RACING AND TROTTING

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22507, 15 September 1938, Page 14

RACING AND TROTTING

RACING FIXTURES

September 17—Ashburton C.R.C. September 17—Foxton R.C. September 17, 19—Avondale J.C. September 22, 24 —Geraldine R.C. September J.C. October I—Otaki-Maori R.C. October I—Kurow J.C. October 1, 3 —Ohmemuri J.C. October 6, B—Dunedin J.C. October 7, B—Hawke’s Bay J.C. October 8. 10—Auckland R.C. October 13. 15—Masterton R.C. October 15—South Canterbury J.C. October 15. 17—Avondale J.C. October 20. 22, 24 —Wellington R.C. October 22. 24—Gore R.C. October 24—North Canterbury R.C. October 24—Waverley R.C. October 24—Waikato Hunt Club. October 27, 29—Poverty Bay Turf Club. October 29—Banks Peninsula R.C. October 29—Rangitikei R.C. October 29—Rotorua and Bay of Plenty Hunt Club. TROTTING FIXTURES September 24—Wellington T.C. October I—Methven T.C. October B—New Brighton T.C. October 15—Waikato T.C. October 15—Manawatu T.C. October 22. 24—Greymouth T.C. October 22, 24—Auckland T.C. October 24—Oamaru T.C. October 29—Invercargill T.C. October 29—Thames T.C.

THE THREE YEAROLDS

FIRST LMPORTANT CONTEST (By CARBINE.) Ten horses contested the first important three-year-old race of the season, the Wanganui Guineas, and there is no evidence that any one of them •will reach champion class. But some should be good. Russian Ballet (the winner) and Amigo (the runner-up) had met a year previously and Amigo had narrowly defeated Russian Ballet. The result might have been in favour of Amigo again this spring had he been as smartly handled as Russian Ballet was. Russian Ballet’s success was due partly to the ability of her rider, B. H. Morris, who has no superior in New Zealand. Morris’s ability as a horse handler enables him to make particularly good use of a sharply turning course (such as "Wanganui is), and he had Russian Ballet splendidly placed all through the Guineas contest. Amigo was galloping nicely behind the leaders three furlongs from home, but his rider did not move him up till the turn into the straight was being rounded, and that entailed covering much extra ground m<p r ® than the length and a hall by which he was beaten. Amigo hit out splend;dly in the run home, and reduced Russian Ballet’s lead. He stretches out w-’i and gets “right down to it” when at wp. and looks like being a good hct-vi. but neither he nor his victress strike one as likely to beat Te Hero if the latter has made normal progress during his recess. -.. . t Russian Ballet, a daughter of Nightmarch. must be accepted as the makings of a fine stayer. While Amigo was unlucky in the Guineas, Russian B'.l.Vt did not improve her chance by fradlausness during a long delay at, the barrier, and in the early part of the race she was hurried round the outside of the fi«M in ° rd . e . r . to n *? e a good position. Neither this nor the fact that she asuiJ-ftsd m making the pace prevented her Irom running on very well when challenged in the straight. Time will tell whether the excuses being made for Amigo are warranted or whether Russian Ballet was just too good. Gay Son. who was third, is more robust thau some of the other Beau Peres, and his prospects we fairly bright. Homily ,is a racy filly, but she is not assisted by her skittishness. Lord Cavendish should have done better than run seventh, as he was more seasoned than most of the others. Sudan and Taurangi performed merely moderately, and Peerless, who failed entirely to do herself justice, may be seen to much greater advantage later on.

