnola and Palladium following in that order. Ready repeated hie first- day’s performance by falling. Hereweare rail a decent race all

through, but he is just a moderate. Kauwhero docs not shape in public up to the form he shows in his training, as he is a good galloper and a bold jumper in private. Agnola is another who has not. so far. come up to ox pectations over hurdles, but he should improve a lot. Master Peter cut up badly and ho does not appear to be quite 6o good as his form at Wash dyke and Wainiate suggested. Mystico was unlucky to he beaten on the opening day of the meeting, and he should win later in the season in better company.

A field of eight contested the Aylesbury Steeplechase. representing fair hack form. Whipcord was* the popular pick, hut Nicomar and Staff Officer also came in for attention from backers Nicomar went off m front and led over the first fence, where Dick and Sartoline refused. The remainder of the field kept close company all the wav, but Nicomar was in the lend practically from start to finish. Staff Officer tackled him about five furlongs from home but Nicomar held him off in the run from the final fence. Nicomar improved his record as the meeting progressed, as he was fifth in the Enfield Steeplechase, and second in the Hunt Club Cup. Staff l Officer Jooks like getting more monev over fences at

southern fixtures this season. Whipcord shaped fairly well but- might have done bettor had he been confined to steeplecharing during the last week or two. Indus appeared to have a chance when he fell at the last fence. Malincourt jumped all right but lacked pace at the finish and Bill was beaten a Jong way from home. Dick and Sartoline refused at the first fence and their riders had to forfeit their losing fees, as the judicial stewards thought thev should have made another effort to get over. T!i® Heathcote Handicap drew a field of fourteen useful gallopers. Some Kid. j assionless and forest- Gold being fancied m that order. It was an interesting race all the way. Economist, Counterstroke and Listening Post showed j the way to the straight. where thev j were beaten, and Passionless and Counter Attack, who had been prominent in the next bunch, also retired about the same place. Forest Gold was going well at the distance, but Verbosity had Ids measure at the distance. Then Deucalion came on the scene with a late run and got up to beat Verbosity m the last few strides. It was a good performance on the part of Deucalion, who has made great improvement lately- R- V King deserved credit for the manner in which he turned out the Demosthenes gelding, who responded gamely to the vigorous riding of f . E. Jones. Haurangi ran a good race, just behind the placed horses, and ho should be worth following at some of the spring meetings in the north. Some Kid was going on strongly at the finish, after being badly placed in the early stages. Backers went for Rowan and Knreao in the Styx Hurdle Handicap, which attracted seven useful hacks. Rowan was always near the front, while Kareao only came on the scene about half a mile from home. They had an interesting struggle, but once over the last hurdle Rowan gradually asserted himself, winning decisively. The brother to Master Strowan has racked very consistently in his recent efforts, and he looks like having a good time in Hurdle races this season, as he is an improving young horse. Kareao rail well, but he has not realised the expectations formed of him earlier in the winter. Strayshot did best of the

others, as she was one of the pacemakers all through, and only failed from the last hurdle. Mandrake was allowed to run his own race, but he was giving away too long a start to have a chance. Nautical faded out early and Likelihood toiled in the rear all the way. The Lincoln Steeplechase, the principal event of the day. attracted a field of eight, including six horses who had taken part in the Grand National, on the opening day, while Golden Prince was making his only appearance at the meeting. Oakleigh was a strong favourite, with Red Cent and Wairnai bestbacked among the others. The race was responsible for a good exhibition of jumping, and the contest was full of interest from the first fence to the judge’s box. Red Cent and Golden Prince were responsible, for a solid pace, with Old Gold and Omahu in close attendance, all four taking the fences well. A mile from home Waimai joined in, while Golden Prince had had enough. Waimai headed him and went past Old Gold and Omahu after clearing the post and rails. This left Waimai second to Red Cent and at the first of the Kennels double the Auckland veteran jumped to the front, only to lose his rider at the next- fence. All this time Master Hamilton and Oakleigh had been toiling along in the rear, and Master Hamilton never got near the front lot. Oakleigh, however, set out after the leaders going along the hack, and five furlongs from Lome it was evident that be would he on hand at the finish. Red Cent led over the last- fence, which he ran down, nearly causing trouble for Oakleigh. who, with Omahu, was close behind the All Red gelding. Once on the flat Red Cent was done and Omahu shot out with the race apparently in safe keeping. His rider seemed to take this view, as he allowed the Maniapoto gelding to slow down. Oakleigh was kept going and he gradually overhauled Omahu. whose rider woke up to the danger only a few strides from the post. Both horses were being vigorously ridden as they hashed past the judge. Many people thought that Oakleigh had won. but the official verdict was in Omnhu’s favour by half a head. Red Cent was half a dozen lengths away, having found the journey a trifle too long. Then came Old Gold and Golden Prince, the last-named running surprisingly well for a cripple who had done so little work. Glen i si a and Master Hamilton never threatened danger. Oakleigh was responsible for a high-elass performance, as he appeared to be giving the leaders an impossible start over the last mile. Tt wqs a treat to watch him flying the last half diOKen fences while making up .his ground. As the race was won. however, Omahu would have won easily had he been kept going from the last fence. His jumping w?.s a wonderful improvement on what he showed earlier in the week. The nine horses who competed for the Sydenham Hurdle Handicap were a good lot. though there was much r< gret at the withdrawal of Gladful and

