OVER THE COUNTRY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19842, 17 May 1927, Page 4

OVER THE COUNTRY

WINTER RACING CAMPAIGN Excellent Acceptances for Wanganui Steeplechase Fixture. INDICATIONS OF SUCCESS FOR THURSDAY The winter racing campaign which was inaugurated hy the Egmont Racing Club with a successful two days’ meeting last week will be advanced a further stage on Thursday when the Wanganui Jockey Club will open their annual steeplechase fixture, when three important events will be decided —the Wanganui Steeplechase, the Century Hurdle Bace, and the Connolly Handicap. The excellent acceptances received last night point to a highly successful gathering, and the form disclosed on the opening day, and also on Saturday, when the meeting concludes, will hold much interest in view of the Auckland Racing Club’s “Great Northern” fixture on June 3, 4 and 8.

THURSDAYS FIELDS SPLENDID ACCEPTANCES PROSPECTS AND TRAINING NOTES By “Kestrel.” Without a doubt many racing clubs would envy the Wanganui .Jockey Club the excellent acceptances they have received for theLr winter (steeplechase) fixture, which is to commence on Thursday and will be concluded on Saturday. The track is in its usual splendid order, thanks to careful treatment by caretaker W. Price and his staff, assisted by the showers of the last few days. It only remains fnr the weather to remain fine to make the fixture the success it is expected to prove. If the display of fencing to be seen at Wanganui is up to th<* usual high standard—it should not be otherwise as the obstacles are not difficult—there should be some interesting contests, and perhaps the events decided may j cast some light on the extensive winter i racing programme ahead. Double Figures in Each Race. Tn figuring up the total number of acceptors in the seven events to be decided. it is found that 102 contestants I figure on the “card,” an average of over fourteen a race, and. when it is noted that the smallest number engaged in any one race is eleven, it will be realised that there is a very even distribution. In the opening event, the Purua Har-k Flat, no fewer than 21 stand their' ground, with the three at the head of the handicap comprising a trio of smart hacks iff Rising Star, Partaga and Berinthia. There is an old. racing saying to the effect that 1 ‘the bigger the field, I the bigger the moral” and it may apply to this event. In the Hack Steeplechase thirteen have made the acceptance and they include some promising aspirants to honours over the big country. Gilgai, a winner at Hawera on Saturday, is also engaged in the Wanganui Steeplechase, as is Peter Rosa, and an indication as to their mission may be expected before the day. Eonmark. Peter Rosa and Banjuke are three which make appeal at this stage. The Big Steeplechase.

Beau Cavalier, whose probable defection was anticipated. Nukumai. Dick and Eonmark (engaged in the hack steeples) were the only defections of note, leaving a handy-sized field of eleven. Of these Comical, Omahu. Maunga and Gilgai are a quartette who will be expected to furnish the winner. The display of the topweight, Comical, who is engaged in both the “Northerns.” will be watched with interest. There are two events to be decided over the battens and the first of these will be the Kaitoke Hack Hurdles. Of the fourteen acceptors most may be expected of San Pedro. Gauntlet, Mount Marta. Attractive and Troilus, and the schooling work of this quartette to-day and to-morrow will attract attention. Then over a distance of two and aquarter miles, the Century Hurdles was once the second “leg” of a popular double. Nukumai, a versatile performer on the flat, over the small sticks and across country, is at the head of the list, giving 181 b to Koauau .and whether he will attempt it remains to be seen. At this stage Koauau. Zircon. Ardath. Brigadier Bill, Elvaette and Day Bell make most appeal. Matu was icratched at 11 a.m. yesterday. The Connolly Handicap. Seldom has the popular Connolly Handicap featured such a fine field as the eighteen carded for this event and if they all go to the post it should prove a magnificent contest. It would be rash to rule any of the acceptors out at this stage, but a sextette with undeniable chances is Degage. Civility. Bennanec, Alloway, Royal Mint and Orazone. Another field of thirteen is that for the open sprint, the Borough Handicap, and this should as usual, prove an interesting event. Perhaps Lady Cavendish,

Benzora, Bonogne, Oration, Deluge and Bevis may be most favoured on the day. The following are the ’ ACCEPTANCES FOR THURSDAY. PURUA HACK FLAT. (Of 175 sovs; six furlongs.)

