Truf Notes

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 280, 16 February 1928, Page 6

Truf Notes

Conducted by “EARLY BIRD" J

Ark Royal’s Exit The Dunedin Guineas winner, Ark Royal, who was badly kicked at the post in the Wellington Cup, has been destroyed. Winner in W.A. Los Ambus won a race run over a mile and a-half at Perth on January 23. The Solferino gelding carried 6.13, and won in 2.33 i. Long Odds —1 In 601 The dead-heat registered by Full Feather is the first Sir George Clifford’s colours have ever scored in a race, and he has how won 601 races! Young&ters For Randwick J. Whitworth returned to ’Sydney last week from the Dominion, and took with him the Limond-—Makepeace yearling purchased at the annudl sales on behalf-of a Sydney buyer. He goes into G. Price’s stable. He also took a two-year-old filly bred in England. G. Price has put the two-year-old London, by Nassau —Thames, into work again. Making Progress The two-year-old Rigmarole, who was very unlucky at her last start, is making steady progress, and she may pick up a minor hack race at any time., now. Though on the small side, she is very game, but unlike most of the Absurds she lacks the necessary brilliance to gain her a good position in the early stages of a race. Branson Will Be Missing It was thought that Branson would take a deal of beating in the Rotorua Cup, and his withdrawal just prior to that fixture caused mild surprise to his admirers. After the good race the Greyspear gelding ran in the

Matamata Cup, he became slightly sore in the forelegs, and the trouble has developed to such an extent that probably Branson will be missing when the Te Aroha fixture comes up for decision. Old Jockey Retires Roxie Romanelli, known as dean of American riders, has quit the saddle. The veteran jockey, 50 years old, after announcing at the Fair Grounds, New Orleans, that “they’ve finally made me quit,” relinquished the deanship to Johnny Callahan, who now holds the distinction of being the oldest active jockey on the American turf. Romanelli, while, he has no immediate plans for the future, intimates he may come back as a trainer of thoroughbreds. A native of Italy, he has seen service In the saddle throughout the United States, Canada and foreign countries. A Matter of Tactics Although The Hawk has still many ardent admirers, even they did not expect him to defeat Reremoana in the Taranaki Stakes on Saturday, comments “Vedette.” He was extremely fortunate to score in what was really a battle of tactics between R. Reed and L. G. Morris. Reed was seen to greajf advantage, and it was inconceivable that a rider of Morris’s experience would allow himself to be so hopelessly out-manoeuvred in a threehorse field. Te Atiawa led Reremoana on the rails, and The Hawk just outside of the pair to the turn. Reed on The Hawk held Morris in that place, and when Morris made a desperate effort to force his way through he failed. He had plenty of time beforehand to just follow The Hawk and swing round outside of him at the home turn. Had he done so there is no doubt that Reremoana would havo won. After the race Morris admitted that he had been guilty of an error of judgment, and after all the man who has never made a mistake has never done anything. A Question of Dates At a meeting of the Greymoutli District Committee on Friday, the Nelson Jockey Club applied for a change of the dates of its meeting set down for February 23 and 25, and in support of the application the secretary of the club wrote as follows:—“This'club has decided to abandon its meeting, originally fixed for February 23 and 25, and to apply for new dates later in the season. We earnestly trust that the district committee will extend to our application its fullest and sympathetic consideration, as after the most careful consideration by this committee, it was felt that it would be very unwise to go on with our meeting on the dates fixed. We have had no rain for practically two or three months, and our track, always a hard one in summer, is almost unfit to race on. At our trotting meeting last week many of the horseS could stand only one race a day. The drought is also having a very depressing effect on the community as a whole, especially in the country districts, from which, of course, we draw a great deal of our support, and as there is no apparent prospect whatever of the weather breaking in the immediate future, it was felt that with the course as it is, and the community in its present depressed state, it would be courting disaster to go on. In addition, as you will note, there are other meetings in the North Island about the same time, and as the Nelson course is always known as a hard one, it is almost certain the owners would prefer to race nearer home rather than cross the strait with a likelihood of breaking their horses down before the Easter meetings come. Our prospects for reasonable fields in all the circumstances, therefore, were not at all bright, and after consultation with Mr. Fogarty and Mr. Sellers, and also one or two of the biggest nominators, all considered we would be following the best course if the meeting were abandoned. As it appears very probable that Marlborough will be vacating their May dates (4 and 5) in view of the likelihood of their racing at Trentham :Ln April, we now apply for May 3 and 5, subject to these dates not being required for Marlborough. We would be glad to hear, as soon as possible, the result of our request.” The application for May 3 and 5 Was approved, subject to these dates not being required by Marlborough.