TURF GOSSIP

Reminders Nominations for the Dunedin Jockey Club's spring meeting will close at-5 p.m. to-morrow. - Advice has been received, that the Kurow Jockey Club's course- has greatly benefited from the rains in the di\trict throughout tha winter," and the racing track is now in better order than it has ever been previously. Nomina tions for the club’s annual race meeting on October 1 will close at 8 p.m next Tuesday. Cancelled Because of the death of Sir Charles Clifford, the Chokebore acceptors for the Ashburton meeting. Harwica. Winning Rival. Trench Fight, and Happj Moments, have been withdrawn Irom their engagements. Well Bred A two-year-old gelding by Robespierre from Zora by Catmint from Verintia, dam of Gold Cross and Rebel Chief, is at present being put through his preliminaries at Riccarton by his owner-trainer, H. Kearns. He is e solid youngster and will probably require plenty of time. Jumpers at Riccarton Dividend. The Sandwichman. and Patuma were companions in a bout over six hurdles at Riccarton yesterday. Dividend soon took charge and lecl throughout, but he was inclined on this occasion to chance some of his fences and he hit the last two heavily. The Sandwichman shaped satisfactorily bu Patuma, after being up with his mates for half the journey, and jumping the best of the trio, gradually drifted and when he had completed the task, it was revealed that he was suffering from a strained back, and may not be able to race on Saturday. Riders at Ashburton Riding engagements made for Saturday’s programme at Ashburton include the following:—M. Caddy; Nigella. Golden Chest, Mungatoon, Hostile. W. Jenkins; Argentic, Synthetic, Dracula. J. Murfitt: Dividend. M. Reilly: The Sandwichman. H. Hibbcrd; Great Bramble. Cocksure, Bere "Regis Phenomenal. A. 'Russelln Comus. G Humphries: • Nightdress. .A. Stokes: Windward. ,J. Jennings: Cape Gabo, Glenacre. Land Raid. R. Beale: Contract. G. Linton: Chaste.. R. Register: Silver Sight. A. E. Ellis: Happy NightOff Parade, Lord Seadown. L. J. Ellis; Lady Rosette. Cyprine. F; Smith; Colonel Rouge. A. Messervy: Master Hotspur, Screamer, Rebellion. E. Jennings: Patuma. D. Mackie: Roy Bun A. Parsons: Gay Parade. Gold Boy. Wine Card. G. Watson: Ponty, Wagner, La Plata. W. Cooper: Amouretta A. Stove: Tod Rank. A. Leach: Sunny Comet. C. Wilson: Last Refrain. Kinnoull. Everything In Order

No further advice has been received from Sydney about P. T. Hogan’s team, which, according to a cablegram last week, would not be able to race in Australia owing to the necessary papers not being in order. On seeing the cable message Hogan’s son, W. P. Hogan, who is looking after the Washdyke stable, communicated with the secretary of the New Zealand Racing Conference by telephone, and was ; that all requirements regarding registration and branding had been complied with by Hogan before he was able New Zealand, and it was diffiemt _to understand the meaning of the cablegram. One of the team. Top Row, was due to have his first race at Moonee Valley last Saturday, but was withdrawn on Saturday morning, so this would indicate that something may be amiss. In the meantime. W. Hogan has not received any word from his father on the matter. t Good Fields at Ashburton The Ashburton County Racing Club has received an excellent list of acceptances for its spring meeting on Saturday, the first of the spring programmes in the South Island. The principal event, the Ashburton Handicap has attracted a strong field of middle distance performers, including Travenna, who won a hurdle race on his last appearance at the Grand National Steeplechase meeting. Previous to thi: he had been successful in the Jumpers’ Flat Handicap, and these two races ’indicated that he is back to his best form Mungatoon has been somewhat disappointing of late, and will have to improve a good deal to be dangerous over a mile and a quarter. Last Refrain is always liable after a short absence, but nevertheless he usually does better with a race. Cape Gabo has only to reproduce his Islington Handicap form at Riccarton to win again, but |je failed on the third day, so he can hardly be relied 1 on Petersham has raced fairly consistently without being a big winner, and the distance may trouble him. Silver Slipper has given indications of stay-, ing on. and it would not be surprising to find her winning middle distance races this season. Dunstan is making a reappearance after a long lapse following his win as a two-year-old last Christmas at Wingatui, and interest wil 1 be attached to his showing. Made Money, who paid the sensational dividend last season, has not been seen out for some time, and has to.be taken on trust in the meantime. Windward is useful only, and does not appeal in this company. The favourite division will probably be confined to Travenna. Last Refrain, and Cape Gabo.

Open Sprinters After his recent brilliant - track form, the reappearance of Trench Fight in ' the Spring Handicap was being eagerly looked forward to. but he will not be racing. Kinnoull is another interesting revival. He looks all right, but his preparation has been restricted owing to his doubtful understandings, .and racegoers will no doubt be inclined tc see him race again before putting any confidence in him. Ponty is nicely placed, but may need some racing while Argentic can hardiy be danger ous. He has been standing up to hi: work well, but it is doubiiui it man., mure races will be iortncuining fiom mm. Land Raid was unlucky in m: iast staru when he was narruwjy beaten by Araboa over seven furlongs, on orand National Hurdle Race day. Hi met with an injury in that race, and could not start on the third day, but is slated to be well again. \v me Card is a possibility, while Second Innings must be seriously regarded on his hacK form. Lady Leigh is in the same category. and it will be interesting to sec how this pair shape in open company Cocksure and Roy Bun are both capable of good races, and the former will have a track to suit him.. Roy Bun hds been galloping exceptionally well and on track form should at least hole Lady Leigh safe. This should be one of the best races staged at Ashburton for some time, and several arc entitled to serious thought. The favourites may be Land Raid. Second Innings, and Lady Leigh.

