RACING AND TROTTING NOTES

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18629, 5 December 1928, Page 2

RACING AND TROTTING NOTES

RACING FIXTURES. December B— Ashburton County Racing: _ Club. December 12. 13 —Woodville District Jockey Club. . December 14. 16 —Oamaru Jockey Club. ACCEPTANCES. December 6—Oamaru Jockey Club. December 7—Woodville District Jockey Club. TROTTING FIXTURES. December B—Ashburton County Racing Club. . December 14. 15 —Oamaru Jockey CluD. December 15, 17—New Brighton Trotting Club. ACCEPTANCES. December 6—Oamaru Jockey Club. December 11—New Brighton Trotting Club. RACING NOTES. The Ashburton County Racing Club s summer meeting will be held on Saturdav, when some interesting sport should be'witnessed, as with the exception of the Tinwald Handicap, all the events have attracted good fields. The first race will be started at 12.50 p.m. * * * * T. Lloyd has gone north with Hoylake and the two-year-old Desert Song. They will be raced at Woodville next week and then will go on to Auckland. Lloyd has his two charges in the best of health and they should do well on the trip. Hoylake only has to keep right to play a prominent part in the Auckland Cup. * * * * A. E. Worm aid has two horses in work at present, with a view to holiday engagements. Pangolin has built up a lot on the light treatment of his new trainer and now looks in excellent order. He has been nominated for the Dunedin meeting, but no definite plans have been made yet. If the weights suit he will go south, but as an alternative he may accompany Spode to the West Coast. ♦ * * • Beau Geste is training on well and he should pick up some more stake money this season. His holiday programme is uncertain. He may go south for the Invercargill Cup, in which case he will have the hurdler, Troilus, as a mate. Another possibility is a trip to the West Coast with Waterlow. In either case, Beau Geste is expected to be a Dunedin Cup candidate in February. * * * * So far, F. Christmas has not come to a definite decision regarding the holiday programme of Zeuxis. He h^- s been galloping well enough on the tracks to warrant a trip to Auckland, with Red Heckle. His recent race form, however, has not been at all attractive and this makes his trainer doubtful about the long trip to the north. If Zeuxis settles down and shows his best in public, he will win some good stakes later in the season. * * * * Gay Sonnet is booked for a trip to Oamaru next week and she may be raced at the Dunedin meeting after that. She looks well on the comparatively light tasks that are being allotted her. * * * * Gutts Brothers are having a comparatively quiet time with their team at present, most of their horses being restricted to light tasks. They are well forward, however, and those who are required for Trentham next week can soon be brought to their best racing condition. * * * * The trouble which prevented Star Stranger from racing at Riccarton last month has not disappeared yet. It has been found necessary to blister the Martian gelding, and he will be given a good spell. This means that he will not be racing during the holidays, which is unfortunate for his connections. *** * , , Patearoa, a four-year-old gelding by Acre, was unlucky at Feilding last ■week. He may do better at Woodville, where the long straight is expected to suit him.

*** * , Tea Tattle is spoken of as a horse likely to do well in hack sprint events during the holidays.

* * * * Tresham has resumed work on the Hastings tracks. He is said to be quite sound, as a result of being blistered and spelled.

Last season The Raider gave signs of being a sprinter above the ordinary in his class, but apparently he has improved, for he appeared to score a very comfortable victory at Feilding, says a northern writer. This was his first run for some considerable time, but H. Batten had him very fit. To judge by this he will be a very useful horse at the holiday, meetings. The Raider is a five-year-old gelding by Warplane from Hupana, who is a half sister by Advance to Tamatete and Tukia. Apparently he has inherited his share of the galloping ability of the family of his dam.

Gold Bag was turned out in excellent order at Feilding. and it looked as if backers of the Gasbag three-year-old were unfortunate that they did not collect a remunerative first dividend instead of a very consoling second one. Gold Bag was ridden out in front on the first day, but failed to stay on. On Saturday quite the opposite tactics were adopted, and he dropped too far back, due to misadventure. He finished very fast into second place, and in a few more strides would have beaten Stanchion. It looks as if Gold Bag will run out a middle distance well, and success should soon come his way.

