RACING NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 20136, 28 March 1929, Page 13

RACING NOTES

[By St. CVxn.]

GALLOPS March 30. —Tuapeka County J.C. March 30, April I.—Wairarapa R.C. March 30, April I.—Feilding J.C; March 30, April I.—Auckland R.C. March 30, April 1, 2.—Riverton R.C, April I.—Beaumont R.C. April I.—Waipukurau J.C. April I.—Kumara R.C. April 1, 2.—Canterbury; J.C. April 4.—Westland R.C. April 6.—Middlemarch Races. April 6.—Greymouth J.C. April 6, 10.—Avondale J.C. April 10. —Reefton J.C. April 12, 13.—Masterton R.C. April 18, 20.—Whangarei R.C. April 19, 20.—Hawke’s Bay J.C. April 26, 27.—Nelson J.C. April 27.—Amberlcy R.C. April 27, 29.—Waikato R.C.

LIMERICK'S POOR EFFORT Describing the race for ‘the Rawson Stakes decided at Rosehill on March 16, “Pilot,” hr the S.vdnoy ‘Referee,’ penned the following;— Limerick had galloped so well since his arrival in Sydney that it was anticipated he would win the Rosehill Rawson Stakes for the third time in succession. “ Nothing wrong with his condition,” was a general summing up as Limerick went on to the track for the Rawson Stakes. He was undeniably bright, and moved freely. A couple of veryfast gallops in which he finished" really well caused myself and other frequenttens of the Randwick tracks to think he was quite at his best again, and the odds they asked proved that bookmakers were of the same opinion. J. W. Cook, however, wa* not without hope that Winalot would prove Limerick’s master, and, as the chestnut’s owner shared that belief, it is almost unnecessary to write that ho did not allow the books to escape unscathed. I doubt whether the chestnut ever looked better, and there is very little room for improvement in his condition prior to the commencement of the A.J.C. Meeting. Notwithstanding he was having his first run for nearly a year, Golden Music stripped in excellent condition, and no fault could be found with either Galadecr or Loquacious on that score. Oatendale really looked more in need of racing than ony of his opponents, but the fact of being a heavy-bodied colt may have had something to do with that impression. —Slow Pace at Start.— The horses were sent off to a walk-up start, and, though Galadecr hung slightly as the barrier rose, bo suffered so little that he took up the running starting the back stretch. With the pace comparatively slow, the field kept well together, and at the half-mile there was not a great margin between Galadeer, who was leading, and Oatendale, who was last, though very little behind Loquacious and Winalot. A little further on Limerick starhod a forward move, and, when he closely attended Galadecr and Loquacious entering the straight, most of us expected him to settle matters with a sharp run as soon as heads were turned for home. And then came the disappointment. There was no brilliant response when M'Carten called on him. For a few strides bis backers were hopeful, but then there was an almost incredulous ejaculation of “ He’s beaten,” mixed with delighted shouts from Winalot’s backers: “ Winalot’s a certainty.” , That opinion was.correct, as though Loquacious was left in front at the leger when Galadecr weakened, it was quickly apparent that Winalot had tho measure of everything. He won by a length, but could have made tho gap greater. —Minus Dash.— Limerick plugged on to get third, about three-quarters of a length behind Loquacious, and Galadecr and Oatendale were handy to the third horse. Golden Music was last, but not far away. As he finished behind Loquacious and Oatendale. it was not a performance that pointed to him as a probable danger to Strephon in the St. Leger. Galadecr did not lose much ground after Loquacious took bis measure, but, all things considered, Ontcndale’s effort was as impressive as that of any unplaced Cup candidate. He was closer to Loquacious nt the finish than at tho leger. —Real Disappointment.If I had not seen Limerick’s work I might be disposed to make excuses for him. Admittedly', he carried a light boy in his gallops, but he finished so well in fast time that I thought his success in this race certain. Some of the onlookers thought ho evinced sourness, but to me it seemed as if he merely ran a lifeless race. At one stage be was squeezed back, hut at that time the pace was slow. In consequence he did not suffer greatly. As I have repeatedly written, it is inadvisable to condemn a horse because of one indifferent run, but Limerick will need to improve several pounds on Saturday’s showing to stand tbo slightest chance of success in any race at the A.J.C. Sleeting. He did not show dash, and the only redeeming feature of his effort was that right at tho end ho gained slightly on Loquacious. The full journey took 1.54, but Winalot ran the concluding half-mile in 48L This was his second win of the season, his previous one being when he dead-heated with Limerick for the Spring Stakes.

