RACING.

Waikato Times, Volume 101, Issue 16948, 10 November 1926, Page 11

RACING.

FROM TRACK AND STABLE (By "Martian.") SEASON'S FIXTURES. November 13—Canterbury. November 13, 15—Waikato. November 27, December I—Takapuna November 30, December I—Feilding. December 4—Taumarunui. December 8, 9. —Woodville. December 11.—Waipa. December 16, 18—Dargavillc. December 27, 29, January 1, 3 , ' Auckland. December 27, 28, 30—Manawatu. December 2.7, 28—Taranaki. December 27, 28 —Dunedin. Trotting Dates. November 9, 11, 12-—N.Z. Metropolitan November 19, 20. —Nelson. November 20, 24. —Otahuhu. November 26, 27. —Forbury Park. December 4.—Waikato. December 8, 11.—Wellington. December 16, 18.—New Brighton. December 27. —Ashburton. December 27.—Gore December 27, 28.—South Wairarapa., December 27, 28. —Westport. December 28, 30, 31—Auckland December 30.—Winton. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. "Wager," Otorohanga.—The placings in the Te Kuiti Gup last season were:—Miss Vera, 7.0, 1; Esthonia, 7.0, 2; Mount Maria, 7.0, 3. "Bridle," Kawhia. —Patrolett raced in this province last season. His owner, Dan Moraghan, of New Plymouth, trained the Patrobas —Martlett gelding. "Inquirer," Tauwhare.— (1) The Claudelands and Tauwhare were both Hack Handicaps last season Their distances remain the same. (2) R. Hall still trains Kawini. ''Reader," Hamilton. —11. Gray rode both Ruapapa and Musketoon when , they won the Takapuna Jockey Club Handicap in successive years (1924 and 1925). The former ' tarried 8.0 and the latter 8.7. THE N.Z. CUP. Another New Zealand Cup has gone on the record book and the victory of the Solferino —Bon Bord gelding Couut Cavour, apart from the merit of the success, marked a weight carrying record in the history, of the event.' Prior to Saturday's race 8.9 was the highest poundage that had been carried to victory. The win of the Canterbury sportsman, Mr J. S. Barrett, who owns Count Cavour, was distinctly popular as his good horse had previously shown noted form in big .handicaps without actually annexing the thick end of the stake, on occasions, including the last Auckland Gup, m which he was just topped off by Rapine after being unlucky in the running. Count Cavour raced in Australia in the early part of the present season but his form there was not up lo his best. He freshened up markedly after his return to Riccarton in prepare for the important contest in which lie was successful on Saturday. Descriptions of the race indicate thai »• was a great tussle and Count Cavour scored meritoriously. The top weight, Rapine, did not get Iho best 01' runs but he was on the scene in the closing stages. He had to be satisfied With fourth place, but finished fust and with bull-dog determination. One of the features of the race was the display of the Te Awamutu owned and trained candidate, Desert Glow, who was prominent in the running from barrier rise and beat all but the winner. The Day Comet —Lady Winsome gelding, who .was at the head of the list of stake earners in this province last season, enhanced his reputation by'his display in this important engagement and is likely to be well up on the stake earning list again this season. STAR RANGER'S VICTORY. Star Ranger, the Trentham trained son of Martian and Gipsy. Belle has won two valuable stakes in this province. The first was the Avondale Cup of 1925, while on Saturday last lie carried off the well endowed Mitchelson Cup at the Auckland Club's Spring meeting at Ellerslie. The conditions obtaining on each occasion indicated that Star Ranger is quite at home in heavy going. It was well on towards the closing stages of the Mitchelson Cup before the maroon jacket, with the white hoops, was picked up but once he entered on bis run from the bottom of the straight Star Ranger made up his ground in commanding style and got up in time lo beat Eden Hall by a neck. In the King Edward Memorial Handicap, on the second day of the meeting, Star Ranger, who carried an impost of 13 pounds in excess of that he scored with over the longer journey on the first day, made another bold bid for the honours and he was close up to the placed horses as the finishing lino was crossed. Star Ranger has not always proved reliable, but yielding turf conditions arc always to his favour and this factor is likely lo be recalled by turfites who follow his fortunes during the season. SPRING RACING. WAIKATO CLUB'S MEETING. SATURDAY AND MONDAY. GOOD FIELDS. EXPECTED. i'lie Spring meeting of the Waikato Racing Club will be held at the Club's course at Te Rapa on Saturday and Monday next. Acceptances for the first day's racing will be taken to 5 o'clock this evening at which hour it is anticipated fields of good size and average quality will be left in lo fulfil their engagements. The entry list this season contains a good sprinkling of candidates from outside the province and it is anticipated that several of these will participate in the racing at local headquarters during the weekend. Support from provincial stables Will also be good and the racing should be of an interesting standard. The roomy IracU at Tc Rapa, with its long straight lias earned favourable appreciation from horse owners and trainers, if the irno weather continues,

