RACING AND TROTTING NOTES

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18546, 21 August 1928, Page 2

RACING AND TROTTING NOTES

RACING NOTES.

Nominations for the New Zealand r Cup will be received by the Canterbury Jockey Club up till eight o'clock on j Friday night. t * * * * Most of the visiting horses who com- f peted at the Canterbury Jockey Club's -eting list week have left for their homes, and, with the local competitors ( having a short rest, the Riccarton < tracks are unusually quiet at present J There will not be a great deal of stir ( fo»- a few weeks, when interest in the dj-ngs of candidates for spring events Wui commence to grow. - * * * • The following horses left by the < Steamer Maori for the north last evening:—Standard, Royal Damon, Royal Game, Deco\ r Bird, Beau Cavalier, ] Quincoma, Pouri, Wiltshire, Passin ' Through, Boy, Gaze, Nucleus, Teri, < Brigadier Bill and Kilbum. # * * * < On account of Mr G. Keheley, Messrs 1 Pyne, Gould, Guinness, Ltd., have sold ] the bay horse Radiate (Polydamon— 1 Bleriot) to Mr G. L. Rutherford, of < Macdonald Downs. * * * • i The New Zealand division racing in Sydney this spring will be increased by three by this week’s steamer, for 1 H. B. Lorigan’s trio, Cimabue, Oratrix < and Concentrate, are to leave on Fri- 1 day by the Ulimarba. The three have ] done well recently at Trentham, and j they should get some stake money on ] the trip. Cimabue, who is in good * order, is in the Epsom Handicap with , 9st 31b. Oratrix has 7st 111 bin the j Metropolitan. Concentrate is engaged ( n the A.J.C. Derby, and although he j did not reach quite the top class among , our two-year-olds last season, he was one of the most likely to stay on. , It would not be at all surprising to see him do well in the Sydney classic. ( It is possible that R. Reed will go to ( Australia to do the riding. * * * . * The gelding Lighthearted, by Greyspear from Sweet Smile. ' won a race at Victoria Park, Sydney, ‘ last week. He was formerly in H. ’ Nurse’s stable at Riccarton, but he ' was taken to Sydney by F. D. Jones, : who purchased him on behalf of an '• Australian friend. « * • • ; J. Williamson returned from a holiday ■ trip to Sydney last week. The Ellerslie trainer was on the look-out for a ; useful horse while on the other side, but did not make a purchase. t # • > The question of mile and a quarter races on the programmes for the ensuing season was reviewed by the committee of the Auckland Racing Club last week, as the present starting point for these races would necessarily have to be altered when the new extension of the racecourse is put into use. .It was decided not to make any alteration in the distance of the races that were set down to be run over a mile and a quarter for the coming season. e * * • Town Guard was cast in his box at Ellerslic last week, and was so severely injured that it is feared he may not race again. At best, he will require a long spell. *■ * * m J. T. Jamieson came back to Auckland from Sydney on a business trip last week and returned by the Niagara the same evening. Three of his team have already won in Sydney, but the prices have been short, and the stakes moderate, so that it is unlikely much profit has so far accrued from the trip. m * a a The New Zealand gelding Hynanna having been brought into early prominence in the speculation on the Caulfield Cup, a reference to the form displayed by the son of Hymestra as a four-year-old last season may not prove uninteresting, seeing he is, with 9.0 opposite his name in the Caulfield Cup, called upon to carry an impost within 21b of weight-for-age. It is not hard to discover the leading performance for which Hynanna was responsible last season, for his feat in the Great Autumn Handicap, one mile and a half, which event he won under 9j6 in 2min 33 4-ssec, was widely proclaimed one of the best feats of the season in the Dominion over the distance. The Caulfield Cup is a pretty hard race to win, but it can be argued for Hynanna that he has demonstrated his ability to compass a mile and a half in attractive Style. TROTTING NOTES. Nominations for the New Zealand Trotting Cup will close at noon on Thursday. The race is for horses who have done or been handicapped to do 4 26. «r , * Sr a Nominations will close at noon on Thursday for the spring meeting of the New Brighton Trotting Club, which will be held on Saturday, September 8. * * * • Nominations for the Wellington Trotting Club's meeting, to be held on Saturday, September 15, will close on Friday night. • a a a Fifty owners secured a share of the stakes at the New Zealand Metre politan Trotting Club’s meeting. M. J. Moodabe headed the list with £BSO, followed by R. C. Fisken £6OO, E. J. Parkes £BOO. G. S- Simpson £6OO, C. E. Lindsay £475. R. Grant £4OO, Kelly and Morrison £4OO, J. R. Corrigan £375, R. Grice £350. W. F. Magson £350, A. E. Bussell £340, T. Wash'ngton £325, J. A. Mitchell £3OO. A. Smith £3OO. J. J. Kennerley £3OO, G. J. Barton £275, Mrs E. Berryman £265. R. Ward £250, and Miss N. Gunn £250. a a * a Kerrwood Bell went another sound race in the Widwinter Handicap. She was unsteady in the early stages, but once she settled to her work, the South Canterbury-trained mare put up a fine showing.

