SPORTING.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 1600, 31 May 1924, Page 18 (Supplement)

SPORTING.

SEASON’S FIXTURES, June 3,5, 7—Auckland Racing Club. June 3/5, 7 —Dunedin Jockey Club. Oct. 4 —Pakuranga Hunt Oct. 16 and 18 —Whangarei R.C. Oct 27 —Waikato lluDt Nov. 1 and 3—Auckland Racing Club Nov. 8 and 10 —Hamilton Racing Club Nov'. 26 and 29 —Takapuna Jockey C. Dec. 13 —Taumarunui Racing Club Dec- 13—Waipa Racing Club Dec. 26 and 29 —Auckland Racing C. Jan. 1 and 2 —Auckland Racing Club Jan. 17 —Dargavillc Racing Club Jan. 29 and 31—Takapuna Jockey C. Feb. 7 —Tc Xuiti Racing Club Feb. 11—Rotorua Racing Club Feb. 21 and 23—Thames Jockey Club Feb.' 27 —Opotiki Jockey Club Feb. 28—Tc Aroha Jockey Club March 2 —Tc Aroha Jockey Club March 14 and J.CMarch 26—Bay of Plenty Jockey Club March 28—Franklin Racing Club April 11 and 13—Auckland Racing C. April IS and 20 —Avondale Jockey GJuno 3, t> and B—Auckland Racing C. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. “Miner.” Rotowaro. — (1) When The Guard ' won the Grand National Steeplechase of 1900 at Rlccarton, he was coupled with Black Dust (2) Record Reign won the Maiden Hurdles on the first day of the meeting and the Grand National Hurdles on the second day. “Good Stock.” Waih.ou. —(1) Gloaming held the stake earning record as a three year old owned in New Zealand, until Ballymena eclipsed it this season. (2) Gold Kip lias won at Claudelands over a mile and a quarter. (3) Wanigan was one of tile very disappointing of Nassau’s progeny. AUCKLAND WINTER SWEETING. Perhaps the most popular meeting of all so far as patrons of the Auckland Racing Club is concerned, is the big jumping fixture, which will commence at Etlcrslie on Tuesday and extend over Thursday and Saturday. On the first day-lhc Great Northern Hurdles, and the Cornwall Handicap will be the leading events for decision, while the Great Northern Steeplechase, which will come up for decision on the middle day of fixture will complete the treble. So far as tasks immediately preliminary to the meeting are concerned these have been liniitpd to a very prominent extent owing to the wet weather. Therefore, candidates which can claim racing condition will have something to their favour when they go out for racing duty next week, while those with a partiality for going which will be. on the holding side will be favourably situated.

The Hurdles. The Great Northern Hurdle Race of £1750 will" be of 2i miles and ten flights of hurdles will be encountered over the journey. There are 21 candidates remaining in, and it is not likely that there will be 'many defections by starting-hour, so that it will be a big field. Lochclla heads the list with 10.13, but be can hardly be as good as he was four years ago, when lie won the double. Explorer, with 10.10, comes next, and while he can bo expected to do well the going requires to be very firm for his best liking, and the stable may rely more on Miss Melva, 10.5. Lochson has won on the flat and over hurdles, and is. a very useful gelding. With 10.0 he should put up a performance of credit, but his preparation may not be: quite complete for a hard race.; Whanoko and Silent King have won races over hurdles, and tlicy both have friends. First Born (10. C) will be one of the hardest to account for, as he lias staying qualifications, and can jump and handle soft going. Tinokaha's preparation has not been continuous, .but Maunga (10.4) seems cut out for this type of task, although he may not be quite ready. When we write of seasoned horses one need not go past Prince Rufus (10.3), the winner of the Century Hurdles. The King Rufus gelding has gone on the right way, and his Showing should be no discredit. Under ordinary conditions Royal Abbey (10-2) stands, out very attractively, but his preparation has been interfered with, which will be against him. Howover, if he goes to the post he will be a very hard proposition. Black Art (9.8) may find the journey 100 far, but Mahgoloirc (9.6) is going to be with the field for a long way. The last pinch, too, will find him out, perhaps. It is also too far for Hyginas. .Oakleigh (9.8) is not out of it at that impost, while Peter Ainans (9.8) is quality enough, but unreliable. Mary Bruce (9.0) finished fourth last year, and then went on to score in the Steeplechase, which in itself must be a recommendation, while Dick (9.10) is a little fellow who will not be neglected. Sea De'il (9.0) cannot be despised either as a jumper or a stayer, though his pace has receded somewhat. Karamu (9.0), the record dividend payer at Avondale, was running on well there, but lie will require to be improved a lot to' account for this class field. Still it might be achieved, just as a maiden like Boomerday might do what horses like Liberator, Record Reign and others achieved with little schooling in days gone by. Summed up, First Bora, Royal Abbey, Prince Rufus and Maunga should be in the firing line with Sea De'il and Mangololre the light-weight material looming up. The Cornwall Handicap. The candidates for Hie Cornwall Handicap, of £BSO, and extending to a mile and a-quarter, will be saddled up after the Great Northern Hurdles Held returns. There will be a field of close on twenty runners, and the race appears open at the present time. Te Kara heads I be, list with 10.4, but there need be. no fear of the Te Awamutu owneu ami trained gelding on that score. If he is to bo disposed of it will be because, the distance is too brief. Muskctoon (9.10) has a confident following, but Ibe nature of the going will depend on how be fares'. The Zircon (9.0) and Diamond Ring (8.8) bracket will, probably start favourite, and in this pair the Campbell tartan will be creditably represented, with a preference for the, former in the going which will be encountered. Lapidary (8.2) lias the. breeding,, and with a strong horseman must not lightly be passed over, while Acrofortis oh the same mark is a. good sort. Illumination (8.0) has been doing all required on the 1 racks at Te Awamutu, and those who are concerned most make no secret of the facl Ilial he will go well. On breeding and on weight Marie (8.0) and Gold Jockel 8.0) arc possibilities. Te Kara, the eampbell bracket and Acrofortis. and illumination, lower down, may be in at the deciding issue.

