Racing and Trotting.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17831, 27 April 1926, Page 2

Racing and Trotting.

NOTES BY

“ARGUS.”

FIXTURES*. April 2.9. 29—South Canterbury Jockey Club. April 30. M&y I—Forbury Pnrk Trotting Club. April 30. May I—Hawke’s Bay Jockey CJub. May I—Nelson Jockey Club. May 1, 8-—Waikato Racing Club. May s—Waverley Racing ClUb. May 7, B—Marlborough Racing Club. May B—Atnberley Racing Club. May 13, IC—Egmorrt Racing Club. May 15—North Canterbury Racing Club. May 20, 22—Wanganui Jockey Club. May 22—Oamaru Trotting Club. June 1,3, s—Dunedin Jockey Club. June 3. s—Canterbury Park Trotting Club. Juno 3,5, 7—Auckland Racing Club. NOMINATIONS. April 30—'North Canterbury Racing Club. April 30—Forbury Park Trotting Club • Trotting Stakes,. 1527). May 3 —Oamaru Trotting Club. May 3-—Wanganui Jockey Club. May 7—Auckland Racing Club. May 14—Dunedin jockey Club. May 20—Canterbury Park Trotting Club. HANDICAPS. May 3—Amberley Racing Club. May 3—Kgmont Racing ClUb. May 4—North Canterbury Racing club. May 7—Wanganui Jockey Club. May 7—Auckland Racing Club. May 10—Oamaru Trotting Olxib. May 14—Wanganui Jockey Club. May 2!—Dunedin Jockey Club. May 24—Auckland Racing. «Mub. May 25—Canterbury Park Trotting C lub. ACCEPTANCES. April 27—-Nelson Jockey Club. April 27—-Waikato Racing Club. April 27—Hh-wke’s Bay Jockey Club. April 00—Marlborough Racihg Club. April 30—Waverley Racing Club. May s—Amberley Racing Club. May 7—North Canterbury Racing Club. May 7—Kgmont Racing Club. May 17—Oamaru Trotting Club. May 17—W’anganui Jockey Club. May 26—Dunedin Jockey Club. May 28-—Auckland Racing Club. May Sl—Canterbury Park Trotting Club.

