TURF NOTES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9089, 14 May 1908, Page 6

TURF NOTES.

(By "Zetland.") A correspondent writes asking—(l) "Did St. Simon win as much as Carbine"; (2) "Did he win any English classic races"; (3) "Did his performances equal that of Carbine in point of merit." The answers to these questions could be given k in three words, but' the subject is one worthy of a more extended reply. St. Simon raced as a two and three-year-old, and then retired with an unbeaten certificate. Through the death of his breeder, Prince Bett Lyany, the horse's classic engagements in 1883 were cancelled, and his two-year-old season was therefore very limited. In his first essay he won the Halraker Stakes and the Maiden Stakes, at the Goodwood meeting, and followed these up by winning the Devonshire Nursery Plate at Derby, and later on he won the Prince of Wales' Nursery Plate at Doncaster. St. Simon opened his three-year-old career by winning the Epsom Gold Cup, and followed on by scoring in the Ascot Gold Cup, and the Goodwood Cup. The latter was his last performance before being relegated to the stud. St. Simon's winnings on the turf amounted to £4,675. Carbine won on each occasion he started as a two-year-old in New Zealand. The wins included the

C.J.C. Middlepark Plate, Canterbury Champagne Stakes, and the Duneiri Champagne Stakes. As a three-year-old he was taken to Australia, where he was beaten in the A.R.C Derby by Ensign. But for his rider losing his whip it is considered that victory would have rested with Carbine. The horse was then sold to Mr Donald Wallace for 3,000 guineas, for whom he won many races, including the best weight-for-age events in which he carried big weights. As a five-year-old he set the seal or. his fame by carrying 10.5 in the Melbourne Cup, of two miles, and winning in gallant style in a field of 39 starters, in the record time of 3min 28Jsec. This is a weight-carrying and time performance combined unequalled in racing history. Altogether Carbine won 28 races, his winnings running into several thousand pounds. To sum up Carbine won considerably more than St. Simon, and in point of merit of performances on the turf the son of Musket must be awarded pride of place. Riflemaid is doing satisfactory work at Opaki, and will probably compete at the OtaKi meeting next inon.h. Sanciix has been put into work again after being spelled during the greater part of the summer. He is looking lively and well, and w ll si on get into racing condition. jLiue Ribbon is showing great imirjvementof late, and promises to make a good four-year-old. H. Fowler has taken over the training stabler at Clareville recently occupied by D. Wilkinson, and will have a team in work before the spring. J. Uravestock, the Clareville trainer, will keep in work during the winter Diplomatic, Conquer, Simplex, and a horse that ia to be sent from Masterton to take the plaoe of Hiriupai. It is intended to throw Full Raie out i ot' work for a few months, the owner considering th..t the weights that have been allotted to him recently are such as tu prevent the horse having winning chances. Considerable incerest is being tai en .yj the racing in the

proposal of the Masterton Racing Club to find out whether there is sufficient space at Solway on which to make a racecourse. Until it is known whether there is a sufficiently large area there is no need to adduce arguments for or against the proposal to shift from Opaki. Nominations are due on June 2nd for the New Zealand Cup. It is I probable that at least five Wairarapahorses will figure in the list. In the meantime there will be usual differences of opinions in local sporting circles as to which horses are likely to be nominated from this district. I could name half a dozen that I consider would be worthy of taking their places with a New Zealand Cup field, but at the same time would be glad to learn the opinions of sportsmen who have watched this season's form. It might be a good idea—it would at least be interesting—if those interested would forward me, care of "Age" office, a list of horses they consider worthy of being nominated for this year's principal event of the dominion. Previous to the nominations closing the result of the correspondence received wculd be published in these columns. Elevation arrived from Sydney yesterday. It will be some time before an idea can be gained as to whether the champion colt will ever race again, but is sincerely hoped by sportsmen in New Zealand and the Commonwealth that a good rest will enable him to become sound enough to again take his place with the best performers in the country. Waiiarapa blood stock will receive valuable additions by the purchase at the Longlands stud sale last week of Moira, No Trumps and the Merriwee —Blue Wafer filly. The first two were pur based by Mr W. Cooper, and the last-named by Mr F. Dorset.