Racing and Trotting

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18088, 23 February 1927, Page 2

Racing and Trotting

MOTES BY

ARGUE

RACING FIXTURES. February 23, 24—Gore Racing ClubFebruary 23. 24. 26—Nelson Jockey Club February 24—Waiapu Racing Club. February 25, 26—Woodville Jockey Club. March 2, 3—Dannevirke Racing Club. March 3, s—Marlborough Racing Club. March s—Matamata Racing Club. March 3—Opotiki Jockey Club. March 11, 12—Napier Racing Club. March 12—Franklin Racing Club. March 17—Waimate Racing Club. March 17. 19—Wellington Racing Club. March 17. 19—Ohinemuri Jockey Club. March 26—Bay of Plenty Jockey Club. NOMINATIONS. February 25-—Napier Park Racing Club. March 10—Bay of Plenty Jockey Club. HANDICAPS. February 25—Marlborough Racing Club. February 2 B—Opotiki Jockey Club. February 28—Franklin Racing dub. March I—-Waimate Racing Club. March 4—Napier Park Racing Club. March 7—Ohinemuri Jockey Club, March 16—Bay of Plenty Jockey Club. ACCEPTANCES, February 23—Dannevirke Racing Club. February 2S—Marlborough Racing Club. March I—Matamata Racing Club. .March 4—Franklin Racing Club. March s—Opotiki Racing Club. March s—Napiers—Napier Park Racing Club. March B—Waimate Racing Club. March 9—Ohinemuri Jockey Club. March 22—Bay of Plenty Jockey Club. TROTTING FIXTURES. Fetoruait 19. 23—Otahuhu Trotting Club. February 23, 24—Gore Racing Club. February'2B, 24. 26—Nelson Jockey Club February 25—Kaikoura Trotting Club. February 2Q, March 2—Wellington Trotting Club. March 3, s—Marlborough Racing Club. March 4—Marlborough Trotting Club. March 9—Manawatu Trotting Club. March 12, 15—New Brighton Trotting Club. March 17—Waimate Racing Club. March 26—Timaru Trotting Club. NOMINATION S. February 19— Manawatu Trotting Club. March 17-—Waimate Racing Club. 'March 10—Timaru Trotting Club. HANDICAPS. February 25—Marlborough Trotting Club. February 25—Marlborough Racing Clvb. February 26 Manawatu Trotting Club. March I—Waimate Racing Club. March 17—Timaru Trotting Club. ACCEPTANCES. February 28—Marlborough Trotting Club. February 2 S—Marlborough Racing Club. March 4—Manawatu Trotting Club. March 7—New Brighton Trotting Club. March B—Waimate Racing Club. March 21—Timaru Trotting Club. RACING NOTES. Nominations for the Wellington Racing Club's autumn meeting will close on Fridav. * * * * Tarleton is again in work at Riccarton, after spelling for several weeks, it was his first real rest in the paddock for a long time and he should be greatlv benefited. * * * * The two-year-old Jericho has not been set any strenuous tasks since he returned from Wingatui, where he won the Dunccfin Champagne Stakes. He is being kept in steady work, however, as he is booked for a trip to .Trentham next month, to compete in the North Island Challenge Stakes.

The influence of the dam was a fea ture of the result of the Wanganui Cup, as Piuthair. Clarinda. and Novar, who finished first, third, and fourth, were ail produced by Blackada.

Rapine put up a great performance in carrying 10.4 into second place in the Wanganui Cup. The highest weight ever carried successfully in the race was 9.2 which Dudu had on her back in 1890. She also won with* 8.12 in 1891. The Wanganui Cup was established in 1875, and Dudu is the only horse that has won with nine stone or more. Since Nonette won with 8.11 in 1902 there has not been a winner with so heavy a burden. Sinapis won with 8.10 in 1914. the year following her success in the New Zealand Cup.

