RACING AND TROTTING NOTES RACING FIXTURES

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18524, 26 July 1928, Page 2

RACING AND TROTTING NOTES

RACING FIXTURES

July 26, 2S—Gisborne Racing Club. August 4—Christchurch Hunt Club. August 14, 16, IS— Canterbury Jockey Club. ACCEPTANCES. August I—Christchurch Hunt Club. TROTTING FIXTURES. Align?* 11. 15. 17—New Zealand Metropolrtan Trotting Club. ACCEPTANCES. August 7—New Zealand Metropol ~n Trotting Club. RACING NOTES. It has been decided to hold a two-year-old parade at the Christchurch Hunt meeting, to be held on Saturday, August 4. Trainers who wish to run their youngsters are requested to give the necessary particulars when making their acceptances next Wednesday night, so that the event may be included in the race programme. * * * * F. D. Jones will leave to-night for Wellington, on kis way to Sydney. He will take Limerick, Roscrea. Arikiwai. Gay Crest and Lighthearted, but the last named will be handed over to his Australian owner on his arrival in Sydney. It is probable that he will do his racing on the pony courses. Limerick looks the picture of health. His programme will be similar to that of last year, except that he will not run in the Metropolitan Handicap. He will start oif with the Warwick Stakes, on September 1, followed by the Chelmsford Stakes on September S. and the Hill Stakes on September 15. Then will come the Australian Jockey Club’s meeting, at which he will be engaged in the Spring Stakes. Craven Plate and Randwick Plate. There is a chance, however, of the latter part of the programme being varied. This, however, will depend on Roscrea, If he makes sufficient progress to warrant tackling good races, he may go to Melbourne •for the Caulfield Guineas, in which case Limerick will accompany him and have two races at Caulfield, an arrangement which will necessitate cutting out the Randwick Plate. Arikiwai is another member of the team who has done well lately and if he throws off his lameness. on which point Jones seems hopeful, he may win a big race. Gay Crest may do a little racing on the trip, but the chief object in taking him is to lead Limerick to the course and to assist in his work. Altogether, Jones has his team looking well and he should win some money on the trip.

J. M’Com be has sold the Australianbred gelding Amorist to Mr H. DampierCrossley, and he has gone into R. Longley’s stable. Amorist, who will be a four-year-old next week, has a good turn of speed, but he has not been a success on the flat. He has shewn great promise in his schooling over hurdles and he may develop into a good performer among the jumpers The young rider, L. Boyd, had the mirfortune to break a collarbone when Tarleton fell with him at the fourth J hurdle this morning. Up to this stage Tarleton had jumped well. * * * * Mr L. C. Hazlett has a representative in each of the big races at Ric* carton next month, Pamplona being in the steeples. Overdrawn in the "Winter C up, and Craigmore in the hurdles. The last-named galloped clean away from the other runners in his only outing over hurdles at Wingatui, and his perromance left the impression that a greater distance would not trouble him. ♦ * * * A week or two ago, in commcntinc upon the number of district and local horses that a winter meeting at Awapuni would serve, it was mentioned by a Wellington writer that Mr C. F. Variance was building stables at Awapuni. According to the latest report, this is not correct. Mr Vallance’s team will shortly be trained at Awapuni, but the stables are being erected for, and are the property of. Miss G. Maher, who trains Mr Vallance’s horses. The shift from Hastings to Awapuni is being undertaken because of the more central position of the latter, thus minimising the cost of travel.

