Durf Notes

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 517, 21 November 1928, Page 10

Durf Notes

Barrier Practice Half a dozen horses, all two-year-olds but one, were given barrier practice at Ellerslie yesteday morning. Pure Tea, Tetrarchate, Neil, Blue Grey, Lido and Norval Tea were the six. and after one or two preliminaries at the tapes, they were dispatched to an even start. They were smart to begin, too, and one or two more lessons should see them quite able to hold their own against more experienced opponents. The Beau In Harness During his few weeks’ absence from headquarters Beau Cavalier has been indulged in road work, consequently he did not look a great deal above himself when S. Tooman brought the Chesterfield gelding back to Ellerslie this week. Nevertheless he is on the big side, but a few weeks’ training should see him back to racing pitch again. Avon Court’s Mishap While engaged in a gallop at Ellerslie yesterday morning, Avon Court struck a trestle and cut herself on the off forearm. In the event of the injury proving as serious as anticipated by Trainer Gilchrist, it is probable that Avon Court will have to forego her immediate engagements, that meaning', of course, 1 that she will have to be struck out of the Takapuna Plate, a race for which the daughter of Lucullus has undergone a splendid preparation. It is to be hoped, however, that Avon Court may take part in this particular race, for she is fancied as much as any one. of the other candidates. Well Related Mi*. G. A. Kain intends to offer for sale at the Trentham yearling sales in January, through Messrs. Pyne, Gould, Guinness, Ltd., a sister to Battle Colours and a half-sister by Solferino to Nightmarch. Breeding of Demost Torquay, the dam of Demost, who ran third in the Melbourne Cup, was bred at the Kinloch Stud, and was got by Martian from Torquato, by Sir Archibald. Torquato, with a Diacquenod filly foal at foot and service by Paladin, was sold at the dispersal of the Kinloch Stud at llOgns. Lady Bentinck’s Foal The well-known mare Lady Bentinck has foaled a fine colt to Hunting Song at Gisborne, and will again be stinted to the imported son of Hurry On before returning home. Successes In Westralia Mr. J. Fotheringham, who represents Mr. R. Acton-Adams in Dunedin, has received a cablegram from Perth stating that Tione, Kilreid, and Indian Sage have each won a race. Tione had previously run second in a field of 20. Two Strings To Bow F. D. Jones has decided to nominate some of his team for the Manawatu meeting, as well as for Auckland, leaving the final decision regarding the holiday programme to depend on the weights his horses receive at the two meetings. First Sight will be the star of the team, which also may include Arikiwai’s three-year-old brother Toawai, in addition to a two-year-old. For Auckland Cup Footfall has shown no signs of a recurrence of his leg troubles. He has been working along well lately, but now he has developed an internal complaint, which will keep him off the scene for a few days. Paper Chase has recovered from the slight mishap that occurred to her through being galloped on in the Stewards’ Handicap. Provided Footfall is all right early in the week, these two will be the mainstays of the team for Auckland, while Chide and the two-year-old filly Stately may accompany them on the trip. Cheap Cup Winners Two of Fred Tilley’s New Zealand Cup winners, Frisco and Lady Lucy, were bought for songs. At an auction salo in 1903, the American-bred Lake Placid, with a colt foal at foot, by Earwig, was knocked down for 60gns. That foal was Frisco. At the Wellington Park' dispersal sale in 1905, Lady Lucy, whose dam had died a few days prior, was bought under the hammer for a paltry 32gns. Related To Marqueteur Engaged in the Trial Plate, at Feeding, is an unnamed three-year-old gelding, by Callaghan from Dodo. He is owned by Mr. J. B. Gaisford and has performed well on the tracks with Bissac, Arikinui and others of Mr. Gaisford’s string. Arikinui, who lias recently had some bad teeth attended to, comes from the same stable and is a speedy customer. He was growing too fast last season to perform with credit to himself. By Chief Ruler, lie is from Celmesia, a half-sister by Hymettus to that good horse Marqueteur, a fair sort, who beat Silver Link and other sprinters in her day. Eq uitas”s Progeny

