RACING & TROTTING

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19269, 5 January 1931, Page 12

RACING & TROTTING

By

“ARGUS.”

RACING NOTES. Nominations for the Wellington Racing Club’s summer meeting will close at nine o’clock to-night. Full Feather developed soreness and was unable to race at the Wairarapa meeting. The trouble is not considered serious, and he should be all right again for Trentham later on this month. * ❖ ❖ * Dulen, the two-year-old winner at Invercargill on Saturday, is by Valkyrian from Whitianga, an Absurd mare, who is a half-sister to Potoa, a successful Auckland sire. Dulen is a brother to Red Sea, one of the best performers in the south last season. V Straightcourse raced very consistently during the holidays. He started three times at Manawatu and twice at Wairarapa, for two wins, two seconds and a third. His stable mate, Bali Dress, had two races, and was a winner each day at Wairarapa. Town Major is very well at present, and, though he failed to win a race during the holidays, when he competed at southern meetings, he requires only average luck to get a good stake very soon. He was unlucky in at least one of his recent races. * * H? * The Riccarton jockey, D. O’Connor, was suspended for a month at Invercargill on Saturday. He finished first in the Gladstone Hurdles on Gay Fashion, but incurred the displeasure of the stewards for -interfering with Membo, who was awarded the race. Compris is back at Riccarton after a successful trip south. He won the Otago Handicap' at the Dunedin meeting, and, after being beaten in the. Waikouaiti Cup, in which he suffered from interference, he came out later in the day to win over seven furlongs. Compris may do his next racing at Trentham, where the Wellington Cup will be among his engagements. Mr W. E. Bid-will, the president of the Wairarapa Racing Club, was unable to attend last week’s meeting , on account of ill-health. It was the first meeting of the club he had missed for forty years, and general regret was expressed that continued sickness should prevent him from enjoying the sport for which he has done so much in the Wairarapa. There was much satisfaction when his colours were successfully carried by Rotation in the Novice Stsikes, the last event on the opening day. The Limekilns, famous at Newmarket (England) as a summer galloping ground, may be lost to trainers after 1934, when its lease to the Jockey Club expires. It is a fine stretch of about a mile in length, but with not that width. The soil never bakes, no matter how long a period without rain, and the going never jars horses’ legs. The ground w’as originally owned by Mrs M. Tharp, and on her death passed into the possession of Major Tharp. The Jockey Club recently entered into negotiations with the latter, whose demands, however, for purchase or extension of lease were so stiff that the Jockey Club could not entertain them. A horse may be a failure on the racing track, but, if he has the right breeding, may be a stud success. The odds, however, are alwaj’s against a racecourse failure getting much in the way of stud opportunities (says the Sydney “Referee”). Night Raid may have never been accorded them if he had remained in Australia, but his mating with Entreaty and Marsa in New Zealand has given the turf two very high-class horses in Phar Lap and Nightmarch. Sold as a yearling in England for 150 gs, Night Raid's best effort in six runs at two years in that was a third, and he was resold at that age for 120 gs. Later he passed to the ownership of P. Keith, who brought him to Sydney, where his wins were a division of a maiden handicap at a suburban meeting and a dead heat at Randwick in a race for horses of the novice class. Now he is the sire of one of the best—the best, in “ Pilot’s ” opinion—horses we have had in Australia from a mile and a quarter to two miles and a quarter.

The Bill has been passed in the New South Wales Assembly, but may not become operative until the churches have been given a fair opportunity’ of seeing what they can do in the way of raising money’ for the relief of hospitals. It is doubtful, says a Sydney writer, whether the necessary’ amount will be forthcoming. It may’ be added that the anticipated yield Irom lotteries is greatly exaggerated, but still a substantial sum should result, and many’ thousands now being sent to Queensland and Tasmania will remain in New South Wales. Perhaps many backers who are cutting down their racecourse risks now the betting tax is in force will subscribe freely to the lotteries.

