Racing and Trotting.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17905, 22 July 1926, Page 2

Racing and Trotting.

(NOTES BY

“ ARGUS.”)

RACING FIXTURES. July 22—Waimate Hunt. July 24—South Canterbury Hunt. July 29, 21—Gisborne Racing Club. July Sl—Christchurch Hunt. August 7-—Poverty Bay Hunt August 10, 12, 14—Canterbury Joc&ey Club. NOMINATIONS. July 23—Poverty Bay Hunt. HANDICAPS. July 26—Christchurch Hunt. July 26—Canterbury Jockey Club. August 2—Poverty Bay Hunt. ACCEPTANCES. July 23—Gisborne Racing Club. July 28—Christchurch Hunt. August 3—Poverty Bay Hunt. August 4—Canterbury Jockey Clud. TROTTING FIXTURES. ./ tily 22—Waimate Hunt. July 2 4—South Canterbury Hunt. August 7—Poverty Bay Hunt. August 7, 11, 13 —New Zealand Metro politan Trotting Club. NOMINATIONS. July 23—Poverty Bay Hunt. ACCEPTANCES. August 3—New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club. August 3—Poverty Bay Hunt. RACING NOTES. The South Canterbury hunt meeting to be held at Washdyke on Saturday promises to be the best ever the district. The acceptors total Üb, compared with 76 last year. **** „ , _ In connection with the South Canterbury hunt, meeting on Saturday, a special train will leave _ Christchurch at 7.55 a.m., arriving at the W ashd> ke course at 11.8 a.m. It will imaru on the return journey at 6.4 1 p.m. * * * * Hunting is an exceptionally lively sport in South Canterbury, where a record is claimed this winter in the issue of certificates for thirty horses qualifving to compete. in hunters events. This is the tally of the South Canterbury hunt, and does not inelude a large number who qualified at Waimate. ****.,ll. The Martian gelding, Grim Joke, has qualified as a hunter this year in South Canterbury, where he has gained a reputation as a wonderfully safe jumper over all classes of obstacles. ****.,, A start has been made with the erection of an outside stand at the Vtashdvke course. The building should be readv for use at the spring meeting of the Timaru Trotting Club. * * * * Messrs James Gow, P. Miller and S S Myers have been elected honorary life members of the Dunedin Jockey Club as a reward tor long service as stewards. *** * . f The election for four members o. the committee of the Dunedin Jockey Club resulted in the return of Mtssir W. T. Goughian. A. 11. Fisher and James Smith, the three retiring members, with Mr G. A. Kain as newcomer. Messrs J. Lindsay anc. W. Quirk completed the list of candidates. *** * . It is reported from Dunedin that Mr J. M. Samson’s imported filly by King Midas was kicked last week and the injury proved so serious that she had to be destroved. * # * * Red Kriss has been working well at Wingatui and he may be seen to ad vantage in hurdle races near at hand. * * * * General Advance continues to get through useful tasks at W ingatui and the most pieasing part of his prepara tion is that he appears to be quite sound. * * * * ... , The imported horse Rosenor will do a light season at the stud in Otago. His mates will include the Boniform mare, Monoxide. sft * * # The Otago steeplechaser, Pamplona, who has had his record very much cur tailed on account of unsoundness, has been turned out and he will be spelled until next season. * :jc :js sjc Reports from Wingatui state that Comic Song is again in work, and has built up considerably during his spell. G. Feilding has also Bonnie W inkie in work, in order to try him out for another preparation. Although the English colt Rosenor has been entered for some of the minor < vents on the Grand National programme he is not likely to be a runner at the meeting. Since last seen in public Rosenor has thickened out considerably*. * i'fi * * The Kilbronev —Elaine yearling filly, owned by the Dunedin sportsman, Mr B. S. Irwin, was found dead in her box • on Sunday. The filly was showing pro- | mise on the track, and her death means I a substantial loss to her owner. * * * * An imported grey mare owned byMr A. S. Cambridge is in work at Wingatui. She is on the massive side, and has a good deal of lumber on her frame; hcncc it will be some time before she can be produced in racing condition. A * * At the annual meeting of the Dunedin Jockey* Club this week the vicepresident, Mr L. *O. Hazlett, made a spirited reply to criticism which had been levelled against the track at Wingatui. So far as lie could see, the conditions at Wingatui were no w. •-se than on other tracks similarly situated. He pointed out that a tan track had been put down at Forbury and in the winter it could not be worked on, as the horses got deep into it. Then a sand track was tried with the same result. Mr Hazlett concluded by stating that during the last six years, horses trained at Wingatui had won the Grand National Hurdles, the Grand National Steeplechase, and the Winter Cup. These horses had to be trained during July* and August, which went to ohuw, notwithstanding the criticism. that horses could be got ready at Wingatui to run out severe races. He added that horses trained at Wingatui had won the New Zealand Cup three times, the Stewards' Handicap six times, and the Canterbury Jockey Club’s handicap eight times. If they had the horses, j they could be trained at Wingatui to Iwin good races. He thought that in some cases the criticism emanated from people who perhaps did not know much about the matter.

