RACING AND TROTTING

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22515, 24 September 1938, Page 20

RACING AND TROTTING

NOTICE. ANNUAL MEETING OF CANTERBURY OWNERS’ and BREEDERS’ ASSOCIATION WILL BE HELD IN THE CLUB ROOMS HIGH STREET. MONDAY NEXT, September 26th, at 8 p.m. A RECORD ATTENDANCE OF MEMBERS IS REQUESTED. Make a point of being there. ALL TROTTING OWNERS AND TRAINERS WELCOME. 3145 !

GERALDINE R.C. PROGRAMME FOR TO-DAY The Geraldine Racing Club has received a very satisfactory list of acceptances for the second day of its annual meeting at Orari to-day, and another interesting programme will be presented. Some fresh horses are engaged. and these are inclined to upset i the first day’s form, but nevertheless j results at Ashburton and on Thursday will be worth following. i The win and place system will be in operation. A special train will leave j Christchurch at 9 a.m. Passengers for the races must travel by this train. They will not be booked by the 8.33 a.m. express. The return train will leave Orari at 5.30 p.m., arriving in Christchurch at 8.15 p.m. The following horses should race well:— Second Hurdles: Top Rank, Contract, Delrain. Wainui Handicap: Nigella, Auctor, Comus. President’s Handicap: Last Refrain, Ponty, Petersham. Domain Trot; Marfax, Fragment, Super Jack. Gladstone Handicap: Kilrobe, Dracula. Flame Queen. Stewards’ Stakes; Cocksure, Valmarch. Second Innings. IV inchester Trot: Oasis, Battlevale, Cyrano. South Canterbury Champion Hack Handicap: . Gironde, Recollection, Robant. The acceptances are as follows; — Noon— SECOND HURDLES HANDICAP, of £135. One mile and five furlongs. st. lb. st. lb. Top Rank .. 10 II Mount Val .. 910 Sunny Comet 913 Contract .. 9 9 Delrain .. 912 Chaste .. 9 4 The Sand- Hostile .. 9 0 wichman 911 Sir Rosenor 9 0 12.35 p.m.— WAINUI HANDICAP, of £l3O. Six furlongs. st. lb. st'. lb. Auctor 9 0 Free Course 8 7 Comus .. 812 Iliad filly 8 7 Sheeny .. 810 Jedburgh .. 8 7 Nigella ..8 9 La Plata .. 8 7 Armouretto 8 7 Lord Hawke 8 7 Chirp .. 8 7 Off Parade .! 8 7 Doubleack 8 7 Sportsman .. 8 7 1.13 p.m.— PRESIDENT’S HANDICAP, of £155. One mile and 100 yards. Ponty .. 8 11 st. lb. Argentic .. 8 8 Cocksure .... 711 Wine Card 8 8 Petersham .. 7 9 Travenna ~86 Sliver Slipper 7 3 Mungatoon 8 5 Gold Boy .. 7 0 Last Refrain 8 5 Rabble .. 7 0 Land Raid .. .7 12 Supreme Court 7 0 1.50 p.m.— DOMAIN TROT, of £l3O. 3mln 43sec class. One mile and three furlongs. Anna Wong ..scr Silk King .. scr Audo Girl .. scr Sterling Devotion ... scr Pointer scr Fragment .. scr Super Jack .. scr Grand Slam .. scr Sure Potts .. scr Marfax 1 .. scr Warwick .. scr Marque .. scr Gentleman Joe 24 Mongolian .. scr Master Potts .. 72 2.30 p.m.—, GLADSTONE HANDICAP, of £l3O. Six ■ ■ furlongs. • -st. lb. st. lb. Financier® 9 0 Gipsy Fair .. 7 11 Garonne ... 8 12 Flame Queen 7 10 Ilythia ... 810 Lady Sincere 7 10 Dracula .. 810 Colombo .. 710 Potent .. 8 6' Teak .. 7 9 Kilrobe ..8 5 Prince Passaform .. 8 2 Flaneur 7 8 Boswell .. 712 Maori Maid 7 8 '.Elmarch .. 712 Card Player 7 7 330 P-m. — STEWARDS’ STAKES, of £l3O. Six furlongs. / st. lb. st. lb. Valmarch -.. 8 9 Metal Bled .. 710 Land Raid .88 Ballad .. 79 Cocksure .. 8 6 Darecourt .7 9 Second Rebel Star .. 7 9 Innings 8 0 Silver Sail 7 9 Alby .. 7 10 3.50 p.m.— WINCHESTER TROT, of £132. 3mln 2sec class. One mile and a quarter. Devotion .. scr Idfealong .. 12 Eddystone .. scr Orby Lad .. 12 : Macgregor' .. scr Stamboul .. 12 Marque ■.. scr Master Potts .. 24 Myraa Loy .. scr Oasis • • 24 Cyrano .. 12 Battlevale .. 36 4.30 p.m.— SOUTH CANTERBURY CHAMPION HACK HANDICAP, of £l3O. One mile -and 100 yards. st. lb. st. lb. Gironde .. 8 5 Screamer .. 710 Recollection 8 3 Night Hawk 7 10 Gold Boy ..8 1 Robant .. 7 10 Great Countervane 7 9 Bramble 713 Bit o’ Blue 7 7 Glenacre .. 713 Gleucos .. 7 7

