RACING AND TROTTING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17220, 11 December 1923, Page 2

RACING AND TROTTING.

"ARGUS."

BY

FIXTURES. December 10—Dannevirke Racine Club. December. 10—Tamoaruuui Racing Club. December U -Walpa Racing: Club. December IS. 17 —Xew Brighton Trotting Cluo. Derem4fc»r cs—Ashburton Trotting Club. December *26—Gore Trotting Club. December 06—Kaikoura Racing Club. Dev ember 26—Waipuknrau Jockey Club. December 06.27 —Dunedin Jockey Club. December 06, 27—Westland Racing Club. De ember 2b. 27—Taranaki Jockej- Club. December 26, 27—Westport Trotting Club. December *26, 27, 29 —Manawatu Racing Club. December 26. 23. January 1, 2—Auckland Racing Club. ' December 27. 22, 31—Auckland Trotting Club. December 29—Winton Trotting Club. Itecember 29, January 1, 3—Greymouth Jockey Club. December 51. January 2—Greymouth Trotting Club. January I —Wo-ikouaiti Racing Club. January I—Wyndham Racing Club. January 1. 2—Canterbury Park Trotting Club. January l, 2—Stratford Racing Club. January 1, 2—Wairarapa Racing Club. January 3. 2—Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club. January t, 2—Marton Jockey Club. January* 2, £—Southland Racing Club. January 3—Bay of Islands Racing Club. January 4—Westland Trotting Club. January 5. 7—Reeft.on Jockey Club. January 5, 7 —Tinoent Jockey Club. January I*2—Wellington Trotting Club. January IC—Maua.vra.tu Trotting Club. NOMINATIONS. December 12—Westland Trotting Club. December I*2—Wairarapa Racing Club. December 12—Vincent Jockey Club. December T2—Winton Trotting Club. December Park Trotting Club. December 15—Greymouth Jockey Club. December 15—Reefton Jootey Club. December 17—Southland Racing Club. Deoember 17—Wairarapa Racipg Club. December IJV—Wellington Trotting Club. Hecember 21— Manawatu Trotting Club. HANDICAPS. December IJ.—Westland Racing Club. December 12—Greymouth Jockey Club. December 13 —Gore Trotfcibg Club. December 13 —Waipukurau Jockey Club. December 14 —Hawke's Bay Jockey Club. Deoember 14—Dunedin Jockey Club. December 15 —WRikouaiti Racing Club. I>ecexnber 15—Wyndham Racing Club. December 17—Stratford Racing Club. December 17—Marton Jockey Club. December 18—Canterbury Park Trotting Club December 18 —Ashburton Trotting Club. December 38—Winton Trotting Club. Deoember 21—Vincent Jockey Club. December 27—Greymouth Jockey Club. Deoember 28— Southland Racing Club. January 2—Westland Trotting Club. January B—Reefton Jockey Club. January 3—Wellington Trotting Club. January 4—Manawatu Trotting Club. ACCEPTANCES. December 11—New Brighton Trotting Club. December 14—Auckland Racing Club. December 14— Manawatu Racing Club. December 14—Auckland Trotting Club. Deoember 16—Kaikoura Racing Club. December 17—Waipukurau Jockey Club. December 17—Taranaki Jockey Club. December 17—Westport Trotting Club. December I&—Greymouth Trotting Club. Deoember 39—Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club. December IQ —Dunedin Jockey Club. December 19—Waikouaiti Racing dub. Deoember 19—Westland Racing Club. December 20—Ashburton Trotting Club. December 20—Gore TVotting Club. December 21—Winton Trotting Club. December 21—Marton Jockey Club. December 23—Wyndham Racing Club. December 22 —Wairarapa Racing Club. December 27—Canterbury Park Trotting Club. December 27—Stratford Racing OluTs. December 28—Greymouth Jockey Club. December 29—Southland Racing Club. January 2—Ylnoent Jockey Club. January 3—Westland Trotting Club. January 4—Reefton Jockey Club. January B—Wellington Trotting Club. January 11— Manawatu Trotting Club.

