Turf Notes

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 439, 22 August 1928, Page 10

Turf Notes

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Few From Ellerslie Despite the fact that the tracks at Ellerslie have been in good working [ order throughout the winter, only a I couple of Ellerslie trained horses | figure among the twenty or so Auck- | land nominations for the Wanganui spring meeting, the remainder hailing j from Waikato stables. I For The Wanganui Guineas Apparently Sir George Clifford inI tends to send a couple of horses to the I Wanganui .meeting next month, for he j has nominated Quarter Deck and Full j Feather. The latter is in the Waj nganui Guineas and Eclipse Stakes, add it is quite probable that he will be one of those to line up in the first three-year-old classic of the season. “ABSOLUTELY DISHONEST” i ~ r j “TT was not an affront. It ( j was absolutely dishon- ] | est on the part of those re- [ | sponsible.” i This was the terse sum- | j ming-up by Mr. C. E. Major, j j at the annual meeting yester- j day, of members of the Taka- 1 ! puna Jockey Club, of the j I manner in which the A'uck- f | land Racing Club was de- j i !prived of representation on ( ! the new executive of the J ! New Zealand Racing Confer- \ . ! ence. ! I I Making Good “You will be pleased to know that our new secretary, Mr.. F. McVay, is filling the office of secretary in a capable, zealous, and satisfactory manner, and will _ undoubtedly prove a worthy successor to our late esteemed secretary, Mr. R.' Wynyard;”—Extract from the Hon. E. W. Alison’s address to members of the Takapuna Jockey Club yesterday. Better Field This Year Twelve months ago there were only three starters in the Wanganui Guineas, but this early classic on this occasion promises to attract more runners. From present indications it would appear that those likely to be among the contestants are Episode, | Full Feather, Freehold, Banket, Moutoa Treasury, Lucky Light, Knightlike. Mooregas, and a, coupje of others. Obviously the field will be small, but ; there may be half a dozen runners. Changed Hands The steeplechaser Jovial has been purchased by Mr. L. C. Hazlett, of I Dunedin, and the hurdler Diana’s Lad, by Captain B. H. Edkins, of Wellington. The latter is entered for the Wanganui meeting.

EARLY BIRD.

A Better Class In the past hurdle races at Wanganui at other than the winter meeting have attracted poor fields, but with 20 entered for the first day of the spring fixture next month and 22 for the second day, there is every reason to expect much better contests. The class of jumper engaged is considerably above the usual standard. New Zealanders Placed Private advices received in the city this morning stated that Ring the Beil ran third at the Menangle (Sydney) meeting, Greenfield occupying a similar position in his race, the latter being at very long odds. Stewards' Activity Although reports from Sydney have made it appear that local jockeys have done their best to hamper New Zealand horses in their races, and complaining of the inactivity of the stewards, in other parts of the State of New South Wales the stipendiaries seem to be doing good work. Their latest action was undertaken in the Northern Districts, when they disqualified for 12 months the owner, E. Hall, as the result of an inquiry into the running of his horse at Greta recently, and also the jockey, P. Hill. Plea For Reduced Taxation A plea for the remission of taxation on racing clubs was made by Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon (Westland), in the House of Representatives last evening. He said taxation put on during the war period had not yet been remitted. If it was not increased taxation that was putting racing clubs in difficulties, what was it? The Minister: They ore spending more than their income. Mr. Seddon said that might apply to the metropolitan clubs, but he did not think country clubs could be accused of either extravagance or mismanagement. He suggested they should be given such relief that they would be made independent of bad weather or any other similar unforeseen misadventure. Costly Accommodation The question of further accommodation for the ever increasing number of patrons was discussed at the annual meeting of the Takapuna Jockey Club yesterday. The Hon. E. W. Alison said that it was estimated that to erect a stand to meet the public’s requirements would cost £44,500, and at the first opportunity when the committee felt justified it would undertake the work. A reelected member of the committee, Mr. R. T. Michaels, declared that it was absolutely essential to increase stand accommodation, and this would be done when conditions were more favourable. Ellerslie To Marton The Marton Jockey Club have succeeded in obtaining from the Auckland Racing Club the number board which is such a feature of the Ellerslie course but which is being replaced by an even more modern structure. It is hoped that the board will be erected at Marton in time for the summer fixture on January 1 and 2, 1929. The structure is of iron and in every way suitable for the requirements of the Marton Club. A Full Hand While the unbeaten Mollison attracts most attention when Derby prospects in Australia are under discussion, there is a strong disposition to doubt whether he will stay. In the event, of Mollison failing Sydney critics are prepared for four Rossendale colts — Ramulus, Oatendale, Magnetic and Casque d’Or—to be among the most talked of Derby candidates. New Zealand will be represented by another son of Rossendale, this being Roscrea, the half-brother to Limerick. The Fallen Idol Beau Cavalier is a fallen idol in more ways than one, and one wonders what those cheery optimists now think who supported blithely “the two Beau Cavaliers,” writes “Vedette.” It is just as certain that the folk who provide double-event business would have had to pay out a big sum, for they did not hesitate to take the two Beaus’ risk as often as asked for. After all it was not much of a risk. Anyway, Beau Cavalier has disposed of ali claims to greatness. He is a showy customer, and after his effort in the Winter Hurdles at Wellington he has to be given • credit for remarkable brilliancy, but he will find it hard to win races now. He is well up in the weights, and has to have his own way in front. . In addition, all the riders have found out his weak spot, and the joint in the armour appears to be serious indeed. His record has been bright and spectacular, but one cannot help thinking that he lias been lucky to have been out in times of great weakness in the ’chasing ranks. Popular “Hack Classics.” At the annual meeting yesterday of the Takapuna Jockey Club, the President, the Hon. E. W. Alison, stated that the committee has added a new race to its summer meeting programme, which addition will, he felt assured, meet with members’ approval viz—-the Wynyard Plate of £6OO, including a gold cup of £Sfc, for three-year-olds and upwards; hack conditions; special weights with allowances; distance seven furlongs. The stake and conditions are identical with the Takapuna Plate on the club’s spring programme, which race has on each occasion proved most successful. That these races are popular with owners is shown by the large number of entries received for the forthcoming Takapuna and Wynyard Plates, viz. 118 and 119 respectively.