RACING AND TROTTING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17183, 29 October 1923, Page 2

RACING AND TROTTING.

BY

“ARGUS."

the trotting cup.

Jhe New Zealand Trotting Cup is as usual ai this period of the year, attracting all the attention of followers of the trotting and pacing sport. With such a short limit as is tho case this season, it is anticipated that the race will provide a most interesting contest and most of the horses should be hunched together early in the race. This being the case, it is almost certain that tactics n ill play an important part in the final decision and good driving possibly nil! result in success. Luckily most of the best drivers will he found .in the sulky, but j-bou’d any of the horses be handled indifferently it. will certainly be detrimental to their chances of winning. YYitli few exceptions those in the b-ig race have stood up to then training work really well, and whilst some oi the older brigade may not race even up to their best showing, there are several young horses in the race who are capable of showing a good deal of improvement. Whispering Willie, who is the only trotter in the field, is looking at bis best and is doing his training work satisfactorily, but it is very doubtful if lie will succeed in getting any of the big prise money, and the same applies to Willie Lincoln, who is not improving on his best efforts. Albert Cling showed some of his old form at Oamaru, but his connections are none 100 sanguine of the once brilliant pacer seeing out the latter part of the journey. Neither Tatsy Dillon, on her showing at Oamaru, nor Paul Dufault. or Trix Pointer, on, track work, seem likely to provide the winner, whilst Comedy Chief is tackling a hard proposition, which is probably beyond his powers. It is doubtful if Vilo is as good as she was some time ago, and Tarair© will want the first mile run at a slow speed Sri"® him a chance. Had Alto Chimes not won in August he would have been, a sure money earner in the big race, provided he. stripped as well as he did in the National Cup. A month ago Realm looked as though h© would be a non-starter, us lie. appeared to be sore and in addition was backward. During -the last fortnight he has improved out of all knowledge, al though he baa not been thoroughly tried out as regards speed. His work so tar has done him a vast amount of good, but the two miles will probably stop him. This loaves A cron, Great Hope, Snowshoe and Onyx, and these four will probably take the bulk of the money in the race. If Acron could be relied upon at the start he would take a power of beating, as he. is one of the most brilliant young pacers ever seen here, arid capable of improvement. Possibly he lias improved his manners with age, as be was fairly good at the barrier when last raced. Like Acron, Great Hope is a young «nd improving pacer, whose recent showings in races were most attractive, it is stated that be is the elect of J llryce’g stable. Snowshoe is a peculiar hor.se, as frequently he appears to b© lame, but lie- throws it off when sent along last. He has come through a «olid preparation and looks well on it. A recent work out at headquarters caused him to gain many friends and he continues to please the track watchers by his fine work. Onyx is a | peculiar mare, as although she possesses great speed and stamina, it frequently happens in races that she gets into bad positions and has her chance extinguished. She is very well at pro. sent, and in a recent work out did her work so well that she almost be came favourite for the race. Tt is to be hoped that her driver will keep her out of all trouble ar.d secure a good position, where she will be able to pace up to her best form. The interest in the race is certain to be maintained j throughout the two miles, and much j will depend on the luck of the congest j regarding position and opportunity. No , other race attracts so much attention and the contest wili be a severe trial tor the horses, whilst all the skill of their drivers will have to be in evidence. Final payments and acceptances for the. Canterbury Jockey Clubs meeting will close at eight o’clock to-night. Acceptances for the New Zealand Trotting Gup and other events on the first days of the Metropolitan Trotting Club’s meeting will close at

The track at- Addington was in splendid order this morning, and a number of spectators were on the ground, anticipating that some fast work would be accomplished, but they were disappointed. All the trainers seemed to imagine that their horses required/- no more fast work outs, as only jogging was done. J. J. Kenner ley’s horse were on the Addington track this morning, but like others, they were not worked fast. 'Hie outside of the course proper at Riccarton will be open to-morrow for fast work. C'. Emerson is one of the riders without a mount in the Stewards’ Handicap. It was generally understood that he would ride Glentruin. on whom he won last year, and Emerson himself shared that view, but something appears to hare gone wrong. M. Al’Carte n is now mentioned as likely to pilot Glentruin. 7t is understood that L. G. Morris will ride Muraahi in the New Zealand Cup. G. Young will have the mount on Palestrina in the New Zealand Cup. If Gay Juliet starts in th© Oaks next week she will be ridden by M. 31’Car ten. Palestrina has got through a lot of solid work this eason. and she looks a fit mare- Unfortunately, she has been suffering from greasy heels for some time, and they are still troubling her. Enare was lame after wdrking on Saturday, but he made a quick recovery, as he appeared to be all right again this morning. - Deucalion can be regarded as a. certain started for the New Zealand Cup, in which he will he ridden by F. E. Jones. Ballymena was given r.teady work at Ricarton this morning. The Derby candidate still shows signs of soreness, but he is no porse than on Saturday. Kukume was a trifle sore after working this morning, but she gradually walked the Trouble off and she was all right when she left the course. The three-year-old Murihaupo looks well, after his Australian trip, and though be has plenty of weight, he is expected to race prominently in the Stewards’ Handicap. It is probable that he will be ridden by A. Oliver. Tukia looks in the pink of condition. She was on© of the best of last season's two-year—old 3 and on her running at Trent ham, where she was second to Lady Fingers in tile Shorts Handicap, after getting off slowly, she will take some beating in the Stewards’ Handicap. Startle, a. double • winner at th© Poverty Bay meeting week, is a three-vear-old filly by living Start, by San Francisco from Fleet Foot, by flauranald from Safeguard. Flying Start, was a good looking horse and a fine galloper, and his daughter has the reputation of having inherited his speed.

Tvoodoo. who showed some form at the Poverty Bav Turf Club’s meeting last week, is a. five-vear-old brother to Elens, by Elysian—Kowerewere. Ho won three races out of four starts late last season, and he shapes like making a useful sort. It is reported from Wellington that F. T. Smith is severing In's connection as trainer for Mr YV. H. Ballinger at Trcntham. Lochson. Sir Fanciful and Sir Rosebery. who won the hurdles races at Trcntham. are booked to compete at the Canterbury Jockey Club's meeting. and they look like getting some of the monev during the Riecarton carnival. "While playing at Trentham on Friday, Kilboy’s tvo-ypar-old sister. Kilbrennan. who ran _j.hird in the Two-year-old Handicap at the meeting. put her hip out. She was go! back to her training quarters, and although the trip to Riecarton has bee: abandoned so far as she was concerned it is hoped to save her for breeding At the invitation of the Levin Racing Chib officials a meeting was arranged a Trentham on Tuesday between the Wellington Racing Club stewards arid Minister of Internal Affairs, Some very nice things were said about the action of live Wellington Racine | Club regarding the treatment arr-ord- . e/J the country club. The Minister made an appropriate speech, and congratulated all parties on the broad-minded ! standpoint adopted. The proceeding* ' were of a most cordial character.