RACING FIXTURES September 24—Geraldine R.G. (second day). , „ September 24—Marton J.C. October I—Otaki-Maori R.C. - October I—Kurow J.C. October 1, 3—Ohinemuri J.C. October 6, B—Dunedin J.C. October 7. B—Hawke’s Bay J.C. October 8. 10—Auckland R.C. October 12, 13—Masterton R.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 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.

A Woman Driver Not many of the present generation of racegoers are aware that a woman once trained and drove the winner of a harness race at a Geraldine meeting. In 1905. Miss I. Button won the Geraldine Trot with The Fiddler, a gelding which she steered to another easy win at a Timaru Trotting Club meeting soon after. Miss Button was a regular competitor at trotting meetings in Canterbury until the authorities decided +3 impose a ban on her sex.

WELLINGTON T O. TO-DAY’S MEETING The .Wellington Trotting Club’s spring meeting will be held at Hutt Park to-day, under the win and place system of betting. The following horses may be expected to race well during ■the. day:— ' , ■Nai Nai Handicap—Sagamore, Tonee, Dollar ?Maid. : Sharpe Handicap—Mazaire, Silver Grattan, Lady Vasclyne. Bollard Memorial—Dark Hazard, Bexley Girl, Three Bells. Wellington Stakes—Aldershot, Zingarrie, Revision. Railway Handicap—Otaua, Precious Metal, Charlie Chan. Wilford Handicap—Sagamore, Tonee, Dollar Maid. Hutt Park Trial—Mazaire, Lady Vasclyne, Radiant Prince. Wellington Handicap Fremont, Marlene, Dark Hazard. The programme is as follows; — 12.10 p.m.— NAI NAI HANDICAP, of £175. 3mln I pled trotters. 3min 40sec class. One I mile and a half. ! Axiom .. scr. Tonee .. 36 j Biworthy .. scr Sagamore ~ 48 Dollar Maid .. scr Arapai .. 60 Native Leaf scr 12.50 p.m— N SHABPE HANDICAP, of £175. 3min ssee class. One mile and a quai-ter. Cavatina .. scr Prince De Reske .. scr McElwyn scr Diltest .. scr Royal Thread scr First Shake scr Sentiment .. scr Golden Silver Grattan scr Axworthy scr Stepson .. scr Golden Star .. scr Max Havoc .. 24 Mazaire .. scr Radiant Prince 36 Lady Vasclyne scr Playful .. 48 Palomar .. scr 1.30 p.m.— BOLLARD MEMORIAL HANDICAP, of £3OO. 3mln 28sec class. One mile and a naif. Bexley Girl .. scr Cavan Chief .. 12 Dark Hazard scr Marlene .. 12 Fremont .. scr Treasure Bond 12 Phllarlo .. scr Twenty Grand 12 Three Bells .. scr 2.10 p.m.— WELLINGTON STAKES, of £SOO. For three-year-olds. One mile and a half. Centaurus Wainoni Girl Rosalind Maid Virginia Girl Mitaya Zingarrie Te Roto Revision Worthy Empress Aldershot Golden River 2.5$ p.m.— RAILWAY HANDICAP, of £225. 3mln 36 class One mile and a half. Acceleration scr Taruna .. scr Aeora .. scr Eddie Tolan .. 12 AUworthy .. scr Guy Zolock .. 24 Baron Alfonso scr Charlie Chan 36 Colonel Ropata ’ ~36 Axworthy scr Jackaranda .. 48 Otaua .. scr Myrtle Oro .. 48 Precious Metal scr 3.35 p.m.— WILFORD HANDICAP, of £2OO. Unhoppled trotters. 4min 55scc class. Two miles. Axiom .. scr Sagamore 60 Biworthy .. scr Arapai .. 72 Dollar Maid scr Mabel Chimes 72 Tonee .. 48 4.15 p.m.— HUTT PARK TRIAL HANDICAP, of £175. 3min 43sec class. One mile and a half. ! Cavatina .. scr Palomar .. scr De Reske .. scr Prince ' Diltest .. scr McElwyn scr First Shake scr Royal Thread scr Golden Star. .. scr Sentiment •. scr Lady Vasclyne scr Silver .Grattan scr Mazaire , .. scr Stepson .. scr Radiant Prince 36 4.55 p.m.— WELLINGTON HANDICAP, of £250. 2 min S2sec class. One mile and a quaiter. Bexley Girl .scr Cavan Chief .. 12 Dark Hazard scr Marlene .. 12 Fremont .. scr .Treasure Bond 12 Phllarlo .. scr Twenty Grand 12 Three Bells .. scr i NEW BRIGHTON T.C.