Juvenile Classic The John Grigs Stakes, the first two-year-old race of the season in the South Island, will be contested by a bigger field than has been the case in the three previous years of the event, bu' now that Winning Rival will not be produced. Master Hotspur, will probably cramp speculation. He has done everything to suggest his task should not ho hard, but Winning Rival has shown sciC.e s*:'omsiing track work, end would hare given the Ringmaster cob most trouble. No doubt Nigger Boy and Cyprine will now be the-best supportec of the remainder. Withdrawn Dark Legend was, yesterday withdrawn from all engagements at the Avondale Jockey Club’s meeting, and Peerless was -nlhdrawn from the Avondale Guinea*!. Jottings Because of the presence of Avenger the backers of Royal Chief in the Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick on Saturday received a very satisfactory price. Royal Chief will now probably be the outright favourite for the Metropolitan Handicap. Mosaic, who won the Novice Handicap at Randwick on Saturday, was bred by Mr G. M. Currie and is by Posterity from the imported mare Inlaid. She - is a half-sister to Parquet, but on the whole the progeny of Inlaid have not been particularly successful. ", , . Curie was a vastly different horse at Wanganui compared with what ho was at Riccarton a month earner. At Riccarton he could neither gallop nor jump, but at Wanganui he outclassed his opposition on both aay?. Maiwai, by Martarma from waiwene, "sticks on well at the,- end of her races, and on her form at Wanganui she may not be long in the ranks of maidens. Gay Chou’s -Australian form was sufficient to guarantee that he would run well in New Zealand, and his first appearances at Wanganui last week indicate that he will win races here. He has an abundance of pace and, more patiently handled man he was last week, he will soon oe doing better, ' .

Association Affairs Mr H. Nurse, in the absence of the Hon. G. R., Hunter, was in the chair at the annual general meeting of the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Racing Owners’, Breeders’, and Trainers’ Association. Mr Nurse referred to the association receiving official recognition from the New Zealand Racing Conference, which now receives remits of a national character. He reported that many matters had been attended to, with satisfactory results. The dispute with the Stablehands’ Union had received careful, attention, and a satisfactory agreement had been made with the union. Mr Nurse appealed to the trainers to observe the terms of the agreement. : The balance-sheet showed a credit of £6 6s 6d and seven new members were elected. , , , The following officers were elected; President, Mr H. Nurse; . vice-presi-dent, Mr A. Cutts; committee, the Hon G. R. 'Hunter^Lieutenant-Colonel J. Stafford. Messrs M. B. Edwards, F. D. Jones, T. H. Gillett. C. McCarthy. F. Williamson, A. S. Ellis; secretary and treasurer, Mr A. Syme.

Trotting Events It was suggested that some action should be taken to have trotting races removed from racing programmes. In the Canterbury district, there were 28 days of racing, and the same number of days’ trotting, including in the racing programmes 30 races for trotters, which gave the trotting sport 32 days, and reduced the racing sport to 24 days. It was decided to hold this matter over for the incoming committee. It was also decided that a general meeting be held every three months.

TROTTING NOTES

Change of Stables Norman Fox has been through the hands of a number of trainers, and is now under G. McKendry’s care at Addington. Norman Fox was a line trotter in his class, but appears to have reached the end of his tether.

