MAUNGA UNLUCKY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 357, 18 May 1928, Page 6

MAUNGA UNLUCKY

RUNNING AT WANGANUI NOTES AND COMMENTS Will Not Lose Friends Maunga was going extremely well when he was pulled up in the Wanganui Steeplechase yesterday. His rider lost an iron, and then the gear started to slip. The black was eased up nearly half a mile from home, and the indications were that he would have made a race of it with Brigadier I Bill. Nearly a Double The Hunterville sportsman, Mr. James Bull, nearly pulled off a double at Wanganui. Ruby Ring beat all but Mixed Heather in the Hack Steeplechase, and in the next event, the Wianganui Steeplechase, Brigadier Bill scored nicely, and confirming his Hawera effort, where the slow time recorded caused the victory to be under-estimated by many. In Brigadier Bill, Mir. Bull appears to have a potential Great Northern Steeplechase candidate fit to take Omahu’s place. Number Four Best Horses numbered four in the racebook yesterday had a fine spin at Wanganui, and it paid to follow. Ladies’ Boy started the run by finishing second in the opening event, and then Mixed Heather and Brigadier Bill scored. In the next Polyphemus ran second, and Aberfeldy, number four in the fifth event, was scratched. Vesperus failed to carry on the good work, but Silvermine, the last number four, won and paid a fine price. Three firsts and two seconds in six starts was great work on the part of number four, and a ticket on each would have shown a clear profit of approximately a “tenner.” Egmont Form Reliable Once again did Hawera form prove reliable to follow at Wanganui. This was particularly so in the two big jumping events, for Brigadier Bill won the Egmont Steeplechase, and Mount Marta was second in the Hurdles there and won yesterday the principal event over the sticks. Brigadier Bill never put a foot wrong, and although there are some that will not have him over the Ellerslie hill, others hold an entirely different view. He is a fine jumper, and not an unlikely winner of the two Northerns. It will be in his favour that Alan McDonald will be riding him at Ellerslie. Tuki's Effort Known more as a plodder than as possessed of pace over the obstacles, Tuki nevertheless ran well at Wanganui to finish second to Brigadier Bill. It looked as if he required the race, too, so that if he is given another run to-morrow over the two and a-half-mile course—a bit short for him perhaps—he should be cher.ry ripe for the Great Northern, which is to be run on Monday fortnight. Incidentally Brigadier Bill will now be rehandicapped, and when the penalties come out on Monday it is probable that he will have to carry another half-stone on top of his present 9.12 in the G.N. Steeplechase for yesterday’s win. This will bring him on the same mark as Tuki, and yesterday there was a couple of pounds between them. Steeplechase Candidates Considering that it was his first public outing for a long time, Peter Maxwell ran a fine race in the Wanganui Steeplechase, and he should be a better horse for that run. Frisco Jack, on the other hand, put up a poor showing, and it is apparent that he has sadly gone off, for there was merit in his efforts last season. It is something to know that Comical has at last completed a steeplechase course, and that fact should give the chestnut confidence, and probably induce his owner to once again take on the Great Northern. If given a run tomorrow it will depend on Comical’s showing whether he is to be brought North. Will Do Better There were many Northerners and others anxious to have a look at Aberfeldy perform in the May Hurdles yesterday, but the horse was kept in his box. He is all right, and will be on hand to contest the Century Hurdles to-morrow. Two disappointments of the May Hurdles yesterday were Pouri and Perle de Leon. The former will do better, for he appeared as if a race would sharpen him up. Perle de Leon as usual was being hard ridden over the last halfmile, but he did not show enough pace in the early part to win over the easy Wanganui hurdles. The Great Northern would suit him infinitely better. Went Too Fast One of the hottest favourites at Wanganui yesterday was San Fera in the Hack Steeplechase. What beat him was the fast pace set by Mixed Heather and Radiate, and the favourite was scratching to keep up. He was a possibility five furlongs from home, but he then had enough. Radiate was a good thing beaten, for he had a commanding lead at the last fence when he crashed. Mixed Heather jumped well throughout, and will improve. However, he was very lucky to win, for Radiate, an outsider, had only to stand up to collect the stake. Ruby Ring gave an improved showing, and is likely to develop into a useful ’chaser under J. Morris’s tuition. Downfall of Hot One A shock was in store for the backers that sent out Mister Gamp at a cramped price in the Kaitoke Hack Hurdles yesterday, for at the second fence he fell. Peshwa turned up as the eventual winner, and he should see a better day, although not likely to develop into a champion. Polyphemus finished strongly from the halfmile post, and better placed in the middle stages might have turned the tables. Wenday went a fair race, and is now jumping better. Our Jack gave a fine display for a novice, and it looks as if he is a certainty for a hack hurdle race this winter. Shining Armour fell after half the journey had been covered, but up to this point he did not impress. Still, he has to be given time to make good. Useful Handicapper It look* as if Horomea is going to develop into a useful handicap performer, for there was no fluke when she sprang her surprise victory over a good field in the Connolly Handicap yesterday. Last August Horomea ran a good race in the Winter Cup, but in the interim had done only fairly, and this would account for the fine price she* returned yesterday. Horomea was always in the van, and made a sharp pace round the bends. Vesperus, the warm favourite, had every show, but failing to get handy on the rails soon after the start, he had something to do to catch the leader. Royal Damon went a good race, and he will be suited by the shorter distance the second day. Blimp finished strongly, and in another few strides would have been first instead of second. ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT "Inquirer.”—Beau CavajUer has not fallen in a hurdle race.

