Racing and Trotting

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17575, 27 June 1925, Page 7

Racing and Trotting

NOTES BY ARGUS

FIXTURES. Juno 24, 25—Hawke's Bay Jockey Cluo June 26. 27—Ashburton County Racing Club. June 27—Hawke's Bay Hunt. July 7,9, 11—Wellington Racing Club. July IS—South Canterbury Hunt. July 23, 25—<i is borne Racing Club. August 3—Christchurch Hunt. August 11, 13, 3 s—Canterbury Jockey August ji, 12, 14—Metropolitan Trotting NOMINATIONS. June 26—Canterbury Jockey Club. June 30—Waimate Hunt. July I —Wellington Racing Club. July 3 —Soutli Canterbury Hunt. July 3 —Gisborne Racing Club. July 10—Poverty Bay Hunt. ia July 17—Cnristchureh Hunt. HANDICAPS. June 25—Hawke's Bay Hunt. June 26—Wellington Racing Club. •July 7—Waimate Hunt. July 9—South Canterbury Hunt. July 10—Gisborne Racing Club. July 27—Christchurch Hunt. July 27—Poverty Bay Hunt. ACCEPTANCES. •Tune 26—Hawke’s Bay Hunt. July l—Wellington Racing Club. July 13—South Canterbury Hunt. July 14—Waimate Hunt. July 3 7—Gisborne Racing Club. July 28—Poverty Bay Hunt. July 29—Christchurch Hunt.

MR P. SELIG RETIRES.

The retirement of Mr P. Soli" from the New Zealand Trotting Association mavks an epoch in the administration of the sport. Since the formation of the Association Mr Selig has been its president, and prior to that period he had been a member of the South Island Association. While he may not have been an expert on the practical side of the sport, he brought to bear on its government a keen business knowledge, strict impartiality and sound common sense, qualifications which enabled hint to hold his position year after year. No one will realise more than Mr Selig how small an affair the Association was in its early days nor what a groat position it lias since reached. The governing body has grown with the needs of the sport, and the hold that the trotting and pacing sport now has an the community is evidence that the control has been on sound lines. Through all the early troublous times and later when keen business acumen has been required to unravel many technical points, Mr Selig, by his tactful aud judicious care has guided the destinies o.f the Association along the right lines. The retiring president had a number of special qualifications for the position he baa held so long. He was not associated with any club aud. in this respect be stood alone amongst his fellow members. The ideal Association would be otto composed of men who, like- Mr Selig, were not hampered l»y club interests but a. governing body so constituted is a Utopian dream. It is doubtful if the retiring president was well versed in sopie of the finer points of tbo sport, but this was at times ti merit, as he viewed all cases that came before the Association, and in which he was supposed to give a lend to the members, quite impartially and from a position to which no one Could take exception. When the president set out to make some recommendations, ho always appeared sure of his ground. At a time when the extinction of the trotter was threatened, in the evolution of the pacer, Mr Selig became a strong advocate for the retention of the free-legged horse, and it was chiefly through his advocacy that the mandatory rule was agreed to for the inclusion of unhoppled trotters’ races on all progammes. This brought an immediate improvement. With good stakes the trotter cam©

back to his own. and now the races for unhoppled horses arc interesting events. In the closer control of the racing, the president’s clear vision saw the necessity for paid officials and the establishment of the stipendiary steward system found in him a strong advocate. The innovation has been partially successful, but complete control of the racing by paid officials is now aimed at. The views of Mr Selig on this subject arc sound, as be bolds that the paid steward should be the best judge of what actually happens during the progress of a race. This change will not come during Mr Selig’s time, but be will leave the sport with the knowledge that he was a pioneer of the reform. During Mr Selig’s regime a lot of useful work has been accomplished. Much more has to be done, and no doubt it will receive attention, but Mr Selig will retire after a long tenure at the head, of a body which lias worked bard for a sport requiring competent and strong handling. He lias earned his retirement, and in bidding him farewell from the seat of government he can be thanked for bis disinterested work. The trotting sport is under an obligation to Mr Selig for the assistance he has so generously given in its control, over a long period of years, assistance which has gone far towards placing it on the high level it now occupies.

