RACING.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17916, 11 January 1930, Page 17 (Supplement)

RACING.

FROM TRACK & STABLE

(By “Martian”)

*• RACING OATES. January li, 13 —Vincent. January 15, 16 —FoxtonJanuary 17, 18 —Oamaru. January 18-— NgaruawahiaJanuary 18—'Bay of Islands.. . .. - January 18, 20, 22— Wellington. January 22—Ashhurst, Pohangina. January 25—Wairlo. January 25—Waipapakaurl. January 28, 30 —Wairoa. January 29 —'C'llfden.f January 29, 30, Pahiatua. January 29, February I—TakapunaAUSTRALIAN MEETINGS. /The following are the dates of coming meetings in Australia: — New South Wales. January 11—Canterbury Park. January 18—Moorfleld. January 25, 27—A.J-C. j ‘ ' '■Victoria. January 18-r-V-A.T.C. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. “Doubtful," HairinL —Tetrarchate beat ■Sea Song at Whan-garei on November 9. The distance was five furlongs, the margin two lengths and a half and the time'l.6 1-5. The weather wa3 wet and the going heavy. > “Argument,” Frankton. — (1) Count Gavour’s rtd>er in the latest New Zealand Cup race was C. Emerson. (2) Awarere did not win a race this season prior to his success at the Auckland meeting last week. “Weights,” Hamilton. —Mr H. Coyle is the. handicapper for the OtakiMaori R.C.; Mr J. E. Henrys makes . the' adjustments for the Fcilding Club. “llider,” Ohaupo.—K. Gill rode Sir Russell in tooth races the Archiestown gelding won at the Waikato Club’s Spring meeting this season. Gill did not have a mount in the . Cup at that fixture. '‘Doubtful” Ngaruawahia.—Count Cavour beat Rapine in the Clifford Plate at Ellerslie on January 3, 1927.' They were the only starters.

GOSSIP FROM ALL PARTS.

The Foxton Club will race on Wedtnesday and Thursday of next week.

The Bay of Islands Club’s annual fixture is set down for Saturday next.

The meeting near at hand on Saturday will be the non-totaltsator gathering of the Ngaruawahia Club.

~ Tto.ere will be racing at Trentham on Saturday. The succeeding Monday and Wednesday will be later days of the Wellington Club’s meeting.

The T-amli was destined for hurdle racing at the Auckland meeting, but he went amiss on .the eve of the fixture. This was unfortunate for his connec 4 - tions as The Lamb had been racing well in the department and he had prospects among the northern jumping -company. The Lord Multifled gelding is entered in high-weight events at Takapuna but there is a douht whether he will' he at the meeting.,

On the strength of a good gallop in private, 'Hopwood was solidly supported for his engagement on the second day at Stratford. Considering he had not raced for a considerable time, his effort was a good one. Hopwood is engaged at the Foxton meeting and will po&sibly do better there.

i In the Shade moved nicely in his preliminary gallop for the,- Auckland <Gup 'but in the actual race he went like a real duffer. . He was not .reI quired to give another effort at the I meeting. As he will have the opportunitly to freshen up before his „ Takapuna Cup engagement, In the \ Shade may be seen in his true colours ' in the main event of the coming meeting at North Shore.

f After his hollow victory in the Nolan Cup many loked on the Atiawa dup of the Taranaki Jockey Club as at tire mercy of Pompeius. He got a very bad run, and was not judiciously handled in that event, hence his defeat. At the recent -meeting at Stratford Pompeius showed that he is decidedly useful by beating useful jfleids, writes “The Watcher.”

Arikitoa has earned place money [this season. The Warplane gelding, who is in F. E. Loomb’s team at Te Awamutu, has been absent from racing of recent times, but is being got ready again with the Takapuna meeting in view. His engagement ahead is the Wynyard Plate, which is to be decided on the second day of the meeting at the North Shore.

Vail won the Queen’s Plate very impressively at the Auckland meeting. The Valkyrian—Potona colt was produced in the Great Northern Derby but there was no particular measure of prominence surrounding his effort in the classic. It was probable that the heavy track did not suit him. The three-year-old, who is a member oi J. T. Jamieson’s team, is the makings of a useful sort and further successes {are in store for him.

Prince of Orange has been entered lor the Duro Cup, which is to be decided at the coming meeting of the 'Club. The hack event, which is run at a mile, carries a stake of £7OO. Prince of Orange is coming to hand nicely and as he can run out 'eight furlongs in good style, the Valkyrian—Lassie Doon gelding must (be given some consideration if he goes to the post at Trentham, where he also has other engagements to fulfil.