Whether Arrow Lad is not quite a real middle-distance horse, whether he has had enough for the time being, or whether-a bit of weight finds him wanting now in the company in which he has to race, remains to be seen, writes

“Vedette.” Hg showed up quite well in the Feilding Cup with 8.1, nicely placed in behind the leaders all the way, and it was no disgrace to be defeated by the much-improved Vertigem. R. Reed at 8.8 was put on him on the second day, but the Arrowsmith gelding did not shape so well as he has done for A. Fratus, who has been associated with him in all his recent successes. Arrow Lad was perfectly placed to the turn, but then commenced to drop back and finished in the ruck. He may do better at Awapuni at Christmas time.

Lysander’s second to Paganelli in the Feilding Stakes was a costly one on an avoirdupois basis. At Trentham in October he was beaten into third place in the open sprint on the second day with 7.9, Arrow Lad 8.4 and Reremoana 9.10 being two heads in front of him. His next run was in the Feilding Stakes, and in the open sprint on Saturday, with 8.11, he was beaten by The Raider, 7.0. He has been weighted in the Railway Handicap at Ellerslie at 8.6, giving 41b to Bright Glow, who gave him 101 b in the Shorts Handicap at Trentham. On actual figures Lysander has all the worst of it with several other horses, but this is not to say he will not win at Ellerslie, for he has apparently regained his old dash.

The three-year-olds at Feilding who are engaged in the Great Northern Derby did not make a very impressive showing. Tcheka was the best, and, ridden by R. Reed, he should not disgrace himself at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day. Metellus was disappointing, while The Warden and Briar Root did not shape like classic winners. # * * * Although not yet definite, it is probable that J. M. Cameron will again visit Ellerslie with Goshawk and The Hawk during the holidays. The Hawk is in the Palmerston North Stakes, but Reremoana and Gascony may be harder than a handicap field on one of the Auckland days. * * * * Calapat, who recently got out of the maiden class and also won at Feilding on Saturday, is a very proniising hack. She is by Callaghan, an English-bred horse, who was unable 1 to show how really good he was before he retired, from Lady Pat by Guianforte (brother to Multiform), from Lady San, by San •Fran. Calapat improved a lot with the one race, and is likely to go on improving.

Up to and including 1925, the Oroua Nursery Handicap on the second day of the Feilding Jockey Club's spring meeting was run as the Oroua Stakes, and was a weight-for-age event. Lack of support caused the club to reduce it to a two-year-old handicap, but it does not appear to be affecting the class of horse that wins it. Mr G. M. Currie won this race on its last occasion as a weight-for-age event with Motley, while the handicap winners during the past two years have been Silvermine and Episode. Mr Currie again supplied the winner on Saturday with Ceremony, a brother to Motley and Lysander, and, judging by the way he won, Ceremony is high-class. His only previous start was in the Auckland Welcome Stakes early in October, won by Supremacy, but he made no showing. That he had improved considerably in the interval was shown by the confident manner in which he was -backed on Saturday, and the running fully justified the support, writes “The Watcher.” Equitant, who is credited with holding Vast Acre in sprints on the track, was no use to Ceremony at any stage of the race. He won on the bit, and showed himself a bold, free galloper who, all going well, has a brilliant future. He may not beat Honour in the Foal Stakes on Boxing Day if Honour improves as he should, but the Riccarton colt will not have such atn easy victory as he did last month. 0 * * *

Mr S. B. Joel is one of England’s owners who do not always take turf surprises with good grace. That was why he and E. de Mestre parted. At Newmarket last month his horse, Thackeray, was narrowly defeated, and the stewards asked hint if he was satisfied with the way it was ridden. He replied that he was not, and blamed the trainer, W. Earl, for putting up an apprentice when he might have secured an experienced jockey. In his half-dozen races Thackeray, although ridden by such prominent jockeys as F. Winter, F. Fox and R. Jones, had shaped disappointingly. This caused Earl to try one of his apprentices, and, though beaten, the horse did better for him than for the riders named. The lad, however, owing to inexperience, did not shine at the finish. While declining to admit that he had made a mistake in giving the apprentice the ride, Earl said: “If Mr Joel likes to blame me, there is nothing more to be said. What happened only goes to show the uncertainty of racing.” In all probability the apprentice had ridden Thackeray in his work, and, though he did not win, that is why the horse did better than when experienced jockeys were on him.

