ENGLISH SEASON NEARING ITS END

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18643, 21 December 1928, Page 2

ENGLISH SEASON NEARING ITS END

(Special to the “ Star”) LONDON, November 8. The race for the Manchester November Handicap—the last important event of the season—is, to a small extent, influenced by what happens in the Derby Cup. On some occasions in the past I have known the Derby race point plainly to the Manchester winner —notably when Wagstaff scored in 1912. Many good horses hold both engagements this month, and one that is particularly notable is the four-year-old West Wicklow, who ran fourth in the Cesarewitch. For practical purposes I must pass over Mint Master at Manchester, now that he is penalised lOlbs for winning the Liverpool St Leger. It will be remembered that I have previously mentioned Mint Master in connection with the November Handicap, and when the horse ran at Liverpool I doubt very much whether his connections expected him to beat Hartford. Be that as it may, his successful outing in the hands of S. Donoghue incurred the penalty I have already mentioned, and that surely tends to put him out of it at Manchester. Mint Master, by the way, is owned by Sir Victor Sassoon. who races quite extensively in India. He has engaged Donoghue as his first jockey next season, and this means that the crack horseman will ride Gay Day in the classic races. Gay Day was fourth in the Middle Park Stakes behind Costaki Pasha last month, but he did not get off the mark with the same fluency as his rivals, or he would have been placed first or second. Maybe Donoghue is in for more classic honours! I have studied the Manchester Handicap very carefully in order that I can put my followers on the likely winner, and final choice must rest with Lord Hillingdon’s four-year-old, Young Middleton. Here is a horse that has been run consistently throughout the season—but never with any luck on his side. He started a sound favourite at the last meeting at Newmarket, but was unplaced under a lot more weight than he will have to carry in the approaching race. I must point out once again that West Wicklow (according to what happens in the Derby Cup) is a big danger to anything if reserved for the later race, and, what is more important still, his connections like to win at Manchester. As a set-off, however, let me add that his actual authorised trainer, Captain T. Hogg, is at present on holiday in South Africa. We had a sample of the well-known Lancashire weather at Liverpool—fog and murk — so let me remind followers that “ anything ” might happen at the end of the month. Six times since the war, indeed, has the November Handicap been abandoned for various reasons, and that in itself is a warning that the race is not won until it is lost. It was a new patron of racing who referred to his “ Ruffs Guide ” to see past winners of the November Handicap, and then remarked “Abandoned seems to have done pretty well in this race! ”

Last year the general run of backers went for their winter’s keep over Pons Asinorum, but the old horse was in a sour mood on the day of running, and proved a sorry failure. I hope in Young Middleton we have hit upon a genuine trier, and certainly at the weight (7.5) he is equitably treated. Soon I shall be writing about the jumpers—and I think we saw three useful ’chasers (Skrun Prince, May King and Rampant) fight out a good finish in the Grand Sefton ’Chase at Liverpool. Trump Card was not saddled after all, because his trainer could not get him properly wound up on the hard ground. I think Trump Card is as good a 'chaser as any in training on the right sort of course. Yet he is just a little short of best “ National ” class.

ACCEPTANCES.

ASHBURTON TROTTING CLUB. t* er Press Association. ASHBURTON, December 20. The following’ acceptances have been received for the Ashburton Trotting Club's Boxing Day meeting:— ADVANCE'HANDICAP (in harness), of 160 sovs. 3.46 class. One mile and a half.

NOMINATIONS

TIMARU TROTTING CLUB. From Our Correspondent. TIMARU, December 20. The following nominations for the Timaru Trotting Club’s meeting have been received:— CLAREMONT HANDICAP (in harness), of 120 sovs; unhoppled trotters; one mile and a half—Scuttle, Blue and Gold, Appear, Tot Logan, Peter Lin, Kereta, Great Nelson, Kyra, Chisholm, North Queen, Koro Peter, Eileen Wood, Lucky Voyage, Midland, Pavo, Decrepe, Great Applause, Sabat,ini, Wee Patch, Bon Boy, Cole Light, Pattie Bingen.

IMPROVERS’ HANDICAP (in harness), of 120 sovs; one mile and a half Nonsuit, Mary Locanda, Marina, liakari, Dillinda, Roddy, Otaio Rose, Lady Cello, Prances de Oro, Rose Queen, Quickbine, Snowy Huon, Adon, Onoto, Direct Red, Our Maud, Bingen Maid, Le Thorpe, John Noble, Pink Sugar, Doll Dance, Myra Locanda, John Appear, Slogan, Devon Child, His Lordship, Wee Brent, Sunny Bob, Lindbergh. PRESIDENT’S HANDICAP (in harness), of 300 sovs; class 4.36; two miles —Fight Ever, Wharepiana, Roi L'Or Macaranda, Omaha, Firelight, Ladv Matchlight, Lingfield, Glideaway, Dundas Boy, Sunfish, Jean M’Elwyn, William the Great, Avenger, Epigram Billy Sea, Event, General Bingen, Menember, Author Jinks, Harold Burwood, Evelyn Locanda, High Jinks, Wrackler, Jolly Pet, Kotuku Jack, Invader, Real Light Trampfast, Bonny Spec.

LEVELS HANDICAP (in harness), of 150 sovs; class 3.36; one mile and a half—Auto Minto, Pet Locanda, Mary Locanda, Rafa, Roldena, Pretty Pointer Beverley Audubon, Red Swithin, Young Author, Curfew Boy, Harold Logan June de Oro, Wild Nita, Listen In’ Logan Brae, Direct Red, Erin's Lynn’ Eiffelton Lass, Lough Neagh, Lily Bingen, Monopole, Sylvia Logan, Mountain Ore, Locanda Lou, Royal Locanda, John Appear, Our Bird, Actor, Forward Maid Sir Author, Wild Voyage, Veeto, Slump! Dan Logan, Vican.

