Racing and Trotting.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17729, 26 December 1925, Page 5

Racing and Trotting.

NOTES BY

ARGUS.

FIXTURES. December 26. 2S—Dunedin Jockey Club. December 26, 2S—Taranaki Jockey Club. December 26. 28—Westland Racing? Club. December 26, 28—Westport Trotting? Club. December 26, 28—South Walrarapa Trotting- Club. December 26, 28, 29 Manawatu Racing Club. December 26, 29, January 2, 2—Auckland Racing Club. December 28, 30, 31—Auckland Trotting Club. December 30—Inangahua Trotting Club. December 30—Winton Trotting Club. December 33, January 1, 4—Greymouth Jockey Club. January l—Waiau Racing Club. January I—Waikouaiti Racing Club. January I—Wyndham Racing Club. January 1. 2—Canterbury Park Trotting dub. January 1, 2—Marton Jockey Club. January 1, 2—Wairarapa Racing Club. January 3, 2—Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club, January 1,2 Stratford Racing Club. January 2—Westland Trotting Club. January 2, 4—Southland Racing Club. January 5, 6—Greymouth Trotting Club. January 7, B—Reef ton Jockey Club. January S. 9—Cromwell Jockey Club. January 12, 13—Vincent Jockey Club. January 14, 16—Thames Jockey Club. January 3 6—Wellington Trotting Club. January 16—Wairio Jockey Club. Januarv 20, 22, 23—Wellington Racing Club. January 22, 23—Fnxton Racing Club. January 22, 23—Invercargill Trotting Club. January 23—Bay of Islands Racing Club. January 27, 2X—Pahiatua Racing Club. January 28, 29—Forbury Park Trotting Club. January 29, 30—Takapuna Jockey Club. January 30—Hawke's Bay Trotting Club. NOMINATIONS. December 29—Vincent Jockey Club. December 30—Cromwell Jockey Club. January 4— Wellington Racing Club. January 6—Foxton Racing Club. January 6—lnvercargill Trotting Club. January 7—Hawke’s Bay Trotting Club. January S—Pahiatua Racing Club. January B—Takapunaß—Takapuna Jockey Club. January 11—Forbury Park Trotting Club. HANDICAPS. December 2S—lnangahua Trotting Club. December 28—Greymouth Racing Club. December 29—Southland Racing CJJub. December 30—Westland Trotting,' Club. January 2—Cromwell Jockey Club. January 4—l-ieefton Jockey Club. January 4 —Bay of Islands Racing Club. January 4 —Thames Jockey Club. January 6—Wairio Jockey Club. January 7—Wellington Trotting Club. January B—Wellington Racing Club. January 9—Foxton Racing Club. January 9—Vincent Jockey Club. January 13— Invercargill Trotting Club. January 14—Pahiatua Racing Club. January IS—Forbury Park Trotting Club. ~, . January IS—Takapuna Jockey Club. January 20—Hawke's Bay Trotting Club. ACCEPTANCES. December 2S—Waiau Racing Club. Ib’ecember 29—Canterbury Park Trotting Club. ' December 23—Greymouth Jockey Club. December 29—Inangahua Trotting Club. December 30—Southland Racing Club. December 31—Westland Trotting Club. January s—Reef ton Jockey Club. January 6—Cromwell Jockey Club. January S—Thames Jockey Club. January 11—Vincent Jockey Club. January 11—Wairio Jockey Club. January 11—Bay of Islands Racing flub. January 13—Wellington Racing Club. January 14—Foxton Racing Club. January 16—Wellington Trotting Club. January 18—Invercargill Trotting Club. January IS—Pahiatua ; Racing Club. January 22—Forbury Park Trotting Club. , _ January 22—Takapuna Jockey Cinb. January 25—Hawke’s t>ay '1 rotting Club. The Canterbury Park Trotting Club's summer meeting will be held at Addington next I' riday and Saturday, providing an excellent holiday attraction for Canterbury sportsmen. The programme caters liberally for the best performers, and the racing should be high-class. * * * * Acceptances for the first day of the Canterbury Park Trotting Club's meeting will close at noon on Tuesday. Of five horses who arc eligible to compete in the Great Northern Trotting Derby on Monday, three arc ownrle in Canterbury and another was bred here, the fifth being an Australian-bred colt. Mr H. F. Nicoll has two representatives, both fillies, of whom Nantwich is generally regarded as superior to Ayr. They are smart pacers, but William the Great, trained by H. Frost at New Brighton, may keep them busy, as

