THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH.
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 18, 1938.
ANNUAL RACING CARNIVAL COMMENCES TO-MORROW
DOLLAR SWEEP
WILL YIELD HUGE FORTUNE
MR. ERIC MOLLER OUT TO WIN THE DERBY
(By "Captain Foster")
The Annual Race Meeting under the auspices of the Hong- kong Jockey Club will be staged to-morrow, when at 11a.m.. the first saddling bell will be chimed to indicate the opening of our 1938 racing season. After a lapse of over two months, the "Sport of Kings" will be resumed at the Happy Valley and the Carnival will be continued on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and concludo on Saturday next
The Hongkong Jockey Club will start the ball rolling this evening at the Club House, Happy Valley, when three Selling Lotteries will be con- ducted on the Valley Stakes, the Hongkong Derby and the Rooty-Hi} Derby. The cost of chance is $5. It is open to members and their friends, and all non-members must
introduced by a member be their names entered in the Visitors' Book. The drawing starts at and I am certain that there will be some brisk biddings.
and
p.m.,
named by me is not to be understood that they will cross the wire in that position, but they have only been arranged alphabetically. It is in- teresting to relate that the three candidates are stallions. Last year the winner (Happy Eve) and the second pony (Expansion Time) were from the opposite sex and it looks that a mare's chance of running to place on Monday is very remote. false colouring would give n should I attempt to suggest at this Juncture that Desert Chlef is now a "dead cert" for the major classic event, but, taking everything into consideration, I have no hesitation in saying that it must be a first class calmal to prevent Mr. Charlie En- carnação from repeating his success of 1929 on President Halt for the first Chinese owner, Mr. Ho Kom-tong.
IL
U.D,E,
This picture was taken on board the Aramla when the Islington Corinthians arrived in the Colony on Wednesday. Mr. Toin Smith, manager of the touring team, is seen in the rentre, with P; B. Clark, the captain, looking over his shoulder. Officials of the South China A.A., hosts of the Isington, Corinthians during thele stay in the Colony, are also in the photo, taken by our Staff Photographer.
SYDNEY
MAIDEN
STAKES
The performance of Desert Chief Divided Into Two
Sections
It may be interesting to know that when the notice relating to the above Selling Lotteries was sent out on January 24, an addendum Intimated that the number of special dollar cash sweep on the Hongkong Derby lind exceeded 05,000 tickets whereas the sale, at the time of writing, is nearing 205,000. In 1936 the sale of this popular dollar sweep amounict to 181,390, but last year the Hong-
lust Sunday over the clamplon could not sell kong Jockey Club
course in 2.42 astounded every, rall more than 167,150 tickets.
critic, for the chestnut atallion of All the sporting celebrities will
Mr. Eu Tong-sen came home with n wend their way to Happy Valley to-rattling pace of 29 seconds for the
The Sydney Maiden Stakes over morrow and a record attendance on
last two forlongs and the last half-six furlongs confined to Australian Derby day almost guaranteed a-mile
13
was covered in 50.3/5 Sub-grimins of this meeting will be owing to the unprecedented demand seconds. Then Silkylight's second divided into two divisions and the for the special dollar, cash sweep on
trial
over the Derby course last Stewards will determine by lot in the Hongkong Derby.
Saturday in 3.18.3/5 must also be which section the ponies will start MR. MOLLER'S AMBITION
considered, but the only drawback Aftention of owners is directed to ambition of the Shanghai was that the finish was not as ex- the fact that the result of the draw It is the challenger,
Eric Mr.
Moller, who hilarating in comparison with Desert (which I have not as yet seen at has a great conddence with his Chlet's test. There is a rumour that time of writing) does not relieve nomination, Silkylight to win the neither Mr. Eu Tong-sen's Desert them of the responsibility of de- exclusive clauale event and it will, Chief nor Mr. Molier's Silkylight caring their ponles as starters in action to-morrow, the usual manner on the form pro- am sure, be a source of satisfaction will be seen in to the old timer to lead in his China but they shall weigh out on Monday vided, not less than 45 minutes be-- griffin at the head of the procession for the endurance test over 14 fore the time fixed for the race. The with his son, Mr. R. Moller as the miles and it should be one of the first section will be the third event
Onest races of the meeting. Jockey. The last Blue Riband cap-
while the second sections will be tured by Shanghai was not very
contested before the running of the long ago, when Hydroplane, belong-
Trial Plate, and my final selections Ing to the well-known northern
will appear to-morrow. It will be stable, Plane owned by Mr. S. C.
recalled that this year's consign- Chang and plloted by Mr. B. Proulx,
Australian ment of
pontes came won the 1034 Hongkong Derby.
