FIGURE THE DANGER

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 892, 8 February 1930, Page 12

FIGURE THE DANGER

CAULFIELD FUTURITY STAKES GESTURE TO BE ENTERED In view of the fact that New Zealand’s crack two-year-old, Gesture, will probably be entered (upon payment of a special late fee) for the Caulfield Futurity Stakes, the following comment by “Pilot” on the possibilities for this race is of interest: Figure has not yet won beyond six furlongs, but though that is accepted as her best distance, her recent success at Moonee Valley will cause her to enter into calculations for the Caulfield Futurity Stakes. She is not yet engaged in that iace. but it is fairly safe to assume she will be one of the final entrants. As the result of her easy win of last week she is unlikely to be at all leniently treated in handicaps, and w.f.a. races up to a mile may give her a better chance of increasing her earnings. Perhaps she may not quite get a mile, but her breeding on the maternal side is not against that possibility. Her dam, Forfar Lass, is by Brakespear, a son of Spearmint. “Dropping in Behind” When Pike asked how he should ride Green line in the William Reid Stakes, he was told to please himself. His reply was: “Well, I think I am sure to win. and I’ll drop in behind Figure as soon as we have settled down.” He did —and remained there. When Pike tried to reduce Figure’s lead, which was never more than three lengths, he got within a length of the mare, and then, without any trouble, she went away again. No Excuses Discussing the race on his return to Sydney, Mr. Barnett remarked: “There are no excuses; Greenline was well and truly beaten. My horse could not pace it with Figure.” If Figure runs in the Futurity her penalty will be 101 b, which will make her weight 9.7, against Greenline’s 9.13. She will, therefore, meet him 111 b worse off than at Moonee Valley, and though that difference, and the extra furlong, should enable Greenline to rc»verse positions, Figure will at least flatter her supporters. The last mare to win the Futurity was Brattle, in 1914. She was trained and partly owned by W. Booth. Doubts as to Mollison

There is doubt yet whether Mollison (who is very sore and may possibly have to undergo a long spell) will be a Futurity runner, and, in his absence, Sydney-owned horses will play a prominent part in its decision. Notwithstanding Lucy Manette had recently done well in sprint races in Melbourne, she was outpaced all the way in the William Reid Stakes; and High Syce, afer doing so much distance racing in the spring, may not shine to the same extent as a sprinter as when younger. SHAMATEURISM BOOKMAKERS ARE PROFESSIONAL ROWERS Action by the Australian Rowing Council in defining bookmakers as professionals will be resisted by the New South Wales Rowing Association. At a special meeting of the executive of the association last week, speakers declared that bookmakers were generally the first men approached for donations, and that many of them were influential members of clubs. “As long as they leave their bags at home,” said the chairman, “I fail to see any objection to them as club members.” FOR ONE RIDE AMATEUR’S TRIP TO AUSTRALIA Mr. James F. Morris, the well-known amateur rider, arrived home at Marton from Sydney on Tuesday last, after a h .rried visit far a fortnight. He went over under engagement to Mr. Carroll to ride The Demon (12.10) in a five-furlong race for gentlemen riders. The Demon duly won at UVagga Wagga on Monday, January 27, starting at a short but lucrative price (better than Paganelli’s on Thursday!) It is probable that Mr. Morris will shortly pay another visit to Australia in the near future for further riding engagements.