the form he showed a fortnight ago suggests that he has improved since Nantwich beat him so easily for second place in the New Zealand Derby at Addington early last month. * * * * Horatius lias engagements at the Greymouth Jockey Club’s meeting, and IT. Ellis will probably send him to the West Coast early next week. * * * >?: Mr J. Black has tired of Winkle, who was sold a few days ago. It is understood he is now owned by a patron of J. Bryce's stable, and he may be raced at the holiday meetings on the West Coast. Winkle showed a good deal of promise as a youngster, but he has been a great disappointment in his racing. : 'fi * * * 1 lie much-boomed Otago mare. Miss inkie, has been eased up. and she is' not likely to fulfil any of her immediate engagements. * * * * It Is reported that C. Emerson will be riding at the Cromwell and Vincent meetings, which follow soon after the Southland Racing Club's fixture. • * * * The Paper Money-Secret Link yearling, one of the most promising of the youngsters at the Elderslie Stud, has been shipped to Melbourne. It is understood that he has been sold for 1000 guineas. He is a half-brother to Silver Link (one of the most brilliant sprinters of her day), also Link Up and Bondi, the last named a Boniform three-vear-°ld who has been racing well in Melbourne this season. * ;Je >;< sj: The death is announced from Wellington of Mr R. W. Paterson, who was at one time widely known in New Zealand racing circles. At different times he owned some good horses. The best of them was Solution, who followed some smart efforts in the Do- ' minion by winning the Metropolitan Handicap and. Craven Plate at Randwick. Ringman, Waiwhera and Penates were other horses who carried his colours with distinction. * >’fi The Limond gelding, Commendation, has been boomed in some quarters as one of the greatest two-vear-olds seen in New Zealand during the last ten years, while other extremists will not even admit that he is more than just average. These latter account for his easy wins by deciding that the youngsters lie has beaten are only a poor lot. This may prove a sound estimate, but it means an extremely low classification for most of the other juveniles of the present season. Most people will prefer to think that they are at least tip to the usual standard, and if this is accepted as a fair estimate, it means that Commendation is very good, for he is far ahead of the others, judged on spring form. It is urged, on behalf of his opponents, that some of them were not ready, to race -when Commendation beat them. Lysander and Joy King are a pair who come under this heading, but these two could make a lot of improvement and still have no chance of reversing the spring form. Though it is much too early yet to describe Commendation as a champion, he has demonstrated pretty clearly that lie at least represents good form. His claims to the greater title can be left in abeyance, until he has been more exhaustively tried, not only with other two-year-olds, but also against older horses. * * * * J. M. Cameron arrived in the Dominion from Sydney a few days ago on a holiday trip to his home in Hawke’s Bay. lie was anxious to race The Hawk during his stay, but transport arrangements could not be made, and the Martian gelding was left in Sydney. * * * * A contingency has been registered between Mr A. J. Toxward and Mr A. B. Williams with regard to Star Stranger's 3'earling brother (Martian—Star Lady). It covers the period till the end of his four-vear-old season. 3*= * * * The Otago gelding Rob, who has shown smart sprinting form more than once, is under suspicion for wind troubles.

