Turf Topics

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 120, 7 February 1940, Page 8

Turf Topics

(By Zetland) LOW VALUES FOR THOROUGHBREDS At the Pahiatua meeting last week Debiiam and Beagle Ave re submitted for sale by auction. The first named Avas purchased by Mr 13. Draper for 1G guineas and Hie latter went to Mr A. SteAvart at If) guineas. Both are sound and in training so may proA'e to be sale ring bargains.

HE WORE BLINKERS Since the Ncav Zealand Racing Conference rule Avas brought in last year quite a number of candidates haA'e Avorn blinkers but until the Wellington Centenary meeting none of the Avearers thereof had scored a A'ictory. At Trentham hoAVCA'er, The Ring Avon his race on the third day, and lias therefore giA r cn a further lead to the dress of horses which arc either barrier shy or arc apt to bore out from race competitors.

ANOTHER BARGAIN The Brazen —Love Light representative, Brazilian, winner of the Zealandia Handicap at Ellerslie in the ownership of Mrs E. Roberts, of Dargaville, was sold in December last for the munificent amount of 50gns. On the second day lie registered a third in the Devonport Handicap, making his prize money at the meetting a total of £330.' The resultant dividends—win and place totalled nearly half a century,, so it is now a certainty thai the present owner has a very cheap horse indeed. INJURY TO PAXENO ' In the running of the Suburban Handicap at Ellerslie on Anniversary Day. the winner, Paxeno, sustained an injury by being galloped on in the final stages of the contest. A hind leg was badly stripped, and a tendon severely bruised. She is now in the.care of an Auckland veterinary surgeon, and it will be several weeks before she can be. raced again. It speaks volumes for the gameness of the Bronze Eagle mare that although suffering considerable pain, she bravely fought out the issue to register a victory. BEAULIVRE IN SYDNEY Beaulivre, now a mciViber of George Price's team in Sydney, is executing very satisfactory track work at Rand wick. He is to make his first public appearance on the Australian course early this month, and is to be ridden by M. McCarten. who incidentally, after his recent visit to this Dominion,. has a very high opinion of New Zealand's best horses now in commission. AN OWNER IN LUCK Lord Puck's success in the Douro Cup at Trentham illustrated the luck often associated with the sport of racing. His trainer, D. P.' Wilson, withdraw his horse, Hearth, from the race and recommended Mr J. M. Samson to do likewise with Lord Puck. In a true sense of sports- | manship the latter decided to start his horse in order to keep faith with the rider he had previously engaged, and to take a sporting chance of success. Lord Puck Avon to the surprise of the trainer, and the satisfaction of the owner and rider. NOT FOR SALE In connection with the recent visit to New Zealand of the Sydney trainer, J. T. Jamieson, of High Caste fame, it is reported he was desirous of taking back to Australia with him a couple of high standard thoroughbreds. He selected Lou Rosa, the leading two year old. and SL>Crusoe a winner at the Wellington meeting. But these horses belonged to the "Not for Sale" division, and business did not eventuate. TIME MEANS MONEY It is often stated that "Time means Money" and in recent comments on the Wellington meeting il is contended that the club lost eonsiderabljr, by reason of closing the totalisator promptly in order to conclude its racing programme at the hour intended, thus shutting out a big volume of investments. Time saved in so doing was lost by the long delays at the starting post, which if allowed the betting public at the totalisator would have meant much greater revenue to the institution. In the course of time clubs will agitate for the walk up start, and then they will be able to enter in their race books the actual times of the despatches in the same manner now applying to totalisator clo, ii-g.

I ledge may be required lo aid in assisting New Zealand to support the Mother Country. But, then again, perhaps we need these men in the army? Are they not the best men to have in military service? Admittedly, it can be argued, and rightly too, that the older men and those who are unfit for military work can be utilised to fill the positions of men in essential occupations who are eligible to join up, but are not the young and healthy men in the prime of life the best men lo sse the country through a trying period? Government Decision Needed. I The problem is indeed a difficult one. Wq definitely need the right kind of men for external cervicc and i we definitely need the right kind of I men for internal service, but what is the right way to go about procuring them? New Zealand, fortunately, is no Nazi country, and every man is a law unto himself, and it is for him to decide how best hej, in his own particular way, can serve (lis Country and Empire to bis utmost ability. One cannot cast blame on a controlling authority for debarring enlistment of employees if it is in the best interests of the community, but, on the ofher hand, can one blame the employees lor objecting to such ruling? It seems the time \s now opportune for some kind ol lecision by the Government.