TRACK & STABLE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20077, 25 October 1939, Page 3

TRACK & STABLE

CONDITION OF AJAX AS LIVELY AS EVER HIGH CASTE'S WIN STERNCHASE A STAYER By “Trcnlon" According to the Sydney Sun, Ajax is as lively as ever; but there is little chance of his fulfilling any further engagements this spring. His foot is healing well, but he has done no fast work for about a month, and it would be difficult for trainer Frank Musgrave to bring the champion to his top again in so short a time. Ajax is such a great horse that he might overcome all disadvantages, but. just the same, any attempt to rush him might have unfortunate results, and unless Musgrave is reasonably certain that the job can be done, no risks will be taken. Cut Down Leaders E. Bartle, who recently won a treble at Randwick, followed suit with a hattrick at Caulfield, when High Caste gave him his first success in the Caulfield Guineas. Bartle’s first win on Trueness was followed, in successive races, by victories on High Caste and Respirator. The only occasion on which High Caste gave him any cause for anxiety was when he was momentarily in danger of being pocketed rounding the turn, but apart from that, everything was plain sailing. “Once High Caste got clear in the straight,” declared Bartle, “he cut down the leaders without much effort and won with a little in hand.” At the Stud Mr. H. K. Swan’s broodmare, Fall o’ the Year, has been sent to Hawke’s Bay to be mated with Gynerium. Blue Sea, owned by Mr. Thompson, has a filly in foal by Gay Hunter. Conference Meets A meeting of the New Zealand Racing Conference Executive was held in Wellington lust week. The type of blinkers to be used under the rule passed in July was left to the stipendiary stewards. Permission was given the Kurow Jockey Club to hold its meeting on December 2 on the Oamaru course, subject to the approval of the Minister of Internal Affairs. The Dunedin Jockey Club was given December 23 as an extra day, to utilise the day which was abandoned at the spring meeting. The club’S summer meeting will thus be extended to three days, December 23, 26 and 27.

Starter Appointed Mr. M. Crimmins has been appointed starter for the Thames Jockey Club’s meeting, to be held on January 20 and 22.

Solidity of Slcrnchase The concluding event at Trentham on Saturday was won in solid style by the top-weight and each-way favourite Sternchase. He was never further back than second or third on the fence and, following Kahui to the straight, ran him down for a decisive win. Sternchase looks the makings of a good handicap horse. Bred By Owner A sensational dividend of nearly half a century was paid by Cherry; Bay on the win machine when she got up to head the favourite Black Robe on the post in the Karitane Handicap on Saturday at Trentham. Black Robe had taken charge of the leaders, Taitama and Flying Spy, at the distance, and looked the winner, but at the last furlong Cherry Bay, who had always been handy in behind, put in her claim and she just wore down the favourite. King’s Mark finished a poor third, and none of the others were ever prcfminent. The winner is a half-sister by Phaleron Bay to Chief Cook, and Cherry Pie, and was bred by her owner, Mr. Frank Armstrong.