TROTTING NOTES. Nominations for the Ashburton Trotting Club’s Boxing Day meeting will close at five o’clock this evening.

Mr E. Edmond’s farm at Rolleston, which includes a seven furlong racing track, will be offered at auction on Saturday by Messrs Pyne, Gould, Guinness, Ltd.

* * * * Although the grass track was open for fast work at New Brighton yesterday, very little training was done on it and several horses worked on the training track. None of the work was of an interesting character.

Arikitoa and Nancy M’Kinney went a useful mile and a half, but neither pacer was asked to go at top speed. Nancy M’Kinney has been improved by her spell.

Kiowa seemed to like the grass, as she paced a good mile at a fair clip. G. M’Kendry has the pacer in capital form at present.

j|- cfe sfc The pacer Loganwood is still in the paddock and it may be some time before he is put into work again.

* * * * Acron seems to be quite sound again. Unfortunately, he slightly injured himself while playing in the paddock recently and he has had to be eased in his work.

That good trotter Tamerlane is in the paddock and it is stated that he is none too sound at present.

* * * * Donand seems to have settled down to solid training work and shows no fractiousness, while he does not pull at all. It remains to be seen how he will shape with the colours up.

Firpo looks none the worse for his racing at Forbury Park last week, and he was given useful work without the hopples. Firpo has improved his manners at the barrier since being trained by his owner.

Audience has furnished a good deal of late, but the half-brother to Loganwood does not seem to stay well in his races. He is a useful miler.

Wild Hebe has never looked better than at present. The angular trotter is going in his best form in training at New Brighton under J. Lorgelly, who evidently thoroughly understands his peculiarities.

Admiral Bingen is still being kept at the pacing gait and is doing a lot of his training work in saddle. A. G. Wilson usually is his pilot.

A two-year-old filly by Nelson Bingen from Stanley's Child, the dam of Waitaki Girl, is to go into R. Townley’s stable next week, to be educated and trained. She was bred by Mr R. Munro, of Kurow.

WELLINGTON TROTTING CLUB.

PROGRAMME FOR JANUARY. The stewards of the Wellington Trotting Club have framed the programme for the Gold Cup meeting, which w.J be held on Saturday, January 19. It was decided to allot the sum of £2475 in stakes for the day. This is by far the highest amount so far given by the Wellington Trotting Club, and represents, with the exception of the Metropolitan Club’s February meeting, the highest stake money offered for a one day meeting in New Zealand. The principal event will be the New Zealand Trotting Gdld Cup, to which the sum of £760 has been allotted. The winner will receive £SOO and the gold cup valued at £100; the second horse will receive £IOO, and the third horse £SO. In fixing the limit at 4min 30sec for the two miles, the stewards have ensured a first class contest for the benefit of their Wellington patrons. It is fully anticipated that this event will draw all the competitors in the New Zealand and Auckland Cup classes, as well as those- now graduating into the first flight. The best class horses are also provided with another event in the Despatch Handicap, of a mile and a quarter, with a limit of 2min 46sec. The stake for this event will be £325, so that the Cup horses will actually have £1075 to compete for during the day. The events for square gaited trotters, for some reason difficult to fathom, have not been a great success throughout the Dominion this season. The Wellington stewards, after making an exhaustive examination of the position, decided to put on what is probably the fa: ost mile and a half event ever carded in New Zealand. This is the Kaitoke Trotters’ Handicap, with a limit of 3min 29sec. The stake attached to this event is £250. The square gaiters will also have a 4min 40sec two mile event in the quality Trotters’ Handicap, with a stake of £3OO. As this gives a total of £550 for the unhoppled trotters it is hoped that owners will respond generously and that good contests w’ill ensue.

For the middle class pacers there will be the Improvers’ Handicap, of a mile and a half, with a 3min 32sec limit and a stake of £2OO, and a 4min 46sec two mile event in the Gracefield Handicap, with a stake of £250.

The novice brigade is particularly well catered for with two events, each of £2OO. These are the Probationers’ Handicap, of a mile and a half, for horses that can do 3min 42sec or better, and the Novice Dash Handicap, of a mile and a quarter, with a limit of 3min 2sec.

