RACING AND TROTTING NOTES

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18465, 17 May 1928, Page 2

RACING AND TROTTING NOTES

RACING FIXTURES. Alar 17. 13—Wanganui Jockey Club. May 26—Amberley Racing Club. June 2,4, 6—Dunedin Jockey Club. June 2,4, 6—Auckland Racing Club. HANDICAPS. Mar IS—Dunedin Jockey Club. May 21—Auckland Racing Club. ACCEPTANCES. May 25—Dunedin Jockey Club. May 26—Auckland Racing Club. TROTTING FIXTURES. May 3 9—Oamaru Trotting Club. June 2. 4—Canterbury Park Trotting Club. June 4—Hawke's Bav Trotting Club. June 23, 27—Auckland Trotting Club. NOMINATIONS. May 17—Canterbury Park Trotting Club. June 7—Auckland Trotting Club. HANDICAPS. May 21—Hawke’s Bay Trotting Club. May 22—Canterbury Park Trotting Club. June 12—Auckland Trotting Club. ACCEPTANCES. May 2S—Hawke’s Bay Trotting Club. May 29—Canterbury Park Trotting Club. June 15—Auckland Trotting Club. RACING NOTES. A dense fog enveloped the course •t Riccarton this morning and most of the trainers delayed making a start until it cleared off. All the fast work was done on the No. 7 grass track and some interesting sprints' were registered by horses with engagements at Amberley.

Battle Colours was responsible for a very* attractive effort over seven furlongs this morning, when he registered good time. Polydectes joined in for the last half-mile and finished in front.

Bronstell and Sir Roy were on terms at the end of a useful six furlong gallop this morning. Master Clarence finishing several lengths behind them.

Lighthearted beat Lancer over half a mile this morning. Lighthearted is a smart galloper, who will win races when he becomes tractable at the barrier.

F. IX Jones sent Roscrea and GayCrest for a half-mile sprint this morning and they shaped quite satisfactorily. Roscrea is galloping nicely'

and he may be a worthy relative to Limerick next season.

Tarleton was given a working gallop over six furlongs this morning and moved along freely. His recent form has been moderate, but he looks well.

Greyfinch showed a lot of dash in beating Claymore over five furlongs this morning. Greyfinch, though a non-stayer at present, has a lot of speed. Claymore should be useful next season. * * * * Thomdale was worked on the plough this morning and hit out freely over six furlongs. He looks in the best of health. * * * * Zaragoza went well in a half-mile sprint this morning and she may win a race during the winter, as she is partial to heavy going. * * *- * Malmsey and Wreath of Myrtle were associated over five furlongs this morning. They finished together, but they were not asked to do their best. . . . . * * . * * . Ankiwai xs coming on nicely in his preparation. He shaped well in a three furlong sprint this morning, when the Thurnham—Madrid three-year-old also showed up prominently as his mate. * * * * Nine of Spades and Star Raid went very attractively over five furlongs this morning, there being very little between them at the end of a fast gallop. Campanula started with them but was beaten by several lengths. Nine of Spades is coming on well and may be a winner shortly. Star Raid is on the improve.

* * * * v Martarma is getting through useful tasks, and the Martian three-year-old is gradually fining down.

The Boniform gelding, Hyperion, has been placed in T. H. Gillett's care to prepare for jumping engagements. His owner, Mr W. G. Gerard, intends to qualify him for hunting races.

Diana’s Lad, a four-year-old by Gav Lad, was not a success when raced on the flat, and it is probable he will be raced among the hunters during the winter.

Nincompoop is at present enjoying a short spell, following on a dose of physic.

Heisler and Rangiawhio were schooled in company over hurdles on Wednesday, while Gay Queen had a run over a few obstacles by herself. All thre.e shaped quite satisfactorily. * * v *

J. J. Lewis has returned to Ashburton with Whamdiffe. He was schooled over the steeplechase fences with Sir \yai on Wednesday and jumped well tip to the last fence, where he lost his rider. Sir Wai again performed below his best form. Whamcliffe shows promise of doing well over country.

According to southern reports. LoclieUa, Black Duke and Lilt will be shipped to Melbourne about the end of this month, with the object of racing there during the winter. It is stated, further, that an unsuccessful effort was made to purchase Whamcliffe, with the object of including him in the team.

H. Burt has been engaged to ride Archibald in the Great Northerns. Unless present intentions are altered. Archibald will run in both the hurdles and steeplechase and he will probably be schooled over the country in the near future.

