Durf Notes

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 851, 20 December 1929, Page 14

Durf Notes

CONDUCTED BY "EARLY BIRD’

Auckland Meeting The Auckland Racing Club's midsummer meeting opens at Ellerslie on Thursday next, Boxing Day, the three big events to be decided on that day being the Auckland . Cup, Railway Handicap and Great Northern Foal Stakes. Acceptances and final payments are due at 5 p.m. today, and these will be published in The Sun a ! few minutes after that hour. I Smart Filly I The condition of Duellona formed the subject of favourable comment when the filly went out after steady work at Ellerslie this morning, and it was not unwarranted either for J. McLaughlin has her looking in great shape. Duellona has improved out of all knowledge these last couple of months, and racegoers who witnessed his effort at Takapuna on the sceond day will not forget her when the position comes to be summed up in the Queen’s Plate, a race at set weights. Previous Successes The Gisborne owner, Mr. A. B. AYilliams, who will have Cylinder to represent him in the Great Northern Foal Stakes, has suggested three winners ! of the classic in Humbug, Epitaph and | Mimetic. Mr. G. D. Greenwood’s coli ours will be carried by Praise, who promises to start a warm favourite, and in the event of his scoring it will be the third occasion the classic has gone to the Canterbury owner, previous successes being gained through the agency of Recontre and Biplane. Limerick's Brother Auckland racegoers are to have the first opportunity of seeing Limerick's j brother Dunraven in action. He is re- ! ported to be a good galloper of unj « oufoted promise, but on the small side. I It is doubtful if he will ever be as big ;ts Limerick or Ballymena. This is I the result of the loss of his dam Medley I just after foaling, for, although Comely, his fester-mother, did her best for him, Dunraven suffered through the loss of his natural dam. He is thus interesting in many ways, and his career will be followed very closely. Best Gallop Money Mine and Camisader (on the inside) broke away in front of the stand and ran together over a mile and a-quarter. They went the first three furlongs in 41sec, four in 54 2-5, six in 1.20 2-5, seven in Imin 34 3-5 sec, and 10 in 2min 16 3-ssec. Camisader appeared to finish a shade better than Money Mine, and it was the best gallop the writer has noticed the Tractor gelding accomplish, says the Otago “Times.” On Starting

The South Australia starter, Mr. W. J. Wallace, contends that to be a successful starter, the official must have a free hand, in the way he desires to dispatch his fields. Except in two-year-old races, Mr. Wallace, forms his line some distance back, and if they are at level when on the move, he gives the signal. But, on the other hand, he does not insist that they should go back for another try. They are then marshalled at the post, and given a stationary dispatch. Standing starts are insisted on for juveniles. Mr. Wallace once remarked that most of the bad starts were caused through the riders paying more attention to other- horses than their own. It was his job to See that fractious horses came into line, and if the jockeys watched their own interests it would be more satisfactory to all concerned. Interstate visitors (says “Torrous”) have been loud in their praise of the ability shown by the South Australian official, who seldom makes a bad start.

Two-year-olds in England In England the final test of the two-year-olds is in the Middle Park Stakes, run at Newmarket at the Cesarewitch meeting. This time it looked a reasonably good thing for the Aga Khan’s Blenheim, a colt of charming quality which had won four races out of six attempts and been only narrowly beaten into second place at his other two outings, in first-class company, says an English writer. We have come to regard him as the pick of the colts, just as Fair Isle is the pick of the fillies (she WQn on Middle Park Plate Day) ; and maybe the estimate will yet prove right. However, the fact remains that he failed to live up to his reputation in this instance. The field for the Middle Park Stakes stopped short at four, eloquent proof of the havoc wrought by the prolonged conditions of hard ground. Still a very lively interest was taken in the chance of Blenheim against Lovat Scout and Press Gang from Fred Darling’s famous Bec.khampton stable, the one representing Lord Dewar and the other Lord Woolavington Blenheim was probably feeling the effects of the punishing races to which he had been subjected in public. Lovat Scout was said to be a better colt at Beekhampton than his owner’s Challenger. As he was looking strong and really well, Lovat Scout ought to have put up a good show, but he displayed undue excitement cantering to the post, and in the race made no pretence of struggling when Childs called on him a furlong or so from home. Either he did not like the hard ground or he did not relish the job. The victory of Press Gang was foreshadowed by the betting. This at least made it quite clear that he was expected to prove the better of the two Beekhampton colts. The fourth runner was a rather narrow but racinglike filly from France, Fata Morgana. She held on well for fully five furlongs, but a moment later she had had enough; and so had Lovat Scout. Then all eyes were turned on the duel between Blenheim and Press Gang. All the way home the two colts ran perfectly balanced, with neither the descent nor the rise to the finish of the strenuous six furlongs troubling them. Neither was there any flinching, and the reason Blenheim did not justify his favouritism was that the other was the better to the extent of half a length. Again Blenheim had to run a hard race, and certainly his lines have not been cast in easy places. It may be that Press Gang is the superior stayer. Now comes the fly in the ointment so far as Press Gang is concerned. He is not engaged in either the Derby or the St. Leger, which may prove to be a misfortune of the first magnitude for his owner and breeder. When lie arrived at Beekhampton as a yearling he and several others had colds, and Fred Darling made the alarming discovery that Press Gang actually made a noise, which in nine cases out of ten develops into roaring. Entries for the classic races had to be made soon afterward, and because of the discoverv Press Gang was put only in the Two Thousand Guineas. It is bad luck for all concerned, as today the colt is absolutely sound in his wind. Pfess Gang is by the unbeaten Hurry On. winner of the September Stakes (St. Leger- substitute) in 1016. and is out of Fifinella. winner of the Derby and Oaks (substitute) in that season.