TRAINING OPERATIONS YESTERDAY’S TRACK WORK j lhe weather was ideal for training I operations yesterday morning the heavy ■ showers during the night having served but to brighten the tracks up. How ever there was little fast work >isone, pace work being the rule. Koval Elm, who appears to be very sore as a result of a knock the other morning, did a couple of rounds at hallpace on number two track. Rowley was given steady half-pace work on the outside of number three track and looks all the better for his outing at Hawera. Alloway (D. C. Watts) went once round at a steady half-pace and then another time at a nice three-quarter pace. He looks in good nick to fulfil his Connolly Handicap engagement. Steeplechase Candidates Juki and Maunga were restricted to a couple of rounds at a good half-pace. The former appears to have done a lot of work in the South before comipg here, while Maunga, who ran third to Comical and Crown Coin in the Grand National Hurdles last August, should not be long getting into racing trim. Little River and Tamakana went roun.i at steady half-pace, both hitting out freely though the former appears in better trim than Tamakana, who, however, is recovering well from the effects of the mishap he suffered a month I ago.

Looking very well after his outing at Hawera on Thursday last, Koauau pleased in the exercise he was given and promises to play a prominent part in the Century Hurdles on Thursday.

Easter Handicap Winner Civility who bears the appearance of being ready to run the race of her life in the Connolly Handicap with all her 9.7, struck out freely in a circuit at three-quarter pace and was then allowed to run along over seven furlongs, though not on a time-making mission J. Head was on the daughter of Elysian and Civilisaton, whose appearance in the big handicap on the flat on Thursday

will be awaited with interest. T. Clark had Aston out also doing half-pace work and the Irish-bred importation appears in good condition for his Wanganui engagements. Comical was also sent a couple of circuits at a good three-quarter pace and. will give a good account of himself in the big steeplechase on the opening day of the meeting. A Winner at Hawera Brigadier Bill was another to put in an appearance who impressed by his condition and J. T. Morris also had Omahu out doing pace work. The aged son of Maniapoto and Gold Cord appeared bright- and fresh, find looks to be geting into racing condition fast. Appearing none the worse for his strenuous race in the Davidson Handicap at Hawera on Saturday,, Ngafa also moved freely and will beat more than beats him in whatever event proves his mission at the Wanganui meeting —probably the May Hurdles next Saturday. Limosa did steady work on the inner and trainer W. H. Dwyer appears to have the Limond marc in as sound a condition as ever she could be. It should not be long before Limosa is engaging the attention of followers of the game. Ardath Looks Well Ardath went over six hurdles with a hunter, a full sister to Lady Comet, but his companion proved of little use to him as the Hallowmas Rau Rau gelding had to be pulled' back and then came away at the finish. Mr S. R. Hammond’s Century Hurdles candidate appears in fine fettle to fulifl hits engagement. Break o’Day and Crown Coin, under Wallace Young’s tuition, did serviceable work. Kuby Red, who gave a fine exhibition of jumping on Saturday, outshining Attractive, who was restricted to a steady half-pace and pleased by his appearance. With the other members of Mr Bull’s team. Kuby Red should be in the money at the meeting. W. Hall had Attractive out. doing exercise and the Absurd-Finery gelding moved freely. Barrier practice was given Calculation (Civility’s half-brother). Tulip (Absurd-Gladiole) and Tinwhistle (Kil-boy-Mandola). The former needs a little more tuition before he will jump out well but Tulip is learning fast. Doleful Ditty’s brother was sent once round afterwards and the other two also did steady pace work. The last to work were Rising Star. JP? OqM. UJQUIAAOROJJ pun OjpiCung look in good trim. Latest Arrivals Several horses arrived yesterday to fulfil engagements at the meeting, in eluded in the number being Modest Bov (N. Cunningham), Day Bell (C. Hodder), Lady Spalpeen and Peter Rosa (W. A. McMillan), Zircon and Subdivision (W. H. Patterson). Bonny Rill (J. McDonell), Ban juke. Hallowmorn and Rising Star (F. C. F. McKay).

