ON THE TURF

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 27 July 1929, Page 13

ON THE TURF

RACING FIXTURES .July 27—Gisborne Racing Club. July 27—-South (’anterbiiry limit. August 3—Christchurch limit. August 13, 15, 17—Canterbury .Jockey Club. August 24 —Rakuraiiga limit. August 24—Hawke’s Bay limit. August 20— Daiincvii'ke Racing Club. August 29—Daiinevirko Hunt. August 31—Taranaki Hunt. September 4, 5 -Marlon Jockey Club. September 7 —Otago Hunt. September 12, 14 -Wanganui Jockey Club. September 21—Ashburton County Racing Club. September 21—Napier Bark Racing Club September 21, 23 —Avondale Jockey Club. September 26, 27 Geraldine Racing Club. September 20—Hawke s Bay .Jockey Club. TROTTING FIXTURES August 10, 14, 16 —N.Z. Metropolitan T.C. August.

A. E. Ellis has been engaged to ride Merry Mint in the Winter Cup at Riccartuii. He will also be on -Mister Gamp in the Grand National Hurdles. Ills mounts are finding a- good deal of favour in their Respective engagements. Mark Mint won a double at Wellington, and Hop wood was another ligtit m hack company at the meeting, but file back that impressed mo-si was Havering (Quin Abbey—Dreamer). The half-brother to Bon Revo’ showed particular tenacioiisness and gaineness. in winning on the final day. It is safe to expect him to show up in much better company next season. ' Mangam was not sent to the Wellington meeting, for the reason that it was considered that the - weight, given the Day Comet jumper l in the Wellington Steeplechase was excessive. 'I lie Waikato-owned gelding was more Javourably treated in the Grand National Steeplechase with 9.12 and the Grand National Hurdles with 9.2. His owners have accepted for Man’gnni in the latter event.

Fine Acre, who looked to have a particularly fine possibility of scoring m the Victoria Hurdles oil the opening flay of the late Wellington Having Club's meeting, is one of those who have been listed for the Trial Hurdle Handicap at the National meeting, and provided he is not too severely treated by the weight' adjuster, ought to make amends for his failure at Trenthnm in the Vittoria Hurdles, for when lie tipped out at the second last fence, it looked the best of good things for him. Goblin Market figures among the entrants for flat events at the Grand National meeting. As a two-year-old he showed good promise, for ho accounted for three races, including the Middle Park Plate, at Riccarton. This season he was beaten in the Jockey Club Handicap, one nyle, at the New Zealand Cup meeting by Crown Area, and was defeated in the Middle Park Plate -by Pink Coat, which was his last start. He is a half-brother to Mandane and a full-brother to Covent Garden, who now races in -Sydney as Southern Cross. The imported mare Cynthia X has been exercised regularly at Ellerslie since owner-trainer N. Cunningham acquired her a few months ago, and the beneficial training has built up the rising live-year-old in a manner which augurs well for her prospects in the impending season. Standfast, from the skine stable, is doing all that could be desired in his training and as lie proved at the winter meeting at Ellerslie that he has not yet reached the height of his career there should be more stakes in the offing for his .popular owner, Dr. A. McGregor Grant. In winning the Canterbury Handicap (Australia) run over 11 furlongs, Orutrix showed that she was in great heart and she will naturally firm m the betting market for the Metropolitan Handicap. Last year she was unlucky to he beaten by that good performer Jocelyn. On the first day of the V.R.C. winter meeting the Elaxmere-bred Horoscope opened bis winning account as a hurdler by willping the Maiden Hurdle Race, and oil the second day of the meeting, 10th July, won the Keilor Hurdle Race, in which -he beat a good field, including Adit, who at one time was a wpll-buckcd candidate for the Grand National Hurdle Race. Horoscope is by Absurd (imp.)—Lady Pull, so that lie is a half-brother .to Gay Ballerina.

