Racing and Trotting.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17880, 23 June 1926, Page 2

Racing and Trotting.

RACING FIXTURES. NOMINATIONS. "Uly 16. —Christchurch Hunt. HANDICAPS. ?«»• £}■ —Hawke’s Bay Hunt. T U t ne j? 1 -—Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club. July 26. —Christchurch Hunt. ACCEPTANCES. June 22.—Hawke’s Bay Hunt. _ J une 24.—Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club. •*uly 2S. Christchurch Hunt.

RACING NOTES.

A reminder of the near approach of another racing carnival at Riccarton is provided by the fact that nominations for the leading racer, at the Grand National meeting: will close with the Canterbury Jockey Club at eight o’clock on Friday night. The events which will then require attention from owners arc the Grand National Steeplechase, Grand National Hurdle Handicap, Winter Cup, Beaufort Steeplechase, Lincoln Steeplechase, and Sydenham Hurdle Handicap. f * * » * The Cheviot Racing Club intends to petition Parliament in support of its application for a change of constitution from a racing club to a trotting club. There is statutory provision for such a change. b\it the racing and trotting authorities have declined to sanction it. * sis * * F. D. Jones is very busy at present with his team of rising three-year-olds, who will be under his care when he leaves for Sydney next month. Limerick and Young Lochinvar are the well performed members of the party, but Battlement and Reonui are a pair who are likely to be seen to advantage during the trip, as they shape like very useful next season. * * * * The three-year-old filly Silver Cord, by Sunny Lake from Concordia, is now a member of J. Lindsay’s team. * * * * A. M’Aulay has recommissioned Sun Up, who looks bright and well after his short spell. * * n * Bon Skirl is to be tried as a hurdler. He has had a turn in the jumping ring but his initial effort was not impres- * * * * Kawini, who filled second place in the Great Northern Hurdle Handicap and Great Northern Steeplechase, is a notable absentee from the nominations for jumping events at Trentham next month. * * * * Tuki’s injured knee is yielding to careful treatment and he is now’ walking soundly. lie has been nominated for Trentham and if he remains sound he will doubtless continue the trip to Riccarton.

Hawke's Bay reports state that The Hawk is working well. lie has been freely nominated for weight for age events next season, which suggests that he is likely to do his racing in the Dominion. * * * * Handicaps for the leading spring handicaps in Australia, including the Melbourne Cup and Caulfield Cup, are due on Monday. * # * * * In commenting upon the past winter racing season an English writer remarks that it has been a dreadful one for riders over the sticks, for frosts and floods combined to cause the abandonment of more meetings than for many years. Since the date of writing further meetings were abandoned, owing to the general strike. * * s»: _ aj: * Polar, a winner at Napier Park last week, is well worth watching. Some time ago he showed a great deal of promise, and was under offer to a prominent Wairarapa sportsman, but then he went oft. He is now all right again, and on the way he ran at Napier should continue to improve. He is by Polvdamon from a half sister to the sprinter Royal Blood, so he is bred to gallop fast. * * * Highway looks like taking a hand in the decision of any big jumping race frdin now onwards, writes “The Watcher/’ Nixon was criticised for his handling on Friday, when he got beaten by Ngata, but although he certainly made a lot of use of Highway he had a good horse and brilliant jumper under him, with a nice weight, and in making Ngata carry his weight he took what was probably the best course. Unfortunately for Highway, however, Ngata is a horse in a thousand; all tactics come alike to him. Highway was rather disappointing on the second day, but as j he was making his first appearance for | some time, when he struck Ngata, it is • likely that the hard race set.him back temporarily. * * s»< if-. Kirkwood, who won the Hunt Club Cup at Napier Park last week, is better than many people think, and it is I surprising that his connections did | not particularly fancy his chance. All the Sartos have been able to jump, j and his dam Waiohiki is sister to Hoy j and half-sister to that good jumper : Bransfield, a Wellington steeplechase winner. * * * * Mr L. Clare, the owner of Royal Diadem, could not be considered one of Fortune’s favourites of late. The Polvdamon ge!ding*has up to date cost 1 him something like four figures withj out a return, and just when he is com- ! ing right and wins with his head in j his chest the rider loses a few pounds weight from the lead bag and is dis- ! qualified. Not long ago Mr Clare lost a line rising two year-old half-brother by Cynic to Royal Diadem, through an accident. lie was thought very highly of, and the loss was serious. It is a long lane that has no turning, however, and a half-brother to Merry Damon by Catmint rising two years is a grand colt who may turn out really good while for the present Royal Diadem looks like repaying some of his outlav. * * * * Several yearlings from the local stables were paraded and sprinted down the straight each day at Napier. S. Waddell has a brother to Anomaly, who is thought a great deal of, and also a half-sister by Paper Money to 1 Gold Light and Razzle Dazzle-. Another pair are a filly by Paper Money—Mal--1 tegarde, and a gelding by King Mark —- liemos. W. J. Donovan has six youngsters in hand, a half-brother by Lord Quex to Runnymede, and half-brothers Ijo Tiega and Kick Off by the same sire, also a colt by Lord Quex out of a daughter of Fair Rosamund (the dam of Kick Off). The remaining two are a filly sister to Tea Bell (Tea Tray—Hula Girl), and a colt by Romeo--Pi-raeus (the dam of the last Winter Cup winner. ltjahioJL