JOTTINGS. Auckland. Otaki and Dunedin Clubs will race on the King’s Birthday. The English Derby will be decided at Epsom on Tuesday. Prince Rufus’ only engagement, next week is in the Great Northern Hurdles. ' Parodist, by King Rufus, who is one of F. E. Loomb’s team for Ellerslic is a ’sit ;year olcl half brother to Parody. The stake money at Wanganui was £ll3O yet the State colloclcd £1702 7s in taxation. R. Reed will ride Diamond Bing in the Cornwall Handicap. Potoanini, Vaccination and Peter Rosa, from this district are engaged at Otaki. Aerofortis has been displaying good form in ids Rack duties lo befit lum for the Cornwall Handicap. Very heavy going is against him. Tarlcl.cn was a costly failure to investors at the South Canterbury meeting. With the services of a stronger horseman Sir Burnett should act with improved form m the forthcoming engagements of the Quin Abboj Ophelia chestnut. Carawoclc, the cx-Ncw Zealand hurdler, who is now at Randwiclc, gave a faultless exhibition of .jumping one morning last week. puriri Jack who lias gone to Elierslie with the others of the Sunnyside Lodge team is a full brother to Taro.rua jack. The latter raced over fences on tins side and in- Australia with some success.

It has been reported that Royal Abbey hss met with slight mishap to one of his feet. If so it is hoped that there is nothing materially wrong as the Ouin Abbey representative has many admirers for next week's engagements and any marked interference with his prep;-ration now would retard progress.

Silent King, prior to returning from Randwiek to Auckland, was responsible for a good showing in a hurdle trial over about a mile.and a half., running on well at the finish.' Wciiday, a Lilly by Day Comet from Wcnonah bcirg handled by E. O'Neill at Hamilton East came under the writer's notice while Hie equine was was oul for walking exercise recently. This juvenile is an attractive sort on looks and good results are expected in regard to her. During the last fortnight the South Canterbury tiainer "Sam" Trilford, has led 'm -a dozen winners—six at Oamaru and a like, number at Timaru. Located on Hector Cray's property at Rukuhia a.ic a yearling filly by Nassau —.Madam Ristori and a. yearling colt by Catmint from Potona. A yearling colt by Nassau from the Glenapp mare, the dam of Knighton, is also quartered there. Panchito is engaged in the Tarama. Hack Hurdle race 'or. the first day at Otaki where he will be ridden by "Bert" Nisbet.

J. Kuan, who received injuries while riding at Wanganui -s reported to have recovered and will steer Lochson in the Jailor's Great .Northern Hardies engagement. Cold Jacket, one of the candidates in the Cornwall Handicap-at the minimum is reported to be giving every satisfaction in the tasks required preparatory to tiie event. As 'a result of .'lis four wins at Timaru. C. Emerson is now a good third in the list of winning horsemen. His total of 40 is only headed, by M. McGortcn 44. and J. Barry, 41. Maud Wilson will be ridden in her steeplechase engagements next week by W. Ronnie. In ground which is on Hie holding side she lias not acted too .well in hurdling engagements. Scion was slaying on well •in the Cud at Timaru and will be much better suited by the longer journey at the Dunedin meeting next week.

