THE RACING WORLD

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 118, 16 February 1928, Page 14

THE RACING WORLD

WANGANUI MEETING OPENS TO-DAY

NOTES AND COMMENTS

(By “

"The Watcher.”)

The Wanganui autumn meeting will open to-day, and conclude on Saturday. The principal event to-day is the Wanganui Cup, and on the second day the classic race the Jackson Stakes. Advice received from .Blenheim slates that much needed rain fell on Tuesday night, and did an immense amount: of good to the Waterlea racecourse, which is non' in excellent condition. Nominations for the Marlborough Racing Club’s summer meeting close at 8 o’clock tomorrow night, with Mr. E. J. Harvey, secretary, Blenheim. Horses can he shipped to Blenheim by tho t.s.s. Tamahine, leaving Wellington at 3 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and tho return can be made on Sunday, March 4. Limerick’s winnings now total „C2t,183. Mr. Ebb Simpson has disposed of his three-year-old gelding, Aro do Vai. and Iho disappointing half-brother Io Borage will race in future in Western Australia. In winning the Dunedin Champagne Stakes, Goblin Market credited Air. G. D. Greenwood with his first success in that event, while it was tho first time Absurd had figured on the winning list of tho race. Goblin Alarket, bred by Air. G. Al. Currie, cost 725 guineas as a yearling, and though he was one of the early fancies among tho Riccartou youngsters, he did not realise expectations in the spring. He scored his first win at Trentham, a few weeks ago, when ho ran out six furlongs attractively, and in view of last week’s success ho will come prominently under notice for important two-year-old events in tho autumn. Tho hurdler Aberfeldy has resumed work, and ho is now being trained by his owner, R. W. King. _Ho looks in excellent health, after his spell, and he should bo ready to race at some of tho late autumn meetings. Footfall, who is top weight in tho Midsummar Handicap wdth 9.13, won this raca last year under 10.2. Even with 31b. off his back he is set a harder task on this occasion, as the field is much stronger for Saturday’s race. It is probable that a large field of two-year-olds will take part in tho Lyttelton Plate at Riccarton on Saturday. Apart from Rin Tin Tin, few of the competitors have form to recommend them, ■while a number of them will be appearing in a race for the first time. Count Cavour is still on the easy list, and it seems doubtful if he will do any more racing this season. After resting for several weeks, it would not ho easy io get him to do his best by Easter. J. McCombe has not done much with his team lately, but ho has made another start with Amorist, Despot, and Court Jester. The first-named pair look well, but the growth on Court Jester’s neck, which has been operated on several times, is still causing trouble. W. McDonald did not take Koauau back to Riccarton after tho Dunedin meeting. Ho will take tho hurdler on to Gore, where ho will race next week. In his last five starts Paul Lucerno has won four times, and being of the solid variety, should pay his Way in ■'open” company, in which class he will bo forced to race after running out his present hack nominations.

L. G. Alorris is being well informed by the critics about how he lost the Taranaki Stakes on Reremoana. Alorris is not tho first rider by a long chalk who has committed an’ error of judgment, but it was always so—you get more abuse for a single failure than congratulations over several successes.

"Directly a racehorse shows form above the average, so soon does a trainer run a risk of losing tho animal’s services, as inquiries re the price of such horse immediately pour in Io tho owner” (says a Taranaki writer). “Bright Glow is the latest to come under i.he' eye of bargain hunters in horseflesh." AVhile this may bo true of the average owner, there arc some men racing in this country who cannot bo tempted io sell a good horse, nor do they lend tho all too ready car to disparaging ret marks cast upon (heir trainers. 1 know of more than one man racing prominently who did not win a race for twelve, months and in cases over a longer period, yet they never raised a murmur nor let their trainers feel, by tho slightest sign, that the position was at all strained. It is not easy to win, but a trainer who works for an owner who is a good loser is happily circumstanced.'

Atany of those present at the Taranaki Jockey Club’s meeting last Saturday were under the impression that Iho pace over tho early stages of tho Taranaki Stakes was very slow, but: tho first half-mile was run in 49 3-ssec. Tim fifth, furlong was flow, lull the sixth was very fast.

