SPORTING.

Otaki Mail, 7 September 1923, Page 3

SPORTING.

FIXTURES. Sep. t> —Otago Hunt Club. Sep. 1 , l.i —Wanganui J.C. Sep. 21, 22—Ashburton County R.C. Sep. 22. 24 —Avondale J.C. Sep. 22, 2-I—Otaki-Maori K.C. Sep. 28—Geraldine R.C. Sep. 29—Manawatu Hunt Club. Sep. 29—Napier Park R.C. Oct. 3 -.itn'xe's liny J.C. Oct. I—Nil; (m -J.C. Oct. 5, <>—Oamaiu J.C. Oct. 11. 13—Whaugarei R.C. Oct. 11, 13—Dunedin J.C. Oct, 12, 13—Masterton R.C. Oct 20, 22—Wellington R.C. •Oct, 20, 21—Auckland T.C. Oct. 20, 22—Gore R.C. Oct. 22—North Canterbury and Oxford J.C. Oct. 22 —Waipawa County R.C. Oct. 22—Wnverley-AVaitotara R.C. Oct. 22 —Waikato Hunt Club. Oct. 23, 27—Poverty Bay Turf Club. Oct. 27—Turatahi-Curtcrton R.C. Nov. 3, s—Auckland R.C. Nov. 3,5, 7, .10—Canterbury J.C. Nov. 10, .12 —Hamilton R.C. Nov. li—Horowhenua R.C. Nov. 10 —Birchwood Hunt Club. Nov. 14, 15 —Winton J.C. Nov. 21—Ashhurst-Polmngina R.C. Nov. 17, 21—Otahuhu T.C. Nov. 23, 24—South Canterbury J.C. As n result of heavy taxation the Woodvilie Jockey Club sustained a loss of £2OO on the past year’s working. The Government taxes amounted to more lhau tho money given in stakes. Reports from Trentham state that •Sciun is getting into racing shape, and lie should be at his best for the big meetings later on.

A. Oliver has decided to give Santonio and Santiago a spell, and E. Watson will do likewise with Passionless. The last-named was a trifle sore after her exertions at Kieearton.

Bon Spec is now in the care of J. MeOombc. He will remain in this stable in the meantime pending a definite decision regarding a trip to Australia, which McCombe lias in contemplation. If it eventuates he may go over .as a mate for Sunny Lock. P. Johnston, who lias been for the past two. and n-half years in Melbourne, where he has ridden with some success, returned to New Plymouth last week, accompanied by his wife. The young horseman is a sou of R. Johnston, the know'll New IPtympuii t! ‘trainer- 1 owner.

As the hurdler Rowan showed unmistakable signs of lameness after running third in the Trial Hurdles at Riccarlon it lias been wisely decided to give t lie son of St rowan a lengthy spell. The aetia'e members of Alex. Browne’s team are Bemnure and Mountain Signal, while he is exercising a Boniform filly.

Owing to the .sandy nature of the soil at Fox-ton trainers are more fortunate than in other centres, as they are able to keep horses entrusted to their care going all the winter. F. J. Carmont has a strong team in work, among them being Miss Rene, Demos, Isinglass, Helen Rufus, Kyi a and Bonny Marion. Stanley Wootton was having a great time in England just prior to the last mail leaving. He won three races at Folkestone, and then won races at Brighton and .Sundown Park almost immediately afterwards. Wootton trains for several well known owners, aud has a very large team of horses in work at Epsom. Gang Awn' is again in work at Otaki. Since he last raced lie lias had a silver tube put in his throat. The operation appears to have improved his breathing. Tubed horses are common in England, especially under National Hunt rules and it is a common occurence to find a rank non-stayer on the flat tubed aud put to jumping with great success. Gtuig Awa ’s wind infirmity was particularly bad, and it will lie interesting to follow his career in the future.

The price paid by Mr. .T. J. Leahy when he purchased the three-year-old Lascelles and Golden Tresses from Mr. G. D. Greenwood was not disclosed, but it is believed to be in the neighbourhood of £2500, with winning contingencies. Commenting on the sale ‘ 1 Cardigan ’ ’ terete in the Referee as follows: —“The form of Golden Tresses at the Randwick meeting a few weeks . ago was excellent, considering that it I was his first start in any race, and there is little doubt that Lascelles is better than that colt, if track form is reliable. If such is the case, Mr. J. J. Leahy has an excellent chance of pulling off the Derby.” Pearl Foot, ridden by the ex-New Zealand jockey W. OTsnlloran._ won the principal hurdle race at the A .R.C . August meeting on the ISth August. Commenting on the race, the Leader says: —“ O ’llalloran did not have an altogether comfortable ride on Pearl Foot", as he lost one of his stirrups during the race. Thus handicapped liefound it difficult to Pull up Pearl Foot after she had passed the post. She came home full ef running. Despite the loss of the stirrup O’Halloran. who rides well, being a good judge of pace, had no difficulty in drawing weight when he returned to the scales. It is surprising the number of good crosscountry horsemen New Zealand sends to Australia. IT. Cairns. J. N. McGregor. S. Reid, O’Neill and O’Halloran arc a few riders from the Dominion who have done well in Australia in recent years.