' A Big List 1 In addition to those for Auckland, acceptances are due tonight for the Manawatu. Taranaki. Westland, Dunedin. Wairarapa, and Hawke’s Bay meetings. Nominations for the annual fixture of the Thames Jockey Club close at 5 p.m. today. Good Possibility Hitherto Lady Spalpeen has always run her best races over a mile and a-quarter, but she has placed performances to her credit over two miles, and the Graftoai Hurdles at Ellerslie on Boxing Day should see the marc play a conspicuous part. She has not raced since her winning effort over country at Ellerslie last October, but E. C. Rae must be given credit for having the chestnut very , bright and m uscular. Ex-Jockey’s Death.. Fred Cress, at one time a well-known hurdle horseman, who went to the war and was badly gassed there, died in Palmerston North last week. Since his return from the war Cress had been in various sanitoria and though he looked the picture of good health was never really fit enough to return to his vocation. For the past nine months he had been an inmate of the shelters of the Palmerston North hospital, where he died in his sleep last Friday morning. Strephon London “Sporting Life,” referring to Mr. Sol Green's horse Strephon 11., says that he shaped well on the Newmarket I-leath. in a half-speed seven furlongs spin. That was early last month. The flat racing: season in England next year will open on March 26. It is understood that Mr. Green’s main objective with Strephon IT. is to win the coveted Ascot Gold Cup. a two and a half miles race. The principal races of the season are, March 26. Lincolnshire Handicap, one mile; March 27. Liverpool Spring Cup. 13 miles and 170yds; March 28, Grand National Steeplechase. four miles and 856yds: April 30, City and Suburban, U miles: May 7. Two Thousand Guineas, one mile: May 9, One Thousand Guineas, one mile; June 4, the Derby, 1 h miles; June 6, the Oaks, li miles; June 17. Ascot Stakes, 2 miles, June IS, Royal Hunt Cup, seven furlongs and 166yds; June 19, Ascot Gold Cup, 2miles. Sals at Claudelands There was a large bench of buyers at the Claudelands sale ring yesterday, when 24 thoroughbred horses were offered for sale on behalf of Mr. R. Hannon, of Cambridge. The offering comprised yearlings, two-year, three-year, and four-year-olds. A colt by Quin Abbey from Maiden Rose was turned in at SO guineas. The following horses realised 30 guineas and over:—Yearling filly, King Lupin —Tinopai, M. Tims, Te Awamutu, 55 guineas: black filly, one year, King Lupin—Tinopai, M. Tims, Te Awamutu, 55 guineas-; chestnut gelding, 2yrs, King Lupin—Day Comet, W. Scholium, Morrinsville, 41 guineas; bay colt yearling, Little England— Hylisian, M. Hastings, Morrinsville, 35 guineas. NATIONAL SALES TRENTHAMJWTALOGUE WELL BRED YOUNGSTERS TO BE SOLD Messrs. Wright Stephenson and Company, Ltd., have issued a most attractive catalogue for the fourth national sale to be held at Trenthajn next month. The catalogue is very well illustrated and is, too, a most valuable work of reference. It is produced in more compact form than formerly and in this respect strikes an entirely new note in so far as the Dominion is concerned. • A nice compliment is also paid to New Zealand’s champion stake-winner. Limerick, as a quite striking picture of Limond’s son adorns the handsome cover of the two hundred-page booklet. The pedigrees of 72 yearlings which are to be submitted by the firm in conjunction with their Australian collaborators, Messrs. H. Chisholm and Company, of Sydney, are extended in full detail, and a glance through this seems to offer substantial evidence in confirmation of the statement in the catalogue that the quality and breeding of the yearlings coming up for sale this year is the best the firms have yet had to offer. Proved Themselves Reference is also made to the phenomenal successes scored by the youngsters catalogued at previous sales, among which may be mentioned Honour, Phar Lap, Pink Coat, Hot Spring, Concentrate, Perception, Gold Tinge, Royal Duke. Count Palatine, Episode, Night Lad, Peacemaker. First Money, Duellona, Glenartney, Courtlike, Oral, False Scent, Hunting Day, Refresher. Hunting Boy, and as present season two-year-olds such a formidable team as Praise, Gesture, Veilmond, Goldfind, Royal Ruler, Chief Link and Princess Betty. Successes such as are attributed to the horses named are a unique advertisement for the sales. In addition to the particular's mentioned, there also appear reference pedigrees of no less than 27 sires, making the publication, which was this year compiled and produced in the Dominion, a very up-to-date one indeed. Start With Westmere Youngsters The sales commence at 10.30 a.pi. and breeders will require to be early afoot as in the early consignments coming up are those of the largest contributors to the catalogue: Westmere Stud with eight yearlings, Koatanui with nine and Elderslie with an equal number. Mr. John Donald with his Chief Rulers has the doubtful honour of opening the catalogue, but as Air. Donald has a superb lot of youngsters to offer, and these are sold as usual without reserve, bidders will doubtless lose no time in getting into action. The yearlings will be paraded on the Sunday afternoon prior to the sales when Mr. Ken Austin will give a very interesting resume of the breeding and points of merit of each youngster. Last year the attendance at this interesting event extended into four figures. The illustrated catalogues may be obtained from the auctioneers. In past years in connection with the national bloodstock sales, the second day’s sale of brood mares, racehorses in training and untried stock have included some very attractive lots. Entries are now invited for their second day’s sale by Messrs. Wright Stephenson and Company, Ltd., who advise that entries already made include brood mares in foal to Limond and Night Raid, a number of high-class two-year-olds in training, while the untried stock include two-year-olds by Night Raid, Tea Tray, Catmint, etc., as well as several bred in Australia. This should be a good year for owners who wish to sell bloodstock as the attractive yearling sale catalogues are certain to attract many overseas buyers.

