RACING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1158, 20 June 1912, Page 7

RACING.

Perceler, who is always seen to advantage when the tracks are yielding, is getting through serviceable tasks of the work about Napier Park.

Should the owner of Antarctic and the handicapper for the Napier Park Racing Club agree as to the capabilities of the chaser, he will make a descent upon the stake money given by the Club next week at the Park.

F. Howard, who received severe injuries as a result of his fall from Pleiades in the Wanganui Steeplechase, is still confined to hospita and although he is now making fair progress, is not yet out of danger. Howard was unconscious for three weeks.

it is quite time (says the “New Zealand Times”) some steps were taken to bring the monthly issue of the “New Zealand Racing Calendar” more up-to-date. The last issue, just to hand, is dated June Ist. and the last meeting, whose results are given in it, is that of the Ashburton Country Racing Club, which took place on May 9. This dilatory method of publication makes the “Calendar” quite worthless for the purpose for which it is intended, and an improvement is urgently wanted.

The Auckland Racing Club had to pay in taxation to the Government on this season’s operations £9502 2s 2d. For the same period the Canterbury Jockey Club had to contribute to the Dominion Treasury £7616 13s 6d.

The Australian Jockey Club, the Victoria Racing Club, and the leading clubs of the other Australian States have adopted a uniform set of rules of racing, which will operate from November 12.

A meeting of the A.R.C. Committee was held last week, the Hon. E. Mitchelson again presiding. The following transfers “were passed:—H. Patterson to J. B. Reid, b c, lyr, by Menschikoff —Lady Melton; J. McNicol to T. H. Lowry, b c, lyr, by Soult —Monoquil; J. Paterson to W. H. Paterson, b f, Innocent.

A letter from the Thames Jockey Club was read at the last meeting of the Auckland Metropolitan Committee, objecting to the A.R.C. racing on December 28, as that clashed with the Thames summer fixture. It was decided to alter the second day of the A.R.C. summer meeting to Monday, December 30.

When it was cabled from England that Tod Sloan had made uncomplimentary reference to the present-day English jockey, an Australian writer interviewed a number of leading trainers (particulars are published at the beginning of this issue), different opinions as to how the present riders in Australia compare with those of the old brigade, but the trainers were practically unanimous in condemning the short stirrup.

This year’s Melbourne Cup entry of 209 is within 16 of the record for the race put up in 1909. The V.R.C. Derby (364), Maribyrnong Plate (225) ( Ascot Vale Stakes (256), Oaks (156), St. Leger (311), and Sires’ Produce Stakes (174) are all record nominations for the respective races.

Mr. C. F. Vallance, of Masterton, has decided to sell Acrostic, which is a half brother to Solution. Acrostic is an exceptionally well bred horse, being by Multiform out of Problem. The colt was purchased at a yearling for a sum running into several hundred pounds.

The success of the grey filly Tagalie in the One Thousand Guineas, draws attention to previous grey winners of classic races. The Derby has only once been won by a grey, Gustavus (in 1821). Two early winners of the St. Leger were of that colour, Hollandaise (1778) and Symmetry (1798). A grey Oaks heroine was Scotia (1802). Grey Momus, as his name betokens, gave that colour a victory in the Two Thousand Guineas (1838), and Clearwell (1833) was another grey winner of that race, but prior to this no grey filly had scored in the One Thousand.

Auckland owners have nominated 19 horses for the Gisborne Steeplechase meeting next month. They are Omati, Master Theory, Armagh, Okaihau, Bonnie Jean, Hunakaha, Tui Cakobau, Romp, Mozart, Forward, Taiaha, Wirihana, Sea Pink, Mannwera, Admiral Soult, La Reina, and Necktie.

Lambton was sold for 300 guineas to Mr. E. C. Gaisford, of Marton, before the Otaki meeting, and in his first effort —the Maiden Handicap — ran second.

Joe Ayres, the ex-Wairarapa trainer, has Lady Kilcheran and Semaphore in good nick, and they should land a stake between them at theWellingtoa Club’s meeting next, month.

Nineteen of the horses engaged in the Melbourne Cup were imported to Australia, viz., Pearl Barley, Some

thing Irish, Eye Glass, Salvator Rose, Almissa, Eudorus, Wise Lass, King Broomstick, Sandbath, Golden Shore, Embracer, Waltz, Barnard, Limelight, Necktie, Reeve, The Quaker Girl, Hallowmas and Queen Regent.

Owners are reminded that nominations for the Wellington RacingClub’s winter meeting close to-mor-row (Friday) night.

The horses entered for this year’s Melbourne Cup. include Cup winners in Bridge (New Zealand Cup), Goard (Brisbane Cup), Swagger (Adelaide Birthday Cup, Aiderman Cup, and Warrnambool Cup), Eye Glass (Adelaide Cup), Glue (Adelaide Aiderman Cup, and Mentone Cup), The Parisian (Australian Cup and Melbourne Cup), Prizefighter (Australian Cup), Jolly Beggar (Perth Cup), Artesian (Kalgoorlie Cup, and Perth Cup), Gay Bob (Warrambool Cup), Lady Medallist (Caulfield Cup), Karnattan (Adelaide Birthday Cup), Duke Foote (Williamstown Cup), Psyttyx (Newcastle Cup), Moorilia (Sydney Cup), Hartfell (Moonee Valley Cup), Trafalgar (Sydney Cup), Eighteen Carat (Hobart Cup), Los Angelos (Dunedin Cup), Vice-Admiral (New Zealand Cup), and Kirn (Port Adelaide Cup).