EASTER AND AUTUMN CANDIDATES Referring to the Easter and Autumn Handicap candidates training at Riccarton, the * Lyttelton Times ’ says:— Rapier has done no fast work since he returned home from Trentham and Awapuni, and he was given only useful pace work on Tuesday. Ho looks a very fit horse, as a result of his recent racing, .and he is likely to be a pronounced favourite for the Great' Autumn Handicap. Rink Note went well in a mile galfop with Battle Colours yesterday. The Paper Money gelding has had a few hard races lately, but he has stood up to them in good style, and ho has never looked better than he does, at present. He is such a solid customer that his chance always has to be taken seriously, but he has not been a lucky, horse at Riccarton. The Southland gelding, Rin Tin Tin, looks in capita! condition after his trip to Trentham. He is a speedy little galloper, but at the weights Silver Paper looks a better prospect' in the Client Easter Handicap. T. H. Giliett’s two candidates for the Great . Autumn Handicap, Count Cavour and Amor, do most of their work together, and they moved freely in a mile gallop yesterday, though at

•TROTS March 30.—-Tabaka, T.G. March 30, April I.—Hawera T.C. March 30, April 3.-N.Z. Metropolitan T.C. April 6.—Taranaki T.C. April 11, 13.—Wanganui T.C. April 13.—Cheviot T.C. April 20.—T0 Aroha T.C. April 20.—Ashburton T.C. May 4.—Cambridge T.C. May 9, 11.—Forbury Park T.C. May 18.—Oamaru T.C. June 1, 3.—Hawke’s Bay T.G. June 1, 3.—Canterbury Park T.C. June B.—Ashburton T.C. June 22, 24.—Auckland T.C.

no stage wore they doing their best. Amor has improved steadily all through this season, and on Trentham running he may show up in the Great Autumn. As for Count Cavour, his eh a nee looks remarkably rosy, after his second in the Trentham Gold Cup. He .moves very sorely before ho works, but lie hits out freely enough when ho is galloping. Gay Sonnet is in good condition at present, and but for her soreness, which prevents her, from jumping away smartly, she would have to be reckoned with in the Great Easter Handicap, as she can run out seven furlongs solidly. It is probable that C. Emerson will ride her. Nightmarch has two engagements on Tuesday, as he is in the Challenge Stakes as well as the Great Autumn Handicap. He is one of the popular fancies for the Great Autumn, but on their recent North Island form, Rapier and Count Cavour both appear to hold him safely. Under the circumstances, he may he allowed to drop out of the mile and a-half race, with a view to contesting the Challenge Stakes. Chide made many admirers by the style in which he won the Hororata Cup on Saturday. He will make his next appearance on Monday, in the Sockburn Handicap, and he may race prominently, despite the fact that he nas paid a substantial penalty for his Hororata success. Beau Geste bears a well-trained appearance, and having had some racing lately, he is well seasoned for his Great Autumn engagement. He is a much improved horse, and he is likely to make a good showing in the mile and a-half event. MR 8. GREEN'S RETIREMENT Writing of Mr Sol Green's threatened retirement from active participation in racing, the Sydney ‘ Referee ’ stated Following the inquiry by the stipendiary stewards into the running of My Lady Gay in the River Handicap, at Flemington, Mr Sol Green, owner of Gothic, Strephon, and My Lady Gay, stated that he intended retiring from owning horses for three years. At the same time, Mr Green said that he intended to sell what horses he has in training, with the exception of Gothic, after the meeting at Randwick. That means that Strephon, the champion three-year-old of the season, will come under the hammer. After the River Handicap the stewards issued the statement that an inquiry had been Held into the running of My Lady Gay, but after hearing the evidence of the owner (Mr Sol Green), trainer (Lou Robertson), and rider (R. Howes) the stewards decided to accept the explanation of the owner and trainer. Mr Green proved that he invested £2,000 on Hie filly. The stewards then expressed dissatisfaction with the riding of R. Howes, who is apprenticed to Lou Roberston, and stated that it was their intention to make a. recommendation to the V.R.G. Committee regarding Howes’s permit to ride in races. Mr Green is dissatisfied with the manner in which the finding was worded, and he said: “They accepted my explanation, but they made no mention of exonerating me, as they were entitled to. If "the stewards wanted to hurt me they have done' it. My horses arc never dead—l buy good horses to win races, not to run dead, f showed the stewards where I had, backed the filly, and I considered that she was a certainty.” There can be no doubt that the result of the race was an error in judgment on the part of Howes, who allowed Headmore and Harbinger to get such a long break on the held that My Lady Gay was not quite able to bridge it. But even if Howes did make an error of judgment, how often have w© seen leading riders do the same? Bob Lewis would bo the first to admit that because of misjudging the ability of other horses in the race he has made many similar mistakes in his time, and Lewis has been riding for thirty-four years. Mr Green made the'additional statement that he had decided to form a company to control his stud at Bacchus Marsh. At the stud there are Verbius and Son o’ Mine, and next season Gi thk will be doing stud dntv there also. THE LAWRENCE MEETING Dunedin holiday-makers will be well catered For in the way of racing at Easter time, and on Saturday the Tuapekn County Jockey Club's annual fixture can be very conveniently leached. The Railway Department announces a very convenient train service, and the road is one of the prettiest motor drives in Otago. The course at Happy Valley is reported to be in splendid order this season, and with its wonderful natural grandstand, patrons of this meeting can be assured of seeing every part of a race. Excellent acceptances have been received for Saturday’s races, and the meeting promises to be a good sporting fixture. In the Trial Plate Broadfield and On Watch read the best. The Members’ Handicap will see the best field of the day in the galloping events, and Miss Marco, on her Oamaru form, looks like gskig out favourite, bat Little Queen has been galloping well at Wingatui, and Lady Bene, who won a couple of races in the early part of the season in Southland, may be troublesome to the Oamaru trained mare. Martis has been running well this season, and the opposition he has to meet in the Lawrence Handicap is much weaker than he has been running with lately. In the Tuapeka Handicap southern form points to Carnot being the best stayer, with Green Cloth and Uintali the best of the others. Even if Martis won ,the Lawrence Handicap he could put up a penalty and then be the best of those engaged in the Elying Handicap. As usual in all Central Otago fixtures the trotting events have attracted the

