ON THE TURF

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 10 January 1931, Page 11

ON THE TURF

RACING FIXTURES January 8, 10—Thames J.C January 10, 12—Vincent J.C. January 14, 15—Foxton R.C. January 17—Bay of Islands R.C January 20, 22—Wairoa R.C. January 20, 22, 24—Wellington R.C. January 22—Ashhurst-Pohangina R.C. January 24—Wairio J.C. January 24—Waipapakauri R.C. January 28, 29—Pahiatua R.C. January 29, 31—Takapuna J.C. TROTTING FIXTURES January 10—Timaru T.C. Summer January 17 —Wellington T.C. Gold Cup. January 29, 31—Forbury Park T.C. February 7 —N.Z Metropolitan IC. February 21—Kaikoura T.C. February 21, 25 —Oiahuhu T.C. February 26, 28—New Brighton T.C. March 4, s—lnvercargill T.C. The Hunting Song filly Sparkling Morn has speed to burn. She struck trouble in her second outing, at New Plymouth or would have finished m a place. , The only person a northern writer met during the holidays who spoke up for the pound totalisator ticket was a Wanganui man, who, given 30s to invest on Motere in the Auckland Cup, had to add his own 10s to execute his friends commissions. ' T'un Tar Baby (Nigger Minstrel—Little Footsteps), ridden by L. G. Morris, was sent out a good favourite in the tna Plate at Marton, and duly got the thuL end of the stake, but Salt I ot (Saltasli —Tliaisa) would have won but tor interference. It was a glaring case, but after .inquiry no action was taken. They were standing in front ol the tote at Marton, and were undecided what to back. Then one loud voiced person solved the problem. ‘ Let s put it on Mr Blank’s horse. Blank wants tlie money, and is sure to be a trier. “Too right, I do !” thundered a voice in the rear. It was Mr Blank’s and the horse won. TT After dead-heating for first with Hating Call on the second day of the Wairiirapa meeting, Portray, who was returned a winner on the opening day, was offered for sale. He was, however, passed in at 100 guineas. Portray is a four-year-old half-brother to Kulno and Teri, but so far has not proved himselt to be quite up to the class of these two good performers. The winner of the principal event at Taulierenikau last Saturday, Stanchion, is a five-year-old brown gelding by Limond from Mr W. E. Bidwill s own brood mare, Termination, by Ivilbroney from Culmination (granddam of Suggestion), by San Francisco from btepfcldt, by Nordenfeldt from imported Stepp, by Saunterer. Although Stanchion has had only three starts this season, he has done his share of racing, for as a two-year-old he faced the barrier on 13 occasions for three thirds, as a three-year-old he was saddled up 1 times for four wins, three seconds, and a third, and last season he again contested 17 races for four seconds and a third. His unexpected win in the Autumn Handicap at the Wairarapa Easter meeting in 1929 carried him out of hack class, and last Saturday’s success was his first since then. _ King March is now striding out in his work at Takanini, and it may not be long before he is given an outing in public. There is a touch of massiveness in the conformation of King March. He is a particularly strong gelding, who inspires confidence when lie moves along, and in the son of Rossendale J. T. Jamieson may eventually find a worthy substitute for Sargon, whose defection from the, turf is feared to be imminent on sscount of lameness. Manly ran two good races last week and it seems a pity he was not raced at New Plymouth, but he will be more forward when he makes his next appearance. A double winner at Marton was the Gasbag gelding Auctioneer, who was produced in great fettle by owner-train-er B. T. Bennett, of Halberdier fame. J. Barry had the mount the first day, and the “price” was a great one. On the second day Mr E. Watson had only to sit on him to win the Bracelet in hollow fashion.

