Racing and Trotting.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17783, 1 March 1926, Page 2

Racing and Trotting.

NOTES BY

ARGUS.

FIXTURES. MArch 3—Otautau Racing- Club. March 3. 4—Dannevirke Racing Club. March 5, 6—Nelson Jockey Club. March 6—Banks Peninsula Racing Club. March 6—Waikato Trotting Club. March 6—Matamata Racing Club. March 10—Maria watu Trotting Club. March 10—Opotiki Jockey Club. March 10, ii—Southland Racing SClub. March 12. 13—Nafiier Park Racing Club 1 March 13—Timaru Trotting Club. March IS—Northland Trotting Club. March 13, 17—Ohinemuri Jockey Club. March 17—Opunake Racing Club. March 17—Wyndharn Trotting Club. March IS —Waimate Racing Clul*. March IS, 20—New Brighton Trotting Club. March 20—Thames Trotting Club. March 20—Bay of Plenty' jockey Club. March 20—Masterton Racing Club. March 20, 22—Westport Jockey Club. March 23. 24—Oamaru Jockey Club. March 24. 25—Rangltikei Racing Club. March 27—Wellington Trotting Club. April 3. s—Hawera Trotting Club. Apri* s—Wairarapa Racing Club. April 3, s—Auckland Racing Club. April 3, s—Feilding Jockey Club. April 3. 7—Metropolitan Trotting Club. April 5, 6—Canterbury Jockey Club. April 7—Westland Racing Club . April 10—Oreymouth Jockey Club. NOMINATIONS. March 2—Westport Jockey Club. March 3—Bay of Plenty Jockey Club. March 4—New Brighton Trotting Club. March 6—Wyndham Trotting Club. March 10—Wellington Trotting Club. March 12—Hawera Trotting Club. March 15—Wairarapa Racing Club. March 19—Feilding Jockey Club. March 22—Metropolitan Trotting Ciub. March 27—Oreymouth Jockey Club. March 30—Westland Racing Club. HANDICAPS. March 2—Waimate Racing Club. March 2—Oamaru Jockey Club. March 3—Timaru Trotting Club. March 3—Ohinemuri Jockey Club. March 4—Southland Racing Club. March s—Napier Park Racing Club. March C—Rangitlkei Racing Club. March S —Westport Jockey Club. March S —Northland Trotting Club: March I*—New Brighton Trotting Club. March 9—Wyndham Trotting Club. March 9—Bay of Plenty Jockey Club. March 15—Thames Trotting Club. March 22—Wellington Trotting Club. March 22—Wairarapa Racing Clbu. March 23—Hawera Trotting Club. March 26—Metropolitan Trotting Club. March 26—Feilding Jockey Club. April s—Westland Racing Club. April S—Oreymouth Jockey Club.