The South Canterbury Jockey Club’s autumn meeting will be commenced tomorrow and concluded on Thursday. From a financial point of view the club is unfortunate in having to forgo Saturday. The racing, however, should be more than usually interesting, as the large fields are drawn from very widelyseparated districts. * *. * * A convenient railway service has been arranged for the South Canterbury Tockey Club's meeting to-morrow and Thursday. A special train will leave Christchurch each day at 7.55 a.m., taking passengers direct to the Wash dyke course. It will leave Timaru on the return journey at fi.47 p.m. and is due in Chrstchurch at 10.13 p.m. *-* * * Coastguard is an improving hurdler who may race well at the South Canterbury meeting. * * * * Most of the horses engaged in the first day’s hurdle race at South Canterbury are novices, some of whom have very modest racing credentials. * * * * Orifiamb is a speedy customer who is likely to win in good company next season. In the meantime he should race well the hacks at South Canterbury this Week. * % * * Lady Clarencetix has run some good races lately in events, and she should do even better under a lighter scale of weights. * * * *. , The field for the Electric Stages, at the South Canterbury meeting, is made up largely of horses with very poor credentials. Serotina should be favourite. Some of her form is quite useful up to five furlongs. Arrowmuir is another horse in the field with winning form. * * * * In the Waimate Cup last month Mountain Lion 9.2 won from Tarleton 8.4 and Fresco 7.11, with Roman Archer 7.0 unplaced. In the Timaru Cup Mountain Lion has 9.1, Tarleton 712, Fresco 7.11 and Roman Archer 7.4. These figures leave Mountain Lion with excellent prospects again. Fresco, however, is an improving horse, who is liable to do much better before long than anything he has yet shown in public. Since he raced at Waimate he has a good performance in the Great Autumn Handicap to his credit. Sun Up has been racing very consistently in bis recent engagements, and he may have to be reckoned with in the Timaru Cup. « a « The Southland mare Geranial will be among the popular fancies for the Timaru Cup. She has a fine turn of speed, and she has demonstrated that she can gallop a mile and a quarter. On Riccarton form, however, she will find Full Swing troublesome. ♦ * * * When Volant won the Templeton Handicap at Riccarton he was receiving lib from Com Money, while in the Smithfield Handicap Volant has to concede filb. This margin should leave Corn Money with a good chance. • * * * Centrepiece only has to race up to his Riccarton form to have a chance in the Smithfield Handicap. * * * c Carnot has done well lately, and he may be bard to beat in early engagements. * ♦ * =* _ Receipt should be benefited by the racing she has done lately, and a win may be expected soon for this consistent filly. * * * * On her best form, Corinthic should be very hard to beat in welter events at South Canterbury this week. * * * * Glentruin has left Trentham for Hastings. where she will be racing this week. • * * * A very heavy list of nominations has been received for the Egmont Racing Club’s meeting, the first of the winter fixtures in the North Island. The total is sixty-nine more than last year. A very pleasing feature is that the ; jumping evexnts have filled well. * * * * It is understood that T. IT. Jefferd is likely to visit Sydney in the Spring, taking Rapine for weight-forage races, and Joy King for the Der.by. * * * * One of the most promising young jumpers in the north last season was Llewellyn, and it is interesting to note that he is getting through plenty of solid work at Ellerslie. 1 1 is probable that he will be seen out at Wanganui before racing at the Auckland winter meeting. * * * * The jumpers arc beginning to come out of their retirement Sir Roseb-ry caused a surprise when he. fan second in the principal fiat event at the Whangarei meeting on Saturday It points to the Great Northern double winner being well forward for early engagements over fences. * * * * Zircon, who has always done best when the tracks are soft, iy being prepared for winter racing at Ellerslie. It is intended to keep him to buidling -it department in which he already had a little experience.

The Riccarton hdrses who are engaged at the South Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting left for Washdvke this morning. As a result, the work on the local tracks this morning provided no interest, the only horses out being a few who have no engagements for a week or two. * • • • Charlatan has been nominated for the Open steeplechases at the Egmont Racing Club’s meeting, where he will meet some good class opponents. * Sfc * * Early indications point to the fact that fields will be large for steeplechases in the North Island during the approaching winter campaign. In the South Island, on the other hand, the available talent is weak, both in numbers and quality. * » * * A recent arrival in Australia from India is Captain Pearsori, an amateur rider, who has shown himself up to professional standard over the jumps. He is also capable on the flat, and, while in Australia, will be on the . look-out f6r mounts in jumping races. * * * * David has finished racing, says a Sydney writer, that is, unless his owner changes his mind and decides to have him trained again after next stud season. W. Booth says the old fellow’s legs are quite sound. Though he had no chancfe of success in the weight* for-age races, I quite agree with his trainer’s opinion that he would have made a good bid for a minor handicap if that had been made his mission. David goes back to Widgiewa Station, and, as his chance of adding to his w.f.a. tecord is hopeless, his owner is not anxious to run him in minor races, the probabilities are that this time we have seen the last of him as a racehorse. He has earned permanent retirement. * * * * Mr C. B. Kellow, who is on his way to England, was interviewed at Adelaide, and said Heroic might winter in that city. Relative to that horse's price when offered at auction in Sydney, T.lr Kellow said the reserve was 20.000 guineas, and he was really glad he was not sold. Well, at the reserve mentioned there was little likelihood of Heroic finding a buyer, writes ** Pilot.” The chestnut is now sure of a lot of weight at any distance, and, though he is sure to win more weigiit-for-age races, 20,000 guineas would take a deal of getting back. If he won that much, it would increase his earnings to over £53,000. Of course, his value as a stud horse must be taken into consideration, but though in breeding, galloping ability and conformation he has so much to recommend him, imported horses always have the call over those bred in Australia, even though, like Heroic, they may be the progeny of an English sire and dam.