Awarere finished his racing at the Auckland meeting with a win and a second in his two latest starts. A feature of his 'success in the Newmarket Handican on New Year’s Day was that it was obtained under galloping conditions which were moist, so that a holding track Was no bar to progress. It is understood that his crominence was a surprise to his connections. Ttie Swift Flight—-Sib-ford gelding, now that lie has struck form, will earn more respect in his future racing.

Ridgemount accepted each day at Stratford, but he. did not start. A certain section of the public were incensed. about the action taken by his connections, but perhaps they were wise in side-stepping Just So. Ridgemount should keep for future reference. Ho is a good one among second-class sprinters, and the public wilt not let him pay too long a price, writes “The Watcher.”

A Wellington correspondent has sent me the following which, I am pleased to be able to say, I can flatly contradict. The paragraph from the Melbourne Leader of January 4, states. “From New Zealand comes word of the death of M. Carrol, who trained Paganelli. Carroll was a companratively young man and had been a New Zealand representative footballer.” When the item quoted was read over the telephone to trainer Carroll yesterday he was able to emphatically state that, for once at anyrate, the source of - information ' used by the Melbourne journal, quoted was not reliable.

A SOLID GALLOPER.

MERVETTE DEVELOPS WELL.

Mervette, who has- been returned A winner in her three latest starts of the season, has developed into, a solid galloper. .The local trainer, A. Tinker, has had a good Innings,with Mervette during the time she has been in his stable and he deserves a lot of credit for the Improvement he has effected In thl3 member of his big and capable team. Mervette figures among the entries for the Telegraph Handicap, the loading sprint event at the Wellington meeting next Saturday. It takes a good one to lead a field home over this six furlongs at Trentham, but If Mervette Is sent to the meeting the Lucullus —Brayton mare will be quite capable of having a serious challenge to throw out when the final pressure Is on.

Valuation was asked for only two races at the Auckland meeting. At his opening start, the County 'Handicap on the third day, Valuation was going very freely throughout and was not required to give of his best to get the verdict toy a length and a half on a heavy track. The Valkyrian gelding, ridden toy the stable apprentice, -contested the open sprint, the Bowen Handicap, at / his other start, but he was drawn wide' and mis sing the jump away as the barrier rose did hot get prominent throughout the trip. The local trainer, A. Tinker., has Valuation in his team and the latter is shaping very promisingly.

Sea Song won over seven furlongs at the Takapuna Spring meeting hut she has failed in her subsequent starts. The Romeo —Seadeloria mare, who is a member of W. Townsend’s team at* Pukekohe, showed a 'lot of speed in her races at the Auckland meeting, but she .was not quite solid enough when the -real test came. With a little more time Sea. Song will develop into a good stake earner.

A cable message to Australian papers states, that Mr Sol Green s horse StrephOn h'as been entered for the Coronation and Ascot Gold' Cups, for which there are respectively 34 and 44 entries. The prospective meeting between Strephon and Lord Derby’s Fairway should prove one of the most interesting contests that has taken place on the English turf for many a day.

Te Apurangi, by his showing in the first division of the Robinson Handicap at the Auckland meeting, will be capable of winning races. The Archiestown —Elnon-a gelding, who is in G. A. 'Reid’s team at Te Aroha, was going particularly well in fourth place as the seven furlongs were run out. It was a good effort for a horse who had not done any racing for some time.

Sight Draft, by her success in the Midsummer Handicap at Ellerslie, indicated her ability to handlO soft ground. The Paper Money—Gazeworthy Ally hit the front before the field had gone two furlongs and she gave ther followers no -cause for uneasiness at any stage of the last half miift. Sight Draft will be a lot better for her recent racing and this -member -of J. T. Jamieson’s stable, who will be in action 'at Takapuna, should be heard from again before long in the 'two-year-old ranks.

Merry Mint had the going to suit him at the Auckland meeting, but the Catmint —Merry Roe gelding was never seriously to be reckoned with at the business end of the races he contested. In his opening race, the Cup, he was the pacemaker until well into the straight. That effort held out hopes for Merry Minta-t shorter journeys than two miles but his efforts retarded in quality instead of advancing.

Lady’s Boy' was _ raced twice at sprint distances and once at a mile during the recent -carnival at Ellerslie, -but his efforts were not -crowned with -success. As the Some Boy II La'dy Potoa gelding has been continually in action since the early Spring he was probably feeling the effects of the racing. He has been purchased for the south and has gone to Trentham. Lady’s Boy has proved a useful stake earner to the present stage of the season and will get more money later on.

