Turf Notes

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 634, 10 April 1929, Page 12

Turf Notes

CONDUCTED BY

"EARLY BIRD"

Whangarei Possibility There are very few maiden performers with more speed than Maviiand, but he is none too solid just yet, and has a habit of failing over the last furlong. Trainer \V. Townsend has the three-year-old engaged at Whangarei on Thursday and Saturday of next week in maiden races, and the distance of the events—five furlongs—should suit him to a nicety. Just now one is quite justified in saying that what beats ! Haviland should win. To Spell Royal Doulton’s last three starts have yielded nothing in the way of stakemoney, and though her winning effort in the Ohinemuri Cup recently gave the impression that she would be a good proposition at impending fixtures, she appears to have gone off a bit. The Romeo mare has had her share of racing since the early spring, and the present intention is to give her a rest. Why He Declined Two furlongs from home in the Che- i valier Handicap at Avondale last Saturday Bulolo looked like making a good attempt for first money, for he and Air King (the winner) were at the head of affairs, the former having shown a lot of speed in the early stages from an

outside position. However, for some then unaccountable reason the Bisogne gelding retired to the rear, but subsequently it was learned that he had ricked a muscle. And still further, on returning home on Sunday the three-year-old had perforce to go through the inquisitorial torture known as dentistry. Naturally he was not asked to carry out engagements at Avondale today. Over the Coals The cirtics who in and out of season have proclaimed Nightmarch a “moderate,” have taken to the woods since the decision of the C.J.C. Great Autumn Handicap.—Southland “Times.” Lipsol’s Exit Lipsol, who had to be destroyed at Waipukurau on Easter Monday, as the result of breaking one of his fetlocks, was getting on in years, having first seen the light in 1919. He was bred at Porangahau by Sir George Hunter, and was a son of Kilbroney and Rouge. The latter mare, who died three years ago, was by Charlemagne II. —Madder, and was a half-sister to a number of highgrade performers, including All Red, Mungista, Munjeet and Ukraine, dam of Sasanof. Broken Down Count Cavour broke down during the running of the Great Autumn Handicap at Riccarton on Tuesday last, when looking all over a winner, and the Solferino gelding will now be put aside for some time. The trouble has been traced to the shoulder, and at present he is very lame. When Count Cavour came to grief in the A.R.C. Handicap at Ellerslie in 1928 he injured a shoulder severely, and it is feared that he is suffering from a recurrence of the old trouble. Catching Gloaming Limerick’s earnings in stakes now total about £38,000. He has taken second place in the list of winning horses in this part of the world, replacing Eurythmic, whose total stands at £36,393. Gloaming still holds the record with £43,100, but Limerick is now within measurable distance of him, and if lie remains sound his racing next season will be invested with unusual interest. Veteran’s Home The Hokitika meeting (says the “Press”) savoured much of a veterans’ reunion as far as many of the competing horses were concerned, the number including such old-timers as Gaslight, King Cheops. Caliburn, Corinthic, Doleful Ditty. Goosestep. Steel Bar, Fairy Tidings and Prince Ferouz. Very little is seen or heard of these horses in between Coast meetings, but they must be well cared for in the interim to keep bobbing up at each of the two circuits every year.. Back From Sydney Mr. J. Pohlen, of Matamata, has returned from a flying visit to Sydney. He saw the show, attended the big racing and also had a look at the thoroughbred sales. Mr. Pohlen did not purchase any young stock because he has plenty of his own coming on. He remarked on the shyness of purchasers to pay the big money which has been paid for yearlings in former years. He thinks the total failure. In times past, of many of the highpriced ones to return any of the original outlay has caused the present cautiousness. Buyers are beginning to realise that there is a much greater chance of a return by investing in several lower-priced horses, whose blood and breeding may be just as good. Not the Only Case

The start of the Great Northern Champagne Stakes before time is not the only case in which such an unfortunate state of affairs has occurred, says a Southern writer. At Auckland nothing could have been gained by running the race over again, as the Rules of Racing dictate, but it was a most unlucky circumstance when it happened at Riccarton. At the Exhibition Cup meeting of 1906 Teeside won the Suburban Hurdles, but the race started at 12.20—10 minutes before time, and the stewards ordered the race to be rerun at 6.15 p.m.. with the result that Sardonyx beat Teeside by a head. Probably the owners would have been content on that occasion to allow the original result to stand, and as Teeside was a bit deficient in stamina the second race settled him.