11l E. C. McDermott’s Care A three-year-old by Travis Axworthy from Glade, is the latest U> E. C. McDermotts stable. Tn.o is - half-sister to proved performers m byrate and Final McKinney. Breeding: that Counts Grace McElvvyn, like her dam Jsan McElwyn. was one of lno ,^’‘ it | ark of c o cn out in recent years, but lack ox size as in every other sport, is a disadvantage in trotting. Grace Mc_Ehvyn ' gave of her.best when in B. B. Beny - care, and it has now been decided to rcti’-e her from the race track, b'.e will probably be mated with the American stallion Sandydale. McElwyn has a wealth of good behind her. for she is by Ja ck FotU from Jean McElwyn. by Nelson Bmgen—Miss Spear by Peter the Great Jean McElwyn. a great little ac marc, died in 1932, but a great Ims will be carried on by her cl JJ Ut 'i ter p J V Auckland owner. Mr D. R. Bevcll should breed a crack racer from Sandydale and Grace McElwyn. From Sydney Mr Karl Scott at present in Sydney writes to “The Press” as follows.— “Lawn Derby resents fast work after he breaks a record. That much war gathered from'his attitude after he had run fourth in the Harold Park Madcap recently and paced the two mileIn 4min 20scc. The Harold Park track is less than half a mile round, so the record is in the world category, Dawn Derby simply will not stand fussing He puts his ears back, lifts one of his hind legs and says with a glint in his eye; ‘I know I’ve reached another record. That is what is expected ° l '‘‘For such a small horse Dawn Derby is a big figure as celebrities go. He is compact and nippy, and corners the f.mall track with such apparent ease that I wonder whether he would bo able to go any faster on our bigger New Zealand tracks. . I doubt it. Dawn Derby stands only 15.2 i, and is set low behind. He is narrow in the hindquarters, but his shoulder development for one of his inches, is remarkable. That is where he must get his stamina in Sydney,” continues Mr Scott, “is held on Monday, and patrons I of it have been complaining about the ‘wash-day’ atmosphere of the sport. There is a movement afoot to have night trotting. At present the dogs which are controlled, by the New South Wales Trotting Club, and whose course is inside the trotting track at Harold Park, have Saturday nights on which to race, and the Park’s seating and standing capacity is taxed to the utmost. One suspects that Saturday night trotting here will not get a ‘go’ because if has been too successful in other states. The racing authorities fear, rather than encourage, trotting competition. A feature of the racing at Harold Park is the standing starts. Unruly Imrses are the exception and in the majority of cases the whole field goes off withouf a mistake. The bookmakers continue to call the odds during the running of a race, and after it when a finish is close. They bet on the judge’s placings, but you can be sure a “tick-tack-er” in a good line with the judge has passed up the signal to put the “bookie” on the safe side. Many of the horses and their sires will have a familiar ring to New Zealanders. One of the best trotters is a stallion named Wallagolong, a son of Walla Walla, who although an almost perfect pacer, is leaving many trotters. Wallagolong from 84yds, beat a large field very comfortably in record time, and lowered a record which had stood to the credit of Happy Rosa since 1927. His time was only. 4min 40 3-ssec, but he is better than that, and should be a great horse on New Zealand tracks You will remember a grey pacing stallion named Royal Again. He was trained at Addington by W. J. Tomkinson for two seasons, and took a placed record of 2min 40 3-ssec fob a mile and a quarter, but he was a bit of a rogue, and Tomkinson was glad to see the back of jhim. Royal Again, who must be at Idast 15 years, is still winning races here, and a son of his, Call Again, is one of the best three-year-olds in the state. Another recent winner is Kernel Du, who competed at the Inter-Do-minion Championships, and also backhome again is Speedy Boy, who. until recently, was trained by J. Fraser, jun Speedy Boy is racing moderately. He does not stay well.”

FOR MELBOURNE THREE HORSES TO LEAVE TO-DAY ITHE PRESS Special Service.] AUCKLAND, September 14. The three-year-old, Amigo, owned and trained by Mr L. G. Paul, of Wanganui, and the Awapuni horses, Catalogue and Conveyer, have arrived at Ellerslie and are to be shipped to Melbourne by the Wanganella to-morrow.

Amigo was on the track at Ellerslie doing easy work yesterday, and he appears none the worse for his two races at Wanganui last week, when he finished second to Lucullus Lad in the Seafield Handicap and second also tr Russian Ballet An the Wanganui Guineas. Amigo finished gamely m both races and should be a useful three-year-old, although he has not developed to any great extent since racing last season. Among Amigos spring engagements in Australiar are the Caulfield Cup with 7-6 and the Melbourne Cup with 7-3, but his first race there will probably be the Toorak Handicap, one mile, at Caulfield on October 8. The weights for the Toorak Handicap have not yet appeared, but are to be declared on Monday.. Whether Amigo will prove a stayer remains to be seen, and his progress in Australia will be watched with interest. He is by Beau Pere from Adorable by Lirnond from Admyra by Solferino from Temba by Sainfoin and his breeding is not against him being able to manage middle distances successfully. Catalogue is engaged in the Melbourne Cup with 8-4 i