An Unlucky One Ridden by an apprentice and claiming the full allowance, Benzora was unlucky in being beaten into a minor place in the Borough Handicap. He was the last to leave the mark, and on the Wanganui course this is nearly always fatal. . Benzora is in great heart, and with a more capable horseman up to-morrow may finish closer up. Had Every Chance Covent Garden and Limited, both by Absurd, were favourites in the open sprint at Wanganui yesterday. The former had every chance, hitting the front from barrier rise and then being in the fighting line all the way, only to peter out in the straight. Limited was not too lucky in the early part, and he should do better. Silvermine’s Form The three-year-old Silvermine is raced by a popular sportsman, but even he must be puzzled by the in and out manner in which he has raced lately. He was expected to perform well at Hawera, and his misses there were expensive. He got away brilliantly at Wanganui and led practically throughout, having little difficulty in holding on up the short straight. When right Silvermine is good, but apparently he wants everything his own way. Didn’t Get Near One of the causes of the defeat of First Acre in the sprint at Wanganui yesterday was his failure to get near the leaders. He finished well, and showed that had he got a good position early he might have been one of the hardest to beat. He will win some more races before the season ends. Backers’ Short Memory For a fourth favourite Desert Lad paid a wonderful price when lie won the hack sprint at Wanganui yesterday. He had run third and second the previous week, and then was sent out at good odds. He came through with a rattle on the rails in the straight, and collared Ladies’ Boy to beat him squarely. The northerner had every show, and had he kept in to the rails must have won. One of the unlucky ones among the unplaced was Callanmore, the half-brother by Absurd to Piuthair, and with a decent run will do better.

Mount Marta’s Improvement One of the most improved hurdlers in commission at the present time is Mount Marta. A second at Awapuni was followed by a similar placing behind Mister Gamp at Hawera. He was not greatly fancied for the May Hurdles yesterday, and over the first half of the journey he had a good deal of ground to make up. He did it nicely, however, Jarvis making up

the leeway not too hurriedly, and consequently he was well placed over the last half-mile and beat the opposition for speed in the straight. Mount Marta is expected to arrive at Ellerslie next Thursday morning to fulfil his engagements at the local fixture. He is not engaged in the G.N. Hurdles, but is in the other hurdle races, as well as the Winter Steeplechas-e. He was given a run in this event 12 months ago. Two Out, Three In Despite the fact that Black Cruiser (all engagements) and Lady Cintra (Great Northern Hurdles) were scratched yesterday, trainer F. E. Loomb still has Mia Bella, Mangani and Desert Glow in the Great Northern Hurdles, and Mangani and Desert Glow in the Great Northern Steeples. To Jump On Tuesday Beau Cavalier continues to get through a strong preparation for his Great Northern Steeplechase engagement, and S. Tooman will certainly have him in great buckle when that event comes up for decision. Present intentions are to give the Chesterfield gelding an essay over country on Tuesday, that is, of course, weather permitting!.