The nominations for the Wellington Racing Club’s meeting total 634, an increase of twenty three over thoSe of last year. From Wanganui it fs reported that San Fera has gone on the right way. and he should be in good order when next produced. * * * * Cohesion, who showed useful form at Napier Park, is a good hack who should soon win. By Polydamon from Nordica, who is a sister to Soldier’s Chorus, Cherubini, Taunhauser, and other good gallopers, he had everything to recommend him from the breeding viewpoint- He also has the galloping ability. * * * * Fireblight is going on all right, and the Hawke’s Bay mare, who is one of the best jumpers in commission, may be hard to beat in the Grand National Steeplechase, a race in which she ran second to Tuki last August. * * * * Kovno is a likely sort to win a minor j steeplechase very soon. Sturdee raced well enough in the Napier Steeplechase to make him look a likely winner before the close of the jumping season. * * * * Though Merry Singer is an excellent jumper, a mile and three quarters going over hurdles is as far as he can manage. * * :f» s* Santiago is very well at present and the opinion is offered that he will win a good hurdle race over a distance be fore the close of the winter campaign. He is a great stayer, but he requires a firm track. * * * * It is surprising how haphazardly some racing folk conduct their business, writes “ Vedette. ” The absence of Olympic from the Napier Park meeting—and he will not be eligible to race at Hastings—was due solely to the fact that his owners had neglected to forward the necessary details of a jointinterest to the Racing Conference. With regard to Gilgai, his owner neglected to ensure, that the necessary certificate from the master of the hunt with which Gilgai had been qualified had been sent on to the Napier Park secretary- o\*ersight of a very necessary compliance with the rules proved costly to connections of both horses. * * * * At a special meeting of the committee of the Egmont Racing Club, held last week, the resignation was received of the secretary, Mr V. B. Stratton, on account of ill-health. It was with great reluctance that the resignation was accepted, but it was recognised as an unfortunate fact that Mr Stratton’s health was so poor that he was resigning all his appointments, so that the committee had no option. Eulogistic reference was made of the good service Mr Stratton had rendered the club during his ten year's tenure of office. Mr Stratton has also reliquished the positions he held as secretary of the Hawera Trotting Club and secretary of the Farmers’ Finance Comp%iy, of Hawera- * # # & The outstanding feature of the_ racing at Napier was the win of Ngata in the Ahuriri Hurdles. Mr Bull has had, during his long connection with the turf, some first-class jumpers through his hands, but Ngata must easily head the list. On Friday, Mr Bull made no secret of the fact that Ngata had done so well since Wanganui that he looked upon him as unbeatable, yet he went out sixth favourite in a field of ten. Ngata had to be a good horse to win. Under 10.7 another first-class hurdler and brilliant jumper, in Highway, carried the field along at a cracking pace, so fast, in fact, that A. M’Donald was kicking Ngata up to hold his position with a mile still to go. Once he made his final run, he gathered up the leaders on the fiat in brilliant style, and fairly .tore into his work over the last hundred yards. All lovers of a good horse will hope that Ngata stands to win a National for Mr Bull, whose luck in that particular race has been exasperating, says the Wellington writer, “The Watcher.” He won it once fairly and squarely, but The Native paid the penalty of a grave error of judgment on the part of the Canterbury- Jockey Club stewards of the time, and then when Ngata himself was winning by a street four years ago he broke down. * * * * When I see racing, business and social lights buttonholing trainers on racecourses for tips, I often wonder whether the information they glean compensates for the loss of dignity in their methods of obtaining it, writes “Pilot.” They would be indignant if a comparative stranger asked them a pointed question about their business, and yet they evidently think a slight acquaintance with a trainer justifies them in asking him about his or that of his employer. Many trainers resent the position, but cannot afford to answer their questioners in the manner they deserve. “It does make you disgusted,’’ remarked a trainer the other day, “to be fawned on by people who, elsewhere than on a racecourse, would think they were honouring you by a nod. If some of the people who ask me about my horses’ chances knew exactly the rep]}' I would like to give it would be a shock for them.” * * * * Racing men in Sydney are discussing keenly an incident—-said to be unprecedented—which occurred in the Presidents Handicap, the principal event at the Bathurst winter meeting a week ago. As the result of the extraordinarily wet season, the course was very heavy, and in places so boggy that the track was considered dangerous. In consequence the authorities placed pegs for some distance along the course near the turn