HANDICAPS Handicaps for the New Brighton Trotting Club’s October meeting, to be held on Saturday, October 8, are as follows: INNOVATION HANDICAP, of £2OO. 3min , 43sec cia’ss. Unhoppled trotters. One mile and a half. Burlesque .. scr Harvest Dillon 12 Chudleigh .. scr Llewellyn’s Pet 12 Frances Bon Chance .. 24 Worthy scr Dollar Maid 24 Gentleman Joe scr Lee Boy . .. 24 Hamel Bey .. scr Ohlnermitu .. 24 Judgement .. scr Premier . ■ .. 24 Kllmorlck .. scr Shadeland . .. 24 Lord Ernlelgh scr Axiom .. 36 Paying Guest scr Gerfalcon .. 30 Beta’s Own .. scr Princess Swift Guy .. scr Beverley 36 Syntax .. scr Sphinx .. 36 Tasman Flight scr Timworthy ... 48 Thor ~ scr Blue Logan .. 60 Tiny Guy .. scr Gay Crusader 72 Tommy Guy, .. scr Header .. 84 Gaynor ..12 SHIRLEY HANDICAP, of 3mln 34sec class. One mile and a half. Bill B. .. scr Purveyor .. scr Colonel Quest .. scr Axworthy scr Royal Grattan scr Cruiser .. scr Stalwart .. scr Diversion , ~ scr Taruna .. scr Eddie Tolan .. scr Ace High .. 12 Francisco .. scr Evora .. 12 Hidden. Charm scr Purina .. 12 Jarieworthy .. scr Lottie Guy .. 24 Llewellyn’s Mont d’Or' ~ 24 Pe£ scr ; W. THOMPSON HANDICAP, of £3OO. 4 min 36sec class. Two miles. Ace Pot ... scr, Wynan .. scr Belle Grattan scr Zincall .. scr Bing Crosby .. scr Aircraft .. 12 Donor .. scr Colonel Grattan 12 Ferry Post .. scr Harlequin .. 12 Golden Cross scr Casanova ~ 36 Gold Salute .. scr Guy Junior .. 48 Nell Grattan scr Horse Power 60 Twenty Grand scr

AVON handicap; of £2OO. 2mln 55Sec class. One mile and a quarter. Ace High ..scr Refund .. scr Aqua Bond .. scr Snowy de Oro scr Bayard .. scr Taruna .. scr Bill B. . . scr Wharrum .. scr Eastern Prince scr -Credit Funds 12 Evora .. scr Pay Rey .. 12 Icevus .. scr Full Hand .. 12 Intrigue .. scr Laurene Wood 12 Galliriford .. scr Old Faithful 12 Ivy Peterson scr Olive King ... 12 Jackaranda .. scr Civic .. 24 Labourman .. scr Loyal Pat .. 24 Mankind .. scr Gold Salute .. 48 Purina scr Starwyn .. 48 NEW BRIGHTON HANDICAP, of £250. Unhoppled' trotters. 3min 30sec class. One mile and a half. Axiom .. scr' First Wrack .. 36 Guy Hugo • .. scr • Flotsam .. 36 Parrish Guide scr Great Admiral 36 Pilot Peter .. scr Helen’s Bay .. 36 Little Reta .. 12 Lament .. 36 Ganton .. 24 Wahnooka' .. 60 Aristotle .. 36 Sea ' Gift .. 108 Discord ■ "... 36 BEACH HANDICAP, of £3OO. 3min 20sec class. One mile and- a .half. Aide de Camp scr Big Author .. 24 Blair Athol . i scr Renown’s Best 24 Carver Doone scr Rey Spec .. 24 Gallant Evicus .. -36 Knight . scr Plutus ... 36 Guy Junior .. scr Village Guy .. 36 Iraq .. scr War Buoy .. 36 Llewellyn's Grand Mogul 43 Pride scr Pot Luck .. 60 Recess .. scr Lucky Jack .. 72 Ginger Jack .. 12 Indianapolis .. 86 Roneomal .. 12