At the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's meeting yesterday, the Judicial Committee held an inquiry into the running of Peter Bingen, winner of the National Cup, as compared with his running on the first day of the meeting. The committee decided to accept the explanation of the trainer and driver (J. J. Kennerley) as satisfactory. • * ♦ ♦

At Addington yesterday, the Judicial Committee fined M. Holmes, tue driver of Burnie in the Midwinter Handicap. £2 for speaking to spectators on the course.

Peter Bingeii qualified for the New Zealand Trotting Cup yesterday, while Peterwah and Daphne de Oro got in on the opening day of the meeting.

Happy Rosa won the Midwinter Handicap by a narrow margin. This was the first success of the Great Audubon mare since her return from Australia. Happy Rosa has a fine turn of speed, and is a rare good stayer, but she does not always settle down properly to her work. In this race, however, she went throughout without any mistake, and gave W. J. Tomkin son his first success at the meeting-

Tamerlane, who was favourite for the Midwinter Handicap, was very slow at the start, but he went a particularly fast last half-mile, which car ried him into third place. It was a great performance by the favourite, as he did the mile and a half in 3min 22 4-ssec. Later in the day, in the two-mile event, he started from the limit and was never headed, winning decisively. Tamerlane had been working in great style at New Brighton and was expected to race in improved form at this meeting. Tamerlane has made a lot of improvement during the past season, and is now in the best company of trotters, but he is not done winning.

Katute went off right in the Midwinter Handicap, but, before half a mile had been covered, she broke and failed to settle down. Katute is bad at the barrier, and once she makes a mistake she seems unable to get to her gait again.

Great Change started on three occasions at the meeting, and each time was well backed. He either refused to go away or else broke into a pace before half a mile was covered. He is too unreliable to be backed at present.

Nelson M’Kinney shoves a lot of speed in all his races, but seems to be in difficulties over the last furlong. Nelson M’Kinney is deficient in stamina.

• * * * „. , Jean M’Elwyn won the Lightning Handicap, the mile saddle event, in convincing style. The winner is owned, in Auckland but is trained here by R. B. Berry. She is a brilliant pacer by Nelson Bingen from the American mare, Miss Spiers. She is also useful over a two mile course in a race run to suit her, although she is apt to stop with a solid pace in the first mile. * * * a

General Bingen raced well in the sprint events at the meeting, as he finished second on the second day and occupied a similar position in the Lightning Handicap. a a a •

Native Chief was responsible for a very fast performance in the mile saddle event, in which he finished third. He was not taken near to his barrier, 72 yards behind, but started fully 50 yards further back. He moved away slowly but over the last half mile he went very fast and covered the distance in 2min 7 l-ssec. His actual time was much faster than this and private watches made Native Chief go better than 2min 3sec from post to post. He started again in the National Cuji. the next event on the programme, but after a good position early he failed to stay. h*