The Franklin Cup winner. Sir Archie, is getting through a lot of useful work at Ellerslie, and will be in good order Iby the time the Northern meeting comes to hand. Sir Archie, who has always performed well in heavy ground, has also shown his ability to run a journey extending to a mile and a quarter, and for that reason he will have to be considered in the Cornwall Handicap. if; :f: Sfc' 'Jp. Hastings track w#'chers have a good word for the jumping ability of Locarno. a four-year-old gelding by Elysian —St Annes, a mare by imported St Savin from the Boniform mare Conceit. This horse has plenty of St Simon blood, Elysian being a grandson and St Savin a son of St Simon. * * :{c The two-year-old colt. Clarendon (Psychology—Pendant), trained at Hastings by T. F. Quinlivan, has been sent back to his owner, and when he next racts il will be as a gelding. Clarendon showed a good deal of promise, but unfortunately hurt himself while racing ar Napier Park, and could not do himself justice afterwards. Next season he might fulfil that promise.

According to the Auckland “ Star ” the Ciic.it Northern Steeplechase winner. Beau Cavalier, looks a vastly improved horse after his two races at Te Rapa. It is doubtful if this well-per-formed gelding ever looked better than he dees at the present time, while he is also getting through plenty of solid v-prk in view of his stiff cross-country engagements at Ellerslie next month, lie has a big ahead, and many are inclined to think that his weight (12.2) in the Northern Steeplechase will prove be; -nd him. He had 11.7 m the saddle when he won the Grand National Steeplechase in August last, and the same arguments were ventilated in regard to that race, although lie won widi a bit in hand. The Chesterfield gelding is in a class by himself when it comes to jumping big fences, and on that account alone he is going to be one of the hardest horses to defeat at Ellerslie in June.

Glendowie is greatly fancied by Aucklanders for a big jumping event in the near future. According to tne “ Herald ” A. Rhodes took Glendowie to Ellerslie a few days ago with a view to giving him a run over the steeplechase course. As that track was not available, Glendowie was indulged in a couple of rounds at a strong pace instead. It is by no means certain that Gxcndowie will keep his engagement in the Great Northern Steeplechase. Un less he comes on quickly in the meantime he is scarcely likely to be thoroughly attuned next month, and he may take his place in hunters’ events. In his possible absence it would occasion no surprise to see S. Henderson aboard Beau Cavalier in the Northern Steeplechase.

A horse whose name has been freely mentioned in connection with the Great Northerns in the past few days is Pouri. It was believed that Pouri would be taken to Dunedin after racing at Wanganui, but a change of plans has been made and he is now expected to be at Ellerslie instead. As a result his form at Wanganui will be closely watched and good showings may cause him to find further favour. There is one thing that may prejudice many against Pouri’s prospects in the Great Northerns, and that is the fact he had been operated on for respiratory troubles.

The backers of Bonogne. who won the Flying Handicap- on the opening day of the Egmont winter meeting at Hawera on Thursday, are probably unaware that they were within an ace of losing their monev. says the Wellington writer, “ The Watcher.’ The circumstances surround one of the most peculiar incidents that occurred for some time, and involve a very nice point of racing law. Bonogne was handicapped to carry 7.3, but as the apprentice P. MTnallv was put up the allowance was claimed and he weighed out at 7.0, which is the minimum allowed in handicap events. Bonogne went out and after a close finish won by a €iead from Partaga. When MTnallv got on the scales after unsaddling it was touch and go to get him to show 6.13. In fact, five minutes passed before the officials were absolutely satisfied that he could draw 6.13. Now this is a nice point, as in conformity with Act of Parliament. Part XVIII.. para. 1, of the Rules of Racing, reads:—'. . . . the minimum weight to be allotted to any horse in any handicap shall be 7.0 . . . .” Part XXIII., para. 10, reads:—". ... If the jockey cannot draw the proper or declared weight the clerk of the scales shall allow him lib.” It will be seen that both rules are mandatory and at' first sight would appear to be in conflict. The 7.0 minimum, however, applies to weighing-out, which was donej correctly in Bonogne’s case, and the lib allowance to weighing-in, and as this also was in order, though only just so, the Egmont stewards appear to have been justified in giving the order to pay out.