It will be some time before some of England’s principal courses have up-to-date totalisator equipment, and, in discussing the position, “Kettledrum” recently wrote as follows in the Manchester “Sporting Chronicle”:—“Many| difficulties have to be overcome at such places as Epsom, York. Doncaster, and Manchester before suitable buildings can be erected —buildings which will be capable of dealing with the big crowds that attend on popular days—and not only is it a question of expense, but also of securing space. Plans that were prepared some time ago for Doncaster’s racecourse are estimated to entail an expenditure of about £250,000, for the scheme includes many extra acres of land. The obstacle in the way of erecting the buildings at Epsom is chiefly a matter of obtaining the right to erect on public land. There is similar trouble in connection with the scheme at York, but in each case negotiations are in progress. Manchester is to have a thoroughly up-to-date building if the scheme that has been prepared by the executive’s architects is approved by the board. Estimated cost is about £150,000.” He * * * As nothing is more certain than the Australian Jockey Club will have to further reduce stakes during the coming year, the races likely to be affected is a matter of concern with many’ owners. Some handicaps have been cut down, and unless there is a great, and unexpected change for the better, the Epsom and Metropolitan next spring will be added to the number. So far as some of the two and three-vear-old races are concerned, says the Sy’dney writer, “ Pilot,” I am with those who hold that when conditions have again to be issued for such races as the Derby, Sires’ Produce Stakes and Champagne Stakes, their value could be substantially reduced without lowering their status. The English Derby carries £4.000 added money; therefore, little fault could be found with an A.J.C. Derby of £SOOO or £6OOO, instead of £BOOO, or a Sires’ Produce Stakes of, say, £3500, or even a little less, and a Champagne Stakes of £2OOO. Anyhow, pruning—and it must come—in that direction would be more desirable than interference with the? minor races, which mean so much to the greater number of owners and trainers. For their actual racing return the weight-for-age races could stand the greatest cut. Admittedly, the right thing is to encourage the better class of horse, but it is possible to go too far in that direction TROTTING NOTES. Acceptances for the Timaru Trotting Club's meeting will close tomorrow. H« He H* H« Nominations for the New Brighton Trotting Club’s meeting will close at noon on Thursday. H« He He sf? Little Victor has developed a bad splint, which may prevent, him from being raced for some time. This is unfortunate for J. J. Kennerley, as he had the pacer in good shape. Hi Hs * Hi The trotter Little Logan, who has been out of work for more than a year, has recently been recommissioned, and if he returns to form, he will be raced by H. Gaskell. He He He He Royal Comrade Iboked in his best form when he raced at the Canterbury Park Club’s meeting last week, but he did not begin as well as usual and this handicap may have cost him a race. Teremoa, who looked like developing into a good two miler, was one of those at the recent Canterbury Park meeting who w*as very bad at the start of his races. Hi Hi Hi Hi At the conclusion of the second day’s racing at Canterbury Park, the Addington trainer, J. S. Smith, left by the night train for the West Coast, to be present at the Westland Trotting Club’s meeting, which was to have been held last Saturday’, but was postponed on account of rain till Wednesday. Hi * Hi * John Jinks started well in each of his races at the recent Canterbury Park meeting. He was third favourite in the Au Revoir Handicap on the first day and raced prominently till near the entrance to the straight, where 1 he stopped very quickly’. He did not race so prominently on the second day, and in the meantime he looks as though he has lost some of his speed. Hi H: Hi H« The Australian bred Roicole, who has not raced at all well of late, made a very’ fast beginning in the Au Revoir Handicap on the first day of the Canterbury Park Club's meeting, but even this .advantage did not enable him to win, as he finished third to Sahib and Editor. Roicole, who was a useful two miler early in his career, is not on the improve. Hi Hi H? H: Kingcraft was well backed for the Canterbury Handicap, on the first day of the Canterbury Park Club’s meeting. He made a good beginning and was pacing well for nearly a mile and a half. From this point he stopped quickly’ and failed to show his customary stamina. He did not start on the second day’ of the meeting, and his owner stated that it. was his intention to give the pacer a lengthy spell.

