TURF TOPICS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 89, 17 November 1939, Page 8

TURF TOPICS

WAIKATO SPRING MEETING VERY FINE ACCEPTANCES : (By Zetland) Once again {.he /lag's will be Hying at To liapa on Saturday and on that (lay all roads will lead to that racing centre, where thrills are often the order of the day by the closeness of the finishes, and by the fact of outsiders prevailing -with the resultant big figure dividends. The number of entrants listed for the Trial and Tamahere Stakes arc 30 and .'54 respectively, and as the safety number for the course is 28, divisions may be necessary. Racing will commence with the Trial Stakes, of six furlongs The most prominent performers of late that arc engaged include Starbright, Estro, Hunter's Night, and Mayfair, while a Taranaki entrant, Minority', a brother to Majority, may loom large in this particular event. Among the most likely fancies may be Starbright, Minority, Hunter's Night. The Waimai Hack Hurdles has drawn an acceptance of 17 contestants "which are of a good even class. The favourite division is likely to include Innes Lad, General Ruse, Inquisitor. Twenty-four good quality hacks are listed for the liautapu Hack, and the public may sum up in favour of Ruatiti, Greek Queen, Wildore. The principal event of the meeting, the Waikafo Cup, of eleven furlongs, with £700 in prize money, is likely to be a very fine contest. Recent Avinners engaged are Sly Fox, Golden Sheila, Taurangi, Hot Box, Royevrus, Birthday J3oy and Devon. The latter may be just a little out of his class, but if he prevails in this company, his backers may have something to write home about in respect to the dividend. The final figures on the totalisator may show preference for the chances of

Golden Sheila, Royevrus, Taurangi. The Claudelands Handicap, of one mile, will be a very keenly competed race, as practically all the entrants can run the distance right out. Racing patrons may place most reliance in Homily, Black Musk, Very Glad. Then will follow the two year old flutter, the Tainahere Stakes. The barrier despatch, probably a long delayed effort, on account of the majority of the juveniles not yet having faced the tapes, will have a distinct bearing on the result. Quick beginners getting over to the rails instantly will have a big advantage on over 20 others fighting for positions. The favourite division may include Night Beam, Payette, Kentucky. Racing will continue with, the Cambridge Handicap of (> furlongs, and this is the second leg of the "double." Backers may prefer Our Jean, Valimeen, Farland. Saturday's racing will conclude with the Taupiri Hack. Tt will not be at all surprising if spirited support is accorded Foxmond, Te Takina, Scandal.

NOTES AND COMMENTS

HIS LUCK WAS IN The observation is frequently mtfde in respect to a certain trainer or trainers experiencing runs of bad luck, but occasionally reference can be made to the other side of the story, which tends to provide more pleasant reading. At the recent Gisborne meeting trainer Ivon Tinsley had a victorious innings for he had the intense satisfaction of leading in ten winners in the two days, and in registering 13 placings out of 11 starts. Last year Tinsley was third in the list of winning trainers, and bi(;,s fair to he even nearer the top this season.

RICCARTGN CASUALTIES

During the progress of the New Zealand Cup meeting Lowenberg sustained a broken fetlock and had to be destroyed, while Arctic King last year's Cup winner,.broke down very badly, and is unlikely to race again.

A BARGAIN MISSED

| Up to half an hour before the New Zealand Cup Mr J. S. McLeotl's Yours Truly, was on offer to a buyer for £1000, and right lip to the start of the racc the trainer, Mr J. W. Lowe, would not have been surprised to receivc a notification of the completion of the sale. The deal, however, did not eventuate, and the Clip stake was £1.325, and a gold cup worth £100. The price now asked for Yours Trulj r , with the Auckland Cup in view, will probably be in excess of £1000. Last week Mr McLeod, who contemplates selling all his thoroughbreds, and going out of racing, disposed of the yearling colt by Tiderace-My Own for 550gns, which is nine hundred guineas less than the price realised at the last Trcntham sales for the, two year old full brother.

A FEW SPEEDY ONES

One day last week a Wellington sportsman visiting 1 the tourist and health resort, Te Aroha, was invited by a friend to accompany him the

ollowing morning to the racecourse

to witness some of the track efforts of the locallj' owned aspirants to

racing fame. Said the resident "Of course you need not expect to see anything very brilliant in the way of fast times, because such are only registered at courses like Trentham and Ellerslie." The visitor accepted

the invitation, and in doing so said he recognised Te Aroha was more of a dairying centre, than the home of any specially good thoroughbred cquincs. The morning programme was opened with Black Musk being accompanied by Flying Eagle over six - furlongs. The first four furlongs was traversed in 49 sees, with the latter well in the lead, but the black then put in his claim and won on the bit in 1.1"). "I shall say that gallop Avas pretty fast, anyhoAV its a lot better than T have AA'itnessed in my district," remarked the southern sport. |