RICCARTON RACES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17014, 12 April 1923, Page 2

RICCARTON RACES.

The Easter meeting, which was held last week, brought the Canterbury Jockey Club’s racing to a close lor this season. The financial results can be regarded as no more than fairly satis'actor\ . as the to-talisator investments d>r the four meetings, £570,339, reprerented a substantial drop from the £(501,346 handled the previous season. As the s totalisator provides the principal item of revenue for racing and trotting clubs, the position is not very pleasing for the officials to contemplate. One thing, to be taken as pretty certain, is that no increased prize-money need be anticipated for next season; in fact, owners may consider themselves fortunate if the stakes remain at the season’s standard. Nearly every club in thd Dominion i. s experiencing a falling off in totalisator investments and iii some cases the drop during the present season lias been more serious than that recorded at Riccartou. The four meetings held by the Canterbury Jockey Chib during this season have provided sport well up to the Club’s best standard, which is as high praise as can be given, seeing that for many years past Riccarton has been regarded as the “ Town Hall ” of racing in New Zealand. Two events have occurred to make the season memorable. The .Middle Park Plate, which was established in 1884, was run in February for the last time. For many years it has been a feature on the summer programme and though it has provided limited competition, many sportsmen "ill regret its disappearance. Prob!'hlv the most notable event of the year was associated with the recent autumn meeting. For many years past the Great Easter Handicap has been run on the first day, and the Great Autumn Handicap on the Saturday. JTlis season the club tried the experiment of running both events on the first day and it proved a great sue cess. One effect was .to push the Suck burn Handicap on to the Second • iav’s programme, and as a consolation event for horses beaten in the Dr cat Autumn Handicap it turned out well, whereas it had for years past keen a failure when run on the first 1 k’.y. There* is the objection to the - hango that it precludes the possibility of a horse running in the Great fvister and'the Great Autumn. The records show, however, that very few horses try to win both races, and only twice lias a horse captured the double, the most recent occasion being when Rady Lillian was successful in 1903. so that this argument need not be seriously considered. Ibo Amberley Racing Club’s meeting will be held at lliccarton on Saturday. April 28. Nominations will close at the Canterbury Jockey Club’s < Hire at eight o’clock to-morrow night. Nominations for the Methven Trotling Club’s meeting will close at. eight o’clock to-night. .Acceptances for the Auckland Trot.i' g Club's meeting are due to-morrow night. Acceptances for the Ellesmere Trotig Club’s meeting are <1 no on Saturday niolit. I lie New Brighton Trotting Club’s meeting on Saturday will provide an exceptional item of interest, as Happy \ eyage is booked for an attempt to break the New Zealand mile record of -'min 6 1 "Nee. The popular opinion is that with favourable conditions, lie \yill succeed in his task, and lovers of the >port are likclv to turn out in strong I "ice to see the Australian crack at his top speed. It is practically certain that the Lake Countv Racing Club will holds its .!.noting this season at Invercargill. Silver luring, a live-year-okl gelding - Solforino Dally, by Rokehy— Miss k)alr\mplo. has gone into an Invercarill stable to be trained. He lias the !< nutation of being a useful galloper. Southern* reports state that Master •ids: me. a three-year-old Solforino 1 V rvhdis. has been sold t-o a natron 1> i*. Wilson’s Wingatui stable. He •mowed decent form at the Riverton meeting and since then he has a win to his credit at the Lumsden hack Achilles was represented bv a winner ;• 1 the Queensland Turf Club’s meeting this month.