Peter Bingen raced very consistently at the meeting and his track form indicated that he would race better over two miles than at any other period of his racing career. In the National Cup he was always near the leaders: in fact, he was the actual leader before a quarter of a mile was covered and he was never afterwards headed. A brilliant pacer, Peter Bingen can cover two miles at a fast clip when right at his best. He is owned by his breeder, Mr E. X. Lelievre, but is raced under lease and has been in J. J. Kennerley's stable for the best part of his racing career. Peter Bingen was turned out for a spell some little time ago and he has not been very long in work, but be has shown fine form on the training track. Peter Bingen has qualified for the New Zealand Cup.

The Aucklander, Jewel Pointer, wa. c honoured by being made favourite for the National Cup and he paced a fine race. Jewel Pointer seems to thrive on racing and all sorts of tracks seem alike to him. A quarter of a mile from home he got into third place and when Peterwah broke he was second. He did not, however, look like beating the winner, despite his brilliant performance. He was seen again in the Farewell Handicap, in which he show ed brilliant speed but was headed off in the last few strides by Talaro. who was rather more patiently handled.

Peterwah went a capital race in the National Cup. He looked like troubling Peter Bingen over the last furlong but he broke badly and settled his chance. Up to that point he had trotted n. great style.

Cardinal Logan looks bright and well. In the National Cup he came along at the right end and got fourth place. He does not look ready for a hard two mile journey. He ran again in the Farewell Handicap and once more finished fourth, after meeting serious trouble on the journey.

Talent was the back-marker in the Federal Handicap, but he was superior to the rest of the field on the handicap. He only won by a very narrow margin, but it looked as though H. Frost, his driver, did not see Wharepiana, who came with a late run on the rails. Talent is a brilliant pacer, and is specially good in short races. He is in good form at present and raced very consistently at the meeting.

Wharepiana nearly effected a big surprise by beating Talent in the Federal Handicap. The New Brighton trained pacer seemed assured of victory when M. B. Edwards brought Wharepiana along on the rails and nearly beat H. Frost. Wharepiana was in her most generous mood.

Loch Moigh, who put up such an attractive periormance in the Heathcote Handicap, is owned by Mr J. A. Mitchell of Palmerston North. He finished fourth in the mile saddle event on the second day. Loch Moigh is by Nelson Derby and possesses great stamina. He was hard at it with a round to go, but never shirked his work and eventually won by about a length.

Western King showed great brilliancy in the Heathcote Handicap. The Aus-tralian-bred pacer was a hot favourite, his performance over a shorter course earlier in the meeting being the reason for the solid support. Western King, however, is only just coming to his best form and is not quite ready for a hard two mile race. He showed benefit by his racing at this meeting. * * * a

Huon Denver put up a good performance on the Heathcote Handicap. He made a bad break coming into the straight with a round to go and lost a lot of ground. So fast did he pace the rest of the journey that he finished up in third place.

Bonny Spec, who had lightened up considerably after her first effort at the meeting, trotted one of the best races of her career, when she ran second to Tamerlane in the Addington Handicap. She covered the two miles without a mistake, and was only just beaten by the much-improved Tamerlane. * * * *

Money Spider, who was capably driven by A. Bryce, got third in the Addington Handicap, and it was evidence of the speed of the front division that he could do no better than finish ten lengths behind the leading pair, after going 4min 28 3-ssec.

Machine Gun and Concliff are racing badly at present. In the National Cup each was well out of the contest a long way from home.

Kingcraft is owned and trained bv B. Grice, of Ashburton. When any pacer is produced from that stable, it frequently carries heavy support. Kingcraft won the three-year-old event, on the Addington, track last February, and two months later he won at Wellington. He was favourite in the Belgium Handicap last Wednesday, and he finished second to Harvest* Child in the mud. Kingcraft won the Islington Handicap in convincing style. He was capably handled by D. Withers, who seemed in no hurry to reach the front in the early stages. It was only in the last three furlongs that he asked the Ashburton representative to show his best speed, and Kingcraft was quite equal to the occasion. He won decisively. Handicapped at 4min 38sec, he won in 4min 28 4-ssec.