According to an Auckland report, A. J Rhodes is qualifying a six-year-old gelding by Lucullus from a Sylvia Park mare for hunters’ events. The newcomer is a half-brother to Carawock. Mr F. Earl’s coming two-year-old filly by Chief Ruler from Dovelet has been named Eaglet. The youngster is an inmate of J. T. Jamieson’s stable at Papakura. * * * Hyde Park is among the regular attendants at Ellerslie and is working along quietly in preparation for spring racing. The Marble Arch gelding showed winning form a few weeks ago and he may attain more success in the new season, as he seems more solid now than at any stage of his career. All going well, he might prove equal to winning a decent handicap, because he has previously shown ability to run a middle distance fairly well. * * * * Comical having been allowed to drop out of his Grand National engagements, that circumstance would appear to point to his owner, Mr H. M. Campbell, having decided on giving the big chestnut another rest. * .* * * Wanganui reports state that Mask looks exceptionally well at present, which may be taken to point to the probability of the son of Limond being ready for an early race. During the season now closing Mask contested fifteen races, and, though he ran unplaced on eight occasions, the form he displayed, taken collectively, was a marked improvement on that for which he was responsible at four years old. Mask won four of his engagements this term, and the two victories he registered at Ellerslie last April, when he won the President’s Handicap, one mile and a quarter, and the Autumn Handicap, one mile and a half, under the respective imposts of 8.11 and 9.4, carried the meritorious stamp.

It is now permissible under an alteration in the Rules of Racing, to run a two-year-old race over a four-furlong course up to December I,* or . a furlong shorter than the rule which had a brief existence making it obligatory for nothing under five furlongs. The stewards of the Dunedin Jockey Club think that it w.ould be generally appreciated by owners if the M’Lean Stakes was decided over the original distance of four furlongs, says the “Otago Daily Times.” and with that object in view the cltfb has circularised owners with youngsters engaged asking if they would agree to the curtailment. It may be taken for granted that in the earlier part of the season four furlongs is quite long enough, particularly if the race follows a winter which hinders the preparation of a two-year-old. When considering the matter so far as Wingatui is concerned, it should not be overlooked that the four-furlong start provides a straight run for two furlongs from the rise of the barrier, whereas a five-fur-Jlong raefe begins on a turn, which "makes the draw for position an important factor in deciding the result. Another point to consider in connection with Wingatui is that the early part of a race over five furlongs is decided up a rise, and so accentuates the distance, which is a matter to be considered in the early part of the season. If the owners interested collectively agree to the shorter distance, then it will be adopted, but there must be absolute unanimity on the question. The two-year-old handicap run on the second day of the spring meeting rests, i so far as distance is concerned, with I the Programme Committee.

Advices to hand from Sydney credit the Rossendale horse Rampion with training on satisfactorily, and his trainer. F. J. Marsden, has strong hopes of the dual Derby winner being on hand to compete at the approaching spring carnivals. A meeting between Limerick and Rampion would be a big attraction at Rand wick, and it would make the weight-for-age races highly interesting. Rampion defeated Limerick each time the pair met as three-year-olds, but Limerick has improved greatly since his three-vear-old days, whereas Rampion failed to stand up to his work on the threshold of his four-year-old career, and on several occa- , sions has had to be thrown out of work because of unsoundness. * * * * At the Goodwood races. West Australia, on July 14, the hurdle race, two miles, was won by Constellation, an aged chestnut gelding by Day Comet from Tangiwai. He was a rank outsider, but won by four lengths. Kilreid finished third in the Goodwood Handicap, one mile and a quarter, and included in the “ also starteds ” during the day were: —Letter of Credit, Propeller and Girriebillie. * * * *

Mr L. K. S. Mackinnon. always a game buver, gave a high price for Thespian's brother, Farrago (Absurd— Leta), and may yet get the reward he deserves (says an Australian writer). Farrago, now a three-year-old, was beaten a neck by Lady Beth in the Lawn Handicap at Flemington on July 14, and lost ground by cutting across the course a furlong from home. * * * * Commenting upon the non-appear-ance of Clan Robert in the New Zealand Grand National Steeplechase. “ Pilot ” said in the “ Referee “As the set maximum weight is 12.7, Clan Robert's chance might have been a good one, but, as Mr Falkiner likes to bet when he fancies one of his horses, the totalisator, as a medium of speculation, may not have appealed to him.” * * * * There was a rush for Amplifier soon after betting commenced on the second division of the Juvenile Handicap at j Moorcfield on July 14 (savs the ” Referee”). However, he drifted a little in the betting, and finished fifth. According to ” Pilot,” he is a good sort of gelding by Leighton, but on this occasion did not display marked galloping ability. Tea Miss, another Donovan brought over, was bought at a figure scarcely warranted by her New Zealand performances, and the way our handica.ppers are treating: her. Still, she showed pace at, Rosehill. and. as . her new owner is a big bettor, a win or two will make her profitable. First Acre is not as good as many racing men believed after his two Canterbury Park wins. The failures of those men tioned may benefit other New Zealanders. Some horses from the Dominion have done particularly well over here, but it seems to me that the indifferent division are often penalised for the deeds of those of better class.