Baringhup had nqt won a race prior to her success in the Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield this month. She is a three-

year-old filly by imported Ethiopian from Orvieto, by Wallace from Ophir, by Ruenalf from Ortono. by Pilgrim’s Progress from imported Aratava, the dam of La Carabine, a great staying Carbine mare.

The veteran Melbourne jockey, R. Lewis, was unable to ride on the opening day of the Victoria Amateur Turf Club's meeting, as he was suffering from the effects of a slight sunstroke. In his absence, Manfred ' was ridden by F. Dempsey, who failed to get the erratic Valais horse away from fhe barrier. It was unfortunate for .e\< ; rvone that a new jockey had to be secured. as Lewis has established the mastery over Manfred.

The Victorian stipendiary stewards have been busy lately. A few weeks ago the well-known jockey, JV. Duncan, was suspended for a term for “cribbing'' a better position at the barrier. For a similar offence on the opening day of the Victoria Amateur Turf Club's meeting J. Daniels was fined £lO and suspended till the end of the meeting.

A prejudice existed in some quarters against Kilbroney marcs, but there seems to be nothing wrong with Piuthair and Clarinda. who finished first and third in the Wanganui Cup run last week. Razzle Dazzle was another mare of a really good class .got by Kilbroney.

Saturday’s victory marked Rereirioana's second successive Jackson Stakes. Last year he narrowly defeated his stablemate. Lady Cavendish, who won in 1925. On Saturday after the race .the owner of Reremoana, Mr G. F. Moore, expressed his pleasure at the return to form of his good horse, especially against such strong company.

When certain well-known horses showing first-class form have accepted in two races on the same day the public naturally appreciate information as to which race is the mission. Owners, of course, are at liberty to change their minds, says the Wellington writer, “ The Watcher,’’ but it was extremely annoying in at. least one instance recently to be told f&irly definitely concerning a horse, and to find, when the information was passed on to the public in good faith, that the correct story

M. Payne, an Australian jockey with a good record of successes, arrived here this week with the intention of settling in the Dominion. He is going north for the Te Aroha Jockey' Club’s meeting on Saturday and Monday, after which he will return to Christchurch. * * * The two-year-old colt Paleta, by Leighton from Catalini, will probably have a race at Trentham on March 17, and he will be shipped to Sydney on the following day’. He is engaged at the Australian jockey’- Club’s autumn meeting in the Champagne Stakes and Sires’ Produce Stakes. s}c * *• Grand Knight is not showing the form he was twelve months ago, but it is possible he may’ improve for some of the Easter racing. £ * * It is not often F. Tilley goes through the Wanganui meeting without winning a race, but seconds with Glenross and Ruani were the best he could do last week. * ssj A little private vendetta between two jockey’s was brought to light during an inquiry' at Wanganui on Saturday. Just after a race one prominent rider threatened another not so prominent that he would “get even’’ some time later. The less . prominent one determined to say nothing and just look out for squalls, until he was called into the inquiry room and found that his adversary' had laid a complaint against him. Heathen told his side of the story’, with the result* that the corpplainant was called back, severely censured, and his attention directed to the law of manslaughter. In the meantime the public pays. * •* * * An improved, starting machine has been turned out by’ a son of the late Mr Gray, and has won favourable appreciation in Sydney'. The Gray starting machine was one of the first used in Australia. * * * 4c The crack Australian three-vcar-old, Rampion, has won £26,lSi 10s in stakes, as a result of nine wins and one second. • * * * * When returning thanks recently after receiving the cups won by Piuthair, Air R- A. M’Kenzie bestowed generous praise on his trainer, T. Lloyd. There is no doubt that Lloyd, has been most successful with Mr M’Kenzic’s horses during the past few seasons. While never having more than a handful in work, and some of them not too sound, Lloyd has led in the winner of the New Zealand Cup (Sunart), Metropolitan Handicap twice UCilgour and Piuthair), Manawatu ,Cup twice (Clandhu and Clarinda), Fendalton Handicap (Clarinda), Egmont Cup (Piuthair), Hawke’s Bay Stakes (Mireusonta), Hawke’s BayCup (Sunart), Napier Cup (Clarinda), Taranaki Cup (Piuthair), Wanganui Cup twice (Sunart and Piuthair). In addition, he has won good stakes elsewhere. Sunart won a Wellington Handicap in the spring, Piuthair won the last Pearce Handicap, and Sunart was very unlucky not to win a Thompson Handicap. Mireusonta has accounted for several first-class races, and altogether Mr M’Kenzie has no reason to regr«t his ventures on the turf.