the track at Te Rapa should be in good order and two days racing of a good standard are promised patrons.

THE WAIPA CLUB. RACING AT TE AWAMUTU. PROGRAMME FOR DECEMBER 11. NOMINATIONS DUE NOVEMBER 26. One of the popular meetings of the circuit is that conducted by the Waipa Club at Te Awamutu and the fixture set down for that course on Saturday, December 11 promises to again attract the prominent attention that has marked it in past seasons. The club'e programme, which is published in to-day's issue, well warrants review by owners and trainers. It will be introduced by the Pirongia Handicap Hurdles of £l5O (one mile and a half), which, being an open race should draw a good field to contest the issue over the battens. The Kihikihi Handicap of £125 (seven furlongs), is also an open race and it will be followed by the Waipa Plate of £l2O (six furlongs), which is for horses (w.f.a.) that have never won a flat race of the value of £SO or over at the time of.starting. In attaching £325 to the Te Awamutu Cup (one mile and a quarter) the club has provided the monetary incentive for a field of useful class and an interesting contest is promised, if a line through past seasons can be relied on. The Paterangi Welter Handicap of £l3O (nine furlongs) has a minimum weight of 8 0 while the minimum of 7.7 is attached to the Orakau Hack Handicap of £125 (7 furlongs). Sprinters Will be catered for by the Flying Handicap of £2OO (six furlongs), and the day's racing'will be terminated by the Ohaupo Handicap of £125 (7 furlongs). , ... ,-_„ Nominations for all events will close with the secretary (Mr- J. G. Wynvard) at Te Awamutu, or with Messrs Blomfleld and Co. (Auckland) at.s pm. on Friday (November 26). Hanriieaos will be declared about Monday November 29 and acceptances will close at 5 p.m. Friday, December 3. All winners after the de claration of weights are liable to be re-handicapped. GOSSIP FROM ALL PARTS. The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club's fixture will be continued on Thursday and Friday. The Canterbury Jockey Club's meeting will conclude at Riccarton on Saturday.

There will be racing at Te Rapa on Saturday and Monday.

Horses capable of handling yielding tracks are in favour at this period.

The form shown by Commendation at Riccarton has been up to the best standard of his crack performer.

The G. G. Stead Gold Cup will be among the events to be decided at Riccarton on Saturday.

The Wellington Handicap winner,Merry Day, has been mentioned as likely to be found in the fields for the principal distance handicaps at Te Rapa. She is partial to a holding turf.

Boynette by Kilbroney—The Boyne, Who is owned locally, has dropped a colt foal to Chief Ruler and has again visited this sire.

There is a likelihood of the Trial Handicap at the Waikato meeting being run in divisions. No fewer than G 4 horses were handicapped for this event.

Several horses went temporarily out of action during the week-end racing through striking themselves in the muddy going.

If the rider of Tlnokoa had left his run a little later the Cambridge candidate may have been more troublesome in the Great Northern Guineas.

The Catmints have proved to be capable of handling themselves well in heavy going. Chamour, Merry Mint and Lomint were instances in point at Ellerslie.

A profit of £I4OO was shown by the Waikato Hunt over its Labour Day fixture at Cambridge. This was a highly gratifying relurn and indicates the' marked popularity of the outing.

Antrim Boy covered a good deal of extra ground in the Normanby Plate at the Auckland Spring meeting. The Te Aroha candidate ran out under the whip in the straight and had to be content with third berth.