NOTES AND COMMENTS (By “Kestrel”) Back to the Pigskin. ’ It is stated that Alan McDonald, the well-known cross-country horseman, will not be seen in the saddle again before the Auckland Racing Club’s Great Northern meeting at Ellerslie next month. A Wonderful Recovery, C Regan, the jockey who was severely injured by falling off Karamu in the Northland Hurdles, at the Whangarei Racing Club’s meeting on April 2, at which time E. Copestake received fatal injuries, was from Whangarei Hospital last week, having made a wonderful recovery after'sustaining a fractured skull. It is understood that a medical intimation was given him that he should refrain from riding for some time. Next Year’s Juveniles. Mr G. Gerard has claimed the following names for his yearlings in G. J. Pine’s stable: —Amourette, by Psychol-ogy-Lovelock; Noteworthy, by Paper Money —Gazeworthy; Twang,- by Archcry—.Ena. Back to Work. Since being recommissioned after a tong spell, the result of a serious breakdown, the Grand National Hurdles winner, Penury Rose, has been standing up to steady work in pleasing style, states a Southern scribe. There has been no recrudescence of the trouble, and his mentor, J. A. Rowlands, has hopes of the aged son of Penury—Merrie Roe again sporting silk before the winter meetings are done with. “The Best-Laid Plans—.” If plans work out according to schedule in racing, how simple the game would be (says a Melbourne writer). If the scheme mapped out by Fred Jones and Maurice McCarten could have been followed, Limerick would have won the Sydney Cup. Jones, trainer, and McCarten. jockey, discussed at great length the probabilities of the manner in which the big race would be won. They were correct in almost every detail regarding other horses’ paces, etc., yet their ideas about their own horse, Limerick, were upset by an unfortunate mischance. The trainer and rider predicted that Piastoon would go to the front and slow I down the field in order to help him see the journey. This is exactly what happened. The idea was that McCarten should keep just behind Piastoon all the way, and reserving his mount for a final dash, sail away from the others in the straight. It was all right in theory, but not in practice. Just after the start of the cup when the horses were settling down in their position, Limerick was working his way across from the outside—he started from No. 18 position, and it seemed a simple matter for him to take up the desired, position owing t.o the slow pace. Then fate intervened. The New Zealander slipped in a patch of bad going and was nearly down. He lost ground and it took him 100 yards to get going again. By that time the gaps hud been filled, and Limerick was on the outside of the field. He did not go inside a horse through the race, and that was a great handicap.

Day Bell’s Chances. Considering Day Bell’s form at the Ohinemuri meeting, where he deadheated with Royal Form in the Steeplechase (Passin’ Through six lengths away third), his forwand; running in the Brighton Hurdles at Ellerslie, in which event he had to be pulled up owing to his gear giving way, when in a winning position, and his easy defeat of Archibald and company in the Hobsonville Hurdles at the recent Avondale meeting, he is nicely treated in getting in at the minimum in the two Groat Northerns. Lack of experience as compared with some of his opponents may tell against Day BcTT but he should prove very dangerous.

Tempting Offer Refused. The highest price turned down at the Sydney yearling sales was the 3000 guineas offered for the full brother to Rampion (Rossendale —Royal Pet). This was declined, by the Kingsfield studmasters, Messrs J. E. and C. H. Brien. It is said another 150gns. would have secured this fine-looking colt. If he does not turn out better than Valicare’s brother (Avant Courier, for whom 5500 guineas was paid last year), then the Messrs Brien will hardly feel pleased at retaining the good-looking brown colt. Messrs Brien also turned down an offer of 1450 guineas for a hay filly by Rossendale (imp.) from the Polymelus mare Pansy.