Likes It Hard Polydectes was one of the disappointments at the Ashburton meeting, and evidently he has had enough of racing in the meantime. He is to be again produced at Amberley and then spelled for the winter season, as he has proved himself useless on anything but a hard track. A Nice Youngster The Catmint —Loloma colt is at present undergoing the rudiments of his education at the hands of his mentor, J. Thorpe. This youngster, who is a full-brother to Lomint, will only require to show as much pace as his relative to prove a paying proposition. May Require Time The rising two-year-old filly by Limond—Farce, owned by a Christchurch sportsman. Dr. M. G. Louisson, and trained by a former Woodville trainer, T. Lloyd, has grown into a nice youngster, but she may require time before reaching her best, and may not be seriously trained for early two-year-old races. Newbury To Race Next Week Newbury, who left Auckland in company with Rawhetu recently to do some racing in Australia, will probably commence his campaign in Queens land next week. At present Newbury is under the charge of G. Price, who has taken a team to compete at the Queensland Cup meeting. Over the HiM In all probability the hill at Ellerslie will be available for trainers tomorrow morning, and this will enable mentors to give their jumpers a lesson over the country that will have to be negotiated in the Great Northern Steeplechase. Usually jumping activities commence about 9 o’clock and continue till 10.30. The Half-sovereign Totalisator Those who oppose the half-sovereign totalisator always insist that it is the cause of financial decay of clubs. Last week, at Hawera, the club had a 10s machine, and despite a great run of outsiders the success of the meeting, as judged from the totalisator figures, was great, writes “Vedette.” Yet at Nelson, when the meeting was held much later in the year than usual, a falling-off was blamed on to the 10s totalisator. From practical experience it has been shown that if the racing public has the money and the will to bet, bet it will, whether the units be ten shillings or pounds. However, the Nelson officials, according to an exchange, have decided against the 10s machine. Rightly or wrongly, the club’s officials and stewards are nqx r fully convinced that the 10s machine has too serious an effect upon the turnover to justify its continuance; and, much as the half-ticket machine may be appreciated by the public, shout of the long-delayed legislative enactment insisting on this principle in the public interest, Nelson will know it no more. Strange to s'ay, clubs who are making and solid progress all have facilities for half-sovereign bettors. Raising the Wind “When one has to raise a revenue unhappily of about £840,000,000 a year, and when the fluctuations in this direction or that sway the accounts by two or three millions up or down, how ludicrous to suppose that any financial gain that could come through the rather more efficient collection of a small portion of rhe betting tax b^ - means of the totalisator would weigh for one-half moment with any Chancellor or the Exchequer. On the contrary,” said Mr. Churchill, “if this measure should obtain a second reading, it will be my duty to consider the fact that the totalisator has received approval in principle in relation generally to the rate of duty at which the betting tax should be levied. There is no doubt whatever that this Bill will be a handicap to bookmakers. What is the use of pretending that it will not? The bookmaker will lose by this Bill in three ways. First, because the odds which will be given by the totalisator will be the true odds and fairer than are paid at present. He will lose because undoubtedly custom will be diverted to the totalisator, which otherwise he would have; and he will lose because I am assured the money which will be invested in the totalisator will be the money of the simple public; or what is called in technical parlance, the ‘mugs.’ The ‘mugs’ ’ money in the main will be invested with the totalisator, whereas what is called the ‘inspired’ money, that is, money which has information behind it, will probably still continue to operate through the bookmakers, and out of that money very little profit is to be made. It is for those reasons it will be only just to consider the relation of tlve tax to the totalisator.”