The All Black—Fair Rosamond horse, Kick Off. who has not raced, since he contested the Christmas Handicap, run at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, 3924, may be found competing in the hunter class this winter, as he is reported to be one of the horses qualifying in the Hawke’s Bay district. At four years old Kick Off acquitted himself really well in flat races, and that he could carry weight he very amply demonstrated in the decision of the Taranaki Cup of 1923, which fevent he won under 9st 101 b. Unfortunately leg troubles subsequently came against Kick Off and he was completely out of commission at five years old. Possibly the future may have something in store for Kick Off in cross-, country events, for he is stated to have shaped well in the hunting field. Kick Off is rising ten years old.

Indian Chief, owned by Mr J. Bull and trained by Miss Maher, has of Lite been jumping the steeplechase fences at Hastings, showing great promise for a h-ck ’chaser. ITe will have lhs fiist race at the Hawke's Bay winter ing. Indian Chief is a six-year-old gelding by All Red—-Waihau, the latter a half-sister by ’Frisco to Awahou and Brigadier Bill.

Lord Derby is numbered among the staunchest supporters for the legalisation of the- totalisator in England. In a recent letter on the subject Lord Derby penned the following:—“I write as a-non-betting owner, and in that capacity I hope I may convince those •who are at present unconvinced what a great benefit this Bill will bring to the racing community. I think I can claim to race on a bigger scale in England and France than any other of my compatriots and can therefore better judge from the owner’s point of view the benefits of the system. Thanks to the pari-mutuel, the cost of keeping a. racehorse in France is just about onethird what it costs in England, due to the fact that you get big stakes with very small forfeits, which is the chief expense in England, and big premiums to breeders.” Lord Derby predicts that, if the totalisator is legalised in England, many stables now half empty will Be filled, whiefi he bases on the ground that many men who cannot now stand the hqavy expense attached to racing horses \\yj>uld be able to do so under the new scale which could be looked for with the advent of the totalisator.

* * * * Among the most promising of tire younger brigade of cross-country performers who have been paraded from Auckland province of recent times, Wiltshire comes under review, says a northern writer. The Te Rapa-trained chestnut figures in the Great Northern Hurdles with 9.8 and in the Great Northern Steeplechase with 9.13. It is in the latter event that Wiltshire is receiving most attention. So far as the prospects of the Day Comet—Lady Lobelia gelding for the coming test are concerned, the conditions obtaining on the day will require consideration. Providing the going is in reasonable order, Wiltshire will handle his jQb ’well, buton a very heavy track his prospects cannot be assessed nearly so highly.

Those who oppose the half-sovereign totalisator always insist that it is the cause of financial decay of clubs. Last week, at Hawera, the club had a 10s machine, and, despite a great run of outsiders, the success of the meeting as judged from the totalisator figures was great. Yet at Nelson, when the meeting was held much later in the year than usual, a falling-off was blamed on to the 10s totalisator. From practical experience, writes “ Vedette,” it has been shown that if the racing public has the money and the will to bet, bet it will, whether the units be 10s or pounds. However, the Nelson officials, according to an exchange, have decided against the 10s machine. Rightly or wrongly, the club’s officials and stewards are now iully convinced that the IDs machine has too serious an. effect upon the turnover to justify its continuance; and, much as the half-ticket machine may be appreciated by the public, short of the long delayed legislative enactment insisting on this principle in the public interest, Nelson will know it no more. Strange ito say, clubs who are making consistent and solid progress all have facilities for half-sov-ereign Bettors.