The North Island sportsman, Mr. S. J. Gibbons, had reason to regard the results of the racing at Riccarton with a good deal of satisfaction. He bred the New Zealand Gup winner, Oratrix, also her three-year-old brother, who scored a meritorious win in the Stonyhurst Handicap, after failing in the Derby. These two are by Kilbroney from Oratress, by Demosthenes, from Equitas, by Advance from Muriwai, by Torpedo from Mystery Girl, who traces back to a New South Wales’ mare of unknown blood. There is little doubt, in spite of her pedigree being untraved, that Equitas is clean bred. She was a high-class galloper, and while the odd freak may at times be a smart performer, Equitas has bred on too successfully to be regarded as anything but a thoroughbred. Oratress was the first of her progeny and she included a New Zealand Cup among her successes. She was the best performer left by Equitas, but Equitable (by Hallowmas), Muriliaupo (by Sunny Lake), and Bank Note (by Paper Money) were all useful. The first foal of Oratress, a filly by Abusrd, was named Windbag, but she did very little racing, though she won a race before being retired to the stud. She was followed by Oratrix and Concentrate, both of whom are likely to add to their good racing deeds later on this season. There is a two-year-old filly by Chief Ruler from Oratress, who is highly spoken of. Mr. Gibbons also has a number of other youngsters bred from the Equitas family. Equitas herself is due to foal to Desert Gold’s brother, Nigger Minstrel, and she was mated with imported Diacquenod, as will Oratress, who has a colt by Hunting Song this season. Martianette, by Martian— Equitas, has a yearling colt by Chief Ruler, and she has been mated this season with Hunting Song, whose list also includes the Absurd—Oratress mare, Windbag. There should thus be some good ones to represent this successful line during the next few seasons. For private reasons Mr. Gibbons contemplates an early retirement from active association with breeding, and it is probable that ho will dispose of his stud at the Trentham sales in January, though he may reserve Equitas, who is in her 23rd year, and therefore not likely to have many more years of stud usefulness.

The Takapuna Fixture A visit to the Takapuna racecourse yesterday revealed everything to be in apple-pie order for the meeting there on Friday' and Saturday of next week. The track itself is now in first class order, but like most courses just now. a few rain showers would be very welcome. The 10s bettors have been considered, and increased facilities for executing their commissions on the outside machine have been completed. The outside patrons are now provided with increased shelter from heat and rain, and the several improvements undertaken by the club will no doubt be appreciated by patrons. Present indications point to next week’s fixture being one of the most successful ever staged at Takapuna. Racing In India