Tukia found her weights prohib: live under the conditions ruling at the Spring racing at Ellerslie. The Absurci—Tahuna sprinter is ageing, but she is not past slake earning ability yet awhile. Wenday has not had the best of fortune in her recent racing. Tin; Te Rapa candidate was again a long way out, of it in the early stages of the. first division of. the Gordon Han.'dicap at Ellerslie, but finished full of running in second place. It was thought that the conditions obtaining at the week-end would favour Pavo but Ihe Welkin sprinter did not display any marked dash in his engagements at the Auckland Spring meeting. King Arch has given the impression that he is getting more solid with racing. The Marble Arch—Miss Amans gelding was bereft of certain victory at Thames through his gear going awry. If he is started in the Trial Handicap at Tc Rapa on Saturday, King Arch is sure to come ui for some support. The hurdler, Royal Form, had met wilh ill luck in his last two starts. At Thames he came down on the fiat While ho looked to lie a certain winner at Ellerslie on Monday when he erred at the last jump in the straight. Kawa handled the going pretty well in the hurdles at Ellerslie on Monday, in which event the Tc Rapa trained candidate finished second. The fact that Royal Form went out of action in Ihe concluding singes was the aid lo Kawa's dividend returned, hut apart from Iha I Ihe lallcr's showing was satisfactory.

COMIC SONG'S DOUBLE. When the Southland sprinter, Comio Song, led the field home In the Stewards' Handicap at Riccarton twelve months ago he paid a very wide dividend. Critics, and good judges among them, were Inclined to place this performance in the range of fluke victories. Colour was given to this conclusion by the fact that the Winkle —Scotch Melody gelding had not won a race In the In- • terval. At Riccarton on Saturday, however, Comic Song firmly established his worth when he again led ai class field home in the Stewards in the smart time of 1.10 2-ssecs, and once more returned a big dividend. Master Doon has retrieved himself to a marked degree of recent weeks. After being out of a win for a couple of years he scored over a mile and a quarter at Cambridge and won the sprint item and the Liverpool Handicap, of one mile, on the concluding day at Ellerslie. It is unusual to find a double winner on the flat at headquarters these limes. On recent form, the Lucullus—Lassie Dqon gelding is worth keeping in mind. If'Ti Tree takes her place with the field in the two year old events at Te Rapa at the week-end she is likely to find some favour. The Tea Tray— Taimai filly was in third place in the Welcome Stakes at Ellerslie on. Saturday. She is a member of J. T. Jamieson's team at Papakufa and while not up to the quality of some she met on that occasion the fields locally will not be so strong. Bright Day will not be a runner at the local meeting. It is probable that witli Bright Knight and Coma he will be taken to Woodville, Palmerston and Stratford meetings at Christ-mas-New Year. On the southern circuit last season Bright Day and Bright Knight had a good innings for their Franktou owner, Mr S. Tapp.

Quinsilia might get a race before long. The Paeroa trained gelding by Quia Abbey—Penthesilia was showing a bold front for a long way in the Liverpool Handicap at Ellerslie on Monday. He fell back in the run home but it was a promising showing nevertheless.

Archibald, who had done most of his duty as a hurdler for some time and has shown ability at that branch of the business, heal the Flying Handicap field nicely at Ellerslie on Saturday. Although he had but a light weight, Archibald indicated that he still retains his pace for duty on the flat. The Archiestown gelding promises to be more useful than ever this season.

Tlnoitl further proved her ability when this member of the Harmon team downed the opposition in the second division of the Gordon Handicap at the Auckland Spring meeting. It was a smrrt performance on the part of the Quin Abbey filly as she was not well placed when the leaders turned for home. She put in a sustained run down the straight and got up to pip Nucleus and Min. Leaf on the post. There was only half a head in it each way.

Mandane made a good showing in the Mitchelson Cup but Ihe daughter of Panmure and Cherry Mart had lo be content with third place at the post. The going did not appear to favour her and, on the second day, she was well back when the Kins Edward Memorial field had run out the mile and a quarter. Despite these failures the Fordell trained candidalc will be heard from in good company later on.

Ngahinepouri further proved his ability as a cross country candidate when the Aberbrolhock —Lady Frisco gelding led the field home in the Hunters' Steeplechase at Ellerslie on Saturday. He was always going nicely and won with something in reserve. Ngahinepouri will not be long in adding to this success, if all continues to go well with him.