There are 12 races on the first four days of the Carnival but only nine events will be contested on the fifth day.
The Shanghal invasion is a strong one and the Carnival will be the richer by the presence of practically all the beat Shanghai crack jockeys,
namely,
Mr. C. Encarnaczą
Mr. 11. Maitian
Mr. F. Marshall
Mr. 1, B. Moller
Mr. V. V. Neoda
Mr. A. Noodt
Mr. J. Pote-Hunt
Mr. A. W. Raymond
Mr. Y. K. Woun
With such an array of leading lights from the north, the Annual Carnival will be, without any fear of contradiction, one of the best the annals of race meetings
the Hongkong Jockey Club and it is to be hoped that Mr. Clerk of the Weather will give us a little bit of the blue sky.
Owing to its sodden state, the outside track has not been used this season by the new-comers and under the circumstances I am afraid that the change from cinder to grass will affect the running of some sub- scription and Derby grins-80, punters, be careful with your five dollar billa.
there is n
lovely display of beautiful flowers on the lawns and the arrangement, especially in front of the Weighing Room, is really artistic.
for Mr. & Mrs. Eu Tang-sen's stable,
for Mr. & Mra, L. Dunbar's lot.
for the Evo's string,
for the "Ciro"
for Dynasty and Mrs. Pearce,
for Early Birds and Gordos.
for the Times
for Lancasttire
for Tester & Abraham'& quiera,
Star, Annabella and Ke
from Queensland and under the circumstances the off-springs are not yet fully known to the followers of the turf I have come across one or two good judges of horse-flesh and they think that we have a nice batch of racers.--Al-ony-rate-wo-have not about the sires, much information
River, the names claiming Murray
pray, A Lovely Sea Spray,
Tornado Privilege not being mentioned on the list provided by the Hongkong Jockey Club. I presume that the last three named must have come from a good stud-farm, for all'of. them have good legs and nice "streamline." It would of course be advisable for
Littip Audrey,
alred by Wool Tux, to keep a sharp look out on these three maidens. Ocean Force is responsible for Bredon and
Boris, The forner being Mr. Proulx's mount and if Bredon does well, her brother Boris should be considered in the parl-mutuel. Pavonian is the sire of Griffel and the daughter is good for short distances. Tom McCarthy claims Lovely Day, Lucky Lad and Sea Urchin and they should be watched after the beat uns have The curtain-ralser, which, will be been barred. It is to be hoped that
FAVOURITE ANNOUNCED
FIT AGAIN
Liberty Bay Should Win Any Time
who was
All the private boxes have had the Foochow Cup for China ponies King's Privilege und Little Audrey good "clean up," but
over 11⁄2 miles, has attracted only will not be drawn in the same ser- seven stayers, but I am pleased to tion for the latter is too good over see the inclusion of Liberty Bay and six furlongs. Murray River is, in Trentbridge in the list of entries. my opinion, a good miler. The former, belonging to Mr. L. Dumbar, was not raced during the whole of last year on account being "dotty," but 11 hos I sincerely trust readers will apof preciate that it is not an easy fob new been given a clean certificate to give tips, owing to the fact that of health by the Club's Veterinary practically all the ponies have two surgeon and the animal is looking
NOT AN EASY TASK
HAPPY EVE MAY WIN SHORT RACE
Will Meet Strong Opposition
or more engagements per day at the well. Last Saturday the unbeaten Annual Race Meeting and, therefore, steed had a steady canter over a the task of ascertaining where they mile in 2.00.3/5 and the legs did not are going to start has always been give any trouble after the gallop. n nasty problem for racing writers. Liberty Bay has also been entered and the New With no help from the owners, for China Stakes
ho must win there is no, other recourse than to Stables Plate, but
In the China Stakes for China employ horse-sense to the best of wherever he starts. Mrs. Pearce's
nomination had not appeared in ponies which is a sprint, from the one's knowledge.