The Wellington Racing Club has issued tho program mo for its autumn meeting to bo held on Thursday and Saturday, Alarch 15 and 17. The programme is as follows: First High-weight Handicap, 260 sovs., uno inilo and a quarter;. No Zealand St. Legcr., 750 sovs., ono mile and three-quarters; I’lunket Nursery Handicap. 300 sovs., live furlongs; Thompson Handicap, 1000 sovs. (700 sovs. to tho winner), ono mile; North Island Challenge Stakes, 1000 SOVS.. seven furlongs; Silverstream Handicap, 260 sovs., one mile; Railway Handicap, 500 sovs., six furlongs; Tinakori Handicap, 260 sovs., six furlongs. Second day: Second High-weight Handicap, 260 sovs.. one, mile; Hutt Handicap (open), 400 sovs., ono mile; Trenthant Gold Cup, of 1000 sovs., two miles; Aluritai Handicap, 260 sovs., ono mile; Pacific Handicap (.two-year-olds), GOO sovs., six furlongs; Autumn Handicap, 800 sovs., one mile and three furlongs; Suburban Handicap, 500 sovs., six furlongs; Belmont Handicap, 260 sovs., six furlongs. Nominations for all events and forfeits for the St. Legcr and Challenge Stakes aro due by 9 p.m. on Monday, February 27. Tho Wanganui course should bo in excellent order for the opening of the autumn meeting to-day. Tho rain that has fallen will have a freshening effect, and the sling will bo out of the going. Quality is not prominent in to-day’s fields, but. they are of fair size all through tho card, and some interesting racing is promised. On Saturday the Jackson Stakes should bo a fine race. 'The maiden field does not represent very good form. King Alart raced well al Egmont, and .should bo prominent. Alerxcis was second at Taranaki, and has speed. Alarica, a three-year-old filly by Arrowsmith from Gladiole, ought to be able to gallop. A surprise is always possible in a field of moderate maidens, but tho three named should show up. Tioga, Lady Limond, and Damaris represent the best recent form in tho Stewards’ Handicap, in which AVaicullus ought also to go well. Civility may not

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be ready yet, after her spell, but she is nicely placed here, and if fancied by her party, one could hardly go past her. Ou the whole, Damaris looks the likely one.

Nucleus won her double al Egmonl in convincing style, and is sure Io improve, si. that she should bo hard to beat in the Westmere Hurdles. Alal.ii and Elysianor may be her most, difficult opponents. Nucleus looks like turning out a bit above the average.

Ladykiller’s Egmonl and Taranaki form draws attention to his prospects in the Victory Handicap, but Royal Aero and Capitulation should both re hard to beat. Whisognc and Sovena showed form at the recent meetings, and now that tho tracks have had rain, Some Lad may do better. Royal Aero, Ciyjitillation, and Some Lad may do best.

'Tho Cup field is such an even lot that tho winner may bo one of the least expected. Being a stayer, Yoma should be helped by the length of the journey, and he will probably be one of the favourites. On class, Mundane is outstanding. She got into trouble at Auckland which caused a retirement. She is a gross mare, who needs any amount of work, and (hero is a chance she may not be at her best. AVhcn she went out of work, however, she was in great trim, and the fact that she is going to the post may be taken as an indication that she Is all right. Mandano looks like being tho hardest to beat. We have not seen the best of this mare yet. Of the light-weights Alint Leaf has a chance on. liis Egmont form, and Joy Bird and Alareria look the best of the others. Afandane looks tho best prospect, and Mint Leaf may bo troublesome.

The two-year-old handicap might be tricky for backers. The best form is that of Tea Aliss, and good beginners like Banket and Moorgas might bo troublesome.

’There is plenty of recent form to go on amongst tho top-weights in tho Petro Handicap. Polydectes has his Trentham running in his favour, find Helotis has shown good and consistent form in her recent starts. Vigilance is a good beginner, .who should also go well.

