TURF GOSSIP

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22521, 1 October 1938, Page 24

TURF GOSSIP

Reminders Nominations for the Wellington Racing Club’s spring meeting will close at 5 p.m. on Monday, when a forfeit for the Wellesley Stakes will also be due. Nominations for the Gore Racing Club’s meeting will close at 5 p.m. on Monday. At Randwick To-day

The Australian Jockey Club’s spring meeting will 1 open at Randwick today, when the following rac c® ' vl n be decided:—First Hurdles, of £3OO, about two miles; Trial Stakes, of £SOO, one mile and a quarter; A,J.C. Derby. of £SOOO, one mile and a half; Epsom Handicap, of £2600, one mile; Colin Stephens Stakes, of £ISOO, weight-for-age, one mile and a half; and sington Handicap, of £ 650, seven furlongs. The main interest in the South Island will be in the Colin Stephens Stakes, in which Royal Chief, Avenger, and Gold Rod are likely to meet. New Zealand has no direct representative in the Derby, but will be interested in the performance of Limulet by Ltmond from Anklet, who will be ridden by M. McCarten. Limulet is owned by Dr. C. Nigel Smith, and is trained by B. R. Payten. Another candidate of interest is Strathroy, a colt by Veilmond. In last year’s race, Courtcraft represented the Dominion, but shaped badly. v _ , . Stretto will represent New Zealand in the Epsom Handicap. She is second top-weight, 9-4, and is one of the favourites. Stretto beat Gold Rod in the Warwick Stakes, the first weight-for-age race of the season, but has since been beaten by Gold Rod, who, however, will not oppose her to-day. A Resale

Aeolus, who was sold at auction by P. Riddle for 1600 guineas early this month, was sold again on September 15, and two days later he won the Rose! ''ill Guineas, worth £630 to the winner. Aeolus was knocked down to the auctioneers, Inglis and Son, who effected the resale to Messrs T. D., C. R„ and R. V. Gove, Victorian owners. They are interested in Evening Mist, who raced prominently last season, and won the Bourke Handicap at Flemington in March. Thev frequently make purchases for Indian buyers, but they intend racing Aeolus in their own names in Australia until the demand for a good threc-year-old crops up. Aeolus is still being trained by Riddle. A Useful Organisation

The opinion that the existence of the New Zealand Racing Owners’, Trainers’, and Breeders’ Association was justified was expressed by the president, Dr. E. H. B. Milsom, at the annual meeting of members of the Auckland branch this week. The tactful manner in which the Canterbury branch had completed negotiations with the Stable Hands’ Union and the satisfactory arrangements of transport affairs were matters for congratulation. Reference was made to the support given by many clubs in the Dominion to the Gaming Act amendment petition now in circulation. A select committee was appointed to formulate a scheme to submit to racing clubs in the Auckland Province for the handling of the petition. Reappearances

After a long absence from racing Tudor is expected to make his reappearance in the hurdle races at Paeroa, and while he may be sound again the fact that the northern tracks are hardening up will not be in his favour.

Son of the Soil is scheduled to reappear at the Ohinemuri meeting. He has not raced for almost 18 months, and may not be quite ready. The season before last, when racing in the colours of Mr C. E. Robertson and trained by A. Cook, he revealed distinct promise, finishing second and running three thirds at two years old. At Paeroa To-day

A novice expected- to run prominently, at the Ohinemuri meeting is Corato. whose ‘New Plymouth efforts a month ago were very encouraging. He displayed fine speed in both outings and -should, be much improved as the result of "the experience. Another three-year-old of whom, big things were expected last season was Sir Robin, an Australian-bred colt by Christopher Robin. He revealed plenty of speed, and it was apparent that he would make headway. He has had one outing this term, and he should show the value of that run when he is stepped out at Paeroa, Sprinters Favoured The Ohinemuri Jockey Club’s course at Paeroa is all in favour of the speedsters, tor first round the turn is more often than not first home, in spite of the furlong-and-a-hal£ straight. The top bend is on the down grade, particularly before making the home stretch, and it is this that gives the leaders a great advantage.

Memorial Service An impressive service was conducted in All Saints’ Church, Palmerston North, by Canon G. Y. Woodward and the Rev. J.' S. Holland in memory of Keith Voitre, who died in Australia recently. The service coincided, with the time of the funeral, which took place in Melbourne. There was a large attendance, including the Mayor, Mr A. E. Mansford, and Mrs Mansford, and representatives of the sporting bodies of the district. The service was fully choral, and in a short address Canon .Woodward paid a tribute to the fine qualities of Voitre. .He had been a good churchman, hnd his life was an example to all with whom he came in contact A Serious Operation Windsor Lad, winner of the 1934 Derby and St. Leger, insured for £50,000, was operated on early in September and has since been fighting for his life.

Several months ago it was known at Newmarket that Mr M. H. Benson’s stallion, whose stud fee is £4OO, was suffering from a form of catarrh in the head. The trouble became worse. The horse was removed from his sumptuous box, specially constructed for him, at Mr Benson’s stud at Cheveley to Newmarket. The complicated operation, rarely attempted, was performed, and the veterinary surgeon said that it is not yet possible to know whether the operation will prove successful.

Mr Marcus Marsh, the Lambourn trainer, who prepared Windsor Lao for his series of triumphs, which netted more than £36.000 in stake money, said Windsor Lad showed no symptoms of the trouble when in training. Mr Martin Benson bought the colt for £50,000 from H.H. the Maharajah of Rajpipla after he had been beaten in the 1934 Eclipse Stakes. For his hew owner he won the St. Leger, Coronation Cup, Eclipse Stakes, and other races worth in all £22,844 in stskcSi During the three seasons that he has been at the stud he has earned £30,000.