THE RACING WORLD

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 63, 8 December 1926, Page 15

THE RACING WORLD

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By "The Watcher.”) Nominations for the annual meeting of the Stratford Racing Club, to be held on January 1 and 3, will close on Thursday at 9 p.m. The Stratford telegraph office closes at 8 p.m. Nominations for the summer meeting of the Wairarapa Racing Club on January 1 and 3 will close on Friday at 8 p.m. The Featherston telegraph office closes at 5 p.m. Nominations for all events at the sumpier meeting of the Marton Jockey Club, to be held on the Feilding course on January 1 and 3, will close on Friday at 9 p.m. The Trentham horses engaged at Woodville left yesterday. They included Tanadees, No Favours, Riverna, Axle, Ardfinnau, Nicullus, Kilmezzo, Misgovern, Doe, Vexatious, and Bonideer. Dunedin reports state that Arpent is going well in his work. His next appearance will be in the Flying Handicap at Timaru on Friday. The field in the Trial Plate at Woodville to-day is not a strong one. Comedic has the best performances, but may find the six furlongs quite far enough, and Feilding form draws attention to Kalos and Lady Cynthia causing him a considerable amount of trouble. If Peneus is any sort of a jumper he should make hacks of the majority of those engaged in the Hack Hurdles, but Revel’s experience may tell heavily in his favour. There is a handy field of ten in the Woodville Handicap, headed by Star Stranger, whose weight will no doubt keep him fully occupied, although his showing will be watched with interest in view of his engagements at Auckland. Tanadees, with L. G. Morris in the saddle, should run a great race. He has been working well at Trentham, and may prove the best of the topweights. Nukumai should beat Kilfaire on form at Ashhurst, and the best of the light-weights may be Novar. On the turn into the straight in the Feilding Cup Novar looked as if he might be hard to beat, but when in line he drifted back. All the same, he ran a very creditable race, on which he should be able to improve to-day. Woodville is a course where he has been a previous winner. Tanadees, Novar, and Nukumai may be the hardest to beat. There is a big field in the hack sprint. Magna Charta’s two-year-old form was good enough to say lie would have a chance if he is anything like forward enough, but the probabilities are that he may need some racing. Pop Off showed good form at Waverley, and Kilmezzo is improving with every race. When Kilbroneys begin to improve as Kilmezzo has done they often go a long way. Riverna showed good form at the Masterton meeting,' held at 1 rentham, and if she can manage the journey in the long straight she may be the best of the light-weights. Royal Damon, who won at Feilding, is engaged in two events, and may pass the Oete Handicap in favour of bis stable mate Epistle.,Epistle should run well, as she finished in front of Royal Damon at Feilding the first day, being a very creditable second to Orchid. Penman should show up if he gets away, and Plain Sailing, with a competent apprentice, although now in open company, should not disgrace herself. . There is no form worth speaking ot in the Nursery candidates, apart from Chelone, who in the early part of the season was reckoned as good as Cimabue. Since going into G. Jones s stable he has had a quiet time, but should be equal to running well, against to-day’s opposition. Expense is credited with plenty of pace, but she failed in Sydney. The bracketed pair, Auratum and Silver Grey, may run well, though the latter is sure to be backward vet. Auratum had a race at Wanganui, but did not get away well enough to show up, but she should be the most forward of Mr. Lowry’s pair to-day. and perhaps the one most likely to give Chelone trouble. If reserved for the Borough Handicap, Royal Damon appears to be the most likely of the top weights. Polar is a useful sort who keeps on picking up a stake, and he may run well, while Wristlet may be the best of the light weights. No Favours was unlucky at Levin, and mav make amends to-day in the Whariti Handicap. It was on the Woodville course last season that he scored a good ,win. Mountain Star was unlucky at Ashhurst and should show up. . , Owing to the improvements carried out at the Tauherenikau racecourse, it has been found necessary ,to increase the distance for the Wairarapa Cup event from one mile and a quarter to one mile and a quarter and sixty yards. The President’s Handicap, second day, is also increased from one mile and a distance to one mile a furlong and eighty yards. Owners and trainers will notice a big improvement at the Wairarapa Racing Club’s course at New Year. Since the autumn meeting the work of widening the tracks, reducing corners, and making new five and six furlong starts lias been completed, and the course will now be hard to equal outside of the metropolitan clubs. The Wairarapa Racing Club is negotiating with the Railway Department regarding running a special horse train from Palmeston North on December 31. The recent rain has had a very beneficial effect on the new grass at the Tauherenikau racecourse The track on the whole is in excellent order. A false start occurred in the Springfield Trial Plate at Methven on Saturday, and as an outcome C. Emerson, rider of Kilbox, was fined £5 by the starter for breaking through the tapes. This amount was later reduced to £3, but at a subsequent meeting of the stewards the fine was wiped out altogether. Last Saturday’s race meeting at Methven is probably the last that will be held under the auspices of that body. An application has been made to alter the constitution to that of a trotting club. Red Wink is said to have run a creditable race in the Methven Cup on Saturday, and appeared to have a winning chance at the home turn, but lack of racing condition told its tale over the concluding stages, nnd be was the last of the quartet to finish. The Hastings trainer, H S. Greene, who generally has a large string ,of horses under Iris care, is at present not experiencing the best of luck. Two of his charges, Malatour and Pleasant Surprise, are in a very bad way (says the “Tribune”), and oil appearances Malatour may never race again. The General Latour—March gelding has been a good stake earner at the small meetings, but his davs of usefulness would seem to be now oier. The Mountain Knight—Kiltess gelding Pleasant Suprisc has shown promise as a jumper, and it is unfortunate for his connections that be should be on the sick list at the present time Suffering ; from a severe wound on the foreleg, which has filled badlv, it looks as though some considerable time will elapse before he is fit to face the starter. Mr. R A. G. Barlow, of Victoria, bearing :hat Dioxide and the Solferino, —Raid vearling colt were lor sale, made an offer for them to Mr. Cambridge, which was accepted, and the