I Roseday has been working well at Wingatui, and he is expected to show up prominently in his races before long. * * * * Reports from Wingatui state that Bonnie Winkie is to be tried again. He seems to be thoroughly sound when galloping in the paddock. * * * * While galloping with Tall Timber over half a mile on the course proper at Te Awamutu, the Rossendale—Cheri Cheri colt, Ateriria, fell heavily when rounding the bend into the straight, and received injuries to one of his shoulders, with the result that he has been turned out for a while. The apprentice, C. Davis, who was riding him, received a shaking and slight concussion, but it is thought that his injuries are not serious. Alteriria was purchased in Australia for 160 gs. He is owned by Mr M. 11. Tims, who is having no luck at present, as Te Kara went amiss after racing in the New Zealand Cup. * * * R. Kamagr, who died at Perth about a fortnight, ago, at the age of sixty years, was at one time a leading Australian jockey. He rode Carbine in some of his successes, including the Melbourne Cup. * * * * The New Zealand-bred gelding. Ransack, by Solferino from Raid, continues t,o race well on Sydney pony courses. Following on his success in the Ascot Cup, he won the Gold Cup at Victoria Park. .** * * Wintertime, by Joculation from Ermengarde, scored an eas3* win in the Fourteen-two Handicap at Victoria Park, Sydney, this month. ■fi * * At the Piccadilly Hotel, London, recently, the English jockeys gave F. Bullock and V. Smyth a dinner to mark their retirement. The table was the replica of a racecourse, and the waiters were dressed as jockeys. Bullock was presented with a gold cigarette box, with Saucy Sue’s head enamelled on the top, and Smith received a gold cigarette case. Each gift bore facsimile autographs of all the jockeys present, and a suitable inscription. * * :Je * John E. Madden, the most successful breeder in America, is selling 100 of his mares privately, and will retain twenty from which he will breed for his own racing purposes. Hitherto he has bred principally for the market, and has headed the winning breeders’ list in America for the past seven years. Practically every race of account in America has, at some time or other, been won by a horse of Mr Madden’s breeding. He raced many two-year-olds before selling just to let buyers know what to expect. Relative to this, he said: “It is an excellent plan. Anyone who buys a horse from me knows just what he is giving his money for; there is no concealment.” • * • * F. Bullock, who is returning to Australia. interviewed by a representative of a Sydney paper, expressed sorrow at having to retire from race riding. However, he said, five heavy falls in a few years had shaken his nerve, and he feels a long rest necessary. He is unable to say too much for sportsmen in England, and contemplates returning to that country as a trainer. Chatting about jockeys, he remarked that Steve Donoghue was the best he had ever seen. Sprints or long races, slugs or two-year-olds, all came the- same to Steve, but he thought his many successes in the Derby were due to good judgment in picking his mounts more than to special ability on the Epsom course. Bullock places Saucy Sue, Picaroon, Son-in-law and Buchan among the best horses he has ridden, and, if that idea is correct, Picaroon should do well next year. Bullock has no intention of doing any riding on his return to Australia. He admits that the sharper turns and shorter straights do not appeal to him after England's long, straight runs, which make for fairer riding, and give any hor.se a winnings chance if it is gogd enough. Discussing remuneration, Bullock said that once a jockey is established in England he can make much .more than in Australia, consequent on there being so many rich owners.