The North Island jockeys, R. Reed an d T. Green, are on their way to Sydney, where they will remain for the spring meetings. * * * * It is understood that the Egmont Racing Club is going on with contemplated improvements to its course. Amongst these is a new stewards’ stand, and the shifting back and raising of the judge’s box. * * * A Advices to hand from Sydney state that Rampion, the rising three-year-old son of Rossendale, is the early favourite for the Melbourne Cup. # * * * The Night Patrol, who put up a highclass record in Australia this season, has a brother (Night March) racing in America. The difference in the racing quality of the two brothers is of a very* pronounced quality. Night March was beaten in a paltry selling race at a meeting held in New York recently. * *. * What is probably a record booking for a sire in Ireland occurred in the case of Argosy, the sire of Embargo, who recently won the Irish Two Thousand Guineas. Argosy- stands at Senator Parkinson's stud at Maddenstown, The Curragh, and immediately after Embargo’s success Senator Parkinson was asked to name the terms for the stallion’s services for next season. He set the figure at 200 guineas, and on the following morning the horse’s list was not only fully subscribed but several nominations were taken for 1028 at the fee mentioned. Argosy is the sire of Mr W. Higgins’s filly, Joy Bird. sf« 4: It is no wonder selling races are so greatly favoured by English racing clubs. At Hurst Park, on May 25, a filly named Warrior's Star won the Richmond Plate, a two-year-old selling race, of £197. She was entered to be sold for £IOO, and on going to auction after the race was bought in for 1200 guineas. That meant a surplus of £ll6O over the selling price, and half went to the Hurst Park executive. As Warrior’s Star, who had never previously started, won as she pleased, her owner was prepared to go to a stiff figure in order to retain her. Up to the date mentioned it was the highest price realised by any selling plate winner in England this year.

The possibility of the big strike causing the abandonment of its May- meeting caused the Redcar Race Company. England, to insure that fixture for £6OOO. The club would have benefited financially if the meeting had fallen through, but it was held, despite traffic and other difficulties.

At the Victoria Racing Club’s Grand National meeting this month the New Zealand-bred colt Preposterer (by Absurd—First Class) registered a good performance in the decision of the . Cooparle Welter Handicap (seven furlongs), in which he carried 10.2 hom£ in front of a field of fourteen. At a sale held in New South Waies in the winter of 1923 Preposterer fell to the bid of Mr E. A. Connolly- at 1125 guineas. The colt was subsequently sold to the Melbourne sportsman, Mr A. G. Barlow.