A feature of the racing in Queensland early in June was the unique achievement of Jockey W. Thomas, at Townsville, in. piloting each of the seven winners on the programme. One of his victories was on Ureengold, a son of Greenstead, in the North Queensland <-!Milieus. Thomas, who began his eareer as a meatworker ten years ago, decided to take on riding, and he is credited with having won 900 races in North and West Queensland. He is careful of his earnings, and is reported to hold extensive property interests in Townsville. Jfe is about 30 years of age, spare of frame, arid lias years of usefulness in front of him yet as a jockey. Twelve months ago Black Mint figured as top weight for the Winter Cup at Riecarton, being allotted the impost of 10.11 by the handieapper. Evidence of the lack of form shown this season by Black .Mint is furnished by the fact that 9.3 was set against bis name for the event next month. Paper .Money bad three representatives racing at Trentbani. Two of them —Money Mint and Otairi —were winners and the third was a two-year-old who showed promise of developing into a good performer next season. W. 0. Woods is allotting Ruffles a- lot of solid work at Avondale, and the Quin Abbey gelding is thriving well on it. He is carrying plenty of condition, and it is doubtful if he has ever looked better at this time of the year. It would not surprise to find Ruffles showing some of Jiis previous good form early, in the new season. He is due to make his next appearance at the Pakurariga. meeting. One of O'. E. Hooper’s best winners during the coming season will probably be. Great Logan. He is a wonderful finisher, and although he has not been seen out over two miles a. great deal there is cause to believe that lie will stay sufficiently well to land him among the £IOOO heats before the end of the

NOTES AND COMMENTS

ON GALLOPS AND TROTTING

next trolling year, lie is a brilliant customer over a sprint, and ran go equally well in saddle or harness. In occupying third place in the winning owners’ list with £3/162 the Auckland sportswoman. Mrs 1. E. .Sweetapple, scored a distinct and popular success. The performance is all the more striking when it is imnddcriil that the local enthusiast did not have as many representatives-- in. the field yis tfiusi' who were further up Hie, list. Native I Vince was the chief contributor to the handsome, total, but Warplane did his part well. Great Change,' the erratic trotter, also captured a stake, while Arachuo, who was only acquired toward tiio latter, part of. the season, succeeded in winning a heat. The Southern pacer Huiichild showed very much improved form during the, past season, and with both speed and stamina on Ins side lie shoold get among the big winners during the coming season, lie goes well on any kind or” track, and is equally at home in saddle or harness, lie is a worthy representative of Hie Southern sire Sungod, whose progeny won over £3OOO ill sluices tliis season. Tim following handicaps have been declared for the August Handicap (harness), of 1009 snvs; 4.30 class; two miles at the Metropolitan r J rutting Club’s meeting—Acre, Huon .Denver, young Blake, Zenith, Native J’rince scratch; -Mate o’ Mine, Vesuvius, Daphne de Oru, Logan Chief, 12-yards behind; Dnndns Boy, Glide Away, Hoi |’or, Silk Thread 24; King Bonder, Logan Bark, Luganwood. Kingcrail, Badloek, Quality, Imprint 4b; Terence Dillon, Talam 60; .Jewel Builder, Ko hara, U'ailaki Girl 72. Tlie champion trotter of Ins day, Mr McElwvu (1.59!) harks like being a big success as a sire, and a lew days beh.ie flic last, mail left America two of bis two-year-olds entered the 2.10 list, Bola .MeElwyn winning in 2.8 and Jessamine in 2.10. Jessamine is probably a very close relative- to a colt by Mr MoKlwyn —LaHah Hookh Watts imported to New Zealand during the season by Messrs Kelly and Bine, of Wellington. Both Lallali Rookli, dam of .Jessamine, and Laliali Jfookh Watts are by General Watts (2.6-j). An American paper of 19tli June reports the sale of Adioo Guy to ij. New Zealand buyer, and the horse was to in: shipped almost immediately after the last mail left. It is understood that' lie is to go to Southland. Adioo Guy is a pacer, and as such is not much in demand in America, but in New Zealand, where the pacer holds sway, lie will he alforded plenty of opportunities. 1 The somewhat unlucky Jack Polls (4.23 3-5) lias been 'entered for short distance events at the August meeting at Addington next month. He is undoubtedly a high-class pacer, but though he lias paid his way well, a horse of bis calibre should have done even better. He lias always been a horse the liandicappers have not taken any risks with. Black Wattle, who has been purchased by an Auckland sportswoman, won 22 races in Australia. He is reported to be in such good order that his new owner may not- stand out of her purchase money very long. Black Wattle is an eleven-year-old dark chest nutgelding bv Directway— Salvalice, by Salvator, so lie lias a strong infusion of thoroughbred blood on the dam's side. Little lias been heard of lloi L’Or since he was allotted a spell, but it is understood that lie will be raced at some of the early spring meetings. The Rcy de Oro five-year-old registered a 4.28 gait during this season, and has now to step out against the best horses in the country.