> The field in the Flying Handicap is a ■ good one, and it will bo a fine race, and f probably difficult to pick. The four : above Bst. must all be considered to have J good chances, and amongst the light--1 weights High Finance and Covent Garden look likely sorts. If Shirley were near her best one could hardly do better ’ than stop at her, but Paganelli and Kiosk , will be a pair of class sprinters on hand ; at the finish. A Press Association message from Alelbourne states that no New Zealand 1 horses aro included in the acceptors for the Oakleigh Plate. Amounis has I accepted for the Futurity Stakes ami , Newmarket, Handicap, and Pilliewinkio . and Naos for tho Australian Cup. I ’ WANGANUI TRACK NOTES i i ' By Telegraph.—press association. Wanganui, February 15. > The weather was misty for tho final gallops. Joy Bird did a couple of rounds on tho plough. This horse is looking well. Civility did three-quarter pace work over six furlongs. David Garrick and Main went a mile in Imin. 4(i 4-ssec. Tiega covered a mile in Imin, 45sce. High Finance went four furlongs in 49 l-sscc. Prince Humphrey did five furlongs in Imin. 3 4-ssec. Tea Aliss and King Midas went five furlongs in Imin. 31sec. Eden, Hall and Ladykiller covered seven furlongs in Imin. 30sec. Footpad and Banket went four furlongs in 50sec. Alnreria went six furlongs in fmin. 14 2-ssoc. , Alandane covered seven furlongs in Imin. 30 4-ssec. Freehold and Thrift galloped four furlongs in 48 3-ssec. Ruanui went live furlongs in Imin. 3sec. Kiosk did half a mile in 49 l-ssoc, l.’aganelli went six furlongs at threequarter pace, finishing up fast. By Telegraph—From “The Watcher.” Wanganui, February 15. A fair amount of rain has fallen in Wanganui, and the track should be in splendid order for to-morrow’s racing. xiirist, a three-year-old, by Warplane, owned by Air. P. A. Duncan, went well this morning in a gallop with Freehold, anil as the Alaidcn field is not a go<>' one Thrist apparently has a pretty good chance. WANGAN UI SCRATCH!NGS. Wanganui, February 15. Lethal was scratched for all engagements at 9 a.ni. this morning and .San Pedro at 10.30. TROTTING FIXTURES. Feb. 18, 22—Otahuhu T.C. .Summer. Feb. 22 and 23—Gore R.C. (two events). Feb. 25—Greymouth T.C. (Jubilee). Feb. 25—Kaikoura T.C. Annual. Feb. 27—Inangahua T.C. Annual. Alarch 2 —Marlborough T.C. Annual. Alarch 2 and 3—lnvercargill T.C. The New Zealand Metropolitan Club were favoured by tine weather for their summer meeting on Saturday, and there was a substantial increase in tho number of patrons present, duo no doubt to the fact that Great Bingen and Native Chief were to try conclusions in a match to bo run over eight furlongs. When paraded before the race both horses appeared to bo in perfect condition, and everyone present was buoyed up with tho hope that they were about to witness the event of the season, if not of many years to come. Unfortunately, as is now generally known, the start favoured Native Chief, due, it is said, to tho fact that D. Withers, driver of Great Bingen, eased his horse, anticipating that Native Chief was again about to break, as ho had done in their earlier efforts, to effect an equal dinpatch. Tho advantage thus gained materially assisted Native Chief, and so it cannot be said that Hie race was a true test of tho merits of the two horses. I believe, and still believe, that Native Chief is the better horse at a mile, but it is probable that there , will bo no further opportunity of proving, or disproving, this, in a straightout contest between the two. As announced in yesterday morning’s issue, Native Chief’s future movements are tin- 1 certain, ho having been returned to his owner. Who has sent him to J. Bryce’s I property at Hornby for a spell. Although Native Chief failed to lower | Acron’s record of 2.3 3-5, his performance in covering the mile in 2.4 1-5 was ( a meritorious one, as the atmospheric conditions were not in favour of record breaking. 1 Swiftbine and Nelson Hell failed to begin in the Spreydon Handicap, and trailed tho field throughout. At tho , Canterbury Park meeting in January I tho first-named and Duke Bingen wore : bracketed, but unfortunately for those who supported Swift bine, this was not the cuso on Saturday. In winning in 3.25 1-5, Duke Bingen registered an

excellent performance; going just on 3 seconds belter Hum his handicap. lie also ran well in Iho Cashmere .Handicap, finishing a good third Io I risen Beau and Our Lady. Tn running himon Io a 3.2(1 mark for a mile and a. half, he will probably find it hard to win al that distance in future.

Queen’s Own ran a sterling race when she won the ('raven Handicap of a mile and a quarter in 2.13 3-5. She may not, however, be. scon on the race tracks much longer, as she is believed to be safely in foal to Drusus.

Kingcraft, who won the Juvenile Handicap so comfortably, is by Quincey from Colcne Pointer. Tho latter contested the Tapanui Handicap, being made second favourite, but she did not race as well s she was expected to do. Kingcraft comported himself like an old hand, and promises to develop into .1 very useful animal.

Rose Alarie was made rood favourite for the juvenile event, no doubt largely due to the fact that, she came from \V. .1. Tonikinson’s stable. She was never in front, and al no stage of the race looked likely to win.

