RACING NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26634, 3 December 1947, Page 8

RACING NEWS

By the Sporting Editor

December 6 .. .. Canterbury J.C. December 6 .. .. Avondale J.C December 6 .. .. Woodville J.C. December 13 .. .. Tapanui R.C. Jottings Spare Part s time of 2min 34scc in the Ctaio Plate was 1 4-ssec better than Signal Officer's time in the Metropolitan. Mr R. A. Patterson, the well-known Waipiata owner, will act as assistant starter at the Vincent meeting. Smart Beginner The Tapanui track should suit a quick beginner like Slick, who is on the minimum in the Dwyer Memorial and Stewards’ Handicaps. Railway Record Tho weight-carrying record for the Railway Handicap is held by Jonathan at 9.12. In this season’s race Sleepy Fox, the top-weight, has been given 10.0. Improvements at Tapanui A number of improvements have been carried out on the Tapanui course, including the raising of the track in many places. The going at the present time is in splendid order. Acceptances for the meeting are due on Monday. Desert Girl Amiss Desert Girl was lame after the running of the jockey Club Handicap at Riccarton on Saturday. She apparently struck herself when the field was in the vicinity of the false rail, as she stopped quickly at that stage of the race. Probable Favourite The Christopher Robin mare Cloud Song was freely raced last season, being started 19 times for one win, two seconds and five thirds. Her win was scored in a division of the Trial Stakes at the Kumara meeting. She is booked to race at Tapanui, and is likely to be one of the favourites for her selected race.

Bulandshar Gelding The Suburban Handicap at Riccarton marked tho first win of Shere Khan, a four-year-old Bulandshar gelding, halfbrother to Kartikeya, but it will not be his last. He cost 1800gns as a yearling, but, being a big, gross colt, he could not be hurried. He was gelded and given plenty of time. Last Saturday’s win over a mile and a-quarter showed him up as a horse who will win over a distance in good company. A Good Performance

The performance of Beechwood in running fourth in the Suburban Handicap was much better than its face value. He was handv to the leaders at the entrance to the straight, where he was knocked back, leaving him with a good gap to bridge. He came home solidly and he should be in the money at any time. Disappointing Broie disappointed by his form in the Suburban Handicap. He began well enough but did not run on. He will do a lot better with more race experience. From Half Note

Blank Cheque is a four-year-old by Salmagundi from Half Note, by Paper Money from Pink Terrace (winner of the Oaks in 1926), by Tractor from All Pink, by All Red. Trained by G. W. New, Blank Cheque was started nine times last season for one win, one second, one third, and two fourths. Successful Trainers Successful trainers at Riccarton on Saturday were: J. S. Shaw (Shere Khan). J. G. Farrell (Beau le Havre), E. W. Rosewarne (Golden Amber), J. C. Tomkinson (Coral Arc), D. Kemp (Sweet Nymph), R. E. McLellan (Signal Officer). T. E. Pankhurst (Spare Part), W. J. Bromby (Howe).

Popular Country Meeting One of the most popular of the country meetings in Otago is that of the Vincent Jockey Club, and this season -the •meeting will be held on January 9 and 10. ' The stakes have been increased, the principal race the first day being the Moran Memorial Handicap, of a mile and a-quarter, with a stake of £220. On the second day the Centennial Hack Handicap. of six furlongs and a-half, has a stake of £2OO. Two trotting events are on each day’s card, including the Centennial Trotting Stakes, of £l5O. Several of the races carry trophies in addition to the stakes. The nominations; which close on December 29, should be a record.