' The pacer Quality is not likely to race much more, and will probably be retired to the stud. He He Hi - H« Flarvest Child looks as though he is on the improve again. He was fourth in the chief event at Ashburton on BoxingDDar,y r , over two miles, and on the first day’ of the Canterbury Park Club’s meeting he finished close to the leaders in the Islington Handicap, over a mile and a quarter. On the second day he was fourth in the Park Handicap and was going on well at the end of the two mile journey. He Hs H* Hs Editor, after finishing third to Yecto and Hostess at Ashburton, was well backed on the first day of the Canterbury’ Park Club’s meeting in the Au Revoir Handicap, of a mile, but had to put up with second place to Sahib. On the final day of the meeting he failed to race into a place in the Final Handicap, although again well backed. It |looks as if he has trained off in the f meantime.

HOKITIKA TROTS

MEETING POSTPONED. (Special to the “Star.”) HOKITIKA, January J. The weather broke disastrously for the fortunes of the Westland Trotting Club for the meeting set down for to-day. Rain set in at midnight and fell copiously. The morning was far from encouraging and negotiations were opened with the Grey Trotting Club, which races on Monday, for that date. This could not be arranged, and the meeting was postponed till Wednesday. This was a wise step, as by noon the rain fell heavily, with a boisterous northerly, and continued through the afternoon. Later iri the day a delegation from the local club proceeded to Greymouth to discuss the situation, but a message received this evening indicates that a change is not possible and that the meeting will take place on Wednesday. To-night the weather had moderated and promises to clear later. Warm conditions prevail.

RACE RESULTS

Wairarapa Racing Club. The following are the results of the concluding events on Saturday:— WAIHENGA HANDICAP, of 200 sovs. Seven furlongs. 1— Straightcourse, 7.11 1 s—Make Up. 7.7 2 4 Chopin, 7.7 3 2 Maui 5.9. 6 Talisker B.S and 3 Rameses 8.1 also started. Won by two lengths). Time—lmin 26 GREYTOWN HANDICAP, of 175 sovs. .Six furlongs. 2 Rothen. .7.13 1 7—Derraod, 7.1 2 I—Lady Rene, 9.4 3 3 Rotation 7.11, 9 Waterspear 7.11, 4 Gold Sand 7.5, 5 Mythology 7.2. 6 Tapestry 7.0, S Lady Ronald 7.0 and 10 Millestra 7.0 also started. Won by three-quarters of a length. Time—lmin 13 2-ssec. PIRINOA STAKES, of 150 sovs. Six furlongs. Weight 9st. 1— Baskier 1 5 Hal facie 2 2 Little Thrush 3 4 Bright Sky, 6 Joie de Val, 12 Taura Lad. S Attnr, 7 Grey Witch and Hystride (bracketed), 9 Glenace, 10 Feast, 11 Tripos and 3 Eminent also started. Won by a length, with half a length between second and third. Time—lmin 1— 2-ssec. Southland Racing Club. The following are the results of the concluding events on Saturday:— NURSERY HANDICAP, of 150 sovs. Five furlongs. 3 DULEN, Messrs J. Beattie and A. Kane’s, 7.11 <W. Coqiper) 1 2 HULA BELLE, Air It. M. Greenslade’s, S.B (.7. Dooley) 2 I—LAST MARCH, Air A. G. Hill’s, 9.2 (B. Brodie) 3 Traylavali 7.0 and Ruling Light 7.0 car. 7.2 also started. Won by a nose, with a length between second and third. Traylaval was fourth. Time—lmin osec. ROSEDALE HANDICAP, of 160 sovs. Six furlongs. 6 SOAIE QUEEN, Mr J. Graham's, 7.3, car. 7.0 (W. Austin) 1 7 PARYSIA, Air W/ T. HazletCs, 7.0, car. 7.2 i (O. Pope) 2 3 TOTOLOMAI, Mr A. C. Mill’s, 7.2, car. 7.0 (L. Pratt) 3 11 Aco of Hearts 8.6 car. 8.1, 12 Fair Aloney 7.0, 4 Red Royal 7.8 car. 7.5 J-, 2 Aliss Redowa 7.8 car. 7.5, 5 Crubenmore 7.4, 14 Cetchela 7.4 car. 7.0, S Tippling 7.4 car. 7.0, 1 Cough 7.3 car. 7.9 (L. J. Ellis), 9 Musent Aliss 7.2 car. 7.0, 3 Insolvency 7.0, 13 Slim Jim 7.0, car. 7.6 J, 10 Alemories 7.0 car. 7.1 f. 15 Johnny Phar 7.0 cai*. 8.02 and 15 Traction 7.0 car. 7.1 also started. Won by two lengths and a half, with half a length between second and third. Time—lmin 18 3-ssee. FINAL HANDICAP, of 225 sovs. One mile. 1— UJIARAIAINE, Air A. C. Alill’s, 5.7 (L. J. Ellis) 1 2 CAMISADER, Mr P. Tracey's, S 3 (A. E. Didliam) 2 7—RED BOA. Airs E. Andrews’s, S.O (F. J. M’Kay) 3 3 Circulation 5.4 car. S.l, 4 Evening 7.9, S Alembo 7.4 car. 7.2, 6 Some Rose 7.0 and 5 Night Effort 7.0 also started. Won by a length, with a -nec-k between second and third. Evening was fourth. Time—lmin 46sec. AUSTRALIAN RACING. (United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) SYDNEY, January 4. At the Warwick Farm races the following was the result of the Farm Stakes:— / Bonawe, 7.13 (Simpson) 1 Valentino, 9.0 (Bartle) 2 Pro Note, 8.11 (Johnstone) 3 Twenty started. Valentino deadheated with Bonawe, but was placed second on a protest. Time —lmin 41sec.