TURF GOSSIP Wrong Colours The failure of some owners to send or take their racing colours to a meeting at which they are represented is becoming common in the South Island, and on Thursday at Orari, the stipendiary steward, Mr C. F. Hartland, had to fine three different owners £1 each for parading their horses in wrong colours. The only excuse was that the livery was forgotten either by the trainer or owner, and other jackets had to be borrowed. Racing in different colours to those mentioned in the race book is always liable to cause confusion to officials and racegoers, and the offence should be punishable by a bigger fine than the maximum of £1 allowed at present, unless, of course, there is some sound reason given for the right colours not being in use. First Appearances Fresh horses at the Geraldine meeting to-day are as follows;.—Sunny Comet, Sir Rosenor, Auctor, Chirp, Free Course, Sportsman, Argentic, Land Raid, Rabble, Supreme Court, Financiere, Kilrobe, Passaform, Boswell, Elmarch, Flame Queen, Colombo, Teak, Prince Flaneur, Card Player, Darecotirt, and Glenacre. The stablemates. Financiere and Kilrobe, are both engaged in the Gladstone Handicap, and on their recent track form, they are likely to be in strong evidence. Kilrobe, especially, has been showing a turn of speed in her gallops, and provided she gets away well, she will be prominent throughout. . In Winning Order Cocksure is engaged in two races today. but as his stablemate Ponty is also included in the field for the first, the President’s Handicap, it would appear likely that Cocksure will contest the Stewards’ Stakes, in which he will not encounter Nightcalm and Silver Streak, whom he narrowly beat over the same journey on the first day. Cocksure’s appearance in the birdcage on Thursday gave the impression that he carrying surplus condition, but he has always appeared to be big even when in his best racing condition. Nevertheless. he will be all the better for his two recent races, and is entitled to be in strong demand again to-day. Cup Candidates In the New Zealand Cup, Argentic is top-weight with 9-0, and Ponty has 7-9, but in to-day’s President’s Handicap at Orari. one mile and. 100 yards. Ponty is top-weight with 8-11, and Argentic has 8-8. The weight given Ponty in the Cup, as against that of Argentic, would indicate the handicapper’s opinion that Ponty could not master a two mile journey, but he won a Wellington Cup. over a mile and a half, carrying 7-7. It has been realised that when Ponty gets up to the nine stone mark, he has seldom raced prominently, and with 7-9 In the big November race, he may be an interesting candidate. Weight Record Royal Chief will make a weight record for a four-year-old if he should win the Metropolitan with 8-13. but on the weight-for-age scale it will not equal the, performance of Loquacious, who won at that age "with 8-11. She carried 21b over weight-for-age, while Royal Chief has 11b below it. Geraldine Cup The first Geraldine Cup was run near Temuka on Boxing Day of 18G6, the feature event of the earliest races in the county in 1864 having been styled the .Valley Cup (the meeting being held at Pleasant Valley), says the Timaru “Herald.” The second Geraldine Cup was run at the Valley in 1808, but in 1870 the event was included in the programme of a gathering held on the river-bank opposite the Geraldine township. Cup meetings were held on Captain- Macpherson’s property in 1871, and on Mr T. S. Tancred’s fields in the three following years, the meeting in 1874 being extended to two days. In 1875 a ploughed track was laid out on Mr W. Postlethwaite’s estate at Raukapuka, which was the headquarters of the club until a transfer was made to Orari in 1881 in order to secure the advantage of railway facilities.

