RACING

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 41, 11 May 1927, Page 6

RACING

Wellington’s Winter Programme The Wellington Racing Club has passed the programme for its winter meeting on July 12, 14 and 16 next. There is no cut in the stakes beyond the hack races, which will carry 260 sovs. instead of the usual 300 sovs.

Unlucky Town Bird Town Bird lost on Saturday through dwelling slightly at the start and losing sufficient margin on Coot to make all the difference at the finish. “The Watcher” opines that Town Bird’s luck should soon change.

Great Northern Candidate Maunga was friendless at Hastings, and was never dangerous. On the •econd day he got badly left, but was running on very strongly at the finish. They say he jumps country well and he should be a possibility for an early steeplechase.

After Many Years It is six years since Ngata won the Century Hurdles, and his forward running of late suggests him to be a possibility in any hurdle race in the near future. He is again engaged in the coming Century Hurdles, and it would take a good deal of weight to stop him if he is quite well on the day. Winding Up

Though Clockwork some weeks ago gave very moderate displays over the battens, he has in the interim improved a great deal, and his more recent attempts have been fairly good. Clockwork has been out with the Pakuranga Hunt, and will qualify before the Great Northern meeting. Nothing Doing Some individual or other managed to obtain unauthorised ■ admittance to the trainers’ stand at Forbury Park on Thursday, and when challenged and requested to retire by one of the stewards he refused to shift, writes

“Sentinel.” The steward said, ‘‘You have no right here; come out,” or words to that effect. The trespasser, who was evidently of a bellicose disposition, replied, ‘‘What will you do if I don’t come down?” The steward diplomatically replied, “Nothing.” All Black Finished The death of the stallion All Black Is reported from Australia. He commenced his stud career in New Zealand. among his progeny being Desert Gold, who built up a great record, also her brothers, Egypt and Nigger Minstrel, and the Wellington Cup winner, Bunting. For some years past he had been in Victoria, where he sired a number of winners, including Maid of the Mist, a weigh t-for-age winner. El Dorado and Pershore were two others who earned some distinction for him in Australia. Getting Their Hand In

Now that the Great Northern fixture is only about three weeks off, track work, especially with the jumping brigade, should liven up. One or two amateurs have been seen riding work at Ellerslie. evidently to get in good trim in view of the Carbine Plate, which, event will be decided on the second* day of the gathering, and in which gentlemen riders will pilot the competitors.

An Improving Limond Alloway has failed in his last two starts, but he is an improving galloper and has been shaping well in his work of late. . Being a gross horse the racing will do him good. He has been nominated for the coming Wanganui meeting. As the class will not be so strong as he encountered at the Easter Auckland fixture, he might show up in a better light. Sydney Purchases

Mr. W. J. Wilson, trainer for the Hon. E. W. Alison, M.L.C., returned to Auckland last evening by the Marama, after attending the blood stock sales in Sydney, where he purchased several horses. For himself Mr. Wilson bought a bay filly by Aochelaga out of Lorita Howard: for Mr. E. W. Alison, Junr., a bay colt by Seermond out of Lute String; for the Hon. E. W. Alison a filly and a colt, both by Greymount; for Mr. Timms, of Te Awamutu, a bay gelding; and for Mr. Stannings, of Ellerslie, a bay colt.

Statesman’s Win Trainer Kelso was a delighted man after his Demosthenes colt Statesman had won the second division of the Nursery Handicap at Randwick (as recorded in THE SUN yesterday). Of course, the big stake that had been landed over the victory made all the stable followers smile, but to the owner-trainer there was the added pleasure of having bred the colt himself. Like many other trainers Kelso dabbles in breeding in a small way, and five years ago, when Mr. Norman Falkiner was selling off a number of his mares, Kelso bought Marcelle for 300 guineas. The Comedy King colt Lauder was the first foal her new owner had from 'Marcelle, and the next produce was Statesman, who has more than justified the - purchase of the mare. There is now a nice youngster by Saltash from Marcelle coming along, and last season she visited a former champion of India, Roubaix, at Mr. Walter Harrison’s stud. Marcelle is an imported mare by Martogon from Celine, by Cyllene, and it is interesting to note that before he purchased her. Kelso had raced one of her earlier foals, Llanthony, who recently won the Albury Cup. Doping Causes Paralysis

A report that The Epicure had been doped recently caused excitement at Tamworth, N.S.W. The horse fell several times after exercise, and was found to be suffering from temporary paralysis. The horse was brought to Tamworth about a week previously by M. O’Donnell, and up till Sunday morn-

ing (May 1) no fault could be found with the gelding’s condition. On his way to the course on Sunday the horse displayed signs of uneasiness. It was not, however, until after he had been exercised that the real trouble was located. The horse fell several times after pulling up, and both his owner and trainer experienced much difficulty in keeping him on his feet. It was then found that he was suffering from temporary paralysis. The Epicure appears to be gradually improving. but O’Donnell stated last night that he had not nearly recovered from the drug which was undoubtedly administered. Horseowners have been warned to take particular care of their charges. Sign of the Times

Following the usual practice, the committee of the Canterbury Jockey Club will frame the programme for next season in two sections. The result of the committee’s deliberations has been announced, so far .as the Grand National meeting is concerned, leaving the decision regarding the other three meetings over until the August racing has been disposed of. With a falling totalisator revenue, states a Christchurch writer, a substantial reduction in prize money was to be expected, and the saving effected on the Grand National meeting amounts to £1,650. This is a substantial cut on last year’s total of £11,250, the sum to be distributed this year being £ 9,600, but under the circumstances no other course was open. The committee must be complimented on the manner in which it has gone about an unpleasant duty. It appears to have been realised that the principal events must bear the brunt of the cut in stakes. The Grand National Steeplechase has been reduced

from £2,000 to £1,600, Grand National Hurdle Handicap from £1,500 to £1,200, Winter Cup from £I,OOO to £750, Beaufort Steplechase from £6OO to £ 500, and the Lincoln Steeplechase from £7OO to £SOO, so that the fiye leading events have provided £1,2?50 of the saving.

COMING EVENTS

May 12, 14—Egmont R.C. May 19. 21—Wanganui J.C. June 1,2, 4—Dunedin J.C. June 3, 4—Otaki-Maori R.C. June 3,4, 6 Auckland R.C. June 18—Napier Park R.C. June 22—Hawke’s Bay Hunt Club. June 24, 25 —Hawke’s Bay J.C. June 25—Oamaru J.C. July 2—Ashsburton County R.C. July 12, 14, 16—Wellington R.C. July 21—Waimate District Hunt Club. July 23—South Canterbury Hunt Club. July 28. 30 —Gisborne R.C. July 30—Christchurch Hun* Club.