In order that horses registering performances at the various holiday meetings may be nominated into their right classes, the stewards decided to defer entry day until Monday, January 7. Handicaps will be declared on the following Friday and acceptances will be taken on Tuesday, January 15.

WAIRARAPA NOTES. (Special to the “Star.”) MASTERTON, December 5. Stanchion, w r ho saluted the judge twice at Feilding, is in particularly good form just now. By Limond — Termination, there should be a very successful season ahead of Mr W. E. Bidwill’s representative. The dam of Stanchion is one of Mr Bidwill’s former racing string. Miss Ransome is doing very satisfactory work on the track, and she should win a substantial amount of stake money in the next few months. She is a sister to Hynanna, being by Hymestra—Miss Nanna. W. Moroney, who trains for Mr and Mrs Elgar at Featherston, has a particularly fine team in hand just now, all of whom are bringing in stake money. They are Banket, King Midas, Talisker and Vertigern. Hymgreat has been turned out, and will not be handled again until next spring. Hynanna will probably race at Awapuni during the holidays. Mr 11. T. Hume has handed Lord Quex over to L. Stowe to train. Lord Quex is a recent purchase by the Masterton sportsman. Thurnbelle will probably make the trip to the Manawatu meeting. LATEST AMERICAN STARTING INVENTION. FINE STEEL STALLS THAT DISAPPEAR.

A few months ago a trial of a stall starting gate was made in America. It was used for one race on each of four or five days, but though some owners expressed themselves highly pleased with it and said it was sure to revolutionise starting in America, little has since been heard of it in that country. Recently it was announced that an American inventor had taken his machine to England in the hope of racing clubs trying it. It is a conservative country, however, and, as it was a long time before the ordinary starting machine was given a trial there, the latest idea may be even slower in taking hold.

The inventor has evidently made improvements since the stall was tried in America, and the following description of it, published in the London “ Sporting Life,” is of interest:— “ There will be no more ragged and unequal starts if the invention of the veteran American racehorse trainer, J. W. May, proves successful. “ The invention is a stall gate, an ingenious, but simple, invention, for which leading turf authorities predict success. It is called a stall gate, yet horses do not run out of stalls. They are placed in stalls before the barrier, but directly the barrier is lifted the stalls instantly disappear into the ground. “ Not only will the field start on its journey aligned, but pushing, twisting, and turning of horses will be eliminate ed, and it will be practically irppdssible for horses to be left at the post. “ Trainer May has been working on his invention for many months. Recently he demonstrated a complete model before New York’s leading turf authorities, who intend to give the invention a trial on one of the New York tracks.

“ The model worked like magic. It consisted of a field of horses, a start-ing-gate, stalls, a kicking board, and a starter's stand. The inventor placed the horses in front of the barrier. He touched a lever. Up flew the barrier, and the stalls disappeared. “ The steel stalls in which the horses are placed are 30 inches wide and feet long. When the barrier is sprung there are no stalls in sight, and horses can only bump into each other after they are dispatched on their journey. “ It requires only fifty feet of track to start a field of twenty horses. All that seems necessary is for the horses to be taught to stand in the stalls, which, no doubt, they could easily be broken to at the stables. “ The stalls are made of finest steel, which is only half an inch thick. The lever and mechanical devices can be worked by electricity, hydraulic power, or hand gears. One lever controls the barrier and the stalls. In case of aceident to one of the steel stalls, substitutes are in readiness. “ When the stalls disappear into the earth canvas will be stretched across the track. After the stalls disappear they shoot past a steel shutter, which works .automatically with the stalls, and into a tunnel which is built underneath the track. “ Questioned regarding the possibility of jockeys being injured by being thrown against the steel walls, the veteran trainer replied: “ How can a horse or jockey fall against something that isn’t near him? If a horse rears up, throws his jockey, or falls himself, they will land on the track, because the starter would see the horse’s action, apply the lever, and the stall would disappear. “ One of the greatest opponents of stall gates is Joseph E. Widener, on the ground that they are dangerous both to man and beast. On hearing of Trainer May’s invention, he arranged to witness the operation of the gate. “ May has patented his idea after consulting several prominent engineers, who believe the scheme will operate equally as well on the track as in the form of a model.” Although the inventor says nothing can happen to a jockey or horse, because there is nothing against which he can fall, it would seem that avoidance of accident in the case of ah unruly horse would depend upon the quickness of the starter’s eye. Another thing to be remembered is the probable difficulty of getting some horses into the stalls. There are horses it is difficult to box anywhere, and English racehorses include many of these.