Few-more consistent geldings have raced ID is season in the b'outh Island than Ayrburn, whose record now reads 13 starts for 10 wins, one second, on" third, and once unplaced. Admiral Oodringten is in hurdle events at Otaki. Should lie take kindly lo jumping he will be a force to be reckon,'d with. Dick will require to jump considerably better than, lie did.it Wanganui to have a say in the Great Northern Steeutc.ch.ase. An English writer states that Dry Toast, winner of the City and Suburban Handicap in. England last year, will shortly be shipped to Australia with the idea of winning a big race, possibly (he Melbourne Cup. First Born, one of (he fancied candidates for the Great Northern Hurdles demonstrated at Trcntham last winter that he possesses both the ability to stay and handle heavy going. A rising twq year old filly by King L'upin from a Demosthenes mare, being handled by E. O'Neill has stout claims for prominence on breeding lines. She is full of quality and being of the build to meet the requirements it would be no surprise to find her in the pony division in the near future. For some time past Arcytbas has been used as a drover's hack on his cwner's station at Foxton. He appears to be quite sound, and later on will go into M. Williams' stable at Otaki with a view to seeing whether tie will stand another preparation. Maunga will have the services of E. Gopestake in the Great Northern Hurdles. Maunga has raced on six occasions this season for four wins, Which is very encouraging form for Tuesday's engagement. In the Croat Northern Steeplechase Pamplona was asked to concede Master Peter 91b but in the Otago Steeplechase there is a stone between them.

Kohu will probably re-appear on the ?eene at the Napier and Hawkcs' Bay Club's fixtures next month. Pine Arch is expected Lo perform with credit when lie is sent over the steeplechase fountry at Ellerslie. Early next month tiie racing clubs propose to dcpulalkmise the Government with a view lo a reduction in laxation t-nd railway charges and increased tolalisator permits Lochelia was an aged horse when he. won the G.N. double four years ago. He is probably not so good now. Kill'ane has been, penalised to 9.4, nut is tap-weight in the Birthday Handicap at Uuuecliu. lbs full sister. Stream, is on the 0.7 mark in the rtaiikiwa Cup at Otaki. -The jumpers LO'Chclla i Explorer, First Born, Tino'kaha, Miss Melva, Royal Abbey, Black Art, Oakleigli, Hick and Sea De'il claim Hie. double engagement at. Ellerslie. Daylight, the Malamsta trained gglding by Day Comet was given a. sat.ismactory measure of work prior to being taken lo Auckland where he' is expected '" acquit himself well. The Newcastle Cup was won by llosi 'i'., a. one-eyed horse, who was ridden by A. Urrell, who rode foe Mr \\'. li. lumbal I in the Dominion a couple eif seasons back. Oakleigli hss been nccorclcel a nomination in Hie principal dccplec'hase event in 1 lie Y.H.G. Grand Natioeil meriting""in July. ,\ number of New Zealand horses have endeavoured Lo

win at Remington since Titokowaru ran second. Tim Doolan also finished second and Waimai got into third place. The owner-trainer, R. McMiken, has been attending to Glencairn's preparation at Matamata. The Glen Albyn gelding has an acceptance in the CornWall Handicap and can handle the soft going to satisfaction. With a strong rider he acts in a more beneficial way than under a fight scale of weights. It is reported that G. Young will leave for Sydney on the conclusion of the Dunedin J.C. meeting, to ride J McCombe's horses in their Australian engagements. He will probably remain in Sydney to do the riding for R. J. Mason's charges, both in their training 'and racing efforts.

Miss Mickej, who beat Interest, and Whelunui on the first day at Egmout, is expected to show up at Otaki. The member for Mafaura electorate, who holds Cabinet rank, in replying' to a deputation which waited on him at Gore and asked for support towards the alleviation of taxation burden on racing clubs indicated his enlire sympathy with the requests of the, deputation, and slated that when opportunity ofTered lie would support measures introduced to give effect to the proposals made.