Racing at Wanganui To-day and on Saturday there will be racing at Wanganui. The Jackson Stakes figures on the second day's card, in which classic Prince Humphrey and Paganelli are to meet Reremoaija and Lysander. On the Easy List Prior to contesting the Okato Handicap at Taranaki, Baby Bun was slightly sore, and in addition to this she was badly galloped on during the

race. The daughter of Some Boy 11. has now returned to Ellerslie and will be given a respite for a few days. Present intentions, are not to race Baby Bun at the Te Aroha meeting. Why He Went Out The reason. why Son o* Mine was withdrawn from the Australian Cup was because his trainer, L. Robertson, considered he could not get the black horse ready for the race. On account of his finishing effort in the Melbourne Cup, Son o’ Mine was one of the early fancies for the Australian Cup when the entries appeared. Thus Robertson’s discovery was timely, and the promptness with which Mr. Sol. Green, owner of the horse, acted, will save many from loss. Piuthair and Her Relations Since the Hawera meeting Piuthair has been in New Plymouth and down on the beach each day for the benefit of the sea water. She looked particularly well before the Taranaki Cup, but was still sore in her preliminary. In the race she failed to show any dash, and finished last. The original intention was to keep her at New Plymouth for the sea-water treatment until the Wanganui meeting, but she will now go home for a short spell in the paddock. Possibly a long spell is what she requires. Her two-year-old brother Callanmore, by Absurd, has made a good recovery from his operation for the wind infirmity, and he appears to be right now. Clarinda is also well on toward the way of regular work again. Preparing For Flemington Going comfortably and smoothly throughout, the Derby and Melbourne Cup winner, Trivalve, accompanied by Be Souriceau, did an attractive gallop at Flemington one morning last week. He covered a mile and a-quarter on the tan in 2.18. The first half-mile took 56, and the mile 1.50. It was not a serious test, but was sufficient to indicate that the colt is rapidly regaining his best form. Lady Beth recorded the fastest sprint of the Oak-

leigh Plate candidates, covering two furlongs oti the new grass track in 243. Pilliewinkie went nine on the tan in 2.6. Moving in his usual free style, Star d’Or made 2.5 for the same distance. The best mile at Caulfield was done by Spearfelt, who took 1.46. He pulled up well. Amounis sprinted five furlongs in 1.5, easily . defeating Nawallah. Imitator and Naos finislmd together over a mile on the sand in 1.47.

REMINDERS Nominations for the Franklin meeting will be received by the secretary. Pukekohe, or by Mr. A. J. Farquhar, secretary, Avondale Jockey Club, up till 5 p.m. on Friday, February 17. Handicaps are due on Tuesday, February 28. The Ohlnemuri meeting is to be held on March Vt and 19. Nomination* close with the secretary at Paeroa, orwith Messrs. Blomfield and Co., High Street, Auckland, at 8 p.m. on Friday, February 17. Acceptances for the annual fixture of the Te Aroha Racing Club to be held on February 25 and 27 will close with the secretary and with Blomfield and Co. at 5 p.m. on Monday, February 20. Entries for the Auckland Racing Club’s autumn meeting to be held on April 7 and 9, will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 16. Handicaps will be published on Monday, March 26. Nominations for the autumn meeting of the Avondale Jockey Club, to be held on April 14 and 18, are due with the secretary, Box 590, Auckland, at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 23. Weights are due on Tuesday, April 10. RACING FIXTURES

February 16. —Tolaga Bay J.C. February i 6, 18.—Wanganui J.C. February 18. —Canterbury J.C. February 22, 23.—Gore R.C. February 23, 25.—Nelson J.C. February 24, 25.—Woodville J.C. February 23.—Waiapu R.C. February 25. 27.—Te Aroha J.C. February 29. March I.—Dannevirke R.C. March L 3-—Marlborough R.C. March 3.—Banks Peninsula R.C. March 3, 6.—Te Kuiti R.C. March 7.—Opotßki J.C. March 9, 10. —Napier Park R.C. March 10, 12.—Franklin R.C. March 15, 17.—Wellington R.C. March 17.—Opunake R.C. March 17, 19.—Ohinemuri J.C. March 21. —Otautau R.C. March 21. 22.—Rangitikei R.C. March 23, 24.—Oamaru J.C. March 24.—Bay of Plenty J.C. March 24, 26.—Westport J.C. March 28, 29.—Southland R.C. March 30, 31.—Masterton R.C.