Whispering Willie looks well ar.d trots in great style in his training, but when in a race he fails to reproduce his best. The little trotter is in the veteran stage and will probably not race much longer. * * * $ The three-year-old by Peter Moko from the dam of Napland is now going on well in his work at Addington. He is, however, a long way from ready to race and cannot be forward enough for the classic event at Forbury Park next month. * * * * The Southland owned pacer Donside is doing very little fast work at Addington. lie does not appear to be sound and most of his tasks are of the slow jogging order. P. Riddle has Sherk looking very well. This pacer was in good form just prior to the Cup meeting, but was not started on account of having struck his knee slightly. He is quite sound again and the enforced spell has done him no harm. * * * * The trotter John Mauritius has performed creditably in his racing efforts in the Dominion. The ex-Australian looks like developing into a really useful sort. lie is on the light side at present. * * * * Bruce looks none the worse for his recent racing. The cx-South Canterbur y pacer may race better over a journey later in the season. * * i'fi * Bessie Logan is gradually getting into form, but this fine pacer is not likely to be seen at her best over two miles till the autumn. Jjt * >£ 5 Golden Sun bears a well trained appearance and has been doing a lot of useful work at Addington recently. ❖ ;}: s 'fi The Toff trots well in training, showing little inclination to make mistakes. In his races, however, he fails to go steadily. ❖ * * * Nipper is a capital pacer without hopples. He was able to go fast as a young horse, and he has not improved so much as his early speed indicated. * * * # The trotter First Fashion is one of the solid and reliable sort. When he is well he rarely makes a mistake in a race, showing plenty of speed and staying well. J. J. Kennerley has the Australian at his best at present. * * * * The pacer Orion, who has won two' good races for his owner on the Auckland track, quite fails to show his best when raced in the south. Orion looks really well, but his training efforts are not of an impressive character. The Australian pacer cannot keep to his gait in training. * * * * The pacer Peter Bingen appears/ to be very much on the light side and is not likely to be seen at his best over a long journey in the meantime. * * * * Little Logan does not improve and this fine trotter, while retaining all his speed, is troubled in the wind and a two mile journey now seems beyond his powers. * SJC * * The pacer Admiral Pointer is doing some of his training work in saddle. lie is big enough to race well in saddle events. * * * * Logan Chief looks well and seems to j