The creek American horse Zcv cannot be as well this time up as when he defeated Papyrus, or, perhaps, the big weights he 'is now receiving are too much for him, as he was beaten again at the Jamaica track, near New York. Zev. who carried 9st 71b, was a hot favcurite for the Excelsior Handicap, but the best he could do was to run third, Rialto winning easily from Sunsini. The daping of racehorses or nf coursing dogs will be made an offence punishable by law if the amending Police Offences Bill, now before the Victorian Stale Parliament, is agreed to. The bill provides that any person who wilfully administers without reasonable cause or excuse or, being rhe ownn', permits the administration of any poisonous or injurious drug or substance to any animal entered in Sny race shall be deemed guilty of an offence. There may be trouble ahead for some people or somebody (says a Southern exchange). The executive of the New Zesland Trotting Association last week considered for some time a report respecting Ihe running of the majority of the horses in the principal race at the recent Forbury Park meeting, won by Realm, who was telegraphed for and arrived the night before the races. It Was decided to refer the matter to the stipendiary steward, with a view to further consideration at the next meeting of the board. The Americans deal witli horses liable to give a "Wild West" display at the barrier in a methodical way. They have a list of banned horse.', posted'in the Calendar for a month. and at Hie conclusion of this tern: they arc given two or three trials cd the barrier in flic presence of a steward or other prominent officii 1 ., and on lis report the horse's name is cither taken off the list or is kept on another month, as the case may be. This is a matter which the Now Zealand Racing Conference could very well take up. It is impossible to blink at winning form, and Ballymena apparently defeated Rapine on his merits in the Trcntham Cold Cup, over two miles, but, ater seeing the way Rapine ran away from our best horses at Randwiek, Ballymena is cither a super horse, or Rap.'ne was not at his best at Trcntham (says a Sydney writer). I do not wish to detract from Bahymena's performance in the slightest, but until he beats Rapine over a distance of ground 1 shall be a trifle wary of saying that the Nassau gelding is a better stayer than Rapine. Possibly they will not meet again until the Spring at Randwiek, as Rapine went home rather off colour, and with a severe blister on his forelegs. If the trouble, which was one of his suspensory ligaments, docs not come come against him, the chances are Jcffchr will probably arrive in Sydney at the end of August with the idea of allowing Rapine to race himself into form at cur meetings. Jones is nearly sure to arrive early with Bftl.yrnena and others, and possibly thai horse will'have his first race in the Chelmsford Stakes at Tattersall's meeting, a race, by the way, thai numerous New Zealand horses have won.

James Robinson, who for many years hag been a leading figure in Indian racing, first as a jockey, and then as a trainer, has been on an extended holiday to Australia. He told "Touchstone,'' of the Australasian, that of the horses racing at the A.J.C. Autumn meeting only Rapine and Claro would be able to hold their own with Hie best in India, for Hie class over there has been very good of recent years. He is inclined lo think Roubaix and Orange William arc the best horses over seen in the East, and would be willing tc back the last named to beat Rapine over any distance.

At the annual meeting of the Johannesburg Turf Club the report showed that the club raced 13 clays, and paid away in stakes £37,500, which, with the rent of £3OOO for the racecourse, was the chief item of expenditure. The best revenue-earners were the bookmakers' licenses and percentages £G32B 2s lOel, entrance fees, £4280, gates £243,1950 tolalisator £35,884 15s while the Pony and Galloway Club paid, as their share of the rental, £I3OO 10s 3d. The balance sheet showed a profit of £24 50. It was stated that unless some measure of relief was afforded from I Ids excessive taxation in the near future, it would be difficult for (lie stewards to mainlain the high standards of slakes. During the year just concluded the club had paid the Provincial Council £15,908 19s J Id in taxes, a large sum from which neither the club, the lacing community in general, nor the breeders derived any benefit whatever. The Administrator, who had been interview on the subject, held out no hope of any relief in the Immediate future.

American writers arc always harping on the excliisiveness of the English "Stud Book," and some infer that the idea of keeping out numerous American strains is a commercial manacuvre directed against them. However, "Mankatp," writing in the Sporting Chronicle recently, said: —-"No knowledgeable person has ever suggested that good racehorses have ever emanated, or will cease to emanate, from either American or English strains ineligible for the English 'Stud Book': lint it is asserted with some confidence that had Messrs Weafho.rby opened the 'Stud Rook' to all and sundry doubtful and short pedigree linos during the last 130 years, the Engjush racehorse would have been far less effective as a eugenic unit in the. uplift of Hip families now outside the 'Stud Hook.' In other words, speaking generally, the .American horse shows merit in proportion as his English a'ncentry outweighs his alien factors, [n place of continually carping at the. policy of the .lockey Club, Americans should be —as. indeed, many ar^ — grateful for Ibis measure of English foresight. The 'General SLud Book' is the oldest and most exclusive stud or hnrr] book in the world, and it is ludicrous [o nsserl that ils excliisiveness is a commorciil manoeuvre directed against America."