Groat, Triumph, who won at Cheviot recently, was made second favourite Io Rose Alarie. but. after making a slow beginning, ho ran into (rouble, which completely extinguished his chances. His failure to secure a place should not be taken too mncli notice of.

Sarella was made favourite, and ac counted for the. Liverpool Handicap ii taking style. She was always well placed and was fortunate enough to secure ; good passage. She is an improving pacer, and her staying ability slwuh enable her to win further honours.

Diamond Child surprised by tho manner in which she stayed on in her race, mid Sarella accounted for her only in tho concluding stages of the race. Her connections were a bit, unlucky in having to take second money, especially us Diamond Child went 4.3 S 4-5, or 1 l-ssee. better than her handicap.

Trimmer went: very fast in the early stages of tho Craven Plate, and it was mil until four furlongs from home that he was joined by Black .Admiral and Logan Chief. The last-named went, quite a good race, but could not see the. journey right out. Acron wont a bell er race than he has done for some time, and was a good fourth to Queen’s Own, Black Admiral, and Taurokarcka. As lie was conceding each of these horses 24 yards, tho honours of the race were really bis. It. is a long time since ho won', and it would be pleasing to be able to record a victory for him,

High Jinks was very unlucky in the Papanui Handicap, as when holding a. good position he struck trouble, and had to bo pulled up owing to his sulky being damaged.

Dalmeny, who is engaged at the Otahuhu nieeting on Saturday, paced a solid race in the Papanui Handicap, and the Brent Locanda gelding is evidently coming back to form. He may be worth watching at Otahuhu.

Although defeated in the Midsummer. Handicap, the four-year-old Author Jinks was far from disgraced. Handicapped on. 4.28, his task was made more difficult, by reason of the fact that ho had to coyer a. good deal of extra ground. As it. was, ho fought his way io tho front about three furlongs from home, but tho effort told its talc in the race down tho straight. Afaura was coupled with Pan Van. one of tho horses expected to race well. He did not race up to form, however, and may bo feeling tho effects of tho racing ho has had.

F. G. Holmes drove and trained St. Afaura and Queen’s Own, who accounted for the double at Addington cn Saturday. H: will be remembered that at Forbury W. J. Tomkinson put vp a like performance the first day, while the second day the winning double was accounted for by horses trained by .1. Henderson and driven by J. AlcLennan. Which stable will be the next to have such a turn?

Dnn Derby gave a nice even display in the Juvenile Handicap, but was no match for Kingcraft

Frisco Beau justified tho support accorded him in the. Cashmere Handicap, but there was only a neck in his favour at. tho finish. Frisco Beau was imported from America by Air. J. R. McKenzie And has proved himself a good sort of horse.

Zenith, winner of (be Papanui Handicap, is a grey, and a full-brother Io Pan Ynn. Tie won tho mile saddle race at the Canterbury Park meeting in January, and is a useful sort:. Zenith was perhaps lucky to win on Saturday, as Jackie Audubon broke when he appeared to have, tho race in safe keeping. At Iho top of the straight Jackie Audubon had a lead of four lengths. Nelson McKinney, who usually races in a solid manner, broke up before covering half the distance of the Spreydon Handicap. Sarsaparilla, too. broke before going four furlongs. At Addington in January the latter went, two perfect races. There arc very few trotters that do it. right all the time, and tho risk of a break has always to be accepted. Jean AlcElwyn thoroughly deserved her success’ in the mile saddle event, and, incidentally, sho registered (he smart limo of 2.12 1-5. Sho is somewhat oh the small side. Jean AleElwyn is by Nelson Bingen from the American marc Aliss Spears. Kulninc failed to leave the mark in the Linwood .Handicap, lor which he was well supported. His track work before the meeting was reported to bo very good. lie should bo worth remembering. GREYMOUTH ' HANDICAPS Br Telegraph.—l’lti'iss Association. Christchurch, February 15. The following amended handicaps have been issued for the Greymouth Trotting Club's meeting on February "'JUBILEE HANDICAP (harness), of 250 sovs. Twelvo furlongs and a half.— Shadwoland. Sungleam, Peter Wilkin, Auditress, Vikota. Okoura, Kreisler, Oriole, Lady Alatcliilght, Nourmahal, Thorpie, Orphan, Lincoln Huon, Sahib, scr.; Chimer, Royal, Serene, Henry Logan, Daytime, 12yds. behind; La Sonnelte, 21yds. behind; Acre, High Jinks, 36yds. behind; Jackie Audubon, 48yds. behind.