Merry Jest did not run up to expectations in the Shorts Handicap, which was the only time the AbsurdYeo sprinter was saddled up at Ellerslie. The powers that be saw fit to enquire into her running and while they did not deem the explanation altogether satisfactory no action was decided on.

Lord Star finished from some way back to laud into fourth place in the Mitchelson Cup. When he next appeared, in the King Edward Memorial Handicap, at Ellerslie on Monday tho Cambridge candidate was never dangerous ■ and actually tailed off the field of eleven runners.

Chamour, who put in a claim at one stage for Guineas' honours at Ellerslie, won the Normanby Plate without being seriously troubled at Ellerslie on Mondayi The chestnut three year old by Catmint —Loloma will do belter yet. Like all the Catmint stock he displays a penchant for holding conditions.

In the Cambridge Handicap at Te Rapa last spring Heislcr (7.1) beat Master O'Horkc (8.4) by three quarters of a length with The Lamb (7.12) a length further off. Tho first and second placed horses of lhat occasion are weighted for the coming race at 7.7. and 7.H1 respectively.

Pcndcnnis did not go too kindly in Hie early stages of the Onehunga Steeplechase at Ellerslie on Monday. \t anvrate he was a long way irom the leaders when the last round was entered on. The Te Rapa candidate made up a lot of ground over the final circuit but the effort was 100 great and ho had to be content with fourth place at the post.

Pentagram ran a good race over the country at Ellerslie on Monday. The Pondll gelding, who was at a wide price, was in third place, a length and a half from Ihe winner. lb. appears among Ihe fields for engagement over tho big country at le Rapa and as he is in good condition may be worthy of consideration wilh his light weight.

York Abbey was not well served at me barrier in either of his two sprint engagements at Ihe Auckland Spring meeting. This tardy move oft from the peg seriously discounts his prospects If he goes out well at Te lVipa at the week-end York Abbey may be found capable of keeping the host of the opposition moving.

Laughing Prince has scored /two victories in recent weeks at Ellerslie. The Trcnlham trained two year old by Quintock —Martian Princess won at the Avondale meeting and at his next appearance ihcre downed a hot favourite in High Finance in the Welcome Stakes on Saturday. This stoutly furnished colt displayed marked finished powers on each of the occasions referred to and finished as straight as a gun barrel.

High Finance was one of the supposed good things to become undone at the Auckland Spring meeting. After her form at Trentham the Paper Money—Rebekah filly was looked upon as unbeaten. She had every chance but had to strike her colours to Laughing Prince. There was only a neck in it and it may have been that the holding track troubled High Finance to some extent.

Mint Leaf, who is in the same New Plymouth stable as Te Monanui, is a striking four year old gelding by Catmint from Potona. He was in third place in the second division of the Gordon Handicap at Ellerslie in a stirring finish with Tinoiti and Nucleus. The best has yet to be seen of Mint Leaf who, it is said, is not the easiest of rides.

Nanoy Lee may not bo top class but she will continue to pay her way. She won twice at Thames and hit out boldly all the way in. the Epsom Handicap at Ellerslie on Monday, but Master Doon was in the mood and she had to strike her colours to the latter. Nancy Lee will probably bo found in sprint events at Te Rapa, on which course she lias raced well on previous occasions.

Eden Hall has shown ability in his few starts over a distance of ground this season and if he takes his place in the field for the Waikato Cup is likely to curry some favour. If Nippy, who runs in the same ownership is also saddled up, the pair will be bracketed. Eden Hall ran a good race all the way in the Mitchelson Cup in which he went under by a neck only to Star Ranger, when conceding 121bs to the latter.

There was nothing very impressive about Mask's display in the Mitchelson Gup in which the Limond —Cowl gelding was one of the last to finish. The race must have improved him a good deal as lie was always one of the forward runners in the King Edward Memorial on Monday. He finished in resolute style, withstalling strong challenges in the closing stages to reap the verdict by half a length.-

Town Bird, who is trained by G. A. Reid at Te Aroha, displayed a lot of pace for a long way in the first division of the Gordon Handciap at Ellerslie on Saturday. The Archiestown— Lady Birdwood four year old moved quickly from the inside position at the barrier and the judge's post was well in sight before he faded out of the reckoning. Town Bird is entered with the Trial Handicap field at Te Rapa and on his recent showing must be given some consideration.