TROTTING NOTES. \ First forfeits are due on Monday for i the New Zealand Sapling Stakes, to be j decided at the winter meeting of tht Ashburton Trotting Club next June. # >fc sjs * The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting C has decided to appeal to the Suprer*. Court against the decision of Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., in the recent case, in which the secretary of the club was convicted of a breach of the Gaming Act, on account of money being accepted for investment on the totalisator at receiving boxes on the stands.

Mr W. H. Denton, a member of the New Zealand Trotting Association, is making slow progress towards recovery from his serious operation. It will be some time, however, before he is back to his best health. * * * Mrs J. J. Kennerley recently underwent an operation but her friends will be pleased to learn that she is now well on the way to complete recovery. * * sjc The two-year-old gelding by Wrack, in J. J. Kennerley’s stable, had trouble with his teeth, and he has had to be given a few weeks' spell. * * H< # N. Burgess is working away with Hackthorne, but he has a big task in front of him to get the brother tp Great Hope to his best form. * * * *• J. M'Lean has just taken in hand a two-year-old by Prince Pointer from a Harold Dillon mare. The youngster who is well grown, resembles his sire, and he will go at the pacing gait. % * * The announcement that a successful night trotting meeting has recently been conducted in Germany, where the feature event was won by the Ameri-can-bred trotter Native Forbes, by J. Malcolm Forbes 2.8, recalls 'that similar attempts in this country have not been successful (says the American journal the “Horseman”). This was due to the fact that the art of out-of-door illumination by electric lights had not reached its present stage of development. Too many shadows w'ere cast, and trainers of high-class trotters were afraid of taking chances, fearing serious accidents. In the intervening years scientists have discovered how to diffuse the light so as to do away with shadow’s and the cost of current cheapened so that it should now l be possible, for America to follow the example set by German race promoters. While it might not be advisable to apply night racing to a regular race meeting, there is no reason why it should not be taken up by some of the fair associations and made a very interesting feature of their evening programme. Here is a field which has not been exploited, and its very novelty should serve to attract the public. It will probably interest secretaries who are anxious to strengthen their night attractions now that so many fairs are extending their former programmes of amusement which were confined exclusively to daylight attractions.