Small Fields In one of the Geraldine Cups in the paddock era, there were only two starters, one of which bolted off the course. The smallest field in the race at Orari was seen in 1895, when Chaos had what was virtually & walk over. His only competitor was Invader, who went out with 201 b overweight to qualify for second money. Chaos won again on the second day with 10-3, beating two lightly-weighted opponents, and at his next and final appearance was second in the New Zealand Cup. New Zealand’s Wins Neyr Zealand has made a good start in weight-for-age races in Sydney this spring, writes “Pilot” in the Sydney “Referee.” Three have been run, and while two went to Stretto and Royal Chief, bred and owned there, the other was won by Gold Rod, who was bred in the Dominion. There would not appear to be any deterioration in the quality of New Zealand’s best, horses, though that idea recently obtained in Australia. In the weight-for-age races at .Jhe Australian Jockey Club’s meeting, Royal Chief will >not meet much stronger fields than that in the Chelmsford Stakes. Gold Rod will be an additional runner, but seemingly Royal Chief’s recent opponents will need to improve in order to turn the tables on him. Royal Chief gave F. D. Jones his fourth Chelmsford Stakes win, Limerick previously winning for him three times in succession. When Limerick won the Chelmsford Stakes as a four-year-old, he also ran in the Metropolitan with 9-5, which, as he was a fielding, represented 81b over weight-or-age. On a heavy track Murillo, in receipt of 191 b, was too good for him. Royal Chief will carry lib less than weight-for-age in the Metropolitan.

The Two Cups The Victorian reaction to Rand wick and Moonee Valley races was considerable. Not a serious blow was struck by investors, but the bookmakers of their own accord indulged in a decent reshuffle, writes a Melbourne correspondent on September 15. The success of Royal Chief, the defeat of Avenger, the success of Aitchengee; and the forward showing of Kingdom contributed to the change round. ' With many bookmakers. Royal Chief is favourite for the Caulfield Cup. Kingdom has moved up so quickly that he is now challenging both Royal Chief and Avenger. Aitchengee had his price cut in half. Both Royal Chief and Kingdom firmed consider: bly for the Melbourne Cup. The market, stands as follows: CAULFIELD CUP, of one mile and a half. (Run October 15) Avenger, Royal Chief Kingdom Nightguard The Trump,' Footmark, Aitchengee Genetout » Courage, Floodtide, Desert Chief Ena, Elanage, Royal Order, Stretto. MELBOURNE CUP, of two miles. (Run November 1) Nuffield L’Aiglon, Avenger Kingdom, Bristol Marauder, Royal Chief.

FAREWELL HANDICAP (In saddle), of £2OO. 2min 17sec class. One -mile. Civic .. scr Streamline •.. scr Doubt .. scr Cavan Chief . 12 Panqultch .. scr Panther Queen 12, Reno .. scr Heather Queen 12 Sage King .. scr Shrewdy .. 12 Sky Wink .. scr Treasure Bond 12 Slippery Sam scr Waitaki Power 24