A matter that was being discussed at Wanganui by some prominent men, very' much financially' interested in racing, was the poor standard of riding and the fact that the jockeys of to-day do not attend the tracks to ride work as specified in the conditions of th’eii* licenses. That there is a connection between these two there is no doubt. Onfe owner found on attending the track; that on two mornings during the currency of the Wanganui meeting, writes “Vedette,” not one licensed jockey* was in attendance to ride work. This was. all being feft.to apprentices and stable-boys. Physical fitness is just as great an essential on the part of a rider as. in tfie case of a horse, and it is certain tha,t the jockeys have everything to gain- and nothing to lose bV being present to ride work on every possible occasion. Racecourse caretakers arc supposed to ? keep attendance book.', but these in main ha*’e faHlcn into disuse, and it might well be worth the while of the Racing Conference and its stipendiary stewards to investigate this matter forthwith. TROTTING NOTES. The acceptances for the Wellington Trotting Club’s meeting, which will open on Saturday-, appear to be small when compared with the fields usually seen in trotting races. The club has to depend almost entirely’ on outside support for its meeting, and with the heavy cost of transit now in force only those owners who imagine they’ possess good chances of success make the trip.The fields are quite large enough to provide good racing. Curiously' enough, the smallest field is in the slow class trotters’ race, for which there arc a great many horses eligible.

T. G. Fox had a piece of bad luck during the week. The trotters Gaberdine and Queen Ida got loose, and in a kicking match the former had all the worst of it, and is very’ much knocked about. It was intended to race Garberdine at the north of the Island during the next fortnight, but she will have to remain in the paddock.

Master Audo worked out a good two mile journey’ early in the week. The trotter showed a lot of improvement early in the season, and can now see opt two miles in good style. Master Audo will be racing next Saturday at the Wellington Trotting Club’s meeting in the fast two mile harness race for trotters.

G. Berry is giving the fast milcr Ben Ohau plenty’ of work. Ben Ohau has a fine turn of speed, but is now on a tight mark.

A three-year-old sister cf Young Blake is being driven about by her owner, N. L. Price. She is not so big as Young Blake, but she is built on much stouter lines. Price stated that

she has a good action, but so far she has not been asked to show her best speed. She will be put into solid work shortly'.

The pacer Amazon has a good turn of speed, but his action leaves much to be desired. It is doubtful if he will reach the best company.

Sheik looks bright and well after his short holiday', and P. Riddle will be sending him along in earnest in a few weeks. The Cup winner may race a good deal better- in his next efforts. _H_e is on such ii tight mark, however.