pair were shipped to Melbourne on Saturday by the Makura. Mr. Barlow owns The Wensum, a half-brother to Dioxide, and also Ransack, a brother to the yearling which Mr. Cambridge purchased at the November sales in Christchurch. The difficulty that is liable always to arise in 9st. minimum races was again in evidence in connection with the Mount Harding Hack Handicap, at Methven, on Saturday (says the “Press”). There being every indication that all the available hurdle horsemen were utilised, F. E. Jones was engaged to ride His Majesty, but a few moments before the time for mounting, A. E. Ellis put in an appearance, and signified his willingness to the officials to accept the ride. Jones thereupon bad to take off the colours and hand over to Ellis. Jones had a somewhat similar experience at the Ashburton meeting at Riccarton in September last, but in that case, the available hurdle jockey turned down the ride, and Jones rode the winner, Kilris. Backers were stung at the Williamstown races recently (states the “Sydned Sun”). A plague of dragon flies, mosquitoes, horsestingers, moths, and all kinds of insects swept over the course and took charge of the grandstand. Womenfolk were in deadly fear of being stung, and they had a most uncomfortable time. For some of the backers it was a case of being stung both ways. The Tekoa, which arrived at Auckland from England last week, had three horses on board, Colossus, a six-year-old stallion, by Polymelus from Nation, bought in England on account of Mr. Gane Carrington, of Gisborne; Cvnthia N., a filly by Juggernaut from Bayete; and Tidal, a colt. Cynthia and Tidal are owned by Mr. Eliot Davis. In to-day’s issue the Railway Department advertise special trains to Petone for the Trotting Club’s meeting. In addition to trains advertised, ordinary services run frequently.

AUCKLAND AND ELLERSLIE NOTES Dominion Special. Auckland, December 7. R. McTavish will ride Pegaway, Te Kara, Ateriria, Ned Kelly and Peter Maxwell at the Waipa meeting. E. Stanway will be on Stammer and will go to Thames this week to school that horse. Stormy, who was taken to Sydney some weeks ago, and won four races out of four starts in the Newcastle district, returned to Auckland from Sydney by the Marama to-day. His owner, Mr. H. Birch, and trainer A. Robertson, arrived by the same steamer. Apparently in the minds of some Australian authorities there was doubt as to the identity of Stormy, for when landed from the steamer this afternoon he was stripped in the presence of a detective and Mr. W. S. Spence, secretary of the Auckland Racing Clug. There is no doubt the horse is Stormy, who was sent away from Ellerslie some weeks ago.

