TURF BREVITIES

Wanganui Chronicle, 22 February 1949, Page 3

TURF BREVITIES

Change oi Stables Formerly trained at Ellerslie by F. McCabe, the four-year-old Neptune gelding Equator is now in the Avondale stables of G. Henderson. Equator, who is from the Robespierre mare Lady Zephyr, was purchased for 3000 gns by Mr F. Higginbotham at the 1945 national yearling sales. Equator failed to mak e an early return and it was not until December 13. 1947, that he scored his first win in the Pirongia Hack Cup at Waipa. An earlier trip to Australia had proved unprofitable. Over a year later, on December 29 last, Equator scored his second win in the Waitemata Hack Handicap at Ellerslie. Racecourse Inspector Retiring Mr J. Torrance has decided to retire from the position of racecourse inspector in the South Island as from the end of the season in July. Mr Torrance, with headquarters in Chr.sichurch, has been in the service of the New Zealand Racing Conference for nearly 30 years and has officiated at every race and trotting meeting in the South Island at various times. He had a thorough knowledge on ali points connected with the conduct of racing and trotting activities, both on and off course, and in addition to his faithful service to his employers has been unsparing in his advice and help to many who depended on the profession for a livelihood. Mr Torrance ' will liv e in retirement in Christ- ; church.

Large Tote Turnover A record totalisator turnover by the Rangitikei Racing Club and a substantial increase by the Wairoa club were the features of the week-ena racing. The tote turnover at Bulls showed an increase of £9813 10s and the Wairoa meeting showed an increase of £8974. The Auckland Trotting Club’s turnover was £37-037 10s lower than last year when the first races of the Inter-Dominion trorting championships were held- The Waikato Racing Cluo showed a decrease of £8447. The following were the figures, with last year’s figures in parentheses;—Waikato, £90,115 10s (£98,562 10s); Rangitikei. £52,576 10s (£42-763); Gore, £37,178 10s (£38,302 10s); Wairoa, £24,684 (£15,710); Westland, £15,124 (£15,409 10s); Auckland trots. £100.207 (£137,144 10s); New Brighton, £96,617 (£100,705 10s). Large .Stake Earners When Tauloch ran third to Voltaic and King’s Ransom in the Jackson Stakes at Wanganui he increased his earnings for the season to £11,275. which still leaves him short, of Signal Officer s record total for a season of £11,780. However in his two seasons of racing Tauloch has amassed £16.125 which is by far the greatest sum ever won in New Zealand by any horse up to the three-year-old stage of a career. King’s Ransom, by his second brought his total to £16,320, and he also is now among the leading stakeearners of present-day performers in New Zealand. At the head of these still is Sleepy Fox with £21,415, closely followed by Signal Officer al £21,385. Then follows Howe £20,257. Brookby Song £17,260, Beau le Havre £17,041. Bruce £16,880, Balgowan £15,725, and Foxwyn £14,112. Racing Fixtures Feb. 26: Woodville D.J.C. Feb. 26: Te Aroha J.C. Feb. 26, March 5: Dunedin J.C. Feb. 2(5. March 5 ; Egmont. R.C. March 5: Banks Peninsula R.C. March 5: Franklin R.C. March 5, 12: Wellington R.C.