MARTON FIXTURE

WEIGHTS FOR NEW YEAR’S DAY RABBI ON TOP IN CUP Press Association IIAWERA, Thursday. The following handicaps have been declared by Air. H. Coyle for the first day of the Alarton Jockey Club's summer meeting, to be held on Wednesday and Thursday, January 1 and 2:

STRATFORD MEETING

THE HANDICAPS Press Association HAWERA, Thursday. The weights for the first day of the Stratford races on January 1 and 2 are: TARIKI HACK HANDICAP Of £175; 7i furlongs

Apprentices In West Australia in the past apprentices have been allowed to ride if their fitness to do so was certified by three trainers. In the future the stipendiary stewards will be the judges as to their ability to ride.

AN EPIDEMIC

TROUBLE AT THE BARRIERS DOINGS AT WARWICK FARM So much happened at the barrier during the recent three days’ racing at Warwick Farm (Sydney) that the authorities might be well advised to inquire into the cause. If barriers and the starting weren't to blame, a steward might have learned something from a close-up supervision of starts. Punters and the public were deeply involved in most of the false starts. Favourites and well-backed horses who suffered were Wangoola (even money), Clan David, Becampton. Cronulla. Brass Buttons, Racksa, Gunclub and Prince Otto. A steward’s announcement came that Lucky Day was badly left in the Kirkham Stakes. That seemed to be an instance of putting it mildly, for a close observation showed that only the outside horses left the barrier with any degree of celerity. Is Anything Wrong? Many forfeited all chance at barrier rise in this, the richest stake of the three days’ Warwick Farm racing. The fact that Alberic, despite an outside marble, was able to gain a threelengths* break in the first furlong, probably helped him to this £1,208, representing the winner’s share of the purse. Racegoers are wondering whether there is anything wrong with Warwick Farm barriers, and whether their mechanism is being tested between race meetings to keep them in thorough condition. If this is the case, and the machines are all right, then what is the cause of the mysterious happenings at the barrier that are usually concentrated into a steward’s report that “So-and-So was squeezed out at the barrier.” If this; sort of thing goes on at other courses the stewards will have to send one of their number to each starting point at future meetings to see what is the reason of the epidemic. ; The racing public can’t be expected ! to stand much more of it without explanation. New Zealand Successes At Bendigo on November 27. The i Graphic (Paper Money—Kilberry) j started an odds-on favourite in a field | of seven and won by a good margin. Another Xew Zealand-bred horse in Lombardia (Solferino —Halinaj won a ! double at the same meeting.