A NEW INFATUATION. The craze for the “ long shot,” as exemplified by the success of lotteries and ballots and sweepstakes, to say nothing of double and treble event bets, has found another outlet in England. in a new form of “ betting ” (?) called tlfe trainer’s ticket system, which is gambling and nothing else. Renders know my views on the difference between betting and gambling, writes “ Vigilant ” in the London “ Sportsman,” the former being a form of speculation in which judgment of racing and knowledge of form and figures all bear their part, whereas the latter is a matter of change, without

any possibility of the personal element taking its part. The trainer’s ticket system is of this order, and I should not refer to it but for the fact that it is likely to become a scandal and to reflect on the good name of racing, just as football betting has sullied the reputation of Association football. The objection to it, apart from the reasons given above, is that the ticket-holder is entirely in the hands of the promoter, seeing that there is no market to control the latter. For the understanding of readers who have not come across this latest craze. I must explain that the bookmaker invites clients to take tickets in a draw, paying Is. 2s 6d, or ss, as the case may be, for each chance and in return they receive the name of one of the registered trainers on the Jockey Club list, with the undertaking that the holder will be paid Ih** S.P. to the amount of the purchase price of the ticket in respect of every winner trained during the week by the trainer named on each ticket. Now, as there are between 200 and 300 licensed trainers, most of whom will not run a horse during the prescribed period, it is at once apparent that the layer has all the best of the bargain, but that is not the main objection to the scheme, which lies in the oppori tur.ity offered for fraud. What check is there cn a so-called bookmaker who does not go straight? The honest man, naturally, requires nothing of the sort, but It is clear that the “ here to-day and gone to-morrow ” type of rascal, who does so much harm to the reputation of the betting fraternity, will not fail to perceive and take advantage of the chance here offered to him. It will surprise me very much if the names of such leading trainers as Taylor, Persse, Lambton, the Jarvis's, etc., come out of the bat as often as those of the less prominent men whose horses are not so numerous or so likely to win races. That is why I say the system will probably become a scandal, but, strangely enough, it is i not without its good points, for it

demonstrates in no uncertain manner the value of the open market, by which those of us who love racing for itself, set so much store, and, despite its shortcomings, prefer to the closed and secret Totalisator.

The Canterbury Park Trotting Club’s meeting will bo held on January 1 and 2. Nominations will close at noon, on Thursday.

M. M’Carten. who came south to ride for P. D. Jones’s stable at the Methven meeting on Saturday, returned home by last night’s ferry steamer. He will be riding Dannevirke to-mor-row and later he will accompany F. Tilley to EUerslie, to pilot the Fordell horses in their engagements at the Auckland Racing Club’s fixture.

J. B. Pearson's stablo will not be represented at the Auckland Racing Ciub'fe meeting. The Polymnian is not forward enough to please his trainer, and neither he nor Red Wink will be raced at any of the holiday meetings.

Gloaming has got through a lot of useful work lately, and in addition to steady pacing has been allowed t-o move along a bit over a furlong or two. So far he is quite sound and everything points to him standing up to a preparation for sprint races in the autumn.

F. D. Jones will leave for Auckland to-morrow night with the three-year-olds, Ballymena and Mnrihaupo. So far no rider has been secured for Ballymena in the Auckland Cup. Nothing definite has been arranged, either, regarding a pilot for Murihaupo in the Railway Handicap, but Jones hopes to secure R. S. Bagby.

P. V. Mason will leave for Auckland to-morrow with Parody and Gold Town, both of whom are in good health for the trip.

H. Cufcts will leave for Auckland on Saturday. Consequent on Barn Owl being amiss, he will have only Winning Hit, Wild Hind and Viewpoint under his charge.

R. W. King has his team engaged at the Auckland, Manawatu and Dunedin meetings, and up to the present he has not come to a definite decision regarding where he will race them. Glentruin will not make the trip to EUerslie. It is probable that the imported mare will have her next race at Trentham. in the Waterloo Stakes, tho race in which Razzle Dazzle beat her last season. In tho meantime, Glentruin is getting through light tasks.