ACCEPTANCES. ASHBURTON COUNTY RACING CLUB. The following: acceptances have been received:— WINCHMORE HACK HANDICAP, of

NOMINATIONS. WESTPORT TROTTING CLUB. (Special to the "Star") The following: nominations have been received for the Westport Trotting Club’s meeting:— SEDDONVILLE HANDICAP (In harness), of 100 sovs; 2.35 class; twelve furlongs and a haJf—Bingen Wilkes. Great Adventure, Great Wilkes, Royal Comrade. Kokona, Lincoln Pointer, Beautiful Rose, Charlie Lincoln, Jessie Bells, Bonnie Rose, Royal Time, Logan Prince. TE KUHA HANDICAP (in harness), of 110 sovs; unhoppled trotters; 2.37 class; twelve furlongs and a half— Corrie Dale, Nelson Parrish, Rainey, Comfort, Luie Todd, Olive Nelson, Billy Ashley, Fille de B&lltn, Petrex, Metro, Mortem, Child Boy, Bonny Audubon, Accumulator, Tot Logan, Midland. WILLIAMS MEMORIAL HANDICAP (in harness), of 220 sovs; 2.25 i class; two miles and half a furlong—Smithfield, Thorpie, Ariki Toa, Wineberry, Bessie Dillon, Gold Rush, Lady Brent, Peter Wilkins. PROGRESS HANDICAP (in harness), of 100 sov6; 2.35 class; twelve furlongs and a half—Great Author. Kokona,. Lincoln Pointer, Charlie Lincoln, j£itair Anon, Lorna, Melrose, Jessie Bells, Dillon Chimes, Mona Logan, Bonny Wrack. PRESIDENT’S HANDICAP (In harness), of 120 sovs; unhoppled trotters; 2.36 class; two miles and half a furlong —Rosaline, Nelson Parrish, Comfort, Olive Nelson, Billy Ashley, Fille de Ballin, Metro, Mortem, Wild Pedro, Accu-