After several weary months of nubile after running to a third place 134 mile post, we should see a good "schooling"" the Australian
arid In
the Ladles Purso with Mr.race between our fast smashers. "Peanut" Marshall up on February Bear Claw, Happy Eve, Oak Bay and China ponies to trotting exercises, 20, 1936 and although he has been Soldier of Britain for the first, posl And then breaking them to cantering certified as OK, I am afraid the tion in the frame and my fancy is and galloping movements, there is
Kroy nog is a little backward in Happy Eve. Royal Scot was a good good reason to bellove that all the trainers and riding boys murt feel form. However, I figure that the mare in her prime (the winner of field of the opening ovent will be SL. George's Plato and the American greatly relieved that the most im-
on the small side and the order of Cup) but, after running second to portant part of the game te over, but the success of each individus ctable depends largely upon the element of luck which la no small factor in racing. It does look at times that a stable can do no wrong. Ponies win race after race with regularity
but when the tide changes, there's
no accounting and the steeds lose
only natural that some trainers will
be disapointed with results next week while others wit bo celebrat
tog.
May
"Your. Good Work Remains Behind !"
Major D. H. Steers, O.B.E., R.E., relinquished the post of Hon. Secretary of the Hong-
kong Rifle Association last evening at, the second annual general meeting of the Associa His successor is Brevet- tion. Major G. P. Murray, who was elected unanimously.
The enviable position held by rifle shooting in the Colony to-day can be traced directly to the untiring efforts of Major Steers, whose name will for ever be associated with the re- markable progress made by the H.K.R.A. during the last two
years.
During this short space of time; Major Steers has not only placed the H.K.R.A. on a sound working basis. but has also made it into one of the biggest ---if not actually the biggest- organisations in the British Em- pirc. Only yesterday after- noon, the 900th member was enrolled.
Rifle shooting enthusiasts are fully cognisant of the work which Major Steers has done. A presentation is to be made to him before he leaves the Colony, as a token of apprecia- tion of the Council and mem- bers of the Hongkong Rifle Association,
We can sincerely and truly say to Major Steers, "Your good work remains behind !"
SHEFFIELD UNITED BEATEN
Great Opportunity Allowed To Slip
London, Feb. 17. Sheffield United lost a great op- portunity of increasing their lead in the Second. Division of the English Football League to-day when, on their own ground, they lost to Man- chester Uniled by the odd goal in three.
SECOND DIVISION Sheffield U.. 1 Manchester U. 2
Reuter,
WONG-NEI-CHONG STAKES
To Be Split Up Into Two Divisions
The Wong-Nel-Chong Stakes for China ponics, subscription grilline of this season, over half-a-mild will
the finish should be Liberty Bay, Soldier of Britain in the Treatbridge and Soldier of Honour. Landicap on May 30, 1980, she was on the walking list for a long time. She was then sent to Tientsin where also be divided into two divisions by
BIG FIELD ASSURED FOR
she had no racing at all in 1837 and I am of the opinion that she is not yet fit for the big meeting.
meeling. This chestnut gelding of
the Stowards in the same manner
as In the running of the Sydney Malden Stakes, The result of the draw is not yet known and I cannot
when least expected. However, It MAIDEN STAKES with the first winning mount of the therefore discuss the prospects of We shall not be disappointed in the Eve stable has legs faster than any ponies. However the first sec- the subsequent event, the Maiden motor evele, for he is capable of tion will be contested before lunch Stakes for China ponies, bona fide Jumping off with 28 seconds for the while the second will follow ime WHO WIN THE DERBY?