Seeing that something like four thousand horses of all ages and ae :criptions are training in England during the Jockey* Club season, one may* expect to find a few with weird names. But two recent examples of nomenclature registered for a yearling and a iwo-year-old are worth special notice. The yearling by St Dunstan—Ballybricken has been named Shecaohopit and the two-year-old, a colt by Etheric —Floret, will in future be known as Ucmehopit. Perhaps Shecanhopit and Ucmehopit will one day show that “Thevkanhopit.” * * * * G. Duller, the popular English hurdle jockey and racing motorist, had a narrow* escape from serious injury* on the Montlehery* track, Pan’s. Duller v>as lapping at the ra.te of 105 miles an hour v’hen his car spun round on the track six times. Duller went into the pit with a jarred collarbone. Previous to the accident Duller had succeeded in making the world’s record for twelve hours on the same car. TROTTING NOTES. Bessie Logan looks as though her recent racing at Auckland had done her a lot of good. She seems to be quite sound and she is working in her best form at Addington. *** * . The trotter Little Logan is now doing some of his training work in saddle. He is well forward and is doing his training work very satisfactorily*. It is a great pity this fine trotter is affected in the wind and therefore finds two miles beyond his powers of endurance. * * sj* * The pacer Jimmy Bingen has not raced for some time but he is again in work. He is well bred, being byNelson Bingen from Sal Tasker, but so far he has not raced up to expectations. * * A s{: The three-year-old pacer Njirmi, who had to be given a spell some time ago, owing to an injury, is in steady- work again. lie is somewhat in the rough and has not done any- fast work, but if he stands slow jogging he will be sent along faster. * * * & Bell Harold looks particularly- bright and well. He is a really brilliant pacer over short courses and he has been a i good stake earner during this season. * * * * 11. Hubbard is w-orking a very qual-ity-looking two-year-old filly by Harold Dillon from Ma Cushla. Although somewhat on the small side, the filly is well put together and can alreadv pace fast. * * * m * D. M'Kendry is working away with Landlord but he will find it hard to win a race now with the fast but erratic pacer. M’Kendry, however, seems to understand him better than most other trainers who have had him. Escapade is trotting in fine style in her work. This fine trotter is expected to race well in the new season. * * * * E. M'Dermott has Away in work again. It is to be hoped the South-land-owned pacer stands up to a solid Cup preparation, as he is a good two miler. His injured foreleg is in bandages. # * * * The trotter Randolph appears to be very fresh at present. lie was so anxious to go fast in* a recent work-out that he both paced and trotted in his training. IT. Gaskell has got Randolph going well in races and further successes may* quickly come his way* in the new* season.