A SIGN OF THE TIMES. A good guide on the condition of the money market is presented by the totallsator returns at tho various race metlngs. There has been a falling off at important fixtures this season which shows that the money market is not so plentifully supplied as It has been during terms Immediately past. The economic barometer has forecasted this and the experience of clubs who have already carried out their programmes, is likely to be extended further as the season progresses.

On a dry track Lysander would have readily accounted for the field he met in the Great Northern Guineas but the holding conditions on Saturday were the prime cause for the brilliant son of Absurb and Pennon, who was backed down to a very short price, giving his supporters some thrills before he actually reached the decidingline in front. When he was challenged hotly some distance from the post it loked for a time that he might wilt but when Pine shook him up, Lysander provided a thorough illustration of his gameness and pulled his backers through. eventually.

Spoony (7.3) won the Waikato Cu% last season by a neck from Poloncli (8.7) with Gala Day (7.0), threequarters of a length away. Spoony is entered for Saturday's race in which he has been allotted 7.0. The Nassau —Cooing gelding did not make an impressive showing in the Liverpool Handicap at Ellerslie on Monday, for which he was installed second choice. He was never going like a winner and actually finished last of the eleven runners.

Merry Damon has not been racing well latterly. Tho Polydamon— Merry Roe gelding displayed improved form in the Epsom Handicap at Ellerslie on .Monday. However, although ho w,as in a position to seriously dispule affairs in the run home he felt away in the concluding stages Of the sprint journey and fourth was his position as the line was crossed. It may not he long, however, before Merry Damon docs belter.

Te Monanui carried big weights with a degree of success al the Auckland Spring meeting where the Potoa Unity horse was ridden by V*. Ronnie In tho Mitchelson Cup, le Monanui was never well placed, but lie cut down several of the runners after Ihe field levelled up for the run home and was sixth at the fln.shiug post. in the King Edward Memorial •on Monday this class handicap performer made a bold bid for the honours but weight told and he had to be content with third place less than three-quarters of a length from he winner. It was a capital showing under the steadier of 0.12.

Kawini looked the goods he eventually proved lo be in Ihe cross-coun-try event at the Auckland Spring meeting on .Monday. The Formative .Miss Winnie gelding was always kept' handy, and although he had sonic opposition when the real business was asked he won nicely even if the margin was only a length when p. was over. Kawini has not always had the best of luck hut has shown up in Ihe best or hurdle and .steeplechase company oC recent months and || was pleasing- lo record I his turn uf Fortune's Wheel In, Ills favour*

DoUghtment is on the scene for engagernents at the Waikato meeting. The Catmint—Delightful four-year-old won a double at YVhangarei recently, so on that form may be worth giving consideration to^

Gold Jacket is a plodder who continues to pay his way by running into the place money. Tho heavy going at Ellerslie on Monday suited Ihe San Fran —Voca gelding who was capable of accounting for all but Mask in'the decision of King Edward Memorial Handicap. Gold Jacket, can be counted on as a likely starter in the Waikato Cup in which a light weight and the conditions that arc likely to obtain wilt be taken into favourable consideration by some people. It is likely, however, lhat the distance may trouble Gold Jacket.

Kingfleld's victory in the Shorts' Handicap at Ellerslie on Saturday had a good deal of merit in it despite Ihe fact that he was one of the minimum weighted runners. The. King Lupin four year old did not get away well but he made up his ground quickly and 'ran out the six furlongs truly. Kingfleld ran unplaced on Monday, when he was again belated in moving off. This is the first time he has been out of the money in open company and was eligible -for hacks until Saturday's victory. His ' dam died When he was a foal and Kingfleld was bottle fed. His owner, Mr H. A. Harris, of Cambridge, endeavoured to give him away but no one wanted Kingfleld, Who has turned out a good proposition. Last season his owner refused an offer of £IOOO for Kingfield.

The form of The Lamb at the Auckland meeting was not up to expectations of the public. The Hawcra trained gelding was sent out favourite i for the Flying Handicap, of seven ; furlongs, on Saturday. Ho began well but soon lost his position and was well back at the finish. In the Liverpool Handicap of one mile on Monday the Lamb was only sixth in order of selection but another indif-1 ferent showing is indicated by the fact j

(hat he beat, only Spoony homo. If The Lamb is started at Te Rapa he would require to freshen up a lot to have a chance on his Auckland running.