Jumping Well Gay Queen (M. Kir wan) gave another good exhibition of jumping in a task over four hurdles at Riccarton recently. She is to take her place in the hurdle event at the Amberley meeting. Wants Wharncliffe If negotiations for the purchase of Wharncliffe are completed, he will accompany Loehella and Black Duke to Australia. The team leaves on June 1. Winner Over Hurdles Merry Singer is going on the right way in his preparation at Waipukurau. It is intended to nominate the gelding in hack hurdle events at the Napier Park and Hawke’s Bay meetings. Considering that among Merry Singer’s victories over the obstacles is included the premier award in the Vittoria Hurdles, at Trentham, he should make his presence felt in engagements over the impediments. Kilfaire and Atareria Atareria, who has been nominated for hurdle events at Otakl, has been given schooling exercise over the obstacles at Awapuni. For a new chum at the business he is said to have made a favourable impression. Another of Mr. Gaisford’s representatives, in Kilfaire, is also having a course of education over the hurdles at Woodville under the control of J. Sullivan. He also is one of the entrants for hurdle events at Otaki. Won At Good Price Red Jazz, who won the Trial Hack at Ashburton in Mr. J. M. Samson’s colours, cost 250gns as a yearling. She was bred by Mr. lan G. Duncan, at Elderslie. and was got by Solferino from Tango, by Vasco—Stepka, by St. Leger from Stepfeldt, a sister to Stepniak and She, the dam of Bobadil. Red Jazz ran third to Childsplay and Noteworthy in the McLean Stakes, ajid she also finished second to Night March at the Dunedin summer meeting. The Solferino stock usually improve with age, and Red Jazz should do well on the turf. Her pedigree also suggests good value for the stud at the end of her racing career. Readers oi The Sun were prepared for Red Jazz’s success, but they did not expect such a great price. Will Do Better Malmsey’s easy victory in the Eiffelton Hack Handicap at Ashburton on Saturday was very attractive, as it was her first attempt over a mile journey. Until Saturday last some people doubted her ability to stay that distance, but the decisive manner in which she accountel for her opponents suggests that she will do a lot better later, and it might not be beyond her to pick up a good handicap during the winter. In the summer she suffered from foot trouble, and had to be eased up for some time. It was not sufficiently bad to cause a breakdown, but her connections were unable to race her on the hard tracks. Her present condition reflects much credit on her trainer, J. Pearson, who has made great improvement in the four-year-old daughter of Clarenceux in the past fe w months. Our Jumpers So Far The jumping events at Hawera did not reveal a great deal, comments the “Evening Post.” Brigadier Bill may prove useful and no more, and Ptj‘ whero can still go fast and jump brilliantly. Comical has yet to have a fair test, and, although he has been well decried, he has not been placed or handled to the best advantage. San Fera showed himself a orilliant ana clever jumper, and up to two miles hi 3 doubtful breathing apparatus will ghr* him a chance in any present- day company. He was cleverness itself at th* diminutive sod wall at Hawera- Frisco Jack looks like winning a short-diS" tance steeplechase or two. In point of fa.2t, not one of the steeplechasers seen at Hawera appealed for the long journeys, unless it was Comical, and his jumping is the uncertain quantity. Among the hurdle brigade of course Mister Gamp and Wenday suggested possibilities. Mister Gamp looks lia° staying on over any journey, and Wenday, too, might stick fairly well, whii she has superior pace. Being down in the handicaps, both of them sre liable to show up in open company better than any of the others seen ou last week. RACING FIXTURES May 17. 19.—Wanganui Jockey d ab - May 26.—Amberley Racing Club. June 2. 4.—Otaki-Maorl Racing ClubJune 2.4, 6.—Dunedin Jockey CluD. June 2. 4. 6.—Auckland Racing CluD. June 16 —Napier Park Racing Cmß. June 20. Hawke's Bay Hunt CluDJune 22. 2:;.-Hawke's Bay Jockey j cmD. July 7.—Ashburton County cmb. July 10. 12. 14.— Welling on Racing July 19.—Walmate District Hunt c July 21—South Canterbury Hunt July 2S.—Christchurch Hunt tilj • July 26, 23.—Gisborne Rac:ng t-»o