ACCEPTANCES. March I —Nelson Jockey Club. March I—Waikato Trotting Club. Marrh 2—Matamata Racing Club. March 3—Manawatu Trotting Club. March 6—Southland Racing Club. March B—Timaru Trotting Club. March S —Opunake Racing Club. March B—Ohinemuri Jockey Club. March 9—Waimate Racing Club. March 9—Oamaru Jockey Club. March 9—Napier Park Racing Club. March J o—Northland Trotting Club. March 12—Masterton Racing Club. March 13—Wyndham Trotting Club. March 15—New Brighton Trotting Club. March 15—Westport Jockey Club. March 15—Rangitlkei Racing Club. March 16—Bay of Plenty Jockey Club. March 17—Thames Trotting Club. March 24—Wellington Trotting Club. March 2D—Hawera Trotting Club. March 29—Wairarapa Racing Club. 5 larch 29—Feilding Jockey Club. March 30—Metropolitan Trotting Club. April 6—Westland Racing Club. April S—Oreymouth Jockey Clyb. Nominations will close at noon on Thursday for the New Brighton Trotting CJubs autumn meeting, to be held on March 18 and 20. * * * + The heavy rain which fell on Saturday night has put most of the Riccarton tracks out of commission for the present, only the sand track being available for training this morning. It is very bare and hard, and not at all suitable for working on at any pace. With the prospect that the other tracks may have to be spelled during the winter, a supply of sand for this track is an urgent necessity. * * * * Tempter was schooled over the pony hurdles at Riccarton this morning, while Blue Hall jumped two of the big hurdles. Both horses went well. * * * * The autumn meeting of the Victoria Racing Club will be continued to-mor-row. when the Australian Cup, of two miles and a quarter, will be the chief attraction. Pilliewinkie looks like being at a short price, but Ac.carak is one opponent who will give him some trouble, as he is a great stayer. * * * " Rapine and Star Stranger are booked to race this month at Napier, as a preliminary to Easter engagements, probably at Auckland. They will then be seen at Trentham, followed doubtless by Awapuni. Imitation was a “ warm ” maiden to spring upon that class at Woodville on Thursday, writes “ The Watcher.” Although looking decidedly above himself, he created a favourable impression by the bold manner in which he hit out in his preliminary, and in the race he gave nothing a chance. Imitation is at present far from being as good as he will be at some time hence, and his career should be profitable. He has a lot of white about him on the face and legs, and there is a peculiar white marking upon his near knee. Imitation is one of Mr W. G. Stead’s team, being a three-year-old by Absurd from Gold Painting, by Boniform from OVmolu, so that he comes from the same family as Count Cavour. He showed fair promise when raced in Australia in the spring. * * sf= In the autumn of 1923 Lord Star, a gelding by Lord Multifid—Uranium, brought off a surprise victory in the Auckland Racing Club’s Autumn Handicap, but, having been completely off the scene for a couple of seasons, he has been almost forgotten. He made his reappearance at the Te Aroha meeting on Saturday, and though he failed to show up, he may be worth keeping in mind later on. He only has to return to his best form to win good races over a “distance.

It was a great pity that a better start was not effected in the Free-for-All at Otahuhu, says the Auckland writer. “ Picador,” as four of the runners had their chances spoilt in the send-off. It is a very difficult matter to get a field of pacers away to a good flying start, and matters were not made any easier for the starter by the awkward position of the starting-point, which was on the end of a bend. There has frequently been dissatisfaction over the starting of these contests, and in future the clubs staging them may consider the advisability of deciding upon barrier starts. A proposal to have all races started in this manner will probably come before the Trotting Conference in July.

A motor-lorry left Greymouth at five o'clock yesterday morning for Nelson, transporting two trotting horses, Velocity and Mabon’s Day. An attempt was I cing made to cover the distance of 168 miles in one day.