R. E. Thomson, who went across to Sydney to ride Mount Marta and Siaosi, returned from Sydney by the Marama to-day. C. Carmont, who rode Stormy to victory in each of his four starts in the Newcastle district, met with a couple of accidents while there. While riding Stormy on the track shortly after arrival, another horse ran into Stormy and Carmont was thrown, sustaining concussion. He recovered, but recently when riding a two-year-old in a race at Newcastle, another two-year-old cut across and brought down Garment’s mount, with the result that he sustained injuries to one of his shoulders from which he is still suffering. The Franklin horses, Bright Day, Bright Knight, and Coma, belonging to Mr. S. Tapps and trained by T, E. Wilson, are likely to race at some of the southern meetings at Christmas and New Year. They are entered for events at Awapuni, while they may go on later to the Stratford meeting. No. 1 grass track was open at Ellerslie this morning for fast work. The weather was fine, but there was not a great deal doing as there are only a few Auckland horses engaged at the Waipa meeting. Lady Robinson finished well ahead of Sir Gilbert at the end of a six furlongs run in Imin. 22 2-ssec.

Tall Timber was in front of Gold Fern, with Chairman last at the end of a similar distance run in Imin. 20sec.

Royal Picture and Carinthia started off at the six furlong post, the latter being eased up after running three furlongs, which took 40sec. Royal Picture covered the six furlongs in Imin.25sec.

Charis and Salamander ran six furlongs in Imin. 20 4-ssec., and Arch Arrow was just in front of Baby Bun at the end of five furlongs in Imin. 5 4-ssec.

Town Bank was just ahead of Right and Left over a round in Imin.' 55sec. Segment covered four furlongs in 52 3-ssec. Sea Comet went over a couple of hurdles well. Royal Form showed to. better advantage than Uralla over a round. Karamu jumped two hurdles nicely. Clockwork and Star Comet went over four hurdles, the former finishing in front Betty Bruce also jumped four hurdles. FIXTURES. December S. 11—Wellington Trotting Club December 8, o—Woodville District j C December 10. 11—South Canterbury J.C. December 11—Waipa R.C. December Ift. 18—Dargaville R.C. December 27—Waipukurau J.C. December 27. 28—Westland R.C. December 27. 2.B—Taranaki J.C. December 27. 28—Du 'din J.C. December 27. 28. 30— Manawatu R C. December 27. 29. January t. 3—Auckland RO. December 3L January I 4—Grcymoutb J.O.

1927. January I—Waikouaiti K.O. January 1- Wyndham R.O. January 1, 3—Hawke’s Bay J.O. January 1. 3—Stratford R.O. January 1, 3- Marton J.O. January 1. 3 Wairarapa R.O. January 3, 4—Southland R.O. TROTTING WELLINGTON CLUB’S MEETING TO-DAY’S EVENTS AT HUTT PARK The summer meeting of the Wellington Trotting Club will commence at Hutt Park to-day. With one exception the fields are good and promise to provide excellent racing. The track is. in first-class order, and provided rain does not fall, the racing should be held under ideal conditions. The

majority’ of tlie acceptors arc on the ground, and there should be few scratchings. The first race is timed to start about 12 noon, and a frequent train and bus service will be available for patrons. The programme is as follows :—

NOVICE HANDICAP (harness), of 125 sovs.; 3.50 class. One mile and a half. Zella scr. Amazon scr. Audubon Mao scr. Maud Logan ser. Hara Gold scr. Oornelean .... scr. Jessie Huon .. scr. Grace Logan . scr. Roma scr. Rawini Lass .. scr. Trespass scr. Great Earl .... scr. Welcome Pear] scr. Grey Logan ... 24 Joo Log. 1 ...scr. Tui Wildwood 24 Logan Lily -.. scr.

The majority of the field in the Novice Handicap are unknown quantities. Audubon Mac cost his supporters some money at Nelson through not leaving the mark correctly, and if he goes off to-day tnav be prominent. The young gelding Great Earl and Cornelean may find most favour amongst the others.

NAI NAI HANDICAP (harness), of 150 sovs.; 3.52 dtass. One mile and a half. Great Elect ... scr. Tui Bells 36 Rebecca scr. Miss Leda 36 Bon- Tapui ... scr. Tamerlane ... 48 Trampcrisp ... scr. Brian Bingen 60 iVelson Wood . 12 Grey wood 72 Miss Native .. 24 Harry Grattan 72 Louisiana .... 36 Biaek Palm ... 84

The American trotter, Trampcrisp owned by Mr. J. R. McKenzie, has a great reputation, and may be the popular fancy. The Nelson mare Louisiana won very easily at her own meeting, and may give the favourite a good deal’ of trouble, while Great Elect has manv friends.

