RACING NOTES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 58, 23 March 1943, Page 8

RACING NOTES

INCREASING STAKES For its Winter meeting at Tc Rapa 011 May. 22 the Waikato'Racing Club wil-l allot prize money totalling £4000,, which is the largest amount, yet given for a one day provincial meeting in the Dominion, and an increase of £850 on last year's winter fixture. The Te Rapa Steeplechase will be worth £1000: the Hamilton Hurdles £600 and the President's Handicap £750. REHABILITATION The. Canterbury Jockey Club has decided to establish a fund to assist the rehabilitation of trainers and jockeys in the Canterbury district, when they return to civilian life after war service. This action will probably be followed by other financial clubs (and there are many) in the near future. KINDERGARTEN'S STAKES So far this season Kindergarten has won £4425 in stakes, and is top of. the list for the Dominion. A FIELD DAY Saturday was quite a field day for J. Williamson for in four rides he rode Rakanui, Monte Cristo and Poutatau to victory in the principal events. His capable finishing efforts were quite among the high lights of the meeting. HORSES FOR COURSES At the Trcntham meeting in January Rakanui Avon the Wellington Handicap, and on Saturday last repeated the performance by prevailing over a class field in the Autumn Handicap of one mile and a half. As heavy rain fell at Trcntham on Thursday night the track had lost its sting, and therefore suited the Hunting Song gelding admirably. EASTER EVENTS The Canterbury Great Easter Handicap is to be rim at Riccarton aln April 26 and the. Great Autumn on May 1. The stakes, in each case are £1000. N.Z. RACING CONFERENCE The Racing Conference will hold its. annual meeting in Wellington on July 9. LEADING TRAINERS The. list of successful trainers this season is headed by F. Smith, Takanini, with 19 winners, H. Dulieu, New Plymouth, being next with 15 and R. H. Martin and A. C. Didliam third with 12 each. MOST SUCCESSFUL JOCKEYS Consequent upon a win at Trentham W. J. Broughton is at. present top of the list of winning riders this season with 33 wins, W. F. Ellis being next with 32. THE STEEPLECHASE SEASON The well known Canterbury owner, Mr J. H. Grigg, Avill be represented during the winter, in the big steeplechases of the Dominion by Leopardstown and Troytown. Both are in active commission now so should be well forward in respect to racing condition by May next. THE REVERSE WAY Auckland sportsmen attending the Wellington meeting were of # the opinion that Lord Chancellor's Trentham prospects were detrimentally affected by the fact that he failed to handle the left-handed going at all satisfactorily. He hung out bad;ly throughout, and ran out very wide at the turns. A FIRM FAVOURITE The Takanini trained Royal Merit was installed a strong favourite fov the Thompson Handicap. He made the early running, but at the turn into the straight steered an erratic course, and quickly lost his place. WHACKIE IMPROVING It is reported that Whackie is now nearly at the top of his form. His second at the Wellington fix-, ture was very meritorious, but he will be seen at his best before long in heavy going.