MARTON J.C. TO-DAY’S PROGRAMME ITHE PRESS Special Service.! WELLINGTON, September 23. The prospects are favourable for the spring meeting of the Marton Jockey Club to be held to-morrow, the weather being fine and the track in good order. Held this year about three weeks later than usual, there is more form to provide a line for backers; but as several fresh horses will be making their appearance the issues remain open. Single pool betting will operate. The following horses may be supported in their engagements:— Maiden Race —Eurotas and Hagen. Juvenile Handicap—Tableau and Beau Vite. „ Hack Hurdles —Alloa and Erebus, Tutaenui Hack—Dark Eagle, Le Toquet, and Sporting Gift. Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase— Annoyer and Black Man. Marton Handicap—Brazen King and Trailer. Spring Hack—Auto Sweep and Skyful. Farewell Hack—Kokako, Nelumbo, and Rhodesian. The programme is as follows: 12 noon— MAIDEN RACE, of £IOO. Six . furlongs. st. lb. st. lb. Drachma .. 8 7 - Travail .. 8 7 ■ Twilight Song 8 7 High 'Peer ..8 7 Segra ..87 Titter .. 87 Fiancee ... 8 7 Cuddler .. 8 7 Minga .. 8 7 All Bunsby 8 7 Hagen ..8 7 Sakl .. 8 7 Eurotas .. 8 7 Sporting Luck 8 7 Namara .. 8 7 "Mawal .. 8 7 Old 8i11..8 7 Cuislnier ..8 7 12.40 p.m.— JUVENILE HANDICAP, of £l2O. Four furlongs. , , st. lb st. lb. Beau Vite .. 712 Leighton ■ Rei 712 Deflation ... 712 Miss Leighon 712 Siglow .. 7 12 Authoress .. 712 Tableau .. 712 Military Maid 712 Portal , .. 712 Vascones .. 712 1.20 p.m.— HACK HURDLES, of £135.' One mile and a half, st. Ib. s t, lb. Entheos ..10 7 Disturbed .. 9 2 Tall Light .. 10' 5 Sinking Fund 9 2 Erebus .. 911 Princess Isobel 9 2 Alloa .. 9 7 Royal Record 9 0 Porotiti .. 9 7 In Command 9 0 Lifeguard .. 9 5 Strolling .. 9 0 Ambition .. 9 2 2 p.m.TUTAENUI HACK HANDICAP, of £125. , . Six furlongs. „ st. lb. st. lb. Corroboreo 9 2 Dark Eagle 712 Sporting Gift 812 Philemup .. 711 Le Toquet .. 8 8 Dainty Sheila 7 9 Red Cat .. 8 4 Captain Screen Star 8 4 Trevllle 7 7 Rustem .. 8 2 Golden Ridge 7 7 Vadanoe ..8 2 Halle Selassie 7 7 Dainty Sue 8 1 Informer .. 7 7 Trebor .. 713 Aero Lad .. 7 7 2.45 p.m.— HACK AND HUNTERS’ STEEPLECHASE, of £l5O. About two miles and a half. st. lb. st. lb. Southern Lactose .. 9 0 , Blood 11 2 Booklaw .. 9 0 Annoyer ~10 7 Klkirakl ..9 0 Hanover ..10 6 Sir Acre ..9 0 Glonvano .. 9 10 Green Timber 9 0 Black Man 9 5 Sabatinl .. 9 0 In Command 9 0 3.30 p.m.— MARTON HANDICAP, of £l6O. Nine furlongs, st. lb. st. lb. Brazen King • 9 2 Trailer 7 0 Gay Son 7 12 Dorado .. 7 0 Liane .. 7 7 Vlraclous .. 7 0 4.15 p.m.— SPRING HACK HANDICAP, of £l5O. One mile and a quarter. st. lb. st. lb. Puroto ..9 0 Philemup .. 713 Naughty Iddo .. 7 13 Marietta 8 12 Skyful .. 7 9 Lustral ..8 7 Warehi .. 7 8' Amatory .. 8 5 Auto Sweep 7 7 Tractile .. 8 0 sir Don .. 7 7 Disturbed .. 713 5 p.m.— FAREWELL HACK HANDICAP, of £l2O. Five furlongs, st. lb. st. lb. Rhodesian .. 9 0 Fiancee . ..77 Shining Hours 813 Kokako ..7 7 Nelumbo . .. 8 10 Deficit .. 7 7 Screen Star 8 5 Prinihia .. 7 7 Amoroso ..8 1 Captain Frlskland .. 713 Trevllle 7 7 Lindrum .. 711 Lady Melfort 7 7 Drachma ..7 7 Wilful Lady 7 7 Drathula ..7 7

ROYAL CHIEF PLAIN BUT GOOD INTERESTING OPINIONS Royal Chief has been something of a “surprise packet” to many people in Australia, writes “Warrawee” in the Sydney “Referee.” There is still a tendency in this country to discount New Zealand form, despite the fact that for more than a generation the best horses from the Dominion have proved themselves capable of holding their own (and commonly a bit over) against the best in the Commonwealth. Some who come to mind are Rapine, Cruciform, Desert Gold, Bobnkoff, Vanguard. Soultline, Limerick, Ballymena, Cuddle. Machine Gun, and Sasanof, not to mention Phar Lap, Trenton, Carbine, and Lochiel. 'RoyalChief has been a surprise for many people because of the difference between his brilliant form and his appearance as an individual. They knew he was a very good and consistent performer in New Zealand, but to many of them he did not “look the part” of a star of the first magnitude, or even one of the minor satellites. “He’s just a horse,” said a veteran racing man seeing him for the first time at Warwick Farm. A Common Looker

Royal Chief is certainly not an imposing individual. , At Randwick on September 10 the writer was asked by a lady punter if he thought the horse had any real chance of beating Avenger. When informed that he/thought that Royal Chief had at least a 50-50 chance of doing so, she said she would have a. bet on him. for she did not fancy the price of Avenger. Unfortunately for her good intentions she went to have a look at the horse before betting. “Oh, I could not back a horse like that,” ’ she said with a sigh of ' disappointment. “He looks too common.” When he ran past the post a brilliant winner the lady, no doubt, reflected that “things were not always what they seem" even in the equine kingdom.