best fields of the day. On her form at }') 10 Southland Meeting last week Cytheria looks a good bet in the mile event. She will need to make no mistakes, however, to keep Doncliff and ihnft at bay. The mile and a-half race looks more open. On Balclutha form Imperial Bingen might have a chance, but Princess Pointer and Drake should be the hardest to beat, BEAUMONT OH EASTER MONDAY The Beaumont Racing Club’s annual meeting on Easter Monday is always one of the popular holiday resorts with Dunedin people who look for a day in the country. The run out cither by train or motor car is a very interesting trip, and a good special train service has been arranged by the Railway Department. The Beaumont course, overlooking the Clutha River, is ideally situated for a picnic gathering, and the track itself much improved. The club has prepared for a large crowd being present, and as there is uo other racing fixture nearer than Riverton in the south, and Addington in the north, there is likely to be a very largo attendance. Good fields have been paid up for in all the races, most of the horses being engaged at the Lawrence Meeting on the previous Saturday. Punters must ha largely guided by the lorm shown at Lawrence when making their selections, and it is always worth remembering that horses which run second at Lawrence arc meeting the horses that beat them on from 101 b to 141 b better terms. If there was not that difference at the finish between the first and second horses at Lawrence they should go for the latter. A HANDIGAPPER'S MISTAKE “ Orion,,” the Auckland ‘ Star s trotting writer, says if there is one proposition that should appeal to hackers trying themselves out at the 11awera Trotting Club’s Meeting next Saturday it is Ukulele Lady in tho trotting events, in handicapping her on. the limit of the Matapu Handicap Mr Goosman has really made her owner a present of the stake, and, though a haudicapper has much in his favour when people try to pick winners, on this occasion lie will want a hundredweight of luck to get Ukulele Lady beaten next Saturday. Under ordinary circumstances any price looks a good one. It is quite evident that Mr Goesman had made a mistake for which other owners suffer. Ukulele Lady is a mare who raced in Australia, and has gone - two miles in 4min 45 IHosec and a mile and a-half in Burin 34scc. At Hawera she is on tho limit of the Matapu Handicap (3.45 class) and Manaia Handicap (4 50 class). At the recent Marlborough Meeting Ukulele Lady was handicapped on tho limit of the hairhall Trot (5.8 class), and she naturally won. It would seem that the mistake in handicapping Ukulele Lady is due to tho fact that before being brought across from Australia she raced as Pandora. Some seasons hack there was a mare called Pandora racing in New Zealand, but she was of little account. Evidently the hnndieappers are under tiro impression that Ukulele Lady (late Pandora) is identical with the Pandora who raced some seasons ago. It is had luck for owners who have horses racing against Ukulele Lady on Saturday.

