RACING NOTES

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1430, 20 September 1917, Page 7

RACING NOTES

RACING FIXTURES 1917-18.

Sept. 20, 21—Ashburton County R.C. Sept. 24—Otaki Maori R.C. Sept. 27—Geraldine R.C. Oct. 4 —Kurow J.C. Oct. 11, 12—Masterton R.C. Oct. 12, 13—Dunedin J.C. Oct. 20, 22—Wellington R.C. Oct. 22—N. Canterbury and Oxford J.C, Oct. 22 —Waverley-Waitotara R.C. Oct. 22, 23—Gore R.C. Oct. 25, 26 —Poverty Bay T.C. Nov. 3,5, 7, 10 —Canterbury J.C. Nov. 3, 7—Avondale J.C. Nov. 10—Auckland R.C.

EVENTS REQUIRING ATTENTION.

Friday, September 21. Nominations for all events (including entries for the Trial Stakes) Masterton R.C. spring, at 10 p.m. Nominations (excepting Trial Plate) Dunedin Jockey Club’s spring, at 9 p.m. Forfeits McLean Stakes and Dunedin Guineas, Dunedin Jockey Club’s spring, at 9 p.m.

Friday, September 28. Weights first day Mastertoh R.C. spring, on or before. Nominations for all events Wellington Racing Club’s spring meeting, also entries for Wellesley Stakes (1918), Wellington Stakes (1919), North Island Challenge Stakes (1919) and N.Z. St. Leger Stakes (1920) close at 9 p.m. Saturday. September 29. Handicaps first, day Dunedin Jockey Club’s spring.

Monday, October 1. Second forfeits Wellesley Stakes.

DUNEDIN JOCKEY CLUB.

SPRING MEETING.

The Dunedin Jockey Club’s spring meeting will be held on Friday and Saturday, October 12 and 13, when a most attractive programme will be decided at Wingatui. Included in the eight events to be run on the first day are the Dunedin Guineas, of 400 sovs (one mile), McLean Stakes, of 300sovs (four furlongs), for two-year-olds, and the Mosgiel Handicap, of 250sovs (one mile and a-quarter). Chief interest on the second day will be centred in the Ranfurly Handicap, of 200sovs (one mile), while the two-year-olds will be given a further chance to earn distinction in the Dominion Handicap, of 130sovs (four furlongs). A hurdle race will be decided each day, in addition to sprint, hack and welter handicaps, all of which events are liberally endowed in the matter of prize money. The greatest interest is being taken in the approaching fixture, and augurs well for a particularly gratifying response from owners and trainers on Friday evening next (September 21), when nominations for all events (with the exception of the Trial Plate, entries for which close on Friday, October 5) are due with the secretary, Mr. H. L. James, at 9 p.m. Handicaps for the first day’s events will be declared on or about Saturday, September 29.

PALMERSTON NORTH SHOW.

An announcement elsewhere in this issue notifies that the thirtysecond of the big semi-national shows of the Manawatu and West Coast Agricultural and Pastoral Association is set down for October 31 and November 1. Prize schedules are now available, a perusal of which indicates that the forthcoming event is not to lack any of the attractions of its predecessors. It is exceedingly complete covering competitions, cattle, horses, shee’p, pigs, photography, hemp, home cookery, art, technical and public school work, horse shoeing, horse shoe making, fleece wool and wool classing, etc., in addition to the Manawatu Kennel Club’s annual show, which is held in conjunction therewith. It is at this show that the North island breeders settle their main differences of opinion as to the championships, so that new beginners may now commence to prepare their stock for the venture.

General entries close on October 6, while live stock, competitions and kennel club entries close on October 13.

Schedules and all information may be obtained from the secretary, W. T. Penny, Box 85, Palmerston North.

OTAHUHU TROTTING CLUB.