Antique first came under notice by running a dead-heat with Te Hoia foi the honours in -minor company at the Waikato Club’s meeting. The four-year-old descendant of Tonbridge Unique is now out in the higher grade ■by virtue of winning the Ellerslie ■Handicap, the opening event on the third day of the Auckland Club’s recent meeting. Antique made a promising entry into open ranks by finishing third to Taneriri and King Emerald in the Goodwood Handicap on the fourth and final day of the meeting. There is . plenty of size about this member of J. 11. Wallace’s team at Te Aroha and it is only a question of Antique training an for him to ■nay his way.

Gold Cup, who cost Mr W. S. McDermott 1700 guineas as a yearling, looked to be a bad bargain at one time. He was sent to New Zealand for a long spell there, and returned to Melbourne just prior to the last Caulfield Cup. He was then trained by F. J. Ellis, but he is now an inmate of H. McCalman’s stable. He has done wdl'l of late, as his win on December 21 at Mentone was his fourth since he returned from the Dominion,

Betterment, while not sufficiently qualified for the company she met at the Auckland meeting, ran sufficiently well to hold out prospects for her among provincial two-year-old class. The best effort by the 'Catmint —Lady Bede filly at -Ellerslie was her third to Awaken and Bells of Shandon in the Sylvia Handicap on the closing day of the recent carnival. She was well back in the opening stages of that engagement but ran on strongly from the straight entrance. Betterment is trained at Paeroa by H. I. Spinks.

Though the Melbourne jockey, W. Duncan, is on the improve, it will be a long time before he is able to resume riding. When he was injured recently it was at first thought nothing serious had happened to him, but later it was discovered he had dislocated a portion of the vertebrae of his neck. Another Melbourne racing man, in E. A. Connolly, who has been through a serious illness, is reported to toe doing well. In his case, also, it will take a long time for a complete recovery.

Luminary was paraded in excellent order for his racing at the Auckland meeting but he was not successful in reaching the money. The Day Comet —Thurnline gelding made some good showings, nevertheless, and might not be long before , he meets with a successful turn again. Luminary’s name appears among the fields for highweight and hack events at the Takapuna meeting later on in the present month.

Roman Pearl kept up her record for consistency in her races this season by running two seconds at the Auckland -meeting. Royal Parade lowered her 'colours in the second division of the Robinson Handicap, while the useful Valuation carried too many guns for her in the County Handicap on the third day of the meeting. The Romeo —Pearl de Mont mare is in excellent order and a winning braoket in the near future would toe warranted for her. Roman Pearl is to have her next racing at the Takapuna meeting. ,

Amor was started on eaoh day of -the Auckland meeting, and ran most promisingly, and he should collect a stake before long. He was third in the Summer Cup, fourth in the A.R.C. Handicap, and unplaced in the Grandstand Handicap, in which he was one of the leaders for a good way. He seemed to meet with, a bit of trouble as they crossed the top and lost his position. Amor has won over eleven furlongs at Trentham, and if there for the Summer meeting this month should be hard to beat in his engagements.

Hunting Cry came promenintly to notice by his efforts at the Auckland meeting where he won the Railway Handicap, King’s Plate and Northern Derby and' was a close third in the Royal Stakes. The Hunting Song —Natalite three-year-old colt is capable under any galloping -conditions and can sprint and stay. Despite his solid programme at Ellerslie, he appeared to thrive on the racing. Hunting Cry is down to have his next race in the Wellington Gup, for which he will come..in for very marked attention as he is at the top of his form.

Royal Ruler, when he contested the Great Northern Foal Stakes, had the fourth race of his .career, having two wins and an unplaced performance: in his preceding starts. It was not altogether surprising that the Chief Ruler —Baby Doll colt did not figure very prominently in the running of the six furlong .two-year-old ciassio at Ellerslie on Boxing Day as he had not long recovered from a oold, the lay off through wliich had interrupted his preparation. Roynl Ruler is engaged in the evpnts for his division at the Takapuna meeting by which period he will be in more advanced -trim for racing. There, is no doubt that this member of W. Stone’s team at Te Awamutu is a solid juvenile, with ability above the average when he is fully keyed up.

Importer was a little unlucky not to have returned his supporters a dividend duLring his three starts over hurdles at the Auckland meeting. This was especially so on the first day, when -he finished half a length behind Prince Lu, whom King’s Guard bested by a neck only. Importer’s rider had to slow his mount down When he was in danger of being collided with near the finish of the race and Importer made a dab on the inside of the other pair but the finishing point was too near. On the final day Importer was making a move forward When he erred at the fence five furlongs from home and toppled out.