SOUTHLAND RACES.

SOME TOFF IN FORM. (Special to the “Star.”) INVERCARGILL, January 3. The Southland Racing Club’s meeting was concluded under heavy conditions. Rain throughout the morning seriously affected the attendance. The track was heavy. There was a sensation in the hurdle race. Gay Fashion beat Membo by two lengths, but an inquiry was held into alleged crossing in the straight, and the judge’s places were altered, Membo being awarded the race. Gay Fashion’s connections must be accounted very unlucky. D. O’Connor was suspended for a month. The gate and the totalisator both showed heavy decreases, and the club will, in all probability lose on the fixl ture. The Hurdle Race. The Gladstone Hurdles saw Gay Fashion score nicely. Paris and Gay Fashion were the early leaders from Antrim Boy and Membo. There was no change until five furlongs from home, where Paris put in a bad jump and lost his chance. Gay Fashion was always doing it easily ahead of Membo, the others having no chance. Gay Fashion ran about in the straight, but beat Membo easily by two lengths. Antrim Boy was six lengths away, and Gayoma was well back. Paris fell at the last fence, and interfered with Wincette, but neither had a chance at this stage. This marked another win for the Washdyke stables, which have had a good innings on the trip. Gold Tinge Wins the Trot. Gold Tinge led from end to end in the Roslyn Trot, and scored nicely, but he was lucky in the fact that Oinardora, Seaworthy and Rio Chimes lost a good deal of ground at the start. Gold Tinge was first out, and led Ellegro, Baby Joan and Wave Soon round to the stand. Down the back there was no change, but Oinardora and Seaworthy were closing up. Gold Tinge led Jolly Wave and Reo Chimes into the straight, and came on to win by three lengths. Oinardora was finishing very fast three-quarters of a length away, and then came Reo Chimes, Wave Soon and Seaworthy. Palermo’s Fine Race. Palermo put up a fine race in the Shorts Handicap. He lay in behind the leaders, Rin Tin Tin and Full Fling, to the home turn, and then collared them and won easily by a length. Rin Tin Tin beat Full Fling by two lengths, and Silver Paper was ten lengths away, then coming Speed Light. It was an easy win, and Palermo looks like being the winner of some big sprints this season. Birdwood Pays Good Price. The Summer Handicap saw Birdwood win and pay a good price. Palmary and Banner Boy were slow to move, and Quinopal, Homecoming, Lorette and Sentinel Lad were the early leaders. Birdwood ran to the front at the half-mile, and led Quinopal, Homecoming, Lorette and Banner Boy to the straight. Quinopal threw out a strong challenge, but Birdwood hung on to win by threequarters of a length. Palmary finished well one and a half lengths away, then coming Poor Boy and Homecoming,

