SPRINTING TALENT

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 92, 12 January 1935, Page 11

SPRINTING TALENT

Prospects at Trentham NOTES AND COMMENTS Siegfried Gets a'Winner (By “The Watcher.”) There is very little fresh talent among the sprinters engaged in the Telegraph Handicap on the opening day of the Wellington summer meeting, and the old hands like Golden Wings. Autopay and Silver Streak are still holding pride of place in the list of weights. Doubtful ait Start. Golden Wings is topwejght with 9.8. and while it is not by any means a prohibitive burden for one of his class, it is a long time since he won a race Had h<> not run two second at Ellerslie, it is probable that he would not have had to give the Manawatu winner, Autopay. 41b, Golden Wings carried 9.8 into second plaee in the Christmas Handicap, over a mile, and lie was left at the post, on the second day when Diatomous won, the weights being Golden Wings 9.12. and Diatomous 8.6. On the fourth day he was third at a mile, under 9.13. to Sea Fox and Lady Spy. He now meets Diatomous 111 b. better than at Auckland.' which is a considerable pull for a horse of his class. It is unfortunate that he is so bad at the barrier, which renders him always liable to get .left, as was the case on his last appearance at WellingIci in the Bledisloe Stakes at the Royal Welcome meeting, and which occurred at Ellerslie. In respect to his two placed performances at the Auckland meeting, it is as well to remember that lie was dispatched to a walk-in start, which cannot be guaranteed here. It is also understood that he was reported by the starter at Auckland for his barrier manners and that be is to get one more chance before being put on the list. Were it certain that Golden Wings would get away -on terms with his field, few would go past him. Back to Form.

Auto-pay returned to form at the Awnpuni meeting, and Avon the open sprint on the first <lay in his best style; in fact he looked like Autopay at his best, with Ins determined finishing run. He carried 9.6, and although lie did not beat very strong opposition, he accomplished all that ivas asked of him. and ran fast time, even under very favourable conditions for time milking. It is against Autopay also that he is not a good actor at the post, but L. G. Morris appears to be able to handle him better than any other rider, and it probable that Autopay will again have his services here. As Mr Coyle lias indicated by his handicap, these I.avo high-class sprinters still dominate the situation, and it is a great pity that there is such a doubt about how they will fare at the barrier.

Brilliant and in Form. Diatomous appears to be the nnte-post favourite in discussions. This brilliant horse Avas taken to Sydney for the early spring, but Avliile able to slioav all bis knoAvn pace, failed to run on, and by the time ho left to come home again, he had been written off by most of the Australian critics as n rank failure. The spring in Sydney, hoAvever, Avas very wet, and Diatomous was never nblo to get :i track to suit him. Further, his record slioavs that he has never come to his best form till summer, or autumn. He ran an excellent race nt Feilding, on his fir«t appearance after his return home, and over seven furlongs in the Blodisloe Stakes nt Trentham on December 15, he beat nil but Rebel Chief. He Avas third in the RailAvay Handicap with 8.2, and Avon the next day with 5.6, Avhen he gave Rereatu, Avho finished fourth, 31b. There is now 101 b between them. Diatomous has been handicapped Avail up to his form, but he is n horse avlio should improve on anything he has slioavii, mid there is every justification for anticipating that he will be lard to beat at Trentham. Last Year’s Runner-up.'

SilA-er Streak. tAvelve months.ago. Avas carrying all before him. and folloAving upon his successes in the Stewards’ Handicap and the Railway Handicap, it took n good horse like Silver Ring to heat him in the Telegraph Handicap. Silver Streak carried 8.6, and Autopay Avas third, only a head atvay. carrying 9.7. Silver Streak's form this season has not been nearly so good, probably because he has not always raced on suitable going, and has also been tried over courses of varying length. He was second over six furlongs at Wingatui on Boxing Day under 8.7, and was n Avinner on the second day under 8.11. He aa on again at Waikouaiti on New Year's Day. carrying 9.5, and fourth over a mile nt Oamaru in a live-horse race. The class he beat docs not compare Avith some of his Trentham opposition, but his form Avould seem to point to his being at something near his best again. In that case he should run Avell at Trent hum. Will Have to Improve. Rereatu showed good Avinning form in tlie spring, ami he also ran Avell during Hie holiday racing in the north. He was unplaced in the Raihvay Avith 8.4, and fourth Avith 8.3 the day that Diatomous won Avith 5.6. He dead-heated, for third with Star Artist, carrying 8.3, behind

Silver Jubilee and Cranford on the third day, and lie is reported to have been unlucky on the last day, Avhen he ran second to Mother Superior. He meets Diatomous 71b. better, and Cranford 21b. better, Avhile he and Star Artist come in on level terms from their Auckland dead-heat. Rereatu must be given a chance at Trentham, but on paper he Avill need some improvement.

A Likely Improver. Princess Doreen beat Golden Wings on the first day at Auckland over a mile, and noAA’ meets him 71b. Averse. She tarried 8.12 in a 7.7 minimum and ran second to Cherry King over a mile on the second day, and Avas unplaced over seven furlongs under 8 9 on the third day. This mare finished fourth in the Bledisloe Stakes at Trentham on December 15 from a long Avay back early. It Avould appear that she is in good form, and a Night improvement upon her recent efforts should see her prominent.