Like Carbine Royal Chief is a deceptive horse. Carbine was much the same. The writer remembers Carbine (undisputed two-year-old champion of New Zealand) coming across for his first season in Australia. He had been winter favourite for the Victoria Derby (he was not entered at Sydney) and before arriving his price was 2 to 1. On his way to Melbourne the immortal son of Musket was taken out to Randwick for a track gallop. A number of the “wise men of the Turf” went out to have a look at him. After they returned a much more liberal price was on offer against Carbine for the Derby. They were not impressed by him, he was “cow-hocked,” and had several other -defects not consistent with Derby class. Carbine was one of the horses who revealed good points in his make-up when one began to examine him in detail. The Right Material It is much the same with Royal Chief. At a first glance he does not appear to be anything but a very ordinary horse, lacking something in class. If one examines him in detail that view will be found to be largely illusory—and it will vanish like mist before a summer sun the moment he is seen galloping at full stretch. He is. a 'well-balanced horse with short back, and very powerful coupling for one of his dimensions. He has a lean head and neck and there is no surplus weight or lumber about his

legs or shoulders. The salient point is that he has muscle and strength where these qualities are required. His action when doing a preliminary is rather prOppy and unattractive (he is a short strider), but you forget all that when you see him .making, a run at top speed. Then he looks precisely what he is—a racehorse of real class. He is almost as active on his feet as a cat, and is a very handy horse in a field with the power to gather pace very quickly. Parading in the saddling paddock for the Chelmsford Stakes, he was overshadowed in size and range by such horses as Avenger, Limulet. and Genetout—but in the actual racing it was a different story.

There was no doubt about the issue the moment Bartle asked the New Zealander for an effort two furlongs from the post. From that point he finished with dazzling speed, and fairly and squarely defeated the A.J.C. Derby winner. Avenger. TROTTING NOTES

A Reminder Acceptances for the Methven Trotting Club’s meeting will close on Monday. A Well-bred Novice Cavatina, who is engaged in the Sharpe Handicap at Hutt Park today, is trained by L. F. Berkett, and is a four-year-old filly by Arion Axworthy from Dilworth, one of the greatest mares in New Zealand a few years ago. Bracketed Horses 'At the Wellington Trotting Club’s meeting to-day the following horses will be bracketed on the totalisator:— Sharpe Handicap—Silver Grattan

, and Palomar. Bollard Memorial Handicap—Philario and Twenty Grand. Wellington Stakes —Virginia Girl and Rosalind Maid. Wilford Handicap—Biworthy and Mabel Chimes. Hutt Park Trial Handicap—Silver Grattan and Palomar. \ Wellington Handicap—Philario and Twenty Grand. - Australian Pacers for Addington The New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club has received information from W. J. O’Shea, trainer of Lawn Derby, to the effect that the stallion will be brought to New Zealand to

compete in the New Zealand Cup and other races at Addington in November. In recent months Lawn Derby has been responsible for several outstanding performances and his presence at Addington will provide a big attraction. He raced at Auckland last Christmas, and won in groat style over two miles in 4min 17 3-ssec, defeating Lucky Jack after a battle royal. O’Shea had previously expressed dissatisfaction with Lawn Derby’s assessment, 4min 22sec, and a further penalty of 24 yards decided his trainer not to make the trip to Christchurch for the Inter-Dominion Championship. Of late he has been racing particularly well and while he will find the New Zealand Cup a difficult race to win he will be afforded further opportunities in the Free for All and other races.

Logan Derby There is also a prospect of a visit from .the Tasmanian pacer Logan Derby, who has done his recent racing in West Australia and at Gloucester Park on September 3 won a 13 furlong race at the rate of 2min 14sec to the mile. In this race Logan Derby conceded 108 yards’ start to a good field. With Lawn Derby and Logan Derby pitted against the best horses in New Zealand the racing at Addington in November should provide some great racing. Metbven Meeting The Railway Department advertises in this issue special fares and train arrangements for the trotting meeting at Methven on Saturday, October 1.