HACK MEETING

MATAMATA CLUB £905 IN STAKE MONEY It is quite possible that the annual race meeting of the Matamata Racing Club on Saturday, February S, will be a great success, for there are enough hacks and to spare in the province to fill well a programme of eight events. The staging of a. purely hack meeting by the Matamata Club is something in the nature of an interesting experiment, brought about by the lack of support accorded the open races in the past. Nevertheless, the club has succeeded in compiling a good programme, with the total amount oi money to be distributed in stakes reaching £905, which for a hack fixture must almost constitute a record. While of late years fields have been sparse, it is more than probable that the meeting seven weeks hence will draw a full quota of hacks. The principal event is the Matamata Hack Cup, of £2OO, a mile and a quarter, a nice £25 trophy being additional to the £l4O awarded to the owner of the winning' horse. Then there is the sprint, the Railway Hack Handicap, of £125, six furlongs. Nominations for all events close on Friday, January 17, and weights are due to make their appearance on January 24, and acceptances are due on Friday, January 31. The complete programme is as follows : Tirau Hack High-weight Handicap, of £IOO (winner to receive £80); furlongs; hurdle riders. Hinuera Handicap, of £IOO (winner £80), six furlongs; for non-winners at time of starting. Waharoa Handicap, of £IOO (winner £80), 71 furlongs; hack conditions. Matamata Hack Cup Handicap, of £2OO (winner £l4O, and £25 silver cup. second horse £25, third horse £10); 1£ miles 15yds. Putaruru Stakes, of £BO (winner £ GO), five furlongs; for two and three-year-olds, non-winners at time of starting. Okoroire Handicap, of £IOO (winner i £K0): 81 furlongs. Railway Hack Handicap, of £125 (winner £100): six furlongs. Walton Hack Handicap of £100: (winner £75): 71 fu.rlongs.

TRIAL. PLATE Of £120; 6 fin longs and 27yds Aeress . . . S 7 Rational II. . S 7 Kali Equitant ... 8 Lookout . . . \\ henuatonga S Spearform . . S 7 Xorval Tea . S Night dew . . Good Acre . . 8 Derry Belle . 8 7 Hewhanga . 8 Pont Leisure ... 8 Dor Paiko .... 8 Arrow zone 1 alma ... 8 Emerald Potoaform . . 8 Abbey S Pa hu . . . . S Hatt eras . . . Kilorell ... 8 Bourgeois . . Koval Mission 8 Evening' Hortense . . 8 Hero . 8 7 FIR ST HURDLES Of £ 150 IS miles Glena Bay . 10 5 Vinella ... 9 8 Skyrider . 10 2 Omeo .... 9 Red Lane . . 0 11 Call Again . 9 Aurora Streamer . . 9 Borealis . 0 11 Four Aces . . 9 0 Borsalene 9 11 Some Red . 9 JUVENILE HAXDICAP, Of £ 150; 5 furlongs. Hunting Boy 9 9 Wee Acre . 7 3 Glenartney . Arrowzone . 7 Accra . .. . 8 8 Roval Blue Paper . 8 6 Routine . . 7 .» Equitant . . S 1 Bay Acre .. 7 o King Acre . 8 1 Dick 8 1 Whittington 1 Leisure . . . 7 9 Seneschal . 7 Rule l’aratoo ... 7 Britannia Running Over < Lord Thom one Skied .... i Easterly . . . Roval King . 7 Quinola . . . Sea Scout . i Just An Idea Catherine of Arises . . . Aragon ... < n Norval Tea . Tripping ... < Acreline Santarina . . < Royal Queen 7 3 Tar Baby . . 7 MARTON CUP. Of £600; H miles. Rabbi .... 9 1 Piuthair ... 7 7 Bright Glow Pagan el li . - S 12 8 9 Spearmiss . « Atholsncar .. 7 3 Concentrate 8 9 Full Mark .. 7 Silver Paper Dolomite . .. • 8 5 Roi de "V al . < 8 2 Imateagirl . . t 8 2 Make TJn . . < Star Area 8 1 .Toy Bird . . < Merry Mint 7 1 1 Rameses . . < First Acre . 7 in Thrift . . . < Avro .... ‘ Arrow Lad . 7 9 Juggle •- . • • •* Otairi . . .. 7 7 Lunette ... I 9 Singleton . . 7 7 Gold Bag . . i 0 BASH H A C K I T AX DIC AP Of £150; G furlongs and 27yds. Glenartney 9 3 Warfilie ... 7 8 9 1 Some Acre . < 8 2 First Ruler . < • * 8 2 Habit .... 7 7 13 Abbey Queen 7 7 11 Emerald 7 11 Abbey ... 7 7 9 Evening Hero . St. Melba . . 7 9 Potoaform 7 Limosin „ . 7 9 Derry Belle 7 RAILWAY HAXDICAP Of £275; 6 furlongs. Silver Paper 9 6 Fernden ... 7 2 9 2 Broad Acre . 7 Aspiring . . . S 3 Hunting Boy 7 0 7 11 Macroom ... 7 7 11 Moorland ... • King Wanga 7 5 Callanmore . 7 Juggle . . . Second 0 Royal Duke 7 3 Thought ■ . 7 Bobbin . . . 7 2 NEW TEAR HACK HANDICAP Of £160; 1 mile and 137yds. Pompeius . . 9 6 Phastar ... 7 Night Dew . . 7 10 9 1 Hatteras ... * 8 6 Callamart . . 8 3 Patearoa ... t 8 3 Calculation . < 7 13 7 13 Kilorell ... * 7 11 Rioghail ... * Rich Harvest 7 11 STEWARDS HANDICAP Of £200; 7 fur. 9 6 Imateagirl . S 0 9 4 Brigadier 0 8 32 Bill .... 8 8 11 Wanderlust . 8 8 11 Lunette ... S 8 11 Moorland . . S 8 9 Second Thou glit . . S 8 F. Borsalene . . S 8 2 Lord Rory Mor . . S 0 Thomond . S

