RACING

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 234, 22 December 1927, Page 6

RACING

By

“EARLY BIRD.”

Out Fop A Long Time It is now reported from Hawke’s Bay that Commendation is in a bad way, and that it is certain he will not race again this season. Two For Dunedin E. Scoullar’s pair, Countersign and Rotor, have great prospects for the holiday meetings in the South, says a Christchurch writer. They have done really well during the last few weeks. Doing the North The Riccarton trainer, R. Emerson, has decided to take only Assurance and the English horse, Hoylake, to the Christmas and New Year meetings in , the North Island. However, both horses are in good fettle, and they should pay expenses on the trip. Ark Royal's Form One of the most disappointing displays of form —or lack of it—ever seen at Wingatui was that put up by Ark Royal in the Oamaru Cup, says “Sentinel.” Everyone “with an eye in his head” said that Ark Royal should have beaten Set Sail at Timaru, and the Solferino mare at the same weight would have 'been a strong favourite in the Oamaru Cup. Ark Royal did not run within lengths of his form in the Oamaru Cup.

Fancied Fop The Railway Money Order is one of the popular fancies in the South for the Railway Handicap, and, as he was in excellent fettle when he left Riccarton for Ellerslie, he should go close to winning a race at the Northern meeting, says the Christchurch Sun. At his best, this son of Paper Money is very speedy over short courses, and needs only to keep sound to win several sprint races this season.

Women Riders In Czecho-Slo\’akia women riders are not barred in jumping races. The Grand Steeplechase, which is the biggest race of its class in the country mentioned, was run at Pardubitz, near Prague, on October 9. There were thirteen starters, and only five finished. The fifth and last horse, Nevesta, was ridden by a woman jockey, who came off several jumps, but remounted each time. She was loudly cheered when she passed the winning post, and, for her pluck, she deserved it. Kiosk and Lady Cavendish

As Kiosk has already earned the full penc.lty of 141 b for the Palmerston North Stakes he can win the Fitzherbert Handicap on Boxing Day without prejudicing his chance in the classic event. When he beat Lady Cavendish in the Feilding Stakes he gave her Sib, and in the handicap he has to allow her a stone. With better luck than Lady Cavendish experienced at Feilding she will make a race of it with Kiosk on Boxing Day. Work At New Plymouth

All the work on the New Plymouth track on Saturday took place on the trial grass and the plough, both of which were in good order. Patrolet was not asked to do his best over seven furlongs in 1.43. Miss Mercia and Flying Shot went five furlongs In 1.7. Te Atiawa went four furlongs alone in 54. The Swell and Cadenza were given strong work on the plough. Just John and Razor were allotted a similar task. Lady Quex was too good for Merxcius over three furlongs. Oration and Manly went six furlongs in 1.19. Gold Dawn was worked on the plough and sprinted home. Michaelmas was given useful work. Mint Leaf, Hipo and Nastori were allotted easy tasks. Paying Expenses Although he has not met with any outstanding success since his arrival in Sydney, the New Zealand trainer, A. D. Webster has managed to pay expenses with the team he has in work at Canterbury Park. He has won races on registered courses with Asleep, First Acre and Jazz Baby, and at Ascot he was successfully represented by Moutoa Wonder in the second division of the 14.1 handicap, says a Sydney writer. Moutua Wonder was a strong tip early, but when he cased after some nice bets had been laid at a good price about him it was the signal for some of the “hard heads” to broadcast their supposed knowledge that Moutoa Wonder “was not in the race.” This time, however, their informaaion was incorrect, and the New Zealander defeated the unlucky Master Carwyne; in one of ths aniffhss gf J&e a£v cnoon.

Jockey’s Judgment Bert Ellis is one of the most successful and able horsemen in the country, but he seemed to commit an error of judgment in waiting behind Beauty Light in the Jumpers’ Flat. He may have been tied up by instructions, but Wharncliffe is only a slow stayer, and hence when there was no pace on he should have been sent along for all he was worth. As it was, Wharncliffe was beaten for speed at the end of a slowly-run race decided over a distance to suit a stayer. The distance enhanced Wharncliffe’s chance of success, and he should have been sent along as soon as he settled into his stride from start to finish. Moving Tank

A novel method of watering the famous Belmont racecourse has just been adopted by the Westchester Racing Association, New York. A large tank holding some 1,400 gallons and mounted on a four-wheeled trailer is towed along the course by a motor tractor, and the act of propulsion drives a powerful pump mounted upon the trailer, which throws water from the tank over a very wide earea—approximately 50 feet. Within certain limits, the faster the tractor travels the greater the amount of water the pump throws, so that the work is done very thoroughly as well as with far greater rapidity than has ever been possible before.

About Lysander It is wonderful how soon a horse drops out of favour. At Wanganui, Lysander, carrying 9.6, and making his first appearance of the season, was a solid favourite for the open sprint, but could do no better than fifth to Kiosk. As he was conceding Kiosk 201 b it is not to be wondered that he found the task beyond him, comments “The Watcher.” On the following day Lysander ran second at weight-for-age to Laughing Prince in the Eclipse Stakes. Coming to Trentham for his next start, Lysander was again a substantial favourite for the open sprint won by Benzora, but he failed to carry his 9.2 into a more forward position than sixth. He was, however, prominent in the running throughout. His next and last start was in the Feilding Stakes, when, although meeting Kiosk at 251 b better terms than at Wanganui, the latter again won, Lysander running fourth. His performance was suggestive that he would have done better at six furlongs, for he was running on at the finish, and it left the impression that he was also on the verge of improving form. Before leaving for Auckland, Lysander has been showing some first-class track form, and if he goes to the post in the Railway Handicap in anything like his best order he will be a very tough proposition. Pie has had only four races this season, his form has not been at all bad, he was a substantial favourite on three occasions, yet for his next engagement on • Boxing Day his name is hardly mentioned.

MEETINGS TO COME December 26, 28. January 2, 3—Auckland R.C. December 26, 27—. Dunedin J.C. December 26—Waipukurau J.C. December 26, 27 —Westland R.C. December 26, 27—Taranaki J.C. December 26. 27, 29 Manawatu R.C. December SO, 81* January 2—Greymouth J.C. December 31, January 2—Wairarapa R.C. January 2 —WaJkouaiti R.C. January 2—Wyndbam R.C. January 2, 3—Hawke’s Bay J.C. January 2. 3—Stratford R.C. January 2, 3—Marton J.C. January 3, 4—Southand R.C. January 6, 7—Reefton J.C. January 7. 9—Vincent J.C.