W AIM ATE HANDICAP (in harness), of 170 sovs; nnhoppled trotters; class 4.55; two miles—Scuttle, Tim Wood, Lady Fan, Len Wood, Tot Logan, Peter Lin, Kereta, Avalanche, Kyra, Sea Queen, Koro Peter, Repute, Nelson Prince, Molly Molloy, New Metford, Victor Bingen, Carclo, Great Applause, Bon Wood, Ruby Bingen, Quickfire, Commander Bingen, Little Johnnie, Pattie Bingen, Blue Thorpe.

PAREORA HANDICAP (in harness), of 180 sovs; class 2.52; one mile and a quarter—Milo Minto, Macanda, Arran Chief, Dillon Gold, Lingfield, Glideaway, Dundas Boy, Sunfish, Great Triumph, Avenger, Searchlight Lad, Lulu Lad, Event, Warepa, Author Jinks, Travis Axworthy, Harold Burwood, Okoura, Evelyn Locanda, High Jinks, Wrackler, St Bridget, Bonnie Prince, Real Light, Brutus.

SALISBURY HANDICAP (in harness), of 160 sovs; class 4.46; two miles —Whakataua, Milo Minto, Yoicks, Mercury, Beverley Audubon, lone, Great Logan, Royal Serene, Bessie Huon, Apex, Curfew Boy, Great Triumph, June de Oro, Wild Nita, Becky Mine, Kiowa, Hard Knocks, Erin’s Logan, Travis Axworthy, Royal Locanda, Erin’s Royal, Chef, Our Bird, Delightful, Star Lady, Vecto, Slump.

FAREWELL HANDICAP (in saddle), of 160 sovs; class 2.19; one mile —King Abdallah, Logan King, Great Logan, Royal Serene, Sunfish, Great Triumph, Nelson M’Kinney, Bingen Patch, Nipper, Hackthorne, Author Jinks, Mavis Wood, Golden Dillon, Sylvia Logan, Okoura, Erin’s- Royal, Satinbird, Chef, - Direct Tod, Gibraltar, El Caron, St Bridget, Nan Brent, Forward Maid, Macanda, Fair Dillon, Exclusive, Horotane, Brutus, Roger Lyon, Billy Whizz.

Brook Pointer scr Salute scr Daring Boy scr Slogan scr Devon Child scr Snowy Huon Grace Huon scr Madam Great Huon scr Locanda 12 Doll Dance scr yds bhd Lady ’Cello scr His Lordship 48 Lady Oran scr Harold Logan 72 MITCHAM HANDICAP (In harness), of 3 60 sovs. Unhoppled trotters; 3.50 class. One mile and a half. Aileen Wood scr Sabatini Alton Brook scr Scuttle Appear scr yds bhd Bon Boy ' scr Brent Boy 12 Cole Light scr Waiata Pol 12 Duce scr First Wrack 24 Chisholm scr Leo Bellman 24 Great Applause scr Accumulator 3 6 Great Burton scr Koro Peter 36 Pavo scr Dipnoi 36 ASHBURTON TROTTING CUP (in !mrness), of 600 sovs. 4.38 class. Two miles. St Bridget scr yds bhd yds bhd Roi L’Or 36 Shadowland 12 Avenger 36 Wrackler 3 2 Dundas Boy 4S Kotuku Jack 24 Event S unfish 24 Billy Sea 72 M’LBAX HANDICAP (in harness) of 200 sovs. 3.33 class. One mile a half. Kiowa scr yds bhcL, Sylvia Logan scr Becky Mine 24 yds bhd Vecto Nan Brent 12 OreaT Triumph 36 Loco 12 Dick Logan 48 MIDSUMMER HANDICAP (in harness), of 200 sovs. 4.60 class. Two mil Curfew Boy scr yds bhd Dan Logan scr J une de Oro 12 Eiffelton Lass scr 24 Florrie Pointer scr Kiowa. 24 Forward Maid scr Our Bird 24 Locanda Lu scr Star Lady 24 Lough Neagh scr Vecto 60 Mountain Ore scr 60 yds bhd Kerwood Bell 3 08 Golden Author 12 Wakataua 108 BOXING DAY HANDICAP (in harness), of 250 sov s. 2.52 class. One mile and a quartet; Chef scr yds bhd Mac Dillon scr Avenger 36 Meb scr Brutus 36 yds bhd Fashion Queen 36 Travis Kotuku Jack 36 Axworthy 12 Dillon Gold Okoura 24 Zenith 72 Sunfish 24 72 Wrackler 24 Author Jinks 108 WINSLOW HANDICAP (in harness ), of 200 sovs. Unhoppled trotters. 5.0 class. Two miles yds bhd Brent Boy scr Quick fire 12 First Wrack scr Carolo 48 Dipnoi scr Molly Molloy Duce scr Nancy Bingen Great Burton scr Nelson Prince Koro Peter scr New Metford 84 Scuttle scr Repute 96 FINAL HANDICAP (in saddle), of 200 sovs. 2.20 class. One mile. Audience scr , , ya* bhd Auto Minto scr Mavis Wood 12 Billy Whizz scr Gibraltar 12 Erin’s Lynn scr King Abdullah 12 Exclusive scr Great Triumph 24 Satinbird scr Dick Logan 36 Sylvia Logan scr