Nominations for,the Waimate Hunt meeting will close on Tuesday, and for the South Canterbury Hunt meeting on Wednesdaj - . The nominations received for the principal events at the Grand National meeting make up a very satisfactory list. The following are the figures, those for last year being shown in parentheses-Grand National Steeplechase, 28 (34) ; Winter Cup, 51 (60); Beaufort Steeplechase, 31 (35); Grand National Hurdle Handicap, 37 (40) ; Sydenham Hurdle Handicap, 3G (34); Lincoln Steeplechase, 34 (38); total, 217 (241). In spite of the slight falling off in numbers, the nominations are quite up to expectations. The steeplechasers appear to he below the best standard, but any weakness in that direction is due to the fact that the horses in commission are not so good as usual, for all the available material figures iu the list. The hurdlers are a strong lot, f or in addition fo the best ol last year’s horses, there are some promising newcomers, including a few who have not yet been tried *»« jumpers. The candidates for tbo Win 7 r f‘ up a f? fJ,nte to thp usual st all . dard. Altogether, the. nominations promise well as a basis for « good meeting at Riccarton in August. Boomerday has been getting through good work at Ellerslie in preparation ior the Grand National Hurdle Handieap. for which be is likely to be one of the popular fancies. Tinokaha is being kept moving along on the Ellcrslie tracks. He is booked ior a trip to Riccarton for the Christchurch Hunt meeting, and he will rej mam for the Grand National fixture. I Omabu injured a knee when he struck one of the fences in the Great Northern Steeplechase, and this was no doubt the reason he did not make a better showing in the Winter Steeplechase. The son of Man.apoto has been on the easy list since returning home r °m A,,dla.,d but it is uutiripated tie will be ready to race at Trentliam and later at Kieeartcn. where lie figures in the principal hurdle race*. “ Dick will not be a visitor to the Grand National meeting this rear This is a wise decision. The little Jellow lias been well tried out over the Riccarton fences, and it lias been clearly shown that they are too big for him. Loughreo is an unexpected nomination for the Grand National Hurdle Handicap, but this is the o.nlv race for which ho has been nominated. After all, it need never eaii.se surprise if lie. is put to hurdle racing, as Mr L- < . Hazlett is a great supporter of the jumping game. Tin Route, in addition to figuring in the Grand. National Hurdles Imd Sydenham Hurdles. has been nominated f°r the Grand National Steeplechase. but this is liis only cross country engagement.