Ore Ore, who had filled the leading positions in tlie Grand National Hurdles. Northern backer?* stuck loyally to Poanui. who was a strong favourite, while Explorer was much better fancied than Passenger, the third choice. It was a very interesting race for a mile and a quarter, with Passenger. Explorer. Penury Rose. Spook and Poanui all going well it this stage. Then Passenger shot out with a Jead of several lengths and over the remainder of the journey bo novellooked in danger of defeat. Penury Rose threw out a challenge on reaching the straight but- it was a forlorn hope. Good Start came along with a great run from the last hurdle and easily beat Penury Rose. who bad to be ridden out to prevent Spook taking third place from him. Spook ran hie best race of the meeting. Penury Rose i** consistent but he is a very unlucky horse. Good. Start showed surprisingly good form, a repetition of which will make him a winner early in the spring. Poanui was one of the disappointments among the hurdlers at the meeting, but probably hig failures were not altogether his fault. Fisher was done nearly a mile from Iconic. while Explorer also failed badly. Falstaff made a bad jump at the first hurdle and. for the rest of the journey he was in the rear Passenger's performance was very attractive. He was always* going well and he finished full of running. Starting the meeting as a hack, he now look> like developing into a top-notch hurdler and he should get a lot more money as the season a d va nces.

Fourteen hacks, of very mixed class, turned out for the Rerlcliffs Handicap. L’Amour was a bit better backed than Yankee Dan, with the Riccarton pair. Bluff and Sir Huon. best backed among the others. Lord Leslie and Yankee Dan were prominent early, but Horatius soon ran past them, opening out a good gap. 1/Amour put in his claim on reaching the straight, but though be cut the others down ill good style, he had no chance with Ho* ratius. who won easily. L’Amour enhanced his reputation as a hack of particularly good class, and he looks like carrying Mr M*Donald’s colours with ciedit in important events later in the season. Yankee Dan ran fairly well, in third place and then came Bluff and Sir Huon. Bluff was making his firs* public appearance for a few months. He is a good galloper, but more tliaji once last season he galloped as if he was. not partial to a hard fight. But for this doubt, he would be a rare good prospect. Lord Leslie, after showing plenty of apeed. collapsed in the straight. The success of Horatius came as a surprise. He is a good galloper, and on one occasion he finished just out of a place in the Stewards’ Handicap. but since then he has failed repeatedly to show his real form in public. Now- that" he has mended his ways he may do further service for the Riccarton trainer. H. Ellis, who has not had much luck lately.

The Selwyn Handicap provided an exciting wind up to the meeting. The field numbered thirteen, Royal Mac, Will Oakland and Chimera being best backed in a big betting race. Wrangle and Will Oakland set a- hot pace from tho start, while the colours of Golden Bubble, Chimera and Civilform were also prominent when they raced on to the course proper. Will Oakland