Some Toff Stays On Best. The Southland Handicap was an interesting contest. Caterpillar, Red Sea, Jock o’ Hazeldean, Mount Boa and Some Toff were the early leaders. Down the back Caterpillar led Impertinence, Red Sea, Mount Boa, Some Toff, Town Major, Night Maid and Celerity 11. Coming around the top, Mount Boa joined Caterpillar, then coming Jock o’ Hazeldean. Caterpillar was gone two furlongs from home and Mount Boa led into the straight. Some Toft tackled Mount Boa and had him at the distance. It was a good finish, but Some Toff stayed on better and won by three-quarters of a length. Town Major ran past the beaten lot and was a length and a half away. Then came Impertinence, Night Maid, Glenrowan and Salmo Salar. Celerity 11. was a bad last all the way. Dulen Just Wins. The Nursery Handicap was a good race between the three placed horses. Traylavah and Ruling Light were early tailed off. Dulen and Last March made the _ pace early, but coming to the straight Hula Belle went up to Dulen and they turned for home clear of Last March. It was a great race home, Dulen just beating Hula Belle by a nose, with Last March a length away. The first two were both stopping badly at the finish, but Last March was unable to make any impression on them. Favourite Never Sighted. Cough, a good favourite for the Rosedale Handicap, was never sighted. Some Queen repeated her first day’s effort and led from end to end. She was attended early by Musent Miss and Miss Redowa. Coming to the straight, Memories, who was last away, had run into second place ahead of Totolomai and Red Royal. Some Queen ran home an easy winner by two and a half lengths from Paryssia, who ran past a beaten lot in the straight. Totolomai was half a length away, then coming Memories, Musent Miss and Cetchela. Charmaine Scores Easily. Charmaine, a good favourite for the Final Handicap, led practically all the way and scored easily. Red Boa and Night Effort were her attendants over the first five furlongs, where the field was bunched. Charmaine turned for home a length clear of Red Boa and Circulation, then coming Evening and Camisader. Charmaine easily held her own to win by one and a half lengths from Camisader, who finished well and beat Red Boa by a neck for second place. Evening was in the rear position till three furlongs from home, when she came strongly; but nothing had a chance with the winner.

WAIRARAPA RACES.