* * * * The extensive series of victories registered by Limerick in Australia has, of course, placed the New Zealander well in the limelight, and “The Australasian” of a recent date devotes a leading article to great geldings that have figured on the Australian turf, in which horses hailing from this Dominion figure prominently. "The Australasian” says:—"By his outstanding performance over all distances and in all conditions of the races at the last two A.J.C. autumn meetings and the intervening spring meeting at Rand wick, the New Zealandbred gelding Limerick has ensured for himself an honourable place in the ranks of great performers in Australia. Limerick is, in our opinion, the greatest gelding that has come from the Dominion since Sasanof came across as a three-year-old in the spring of 1916. We are not forgetting Pilliewinkie and Gloaming (who, by the way, was notNew Zealand-bred), but in the case of the great son -of The Welkin it will always stand against him that he never raced .beyond a. mile and a half and never took part in; a handicap. He was trained by a great mentor, whose task it was to race the gelding with the least possibility of defeat. Therefore Gloam-. ing can be classed only within the ambit of the limitations placed upon him by those who knew -him best. At •weight-for-age up to a mile and a half he was supreme—beyond that or in handicaps over any distace no marks can be scored in his favour. On the other hand, Limerick has -emerged with honours in each kind of first-class flat race over all distances, and in all conditions. Wet or fine, short or long distance, handicap, weight-for-age, or pseudo weight-for-age terms, all are alike to the son of Limond. It was the same with Sasanof, who won the Melbourne Cup, which was postponed from the first Tuesday to the following Saturday in November, 1916, owing to the heavy drenching Flemington had suffered. In his later years Sasanof measured strides with the best from six furlongs to two miles, under ail conditions, and added lustre to his alreadv brilliant record. Another great New Zealand gelding in recent years is The Hawk, but only up to a middle distance. On the other hand, Limerick’s half-brother Ballymena needed a distance to exhibit his sterling powers. With Gloaming will always be recalled his worthy rival Beauford, also a gelding. Like Gloaming, Beauford jvas one of the mighty up to a mile and a half—but beyond that blank enigma. Many great geldings can be called to mind, but none that we can think of could be placed before Limerick and Sasanof.” TROTTING NOTES. D. Kerr, who trained several horses here for some time and. later went to Southland, is again at Addington. At present he has only a pacer by Colenut, from Pleasant Mount, under his charge, and she is not likely ever to develop into a good racing proposition. It was stated recently that Kerr had accepted an appointment as caretaker of the Gore racecourse, but such is not the case, although the appointee bears the same name. * * * * The trotter Cannonball is at present in the paddock, and with Golden Devon also on the easy list, the West Coast owner, V. Alborn, has only Vesuvius and some second-raters in work. * * * * At Addington yesterday morning F. G. Unwin got a nasty spill, owing to hip young maiden pacer getting away with. him. He was working on the training rack, when another horse passed her in a fast work-out. This frightened the young pacer, who threw her owner-driver out of the sulky. Unwin was dragged some distance, but willing hands soon caught, the runa-

A. Cox is working a trotter by Petereta, who is owned by V. Alborn, of the West Coast. It looks as though it will be some time before the maiden goes to the races. # * * * F. J. Owen is working a three-year-old filly by Rey de Oro, from a mare by Wildwood Junior. At first the youngster was tried at the pacing gait, but did not make much progress, and her trainer had almost given up the idea of training her, when he decided to try her at the trotting gait. She quickly adapted herself to the change, and is now bowling along in good, style. Owen has not so far asked her to go fast, but she moves round the training track in fine style, showing a good action and every indication of going fast. She is a very promising young trotter for the short time she has been in work'. * sjr * * The trotter New Metford is now a fairly regular attendant at Addington. He is coming along well and is one of ; the best young trotters at present in' 1 commission. * * * * Although Dalmeny has done a good deal of racing lately, he has in no way lightened up; in fact, the Brent Locaoda pacer looks better than at any previous period. Dalmeny has been racing very consistently for some time, and he is still not at trhe end of his powers. ♦ * * * Kiowa looks in capital shape. She has come on very fast since her last let-up and it may take a little time before she is at her best. * * * ♦ Dice showed up fairly well at Ashburton last Week, but she is likely to race better next season. She is a useful filly, * * * * Sahib bears a well-trained appearance. He shows plenty of speecf in training, but seems to be somewhat' soft in a race. When pushed for a final effort, he does not .put much determination into his endeavours. Sahibhas enough speed to win any mile race for which he is started. * * * * Vesuvius, although he has done a good deal of hard racing this season, looks bright and well. He is a very free worker and an excellent doer, which stands to him in good st;-le for his race efforts. * * * *• Melbourne owners and trainers have made a recommendation to the Trotting Association that horses from New Zealand be allowed three seconds to the mile concession on their New Zealand tidies. If Sydney happenings can be taken as guide (says a Sydney paper), thej’- are making a rod to scourge their own backs. Sheik and Happy Rosa were allowed the three seconds concession in Sydney, and they continued winning races until they put up faster times than they had done in New Zealad.

When a driver steps into a trotting sulky on the principal tracks in France, it is before the best people in the land, who patronise trotting just as freely as galloping, is the opinion expressed by M. J. Ihlen, a member of the Sbciete des Amateurs du Trotting, and a successful amateur driver, who recently arrived in Australia. France has strange ways when dealing with amateurs, according to ,M. Ihlen. A man desiring to drive trotters may obtain his license in two ways. A professional’s ticket enables a man to accept payment from, the beginning. That is the way of all’ countries, but an amateur, no matter how wealthy, becomes a pro fessional after he has 'won ten races in open country. One would consider that amateurs would refrain from driving against professionals, but M. Ihlen states it is considered to be a great honour for a man to hold a professional’s license, although he may remain an amateur.