The Trentham trainer. S. Reid, took three of Mr V. Riddiford’s horses to Wanganui and Woodville, where their form was wonderfully consistent, as in twelve starts thev were in the money eleven times. Nadarino did best, with three wins and a third: Spode won twice, was once second and once third; while Indian Sage was once second and twice third in four starts. * * * sj< White Fang, a winner at Woodville, is a speedy Gisborne hack, who shapes like being much above the average as a sprinter. He is a son of Polydamon, an English-bred horse whose death was a big loss to the breeding industry of the Dominion. * * * * Perjeus is a trifle backward, but the opinion is offered that he will be at his best again for Easter engagements. * * * * Merry Jest, a four-year-old gelding by Absurd from the imported mare Yes, is spoken of as likely to win a race very soon. * * :jt sje The tw'o-vear-old filly Spode, by Tea Tray from Exclusive, showed smart form at Woodville, where she won two races last week. She may have to be reckoned with in good company later on. * * * sjs Rowley did not pull up too well after his race at Woodville on Wednesday, and it may be difficult to keep him : l training. He ran so well that it will be a distinct loss to his connections if he fails to stand. * * * * Novar continues to improve and he may win further -distinction in the handicap company during the autumn. * * * * The steeplechaser Erie is to have a race this month in the Opunake Cup, so it looks as if she was well on the way to being ready to show her best form in jumping events at the early meetings during the winter campaign. Bennanee, a half-brother, by Catmint, to Kick Off, ran two good races at Woodville and he may soon be a winner. * * # * Considering the vast amount of money that is kept on the move by racing it is really astonishing how seldom those closely connected, with it resort to law in order to recover debts, The “ lx>oks ” take their clients’ word for hundreds of pounds and big transactions in betting business are made without the scratch of a pen and in a manner that would paralyse an ordinary business man. Racing clubs, however, do not allow nearly so much latiture as formerly, but most of them are content to wait a reasonable period for those who may be temporarily financially embarrassed until better days. At Palmerston North recently a case of interest to owners was investigated. Failure to pay nomination, acceptance, and riding fees on a horse at a race meeting was the basi.s of a claim heard in the Magistrate’s Court, when the Manawatu Racing Club proceeded against F. Stairmaid, of Maraekakahae, claiming the sum of £lO 10s. The evidence of J. M. Johnston, secretary of the Racing Club, was to the effect that he received the nomination of the horse Ranui bv telegram for the club’s autumn meeting, the trainer stating at the time that fees were to be charged to defendant. An account was eventually forwarded without result. In reply to Mr Oakley, who appeared for defendant, witness said that the horse had been nominated by the trainer in the owner’s name, as was a common practice. The horse was duly run and the club paid out £4 10s jockey’s fees. The defence was that the amount had been handed to the trainer for payment to the club and that defendant was therefore not liable. The trainer had since been disqualified. Defendant was not called, but his written evidence was handed in, and this admitted that the trainer had acted under his authority' in nominating the horse. Holding that the owner was liable the Bench gave judgment for plaintiff club for the full amount and costs £5 16s.

It is no surprise to learn that the win of Heroic in the Newmarket Handicap on Saturday provoked a lot of enthusiasm and that the horse had a great reception after his success. His performance was one of the most notable in the history ,of the race, as he carried 9st 81b, the second biggest weight ever carried by a winner of this event, the record being 9st 111 b, •when the New Zealand-bred Soultline won in 1909. It will probably be found, when Australian papers arrive, that Heroic was one of the favourites, as he had given evidence lately that he was near the top of his form, one track gallop a few weeks ago being described as an eye-opener. Heroic has had a sensational career. He started off as a two-ycar-old with an easy win in the Breeders’ Plate. Carrying a ten-pound penalty, he was beaten a head by Versine in the Debutant Stakes, but the extra ten pounds was no bar to success in the Maribyrnong Plate. In the autumn he won the Alma Handicap under lOst 21b. Arendel unexpectedly beat him in the Victoria Sires’ Produce Stakes, but he won the Ascotvale Stakes. Going to Sydney, he was left at the post in the Sires’ Produce Stakes, but he won the Champagne Stakes very easily under a ten-pound penalty. His fractiousness was again in evidence in his first race as a three-year-old, when he was once more, left at the post. This was in the Warwick Stakes, won by Glentruin. A week later he won the Chelmsford Stakes with Gloaming second. Then he captured the Australian Jockey' Club Derby, beating Nigger Mmscrei by a head, returning to Melbourne to score an easy win in the Caulfield Guineas. Up to that stage he had been raced by Mr J. R. Cor teen, whose disqualification for twelve months, in connection with Purser's Caulfield Cup, sent the brilliant Valais colt into retirement for a time. He eventually emerged last autumn, having been purchased by Mr C. B. Kellow for 16,000 guineas. His only' win for his new owner last season was in the Australian Jockey Club’s Autumn Stakes. He won the Caulfield Stakes in the spring, but he continued to show temper at the barrier, spoiling his prospects on more than one occasion. Lately, however. he appears to have got over this trouble and in his recent races he has been very quiet, while he has finished very straight. There never has been any doubt as to his brilliancy, but he must have been a very expensive horse to Mr C. B. Kellow, who cannot be nearly square on his speculation, even after his success in the Newmarket Handicap, though it would provide an opportunity for big betting.