RICCARTON SUCCESSES. (Spcial to the “Star.”) CARTERTON, January 3. The weather was fine but overcast for the final day of the Wairarapa Racing Club’s summer meeting, and the track again was hard and fast. The attendance was considerably less than on Thursday. The totalisator turnover of £39,852 for the two days represented a drop of £14,231 on the figures for last year. Portray and Hunting Call, who filled the first two places in the opening event on the first day, had the finish again to themselves in the Russell Handicap, and the judge was unable to separate them. Portray raced into the lead at the start and was followed by Arikinui, Mandy and Hunting Call for more than half the journey; but then Hunting Call came on the outside and with a final effort got up to dead-heat with the pacemaker in the last stride. Arikinui was three lengths back, just in front of Mandy. Hunting Call was not made enough use of early, otherwise he would almost certainly have been the winner. As it was he was lucky to share the honours After the race Portray was offered for sale, but was passed in at 100 guineas. Dainty Ways Wins Easily. Dainty Ways, hopping out smartly from the rail position, made all the running in the Tawaha Welter Handicap and came home the victor over Fitz Quex by a good neck, Arikira being nearly a length further away and Grey Witch, Peep, Johneen and Intruder next. Dainty Ways, ridden by an apprentice, E. Burgess, who claimed a three-pound allowance, won rather more easily than the verdict would indicate. Burgess was intent on holding off Arikara, whose two recent success pointed to his being the main danger; and Fitz Quex sneaked up on the rail, but could not quite close the gap Dainty Ways’ price, in view’ of her good effort in the Cup on Thursday, was surprisingly good. The Juveniles. Golden Wings, who raced somewhat unluckily early in the season, has apparently benefitted by his short letup; for, with nearly a stone more than he carried to success on Thursday, he again accounted for his two vear-old rivals in the Juvenile Handicap. He was better served in the running than on the first day, and it was as well, for, after heading off St Roger, who led him to the straight, he had to be ridden right out to hold the advantage he had thus gained and to withstand the fast-finishing Distortion. Short heads only separated the three at the post, the fourth horse, Riehborough, being some distance back. Flower, Type and Saturation were next. Distortion is improving. Riehborough lost all chance in being one of the last away from the barrier. Fine Performance By Stanchion. Stanchion, who is owned by the president of the club (Mr W. E. Bid well) put up a fine performance to win the President’s Handicap. He was last except for Duellona to the turn, but there he began a fast run round the outside of the field and, cutting down the leaders in rapid succession, came on to score going away by a length and a half from White Fang, who deposed the pacemaking Staghunter for the other dividend in the last few chains. Arrow Lad was a good fourth and Dolomite, Billion, Duellona and Hawkshaw followed. Hawkshaw was up with Staghunter to the straight, but then petered out badly. White Fang was always handily placed, but had no chance of withstanding the winner’s challenge at the end. Stanchion’s victory was very popular, but Mr Bidwill, who is seriously ill, was not present to see his horse win A Decisive Victory. Ball Dress made the third horse in five races to score on both days of the meeting and her win was one of the most decisive registered on either day. She did not move away as well as some of the others but she raced into the lead about three furlongs from home and was on the bit most of the way down the straight to finish over a length ahead of Zephyrus. Three lengths awav came Cessation, and following her were Kalmuk, Cluny, Beverage and Emotion. Courtlike was never in the hunt. Chokebore Stable’s Success.

Straightconrse galloped all over his opponents in the Waihenga Handicap, and in winning very easily gave the Chokebore stable its second success in succession and R. E. Coveny his third for the day and fifth for the meeting.

Rameses was the pacemaker to the straight, but Straightcourse was practically on terms with him there and in the run down to the judge the latter had little trouble in drawing out to a two lengths victory from Makeup, who held off the fast-finishing Chopin by a short head. Rameses was fourth and Maui and Talisker followed. Maui’s form was in marked contrast to what he showed on Thursday, for he was always labouring at the rear and never improved at any stage. Rothen Goes Better.

Rothen failed to finish on in his race on Thursday when bustled over the early stages, but in the Greytown Handicap to-day he went much more generously in third position to the turn and, after entering the straight, practically in line with Gold Sand, Rotation and Dermod, outpaced them all in the run down to the post and came home an easy winner from Dermod by two and a half lengths, Lady Rene finishing fast on the rail into third place half a length further away. The best of the others were Rotation, Lady Ronald, Mythology, Gold Sand and Waterspear. Gold Sand hopped away smartly at the start but she was failing at the straight entrance and closed right up in the run home. Lady Rene was badly placed most of the way but was going strongly at the end. Baskier Wins at Last.

Baskier put an end to his long chain of minor placings and registered his first success for nearly two years when he led the field home in the Pirinoa Stakes. He followed Little Thrush and Attar over the early part of the race but assumed command as they swung into the straight from Little Thrush, Half Acre and Hystride: and had no difficulty in carrying on to a length and a half victory over Half Acre, Little Thrush being a length further back third. The next to finish were Hystride, Eminent, Attar and Grey Witch. Eminent, having his first race, was one of the last over the early stages, but showed a good turn of speed towards the close. With the experience he has gained he should show up m future engagements. Hystride also is on the improve. Feast did not leave the barrier.