Mate o’ Mine improved on his second day’s running and put up a fine performance in the Islington Handicap. Handi 'apped at 4min 40sec, he went 4min 31 l-ssec, and had to put up with second place.

Orphan went one of his best races in the Islington Handicap. He was unfortunate in accomplishing fast time without being a dividend-earner. He paced soundly all the way and got third place.

Imprint was a prominent figure in the Farewell Handicap. He was the early leader and then finished third. The Nelson pacer, though showing brilliancy, did not produce his best form over two miles at the meeting.

Talaro seems to be improving with the racing. In the National Cup, he paced in something like his best twomile form and finished with a lot of determination in third place. In the fast mile and a quarter, the concluding race of the meeting, Talaro was seen to advantage. The early racing at the meeting was the one thing need ed to bring the North Canterbury pacer to his best over a short course. He had a hard race in the National Cup, but this did not use all his energy, as he finished with great determination in the Farewell Handicap, winning in brilliant fashion. Talaro may now go on improving, and be a tough proposition in the New Zealand Cup in November. In the big race last year he raced very badly.

The North Island trotter, Native Star, was a heavily-backed failure in the Addington meeting. She had been hero since before the meeting opened, but this was her first appearance. She trotted evenly from start to finish, but without showing the exceptional speed with which she was credited, and she never looked like overhauling the leaders.

Jewel Pointer’s performances at the meeting were full of merit. He started off by finishing fourth in the August Handicap, of two miles, run in particularly fast time. On the second day, in the bad going, he was unplaced in the King George Handicap, of two miles, but raced solidly. Later in the day he was second to Harold Thorpe in the fast mile and a quarter event. Ho was again second in the National Cup to Peter Bingen, and occupied a similar position behind Talaro in the Farewell Handicap. In all his races he started from the back mark and had to work his way through large fields. The brilliant and reliable Auckland pacer w*as right on the top of his form, and, although he failed to win, his efforts were highly gratifying to tho public, who dearly like to see the best pacers in good form.

Several New Zealand Cup candidates, Terence Dillon, Prince Pointer, Jack Potts and Great Bingen, were among the beaten lot in the Farewell Handicap, but, although the first-named was favourite, none of them showed up prominently. Jack Potts looks too big at the present time, but he is in nice order to commence his Cup preparation. Terence Dillon, too, has not been long in work. Great Bingen looked bright, but it does not seem as though he is on the improve.

CONCLUDING DAY AT ADDINGTON.

PETER BINGEN WINS NATIONAL CUP. The August meeting of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club was concluded at Addington yesterday, after a postponement from Friday, on account of rain and a wet track. The officials of the club came in for some criti-

cism over their failure to race on Friday, but they had a very pleasing experience over the postponement. Ihe wether broke fine yesterday and the sun shone brightly throughout the afternoon. It ■was, in fact, a glorious spring dav, -which tempted a large crowd to Addington. The track had dried up wonderfully and it was in perfect order, very fast and showing no evidence of Last week’s rain.

The flags were at half-mast and the reinsmen wore black armbands, out of respect to the memory of the club’s handicapper, Mr 11. Brinkman, who died on Saturday.

The day’s racing was full of interest.. Peter Bingen was in front most of the way iii the National Cup, but the field was in close order all through the going. Peter Bingen put up three gotxl performances at the meeting and his success was well earned. Jewel Pointer paced a fine race to finish second, just in front of Talaro, who reversed positions with the Auckland crack in the concluding event, which he won altar an exciting finish.