RICCARTON NOTES. Thursday. The conditions were dull for training operations this morning, while a couple of light showers added to the discomfort. The inside of the trial grass track was open for fast work, but it was dead. Proceedings were not very exciting. Fair Exchange was an early worker, his task being five furlongs, which he left behind in lmin 4 2-ssec, while Noteworthy followed with a useful spin over six furlongs. First Sight, with Toawai as a mate for the first half-mile, reeled off seven furlongs in lmin 31 l-ssec, the first three taking 38 2-ssec. First Sight finished on well, and it was a useful gallop. Maunga was given useful pace work on the sand. He looks well. Full Feather and Swoopalong were associated in a useful half-mile, while Sudden Storm and Prickles were others from the same stable who strode out freely in useful tasks. Grej’finch and Lancer were associated over six furlongs, which they covered in lmin 20sec, with not much between them at the end. Don Jose easily defeated Crossbow over seven furlongs, but the time, lmin 32 3-ssec, was not fast. Puriri Jack and Royal Land were companions over half a mile up the back, which occupied 53 2-ssec. Hoylake and Bolero occupied lmin 33 l-osec for seven furlongs, the former being half a length in front at the finish. Beau Cavalier, who looks in great health, was given a working_ gallop over a circuit, taking lmin 45sec for seven furlongs. He carried a big weight, and was not given his head at an} T stage. Viscount, assisted by Corsetiere over the last half-mile, covered six furlongs in lmin 21 4-ssec. Waterlow took lmin 35sec to run seven furlongs by herself. Buoyant beat Lytup over six furlongs in lmin 21 2-ssee. Nincompoop finished several lengths in front of Amor in a run over seven furlongs, which took lmin 35 4-osec. Rapier and Gold Mint were companions over six furlongs, which they ran in lmin 20 l-osec, the last half-mile in 53 4-ssec. Rapier had a slight advantage at the end, but they were not ridden out. Zuexis was restricted to an easy run over half a mile. Solferite had a neck advantage over Malmsey at the end of five furlongs, run in lmin 5 4-ssec. It was a useful gallop, as the}' went from a stand. Radiac was given a working gallop Tuahine covered six furlongs by herself in lmin 21 l-ssec, going in good style all the way. 1 Gay Jim went about six furlongs, 1 taking 54 2-ssec for the last half-mile. Tarleton (L. Boyd) and Diana’s Lad (I. Tilson) went out to school together over four hurdles. Tarleton showed too much pace for his mate, and he i was well clear at the last hurdle, which 1 he hit hard and fell. His rider broke t a collarbone. But for this mishap the - two horses jumped well.

ADDINGTON NOTES. Thursday. The track at Addington was in good order this morning and a fair amount of useful work was done. A light, rain fejl early, but it did not last long, although the morning was c:old Fight Ever, Peter Bingen. Nelson M'Elwyn and Jackie Audubon were just about to start for a two mile workout when Queen’s Own, without the hopples, reached Kennerley’s four and the five pacers went away together. Fight Ever led in the early stages, but at the end of a mile Peter Bingen went to the front, whilst Jackie Audubon. driven by his trainer, was always at the back. In the race up the straight over the last furlong a fair amount of speed was turned on, and the pacers finished close together. It was a useful and interesting w r ork out. Audominion and Locanda Boy did a mile and a half well on the outside of the track. The pacer looks very well, but. Audominion has not done much work. Concliff, Shadowland and the trotters Elzear and Young Blake, were worked a little more than a mile and a half, on the extreme outside of the track. The speed was fairly solid throughout, and the trotters were seen to advantage. Great Amazon, who is now trained by her owner, was allotted a useful task over about a mile and a half. Dilnon and Orphan did a fast mile and a quarter. The former led his

stablemate for a round, but then fell back and finished several lengths away. Nelson Boy and the Guy Fawkes Lovebird trotter were worked on the outside of the track, but were hot asked to go fast. Pageant and Happy Rosa did useful work over about a mile and a half. The former looks very well, and Happy Rosa moved along in her best style. Sirella, who looks as though she has done a lot of work, paced two miles at about three-quarter speed. Diamond Child and Loganholme kept together in a useful work out over a mile and a half, which was done well within their powers. Count Peter trotted nearly two miles in a pleasing manner. He made one mistake, but quickly caught his feet again. Cannonball went a little further than a mile, well on the outside of the track, the trotter showing a fine turn of speed. Duco, who is fast getting into good racing trim, had Hackthorne as a companion in a useful work-out over a mile and a half. Lady Matchlight and Glenelg worked a mile and a quarter. The former took the lead and led her companion till the last furlong, when Glenelg ranged alongside and the pair came home fast. It was a capital piece of work.