Latest advices from India indicate that L. H. (“Tod”) Hewitt continues to do well with his big team of horses. He appears to have got hold of a pretty good sort in Coster Boy, who won two valuable races recently. On September 22 this horse won the Atlantic Stakes, worth 50,000 rupees (£3,333), of wihch the winner took 30,000 rupees (£2,000), and the totalisator dividend ran into double figures. The race was for three and four-year-olds, the nominator of the winner getting £333. In the second, third and fourth places, respectively, were C. N. Wadia’s Coq-a-L’Ane, H. U. the Thakore Sahib of Wadhwan and Lieuten-ant-Colonel Zorawar Singh’s Sparks, and H. 11. the Aga Khan’s Halim. On October 61 Coster Boy won the West India Stakes, of 30,000 rupees (£2,000, with £1,333 to the winner and a £66 cup), and he was ridden each time by J. W. Brace. In the West India Stakes Coster Boy carried 8.3, and ran the mile and a-quarter in 2.6, a full second better than ever before registered on the famous Poona course. Among the also star teds on the same afternoon in a six furlong race was The Monk (Absurd-Cowl). Early on the Scene D. Potter intends to have Bulolo and Monetize early on the scene for racing at Te Kuiti on Saturday, for the pair were due to leave Ellerslie yesterday. Both horses are in fine fettle to meet their engagements, and success for one of them at least cannot be far off. A Full Hand Associate J. T. Jamieson with Takapuna and the result will be pleasant memories for the Takanini trainer. His luck at the past couple of meetings held there has been something phenomenal. Perhaps Jamieson will have further success at the forthcoming meeting, for he has no less than 10 horses engaged, an entry in each event, and in some cases three in the same race. Although the acceptances may see one or two missing, at present Jamieson’s team for the suburban fixture comprises: Moy Hall, Le Choucas, Mithra, Prince Otto, Eaglet, Clopton, Vali, Welcome Home, Footpad and High Finance. A M.atter of Interest “J.W” writes: After the decision of the O.T.G. on the Free Advice-Lap-lander case, I overheard two Hebrew gentlemen discussing the case—with their hands playing an important part. They appeared to have “emptied out” on Free Advice and were getting hot owing to their money being “tied up.” “Von’t we get paid out to-day?” said the one with the soft hat. “No! No!” replied the one with the “bun.” “We may have to vait until the conference decides, and that may be two or free veeks.” “Oi! Oil Zat is terrible,” wailed soft hat. “My money in the club’s bank all zat time!Vat vill I do? Vat vill I do? I vill, 1 vill send them a bill for interest!” Strephon’s Owner

Mr. Sol Green, who has been very prominent in Australian racing this season, thanks to the performances of Gothic and Strephon, was in the early part of the present century the leader of the Victorian betting ring. He, however, retired from business as a bookmaker, and devoted his energy to financial and pastoral pursuits, and, as a side line, established the ’ Shipley stud at Warrnambool. Shipley came into existence somewhere about 1907, and soon became known from one end of Australia to the other as a breeding establishment. It was there that those two colts, Biplane and Artillervman, were bred. The stud, however, was dispersed in January, 1918. Mr. Green, however, did not lose liis interest in breeding. He could not keep out of the game for more than a year or two. He bought mares in England, with foals, or in foal to Australian time, and now has a small but very select stud at Bacchus March. The horse which first brought him into prominence as an owner was Gladsome, who won him the Caulfield Futurity Stakes twice in successive years. He again won the race a few years later with Comedy King, and this year Gothic scored for him in the same race. Gothic also won him two Newmarket Handicaps, and Comedy King the Melbourne Cup. It is pretty safe to say that the success which has brought him most pleasure in his racing career was that of Strephon in the Derby. As long as he has been an owner, has been his ambition to win the Victoria Derbv, and at last he has achieved it. He bred Biplane, who won the race in 1917, but the Comedy King colt had been sold as a to the New Zealander, Mr. G. D. Greenwood, for whom he won both the A.J.C. and Victoria Derbies. Mr. Green was a proud man when the Governor-General handed over to him the Derby ribbon after the race. It was a popular win, apart from the fact that Strephon was a red-hot favourite. Mr. Green has been one of the most courageous buyers of horseflesh in Australia of recent years, and has freely exploited the English, Australian, and New Zealand markets in his efforts to get good horses. Such enteraclhe “d r u S reward ’ and at last be has

RACING REMINDERS

Auckland Club. —General entries for the sunnier meeting (December °6 ‘>B January 1 and 2) are due at 5~ p.m! °h 1 riday next, November 23. ;„J a^ a + pu , na C,ub * —The spring meetn„ is to be held on Friday and Saturday, November 30 and December 1. Acceptances close on Friday next November 23, at 5 p.m., with the secreanmfal Pa »^ ,^*'~ N6minations for the , e ing at Te Awamutu on at ? lOSe with the secretary filiJ A \ niatu and at Messrs. BlomS?. Id f aad . Company’s offices, High De l ce e nibtr UC 30 and ’ aL 5 - Fridfy, at Ma?ton O J n . C T -r^‘ D -" mb - < due’at 61 !)Tm tInS < Ire . or c£2 24. P . on Saturday next, November