King’s Guard is down to do his next racing on the flat at the coming meeting at Taka-buna. The Quin Abbey—Gipsy Lass gelding is nominated in the high-weights and also middle distance hack- events. The three wins and a second King’s Guard scored against hurdle company at the recent Auckland meeting stamped him as outstanding among the jump-' ers seen out at Ellerslie. King s Guard is very well just now and as he has pace, it would be no surprise to find him prominent in 'his coming races on the flat.

Prince Val’s most successful effort at the Auckland meeting was to finish in second place to Mervette in trie Glasgow Handicap on New ear s Day. The Valkyrian—Sports’ Queen gelding was looking all over a winner until Mervette ranged up in the very closing stages with a long sustained run which carried her into first place by a neck. Prince Val is not likely ■to lose much caste through his recent failures and at the Takapuna ■meeting he is again likely to toe making his presence felt. At the •Spring meeting on this course he romped away with the Borough Handicap, of seven furlongs. Through being the victim of a had start the Matamata trained galloper was bereft of rosy prospects in the leading event on the closing day ol’ the -same meeting.

Bells of Shandon, the two-year-old gelding by Lord Quex —Peg-o -My Heart in P. E. Pope’s team at Takamm is beginning to show the fruits of the patient policy -that has been adopted with him. He ran good races on the two closing days of the Auckland meeting, a third in 'the Midsummer Handicap being followed by a second placing in the Sylvia 'Handicap. Bells of Shandon was out forcing the pace on both occasions, Sight Draft and Cylinder on the first occasion and Awaken at the following appearance proving just a little 100 good for him over the final stages of the respective six furlongs. Bells of Shandon is to appear next at Takapuna where he will come in for good support.

Prince Lu showed more stamina in his hurdling engagements at the Auckland meeting than was anticipated. From three starts he was second twice while at his final appearance he was showing the way until he came to grief at the last fence, which was situated hi the straight; not far from the winning post. The Lucullus gelding fenced in great style apart from_ this one error and he had the field in hot pursuit each time such a merry pace did he set.

The nominations for the English Derby of 1931 number 404, while there are 397 in the St. Leger, 307 in the Two Thousand Guineas, 258 in the One Thousand Guineas and the ■Oaks, or a total of 1695, compared with 1497 for 1930 and 1412 for 1929. The entry of 404 for the Derby constitutes a record for the race, and, indeed, a similar state of affairs is recorded in the whole of the “classics,” His Majesty has entered Ashridge, a half-brother to Scuttle, for the Derby, and Continental and American representatives have been nominated. Entries have been made in New York, whilst French interest will be represented, amongst others, by Captain J. D. Cohn, M. M. Boussa-c, and H. Edmond Blanc, Belgium by M. J. Wittouck, and India by H.H. Maharajah Jam Sahib of Nawaaagar, and the Aga Khan.

The latest contest for the Great Northern Derby was not a true test of stamina. Although Hunting Cry would no doubt have won in any case, the race was -merely a sprint' home. It took 2.45 2-5 to cover the mile and a half, which was 5 4-5 secs slower than Count Cavour -registered when he won the Racing Club Handicap earlier the same afternoon. Looking back the records the mile and a half olassic journ.ey On New Year’s Day last has the palm all to itself for many years from the time aspect. As far hack as 1895 Step■feldt recorded 2.51. Desert Gold (1916) holds the time record with 2.32 3-5.

The New Zealand-bred Peacemaker, by Limond —Makepeace, won the thirdi division of the Trial Handicap at the A.J.C. Summer meeting on December 21. Another New Zealand-bred one, Moorgas, ran third in the second division of the same race. Peacemaker was ridden by M. McGarten. Gold Cup, by Woorak —Golden Beauty, starting at an outside price, won the Mentone Plate at the Mentone (Vic.) meeting on the same day, while at the Goodwood (W.A.) meeting the New Zealand-bred Prince Paladin, by Paladin—Lovelorn, won the Goodwood Doncaster Handi-cap, starting at a double figure price. Mr E. J. Watt ran a fair sort of two-year-old, Runic, by Doric—Culprit, in the Summer Nursery at Ran-dwick on Boxing Day. -Runic ran third. Tea Miss ran second to Luita in the Chisholm Handicap. 1.0. U., by Paper Money—Esther, won the Flying Handicap at the Queensland Turf Club’s meeting on Boxing Day, defeating the hitherto unbeaten Sir Sarchedon, on whom odds were laid. When Ozonia. won the Western Australian Derby .on Boxing Day, beating two 'New Zealand-bred animals, Hot Springs and Pure Blood, he started at forlorn odds, his dividend) being well over a quarter of a century for ten shillings. It is seldom that such a dividend is paid in a classic race.