Three well-known ex-Australian jockeys, F. Bullock, J. Killorn and G. Harrison, were included among the buyers of yearlings at the recent sales held in New South Wales. They are about to set up as trainers.

For some time past the well-known Trentham trainer T. F. uinlivan has not enjoyed the best of health. lie recently returned from a holiday trip to Dunedin, writes “The Watcher,” feeling a good deal better, but he has decided to retire from his calling, and has handed in his resignation from the position of private trainer t > Mr E. L. Riddiford. Mr Riddiford i 3 at present without a trainer, but a license is to be asked for H. M’Sweeney. who will take control of the jumpers Master Peter and Dubious if it is granted. Royal Divorce and the other flat racers in the stable are to be spelled.

* 8* * * Mr W. Handley, the manager of Mr I. G. Duncan’s Elderslie Stud, .was greatly impressed by some of the horses he saw racing at Rartdwick during his recent visit to Sydne£. Windbag he described as a good racehorse, but from his conversation he appeared to have taken a special fancy to Heroic, a horse who was equally at home as a sprinter or stayer. Valicare he desscribed as a great galloper, but he expressed the opinion that she was lucky, in the Ail Aged Stakes, to catch Top Gallant below his best. This English horse, according t 6 Mr Handley, has exceptional speed, but he was not ready to run out a hard mile. Among the two-' year-olds he saw racing, Mr Handley unhesitatingly gave the palm to Rampion, a handsome colt and a good galloper, who only has to winter well to be a great Derby horse. * * * * A Prince Merriwee gelding is a recent addition to D. P. Wilson’s stable at Wingatui. * * * * According to an Australian writer, Windbag probably stays just as well as in the spring, but he does not exhibit the same dash, and when one takes into consideration the number of severe races he has run over a distance of ground it is not to be wondered at. Windbag is a great horse, and is remarkably game. * * * *

Though the Auckland-owned two-year-old, Royal Tpa, created a good impression in Sydney, the opinion is expressed that he is not likely to make

The unbeaten Australian filly Valicare has earned £9400 in stakes in her seven races this season.

During the four days of the Australian Jockey Club's Easter meeting, the prize money totalled £52,786, this amount, including sweepstakes and forfeits.

Some Australian sportsmen seem to think that the record made by the yearling brother to Yalicarc will stand for many years. Frankly, writes “Cardigan,” I do not. as next year the Thompsons have half a dozen Valais youngsters for sale, while there are several outside breeders whose mares have Valais foals, and perhaps the high prices will tempt the small breeders to sell their Valais .youngsters. It can be taken for granted that the Thompson yearlings will be good sorts, and from highly-bred mares, and perhaps a new record will be made, especially if the high-priced colts of this year’s sales prove out of the ordinary. Buyers are realising, in fact quite a number have already realised, that Valais is not a sire who gets a good One occasionally, but a horse whose Stock are all likely to be good per forrrw.fs, some over a distance and others over short courses. There have been “booms” for other sires’. progeny before to-day, but usually the bubble bursts after a year or two. In Valais’s case the demand for his stock grows more, keen each year. It is not to be wondered at., as although the season is only eight months old. his progeny have already won more stake money in one season than the get of any other sire in our racing history.