collapsed below* the distance, thus repeating his second day’s failure. His form in these two races was very disappointing. When he retired Wrangle was left in charge, with Chimera and Civilform gradually overhauling him. It was a great finish, but Wrangle just lasted long enough to beat Chimera by a head, with Civilform another head away, while Backsheesh and Irapuka headed the others. Golden Bubble failed to run on from the distance, while T did not catch 6iglit of Royal Mac at any stage of the journey. Wrangle was the star hack of the Trent ham meeting last month, when he changed owners. He is a smart galloper, and later in the season he will do his owner further good service over short oourses. ENGLISH NOTES. (Special to the “ Star.”) LONDON. June 22. There are. of course, other races at Ascot of almost equal importance to the Royal Hunt Cup, and they cannot be allowed to pass unrecorded. Take the Ascot Stakes, for instance. A field of ten turned out, rather a reduction compared with previous years, but the event was made narticularlv interesting through Devizes being among them. This horse had the- considerable weight of 9st 41b, yet he was much fancied, though not to the extent Air Balloon was. The latter was ridden byi Childs, perhaps the best long-distance jockey in the country. Other recent winners who competed were Light Dragoon, who had a Salisbury Chip to his credit, and Mr E. Langley’s Double Hackle, who had a week or two previously trounced Jilted and Cavalier at Hurst Park, and these were, the two who af once arrested attention in the actual race, the former because he was .lengths in front at one time and the other because he gradually overhauled him and came out best in a desperate finish with Air Balloon. Devizes was caught on the post by Stanislaus in Lord Derby’s colours, ami the r>air dead-heated for third place. Tt was the third victory in eueession for Double Hackle and Mr Lengley is to be heartily congratulated ufjon possessing one of the most improved stayers in training. At the tim > of writing the four-vear-old is due to compete in the Northumberland Plate, of two miles—otherwise the Pitman's Derby—and there is much confidence lit tho horse's ability* to carry on the winning sequence. The, race for the Gold Vase was notable for the defeat of Lord Derby’s good fillv. Selene, under most exasperating and thoroughly vexatious circumstances. She was made a hot favourite as riie was-entitled to be on her running in the. Coronation Cup at Epsom—but she never had a chance. First she was badly bumped at the start by Trespasser and as she was drawn next to the rails this meant that she was so cramped for room that all others immediately converged on her. Hence the fact that she was last of all as thev streamed away for the first turn. Her jockey, Wragg. had no alternative to accepting the positior There was the risk of striking info the heels of others ami being brought, down. So she ran und< difficiilries, hivn; to make up 'round on the leaders and come on the outside. She camo Well into the

straight and when just for a moment she hung fire Gd lei: Myth went right across her to close with Vilna and win tho race. When it \vr»* too late Selene ivas coining fast again. Were the race to be run again wit 1 a fair chance for her ’ am Aire sl-e would win.

Golden Myth h.;d been well beaten by Chivalrous in the King:. Coal Stakes at Manchester a ?ew days before, but just to show that ho sv.t.s a horse above the ave.age li.» fame oiu sit .A cot th day

Ger tU6 hi the Vase* and annexed the Gold Oup for Sir George Bullongh. Competing for this historictrophy -were among others Polemarch (a St Lecer winner). Franklin (the win ner of the Cor maticn Cuj referred to above,', Ynto- (winner of year's

Cesarewitch). North W.ilih;uri and King’s Idler (first and second for the Manchester Cup). Flamboyant (a good handioapper last vcnr. and Milenko (winner of the Cambridgeshire). Tbev are attractive horses but they did not represent a really high-class Gold Cup field such as has been known in the past. In Tutor there was. much con-

fidence. There was much less doubt in bis case than in. Franklin’s as regards stamina. The race, as a matter of fact, was not run to suit the doubtful stayers and their fate was settled a long way from home. Flamboyant, whoso jockey was riding to orders, set a tremendous pace. It was plain to arl to see and the time of 4min 17sec for the two and a half miles shows what a remarkably fast run race it was. The sturdy, thick-set Flamboyant mberrilv carried on and was never headed until the straight had been reached. Then when others had hopelessly cracked, including Franklin, Golden Myth ranged alongside the leader. Not for many strides after that was the issue in doubt. The challenge of Sir George Bullougli’s horse was inexorable, and ho came on in gallant fashion, most ably ridden by his young jockey, Elliott, to win by three parts of a length, with the Irish horse Ballyheron getting third on his merits. Then came Yutoi and North "Waltham, with Milenko tailed off last.