mulator, Tot Logan, Bonny Audubon. Midland, Bookstall. DENNISTON HANDICAP (in saddle), of 110 sovs; 2.26 class; one mile and half a furlong—Clive Bell, Golden Locanda, Bessie Dillon. Prompter, Rap, Red Audubon, Du Maurler, Reta Nelson.. ADDISONS HANDICAP (in harness), of 110 sovs; 2.30 class; twelve furlongs and a half—Binsen Wilkes, Musical. Royal Comrade, Robert Guy, Great Author, Golden Ore, Red Rey. Jessie Bells, Renetta. Dillon, Bonny Rose. Nanette, Royal Time, Solitude, Alpine Melody. STOCKTON HANDICAP (in harness), of 110 sovs; 2.24 class; ten furlongs and a half—Smithfleld, Kodie, Thorpie. Peter Wilkins, Wineberry, Bessie Dillon, Gold Rush, Lady Brent, Dillon Chimes. CHARLESTON HANDICAP (in harness), of 100 sovs; 2.35 class; one mile —Charlie Lincoln, Altair, Lincoln Pointer, Anon, Lorna, Melrose, Jingle Bells. Dillon Chimes, Mona Logan, Red Audubon, Logan Prince, Bonnie Wrack. GRANITY HANDICAP (in harness), of 110 sovs; unhoppled trotters; 2.36 class; twelve furlongs and a half—Corrie Dale, Nelson Parrish, Rainey, Comfort. Luie Todd, Olive Nelson. Billy Ashley, Fille de Ballin, Petrex, Metro. Mortem, Child Boy, Accumulator, Tot Logan, Bonny Audubon. DOMINION HANDICAP (in harness), of 110 sovs; 2.27 class; one mile and half a furlong—Bingen Wilkes, Great Wilkes, Golden Ore, Beautiful Rose, Red Rey, Jessie Bells. Dillon Chimes, Mona Logan. Renetta Dillon, Prompter, Nanette, Royal Time, Red Audubon, Rap, Bonnie Wrack, Peter Nelson. WESTPORT TROTTING CLUB’S HANDICAP (in harness), of 300 sovs; 2.24 class; two miles and half a furlong—Smithfleld, Dilworth, Thorpie, Peter Wilkins. Golden Ore. Ariki Toa. Wineberry, Bessie Dillon, Gold Rush, Lady Brent. WAIMANGAROA HANDICAP (in saddle), of 110 sovs; 2.27 class; ten furlongs and a haif—Bingen Wilkes, Great Adventure, Clive Bell, Lincoln Pointer, Kitty Huon, Anon, Jessie Bells, Bessie,Dillon, Royal Time, Solitude, Alpine Melody, Du Maurier. SCANLON MEMORIAL HANDICAP (in harness), of 120 sovs; for unhoppled trotters; 2.35 class; two miles and half a furlong—Rosaline, Nelson Parrish, Comfort, Olive Nelson. Billy Ashley, Fille de Ballin, Petrex. Metro, Mortem, Accumulator, Tot Logan, Bonny Audubon. BIRCHFIELD HANDICAP (in harness), of 120 sovs; 2.26 clans; twelve furlongs and a half-—Nelsonian, Musical. Royal Comrade, Robert Guy, Great Author, Beautiful Rose, Wineberry, Red Rey, Jingle Bells, Bessie Dillon, Mona Logan, Renetta Dillon, Bonnie Wrack, DASH HANDICAP (in harness), of 120 sovs; 2.24 class; one mile and naif a furlong—Smithfleld. Kodie, Thorpie, Peter Wilkins, Golden Ore, Gold Rush, Lady Brent. Bonnie Wrack.

115 sovs. Six furlongs. st lb at. lb Court Jester 9 13 Paquito 9 4 , Skyquest 9 11 The Atom 9 1 So 1 fello 9 6 No Response 9 0 Uproar 9 4 Evening 9 0 Singer 9 4 Star Raid 9 0 TIN WALD HANDICAP, of 200 sovs. One mile and a quarter. st lb st lb Beau Geste 8 8 Front Rank 7 7 Sir Roy 8 3 LAGMHOR PLATE, of 100 sovs. Five furlongs. st lb st lb Valuator 8 10 Shuffle 8 4

Star Bon Raid 8 4 Stranger II. S 10 Louise 8 4 Discordia 8 10 Sea Raid S 4 Evening8 10 Loot 7 5 After Ten 8 10 Jock o' Royal Chiron 8 10 Hazel dean 7 5 Hounslow 8 4 Pixie Gold 7 5 Bon Rose S 4 moreton hack HANDICAP, of 115 oyb. One mile. st lb st lb Great Star 9 2 Campanulla 7 2 Court Jester 7 13 Uproar 7 1 Arrowy 7 11 lone 7 0 Money Peer 7 2 No Response 7 0 Trollus 7 7 Sacrifice I 0 Gay Bird 7 5 Claret Cup 7 o Solfello 7 4 WAKANUI HANDICAP, of 130 BOVS. Six furlongs. st lb st lb Crown Area 9 13 Royal Tractor 7 11 Night March n 2 Rascal 7 7 Buoyant 7 12 Malmsey 7 7 MELROSE TROT HANDICAP (in harness), of 115 sovs; class 3.42; mile and a half. Eileen Wood scr Zano scr Lily Bingen scr Lindbergh scr Bingen Maid yds bhd Star Lady Wakatana 48 Howdah June d'Oro 72 Du Maurier Denver’s Doll 84 Idol Boy scr Wrackler 144 SELMA TROT HANDICAP (in harness), of 115 sovs; class 2.25. One mile. Logan Princess scr yds bhd Howdah Prologue 12 Wallace Logan scr Mary Locanda 12 EifTelton Lass scr Wakatana 12 Roger Lyon Pet Locanda 12 Doll Dance Forward Maid 24 Idol Boy Auto Mlnto 24 Albena Guide Rajigl 24 Lindbergh June d'Oro 38 Great Logan 60