Reports from Auckland state that •Sir Rosebery continues to put plenty of vim into bis track efforts and it is evident that he took no harm from his three hard races at the Auckland winter meeting. Though he is net engaged at Trentliam he is expected to make the trip to Riccartou for the Grand National meeting. An unnamed colt arived in Auckland from England a few days ago., consigned to the agents of a Gisborne sportsman. He is by Rivcli. son of the Ayrshire horse, Robert- le Diablo, bis dam being Half Ray. by Sir Archibald (son of Desmond) train Army Orders, by Lord Bobs (son of Bend Or) from Edict, by Diamond Jubilee. The English sire Hunting Song was due to leave England for tbo Dominion this month. He is by Hurry On from Pasta, a daughter of the Derby winner B‘ignori uetta. While racing in England. Hunting Song was credited with Tunning s» x furlongs in 3 min The statistics published by the New Zealand Racing Conference iu connection with the present season’s racing shows that the sum given in stakes iu the various districts for racing (galloping) events amounted to £432,575 10*. The Auckland district stands out well in the lend with £132,830. Canterburv conies second with a total of £61,825 and Wellington third with £<30.923. The colt by Surveyor from Juanna and tlie colt by Royal Soult from Eliza are the most forward of the rising two-year-olds at Ellerslie. They sprinted three furlongs recently, when the Royal Soult youngster showed to special advantage. W. H. Patterson trains this pair. En Route was responsible for an attractive performance in winning the hurdle race at. Ashburton yesterday. He was in front practically all the way, and after a good exhibition of fast jumping, be won easily. Before lie came to Riccarton, En Route bad done a good deal of racing over bur dies in the North Island, and at times he gave the impression of having little liking for the jumping game. Since he joined R. Longley’s stable be lias been raced with some success on the flat, and after yesterday’s race be looks a very promising hurdle prospect, ns be appears to have become more solid. Ten ter field was running on well at the end of the hurdle race at Ashburton yesterday, and the moody chestnut will win a good race if he takes it into liis bead to show his best form. After bis win at the Banks Pen in* «sula meeting .last Saturday, Chickwheat looked a certainty for the Novice Stakes at Ashburton yesterday, and he was backed accordingly. He pulled bis backers through aH right, but he had to be vigorously ridden in the straight to bend off Solway, who had a slight advantage over the favourite in the early stages. Cbickwheat will improve yet. and be may be found winning in good company next season. Volant, who filled third place in the Novice Stakes at Ashburton yesterday, is a well-grown two-year-old, by Solferino from Xithsevo. by Stepniak from Shepherdess. He is thus a brother to Coch-y-Bondhu and a halfbrother to Charleville, who went io Australia and earned high honours at the stud as the dam of Windbag, the three-year-oUI hero of the Australian Jockey Club’s autumn meeting. Volant was making his first appearance in a race yesterday, and though lie began slowly, as a result of his inexperience, he finished with a gr e afc run over the last two furlongs. When be has had a bit of racing, be is likely to do good service next season for the Orari trainer, R. C. Keeper, whose colours he carries. Windermere, who won the Hack Steeplechase at Ashburton yesterday, raced very consistently in the minor cross-country events at the Dunedin meeting early this month. After running second twice, he wound up th ? meeting with a win, but as Wingatui form showed him to be two stone behind Maghera, he cannot yet rank as more than a moderate steeplechaser. He looks as if he would improve with racing, however, and lie may take much higher honours later in the winter. He is bred well enough for any company being hv Sunny Lake from Angela, by Multiform from Happy Valiev. by Wallace from Fnrnwav, bv Bi!J of Portland from Happy Land. Swindnsa ran one of his usual good races in the Hack Steeplechase at Ashburton yesterday, though he had no chance with Windermere at the finish His presence in a steeplechase field always excites interest, if onlv for the reason that he is by the trotting sire, St Kwithin, but his breeding on tb« dam’s side is aH right, Kildasa. being a thoroughbred mare bv Kilcberan | by Seaton Ilelavnl from -Ha. Ivy King Cole. Sivindasa is a good jumper, but though lie has several placed performances, he has not vet won a race. The Cheat registered a useful pc»*formanre in winning the Ashburton Handicap yesterday. He was one of the pacemakers most of the wav, and though he was being hard ridden a furlong front home, he battled on gamely and won nicely. The Cheat should win over longer journeys next season. Jubilant won the Braekenfield Handicap at Riccarton last Saturday so decisively that she was backed ‘with great confidence yesterday in the Ashburton Handicap. She jumped out smartly, but in the middle stages of the journey she always appeared'to be labouring, and though she finished on veil, Ihe Cheat beat her l>v a comfort able margin. Kukun.r, who won the J.ongbcach Handicap at, Ashburton yesterday, finished second to Sortist in the' same race a year ago. She had not been a winner in tbo interval, bet- onlv money earning effort being when she'ran secoml to Jubilant in the Braekenfieid Handicap at, Riccarton last, Saturday In -yesterday's race the Martian mare as usual, was a long way back in the ear y stages, and she owed he,- success to her stamina, having her opponents well beaten soon after the straight was reached. Kaikaku. who filled second place ,n the Ijongpeach Handicap at Ashburton yesterday, j* an Auckland bred ' five-year-old, from S. Trilford’s stable. He shaped as if he might win a race shortly over about a mil©. There were some speedy sprinters in the Thorndon Handicap at Ashburton yesterday, hut Lava and Dancing Days showed lheir heel* to the opposition from the start aud had the race io themselves nil the way. Lava outstayed 3he Oamaru ' mare, and further successes should come her way, as she can run on a good deal further than li\c furlongs.

