SPORTING NOTES.

Shannon News, 3 August 1926, Page 3

SPORTING NOTES.

Seastar is reported to have grown into a nice filly who promises to be useful next season. Lady Helen, who is again in work, is said to have filled out considerably during her spell. Kiloch, one of the recent additions to Taranaki stables, has not been asked to do much since taking up his quarters at Hawera. The Taranaki trainer, D. Brooks, is handling a nice looking gelding by Limond from a Martian mare, the property of a Patea sportsman. The Veteran Pavo is working well at Ellerslie and track watchers are of the opinion that the old sprinter may stage a come back.

Pegg'y Ford is now being trained by W. Galbraith at Featherston. The daughter of Kilbroney—Pot Pourri is expected to be ready for the spring racing. The steeplechaser Toa Taua is reported to have run a nail into his foot which has left him lame. It is ; stated that A. E. Ellis may pilot Nukumai in his engagements at the Grand National meeting.

Pamplona is regarded as an unlikely starter at the Grand National meeting.

Fireblight has done particularly well since the Trentham fixture, and her connections entertain great hopes of the California mare securing a major portion of the stake money in the Great Northern Steeplechase. The Riccarton horseman, R. Mc : Seveney, made his re-appearance in the saddle at Waimate and had three mounts during the day.’ The Harp is reported to have done well lately and the opinion is entertained in the south that he must be given more than an outside chance in the Winter Cup. Sun Up is another southerner who is reported to be looking remarkably well at present, .his track form suggesting that he will play a prominent part in the Winter Cup, a race ip which lie was beaten by a narrow margin last

year. It was Mr. J. R. McKenzie’s intention to race Money Order at the Grand National meeting, but the gelding is stated to have contracted a cold. He had previously been doing well in his track work. Centrepiece, who claims an engagement in the Winter Cup, has got through a lot of useful work lately, states a Christchurch paper, and he should be at his best for the Grand National meeting._ Judged on the form he showed at Easter, he will have to be reckoned with, as he'has pace enough to secure a decent position early, whim he should run out a good mile. An interesting piece of schooling over eight of the steeplechase fences was carried out by Birkenella (E. Garrett) and Passin’ Through (A. 11. Burt) at Riccarton on Saturday mornin, states a Christchurch paper. .The pair started off at the top of the straight and finished on terms, covering the double a second time. Both horses afterwards did a strong round on the trial grass. It was Burt’s first ride since he fered a broken collarbone when Eerie fell in the Great Northern Steeplechase. His shoulder is reported to be still a trifle stiff, but it is thought, that it will not inconvenience him when the Grand National comes along. Gold Fisher, a stable mate of Civility’s, is reported to be making steady < improvement. He was sent half a mile on a recent morning, joining up with Civility (who was running six furlongs) and finished up with the Cup candidate in lmin. l-ssecs., Civility’s time for the full distance being I.IBE W. Higgins lias put Musket Vein again into work. The daughter of' Rangitero—Mongonui has had a good spell and is reported to have built, up considerably. She showed a fair amount of pace when peviously in work and might make good during the coming season. The birdcage on the Wanganui course is to be enlarged by taking in some 30 feet of the saddling paddock. At the present time parading candidates are subject to crowding in these days of big fields. Northerners arc pressing for the introduction of a ten shilling totalisator at Ellerslie. The smaller investment medium has its advantages to the lignt bettor and there are many in the district who would 'like to see it introduced at Awapuni. Winners of the three principal events at the Christchurch- Hunt meeting do not subject themselves to rehandicap for the Grand National or the Winter Cup. On the other, hand, winners of races who claim engagements in minor handicaps on the opening day of the Grand National do. Listening Post and Happy Days were considered two of the most promising recruits to the jumping game seen in action at South Canterbury. It is nothing new for all the horses to be scratched for a race at a country meeting, but in that respect it is probable a record was made at Albury (N.S.W.) early this month. As a rule when a race falls throurh the entries are small, but'flt the Albury Licensed Victuallers’ meeting there were 18 entrants for the Maiden Handicap, and they were all. withdrawn. The ex-nortlicmer King Abbey accounted for the opposition in the.Waimate Steeplechase, but, after holding a commanding lead, had only a head the advantage of Uncle Bob —last year’s winner—at the post. Going isong the back, King Abbey had opened up a 1 : lead of 20 lengths, but hit the post and rails hard. He is now trained at Riccarton by A. E. Wormald. The runner-up, Uncle Bob, was not made full use of, otherwise he might have won. He, like General Advance, Kipling, Cartoon and Whipcord, who were among the also rans on Thursday, claim an engagement in the Grand National.

It was generally considered Frisco Mail had received his full deserts when he was allotted 10.4 in the Winter Hurdles at Wellington (says the Timani Herald). Mr. X E. Henrys, however, holds a different view, and has awarded the Washdyke gelding 10.? ia tha

Grand National Hurdles on a 41b lighter scale. Frisco Mail is very well just now, and even if the big race proves too far for him he should pay expenses at Riccarton next month. Oakleigh, who is well known in New Zealand as the winner of two successive Grand National Steeplechases, also the Wellington Steeplechase, met with injuries while following the Waikato hounds at Pukerimu last Saturday. He was run off at ;> sapling fence, and came in contact with some barb who. As a result' both forelegs were badly injured about the forearms, and about thirty stitches had to be put, in.. He was being qualified for the Waikato Hunt Club Steeplechase, which is decided on Labour Day, but it will be some time before he is able to bftaken in hand ag tin. . The annual report of 'the 1 ahiatua Racing Club discloses the financial position to be quite sound, and, like many of the sister clubs throughout the district, a policy of improvement to the buildings and appointments has been entered upon. The first of these improvements to be undertaken is that of enlarging the toralisatoc nouse, and this work is already in hand. The New Zealand Racing Conference has allotted the dates applied for, viz., January 26th and 27th, 1927, on whicn to hold the annual race meeting. A sit ver cup of the value of 50 guineas for the Pahiatua Handicap has been presented by Mr. H. Cowan. Mr. H. M. Campbell, M.P. for Hawke’s Bay, has a number of horses in work at present (says an exchange), for, in addition to Comical and Mint Julep, at his own track at Poukawa near Hastings, he has a coming three-year-old gelding named Ba'llachulish,. by Kilboy from Mntatane, and another named Brinagour by King Mark from Straga, in W. Stone’s stable at To Awamutu. Straga is the property of Mr. Campbell, and a colt foal from her by King Mark is at present running at Poukawa. Strega, who will be remembered as the dam of the highpriced Hymestra, and also of Tofreda, whom Mr. W. R. Ivemball purchased from the late Hon. J. D. Ormond s estate, is at present in foal to the English-bred sire Lackham, by Roi Herode, imported by Mr. E. Riddiford. Since being acquired from the Ormond Estate by Mr. Campbell, slid. produced two fillies prior to Eringamour, but both met with mishaps as foals, and were never handled.