The English horse Pantheon had not won a race in Australia prior to his success in the Dangar Handicap, at the recent autumn meeting of the Australian Jockey Club, but he had earned £ISOO in place-money, chiefly in weigh t--1 for-age races. * * * * Valicare was the outstanding performer of the Australian Tockey Club’s autumn meeting, says the “ Australasian.” Her success in the Doncaster Handicap with 8.9 or 31b over weight for age. was an astonishing performance. She not only established a Weight carrying record for her age and sex, but she led over the last seven furlongs afid, exhibiting wonderful speed, defeated a large field of horses pointlessly. Naturally she was a tired filly at the end of the Doncaster, but all the other runners were weary, too, and could not raise an effort. It was expected that Top Gallant and The Night Patrol, to say nothing of Fujisan and Metellus. both tried handicap performers, would thoroughly test Valicare in the All-Aged Stakes, run at weight-for-age over a , mile, but although in the early stages of the race Top Gallant, who holds the world’s record for a mile and a quarter, was in front of her. she ran to him just when her rider desired and won in very easy style. Valicare could have led all the way in the All-aged Stakes and still I been successful. She is undoubtedly | one of the greatest sprinters we have ever seen, and her record—seven starts and seven wins—speaks for itself. As yet it is impossible to compare her with great mares of the past, such as Wakeful. Wakeful was a stayer as well as a sprinter, and her second in the Melbourne Cup of 1903 with lOst, when beaten by a. champion Staying three-year-old in Lord Cardigan with a featherweight on his back, still stands supreme as one. of the best performances, if not the best, by a mare id the history of the Australian turf. Valicare’s activities in future are likely to .be strictly confined to weight-for-age races. It is to be hoped that .she will not be asked to attempt long distances. She will probably run ten furlongs in the spring without trouble, but it is likely that that distance - will always be her limit. ENGLISH NOTES. (Special to the “Star.”) LONDON, March 18. The Four Miles *Chase at Hurst Park held in the first halt of March, is regarded as one of the best Grand National tests outside of Aintree, and it was not surprising therefore that a large crowd should turn up on a delightfully sunny spring afternoon to see if another Music Ilall could be found. If the prospective winner of the Blue Riband was seen, then it must have been Mount Etna, who credited his young American, owner, Mr Sanford, with the spoils, and thus recouped a large part of the 4000 guineas that it had cost to buy him out of Percy Whitaker’s stable some months ago. Mount Etna is far from being a beauty to look at, for he is rather high in the air, and angular to a degree. Still, he looks made for lumping, and, except for one bad mistake at the fence beyond the water, he did all that was right. It may be that he was lucky to win, in the sense that Lee Bridge, who belongs to Mr Bobbie Shaw, a son of Lady Astor by her first husband, appeared to have the race at his mercy, when he suddenly darted into the wing of the last fence, and succeeded in the determination not to cross it. It was especially vexatious that a horse should wait until leading at the final fence before carrying out his evil design, but apparently he has a habit of doing this sort of thing. He hates to be taken into the lead. Apart from this, Lee Bridge had jumped perfectly, and it was agreed on all hands that he would very likely prove the best outsider in the Grand National. Test Match was a very well-backed runner, but he badly overreached himself, while the favourite Vive—a full brother of Silvo—faded cut when tiring towards the end of the last mile. . , .

Another Grand National trial of importance was that at Cheltenham, where Sprig was opposed by a noted Irish ’chaser, named Blancona, and one or two others of repute. Sprig was unable to have his regular rider, Ted Leader. in the saddle, as he had not recovered entirely from a broken collar bone, but the horse nevertheless gave of his best for one of the stable jockeys, jumping as cleanly as ever, and showing a turn of finishing speed at the end of three miles and a quarter that astonished the crowd. When the final fence had been crossed Sprig was being led by at least four lengths, but his rider had only to urge him along with his hands to get him going at top speed, and pass the leader easily. There is little doubt that Sprig is a worthy Grand National favourite, and the confidence in his success at Aintree is supreme. Only sheer bad luck can prevent him winning in the opinion of those qualified to know best. Mr Sol Joel went some way towards simplifying his own little Lincoln Handicap problem, alter a home test spin, by scratching all his entries except the aged Evander (who it may be recalled, followed Sir Gallahad 111- home two years ago), and Pasha. Pasha is the mystery horse of the Lincoln! Months ago be was a rare tip—Mr Joel then had eight entries to his name—but enthusiasm on his behalf began to wane when the touts reported daily that. the . horse was not seen out at exercise with the rest of the string. Some said he had gone wrong; others that he had been kept at concert pitch on the private gallops attached to Moulton Paddocks. The latter theory would appear to be the correct one at the moment, as Pasha still remains a probable competitor for Lincoln. A popular fancy to go the way of the “scratched” is Philippi. This horse was fancied on the strength of a runaway victory which he gained at the Lincoln meeting hast year—just before the Lincoln Handicap was run—a victory which was responsible for a stable companion called D’Orsay starting favourite for the big race, as he was said to have slammed Philippi in a trial—and a further success gained immediately afterwards at the Liverpool meeting. Subsequently Philippi was shipped to America, where he was raced, and then he was brought back to this country. Stories of his form got round, and he became a wellbacked candidate for this year’s Lincoln. but, as the result of a mixed trial in which he fell up against some chains and injured himself, after, incidentally, being prdved the inferior of Dignity, another Lincoln hope, the pen was put through his name. As I write the Aga Khan’s I Zionist, the top weight, is still favourite, and, following him closely in the market, are Nothing Venture, the only three-year-old in the race; Lustucru, regarded as the best of the French candidates, and the notorious Tom Pinch. r i he last-named, on the strength of having woo a small hurdle race—really only against selling platers—is hailed in cer-