ACCEPTANCES. WELLINGTON TROTTING CLUB. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, February 22. The following acceptances have been received: IMPROVERS’ HANDICAP (in harness), of 125 sovs; class 3min 4 ssec. One mile and a half. Zell a . scr yds bhd Auditress . scr Bel] Direct Wave scr Somerton 24 Hori Dillon . scr Item . 4X Good Lady . scr Surfboard . 4 8 Bill Todd . scr First yds bhd Imperial 60 Steel Wire . 24 Patsy Phegan S 4 KATTOKE HANDICAP (in harness!, of 125 sovs. For unhoppled trotters; class 3min 52sec. One mile and a half. Trampcrisp . scr Hardy yds bhd Grattan 84 Black Palm 60 Tom' Marvin . 132 Miss Re da . S 4 BOLLARD HANDICAP (in harness!, of 450 sovs; class 4 min 36sec. Two miles. William the yds bhd Great scr Silk Thread 24 Stunt Artist. scr Nimble Direct 36 yds bUd Billy Sea . 48 Shine Soon 12 Doctor Dillon 48 Jewel Pointer 24. Trenand . 60 Menember . 24 Native Chief 84 BEACH HANDICAP (in harness), of 150 sovs. Class 3miu 36sec. One mile and a half. Nepia . scr yds bhd George the Beatty . 12 Fourth scr Tui Zolock . 12 yds bhd Tui Wildwood 3 2 Abundance . 3 2 Doris Dillon 24 Amazon . 12 First Water . 24 Lochree . 12 WILFORD HANDICAP (in harness), of 300 sovs. For unhoppled trotters; class 4min 3Ssec. Two miles. Charles Dixie scr yd 3 bhd Bonny Spec ..scr John Pete Peter . scr Mauritius 36 yds bhd Whispering Be Todd 3 2 Willie 36 Master Audo 36 Escapa.de . 72 BELMONT HANDICAP (in harness!, of 200 sovs. Class 4min 44 sec. Two miles. Kirlbingi . scr yds bhd Logan Lily . sor Amaris . 24 Woo Gus . scr Pearl yds bhd Coronado 24 Zolock Palm 12 Ingle Bingen 36 Kciman . 2 4 Rita Rye . 60 DASH HANDICAP (in harness), of 200 sovs. C 1363 2m in 51sec. One mile ami a quarter. Harold Nimble Thorpe scr Direct 24 Grey Cloud . scr Talent . 36 Some Wilkes scr Trenand . 36