in order that horses would have to come out on the middle of the track, and so avoid the more sloppy turf on the inside. Every owner and jockey was warned as to what had been done, and the reason for it, and up to the eighth race the course, as marked out, was followed. In the President's Handicap, Buckley, on Trentcourt, after his mount had been apparently beaten, took the short cut and went inside the pegs. Trentcourt thus gained about fifty yards, and won, pulling up, by about ten lengths. Then there was an uproar, and a protest was lodged by J. Stewart, owner of the. second horse, Arkansas. At first the. stipendiary steward referred the protest to the Australian Jockey Club for decision, but. after further consideration, disqualified Trentcourt and awarded the race to Arkansas. The owner of Trentcourt immediately gave notice of appeal to the Australian Jockey Club, and meanwhile all bets are held up. It is argued that as Trentcourt covered the full seven furlongs, as advertised in t.he. conditions *of the race, he will get the race. On the other hand, others argue that as | the committee had mapped out the j course Trentcourt therefore went inI side a post, and was thus deprived I ul any claim to the prices

TROTTING NOTES.

An election for three South Island members of the New Zealand Trotting Association will take place during the next few weeks, the ballot closing on July 31. The retiring members, Messrs W. 11. Denton, W. J. M. Hopkins and J* H. Williams, are again candidates, while Mr J. B. Thomson, or Invercargill, has also been nominated. Mr R. A. Armstrong, the retiring member, is the only candidate for the North Island seat, so that. no election will be necessary there. * * * * Pluto was an acceptor for the Trial Handicap, the opening event at the Ashburton Trotting Club’s meeting, but he did not start. * * * sfe The pacer Downcast has resumed work on the Southland Racing Club’s course. The Adonis gelding looks well after his northern racing campaign, during which he showed consistent form at the Oamaru, Canterbury Park and Ashburton meetings. He is booked for another trip to Christchurch in August, for the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting .Club’s meeting. * * * It is not generally known that Mignonette (the dam of that great horse Minton Derby) was got by the New Zealand-bred horse Mambrino Abdallah. This horse was bred by the late Henry Mace, at his New Brighton stud, and was sold at the dispersal sale on that gentleman’s death for 59gs. That great horse Almont was disposed of at the same sale for 640 gs, and went to the Allendale Stock Farm, Victoria. Almant’s record of 6min 50sec for three miles is still the world’s best for a pacer for that distance.