tain quarters as a reformed character. and it is now being claimed for him that he will show the'ability he is known to possess this time. The cartoonist will have a field day if Tom Pinch wins—and I suppose * he will still be the leading character in their “stories” if he shows his old tendency to turn it up. Thus, in truth, it is an ill wind that blows nobody any good’. NOMINATHIONS. EGMONT R Act NO club.' The following; nominations have been received for the Egmont Racing Club’s Winter meeting-: t T 9a cuahok hurdle HANDICAP, oi Loo sovs; one mile and a half—» Dubious. Brigadier Bill, Euchre. San F era, Rehutai, Kawlni, Tawehi. Penni*®ss., Pr ?. nc * Abbey, Alfor t. Gold Pieee, Black Cruiser, Koauau. Sir Fanciful, Mountain Bell, Just Quietly, Flower of the Last, Tall Timber, Knighthood, Parquin, Zircon, Ramou, White Hanger, Kareao, Sott&no, Slump, Nukumai, Many Colours. TELEGRAPH HACK HANDICAP, of 100 sows; five furlongs—Praiseworthy, Ulengarvie, Airtight. Midnight Camp, Gold Collector, Paitonu, Argue, Winsome Boy, Grand Lupin, Turkish Fire, Merle, Nastori, Acred, Judge’s Box, Berlnthia, Dainty Pearl, Te Karere, Lueefnal, Sovena. Whenuanui, Bright Cornet, Robourite. Dobbin. Empire Camp, Royal Elm, Loyal Land. Plying Shot, Monaghan, Erin-go-Bragh, MajorAbbey, Oreades, Captain Gazeley, Wanderlust, Porta ga, Mime. HACK STEEPLECH ARE HANDICAP, of LOO sovs; about two miles—Frizzier, San Guard, Ravo, Sansalino, Uncle Dave. Pinna, Lady Comet, Objector, Paul Moore. Tom Moore. Akbar, Arsene Lupin, Eonmark, Kendal, Gilzal, Kareao, Bonnie Rill. EGMONT STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP. of 500 sovs; about, two miles and R half—Charlatan, Master Peter. Omahu. Peter Amans, Explorer, Passim Through. Sansalino, Silent Dick. First Line, Dick, Mahia, Ranui, Sir Fanciful,' Puwliero, Paul Moore, Bonibrook, Arsene Lupin, Nukumai. FLYING HANDICAP, of 250 sovs; six furlongs—Glengariff. Quinette, Rational, Merry Jest, Oration, Willow Wat, Lady Bentinck, Pouma, Siaosi, Day Guard, Pinoii, Arclieen, Kilceit, Bonogne, Eerie,. Attractive, Hyde Park, Benzora, Orchid, Bonideer. M’CRAE HANDICAP, of 350 sovs; one mile and a quarter—Shining Armour, Glengariff, Passionate, Hipo, Enare, Euphonium, Yoma, Mount Marta, Crossfire, Vaward, Alaric, Merry Day, Sunshot, Ural la, Ngata, Diogenes, Muraahi, Curraghmore.

tawhiti Hack handicap. of 175 Sovs; eight furlongs and a half—Kilia, Golden Krist, Taitaiata. Wembley, Maveelish, Asleep, Subjection, Close Fire, Phantasy, No Response, Paul Lucerne, Ratapiko, Anchor, Take. Take, Mountain Ore, Captain Gazeley, Kilmiss, Edenhall, Punishment, Rangi Sarto.