yds bhd Jewel Pointer 4S Rosie Nut . 12 Native Chief 72 Menember . 12 SHORT HANDICAP (in saddle), of 150 sovs. Class 2miu 24scc. One mile. Bill Todd. . scr yds bhd ydsbhd Daisy Pointer 12 Murmur Amazon . 12 Jewel 12 Cora Tacks . 12 Ten . 12 Rockcretia « 4 8 Lochree . 12 HANDICAPS. matamata racing club. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, February 22. Following are the handicaps for the Matamata Racing- Club’s annual meet* TIRAU HIGH-WETGHT HANDICAP, of 80 sovs; one mile.—Right and Deft 12.0, "Wedding March 11.7, Branson 11.6, Kawa 10.11, Rangitahi 10.7, Uralla 10.7, King Queen 10. C, Gold Rain 10.1, Tfangawera 10.1. Ngarara 10.1, Peter Rosa 10.0, Athenry 9.5, Topping 9.1, Turn Lady 9.0, Centra 9.0. East Watch 9.0, Rangiawhia 9.0, Day Bass 9.0, Tres Bon 9.0, Delysian 9.0, Lady Spalpeen 9.0, Orbit 9.0. WAHAROA HANDICAP, of 80 sovs; seven furlongs.—Branson 9.7. Beriathia. 9.7, Klllute 8.5, Winsome Boy 8.1, Abbess 7.10, Daytaro 7.10, Eightwood 7.5, Valkon 7.7, Athenry 7.6, Major Abbey 7.2 Menance 7.0, Coma 7.0, Komak 7.0. RALEWAY HANDICAP, of 105 sovs; six furlongs.—Ring the Bell 9.0, Delightment 8.6, Ned Kelly 8.3, Arch Opal 8.0, Bright Knight 8.0. Value 7.13, Dan Quin 7.13, Prince Abbey 7.10, Macroon 7.10, Tinoiti 7.10, Constellation 7.3, Abbess 7.0, Some Rady 7.0, Owen 7.0. MATAMATA CUP, of 225 sovs; one mile and a quarter.—Day Guard 9.0, Spoony 9.0, Siaosi 8.10, Miss Vera S.S. Eord Star 8.1, Right and Reft 7.10, Gold Jacket 7.3 0, The Author 7.10. New Moon 7.10, Ring the Bell 7.10, Delightnrnnt 7.10, Ring Potoa 7.7, Royal Form 7.4, Queen Arch 7.4. Wedding March 7.4, Branson 7.3, Golden JCrist 7.3. "Wenday 7.1, ICh Timt 7.0. Ourra.g'hniore 7.0, Killute 7.0, Macroom 7.0, Valkin 7.0, Tangawera 7.0, Rarangi 7.0, Passionate 7.0, Hairera 7.0. tIINUERA HANDICAP, of 80 sovs; six furlongs.—High rose 9.0, King Arch 8.8, Niblick 8.8. Day Lass 8.8, Tckawura 8.4. Clad Abbey 8.4, Captain Cobham 7.12, Bright Comet 7.12, King Selwyn 7.12, Sandbag 7.12, Balalanna 7.12, Ambrosia 7.12, Carl 7.12, Queen Nation 7.12, Facia 7.12, Haurua 7.12, Royal Day 7.12, King Leslie 7.12, Waka King 7.12, Te Walca. 7.12, Red Comet 7.12. Sailor "Bov 7.12. Rady Faye 7.12, Velra Day 7.12. Mervette 7.12, Goldorest mare 7.12, Rose Maree 7.12, Cat Claw’ 7.12, Swift Bird 7.12. Cybele 7.12. OIsOROTRE HACK CUP HANDICAP, of 100 sovs; one mile.—Air Queen 9.0. Rangitahi 8.13, Ngarara 8.7. Always 8.7, Winsome Roy 5.7, Daytaro 8.2, Valleoa 7.13. Topping 7.7. Bal lachulinh 7.7, Tura 7.5, Lady Ointra 7.2, Wiltshire 7.2, Rady Spalpeen 7.2, Komak 7.2, Coma 7.2, Miss Comet 7.2. WALTER WELTER HANDICAP, of 100 sovs; seven furlongs.—Ring the Bell 9.7, New .Moon 9.5. The Author 9.2. Gold Jacket. 8.13, Lord Star 8.13. King Potoa 8.13, Berinthia 5.13, Branson S.l 3, Golden Krist 8.13, Rarangi 8.11, Eh Tim! 8.10, Arch Opal 5.7. Bright Knight 8.7, Passionate 8.5, Curraghmore 7.8. Gold Ram 7.5, Peter Rosa 7.7, Winsome Boy 7.7, Miss Nation 7.7, Delysian 7.7. VICTORIAN NOTES. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—-Copyright. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association. MELBOURNE, February 22. The weather is fine and bright. At Caulfield, on the grass, Naop, with F. Dempsey up. beat Nieo over twelve furlongs in 2mln 3S£sec, the first mile occupying lmin 45sec. Spearfelt, with the better of the weights, beat Ran son over eleven furlongs in 2miu 25Asec. Bravado did six furlongs in lmin 17$ sec. the first, four taking 52sec. Race Girl did the best three in 36f see. Blsera (F. Dempsey) ran five furlongs in lmin 6sec. Fujisan did five furlongs easily in lmin Bscc. Tookarbv galloped twelve furlongs in 2min 41isec. Karleen ran five in lmin 3Jsec; Waran ton, five on the sand in train Gtsec*; Rilgh, four in SOJsec. At Flemington, Manfred (R. Lewis) covered a mile on the course proper in lmin 401 see. Strongbow galloped ten furlongs in 2m in 13 sec. Pantheon galloped twelve furlongs in 2min 43sec, and Cyden the same in 2mln 41 sec. Yea Princess ran five furlongs in lmin 2Jscc. Postscript beat Amounis over six furlongs in lmin 144b©c. Valicare ran six furlongs comfortably in lmin 16.1 sec. MANFRED SCRATCHED. By Telegraph.—Pres* Assn.-—Copyright. Aus. and N.Z. Cable Association. MELBOURNE, February 22. Manfred has been scratched for all Victoria Racing Club engagements.