Cardinal Logan, the winner of the Selma Trot Handicap at Ashburton yesterday, is a five-year-old gelding l.v Logan Pointer, and he was making his first appearance in a race. It v.us a most attractive performance for a noviqe, as lie paced very soundly, after one break, Irom which he recovered quickly, and ho had the race in safe keeping a long way from home. Taking a line through Chick wheat’s form at Riccarton and Ashburton. Solway. who ran second to tlie Buckwheat gcldi ng yesterday, is a useful customer, as he kept C.-hio.k wheat very busy to beat him. Solway is an unlucky horse, as bo has some useful placed performances to his credit, without a win. Cash man and Red Sol were decidedly unlucky in the Hack Steeplechase at Ashburton yesterday. Cashmere ran off at tlie fence near the mile post, where Tied Sol fell. The mishaps were not due to their own faults but were caused by interference from Apex, who continued with tlie field after losing his rider at the first fence. M hen The. Cheat won the Ashburton Handicap yesterdav. he carried the coloars of Mr J. Griffon, who purchased the Clarenceux gelding from .T. AT.’Com be a. few weeks ago, but left him under the care of the Riccarton trainer. Mr Grifren has adopted the colours of his brother, the late Mr Frank Griffen. who was closely associated with M’Combe’s stable for many years.