Marjoram . 9 0 S IB Mount Shannon . 7 5 8 12 Rossferry 8 11 Joy Spear 8 7 Corwin . . 5 8 0 Miss Pakake Auctioneer 7 IB Remora . . 5 7 11 Kosher . . 7 10 Banbridge 7 0 Waitaunaha 7 5 Fortalice . Mononio . . 7 5 STRATFORD CUP Of £600; 14 miles Bright Glow 9 1 TJanore . . 7 0 Seatown Opa .... 0 Paitonu . . S 2 Pompeius . 0 • True Blood 8 0 Horomea . 0 Galamine . Valkon . . 7 12 Chopin . . . 7 11 Glena Bay 0 Orazone Monsogne *0 Mint Deaf Latakia . . 0 Hipo .... 7 4 Whisogne 0 "Wen day 7 0 OH UR A HACK HURDLES Of £200; 1 1 miles 11 0 Whenuan ui 9 2 1 l 0 Schorr . . . 9 0 Panorama . 9 7 tV aitaunaha 9 Quillfire 0 Joke Form 9 3 Cofey . . . 9 0 JUVENILE HANDICAP Of £175 ; 5 fur. Clever . . . 9 6 Ngapara . . 7 \ alpre . . . Green Linnet 7 Orapai. . . 7 12 Kilting . . 7 0 Panatrope . 7 5 Gold Zone . 7 0 Tareka . . . 7 5 ~ DOUGLAS HANDICAP Of £200 ; G fur. T.ady Quex 9 2 Llanore . . 7 1 Ridgemount 8 S Macroom 7 0 Bonogne . 8 5 Just So . 0 Gold Dawn 7 10 Monaghan . ft 0 Oration . . 7 2 .MIDHURST IIGH-WEIGHT HANDICAP Of £ 225 Sh fur. The Swell . 9 5 Schorr . . . 8 2 Orazone . . 9 4 Opa .... S 0 Valkon . . . Pompeius . 8 0 Manly . . . 9 3 Flying Shot 8 0 Mint Leaf . 8 8 Glena Bay 8 0 Kawhakina 8 4 Marjoram . 8. 0 Vivo .... S 3 RAILWAY HACK HANDICAP Of £175 ; 6 fur. Clever . . . Varsity . . 7 ft Just So . . S 8 Rational II. 0 Abbess . . . Lady Lucern 0 Tenacre . . 8 1 Espion . . . 0 Callapar. . . S 1 Cyrille . . . 0 Green Acre 7 10 Tent Call. 0 Peg- Black . 7 0 Coldmorn . 7 0 Potency . . Bon Eve , . 0 Golden Araukuku 0 Flower . Goal Bag . 0 Potoleer . . Rotokare . 7 0 Kentish Lad Belle Star . 7 0 Our Nancy . 7 0