TURF-TOPICS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 266, 3 February 1941, Page 8

TURF-TOPICS

NOTES AND COMMENTS In View of Winter. ' Clarion Call, last year's Grand National Steeplechase winner, has just been recommissioned after a spell of five months. The Takapuna Cup. A feature of the eleven furlongs Takapuna Cup was that of the three placed horses Lou Rosa, Cornish, and Greek Queen being by the Cambridge horse, I l oxbridge. A Speedy Sprinter. Among the speedy ones at Takanini just now is thc"Tc Aroha owned Brazen Bold, He is scampering over three and four furlongs in fine style, and may be ready to compete at the Te Aroha, Ohinemuri and Bay of Plenty meetings. Brother to Our Jean. Natal, who ran fourth in thqf Trial Handicap, at Ellerslie, is a full brother to the Cambridge Members' Handicap and Waikato Cup winner, Our Jean. Our Jean, by Vaals—Big Bertha,. He is of the O.S. size and may need time before being seen at nis best. To be Retired. Mr A. K. Firth, of Christchurch, has resolved ihat Royal Chief shall be retired from the turf, and allowed to rest on his winning laurels. Stakes won by the Chief Ruler representative iotal £18,597. A Big Team. Hector Gray now has in his charge at T'awanini no less than 18 horsse. The majority are of the sprinting division, the latest winner under this heading being Dinky Di. As yet Hector lias not had' the good fortune to welcome to his horse boxes horses of the calibre of Kin-i dergarten, Lou Rosa, Old Bill, Sercnata or Prou 1 Fox, but time may fill the vacancies. Related to Llangollen. The Abbott stable at Opotiki have a two year old by Kincardine, the sire of the champion Kindergarten, from Llanberis, the dam of Llangollen. The juvenile is highly assessed by reason of its relationship on the sire's side to the Gisborne horse, and that it will be very carefully looked after in its preparation may be taken for granted. Not Even, for 7000 Guineas. Mr E. N. Fitzgerald, of Gisborne, breeder-owner of the champion three year old, Kindergarten, had offers for the colt, during the pro- 1 gress of the Wellington meeting. No business resulted, and the own" er has now definitely decided that the G.N. Derby and Wellington Cup winner is not for sale even a I 7000 guineas. He is to contest the N.Z. St. Leger and later will be taken over to Australia by 11. S. Bagby for Easter events. Will Make Good. Since becoming a member of R. H. Martin's team at Matamata, Mr E, G. Gardiner's three year old filly Sharmin, by Bulandshar—Minnipin, has shown definite improvement. In the Kopu Handicap, six furlongs, at the Thame's meeting, ridden by V. Dve, she ran a very meritorious second to the four year old Royal Son. She was in the fight the whole way, and finished on in the gamest manner. On breeding lines she ranks decidedly high, and bids fair to be quite a payable proposition. Not Easy to TJndcrstandl In the Zealandia Handicap at Ellerslie, Pirate King 9.11, ran second to Dinky Di 7.5 a difference of JMlbs. For the Devonport Handicap run on the second day, the Te Aroha sprinter was allotted 10.1 a rise of 41b over the weight lie carried when defeated. Assuming that 9.11 was at least partly responsible for his non-isuccess, it is difficult to understand why the weight should have been still further increased. A rise of 41bs on 7.5 could perhaps not be deemed serious, but on top of 9.11 it becomes a matter of more concern. However, sprinters are sportsmen and the horse was dulj r accepted for.

A Disappointment. Turned out in the pink of racing condition, The Buzzard — CulforL four year old colt Pern, trained by Fred Davis at Mataniata, failed in the Coldlfields Cup and President's Handicap, and on each occasion showed but little inclination to light the issues out. When he ran second to Our Jean in the Waikato Cup last November he showed good promise, but has since been a disappointment. A Game Horseman. In the hurdle events at Parawai W. Skilfington, who is connected with the A. E. Cox stable, Te Aroha, rode the General Latour gelding, General Riske, v.ho so far has not gained fame over the obstacles. > Skilfington rode him two good races : being very prominent the greater part of the journeys, and finishing up a close fourth on each occasion. In due course this rider will be in demand for hurdle events, and then I get his share of wins, for he has all ready proved his capability with the - jumping brigade.

For Britain's. Dominions and Empire 'ave all rallied true to 'er causo And the cubs, like the old mother lion, is busily scliarpenin' their claws They say that 'err 'i tier's now thinkin' of puttin' Ms 'ead into den Well, if he docs that 'e's most foolish as well as most 'ated of men. That's Mstory up to the present, but if yon ask mc to foretell I think Britain will eat up 'err Mtlcr, aye, and swallow young "Musso" as well.