TURF TOPICS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 1, 21 April 1939, Page 6

TURF TOPICS

Bv "Zetland"

DESCENDANTS OF CARBINE

Owners in the Bay of Plenty of J. Spear Dance representatives, have } now cause to be hopeful concerning the turf capabilities of their thoroughbreds, more especially when the fact , is taken into consideration that like ''good wine" they improve with age. Tliis has lately been definitely emphasiTsed in the case of the Tren„ j tham trained Treßor, who has won seven events in succession* Electric ( Spear, who was victorious in three hurdle races since February, by the . forward running of Spearford and last ! but not least by the victory of Stan. sted in. the Autumn Steeplechase at Ell'erslie. This Spear Dance quartette can be depended upon, in due course, to carpy on the gootl name of the Musket breed, more especially where staying is the most important factor to be considered. Spear Dance (by Spearmint, by Carbine) has been located in South Canterbury for the past two seasons and before long he may be credited with winners in the South Island. *** . * IT DULY EVENTUATED. Early in the present month the Manawatu correspondent of a Wellington journal wrote to the effect that at Palmerston Beaupartir was all the rage for the Auckland Easter and that "Granny" McDonald was of the opinion that Fred .Davis was not | the only one to supply the winner of an Easter and St. Leger. The opinion was fully substantiated at Ellerslie, and the stable that sent forth Catalogue a few months ags> to win the Melbourne Cup thereby achieved further fame. * * * * VALPEEN RE-APPEARS, At the Auckland Easter meeting the veteran cross country horse, Valpeen, contested the Brighton Hurdles snd Autumn Steeplechase. He had not been .--commissioned a sufficient length of time to fight out either finishes, but unlike some of the more

fancied candidates stood up through, out, justified as usual very proficiently and finished quite sound. During the winter months this winner of two Grand National and other cross country events may amply prove that he cannot vet be considered a back num * * ♦ # LEFT HANDED RUNNING. The Rotorua owned and Matamata trained Heroic Maid was taken direct to the Wairarapa Easter meeting as an absolute certainty for the Nursery Handicap, and much money was duly sent along to support her undoubted chance of victory. But to the great surprise of her connections she failed to gain a place, in time slower than she registered at Paeroa last: month. It is often said that there is a reason for everything and in this case it was agreed that the cause of the filly's racing had been on right handed tracks. However she made partial amends on the second day, her rider successfully stopping her from running wide at the turns. There were five two fell,, and the Marconyiam filly was first past the fudge. ® * SOME SPEED.. At Te Aroha one of the successful oirners a Mr P. A. Swney, has a candidate that possesses what is often, term, ed "speed to burn."' But' this speed for some weeks during the second half of this season, was not brought into acquisition, with the result that 1& e brilliant thoroughbred, Golden Shefla, suffered half-head defeats in the Herries Memorial Cup at Te Arolla and Ohinemuri Cup at Paeroa. But on Monday last at Ellerslie in the H.O. Nolan of one mile and a half, Golden Sheila was allowed to use her speed in the last half mile, with the result that she displayed a torrent of pace and won pulling up in a field of eleven. At the half mile post she was running in fifth position, and as the distance was run in 47 3-5, the gallant chestnut must have registered 47 and a tick. No wonder the top weights failed to enter into the final dash to the post. It would appear that the handicapper was duly impressed with the performance of the winner. She won Avith 7.12.

A GISBORNE CONTESTANT* One of Gisborne's best handicap horses De Friend, registered a solid performance at the Auckland meeting by running second to Golden Sheila. At his best the Defoe gelding is more than useful, and he may be a useful miler contestant. • * * tt SUPREME GAMENESS. The hitherto Opotiki trained mare, Llangollen, winner of the Herries Memorial Cup at Te Aroha in February has rightly earned the name of being one of the best handicap performers in the length and breadth of this sporting Dominion, not wholly by her speed but on account of her undoubted gameness one attribute sadly lacking in competitors which may have as much pace as that of the Ace.Llanberis mare* At the Bay of Plenty meeting on 25th March she contested the open sprint event, but was so palpably sore that she was practically eased out of the running when entering the home run. She continued to be more or less tender up to the time of the Auckland meeting, and a few hours before the Easter Handicap she was by no means certain to take her place in the field. However the racing track was water-' ed, thus eliminating the sting, and she lined up at the barrier with a field of A ery capable visitors. Running "as true as steel" she missed victory by half a head, the time 1.36 being a record for the race.. In this particular event she w T as piloted by L. Dulieu, who interviewed after the event said he thought he had w r on. Her usual rider, L. Cliffard, classes Llangollen as the best mare in New i Zealand, and he may not be far out I in his claim.