The totalisator investments were ; £49,072 10s, compared with £55,040 on the third day of last year’s meeting, the total for the meeting being £126,588, against £144,706 last year. B The meeting w r as managed well up to the best Addington standard. Mr HGoggin prov T ed a worthy, substitute for his chief, Mr A. I. Rattray, and he had the backing of a eompetent body of officials in all departments. Tamerlane was made a little better favourite than Great Change in the Midwinter Handicap, but the latter failed to go away and Tamerlane went off slowly. Young Carbine was quickest away, but was soon headed by Katute. In the back stretch, however. Merry Bingen went to the front, with Nelson Boy next and Nelson M’Kinney making up his ground fast. Kerrwood Bell broke twice and lost a lot of ground,-but when she settled down she and Tamerlane made up ground very fast. Along the back the last time Happy Rosa had greatly improved her position. Turning into the straight, Nelson M’Kinney led, with Nelson Boy, Merry Bingen, Happy Rosa and Kerrwood Bell not far back, while Tamerlane was coming very fast. In the run to the post Happy Rosa prevailed by a narrow margin from Kerrwood Bell, with Tamerlane in third place, just in front of Nelson Boy and Merry Bingen. It was a particularly fast race, and al-

though it had an exciting might have been even better had Kerrwood Bell and Tamerlane kept steady. Jean M’Elwyn was favourite for the mile saddle event, and she was early prominent, eventually winning easily. Genera) Bingen went away last and was followed by Firpo. Pan Y*n and Nantwich. When the back stretch was entered. Jean M’Elwyn. Nantwich and Brentloc were just behind the leaders. Turning into the straight. Native Chief was coming very fast, but Jean M’Elwyn held her own till the end, winning by two lengths from General Binge i, who was half a length in front of Native Chief, with Nantwich fourth. The race did not produce such a good contest as was anticipated, as with so many speedy pacers in the field it should "have been more interesting. Double Event would not leave the •mark and took no part in the race. Jewel Pointer was made a good favourite for the National Cup, with Peter Bingen next best backed. Acron began so quickly that he was the early leader, with Peter Bingen, Logan wood and Talaro following. Native Chief began very slowly, but once he struck his gait he put in a great run, and'- when the field was in the straight the first time he was almost with the leaders. When a round had been covered Peter Bingen had charge, but Acron was in second place. Logan wood and Talaro w T ere close up and Native Chief had not lost his place. Peterwah improved, his position, and with a round to go had got almost up to Native Chief, who at this time was third. Jewel Pointer had been pacing well, and along the back the last time the order was Peter Bingen, Acron, Peterwah, but rounding the bottom turn Peter Bingen drew awaj’, followed by Peterwah and Jewel Pointer. They came into the straight in that order. Peter Bingen stayed on to the end, but a little over a hundred yards from home Peterwah broke and could not be made to settle down. He was passed by Jewel Pointer, Talaro and Cardinal Logan. Jewel Pointer got to within three lengths of Peter Bingen,

but only beat Talaro by about a neck. Cardinal Logan finished well in fourth place, just in front of Petervah. with Queen's Own next. Daphne de Oro did not go away right, and Waitaki Girl broke up early. Acron quite failed to stay over the last quarter of a mile, after a good beginning and being well placed all through the race. He pulled up sounder than in his other two races at the meeting. Native Chief also stopped .badly at the end of the race, as did Logan wood. Free Advice, Talent and Vesuvius were backed in that order for the Federal Handicap, but the first-named was slow away and Vesuvius was never dangerous. Talent -won by a narrow margin. In the first furlong Ilaunui was in the lead, having Great Form. Some Wilkes and Shadowland as her nearest opponents. Great Form drew away from Haunui. but Some Wilkes held his position, while Talent, from the back, was fast making up his ground. Talent came into the straight first, with Lady Matchlight and Lady Embrace following. At this Qoint Hec tors Own was next, on the outside, with Wharepiana on the rails. Talent came away in the straight with a good lead, and looked a certain winner. Wharepiana, however, got a great run on the rails, and, catching H. Frost, Talent's driver, unawares, was only beaten by the narrowest of margins. Lady Embrace was third, and Lady Matchlight came next. Hector’s Own failed to come on in the straight, as she began badly and had no reserve for a final dash.

