Turf Notes

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 385, 20 June 1928, Page 10

Turf Notes

(By EARLY BIRD)

Aptly Named Heading an American paper yesterday, the writer came across a good definition for the racecourse deadhead “Gatecrasher.” A Change Wanted “The matter of dates for racing clubs is causing dissention, and it is quite evident that the present method is very unsatisfactory.”—An extract from the annual report of the Avondale Jockey Club. Mounts at EMerslie A few riding engagements made for the Te Kuiti meeting, which is to be held at Ellerslie at the end of the month, are as follow: —S. Henderson, Glendowie, Hilly Hoy and Lomint; R. McTa.vish, Thursby; C. Carmont, King Emerald; and G. Holland, Rahepoto and Plane Pearl. Off Colour When exercised at headquarters yesterday morning Sir Archie sported a bandage on his near foreleg, but notwithstanding this he showed no signs of soreness. The racing Sir Archie got through at Ellerslie recently has left its mark on him, for he has lightened up considerably, and it is quite probable that he is not at his best just now. Another Trip for the Beau! ! Beau Cavalier’s owner, Mr. A. G. | Quartley, recently entered his ’chaser i for the Australian Steeplechase (3£ I miles) and the Australian I-Jurdles (3£ miles), two events on the programme of the Victorian Amateur Turf Club. Whether the Chesterfield gelding will keep these engagements, however, remains to be seen, but a lot will depend upon his performances at Trentham, and also the weight allotted the Beau on the other side. His Debut Abbot’s Delight, who was placed under the charge of H. Hastedt just prior to the Auckland Racing Club’s winter meeting, is due to make his first appearance in New Zealand at the Te Kuiti meeting, which is to bo held at Ellerslie. Abbot’s Delight was got by Quin Abbey from a St. Hilda— Crissy mare, and has raced with success at the minor meetings in Australia, so his showing at Ellerslie will at least attract interest. A big, upstanding gelding, Abbot’s Delight appears as if he would make a fine hurdler, and present intentions are to put him to that branch of the game. He has already been schooled at Ellerslie. Usually Safa Puwhero is such a brilliant jumper that, so far as memory serves, he has fallen only once before in his jumping races, and that was in the Beaufort Steeplechase at Riccarton, in 1925 (writes a Wellington critic). Most likely he was feeling the effects of the 12.9 in the saddle on Saturday, and possibly some other contributing incident caused the downfall of this usually safe fencer. Brother and Sister The rising three-year-old, Silver Paper, and his yearling sister by Some Boy ll.—Silver Peak, are now in regular work on the Southland Racing Club’s tracks and both are doing well, reports the Southland “Times.” Silver Paper is coming to hand nicely and moves soundly when cantering, while his younger relative behaves herself like an old stager and moves with a freedom which must be encouraging to her trainer, W. Stone. Roscrea’s Engagement An interesting nomination for the Novice Plate at the Ashburton winter meeting is that of Limerick’s halfbrother, Koscrea. who has yet to fa.ee the starter. The race extends over six furlongs, and is for two-year-olds (9.0) and upwards (9.7) that have never won a race at time of starting, to be ridden by steeplechase or hurdle jockeys, who incidentally are also provided on a small programme with another race, the Dromore Steeplechase. A Moving City A small city on trains was set up in the railroad yards at Louisville, Kentucky, last month, to accommodate the Derby fans, railroad officials estimating that more than 12,000 were living in Pullmans. The Derby crowd was said to be easily as big as last year, if not bigger. Nearly 1,500 Pullmans were parked on every bit of trackage available. Many who came by automobiles slept in their machines, wfyile some did not go to bed at all. Th Bad Example It looks as if our absurd New Zealand law against the publication of starting prices or machine dividends, even after the running of the races, might be adopted in New South Wales. An evasive reply, says a Sydney paper, was given by the Chief Secretary (Mr. Bruntnell) in the Legislative Assembly to a question whether the Government intended prohibiting the publication of betting odds after races had been decided. The Gaming and Betting Act, he said, made it illegal to publish betting quotations before races were decided, and it might be that he Government, in its wisdom, would consider the question of prohibiting the publication of any betting odds. Changed Hands The rising three-year-old gelding who has been passed on by his feeders, the Messrs. Timpany Brothers, at a reported price of 300 guineas, to a Dunedin patron of L. L. Smith’s local stable, is a promiisng juvenile (writes “Sir Modred”). A brown or black in colour, he to some extent resembles Black Duke, and this is not altogether surprising, as he, too, is a son of Balboa. He is out of Naomi, by ViceAdmiral—Cora Dliu, by Martian—Cora Lynn, and shaped like a useful galloper when he was sprinted on the local tracks early in the season. No attempt has yet been made to .give him a racing preparation and he will commence his turf career as a fre-sh horse. From a breeding point of view he ranks as a half-brother to Gayoma and a younger filly by Panmure, who has been engaged in the C.J.C.’s New Zealand Oaks contest of 1929. Plans Upset F. D. Jones had his arrangements made for taking his horses to Sydney next month on the Maunganui, but his plans have been upset, as he has received advice that the vessel cannot carry stock in the meantime. The date of Jones’s departure is therefore uncertain. The team may include four horses. Limerick, of course, will be the star. He looks in blooming health, ready to start on a preparation. His two-year-old half-brother, Roscrea, is getting through plenty of useful work. Arikiwai is rapidly getting into good shape, and he should be ready to show form early in the Australian trip. The Thurnham —Madrid gelding is another inmate of the stable who is doing useful work. He may be raced at Ashburton, and, though not at his best, it is hoped that he will provide a line to his future prospects. If he shows form, he may make the Sydney trip. For better Hats, go to Bert Marshall’s.

Riding at Brisbane E. A. Keesing and M. McCarten were ! riding at the Queensland Turf Club's meeting early this month. McCarten ' rode two winners, but the best Kees- j ing could do was to get a second plac- j ing. President Honoured The Champion Plate. 10 furlongs, weiglit-for-age race, on the spring programme of the Wellington Racing Club, will henceforth be known as the Harcourt Cup. The committee recently decided on the change to perpetuate the memory of the late president of the club, Mr. J. B. Harcourt. On the Active List After a spell at Matamata, extending over several months, the Quin Abbey gelding, War Officer, has been recommissioned, and is under the charge of his previous trainer, R. E. Brown. The easy period has proved more than beneficial to War Officer, for he is very robust at present, but nevertheless he gives the impression that the grass is good at Matamata. Schooling at Ellerslie There was considerable interest manifested when Zircon (Henderson), TJralla (Smith), and Royal Form (Murphy) participated in a schooling bout over the steeplechase fences on the flat at Ellerslie yesterday. Zircon and Uralla were responsible for a pleasing display, taking each fence in fine style, but the same could not be said for Royal Form, who nearly dislodged his rider at the initial fence, the sodwall, and subsequently parted company with him at the second fence of the double. The trio afterwards did strong work on the tan. Fewer Classic Entries The full figures connected with the entries lodged for classic events to be run at the Auckland Racing Club’s meetings are now available. From the comparative statement appended it will be seen that there is an all-round decrease this year in the number of entries:—• Welcome Stakes 103 *l3s* G.N. Foal Stakes 137 178 Royal Stakes 167 185 G.N. Champagne Stakes .. 157 195 G.N. Guineas 165 210 G.N. Derby 181 239 G.N. Oaks SO 127 G.N. St. Leger 155 208 1145 1477 It is remarkable that entries for practically all the Dominion’s classic races, taken this month, show a substantial decrease. Is it a sign of the times ?