Kaiti has been up against a lot of bad luck lately. Following on a spell, he made his reappearance at Wanganui, where he was kicked by Tamatete when being unsaddled, and only constant poulticing got him to the post * at Woodville. In his race there he struck further trouble, and did well to finish second. lie may have to be given another short spell. * * * * Nadarino is racing well at present and further successes may be looked for during the next few weeks. * * * * Forfeit was paid for The Hawk in connection with the Caulfield Futurity j Stakes. It looks as though Mr CamI cron's run of luck with the Martian ! gelding, for the present at least, has i suffered a decisive check. H* -i- 't* According to the “ Australasian,” the most attractive yearling of the Victorian collection is a brown colt by Cora- , edy King from Radesia, and the prediction is offered that there will be a ■ very spirited competition for his possession. Radesia is an English-bred mare by Radium, and at the sale of the Chatsworth (Victoria) Stud some few years back she was boughjt by Mr A. T. Cresswick for 2500g5. English-bred horses hold quite an attractive record in connection with the Caulfield Futurity Stakes. In 1902 Sir Foote (by Sir Hugo) led the field home, and in the interval the following imported horses have scored victories in the important race at Caulfield:—Playaway (by Carbine), Antonio (by Prisoner), Comedy King (by Persimmon), Eudorus (by Forfarshire), Flash of Steel (by Orby), Lucknow (by Minoru), and Top Gallant (by Swynford). * >'fi * sjc There is some interesting history attahed to Johnny Faa, the sire of Income’s dam. He was sold in 1888 as a yearling in the Dunedin salevards at 16 guineas, and as a fine, well-grown, good-looking and stoutly-bred youngster really went for a song, writes “Sentinel.” He was got by Trefoil from La Bohemienne by Casivelaunus (son of the Derby winner Caractacus) from Remnant, by Caledon—Gitana, by Sir Hercules. La Bohemienne belonged to the Gipsy family founded by the mare of that name, and foaled in New South Wales in IS4O. Manton, Gipsy King, Canard, Coeur de Lion and St Crispin were amongst the best known of the Gipsy tribe. Gitana, the dam of Remnant, also threw Calumny to Traducer. Calumny won the Newmarket Handicap of 1825 and her stable mate Lurline won the Australian Cup run at the same meeting. Lurline won the Dunedin Cup in 1874. Trefoil, the sire of Johnny Faa, was got by King of Clubs from Forget-me-not, the dam of Mi kado IT.. Lady Zetland and Lord Zetland. Forget-me-not was got by King Lud, 4 brother to King Cole, the sire of Nelson. Johnny Faa first appeared on the turf when he won the two principal events run at the Taieri Amateur Turf Club’s meeting of 1891. He had a hip down and after passing through the late Mr 11. Goodman’s stable was sold to Mr G. Smith, who was a wellknown cueist of the . day. For Mr Smith Johnny Faa won several races and was then sold to a West Coast owner, who raced him in that part of the world for several seasons and always kept on picking up races. It will be seen from the above that Johnny Faa was a stoutly bred horse, and if granted a proper chance at the stud might have founded a strong line. King of Clubs, the sire of Trefoil!’ was got by Ace of Clubs (a son of Stockwell) from the Harkaway mare Irish Queen. Harkaway got King TVun. who in turn sired St Angela, the dam of St Simon. King Tom was also the &re of King Cole, whose dam, Qui Vive, was a sister to Vedette, the sire of Galopin and grandsire of St Simon. Jt will be seen that the pioneers of bloodstock breeding in the Southern Hemisphere were on the right track with their early importations, but unfortunately their good work in the way of foundation blood was neglected, only to see the revival of the same lines e through a different source many- years after\v ards.