Must be Considered. Wheriko 'did not take long to reach winning form during the holidays, one race at AAvapuni being 'sufficient to see 11 ini win on the last day under 7.12, He Avent on to Marton and Avon again, carrying 8.6. He did not beat very strong class, but ns in the case of Autopay he showed good form and he must lie conceded a good prospect at Trentham, as there should be room for improvement in him. Cranford.

Cranford at his best is a brilliant sprinter, but his form is not very consistent, probably on- account of his age. for he is rising eight, and is the last of the Solferinos. He was in good order r-t the Ncav Zealand Cup meeting, Avhere he ran third in the SteAvards Handicap, and Avon the Criterion. He Avas third here on December 15 in the Bledisloe Stakes carrying 7.11, and he meets Diatomous 111 b. better. Diatomous, hoAA-ever, beat him at Auckland and is noAv only 71b. worse off. Avhile Cranford's second to Silver Jubilee on the third day at Ellerslie was not the best sp-inting form of the meeting. Cranford cannot be discarded, hut he will not. on form, be particularly well fancied.

The Lightweights. Star Artist was on a par with Cranford at Auckland, and her form ean be similarly rated in analysing Wellington prospects. They are not up to the best class. Not the Best.

Namakia has winning form in the north, but against good company she has not come. up to the standard, and was unplaced in the Railway Handicap, and ’he last to finish of the four three-year-olds that contested the King’s Plate. Guarantee was beaten by Silver Streak at Wingatui on Boxing Day and he nodged him in the six furlongs the second day to win the seven furlong event, but it was agnins-t moderate class. He was unplaced and second at Southland. He uas Avon, at Trentham. but his form is oot particularly impressive. On The Minimum.

Tile remaining three are on the minimum. Cottesmore is not sound, and following upon his good shoAving here last month he run a poor race at AAvapuni. Hunting Lqdge could not Avin during the holidays, and Rerepai also will have 'to ■mprove. f Form Prospects.

Good form prospects appear to be Diatomous, Autopay ami Princess Doreen, while Golden Wings has ontv his barrier handicap against him. Silver -Streak and Wheriko are also likely to enter into discussions. Stakes liicrease.

, The programmes for the Taranaki ami Egm-ont autumn meetings show substantial increases in stakes and emphasise Unit the clubs are confident about the future. Last year the Taranaki Jockey Club distributed £1785 for 14 races anil this year two maiden events are included to make up the total prize to £2OOO. The stakejs at Hawera last year Avere only £1545. but on this occasion they rise to £1950 for the 16 races. The results should justify this move. A Veteran.

New Zealand's oldest racegoer must surely he Mr. T. McKay, father of a wellknown southern racing family. Mr. McKay, Avho is 99 years of age. tvas 8 spectator at the Invercargill meeting last AveeK. occupying a seat in the trainers’ stand.

To Contest Wellington Stakes. Proving nothing unforeseen happens in the meantime, Galilee will be brought Co Trentham to fulfil her engagement in the Wellington Stakes. This filly has proved herself the best of her sox seen out this season. Tlie straight five-furlong course at Trentham will suit Galilee admirably, for she is a brilliant beginner, Avho can be relied on to run out every inch of tlie journey. Returning to Trenthatn. The jumpers, Verden and Billy Boy are again to bo trained for a period at Trantham by R. W. Lewis. Avho will bring them south at the end of the ivoek. Verden is to contest tlie high-Aveight events nt the Wellington Racing Club's Summer Meeting and will again he ridden by F. Thompson. Avho piloted him to victory at Ellerslie. The horses are expected to return to Ellerslie for the autumn meeting. Appropriate. The neAv Melbourne OAViier of Synagogue, son of Rabbi, belongs to the Jetvish faith. , Winner for Siegfried, Mr. R. Holden's Son-in-LaAV horse Siegfried was represented by his first winner when the two-year-colt Maestro Avon the Juvenile event at Tattersail's meeting at Raudwick on New Year's Day. Maestro is a half brother to Gay Court Blue Bov and Quebec, being out of the Rossendale mare Polonaise. He tvas sold for 259gns. at the yearling sales last January and Avas purchased by Hie Syd-, ney trainer J. Cook lor his patron Sir Hugh Dennison. There is also a Ncav Zealand Maestro, a two-year-old gelding by Colossus from Musical Moment, owned and trained here by F. Davis. A full brother to the Sydney winner will come up for sale at Trentham this month.

Answers to Correspondents. “Bull Montana.” and "Interested." Wellington. Aga Khan avus. scratched for the Malone Memorial Handicap nt Stratford nt 1.5 p.m, on the day of the race, January 5.

“A.L.”, Wellington : (1) Yes. he started twice, in the Borough Handicap and in the Cup. (2) £l/7/6. (3) £5/12/-; £l/10“Interested," Bulls: £7/16/-. "Wayback,” Paraparaumu. 18/6.