A number of new faces were seen at the last Epping meeting, but if the club hopes for a continuance of their patronage more stringent action will have to be taken with regard to nontriers (says Sydney Sportsman). Lonelywood, the only horse asked for, started at odds on. The books offered 7 to 1 bar one. When Lonely wood stood on the mark a groan went up from his odds-on backers. Handicapped on scratch, he was fully 80yds behind the back mark horse when he started in' pursuit. Had they known it, his backers need not have had any anxiety about the result. The horses in front meandered along in the most casual manner until Lonelywood caught them and went into the lead. Maybe the new stewards are not anxious to do the new-broom act, and are hastening slowly, but judging from the happenings in several races, drivers are not taking them seriously. A rule gives them the power to order a stand-down for two months of any horse that does not do within ssec of the basis of a race. If that rule were brought into action occasionally it would probably make owners more careful. Had the stewards acted on it at Epping last meeting there would have been a sad falling off in entries at meetings for the next two months.

SPRING RACING OPENS IN ENGLAND.

(Special to the “Star.”) LONDON. March 29. I suggested long ago that the result of the Lincolnshire would in all likelihood throw some light on the Newbury Cup, and at the time of writing it is obvious that Philammon must be an automatic favourite, if he goes to post to post for the Berkshire race. A. Burns finished second on Orbindos in the Lincolnshire Handicap last year, and he occupied the same position on Philammon this year. It will be strange if he goes on to Newbury, and repeats history by winning, as he did a year ago. I have previously mentioned Roidore in connection with the Newbury race, but J. M. Bell has taken the horse out, and left in Hercules. The latter was pretty badly cut into when running third in the Imperial Cup over hurdles, and I shall be very much surprised if he has recovered w.ell enough to run at Newbury. Possibly Adieu will do better at Newbury than he did at Lincoln, but even so he will have a lot to make up on Philammon. I have carefully checked the likely Winners, and cannot see what is to beat Mr J. B. Joel’s horse, if he reproduces his previous form. Dark Warrior, after being scorned by all the Newmarket resident correspondents, slammed his twenty-five rivals at Lincoln, and thereby gave backers a bad start for the new season. From

time to time I have remarked that it •is not advisable to put too much faith in these Newmarket reports, and after the way Dark Warrior confounded his critics I shall bip even more open-mind-ed in future.

Mr Sol Joel finds the Lincoln his lucky race beyond all doubt, and many kicked themselves because they did not accept the direct tip, when the owner scratched Fohanaun and left in Dark Warrior as his sole representative.

Dark Warrior used to run in Ireland, and was tentatively bought by an American, but the deal fell through. The colt then went to another Irish owner; from him to Mr P. Carr, a father of the Test match cricket captain—and eventually to Mr Sol Joel. It is perfectly clear to me that Dark Warrior must be placed to win again later in the ; r ear, and I .have one or two races in mind—qf which more anon.

Orbindos and Priory Park were stopped by their weight at Lincoln, but we shall not have to wait long before seeing them in winning colours. This remark applies particularly to the firstnamed, who was turned out looking a perfect picture. Our good friend The Mohawk ran the stout sort of race I thought he would, but he could not peg back the two Joel horses, and may after all have been a trifle obtejassed. Elsey’s charge will find his right level at Newcastje, or Stockton, or some such place in the North of England. I cannot deal properly with tffe Grand National in this message, nor is it pos sible to weigh up the Guineas oijjtlook accurately, but in another week this may be possible.

The horses which ran during the first week of the season are not likely to make Turf history, and consequently are hardly worth treating in full. Murphy, who took the Broklesbur.y Stakes, was £he one really fit horse in the field. He will probably win again before long, but when the summer comes he will possibly be going backwards. Of course, the sensation of the moment is the lameness of Bovril lll—one of the most popular of the National candidates. It was a mishap which caused chagrin all over the country.

I have exceptionally good reports concerning the classic colt Gang Warily, and in- this connection it cart be mentioned that the winner of the Imperial Cup, Royal Falcon, has gone to Beckliampton to lead the three*year-old in his work. Both horses are owned by Mrs Drummond, and she is looking forward to a wonderful season.