RACING.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 221, 26 January 1928, Page 8

RACING.

THE MATAMATA TRACK. The fields at most of the meetings held recently have greatly diminished after the first day’s racing- on account of the hardness of the tracks. Thousand pound races even have been attracting but half the usual starters. Trainers at Matamata are somewhat fortunate in this respect, and have been able to send their charges along as usual. This should mean that some of them should show up well at meetings on the country circuit. If trainers generally take into consideration the condition of the Matamata track the acceptances for next week’s meeting should be quite up to expectations. It is characteristic of the Matamata country that it never becomes really hard. In addition the racecourse itself has had a thorough preparation. Surroundings have also been improved since last season. -Notes. Dr. W. C. Ring, son of Mr. W. C. Ring, of Hinuera, who imported Valkgrian to New Zealand some few years ago, has again beqn on the English market, and two of his purchases arrived by the Arawa on Tuesday. The purchases are Lorient (by Lomond —Annie Laurie.) and Bright Land (by Orb—Landlady). The breeding of the two importations is the height of fashion in Great Britain, so that something good may be expected. There is a certain sentimental interest attached to the Wellington Stakes winner, Paganelli, in Morrinsville. Apart from the fact that one of the owners was a resident at Morrinsville for some time, the son of Lord Quex —Ringdove, received his early education at the hands of Mr. Cecil Shirley, while another resident took a more than usual interest in the gelding. Although the Wellington Stakes was not the best time Paganelli has recorded, it was probably his be&t race to date. Childsplay is credited to be one of the fastest youngsters seen in New Zealand for some time, but the gelding ran the filiy off her legs in the early stages ■ and then disposed of challenges by Prince Humphrey and Gascony in turn. To do this indicates courage, and it will be interesting to see whether Paganelli will go a distance when asked. At present the horse is doing well in sprints, so that there is no need to send him for the distance races. On breeding, however, he should be a stayer. It is quite on the cards that Prince Humphrey will prove the best of the New Zealand two-year-olds before the season ends.

After winning the Tirau Cup the Te Aroha-owned Rarakau was taken up North and concluded the visit by annexing the Wawakawa Cup, of £2OO. This means a re-handicap for the Matamata Cup. Rarakau had little to beat in the race he won and the time was slow. Too much notice cannot be taken of the latter, however, as the track conditions. were anything but favourable. In.passing it' would be interesting to know how many cups now grace Mr. J. McNicol’s home at Wairakau. He has been racing over a long term of years and has owned some good ones. Among those that come to mind immediately are Lottie, Miss Lottie, Tattoo, Maheno, Arran. The great Soultline and Romeo were also bred and reared on the estate.

Horses for courses is an old English adage in connection with racing, and is often borne opt in New Zealand. In this connection it will be interesting to note the running of Ballachulish in the Matamata Cup. Last year Ballachulish won the Okoroire Hack Cup, carrying 7.7, and won well. Ballachulish is now out of hack company and has been awarded the minimum in the Matamata Cup. With half a stone off its back Ballachulish should run the extra two furlongs well. Last year High Rose, Tea Time and Dimmer ran in that order in the Putaruru Stakes at Matamata. Tea Time is now well into open company, but High Rose is still amongst the hacks. The Okoroire Hack Cup now extends to 81 furlongs, and it remains to be seen as to whether High Rose can get that journey. If Tea Time starts in .the Railway Handicap at Matamata it will probably carry the machine, and deservedly so. Takapuna comes between now and Matamata, and this may alter the circumstances.

It is possible that Mr. Hugh Cleland, a member of the Matamata club’s committee since its resurrection, will motor through from WanSanui for the annual race meeting jiext week.