Barn Owl pulled up lame after working on Monday. The trouble is in the near foreleg, and it will necessitate a spell.

Serotina, a two-year-old sister to Owlscombe, by Autuiimus from Glenowlet, has arrived at Riccarton from Stonyhurst, and has joined Cutts Brothers’ team.

The three-year-old Rich Prize, by Antagonist from Sailor’s Hope, who went amiss some time ago, has been pent to the Stonyhurst stud for a spell. The Reaver, who was sold to Mr W Parsons recently, has left F. D. Jones’s stable, and is now under the care of $. Triliord.

The three-year-cld gelding Solferite, by Solferiuo, from Halina, was very sore when he raced at Methven on Saturday, and the race on the hard track did not improve matters. He is to be turned out for a few months’ spell. V A. G. Campbell is at present suffering from a sprained wrist, as a result of Mirimar putting his foot on it when he came to grief in the hurdle race at Methven on Saturday. Campbell hopes to be riding again next week.

Dr W. H- Lang, whose death,is reported from Melbourne, was very widely known in racing circles throughout Australia. He had acted as handicapper to tho Victoria Racing Club for a few years. Apart from this official position, however, he was a recognised authority on breeding. As “ Fife and Drum,” in the “ Pastoral Review.” and “ Teviotdale.” in the -‘Australasian,” he reached a wide circle of readers, and his entertaining articles on racing, especially on breeding questions. will be greatly missed. Tukia is a probable Starter for the Auckland Railway Handicap, and if she does M. M’Garten wilUSe her pilot. In that case F. T>. Jones will require to find a fresh rider for Murihaupo. Reports from Hawke’s Bay state that Rapine met- with some injuries recently while running in a paddock at sl£ratarawa. This will account- for his withdrawal from the Auckland Cup.

The two Otago cracks, Rose day and Loughrea, have been nominated for the. Dunedin Jockey Cub’s meeting, from which it may be concluded that they are by no means certain to make the trip to Auckland.

There is a disposition in some quarters to fancy the chance of Many Kittle in the Auckland Cup. * At- his best, he represents top class up to a mile and a quarter, bub he has to bo taken on trust for a two mile journey. He is, however, doing well in his work and next time he races he should improve on .anything he has shown this season.

The Dunedin Jockey Club lias received very satisfactory nominations for tho summer .meeting. Riccarton stables claim a fair contingent, spread over all the events, but the number of horses likely to make the southern trip does not look so large as usual.

Mr E. Riddiford should be satisfied with the condition of his team at present. With four horses at Woodville he secured three races, two seconds, and a third in six starts. ’Hi© team promises to have a successful visit to Auckland.

Sunart has come into favour for the Auckland Cup, while 'Scion is another horse who ha-s met with some support during the last few days. Mireusonta is the latest horse to find backing for tho Railway Handicap.

It is understood that R. Reed will ride Scion in the Auckland Cup and Mireusonta in the Railway Handicap. Although Enthusiasm will be one of F. 'Tilley’s team for EUerslie, she is said to be an unlikely starter for the Auckland Cup.

It is reported from the north that R. S. Bagby telegraphed for the mount on Roseday in the Auckland Gup, but he has not received a reply.

The hurdler Sir Fanciful joined J. T. Jamieson’s stable after tho Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting last month, as his trainer, A. Atwood, had to go into a private hospital.

Mr A. M’Donald’s two-year-old Killochra is reported to have done well since he raced at Ricoarton. He has furnished quite a lot in a short time, and now might easily pass as a threo-year-old instead of a year younger. He can be ticked off as a Derby possibility for next season.

T. Lloyd will have his team split up during the holidays. Sunart and Mireusonta will go to Auckland and Cleasanta, Askari, Clandhu and Kilgour to Awapuni. It was thought that the publicity given t-o the case at Hamilton, where R. Hannon lost first and second moneys through the riders claiming apprentice allowance, would have been, sufficient to acquaint owners, trainers and riders with the rules. On the first day at Wopdville the riders of two horses claimed the apprentice allowance ; but did not get it. Bugle Note has been an expensive horse to his connections, having failed on numerous occasions when he was expected to run well, and his failure on the second day at Woodville was another set back to the stable.