Last week we had a full reference to the programme of the Auckland Trotting Club for their spring meeting, now limited to one day. This week the full programme of the Otahuhu Trotting Club is before us, and it is an attractive bill-of-fare for a one-day meeting. However, it follows the Auckland Trotting Club’s programme by seven days, and one meeting will assist the other. The chief race is the National Handicap (in harness), worth 27550v5., with a limit of 4.48. The Haig Handicap is named after the British Commander-in-Chief, and is worth 150sovs., and is for horses in saddle. Then we have the Royal Oak Handicap, worth 120sovs., for trotting horses only, and two races of less value, named the Ward and the Massey Handicaps, both harness races. Another race is named the Beattie Handicap, after the British Admiral. These races and the Innovation and Grey Handicaps, of 75sovs. and lOOsovs. in value, complete the eight events. There arc two races for trotters only, and but one in saddle. The nam.ng of the races is suggestive of the, times we are passing through. Mr. F. D. Yonge, secretary, is sure to have a good response from owners to the invitation his club has put forth. Friday, September 28th, is the day on which the nominations go in, and we would again remind owners that on the same day Mr. C. F. Mark will take the nominations for the Auckland Trotting Club’s meet ng, the programme for which also appears this issue.

NOTES ON THE DANNEVIRKE RACING CLUB’S SPRING MEETING.

(From Our Napier Correspondent.)

The weather conditions were none of the best for the spring reunion of the Dannevirke Racing Club last Wednesday, for the climate was of the raw, hungry variety. The attendance was perhaps not so large as has been the case in previous years, but the day’s investments on the totalizator show’ed an excess of £2374. There were a number of delays regarding the -tarting of the events, which resulted in the last race beingrun in the falling evening nearly an hour behind rime.

Scratchings were many in connection with the Trial Stakes, for which 14 were ranged up, first choice falling on Signorella, Polynesian being second in request, with Cyntheria the next to find favour. The last-named is an Australian-bred filly by Wallace —Ceria, trained by T. Quinlivan, at Hastings. She failed to get into the first three, although she had matters well in her favour, being next the rails and getting out quickly from the other contestants. She compounded, however, after going half a mile, and here Polynesian became prominent, and was not to be denied, winning with the greatest of comfort by a couple of lengths from the outsider Kahumanga, who beat the favourite for second money by a length, and returned a good dividend. In the Jumpers’ Flat, Sleight of Hand was backed down to a short figure, the weight of metal bunched on him by his admirers making him an odds-on choice. Maniaroa and Tatimi were second and third favourites respectively. The favourite pulled his backers through serenely, for he got there with a bit to spare from Tatimi, who looked to have a great chance at the top of the straight. Gold Fran was third. The winner was accorded an enthusiastic reception when he came back to be weighed in, and he deserved it for the way was not made too easy for him in the opening portion of the contest, and at the finish he won like a good one. The big field of 18 got under weigh for the Spring Handicap, the Hast-

ings-trained Potentiality, who, prior to being despatched to the scene of action, was responsible fox real good work on his home track. Merrie Poto was next in favour with backers, while Hushabye was third pick. There was a lot of backing and filling at the post, but eventually a fair send-off was effected. Gold Painting and Hushabye setting the pace, with Trials very handy. A bit further on the trip Interlude took a forward position, while Hushabye dropped back. At the top of the straight Gold Painting was still to the fore, with Bairnsdale and Rose Pink in good positions, while at the distance the field took close order, several appearing to have first class prospects. Amongst this number was Vagabond, who struck out solid and good in the last half fuxlong, and, coming on with determination, beat Bairnsdale home by a neck, the latter being but a trifle ahead of the neglected Dribble. Rose Pink was fourth. While being unsaddled after the event Settler dropped dead. Of the 14 who weighed out for the Umutaoroa Hack Handicap, the goodlooking Nobleman was entrusted with the bulk of the investments. The All Red filly Vermillion was second selection and Benope third choice. King’s Armour shot to the front directly the order to go was given, and he stopped there to the finish, receiving the verdict by about three lengths from the favourite, who put in a dashing run from the entrance to the straight. One of the longpriced contestants in Try Again was third, and Queen Lizzie fourth. Vermillion was King’s Armour’s closest attendant for about five furlongs, when she subsided and the further that she went the further did she go to the rear. The winner, who is a stable comrade of Polynesian, is by King’s Guest out of a Thompson Handicap winner Amoureux. Colorado, Yarilla and My Pal were backed in that order for the Hack Hurdles, the field consisting of 15 runners. The first fence rubbed out four of the contestants, and the next obstacle settled three more. Austin fell at the hurdle in front of the stand, and his pilot (L. Traill) suffered a broken collarbone. At the back of the course My Pal unseated Rangi Thompson, the mishap thus reducing the contestants to half a dozen, of whom Ascalon was holding command by a long break coming to the home bend. After reaching that point the favourite threaded his way through, and, beating the opposition for pace, landed home a winner by a good two lengths from the ancient Jem, who was just ahead of Yarilla. Ascalon was fourth, with Powder Fox and Sensitive next. My Pal, although a good one in his work over the obstacles on the testing path, has made mistakes now in the three hurdle events that he has figured in, and it looks as if he was not reliable. He is a full brother to King’s Armour, who, as above stated, won the Umutaoroa Hack Handicap. The weakest field of the day numerically faced the barrier in the Hack Steeplechase, half a dozen going out for business. Kurapai was the best supported, with Merry Jack the next to receive consideration and Sabrenui third pick. The first fence blotted out Torchy, while the next obstacle settled Pawerewere, and Sabrenui ran off at the following fence. The mishaps left Merry Jack in the lead, and though the favourite was putting in his best to equalise matters he failed badly, the award going to Merry Jack by a comfortable three lengths. Kurapai was half a dozen lengths away third. Merry Jack’s annexation marked the third win at the meeting for the capable horseman, A. McDonald.