be coming along towards his best form again. The big pacer is not a good traveller and lightens up when on tour. ★ * * • The pacer Escort continues to train on well. He looks as though there is a possibility of him getting back to his best form. * * * * Bertha Bingen is growing into a good looking mare. She is pacing attractively, and it should not be long before she rewards her owner with a win. *3* * a(s * Pearlie Chimes is being kept hard at work, but she will not do much more racing, as she is to be retired to the stud this season. * ❖ * * Teneriffe looks particularly bright and well. This mare has been unluck in her racing this season, but it should not be long before a win is recorded. * sjc iie # G- F. Robinson has just taken up a three-year-old by Great Bingen from a close relative to his old favourite Our Goldie. The young horse is particularly well grown and shows a lot of quality. At present he is merely being jogged and it is not yet certain at which gait he will be tried out. AUCKLAND TROTTING CUP. AN OPEN RACE. The Auckland Trotting Club’s summer meeting will be commenced on Monday, when the two chief items on the programme will be the Trotting Cup- and the Great Northern Derby. The club has grown more than any other in the Dominion during the past few years, and the sport is now firmly established in public favour in the northern province. Large fields contest all the events, and so many local owners have of late vears come into the sport that the club can do -without outside support. The large stakes now offered by the club, however, attract owners from a distance, and there is always a good attendance of visiting horses and owners, who are well catered for by the management. The big northern fixture is almost certain to be a great success in every way. The Auckland Trotting Cup has gradually grown in favour throughout the Dominion, and now ranks second only to the New Zealand Trotting Cup with followers of the trotting and pacing sport. The conditions for this 3'ear’s race restrict it to horses who have done 4min 34sec, but that the limit horses are handicapped at 4min 32sec. There is a capital field for the race on Monday, there being eighteen acceptors. On the limit of the handicap are Moneymaker, Glandore, Oakhampton, Oruarangi, Dean Dillon, Nelson Derby, Talaro and Billy Sea. Of the eight Nelson Derby is a strong favourite for the race. Nelson Derby was a brilliant three-year-old and beat Childe Pointer in the Auckland Derby in 1920. Since that time until a few months ago he has raced continuously over short courses and won in good time. A few months ago he was purchased by Mr G. Barton, of Dunedin, and went into Tomkinson’s stable. Since then he has won decisively over two miles, but he will find the Auckland Cup a much more difficult proposition. It is generally understood that pacers or trotters racing in the best class require race experience in it. This Nelson Derby has not had, and it is possible he may be found wanting over the last half-mile. Tomkinson has Nelson Derby verj' well at present, however, and the Nelson Bingen horse will probably put up a good performance. The Aucklander, Oakhampton, raced particularly well last October, winnings, two races, but like Nelson Derby, he will find the race a harder one than he has been accustomed to, as the ifield will be busy throughout, with ! turned on all the time. Glandore is too unreliable at the start, and Moneymaker is on the down grade. Talaro is solid and reliable, but is lacking in dash, whilst Billy Sea has not raced so well as was expected. Oruarangi is a rare good pacer, who has come back to form and is particularly dangerous on Auckland tracks. He can stay and has,speed, and he will be a hard proposition for the favour-' ite. Dean Dillon is another horse who races well on the track, but it is doubtful if he is on the improve. Goldman and Audacious are on 12yds, and the Canterbury-owned pacer should beat Goldman. Audacious is a much better pacer than many people imagine. Blue Mountain King, who won the Cup in 1923, has been at the stud for some time and can hardly be at his best, whilst First Carbine has been racing a long way below his best form in his recent efforts. Jack Potts is thought to have a good chance of success. The American stallion is a fine pacer and is exceptionally well at present. He may, however, not race so well on the grass track as some of the others. Jack Potts is certain to be one of the favourites. One of the most improving pacers in the race is the Canterbury-owned Prince Pointer. He has had a solid preparation and seems to be still improving. The track should suit him better than the left-handed ones on which he has performed so -well, and provided he is judiciously handled in the race he will be very hard to beat. Acron is just Acron. Given a good start and in the humour, the brilliant pacer would make light of all opposition, but he has to get on the journey well and then pace in his best style. His effort at New' Brighton was a brilliant one, but had he been well mannered and generous from the start he would have won with ease. Withers has improved Acron in manners and has hopes of further success in this direction. He will probably drive him in Monday's race, as it is gener- i ally understood that Great Bingen will not contest the event, although he is an acceptor. Onyx may put up a good performance, but it is very doubtful. The brilliant pacer is a bad traveller and is not likely to be at her best. She is a very shy feeder and is almost certain to cause her trainer some worry. Her mile and a half record at New Brighton proved that Onyx was in her best form, and if her popular trainer is lucky enough to get her to the post for the race at her best she will get some of the big stake. ' ENGLISH HORSES. ARE THEY DETERIORATING? The ” London Evening News ” recently printed an interview, in which Major Gerald Deane, of the firm of Tattersalls, declared:—"There is no doubt that our racehorses are deteriorating.” The Aga Khan gives his different answer to the question “ Is the English racehorse on the decline?” “ To the question which you ask me I think there can be but one answer,” remarked the Indian nobleman in the course of an interview. " The English thoroughbred holds a unique position in the world to-day, and I think, after careful consideration of all that has been said to the contrary, that its supremacy is more pronounced to-da}' than it has ever been in the past. The L

need for the best English blood, not only on the Continent, but in North and South America, is greater than ever. The reasons that have forced me to this conclusion, after careful study, are both theoretical and practical. Theoretically, if there is anything underlying the fundamental principle of selection through racing and breedine. the English horse must be the best in the world, because for scores of generations of horse life racing has been in progress in England on a much larger scale than anywhere else. Nothing like it has been known in any other country. Thus the representatives of all the great horses of the past fiftv years are found to a far larger extent in England than elsewhere, and, as each of these descendants of famous stock is distinguished by some individual variation from its progenitors, the choice for selection and variation is wider in England than in any other country. Taking the great horses of the last half century—Doncaster, Isonomy, Hampton and Galopin—we find some great representatives of each of these lines in England, with the obvious result that, while breeders in other countries have only a few—or onl}’ inferior—representatives of these famous strains to choose from, English breeders can go to the very best representatives of these horses and are offered variety of type. The main practical consideration which I put forward in support of my belief in the supremacy of English thoroughbreds is that throughout the world there is at the present moment an urgent demand for English stallions.”