SPORTING

Grey River Argus, 21 September 1937, Page 6

SPORTING

Racing Notes The Caulfield Guineas: It looks as if the Caulfield Guineas will take some winning this year, as over 50 remain in the race after declaration of the first acceptances. The field includes Ajax, Hua, Avenger, Caear, Lynch Law, John Wilkes, Damalis, and Loch Lee, who are amongst the best seen out this season. The New Zealanders, Silver Bond and Atlanta Lass also remain in the race. Francis Drake: Francis Drake never shaped up to his best form when racing at Ellerslie and he will be running again on a right-hand track at Randwick. At his best he could be granted a good chance in the Epsom Handicap with 7.8. Courtcraf’s Chance:

New Zealand trainer F. Davis considers that his charges, Courtcraft and Francis Drake, will test Ajax, Hua, and Avenger in the A.J.C. Derby. Courtcraft is a well made colt by Dimond from Homage, while Francis Drake is by Chief Ruler from Tame Duck. Their Dominion form is good. Courtcraft seems (says an Australian writer) to be the better of the pair, although Davis stated that both are genuine stayers. After running at Randwick they will go to Melbourne.

Lough Neagh’s Achievement: Lough Neagh made turf history when as a nine-year-old he established a record for Australia and New. Zealand on Saturday for seven furlongs. He has raced consistently well for several years in the best class in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, where he is owned. In nearly all his successes, he has been ridden by the former Queensland horseman, F. Shean, who is now in in Sydney. Lough Neagh ran the race in 1.32, half a second faster than Turbine, who also made his record in the Tramway Handicap at Tattersall’s meeting as a four-year-old, four years ago. The world’s record for seven furlongs is held by First Edition 11., who ran 1.20 at Hurst Park, England, in May, 1936, carrying 9.0. Flood Tide: The Auckland-owned Flood Tide is doing well in Melbourne and rcently he recorded an impressive performance on the course proper, 35 feet out from the rails, at Mentone, by running a mile and 70 yards in 1.50. Flood Tide, who moved freely throughout ,and pulled up well, was assisted over the first half-mile by his stable-mate Miss Lovelock. Worth Watching:

A colt who impressed with his finishing run in the Guineas was The Crooner, and he will be well worth watching for the future. It was his first run since last season, and he is bound to improve. As a two-year-old he stuck on well in his races, and (says “The Watcher”), with longer journeys shortly to be negotiated, he promises to provide solid opposition. He is a half-brother to the speedy Symcony, but his sire, Nigger Minsstrel, appears to have supplied the requisite dash of stamina, and his dam is a half-sister to Catalini, the dam of Paleta, Catalogue, and Hunting Cat. Seven Races:

It was suggested at the annual meeting of the Wellington Racing Club that the winter programme should be cut to seven races. Middle:

Middle has now won three of his four races since he resumed racing in tlie colours of Mr I. Higgie, Wanganui At the same time when he was leased from Mr F. Newman, he was in the paddock, and it seemed doubtful if he would again stand up to racing. However, H. W. Dwyer evidently has overcome the weakness. Taitoru: Taitoru’s victory in the Higgie Handicap at Wanganui was his eleventh in as many months, while he has been eight times second, his stake-winnings for Mr E. G. Baylis, Opunake, being £2305. Mr Baylis secured him very cheaply from his breeder, Mr. P. Tito, and in the period under review he has won four times on the Wanganui course. New Handicapper: Mr A. V". O’Brien, Wellington, has been appointed handicapper to the Wairarapa Racing Club.

A Sweepstake: There seems to be a possibility that the six and seven-furlong races on the first day’s card at Geraldine will be run in divisions. When a field of acceptances exceeds the track limit a proviso should be made to include a sweepstake with the object of eliminating the rough stuff. Southland Entries:

The Southland horses Trebelack and Galleon, who are booked to race at Geraldine, have been getting through useful work at Invercargill. On Saturday they galloped six furlongs in pleasing style, and were assisted by Milford over the final three furlongs. Araboa: In the Heathcote Handicap, run on the last day of the Grand National meeting, over nine furlongs, Last Refrain was handicapped to give Araboa 61b. They are in at even weights in the Geraldine Cup. Last season they met over a mile and a-quarter at Oamaru, when Last Refrain gave Araboa 91b. and a length beating. Araboa won ovei’ a mile at the Otago Hunt Club’s meeting, but has failed beyond that distance. At Geraldine: Several New Zealand Cup candidates are engaged in the Geraldine Cup, and their weights for the latter read as follows:—Greek Shepherd 9.0, Davolo 8.8, Araboa 7.11, Last Refrain 7.11, Wild Career 7.2, Fiord 7.2, and Galleon 7.0.

Melbourne Cup Prospects: In a race where the early betting takes such a wide range and where many of the entrants are backed for “fortunes,” favourite selections vary from day to day in the Melbourne Cup. Last week Damalis was cofavourite with Hua, while Black Mac was tipped as a “dark horse.” On Saturday last Black Mac enhanced his prospects by a convincing win in the Memsie Stakes (nine furlongs) from Young Idea and Damalis, and he immediately became a strong favourite. A week previously Damalis ran second to Young Idea in the Underwood Stakes, one mile and a quarter, in 1.411 —a course record.