The money came in a steady stream for Chuckle when betting commenced on the Otanga Handicap, due, no doubt, to the re-insurance by the layers of doubles as Vagabond and Chuckle had been backed to win a sackful. Elocution was second choice and Croesus third favourite. Croe-

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sus began smartly, and -was closely attended by the favourite. Going out of the straight a lot of bumping took place, those to suffer the most being Chuckle, who was sent right back to nearly last, and Elocution. At the back Croesus was joined by Botanist, and the pair led the way, while just before reaching the home turn Botanist had Croesus well beaten. Botanist was first round the corner, with Undecided just behind him. Half-way down the running Detroit came upon the scene, and, battling it out with Chuckle, headed her off by the best part of a length, Botanist being a close third and Undecided fourth. An enquiry was instituted into the bumping incident by the stewards, who, after taking a lot of evidence, considered that there was no intentional interference. That Chuckle was unlucky there was no shadow of a doubt, for she lost several lengths through the bumping, and was only just beaten at the finish. The future prospects of Chortle’s full sister look of the bright order, and those who supported hex’ on Wednesday will soon break even and a bit to spare if they go on with her.

The shades of night were falling fast as the field of a dozen got into line to contest the Hack Welter, Alteration was pounced upon as the right solution of the problem, with Benope and Hastie next supported in that order. Hastie was the first to hit the track, with All Talk at his heels, but they had not gone far when the lattei' piloted the way. This pair were out by themselves un til well into the run to the post. At the distance Rio could be seen making up ground fast, and, getting to Hastie, who had come again, just lasted long enough to score by a long neck. All Talk was an excellent third, and Lady Edith fourth. A. McDonald, with three successful notches, topped the score of victorious horsemen, while G. Clarke rode a brace of winners. S. Henderson. G. Young and Roy Reed each had the seat upon a winner.

Now that jockeys have to attend the training tracks at least three mornings a week at Flemington and Caulfield, should not there be an hour stipulated for them to arrive and leave? asked the Melbourne correspondent of the “Referee.” One morning there were over 20 lads present and not a horse to be seen! Why not compel trainers to keep “proper” hours also?

Thus an Australian writer: “A proposal to raise the minimum weight in flat handicaps from 6.7 to 7.0 is receiving much attention in N.S.W., especially in country centres, where light jockeys are not numerous. The idea is a good one, and well worthy of adoption even in the metropolitan area, where many a race is thrown away by the inaptitude of very light boys.” This is what we have been doing oux- best to get New Zealand turf legislators to see fox’ a long time. The Dunedin Jockey Club have adopted the idea, and thirteen country clubs in Auckland were behind a remit to the Racing Conference with the same object over a year ago, but the idea was turned down. The country racing clubs, however,, have the power in their own hands.

Owing to having been curtailed of two racing days, the Forbury Park T.C. have been compelled to make fresh arrangements for the current season. The spring and winter fixtures will now be restricted to one day each, while the summer gathering will extend over two days.

Reports have reached here from Christchurch (writes our Jmvercarg 11 correspondent) to the effect that the New Zealand Trotting Cup candidate Cathedral Chimes has not been doing too well for trainer J. Bryce. Private advice from Gore, where the Four Chimes horse is well-known, however, go to show that Private J. B. Thomson’s stallion is doing good work.