Death Of Blue Sky Subsequent on racing at Avondale on Saturday Blue Sky dropped dead. Blue Sky was an inmate of J. W. Cathro’s stable, and though entered on a preparation this season after an extended spell, he did not give particular promise, that is if his two outings this term are a criterion. Automne As a Hurdler R. AY. Lewis, who has Clockwork I racing in his interests, has added Au- J tomne to his stable, the intention being to prepare the son of Autumn for hurdle events. Automne has apparently benefited from a good spell, for he is carrying more condition just now than has been his lot in the past. He will be schooled at Ellerslie shortly. Honour a Bargain Racing in keeping with his New Zealand reputation, the big Limond (imp.) colt Honour led throughout the Sires' Produce Stakes at Randwick last week, and credited his owner, Mr. G. D. Greenwood, with prize money amounting to £4,903. It was Honour s first Australian start, but because he had registered three firsts and a second in four Dominion outings and had galloped splendidly on Randwick tracks he was always a favourite. 1\ i earnings in stakes and breeding suosidy amount to £7,293, which represents a very satisfactory return for the 2,300 guineas paid lor him as a yearling. Coincidences After Bright Glow had won the Easter Handicap at Ellersiie, and Star of the East had done tne obviously just thing in completing the coincidence, a racing enthusiast on Saturday night cast around for signs and porcents bearing in a similar manner on Riccarton events. This was easy. Great Scar suggested itself for the Great Easter Handicap, but the three-year-old could only finish second. Stars of varying magnitude, celestial and terrestrial, really were suggested throughout the holiday racing. An astrologist had everything in his favour, for in addition to those named, there were: Gay Ballerina, Gemlight, Desert Glow, Star Area, Airway, Lucky Light, Radiate Starshooter, Break o’ Day, Nightmarch and Evening. It was appropriate therefore that Gaze should be among the winners, too. Added to these is the fact that Rabbi was quite in order in winning on Saturday, but he spoilt his story by winning on Monday, too. Why the Delay? It is quite possible to administer very necessary punishment and justice, and at the same time inflict a severe penalty on perfectly innocent people. Such appeared to be the case in connection with the suspension of L. J. Ellis at River.ton. The suspension came within an ace of costing Pink Coat the Champagne Stakes at Riccarton, where the colt won by half a head. The suspension materially affected Silver Paper’s chance in the Great Easter Handicap in which, on Challenge Stakes form, he would have been a next door to sure winner. It has been stated that the suspension was not imposed until the conclusion of the day’s racing at Riverton, so that Ellis could fulfil his en--agements without depriving owners of the services of a good rider. Ellis had much more important engagements at Riccarton, and what is sauce for the Riverton goose should be sauce for the Riccarton gander, comments "Sentinel.” In other words, Ellis should have been allowed in both or neither cases to continue in the saddle. A monetary punishment or a suspension taking place after the immediate engagement should have been inflicted. As it is, lop-sided justice was inflicted on owners. Steeplechasing in Victoria Much favourable comment has been expressed concerning the enterprise of the V.R.C. Committee in making tile next Grand National Steeplechase the richest event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. Steeplechasing has always been in high favour in Victoria. South Australia and Tasmania. Except at Randwick it has never made much headway in New South Wales. New Zealand is also a stronghold of cross-country racing, and the £5,000 stake to be competed for at Flemington is almost certain to attract some of the best steeplechasers in the Dominion, says the “Australasian.” Since the early 90's of last century a number of New Zealanders have made attempts

to capture one of the Flemington Grand Nationals, but without success. They have, however, scored minor places. Several have been returned winners of other steeplechases run during the year, the best that comes to mind being Continuance, Glenmore and Pilot, each of whom carried very heavy weights to victory at Flemington. It would not be surprising if some. New Zealanders of similar class were seen in action in Melbourne next July. Steeplechasers of class have been comparatively rare in Australia this season, but the incentive given by the premier Victorian club should result in the raising of the standard in the next year or two. A thoroughly schooled jumper can be expected to last for some seasons on the Turf, and already the records of the Grand National Steeplechase show that horses have succeeded after several tries for the honours.