WAIKATO FIXTURES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 471, 28 September 1928, Page 11

WAIKATO FIXTURES

WAIKATO RACING CLUB The Waikato Racing Club will hold its spring meeting on Saturday and Wednesday, October 20 and 24. Nominations for all events close to-day (Friday), at 5 p.m., and the same may bo lodged either with the secretary, Mr. E. El. O’Meara, Hamilton, or with Messrs. Blomfield and Company, High Street, Auckland. WAIKATO HUNT Nominations for all events to be run at the Waikato Hunt meeting at Cambridge on October 22 close next Monday at 5 p.m., and the same may be lodged with the race secretary, Mr. Walter Stopford, Cambridge, or with Messrs. Blomfield and Company, High Street, Auckland. Doubtful Starters Doubtful runners to-morrow are Brampton and Sleepy Sol. Sir Archie injured a stifle yesterday, and if this develops he will have to miss his engagement in the Jellicoe Handicap. Backed For Epsom Don Moon, a Doncaster Handicap winner, owned by Mr. Otway Falkiner, was recently backed in one hand to win £15,000 should he “get home” in the Epsom Handicap. “Any horse; belonging to Mr. Falkiner,” says a Sydney writer, “meets with heavy backing if the stable confidence is behind that runner. If the track should be heavy on September 29, Don Moon will be in keen demand. Don Moon has also indicated his ability to show up well even if the track is firm.” Promising Sprinter First Raid, the winner of the Trial vPlate at Ashburton, is a three-year-old by Night Raid from Mademoiselle Ixe, a Stepniak mare whose earlier progeny included Ferino and All Colours, two useful gallopers. First Raid has a lot of speed and he raced well at Ashburton in July, when Roscrea and Lighthearted just headed him off in the last few strides. He may never bo more than a sprinter, but he will earn some more money over short courses at the spring meetings. Cap Over The Face The performance of First Sight in winning the Farewell Handicap at Ashburton was even more impressive than was realised by the spectators. Just after the barrier rose, Buoyant’s

iockey lost his cap, which was blown on to First Sight’s face, where for a time it covered one of his eyes. His rider, D. Cotton, realising what had happened, moved the cap with his whip, but it remained on the horse’s face, though at the finish of the race it was much lower down. It is probable that this accounted, in part, for First Sight being so far behind in the early stages. Then He Woke Up A successful meeting had just been concluded at a racecourse. At 2 a.m. next morning, the secretary of the club was called out of bed by the telephone. A somewhat hazy voice said, “Is that the shecretary of the racecourshe?”—“Yes.”—“Well, can you tell me when the courshe will be opened again?” Said the official with some heat: “W'liat the devil do von mean by waking me to ask that? The next meeting is in January!”—“What! next January?”—“Yes, next January.” — “H’m, that’s going to be frightfully awkward for me. You see, I’ve just woke up in the bar.” Smirke Outed A Sydney “Sun” cable states that tho English Jockey Club stewards have withdrawn the licence of the wellknown light-weight jockey Charles Smirke, who rode Welcome Gift at Gatwick on August 31 in tho Two-year-old Plate. He was a hot favourite at long odds-on, but was left at the post, and took no part in the race. Tho stewards, not satisfied with Smirke’s explanation, suspendid him for the remainder of the meeting, and reported him to the Jockey Club. They expressed the opinion that Smirke did not make any effort to start Welcome Gift. Welcome Gift had previously won five races in succession. Smirke was discovered by Stanley Wooton, and rode 39 winners in his first season of 1922. His dash and resource made the boy prodigy a public idol. He gained some notoriety in 1926. when he was fined for pricking a donkey at a charity fete with a pin. RACING FIXTURES Sept. 27, 28.—Geraldine R.C. Sept. 29.—Pakuranga Hunt (at Ellerslie) Sept. 29.—Hawke’s Bay J.C. Oct. 6.—Kurow J.C. Oct. 6, 8. —Auckland R.C. Oct. 11, 13.—Dunedin J.C. Oct. 13.—Car tern ton R.C. Oct. 20, 22. —Wellington R.C. Oct. 20, 22.—Gore R.C. Oct 22.—N Canterbury R.C. Oct. 27. —Masterton R.C. Oct. 25. 27.—Poverty Bay C. Oct. 27.—Banks Peninsula. Oct. 31.—Birchwood Hunt. Nov. 1, 3.—Dargaville R.C. (at Avondale). Nov. 3, 5. 7, 10.—Canterbury J.C. Nov. 8, 10.—Whangarei R.C. Nov. 17.—Levin R.C. Nov. 17.—Waipapakaurf R.C. Nov. 14, 15.—Winton J.C. Nov. 24, 26.—Te Kuiti R.C. Nov. 30, Dec. I.—Feildlng J.C. Dec. B.—Ashburton C. R.C. Dec. B.—Taumarunui R.C. Nov. 30. Dec. I.—Takapuna J.C. Dec. 12, 13.—WoodvilD J.C. Dec. 14, 15.—Oamam J.C. Dec. 15.—Waipa R.C.