ASHBURTON RACES

VI XT E R AI LETT X G. T ho conditions were very pleasant yesterday for the opening of the Ashburton County Racing Club’s winter meeting. )\ liilo Christchurch lias experienced a Jot of wet weather lately, much of it has Ivccn missed by Ashburton. Light, drizzling showers fell in the city yesterday morning and many sportsmen decided to stay at home on that account, very unfortunately, as it turned out, for the sun was shining brightly when the special train dropped its passengers near the; racecourse, and tlio day proved fine till the end. The course was in capital order, with the sting out of the ground bill, providing the best of going. Some of the fields were on the small side, but there were sufficient competitors to ensure interesting sport. The most disappointing race was the steeplechase, in which, out of eight starters, only the three placed horses got round without mishap. The totalisator investments, £lO.lOl, showed an increase of £3O over tho corresponding day last year. Racing opened with the First HurdlG Handicap. The scratching of Captain Sarto and Red Kriss lett a field of five. Paddy’s Hope showed out smartly, but ran down the first hurdle, leaving En Route in front. Nautical and Paddy’s Hope soon joined the leader, hut En Route jumped clear again at the second hurdle, whero Nautical dropped back. Paddy’s Hope closed on En Route going to the mile post, but again lost ground at tlie hurdles, this being repeated at the hurdle near the six furlong post. En Route then went on from Paddy’s Hope, with Tenterfield at the head of the others. En Route was well clear at the entrance to the straight and he won easilv bv two lengths from Tenterfield, who heat Paddy’s Hope by three lengths. Nautical was four length?; further away, with North Inch last, a position he had occupied all through the going. En Route is a vastly improved horse since he joined R. Lonley’s stable at Riccarton. Earlier iu hi 3 career, when racing over hurdles, lie seemed to have no liking for the business, but he has performed very well oil the flat this season and now he shapes like being a good hurdler. He looks a better horse than ever, and he should be heard of in important jumping races later on. Tenterfield jumped all right, hut the Ashburton hurdles are not a severe test. He is a moody customer but the first time he runs generously all through a race he will be hard to beat, whatever the com.panv. Seven scratching left a field of eleven for the Novice Plate, three of them being two-year-olds. As was to be expected, after his win at Riccarton last Saturday. Chick wheat was a hot favourite, while after him Solway was a. little better hacked than Solfeilo, with tlie two-voor-old Volant fourth choice. The public picked t ho quick beginners, os Solfeilo. Solway and Cbickwheat were smartest out. with Robe form next, while Guv and Bonnie "Waif were slow io leave the mark. At the end of a furlong Solfeilo had drawn clear of Solway, with Cbickwheat handy arid Bebefonn still fourth, at tho head of a hunch, in which the colours of Guvbirr] were prominent. After going three furlongs Fairy Tidings mover] up to fourth place. They ran without further change to the straight, where Solfeilo was done with. Solway going on just in front of Cbickwheat. Both these horses were being ridden hard .l furlong from home, but Chickwheatgradually wore the Otago horse down, winning by a hare length. Volant, who put in a fast run in the straight, was three lengths away, with Beheform fourth and the rest of the field well back. Tlie winner ran some good but unlucky races iu the spring and now that lie lias broken the spoil with a couple of wins, ho can lie marked off for further successes, ns he is a good galloper, of whom the best has not been seen. Solway ran a solid race and is overdue for a win. The two* year-old Volant can he kept in mind for the spring. Solfeilo showed plenty of speed but he cannot stay. The eight acceptors went, to the post for the Hack Steeplechase. "Windermere was a pronounced favourite, with f ashman a iittle better backed than Red Sol for second choice. Lord Ashlea was first to show out and he just led Red Sol and Cashman over tlie first fence, where Apex lost his rider. The three loaders went on in close order to tho first of the stand doubles, whero Ala inspring was nearly cl own, losing his , rider. Cashman then went on in front, but, he ran off at the fence near the mile post, whero Red Sol fell. Lord Ashlea. • was then left showing the way to Windermere, with Swindnsa handy, and Blue Streak well back. Racing for the straight Windermere moved ; up and he joined Lord Ashlea- as flier approached the last fence. The pair I rose together, hut Lord Ashlea fell, leaving Windermere to -vein easily by j three leugrths from Svindaso, who beat Blue Streak by six lengths. The win- ; mer has raced very consistently this month, four starts having produced two wins and two seconds, while it is probable ho can he improved a lot yet. Blue Streak was uuluckv in meeting interference, early, hut when ho settled down he ran a good race. Cashman and Red Sol were unlucky in having their prospects ruined by iliterference from a loose horse. Apex, who continued with the field after dropping Ids' rider at th© first fence. There were three scratch! ngs fur the Selma Trot Handicap, and in field of sixteen Four Bells carried a 1 few pounds more than Cardinal Logan, i with Gift of Song and Ruline best j hacked among the others. llonoui '