Soliform has been troubled with shin soreness lately, but he was no worse on the day after his race at .Woodville last week, so he may shake the trouble off /before he tackles the holiday racing.

The connections oi Gazeworthy were anxious to {secure the services of W. S'. Bagby for the Auckland Railway Handicap, but the successful lightweight will be required for Soliform. The Manawatu Racing Club has erected a now outside stand, situated about three chains to the east of the stewards’ stand, and alongside the birdcage. Last year a raised lawn was erected from the birdcage in front of the track lor about three and a halt chains in length and about one

chain in depth, with a concrete wall at the back seven feet high. This year tho stand has been completed. It is 132 feet long, 37 feet deep, 23 feet high at the back, and 7 feet at the front above the racing track. The stand is built throughout of reinforced concrete, with the back and two sides filled in with brick. It is estimated to accommodate about 2000 people. The underneath portion is divided into a large ladies’ cloak room, large din-ing-room, kitchen, and tea and refreshment room with a counter. Nearly the whole back of the stand is lighted with steel-framed windows, so it is amply lighted throughout. The kitchen is furnished with a 500 Roberts cooker and a Challenge water heating system. Everything is completed in an up-to-date manner, giving every facility to the general public outside. 'Die stand has a very neat, attractive appearance, and gives an exceptionally good view of £he galloping track, and it should be greatly appreciated by the public. Tho bar, instead of being underneath the stand, is now a building by itself at tho back, 100 feet long by 20 feet broad, also built m concrete. It has now been furnished with the latest fittings for the purpose of facilities and serving of tho public.

RICCARTON NOTES. Tuesday. The weather was fine while training operations were in progress at Riccarton this morning. The rain which fell overnight put the ploughed track out of action and all the work was done on the outside of the trial grass, which was in excellent order. "Winning Hit beat Viewpoint by several lengths over nine furlongs, which he ran in 2min. Wild Hind equalled that performance by herself. .Ballymena, accompanied by Oricot over the first three furlongs and by Murihaupo over the last- six, covered nine furlongs in lmin 5§ l-ssec. He finished well.

Many Kittle occupied lmin 31 4-osec over seven furlongs, while Piliewinkie and Deucalion covered the same ground together in lmin 30 4-ssec. Royal Star and Moorland went at half pace to the four furlong post and then sprinted home smartly. Owlscombe was too good for Gamebag in a half-mile sprint. Palestrina easily beat Wink over six furlongs, run in fair time. Giantkiller and Lord Nagar were together at the end of a working gallop over six furlongs, but the former was going very qasily. Warhue held Kukunie and Enare comfortably in a useful gallop over six furlongs. Gay Qneen and Jubilant sprinted down the straight. Sartist and a mate ran half a mile nicely together. Some Kid was much too good for Falstaff in a moderate spin over six furlongs, while Prince Ferouz beat Sprinkler over the same ground. Dame Straitlace ian a mile alone at a useful pace, finishing up her task strongly. Scorn sprinted half a mile smartly, while Footfall and fetarmist went very well over the same distance. Lord Ashlea, Gnm Joke and Blue Stocks were in a school over four hurdles, all of them jumping well. lvilfane, with a mate for the last part of the journey, covered a mile, without being quite at top. Limelight was going on well at the end of a smart mile. Sunny Loch jumped off slowly at the five furlong post and after a- slow furlong was joined by Geranial, the pair running home smartly. Marauder sprinted half a mile and Kilbird wfis given a working gallop over six furlongs. Castellan broke away at the mile post and with a mate for the last half, ran the journey in exceptionally good style. Mart is was slightly better than Armillary in a sprint up the back. Ascetic and Tempo were well matched over the same ground in slower time, while Clarino and Medusa followed with a better effort than the. others. •