SHARPE HANDICAP (saddle.', of 150 sovs.; 2.24 class. One mile. Ena Black scr. Our Patch 12 All Fours scr. Hohora 12 Azelzion scr. Uramfc .... 24 Miss Dorothy scr. Cora Tacks .... 24 Beatty scr. Native Queen .. 24 Amaris scr. Whakukn 35 Kyana scr. Bingen Lad .... 48

Several of those engaged in the Sharpe Handicap can go a smart mile All Fours, Miss Dorothy, and Amaris may have the best prospects of those on the limit. Amaris was prominent in his engagements at Forburv, finishing fourth on each occasion, and his turn should not be far off. The local

representative, Cora Tacks, will be having her first start of the season, and Native Queen or Whakuku may be the best of the back-markers.

NEW ZEALAND GOLD CUP HANDICAP (harness), of 600 sovs.; 4.35 class. Two miles.

Tom Thumb ... scr. Taurekareka .. 48 u r ?! ltlo S ••• 12 B >".v 60 Holly Boy 12 Peter Bingen . 72 loung Blake . 12 Sea Pearl 72 Menember .... 36 Countryman ... 72 Bing Boy 48

Tom Thumb and Holly Boy may be the most favoured of the field for the Gold Cup, in which an excellent race should be witnessed. Tom Thumb will probably be driven by his owner, who is of substantial avoirdupois, but for all that Tom Thumb will take some catching. Brentloc is expected to make a showing if the track is heavy. The trotter Young Blake seems too erratic to bold his own against the pacers. Taurekareka may prove the best of the middle of the handicap, and further back the improving Peter Bingen will have most friends, although Billy Sea would have a chance if he behaved himself on the mark. Tom Thumb, Holly Bov, and Brentloc, however, may keep the back-markers very busv.

MIDDLE CLASS HANDICAP (harness), ol 175 sovs.; 4.50 class. Two miles. Jingal scr. Meb 24 High Sea scr. Master (lute .. 36 Jolly Rozer ... scr. Van Rich 48 I.ariy Ballin ... ecr Zolocb Palm ... 48 d’Artagnan .... scr Black Cloud .... 48 Lady Cio a. scr. Peter Swift .... 95 Abundance ... 24

On Nelson form, Van Rich may beat the majority of his opponents in the Middle-class Handicap from 48 yards. Lady Cio and d’Artagnan are a pair of Stayers on tile limit, but they may not be equal to Van Rich.

ELECTRIC HANDICAP (harness of 200 sovs.; 2.46 class. One mile and a quarter. Black Admiral scr. Waitaki Girl . 48 Willie Logan .. 24 Logan Chief . 48 Onyx 48 Prince Pointer 60

The high-class field in the Electric Handicap should create considerable interest After Prince Pointer’s Auckland showings he will attract a lot of attention, and he is so well at the present time that many good judges are anticipating that he will be able to concede the 60 yards asked of him. Black Admiral suffered misfortune just prior to the New Zealand Cup meeting, where he had to forfeit his engagements, and he may go well to-day, but Logan Chief and Waitaki Girl may be the most likely to trouble the back marker. HIGH-CLASS TROTTERS’ HANDICAP (harness), of 350 sovs.; 4.40 class. Two miles. Bundaberg ... ecr. Bonny Spec .... 24 Charles Pixie . scr. Red Oak 36 Peter Swift ... scr. Young B'ake . 48 Pete Peter ecr. Whispering Le Todd 12 Willi? Ml Master Audo . 24 Joho Mauritius 60

There is a fine field in the straightout trotterg’ race, always a popular event, and a splendid contest seems likely Pete Peter and Bundaberg appear the best of the limit horses, and Pete Peter may beat Bryce’s representative. Master Audo and Bonny Spec are a couple of solid trotters on 24 yds., and Red Oak should keep the back markers very busy. BPEEDAWAY HANDICAP 'harness), of 200 sovs.; 2.51 class. One mile and a quarter. Logan Holm ... scr. Bing Boy 48 Hollv Boy 24

The field in the concluding event is very disappointing, and it means a second start for Holly Hoy, and also for Bing Bov if he keeps his earlier engagement. Such conditions will be all in favour of the fresh horse, Logan Holm.