| NAPIER NOTES. (Special to the “ Star.”) NAPIER. July 21. I Mrs M. A. Perry has received advice by cable from her commissioner that a thoroughbred horse has been secured [ for the Otatoa Stud. The name of the I new purchase was not mentioned, but no doubt the horse will be a good one, a.s the commissioner was given mstruc- | tions to get the best horse it was posI sible to buy. I Ranui is looking and galloping well, and has evidently suffered no ill effects from his racing at Trentham. I Fireblight has improved since Tren- | tham, showing surprising pace in a half mile gallop with Landbird on Saturday morning. Guanaco has been presented to the master of the Hawke’s Bay Hounds to use as a hunter. He is a safe conveyance, but seems to have lost all his old dash. He may be taken to Gisborne. Little River is undergoing a special preparation for the Grand National Hurdles. He is going in great style at the present time, but whether he will do the same on race day- remains to be seen. Koodoo is getting back to form and ■should be very* near a win soon. Another that may not be long in earning stake money is Jubilee, who is galloping attractively*. 01y*mpic is in great condition just now and should run out a great mile in the Winter Cup. Maunga slipped right into one of the hurdles at Hastings on Tuesday* morning. However, neither the horse nor rider was much hurt. Miss G. Maher, trainer of Sturdee and Little River, suffered injuries to her hand through a fall in the hunting . field the other day. ENGLISH NOTES. (Special to the “ Star.”) LONDON, June 17. Alec Taylor still remains the wizard of Manton. His “neglected” is still proving itself the superior of his “selected.” It is really marvellous how this trainer, by no apparently* visible effort, manages so continuously to bamboozle the racing experts and the big professional bettors. His latest exploit w*as to pro\*ide the winner of the Royal Hunt Cup, which is Ascot’s most attractive handicap, at a long price, and the third, w*ho w*as one of the favourites. Why Inca should have been a more popular market choice than Cross Bow it is impossible to say. Certainly not on public form. But there it is. The filly, in spite of the fact that a member of that sex has not won a Hunt Cup for half a century, was regarded as having an infinitely better chance than her stable, companion, who, it may be recalled, had started favourite for last year’s Derby. There certainly was not much in it between them dt the judge’s end—merely a neck and half a length—but the “ neglected ” one won, which is the all-important thing. It was a splendid performance on the part of Cross Bow, for he carried top weight, and it is most unusual for anything like 9st to be carried to victoryin this narticular handicap. Irish Elegance had 9st 111 b on his back, it is true, but then he was an exceptional horse of his period. But while giving every credit, to Cross Bow for his feat,. I think chief honours are strictly* due to the second, the Maharajah of Rajpipla’s three-y*ear-old colt, Embargo. The highest weight ever shouldered successfully by one of his age in the Hunt Cup was 7st Silo—by a horse called Suspender many* >*ears ago—and yet here we had Embargo, with Bst 21b, coming within a neck of what would have been a record win. Embargo’s handsome effort pays tribute incidentally* to the value of Coronach and Colorado, both of whom slammed him in the Guineas. Embargo is just on the fringe of our classic form, so to speak, and it is obvious that the 1926 three-year-ulds are well above the average. To revert to the Hunt Cup, the favourite until the day of the race was Mr Sol Joel’s good filly*. Prompt—who had the same weight as Cross Bow —but before the start there was a tremendous rush on a French horse called Insight 11., owned by* Mr Macomber, of Forseti—Masked Marvel fame, and also on the Lincoln winner, King of Clubs. This latter was a surprising move, for a horse at seven years of age can hardly* be expected to go on improving, and the Royal Hunt Cup is a far better class race than die Lincolnshire Handicap. However, the horse had evidently shown something big in a trial, and the money* was piled on. There was little delay at the post, and. from a favourable dispatch, Sweet Rocket—from the same stable as last year's winner, Cockpit—led the field, being immediately- attended by Amethystine, Insight 11., Embargo, King of Clubs, Valdore, Yesington Star (the hope of old Ireland), and the Manton pair, Cross Bow and Inca. At the half-distance—that is about four furlongs—Sweet Rocket was still at the head of affairs, but her bolt was shot, and, as they* reached the dip, Embargo, Cross Bow, Inca, Valdore, and Insight 11. were best placed. A little bevond the distance, Donoghuc on Embargo shot well to the front, and steered towards the far rails. Whatever advantage he gained, however, could only be momentary, for Cross Bow. who had always been right there on the stands side, edged up and up, and finally* passed the post a neck in front of the three-year-old, who was half a length ahead of Inca. Yesington Star was just beaten out of a place, and there was a considerable gap afterwards.

Prompt was the big disappointment of the race. I never saw her prominent at any time. Purple Shade continues to l>e a veritable “Jonah,” and others well-known, who finished down the course and failed their lo\*al supporters, included Sunderland, Nothing Venture, Dignity, and Mademoiselle M. Most people thought that Cross Bow would not be sharp enough for the race, but the heavy* rainfall which was experienced just before the opening of the meeting had made the going soft, and what was wanted was a stayer rather than a sprinter, as is usually the case. Donoghue was equally* unlucky* in the long distance handicap—the Ascot Stakes, of two miles. Here he was associated with the French-bred Catalin, now trained in the same stable as Embargo. It was a disastrous race in more senses than one. The field made off in a mad rush for the bend, and, in a scramble to get the best positions, young Siretf, one of the best apprentices in the countrv. was thrown from his falling motint- —Mr Jimmy* de Rothschild’s grey mare ,Vionnet —and so badly trampled on that he remains unconscious in hospital as I write. Vioiinet broke her back, and had to be destroyed. The race went on, and, in a desperate finish, Miss Sport got the better of Catalin by a short head. Donoghue was convinced he had been bumped out of it, and 1 must say the majority of the onlookers were of the

same opinion. But. the stewards, after long deliberation, dismissed the objection, their view apparentlv being that ooth horses were equally to blame. The curious thing about Miss Sport was that only a few weeks previously Cottrill, the Lambourn trainer, had bought her out of a selling race for 150 guineas. The Ascot Stakes is worth close on £2000! Thus .was another page added to Ascot’s astonishing history*.