griffins of this salon over alx fur first quarter and furthermore the mediately after the tiffin Interval, longs, for there should be at least aspirant is a speedy merchant over What is wine to win the Hong over a dozen starters. After having a sprint. Mr. Eu Tong-zen's Came which race is fixed to be run off at another good pin for 3 p.m. I have a long list of half kong Derby? These few words are watched the training of these Derby ronian is Hanging upon the lips of every rimas for the last few months, I short distances, but the former is milers but I like Bestovaer, Cricketer, Pori-incanthusiast, and my reply is made up my mind last week that faster at the releas of the tapo, Dark Hazard, Dekko, Ferrybridge, r-will not Lucky Eleven, Mongollen Cat and; It is between Contusion Lior, Desert | Humdrum Ave should have no Advancing Time and Jober →
(Continued on Page 9.) Chint and Billright The order dinculty in providing Me Marshall be a bad het for big money,
CRICKET NOTES BY "R. ABBIT”
Sensible Attitude of
The League
I am not quite sure whether I have been entirely correct in heading this article "Cricket Notes," because there is going to be uncommonly little about cricket itself in it.
05
As I said on Tuesday, last week wus a complete wash out and now from a notification by the I acc
all League matches League that have been put off to-morrow there is considerable doubt as to the fitness of the grounds for play. I welcome the definite and sensible attitude the League Committee have
Icast
suppose taken-ot
I
on
it
is the League Committee In thus carly issuing a definite announce- ment. Quite possibly it was in- Suenced by the Weather reports which were not too hopeful 48 hours Thursday ago (this is written
have been afternoon but which given the lie by a very welcome im- provement in the weather. It is, of course, possible that the grounds would have been fit to play though this is doubtful, and they most mphatically would not have been t to play supposing any more rain
Don Bradman's Test Tactics Analysed
(By A Correspondent)
The startling thing about the Australian team that is to tour England this coming summer is the dearth of bowling of more than medium pace.
With the exception of McCormick, a tearaway fast bowler who must be used in short spells, there does not appear to be a man among them faster than McCabe.
0 team One could understand possessing an M. A. Noble, a J.W.H.T. Douglas or a Hammond being con- tent to take a chance and include unly one fast bowler but McCabe, though perhaps the third best bats- man in the world is somewhat less forinidable than R.ES. Wyall with the new ball; and Wyatt would prob- ably describe himself as a second eleven sort of bowler excepi against Yorkshire.
There is one other emission, which will All the heart of more than one English batsman with surprise and Iresh hope, and that is the dropping in of Grimmell, At Manchester 1034, on a heartbreaking wicket, when England's whole polley was to force the pace Grimmett sont down seventy-four overs for 150 runs. If Ward is preferred to him he must be a better bowler in Australian cycs than in those of most English critles. Bowlers For The Tosts
There is, of course, another side to the picture. Bradman has had a hand in choosing his team, and he should know well enough what bowl- ing resources he needs.
Islington Corinthians Have Free Day
The Islington Corinthians, who are now in the Colony In the course of their world tour, are not encumbered by official functions, to-day. No doubt many of them will avail them- selves of the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the city,
They will commence their football programme in Hong- kong to-morrow afternoon when they meet South China A.A. at Caroline Hill. The game starts at 4 p.m.
hirty runs, an hour, Have the Aus- tralians then learned how to reduce For the Test matches he may ex-this marvel to the level of other men,
can O'Reilly, Fleet and, if so,
we. copy their puct McCormick, wood-Smith, and Ward to suffice, but methods? if there is doubt about the weather he enn bring in White's left-arm spin -and White is. better bat than the other bowlers. He has also a good stock bowler in Waite, while the fielding of the team should be good enough to lend an edge to almost any stendy bowling.
The effectiveness of an attack des pends more on its quality than on its variety. Gregory and McDonald will be shudderingly remembered by the batsmen who had to face them in 1921. Grimmett and O'Reilly In 1034 needed only the addition of a little steady change bowling to com- plete an attack that was up to Test
The
question match standard, which must remain open until the Australians have setled down is how good are O'Reilly, Fleetwood- Smith, McCormick, Word, and Co. going to prove?