during the year, instead of the four single-day fixtures as at present. Just why the Wellington enthusiasts retain the single file policy is best known to those in authority, but those responsible for the continuation of the svstem are standing in the club’s light as well as presenting an obstacle in the way of distant owners and trainers. However, there is every reason to believe that the future will witness a reformation on the part of the club in this respect, and failing action by tliß executive in the direction indicated, the conference will probably find.it advisable in the interest of ail concerned to allot dates to the club in question that will allow for a twoday carnival being submitted twice a year. However, things generally must be taken as they are at the present juncture, and with a good list of acceptors colouring the card this week-end the club have a successful fixture. The fields will not be unwield ly, but there is a class evenness that will make for interesting racing and give the public something to do to select the probable dividendpayers. The principal items on the schedule are the November Handicap, two miles, and Electric Handicap, 10 furlongs, and these will no doubt form the basis of the ever-popular double, although the paucity of the field in the shorter event may tend to keep the figures at a low level. A feature of the November Handicap, which has the usual Wellington limit of 4.36, is the presence of several improving pacers, who during the last few weeks have shown good form which entitles them to be re-

cognised as classy two-milers, and in The Abbey, Free Advice, Pageant and Mate o’ Mine, who have reached the 4.30 and 4.31 standard, there is material alone to make a stirring contest. Marshal Neil, off the front, if dressed in his best, would make the job difficult for those behind him. bur. the Richmond-trained gelding has not shown his best form for some considerable time and must be taken on trust. Avenger is another that often threatens to do things, but beyond an occasional second, when perhaps least expected, he has not made good. Menember is one of the old brigade that is never done till the post is passed, but of the lot near the end the square-gaiter Maxegin would appear to have the best prospects. His final day effort at Addington, while a distinct contrast to that of the middle day, was decidedly impressive, and if Ben Jarden’s charge repeated the performance he would take a power of heading off. Jolly Chinn s is a possibility, but the journey may b© just a bit beyond him at present, while Wharepiana does not appeal as a staying proposition, and Golden Bubbles has to be taken on chance just yet over a long journey. Billy Sea,, however, will command respect, and providing he escapes a penalty to-day at Epsom, will be one of the

is in the race. At first glance it looks as if Pageant, Free Advicf, Dillon I-luon, Billy* Sea and Maxegic will prove a likely quintet. THE OTHER LEG Although there is only an acceptance 'of eight for the £4OO Electric Handicap, the class ii representative of a high value in speed and the event will prove one of the gems of the day as far as a spectacular and exciting contest is concerned. Of the limit trio. Audacious. Doufci Event and Quality, the latter will have the best credentials on recent tests, and if Donald’s little mare ha* improved since seen out at Addin: ton earlier in the month, she wii 1 have something to say when it cometo the finish. Black Admiral was responsible for the warm pace in th' New Zealand Cup and held sway for 12 furlongs, and on that showing.together with the fact he is partial to the Hutf course, he cannot be left friendless. Talent was consistent at Addington, just being topped oft or. two occasions, and Frost’s fine black pacer appears to be a shade unlucky in his efforts. Logan Park went clinking good race at Christchurc: when he finished second to Jackn Audubon, and Tomkinson’s charge i*

sure to be benefited by that outing®* will be a tough nut to crack on urday. Jackie Audubon is a known quantity over ten if he is not penalised after to-®.

racing at Alexandra Park ' or. have a royal chance *.*•«*£ Saturday. Then there is EpiP~ who has a wonderful dash °‘ when using it right, and t,ie .' c? . likely to go anything once r away on the right leg. Early ites for this flutter will in^ ua 43c Park. Jackie Audubon, Epigram Black Admiral.