TURF TOPICS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 342, 25 January 1937, Page 7

TURF TOPICS.

Track and Stable Notes From Everywhere. Wellington Cup Winner. f Ponty has always been a fit horse, I and has seldom run a bad race; but ' his condition when paraded for Saturday’s Wellington Cup gained much admiration. His previous efforts, however, did not give any solid indication that he would successfully master a- mile and a-half journey, and in consequence he did not carry much public support. His connections, nevertheless, showed plenty of confidence in his ability, and all liberally participated in his substantial return. Ponty disposed of all ideas about his not being a stayer by winning the race over the last half furlong, drawing away in the last few strides from the 1935 Derby winner, Lowentierg. Ponty’s dam, Sporting Girl, owned by Messrs Rutherford, is by Kilrain from Sporting Lady, by All Red, and goes back to the Waterwitch-Mermaid family. Pont yhas been in M. B. Edwards' stable practically since he was first put into work. Mr N. Rutherford j was not at the meeting to see Ponty

win, and has actually not yet seen him racing . Polydora, who was bracketed with Ponty on the machine (Mr N. Rutherford having also a half interest with Mr H. A. Rhind) went down very attractively in her preliminary, but ran one of her worst races, and Mr Rhind immediately recided to send her back to Riccarton by last night’s steamer. The idea of racing her any more on the flat is likely to be abandoned. * * * Failure of Favourites. A disappointing feature of Saturday’s Wellington Cup was the poor ■ showing made by Flood Tide, Argentic, Queen of Song, Davolo, Person, and Dungarvan, whose prospects were considered very bright. Wien the exception of Dungarvan, they were all well back throughout. Queen ■of Song and Davolo certainly improved their positions rounding the ; home turn; but neither carried on. Vintage was also one of the rear division for the whole journey. * * * A Difficult Problem. Tunneller would no doubt have taken a more serious part in the finish of the Cup if his lightweight horseman had been able to keep him straight in the run home. The gelding kept boring in under pressure, and the double ordeal of pullin# him out of trouble and riding him out made all the difference between sucI cess and defeat. * * * ; Trained at Awapuni.

J Lady Ina, winner bf the High- | weight Handicap at Trentham, is trained by E. W. Watson at Awapuni. She is a six-year-old mare by Cape Horn from Kakawai, by Benzonian from Platypus, a daughter of Merrie England and Seal, and therefore ranks as a half-sister to that one-time smart sprinter Lady Fingers. Lady Ina won the Farewell Handicap, five furlongs, at Marton on January 2 and is evidently a useful sort. * * * On the Jmprove. The latest track efforts of Tidewater clearly indicate that the three-year-old son of Tidal is on the improve. He has had several outings this season, but has failed to run into a place, though he showed up sufficiently well in the County Handicap ■at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day to i suggest that his turn is not far off. Tidewater has been entered for minor events to be decided at the Takapuna meeting, and he may be seen to better advantage at that fixture. * * * New Zealand-bred Winners. Hands Up, who scored an overdue success when he won the chief event at Rosebery (N.S.W.) last week, is a half-brother by Night Raid to Red Manfred. The New Zealand-bred Limoux, winner of a mile event the same day, has raced with a fair measure of success. Strangely enough, he won the Rosebery Handicap last year. Limoux was bred by his present owner, Mr G. N. Magill, although reared at the Westmere Stud, and is by Limond from the Englishbred mare White Tulip.

Form has been Disappointing.. Master Brierly, who has been in regular work since the Auckland fixture, is galloping as well as ever on the track and his condition leaves nothing to be desired, as the chestnut gelding is bright and muscular. His form this season has not come up to expectations, though he showed a glimpse of his best when he was only beaten a hpad by Argentic over a mile and a. half on the final day of the Riccarton Cup meeting. Apart from this effort it is doubtful if Master Brierly is as good as he was a. couple of seasons ago.