High Fees in America. A few years ago stud fees were comparatively low in America, but the position is idfifferent now. Running through a list of stallions serving in that country, it may be noted that the most expensive is Sun Briar, whose fee is £6OO. He was followed by Stefan the Great at £5OO, and then Black Toney, Epinard, Friar Rock, and North Star lll\ at £4OO each. At £3OO came American Flag. Chicle, Mad Hatter, Mad Play, Marvex, Pennant, St. James, Sir Galahad 111., and Whisk Broom 11. Then there were thirteen at £2OO each, one at £l6O, and forty at £lOO each. These were given in one paper, and possibly only covered t>e stallions advertised in its columns. OTAKI MAORI MEETING NOMINATIONS FOR FIRST DAY The following nominations have been received for the opening day of the Otaki-Maori Racing Club’s meeting, which is to be held on Juno 3 and 4:— Tararua Hack Hurdles, one mile and a-half.—Rangisarto, Gauntlet, Star Chamber, Vexatious, Elvaette, Red Head, Santonio, Sir Wai, Taitaita, Lady Ben, Hyama, Pekatahi, Polyphemus, Asleep, Kalakaua, Peshwa, Keisler, Ardfinnan, Attractive, Lady Passenger, Mados, Alarie, Good Mark. Kttku Maiden, six furlongs. —Royal Black, Catkin, Radion, Tanagra, Avio, Tameterangi, Royal Picture, Vigilance. Hannibal, Essential, High Heather, Lady Limond, Prophet’s Mark, Tangerim, Cleavers, Land Rent, Whaka King, Golden Prospect, Romantic, Frilford, Sallow.

Waitohu Hack Handicap, six furlongs. —Miss Pat, Thomond, Arrowboy, Horomea, Cerf, Dominion Rose, Tanagra, Polonaise, Gold Collector, Kilmoyler, Pangolin, Kilmezzo, Coot, Elka, Monsogne, Tangerim, Butterscotch, Toapaiti, Break o’ Day, Carrigallon, Lady Cynthia, Otapawa. Raukawa Cup,, one mile and a-quarter. —Degage, Gleninnis, Indian Sage, Modern, Black Mint, Diogenes, Shining Armour, Gardant, Tresham, Merry Damon, Diamond Ring, Lady Anstruther, Merry Day, Blue Peter, Matinee, Road Hog, Rouex, Ardfinnan, Captain Gazeley, Othon. Otaki Hack Handicap, one mile and 55 yards.—Henna, Vexatious, Gourmet, The Curragh, Kilia, Sir Moment, Merle, Twink, Mountain Jean, Paitonu, High way, Radiate. Acred, Kalos, Rowley, Lieutenant Bill, Closcfire.

Huia Handicap, six furlongs.—Buoyant, Tame Fox, Orchid, Deluge, Gleninnis, Kilperon, Nadarino, Our Jack, Ladyfingers. Kaiti, Bevis, Tip Tree, Bonogne, Riverina, Papaponga, Mireusonta, King Quin, Pop Off, Miss Hupana, Royal Game.

Te Horo Hack Handicap .seven furlongs. —-Bonny Marion, Oratrix, Joyeuse, Bronstell, Mister Gamp, Inoe, Hvmestrason, Kilmezzo, Highway, San Pedro, Acred, Closefire, Calluna, Molto, The Swell, Rowley, Moepai, Colarina, Fiery Comet, Toapaiti, Romantic, Lin Arlington, Otapawa.