JOTTINGS On Saturday there will be trotting at Addington and racing nt Lawrence and Riverton which will claim attemton from local sportsmen. Both Queen Balboa and Royal Saxon have each won over £I,OOO on the Southland courses this season. The iormer looks like adding to her total at Riverton during the holidays. Advice from Riverton is to the effect that the rain experienced ibis week lias been very slight, and the course is in first-class order'for tho meeting which commences on Saturday. Southland and Otago owners are well represented in tho Great Easter Handicap, to be run on Monday, with Pink Note, Silver Paper, Booster, Meadow Lark, and Royal Saxon. Some of the money looks sure to come this way. Rotor, who broke down' when working at lliccarton on Saturday, has improved sljghtlv, but still is in a bad way. The trouble is in a ligament of the off foreleg. E. Scoullar intends to turn him out for a six months’ spell. Arch Arrow is booked for a trip south for tho Riverton Meeting. His name is missing from the acceptances for tho first day, but be will be on band for bis engagements on the second and third days. Tho owner of Gay Ballerina says that filly will be wintered in Sydne.v in order to acclimatise her to Australian conditions, would race at the Spring Meeting at Randwick, and would return to New Zealand for the classic events next Christmas. Strephon can lay claim to being tho best three-year-old seen out this season in Australia. His record now stands at eleven starts, eight wins, one second, twice unplaced, and over £12,300 in -takes Included in the yearlings sold at the Melbourne sales was a filly by Paladin from Torque, which realised 250 gs, and was purchased by Mr C. Ruwolt, owner of St. Ardent. Torque, by Martian from the English mare Torquato, was bred at tho Kinloch stud, and was sold in foal to Paladin to go to Australia in 11)27.

On Tuesday morning at Ilk-carton Silver Paper was responsible; for an attractive sprint, when he registered good time, while giving tho appearance that lie was not out to do his best (says tho ‘Lyttelton Times’). He looks in the best of condition, and ho will set his opponents a merry task to go with him in the Great Easter Handicap. The Paper Money Equitas filly Equitant has been an unlucky youngster, for in her twelve starts she has been second six times, third three times, and three times unplaced. She has been second to Gay Ballerina and Ceremony, so her efforts do not lack distinction. Equitant thus is still eligible for a maiden plate event if her owner elected to start her in such. A remarkable case of the wrong mare having been raced occurred in South Australia. Yellow Iris had been leased by a trainer, who two months ago took delivery of what he believed to bo that mare. She was started in a race at Murray Bridge, when the discovery was made that Yellow Iris was still in the paddock. That trainer is much puzzled to know what mare it was he had in hand, for she had shown him one or two good gallops. A. G. Murray, who has been engaged to ride Seatown in tho Great Easter and Great Autumn Handicaps, is one of the most Capable light-weight riders in New Zealand ut present, and he does particularly well in events run over a distance. The win of Seatown in the Tnmatcte Handicap at Awapuni on Thursday last was his first success since the Grand Stand Handicap at Ellerslio on January 3, 1927. According to a Sydney paper, Paqnito, who was made second favourite for his first engagement in Australia, at llosehill, was unlucky not to have prevailed. He was shut in on the rails at the turn, and M'Carten, after waiting until well down ihci straight in tho hope of tho horses ahead of him spreading out, hud to take a pull and go round. The chock and subsequent loss of ground, lost Paquito the race, as he finished on with a rattle to get within three-quarters of a length of the winner, Bavacre. Commenting upon the Great Eastei Handicap a Christchurch writer says: “Silver Paper is a pronounced favourite at present for the Great Easter. Ho is a brilliant three-year-old, and horses of that age are hard to beat at this period. ■ Cimabnc is a likely sort, as he can run out seven furlongs well. Booster was second last year, and cannot be ignored. Paperchase has failed lately, but she has hoeu galloping well enough to have a chance. Pin Tin Tin and Gay Sonnet may add interest to tho contest. In the meantime, however, tho favouritism of Silver Paper seems justified.”

Mr H. G. Kirkpatrick, of Sydney, who was present at the Palmerston North Meeting to see his iilly Gay Ballerina win the Sires’ Produce Stakes, is of the opinion that there are too many courses in the dominion. Referring to Trenthnm, lie says: “Idon I, know a racecourse in the world, and I have seen very many of them, with such a magnificent setting as the Wellington Pacing Club’s courso_ at Trontham. As it becomes known it will not only bo a racecourse, but a scenic show place. The course itself, the stands, and the general design are almost perfect. I think great credit is cine to Mr Luttrell, who designed the stands, and also to Mr A. .Is. Whyte, the late secretary, who was so much concerned in the equipment of your wonderful course.” , Last year’s contest for the King s Gnp was decided at Randwick, but this year’s race for the coveted trophy will be held in Brisbane during the Exhibition Meeting of the Queensland Turf Club in August _ According to latest reports from Brisbane, the club will make every effort to induce the best Sydney and Melbourne horses to compete for the prize, which, besides the valuable King’s Cup presented by His Majesty, carries a stake to the value of £2,000. The distance has been fixed at a mile and a-half, and the GovernorGeneral is to lie present to,hand over the cup to the successful owner. .Run at the beginning of the season,_ it. is doubtful if Limerick will remain in Australia to compete for the race, but if he docs well in his approaching autumn campaign, Mr IT. A. Knight may make another attempt to land the valuable prize with his champion.