There is a trotting mare in Australia, Vera Harold, that has a unique record, being the dam of Mauri Harold, a trotter, and Harold Mauritius, a pacer, both winners at Richmond (Victoria). Then bred to the thoroughbred Andria, she produced Andy Clark, winner of an event at the Richmond (Melbourne) galloping meeting on May 3. That brilliant trotter Grand Voyage was sold at the dispersal sale of the Belmont stud (Australia) for 400 gs. * * * * The Australian owner, Mr J. B. Sheehan, who recentl}' won the Otahuhu Cup with his pacing stallion MachineBrick, seriously contemplates removing his team from Sydney to Victoria, and will in that case make Melbourne his headquarters.

ANNUAL REPORTS.

CANTERBURY PARK TROTTING CLUB. The annual report of the Canterbury Park Trotting Chib expresses regret that, owing to the decrease in the totalisator returns and other departments, the committee is unable to report so successful a season as that attained in 1924-25. Considerable improvements have been effected on the course during the year, necessitating a large expenditure, which would not be recurrent. There being no other nominations. Mr J. Leslie has been elected president, the Hon G. Witty vice-president.. and Mr R. Wallace treasurer. The nominations for stewards not being in excess, there will be no election. Three nominations have been received for two vacancies on the committee, and a ballot will be held. The c.lub commenced the year with a credit of £1561, and the principal receipts were:-—Totalisator, £11,407 9s 3d; nominations and acceptances, £2382 15s; stands and gates, £2652 2s; privileges, £1347 12s 3d; members’ subscriptions, £223; Government refund, totalisator tax, £250. The expenditure included stakes £10,575; Government taxes (totalisator £3223 4s 3d, dividends £5802 10s. stakes £528 15s, privileges £99 39s 9d, amusement tax £lB4 4s. income tax £7 12s 3d, land tax £26 Ss Bd, less recovered from dividends and owners £6331 ss), £3541 8s lid; expenses of race meetings, £1127 3s 4d; repairs and maintenance, £922 12s lid; salaries and wages, £899 19s 6d; advertising, printing and stationery, £409 0s fid. The rear closed with a credit of £1460 11s 7d. The assets of the club are valued a £22,849 11s 7d, including cash in ban! £1460 11s 7d, investments £I3OO, pro perty at Sockburn £5929 8s lid, pro pertv at Addington £1479 11s Id, build ing at Addington £12,500; and the only liability is a mortgage of £ISOO. NEW BRIGHTON TROTTING CLUB.

The committee of the New Brighton Trotting Club, in presenting the annual balance-sheet to members, states that the result is not so satisfactory as that of the previous year, owing to the considerable decrease in the totalisator returns. Considerable improvements have been effected to the course and enclosures during the year. A fence lias been erected on the Marriott’s Road frontage, which completes thfe whole fencing of the club's property. Mr A. J. Harper has been elected president, Mr T. Johns vicepresident, and Mr E. H. James treasurer, while no election will be necessarv for committee and stewards, there being no excess of nominations. The balance-sheet shows that the receipts included:—-Totalisator, £8715 2s 6d: nominations and acceptances, £1806: stands and gates, £3482 4s; privileges, £962 14s 9d; members’ subscriptions, £B4 9s 6d, and Government refund totalisator tax £250. The chief items of expenditure were:—Stakes, £7775: Government taxes (totalisator £2502 18s 3d, dividends £4505 16s, stakes £3SB 15s, privileges £6l 2s f>d, amusement tax £ll4 18,s sd, land tax £9 13s, less recovered from dividends and owners £4894 11s), £2688 12s Id; salaries and wages, £Bl9 2s: expenses of race meetings. £843 15s 8d; improvements, £296 0s 7d; advertising, printing and stationery, £3ll 6s sd. The year opened with a debit of £145 Is lid, and closed with a credit of £22 3s 1 Id. The club’s assets are valued at £12,547 3s lid, including cash balance £22 3s lid, land £2830, buildings £9045, plant £39S, and furniture £252.

ENGLISH NOTES.