There was quite a good lot of pacers in the Heathcote Handicap, and the class, 4min 35sec to 4min 27sec, is evidently a popular one just now. Most improvement is expected from horses on the limit of such handicaps, but Western King, on 60yds, and Jackie Audubon, on 4Syds, were the popular picks, while the actual winner, Loch Moigh, was on 36yds. Avenger led the field with a big break for the first quarter of a mile, but when the straight was reached the field closed cn the leader, William the Great being second, Macaranda third and Loch Moigh next. At the end of a mile, the order was much the same, except that Western King had greatly improved his position, after a bad beginning. With about a round to go. Western King took charge and Loch Moigh was in close attendance. Jolly Chimes at this stage was in third place, with Macaranda next. In the run up the straight Loch Moigh out-stayed the favourite and beat him by about a length. Hu on Denver, who came home as well as the front pair, was third. He lost a lot of ground entering the straight the previous round, when he broke badly*. Glenelg was fourth, and for an infirm horse paced a fine race, while Parkwood was pacing on soundly at the finish. The two North Islanders, however, had the race to themselves at the end, and each put up a capital performance. There was only a field of seven for the two-mile harness race for trotters. Tamerlane went away with a big lead, followed by* Bonny Spec and Sister Beatrice, and at the end of half a mile the first three horses were racing at ten length intervals, while Sister Beatrice led Money Spider by about fifty yards. Young Blake, who had mixed his gait, got going, and trailed the field. There was no change in the order, all the trotters going without any mistakes, but a quarter of a mile from home Sister Beatrice stopped badly and Spider came on and was third into the straight. Tamer lane, who had finished third in the first race of the day, held his own till the end and beat Bonny Spec by a length Money Spider was ten lengths away third. Native Star was fourth and Young Blake fifth. The feature of the race was the manner in which all con testants trotted. Young Blake, mixing for the first fifty yards, was the only one in the race who did not trot throughout without a mistake. Kingcraft, Bay Nut and M. B. Edwards’s pair. Mate o’ Mine and Neerson, were the only horses in the Islington Handicap who received anything like solid support. There were a number in the race who, by the support accorded them, mut have possessed poor prospects of success. Kingcraft was actually favourite, although he was beaten on the second day* by* .Harvest Child in the mud. At the start of the race Some Wilkes soon had the lead, with Mac Dillon and Mate o’ Mine in close attendance. At the end of half the distance Some Wilkes was in charge, and then came Mac Dillon, Orphan and Mate o’ Mine. Along the bank the last time Kingcraft went up to the leaders. Orphan and Mate o’ Mine. In the race to the judge King craft stayed on well, and won by about a length from Mate o’ Mine, who beat Orphan by a similar margin. Some dis tance bark came Harvest < 'hild and Bay Nut. the latter having made a bad beginning.

There were some brilliant pacers in the final event of the meeting and the Camara pair. Great Hope and Terence Dillon, were the popular choice, whilst Cardinal Logan was second favourite. Jewel Pointer was also heavily backed, as was the Talaro and Bonny Logan bracket. Imprint, who as a rule does not go away fast, led out. followed by Talaro, Great Hope. Acron and Jewel Pointer. Imprint kept his place along the back, but Epigram had gone into second place. The last-named pair failed in the straight, and there was a capital finish. Talaro getting the verdict by a little less than a length from Jewel Pointer, with Imprint only half a length further back, followed by Cardined Logan and Acron. St Maura and Machine Gun failed to begin right, and Acron, who throughout the meeting behaved well at the barrier, broke up when nearing the winning post. Bonny Logan seems to have lost her dash and she is to be retired to the stud this season. Cardinal Logan, as usual, was about at the finish, being in fourth place. Prince Pointer did not hit out with his usual freedom, nor was Jack Potts prominent. Although only giving away 36yds, Great Bingen was never near the leaders.