RACING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 424, 20 December 1911, Page 7

RACING.

The extremely inclement weather

which has prevailed for the past t.vo or three months ha 3 made the task of the local racing committee, . with re spect to getting the course in order and, extremely difficult. Fortunately the bulk of the work was well in hand in the early spring and the running track put under grass, so that there will at least be a track to gallop on whatever the weather happens to be. In view of the copious rainfall, however, it will probably be found necessary to have more drainage work dune than was at first anticipated. The locally-owned St. Wood has improved very considerably during the past few weeks and looks in blooming health. He is engaged in events at the Thames meeting,- and also at the Auckland summer gathering. He will probably perform at the goldfield3 on the second day and journey from there to Auckland.

There are quite a number of promising horses in the district at present and a dash of more than ordinary interest will centre round the Te Kuiti meting on Febuarry Bth providing the locally-owned equines see the post fit and well.

The Messrs Lusk's Salvadan Moira-ma-Ciiree filly is growing into a nice mare. She was rather troublesome in the early stages of her education, but has now settled down and is being hacked about preparatory to going into work. As soon as the track is in a fit state to gallop on the filly will be sent along in earnest.

The Auckland Trotting Club has every reason to anticipate a record summer meeting at Alexandra Park. The first batch of of acceptances in connection therewith shows that 104 | horses figure in the eight events; and j as New Plymouth, Blenheim, Seddon, j Stratford, Napier, Hastings, Rangi- ! tikei, Upper Hutt, Wellington, ! Whangarei, Hamilton, Matangi, Te Awamutu, Christchurch furnish representatives the racing promises to be of a highly interesting character. As the day draws near interest in the Auckland Cup increases. The final payments on Friday last set at rest all doubts as to the nature of the field that will contest the event no less than nineteen having been left in. The fact that Los Angelos remains in the race is generally accepted as an assurance that the southern crack will be on hand to play his part. The well-performed three-year-olds Counterfeit, Masterpiece, and Miscount, are still on the list. Speculation is rife as to whether Masterpiece or Counterfeit will carrySir George Clifford's colours in the Cup. It is popularly held that the performance of Masterpiece in the Canterbury Derby points to the colt having the best staying credentials, but Counterfeit's performance in the Stead Memorial Cup at the same meeting entitles the filly to respect. The Ellerslie-trained Maxwell has many friends and is not overburdened with weight. He is a fine looking horse and is regarded by many as being capable of a high-class performance. Ngapuka is another of the light weight division who is fancied. Doubts were entertained as to whether he would stand a solid preparation, but the weather has been all in favour of the doubtful legged ones, and Ngapuka may have to be seriously considered on Boxing Day. Mendip is another equine that Has been performing well of late and if the journey is not beyond his tether he should run a good race. Altogether there is ample material for a stirring contest and the cup of 1911 may be regarded as being one of the most open races that have been decided over the two mile course at Ellerslie.

The Railway Handicap is, as usual, filled with high class sprinters and presents a stiff problem in the matter of unearthing the winner. An analysis of the handicaps may lead to the conclusion that one or two horses are well treated in the light cf past performances. However, such arguments and fine distinctions are being continually shattered, especially in short races. A fine race should eventuate for the Railway and little surprise would be occasioned if any one of a dozen turned up as the winner. A surprise would lie in the fact of any one of the candidates scoring an easy win.