To Jack Jarvis belongs the training honours and they are, indeed, very considerable and well merited. For cne so young in his profession the race is a rare personal triumph, and one at once recalls what happened a year ago when his elder brother Basil won the Gold Vase with Copyright and the Gold Cup with Periosteum. Luck in these matters runs in cycles. It has been with Jack Jarvis this season, and looks like continuing. While on the subject of long-distance races I ought to mention that Air Balloon received consolation for his Ascot Stakes defeat by capturing the Alexandra Plate three days later. This is the longest flat- race of the year—two miles and three-quarters—and Air Balloon battled it out in fine style with Flamboyant. The latter ran wonderfully well considering that twenty-four hours previously he had had a gruelling race in the Gold Cup. Exactly the- same tactics were adopted on the second occasion, and it was only in th 3 last furlong that he was caught and beaten. Nippar pulled bard for her head throughout the first, mile, and after that there was no reserve left in her—a- very disappointing effort fo~ the winner of a Jockey Club Cup. There is no more improved looking horse in training than Mrs Soper Whitburn’s Proconsul, but even so hie pretensions to win the important Wokingham Stakes of six furlongs were not seriously entertained. Yet he gave a smashing show of speed and quite

clearly held the unlucky Black Gown to win by about a length. Proconsul is a washy chestnut in colour, by Valens from a very small mare named Altiora, bred by Lord Carnarvon. The way he has and done well during the last two months is remarkable. They tried to win races with him over longer courses, but clearly; sprinting is his game. The lightly weighted Canterbury followed Black Gown home, but Monarch, who missed the Hunt Cup for this, and started favourite in consequence, for once

failed to get a place. He never at any time showed up with a chance. Perhaps it is that his experiences in the early part of the season have affected him more than his trainer thinks.

Just a word about the two-year-olds. The best filly seen out undoubtedly was Cos, who, in the colours of the Aga Khan, won +he Queen Mary Stakes, worth between £2OOO and £3OOO. His Highness was present, and he would not fail to he delighted over taking one of the most important races of the meeting. It has to be remember© 1 that it was the first appearance of Cos on a racecourse ; yet she behaved with becoming demureness at the post, was soon into her stride, and at half-way vns already in front. From that point the issue was never in doubt, thougn her jockey, Hulme, kept her going as an anti-dote to any surprise she might otherwise have thrown out through lack of experience. She is well grown, full of quality, and looks a racehorse every inch of her. She is destined to make history on the Turf, if I am any judge. AUSTRALIAN RACING. VICTORIA AMATEUR TURF CLUB. AUSTRALIAN STEEPLECHASE. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. MELBOURNE. August 12. At the Victoria Amateur Turf Club's meeting, the following was the result of the AUSTRALIAN STEEPLECHASE, of 2000 both ; second horse 350 sovs, and third horse 160 sovs from the stake. About four mile?. Mr D. Branigan's hr m Bright Maid, by Bright Steel—Fleet Maid, aged, 9®t 131 b ("Spain) i Mr J. H. Fla,nnagan'a b g Tlaoroa, by Persian Knight—Windlass, 6yr®, list lllb (Dally) Mr J. S. Feeih&n’s hr g Mountain God, by Mountain King-Demoiselle, acred. 13sfc -21 b (Webster) 3 Oopina and Resembler led in the early stages. Haotna then tools charge and led Bright Maid into the straight. Bright Maid went to the frout at the distance and won by three lengths. Frout Rank and Resembler fell ana Agar lost his rider. Time—7mjn Bleec. Pro Tern, by Comedy King— Problem, finished third in the Kriowsley Steeplechase. ROSEHILL RACING CLUB. A NEW ZEALAND WINNER. By Telegraph—Preia Attenuation—Copyright Australian and N.Z. Cable Association SYDNEY. August. 12. At the Boeehill meeting to-day the following W 8 9 the result of the DUNDAB HANDICAP, of 200 sots. Six furlongs. Mr J. Williamson's <-h h Loyal Irish, by Absurd—Moira Machree. 4.vrs - I Miss Una Clift and Mr S. O. Clift's hr g Gilroy, by Linacre—Sirabia, J>yrs . 2 Mr G. Wilton's b m Sun Lady, by Sunripe—Lady Simmerlight, 6yrs . . 3 Seventeen horses started. Won by two lengths. Time— 1 min iosec. Molyneux finished third in the August Handicap.