NGAMUTU HACK HANDICAP, of 175 sovs; six furlongs—Golden Krist, Airtight, Gold Collector, Paitonu, Grand Lupin, Turkish Fire, Nastori, Subjection, Acred, Judge's Box, Lucerhal, Sovena, Rapid Fire, Whenuanui, Robourite, Te Karen*, Empire Camp, Portaga, Royal Elm. Flying Shot, Monaghan, Major Abbey. Anchor, Mountain Ore, Captain Gazeley, Edenhall.

’ MAXAWAPOU HURDLE HANDICAP. of 200 sovs; one mile and a half— Dubious, Brigadier Bill, Euchre, San Fera, Rehutai, Taitaiata, Wembley-, Kawlni, Tawehi, Penniless, Prince Abbey. Gold Piece, Mount Marta, Black Cruiser, Koauau, Sir Fanciful, Just Quietly, Mountain Bell, Star of the East, Tall Timber, Knighthood, Parquin, Ratapiko, Zircon, Roman, White Ranger, Kareao, Sottano, Slump, Nukumai, Many Colours, Alford.

ADAMSON STEEPLECHASE HANDICAP, of 300 sovs about two milesCharlatan, Master Peter, Omahu, Peter Amans, Explorer, Passin* Through, Frizzier, San Guard, Ravo, Sansalino, Silent Dick, Young Thurnham, First Line, Dick, Mahia, Black Cruiser, Ranui, Puwliero, Paul Moore, Tom Mool‘e, Bonibrook. Arsene Lupin. Eonmark, Kendal, Gilgai, Bonny Rill, Uncle Dave.

MOKIA HANDICAP, of 225 sovs; six furlongs—Glengariff, Quinette, Rational,

Merle, Merry Jest, Oration, Willow Wai, Lady Bentinck. Pouma.. Day Guard. Pinon, Areheen, Kilceit, Dobbin, Bonogne, Attractive. Hyde Park. Benzora. Orchid, Bonideer, Diamond Ring. SHORTS HACK HANDICAP, of 150 sovs: five furlongs—Fralsetvorthy, Glenarive, Airtight, Midnight Camp, Paionu. Argue, Whakahilii. Winsome Boy, Grand Lupin. Turkish Fire. NastorU Judge’.s Box. Berenthla. Dainty Pearl, Whonuanui. Bright Cornet, Ilobourite. Dobbin. Royal band. Flying Shot, Erin-go-Bragh, Major Abbey, Or-t-ades, Attolce, Wanderlust. • - DAVIDSON HANDICAP, of 300 sovs; one mile and a distance—Shining Armour, Glengariff, Kawlni, Passionate. Hipo, Will© wWai, Enare, Euphonium, Yoma, Siaosi, Crossfire, Vaward. Areheen, Alaric, Merry Day, Kilceit, Sunshot, Eerie, Attractive. Hyde Park, ITralla, Benzora, Ngata. Diogenes, Rangi Sarto, Pinon, Curraghmore. BOROUGH HACK HANDICAP, of 175 sovs; seven furlongs—Brigadier Bill, Kilia, Golden Krist, All Wind, Gold Collector, Wembley, Argue, Maveelish, Asleep, Merle, Subjection, Lucernal, Close Fire. Phantasy, Sovena, Rapid Fire-* No Response, Partaga, Empire Camp, Monaghan. Anchor. Take Take, Mountain Ore, Kilmiss, Edenhall. Punishment, Otapawa, Mime, Paul Lucerne.