AVONDALE CLUB PASSES PROGRAMME. STAKES WILL REMAIN SAME AS LAST YEAR. (Special to the “ Star.”) AUCKLAND, July 26. The committee of the Avondale Jockey Club considered the programme for the coming season and decided to make no reduction in stakes, so that the sum of £12,500 will again be distributed next season for the four days, or £9OO more than is required by the Rules of Racing. This will be greatly appreciated bj’ owners and trainers, and the club is to be congratulated on its action. The principal alterations are that, the Kingsland Hurdle Handicap, which formerly an open event, is to be confined to hacks, but it carries the same stake and will be run on the first day of the spring meeting, instead of the second. The Avondale Hurdle Handicap, which in the past has been decided on the second day of the autumn meeting, has been similarly dealt with. It will be a hack event next season and will be run on the first dav. All the races with a stake of 500 sovs have been made uniform; that is to say, that 400 sovs will go to the winner in each instance.

ASCOT PROSPECTS ARE DISCUSSED. (Special to the “Star.”) LONDON. June 14. Our racing during the period between Epsom and Ascot is invariably quiet, tame stuff, and this season was not exceptional. A good many horses ha.\e been kept in their stables on account of the hard ground, and I am sure that Ascot’s going will be very, very hard, unless we get a downpour almost at. once. There are four noteworthy horses which will, by reason of circumstances, not be seen out at the Royal meeting. They are Book Law, Hot Night, Feist ed a, who won the Derby, and Fairwav. I have mentioned this fact be ratisc Hot Night has been scratched from all engagements this year, which suggests that the four-year-old s career on the racecourse is over. I shall not be surprised if this is the case, after his “ Jubilee ” display, but what concerns me most is the fact that he is one of our “ dozen to follow.' 1 At this period of the year. I suppose I shall be justified in "taking in a substitute for Hot Night, and therefore we will delete Sir V. Sassoon’s horse from our list, and add the name of Royal Minstrel. This three-vear-old colt failed in the Derby, but r think that when the early autumn comes along he _will be a horse to be reckoned with in any company over a mile. His owner’s absence in the heart of Africa caused a mild sensation just before the Derby, but. like all such scares, it blew over when somebody got through to Nairobi by cable. The sort of race I have in mind for Royal Minstrel is a Cambridgeshire or some such event. Another “ long shot” selection of the same sort is Arctic Star for the Cesarewitch —at least, that is what l am told in a very knowing quarter. Mr Sol Joel left in two rather surprising horses for the Royal Hunt Cup. I could pot cultivate much of a fancy for Trelawny or Beauharnais if T tried, and now, just before the race, would prefer to be “on ” Priory Park or Eagle Rock; but there—we shall see what we shall see.

I hope that at Ascot some good-class two-year-olds will make their appearance, for we have not seen many so far. Tiffin (from F. Darling's stable) and Arabella (from Gilpin’s stable) are easily the best that have run in public, and I daresay they will both win races at Ascot. One very unlucky two-year-old at Epsom was Empire Builder, and I know this one is not far from the top of his age. A popular race, which I lisa-c often approached successfully, is the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle—to be run this year on June 27. I know that earlier running at Ascot often throws some light on the “ Pitmen’s Derby " as the Newcastle race is called—but even so I must refer to Arctic Star, whose name I have just recorded in connection with the Cesarewitch. The four-year-old is trained at. Epsom, and has a host, of future engagements—Ascot., Newcastle and elsewhere. He would be my selection if going to post, in the north, but in his absence I would turn to last year's winner, Border Minstrel, who is trained by the veteran Peacock at Middleham. I know that the five-year-old has not had a great time since he scored, as stated, but all the same it has to be borne in mind that he is being specially trained for the race, and, if all goes well, will consequently turn out fit to do or die. Peacock makes no mistake with his fancied horses on this score. Felstead is to be prepared, and possibly reserved, for the St Leger, and, in view of the way he won at Epsom, there is no doubt about his stamina. Tobog gan, who won the Oaks, is not entered for the St Leger. and it is thus quite plain that all the horses that finished behind Felstead in the Derby will have to come ou considerably if they are to challenge him with any chance of success at, Doncaster. Flamingo, second in the Derby, has left, to run in the Grand Prix de Paris. That he will beat the French horses I feel confident.