GOLDEN SOVEREIGN A SIRE FOB THE RANGITIKEI. It will be interesting news to breeders .of bloodstock in the Turakina and Marton districts to learn that another well-bred sire will be doing service there next season. The latest acquisition is the six-year-old Polydamon horse Golden Sovereign, purchased by Mr Duncan Lourie, of Glen Nevis, Turakina Valley. The dam of Golden Sovereign is Golden Sky, who was bred by Messrs Douglas Bros, in 1910. She is also the dam of Crimson Sky, Soleil d’Or and Azure Sky, and is herself by San Fran out of Fairy Gold, by Gold Reef— Nymph, by Ingomar—Wooid; Nymph, by Musket—Sylvia. As Golden Sky was the first foal of Fairy Gold, who later gave the turf a quartette of good ones in Maioha, Hetaua, Toa Taua and Lion, it will be seen that Mr Lourie’s purchase does not lack recommendation on the maternal side. His sire, Polydamon, has some good ones among his progeny racing, including Merry Damon. Master Damon, Royal Damon, Cohesion and "White Fang, and as Polydamon is by Polymelus (Cyllcne —Maid Marian) Golden Sovereign can claim to be royally bred. Mr T. Roulston conducted the negotiations for the purchase of Golden Sovereign at a figure which is not disclosed, but it is stated that the fee for service will be such as to encourage owners to avail themselves of his presence.

Rising Star .. 9 Royal Elm Partaga .. .. 8 Berinthia .... 8 13 12 Break o' Day. Onward .. * X 10 10 Rowley . . . . 8 Lieutenant Bill 8 6 Denier .. . Nastori .. . . 7 9 7 Toapaiti .... 8 2 Subdivision . 7 Green Bonnet 8 Violet II. Modest Boy .. 8 Miss Pat .... 7 13 Calculation . Romantic . . . . 7 . 7 0 0 Joy Germ .. 7 Tinwhistle . 7 Monsogne .. 7 11 HACK STEEPLECHASE. (Of 175 so s; About 2 miles.) Peter Rosa . . 10 12 Labour Me9 12 Eonmark . . 10 Banjuke .. . 9 Little River . . 10 10 1 11 p i 1 10 7 Crown Coin . . 10 4 Advent .. . ci Gilgai .. ..10 Gold Ginks . 0 Lady Spalpeen 9 Rangisarto .. 9 12 9 0 WANGANUI STEEPLECHASE. (Of 600 sovs ; at out three miles.) Comical .. ..11 Peter Rosa . 9 9 Passin’Throu 10 13 Birkenella . 9 9 Tuki io 7 Bonny Rill . 9 3 Peter Maxwell io Omahu .. .. io Mau ga .... 9 10 Hallowmorn . 9 . 9 0 0 KA ITO KE HACK HURDLES. (Of 17 a sovs; about l ! /j miles.) Enare .. .. 11 San Pedro .. lo 2 13 Troilus . 9 2 Polyphemus . . lo 8 Lady Acre . 9 0 Gauntlet . . Jo 4 Just John Mount Marta.. 9 9 Whetuhine . 9 0 famakana . . 9 Peshwa Pekatahi Attractive .. 9 2 . 9 0 CENTURY HURDLES. (Of 4a0 sovs; about 2*4 miles.) Nukumai 11 9 Eivaette .. Koauau .. .. lo 5 Sottano .. . 9 8 Zircon .. .. io 0 Kalakaua . 9 Euchre .. .. io 2 Day Bell .. . 9 g ' rtlath .. . . 10 Brigadier Bill 10 0 Rangatahi . 9 0 CONNOLLY HANDICAP. (Of 350 sov. ; 1*4 miles.) Degage .... 9 9 Alloway 7 7 Civility .. . . 9 7 Royal Mint. Diogenes .. 8 13 3 Royal Divorce 3 6 New Moon Day Guard . . 8 3 Vivo . . . . . 7 0 Tresham .... 7 13 Orazone . 7 Income .. .. 7 13 Diamond Ring 7 0 Bennanee .. 7 8 8 Capitulation . 7 0 0 BOROUGH HANDICAP. (Of 2a0 sovs six furlongs.) Grand Knight 9 8 Bevis Tukia .. .. 9 Benzora .. .. y 1 Papaponga Tip Tree . . • 7 l>ady Cavendish i Miss Hupana Bonogne .... 8 2 Matinee Oration .... 8 Deluge .. .. 1 0 9 Joy Germ . 7 0