Bright led Cardinal Logan and Gilt of Song at the start, with Our Bird at the head of tlie 'others. The order was the same at. the end ol hall a mile, where. Four Bells had taken fifth place. Two further on Cardinal Login broke and dropped back to fifth, hut lie was soon going again and half a mile from home lie was just behind Honour Bright, with Four Bel is handy and Rufiiie next. They need like this to tlm straight, v. here Cardinal Logan moved up and went on to heat .Honour Bright comfortably by over si length. Four Rdls \yas n length awav third, with Rex Minto, Kufine, mid’Succession not far hack. The winner, was having liis first race and he put up a solid performance, after one break, from- which he mada, quick recovery. Ho looks a good sort. Honour Bright showed a lot of speed and paid a great dividend. Fom Bells paced soundly all the way bn-, could not pull out the little extra that was required in the straight to give him second place. The Southlandbred three-year-old should improve. Gift of Song, a I'mir-vear-old by Harold Dillon from Xordma, went well for over a mile and then faded out. but Rex Minto. Riifiiv and Succession were all going on well at the end of Royal A Vac and Kiilciimc were withdrawn from the Ashburton Handicap, leaving a lick! of live. .Jubilant was a warm favourite, with. Los Ambus easily second choice. Ferino and The Cheat we.ro smartest out hut alter going a furlong .Jubilant was just showing out from The Cheat and Kilbirnie. A furlong furtljer on Jubilant dropped back. The Cheat and Kilbirnie going on together in tbc lead, with Los Ambus next and .Jubilant iourth. Racing for the straight Tho Cheat was iu charge, while Los Ambus and Jubilant were closing on Kilbirnie. There was not much I.x:tween those four when they were well in line for home, Ferino being in. the rear. Los Ambus was the first to weaken and though Jubilant finished well, The Cheat beat her by three-quarters of a length. Ivilbirnio was two lengths away, well clear of Los Ambus, with Ferino lust. The Cheat ran a game, honest race, and from- tho manner in which lie stayed out the mile, after making practically all the running, he can he marked off tor further successes over longer journeys than a mile. lie is not a- big one, but lie is a solid customer. Jubilant had every chance hut she disappointed her admirers* as she seemed f-o he in difficulties a long way from homo, though she came on again gamely in Ihe straight. Kilbirnie and Los Ambus both faded out at the end. while Ferino never £ Imped like a winner. Kilbirnie was the only scratching for the Longbeacli Handicap, leaving seven starters. It was a great betting race. Kaikuhu finishing up with a slight call over His Majesty, Kukumc and Upliir. M hen they settled down Adopted and His Majesty were just showing out from Captain Sarto and Ophir, but ar the end of two furlongs Captain Sarto bad joined Adopted in the lead, two lengths in front of a hunch, headed by His Alajesty, while Kukumc was last. T hen A\ inkie’s Rebel moved up' and at the six furlongs post, where Adopted with done with, she was with Captain Sarto in front, while Ophir had dropped back to second last, just in front of Klukume. Five furlongs from home Kaikuhu ran into the lead, with "Winkle's Rebel next, Captain Sarto being beaten. Racing for the straight Kaikahu was still showing the way to "Winkle's Rebel, with Ophir and ITis Majesty also prominent and Ivukum? moving up. Once in line for home Kukume took the lead and went on to win easily by over a length, while Kaikahu lasted long enough to beat Ophir by a short head for second place, His Alajesty being at the head of tinothers. Kukumc lacks brilliancy hid she stays well and it was this quality that enabled her to win so easilv. Kaikahu ran a- good race but probably lie would be better at a mile. Ophir was running on in good stvl© at the finish. His Alajesty was ' beaten a long way from home and apparently he is not ready for long journeys yet, however he may shape next season. The concluding event, the Thorndon Handicap, attracted a field of ten, among them being some speedy sprinters. (lontarf. Lava and Solferito were evenly hacked, finishing u;> in that order, with Dancing Days nearly as well fancied. .Lava, and Dancing Days hopped out smartly and soon opened out a gap from Flaming Ray. ( lontarf and Gold Brick. On reaching tho straight Lara and Dancing Days were still on terms, bowling along freely, well clear of the others Lava slaved better than the Oamaru mare, whom she heat comfortably by a. length, while ("lontarf held on to got third i'll a re, two lengths away. (lOldtowu. finishing fast, was close up. a head in front of 1 Taming Ray. Th,: winner i.- a smart three-year-old. who has several useful performances to her credit. 1 his .season and with others to come, if she has ordinary luck, for she should improve yet. Dancing Days can go f-j.st but she is not partial to a distance and under the high scale of weights five furlongs proved quite far enough for her. ( lontarf carried his big load well and ho must rana as a much improved horse. Goidtown finished strongly and did remarkablv veil to get so dose, after being well hack in the early staggs. never looked dangerous, while Solferitluvl liis chance settled bv .stumbling ar the start.