One of the best bets at Marton was Royal Routine in the last race. Bert. Morris took the mount, and the Hunting Song gelding never looked like being beaten. Since Alex. Hall’s death Royal Routine has been under W. Hall’s care, and the son looks like followin'' in his late father’s footsteps. Chief Savage won brilliantly at New Plymouth and should have paid a dividend at Stratford. He is on the upgrade and it seems certain that more will be heard of him. Belle Star was carrying a ton of superfluous condition when raced at New Plymouth and Stratford, but keep hei in mind for next time up. Silver Paper should derive great benefit from the racing ho had during the holidays and with a stand up will not be far short of bis best form when next he goes to the races. Red Sea had three good races into her over the local holiday circuit and when next raced should give a much better account of herself. She was not ready to show her best. Don Jose did not perform up to expectations during his recent North Island trip. He was a victim of bad luck more than once, and lie may do better at Trentham. Since he returned home he has had an easy time, but lie will be in strong work again next week. A winner on the opening day at Invercargill, and a rather promising sort, Ballnnce, who is trained by J. Ruttledgo at Wingatui, is a half brothey to Gayoma. By Balboa—Naomi, Ballance lias been shaping as if lie will be a stayer. J. W. Jennings established a record at the Greymouth meeting perhaps unique in the history of New Zealand Turf, for besides riding and winning on the flat, he rode in. a hurdle race, drove in a trotting event, and rode a trotter m the saddle race, says the “Christchurch Glenrowan, the winner of the Invercargill Cup, was bred by his owner, Mr W. Crossan, and got by Clarenceux from Sweet Water, by Sunny Lake— Aphaea, by Stepniak —Britomarte, a sister to Euroclydon. Footfall, the winner of the Waikouaiti Cup, was foaled in 1921, and was got by Autumnus —Warstep, by Mar-fcian-Stepdancer, by Stepniak. Footfall won the Dunedin Cup of 1927. Caterpillar came within an. ace of landing the Invercargill Clip, but Glenrowan was a bit too good at the weights. On the second day she was tied up by

NOTES AND COMMENTS ON GALLOPS AND TROTTING

heavy going, and took no part in the finish of the Southland Handicap. Straightcour.se will have a short rest, which lie has earned after five hard races during the holidays, three at Manawatu and two at Wairarapa. He will have to do his future racing in open company.

Compris has been kept in useful work since he returned from the Dunedin and Waikouaiti Meetings, at each of which he won a race. He has a number of important engagements at Trentham, including the Wellington Cup. Charmaine landed a double at Invercargill and scored in a manner suggesting the possibility of her winning over more ground than she has successfully attempted up to date.

Travis Axworthy made a name for himself in the Park Handicap at Addington (says the “Press”) as one of the quickest beginners ever seen lie showed himself to be a really game finisher, and capable of holding his speed longer than the majority. At times he has not proved himself a great stayer, but there lias never been any question as to his gameness. He is a comparatively young horse, but there is not another sire in New Zealand with a record of 4min 22sec for two miles that can boast the record lie has as a sire. In Dilworth, Red Shadow, Erin’s Pointer, and others, he has sired a number of brilliant racehorses that will keep bis name before the public for many a day, while Travis Axworthy must be regarded as a truly good horse. His trainer, R. W. Franks, must be given credit for the condition in which the American stallion was turned out Travis Axworthy lias not been an easy horse to train, owing to hoof troubles, but intelligent shoeing lias got over many of the difficulties in this respect. To F. G. Holmes, too, must be given credit for training and driving. Carmel, the Auckland Cup winner, was at one time sold for £l4. He was bred by Mr G. Cameron, of Mangere, who did not persevere with him for racing purposes. Submitted at auction among a batch from Mr Cameron’s stud, Carmel was secured by Messrs Richmond Bros, for the modest sum of £l4. He was later taken on lease by Mr W. Land, and was placed in J. S. Shaw’s stable at Epsom, soon proving himself a bold pacer. Carmel had his first race at Hutt Park two seasons ago, and won from a good field of improvers. Red Shadow, winner of the Great Northern Trotting Derby, was bred by JBryce, the colt being by the American sire Travis Axworthy from Our Aggie a mare brought to New Zealand by Bryce in 1913 (says Abaydos). Our Aggie was bv an American horse, Savoy, nei dam being Miss Louie, also bred in America, but raced in the Continent under another name. Our Aggie was bred in Belfast, Ireland, and raced in Scotland. Red Shadow showed rare promise early as a two-year-old andwas purchased by Messrs Deyell and Neale for £ISOO. Bryce had the colt ready for the Sapling Stakes last June, but lie went off colour after leaving home for Ashburton and failed to gam a place in the classic. Red Shadow was not Jong in. revealing his true value this season and he attracted special attention at Forbury Park recently by winning three events in succession. He registered smart performances by running 10 iuilongs in 2min 45 3-ssec and 12 turlonflfs in 3min 20 4-ssec, but these efforts were surpassed when he won the derby on a grass track in 3min 20 2-ssec, which was only a fraction outside the track record, 3min 20 l-ssec, established by Benefice on Saturday. Llewellyn, one of the best bred horses ever imported to New Zealand, and a son of the world’s greatest sire in Guy Axworthy, got on the winning list at Greymouth, and it seems that lie may go on winning. Mr J. R. McKenzie, his owner, had very definite views on the movements of Llewellyn, and when his trainer said that he would not start properly the reply was: Take him to the Coast again and make him start properly.” The master of Hoyden Lodge was right in his judgment, and only experience will teach Llewellyn the niceties of racing. At his best he is a very brilliant horse.