The callbre of the batting may be deducted from the single fact that Gregory-has falled to gain his place in the side......
fell between now and Saturday An Opening Pair
afternoon. There is nothing more annoying than to have to hang about with all probability of a Saturday afternoon match being a wash out and yet being unable to fx up anything else in case cricket is possible at the last moment.
A FIXED POSTPONEMENT I see it has been arranged that the games to which I referred last Friday will now be played on March 5, at all events in the Senior Lea- true.
Those which normally would have been played to-morrow, Army Civil Service, Craigengower v. Hongkong Club, Navy v. Recreio, and I.R.C. v. K.C.C. will be played off on March 12. This also presurn nbly applies to the Second League matches where it can be done. The Club, the K.C.C, the Civil Service, the Recrelo, and the Navy have no I can games on these dates so far as see (I speak of the Junior Division). However, I hope to be able to straighten the whole matter out later on. It is possible there will be a few friendly games to-morrow but I do not know definitely about this.
CRICKET IN RACE WEEK
sama For
The Volunteers are, according to their usual custom, putting out a cricket team to play on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of raco week, and H. Owen-Hughes will captain the side. On Monday they play against Kowloon at the K.C.C. On Tuesday they play against United Services on the Club ground,
on the und on Wednesday ground they take on the Club. those who nelther like watching the ponles
social run or enjoy the amenities of a race meeting or the financial opportunities of making money on the pari will find an ex- cellent occupation in watching these matches. I hope to include account of them by an eye-witness it not actually by myself on Friday next...
somo
OLYMPIC CHAIRMAN MAKES STATEMENT
Chicago, Feb. 12.
Mr. Avery Brundage, president of the American Olymple Commillee, to-day made a public declaration to
Japanese, invasion; of: China did not the effect that the feelings of Great Britain and America towards the contitute a reason for cancelling the holding of the 1940. Olymples or, for refusing to participate in the games.
The one person in the country who may have positive ideas on the sub- ject of keeping Bradmon quiet, be- yond the obvious one of never drop- length, Is that thoughtful student of ping the ball a shade short of a the game, Hedley Verity. He at least should be consulted by Eng- land's next captain, and his advice earnestly pondered.
Bradman abides our question in one more respect. Will he in 1038, prove himself the equal of Trumper and Macartney on doubiful wickets? Can he learn to live dangerously, yet not too recklessly? Let us hope at least that the coming season will put him to the test. Confidence In Bradman
The 'Australian reliance on spin- bowling suggests that Bradman ex- pects our climate to do its worst and ewn game or rain-affected-wickets that he is prepared to play us at our It is to be hoped that the polley of subordinating the other. matches of the tour to the Tests--a policy of which both countries have been Fingleton and Brown suggest guilty in the past-will not be fur- themselves as the opening pair, withther developed. A little more bat- anding practice, just to please the Bradman. McCabe, Badcock Chipperfield to follow at long inter-crowd, is permissible enough after vals; and there are also Hasselt and you are in a position to declare; but Barnes to be reckoned with. Barrica a draw forced when you have the is said to be only nineteen or twenty, whip hand, so far from being cricket, but he seems like a brilliant batsman is not even chess.
in the making.
Australia have one advantage that Four of Australia's eight batsmen they have not lately enjoyed-com- will have to adapt themselves to the plete confidence in their captain. climate and to English There has been a certain amount of in other Australian English wickets and the probability is that grumbling ane or two of them will be no more tours, and there was sufficient dis- moderately successful. The content when Bradman was appoint. experience of several of our most ed, captain, against G. G. Allen for promising young players in Allen's, the sensational Press to make it into Australian tour fresh enough in news. That became a thing of the the memory to need no underlining. past when Bradman carried the team. Australia's team has been chosen on his shoulders in the later Tests after a scuson of rather drab cricket, of the series, and this coming tour Judging from the scores and reports, should be quite free from bickering.
thort or-how Most stronge of all, Brodman has barracking, been subdued. He has recently play memories, I had almost forgotten it ed more than one innings at a incre-body-line bowling.
A. D. C.
PRESENTS
FRENCH
WITHOUT
TEARS
A Very Light Comedy
Feb, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th at 9.15 p.m.
Booking at Anderson's
are