(Special to the “Star.") LONDON, May 13. The great strike naturallv put an end to all racing in this country. But not before the Chester meeting, on that ancient and peculiarly shaped Roodee course, had been partialK* decided. The two miles and a quarter race for the famous cup, and still more famous cheeses, was brought off satisfactorily, considering the circumstances, and the ■fe/’.xaMuts went to the best handicapped

horse in the event. This was Hidennis, hailing from the same stable as the Grand National winner, Jack Horner. Hidenriis during the winter had proved himself a champion hurdler, and the course of jumping had done him so much good that he was immediately a 141 b better horse on the fiat. He was not handicapped as such in the Chester Cup. Indeed, with a 51b penalty incurred by winning a mile and a hair race at the previous Newmarket * meeting, Iris weight was no more than 7st, and he took full advantage of the handicapper’s leniency by winning in a canter. Spithead, last year’s winner, who was considered to have a great of doing the trick a second time, as Chivalrous had done a few years ago was made favourite, and there was a big and significant demand for the Aga Khan’s Vermilion Pencil. The latter had won the Vase on the same course a year ago, and, though he had failed on each occasion when seen out subsequently it was argued that the extra distance and the sharp turns of the course were all in his favour. Another well-fancied runner was the diminutive Naldera, who had been placed in the Citv and Suburban, while Ixia, coming from the Manton stable, and saddled instead of three others better known, came in for some recognition. Vermilion Pencil was the only one to trouble Hidennis at all, and "'that did not amount to much when it came to the run-in. Jxia filled third position and the favourite, Spithead, was only a moderate fourth. The popular Jubilee was due to be decided on the following Saturday, but this had to be abandoned and, indeed, as I write, some unduly gloomy people will be thankful if it is possible to run the Derby this year. During the war, of course, the Derby was decided at Newmarket, instead of at Epsom, but ; unless the present position in the country undergoes a big change, there is not likely to be racing anywhere. That is a pessimistic viewpoint and casting it aside for a moment, we can take a peep at the prosoects of some of the horses. Of cour en those who witnessed the Guineas will not look beyond Lord Derby’s compactly-built colt, Colorado, despite his alleged respiratory trouble. No horse has won a classic race in modern times more easily than he did—not even Manna when winning the Derby last year. Yet the adherents of the one-time favourite, Coronach, take heart from the fact that a year or two back a horse from the same stable, Captain Cuttle, failed to come up to expections in the Guineas, and still triumphed signally in the more important affair at Epsom. It certainly has to be admitted, on behalf of Coronach, that he had none the best of the start. He must have lost a length or two, and the effort to make this up took all the steel out of him when a final burst became necessary. If he were then trained to the highest pitch, no hope could be held out. for him in the Derby, but Fred Darling thinks he has left room to work on before June is reached, and this must be borne in mind when weighing up the colt’s prospects. A horse in the Guineas that was obviously not keyed up to his best was Sir Abe Bailey’s Lex, and, moreover, he was hampered by a plate becoming twisted just before the start, and having to be removed. Lex reminds me very rriuch of his stable companion, Solario. The last named made slow but sure progress throughout his three-year-old career, and did not prove his super* iority to the rest of his age until the St Leger came round. I doubt very much whether Lex will be ready by Derby day. There does not seem an atom of hope for any of the other Guineas competitors, not even Gay Lothario, probably the best

bred horse in the country, being by a Derby winner.out of an Oaks winner. Gay Lothario has run like a nonstayer on the two occasions he has been in public this season, and it was because of this deficiency, as I have mentioned before in this column, that Lord Glanely parted with his trainer, Barling, and engaged Fred Archer in his stead. Archer succeeded in developing the stamina of Double Chance so that he was able to win a Grand National, and Lord Glanely, maybe, thinks he is the man to turn Gay Lothario into a stayer. But if the stamina is not latent in the horse, a miracle, not a trainer, is required. Of the “dark” horses in the Derby, Captain Blood, belonging to Mr J. B. Joel, is whispered about. This colt has not seen a racecourse as yet, but he is reputed to be a smasher. That may or may not be. These days a horse does not come out for the first time and win a Derby. At any rate I should not care to risk my money on such.