TAX ON BETTING. CONCESSION WANTED FOR RACECOURSES. Racing over the sticks has opened in wonderfully successful style (writes Centaur), considering the forebodings that it was bound to be seriously affected by the new betting tax. Indeed, one cannot remember a season more full of life at the beginning than the present. I have no doubt in my own mind that improved weather conditions are responsible in. large measure for the enthusiasm. Jt is a far more interesting game watching steeplechasing than it is watching flat racing, and people will turn out if the elements are favourable. If the weather had been bad during the past month, then the poor crowds attending the lumping meetings would have been attributed to the betting tax, instead of to the real cause. Undoubtedly the volume of betting nowadays is not so great as in the past, but, after all, that concerns chiefly the professional backer, who is far from being the backbone of the sport. . The betting tax came up for discussion at the annual dinner of the Gimcrack Club, which was presided over by that remarkable old man. Mr Melrose (chairman of the York Race Committee). who is now in his 99th year. Mr Melrose was able to sit through a long function of feasting and toasting, and did not leave until the clock was showing the near approach of midnight. Mr Melrose talked brightly of events that happened seventy or eighty years ago. and which he had witnessed. He chatted between speeches with Lord Lonsdale, on his left, and the Lord Mayor of York on his. right. He is on the threshold of a hundred years, and still a marvel of clear thinking and an ardent lover of racing at all times. It was Sir Hugo Cunliffe-Owen who raised the subject of the betting tax, in proposing the toast of the “Jockey Club,’’ and, of course. Lord Lonsdale took it up when replying. The former was uncompromisingly condemnatory of the “turnover” principle of the tax, as applied to racecourses, and warned the Government that, as at present constituted, the tax was seriously offending a great many lifelong Conservatives and having a most depressing influence on the industry of the breeding of our pre-eminent thoroughbred horses. He spoke scornfully of the “starting-price office gamblers.” who, he claimed, contributed nothing to racing, but took a vast deal out Qf it. They never, he averred, went near a racecourse, and so were spared all the expenses involved by those who went racing and paid for their entrances. By alt means let them be taxed, he added, but let the racecourse folk be spared the ruinous tax on turnover. That the gathering was in agreement with this sentiment was indicated by the gestures of approval.

Lord Lonsdale was in good form, c (the Jockey Club) arc said to be an autocratic body.” he remarked towards the end of his speech. “Well,’* he added, “so we are, and we intend to remain so. But we arc not asleep.” He left all his hearers with the distinct impression that the Jockey Club had been moving on the subject of the tax ever since it had been proposed as a Government measure, and that, in consequence of their activities, certain preferential treatment for racecourses (2 per cent, as against 3* per cent.) had been secured. There might be a possibility of more such preferential treatinent, but only, lie was careful to point out. in the light of results after a fair trial. For. he said. Mr Churchill was the last man to wish to do any harm to the breeding industry and to racing

generally. But he (Lord Lonsdale) did not sec why betting away from th I course should not be taxed, “and taxcv. well, too.” Needless to say, these remarks at once called forth a heap of criticism ; the following day. Kill the stay-at- \ home punter, argued starting price ! bookmakers, and you killed the poten- j tial racegoer. If you deprived these people of their bets during the week, they would lose all interest in the game and would never attend a meeting, as j they often did, on a Saturday after- ! noon in the Metropolitan area, or in the | provinces when the local gathering i came round. Lord Lonsdale made I some reference to the pari-mutuel, but j ] what he had to say did not stress the , question of its introduction to race- j I courses so much as the reports that j

hsh the system of betting in London i nd elsewhere. lie warned them of conflict with the law of the land. “Why,” he asked, "should an individual privately go and make profit ! in this way. when, if profit is to be derived, it should either l>e national or for the benefit of racing as a whole?** The impression left on the Gimerack assembly was that the Jockey Club was keeping a close eye on the situation, but was not disposed to rush in until siich time as a strong case had been created for an alteration or modification of the tax as applied to the racecourse.