TURF NEWS & NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 April 1938, Page 4

TURF NEWS & NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE & COURSE Views on Racing Facts and Fancies SUCCESS OF EX-MASTERTON TRAINER.

(By

“The Cynic.”)

Mr H. Hilton, a well-known former resident of Masterton, who is now first trainer for Mr W. R. Kemball, also a prominent ex-Masterton business man, in Melbourne, is enjoying considerable success on the Australian turf, “In running the five furlongs in the second division of the Two-Year-Old Handicap in 60 seconds,” states the Melbourne “Herald,” “the New Zea-land-bred gelding, Hilton, ran a second and a half faster than Brave Mark in the first division, and was within three-quarters of a second of Ajax’s record for five furlongs at Caulfield. It was Hilton’s second start, and a particularly smart effort, as he led practically all the way and successfully withstood vigorous challenges, first from Amplify, and then from the favourite, Virginia Waters.” Hilton is by Beau Pere, whose stock has been singularly successful in New Zealand. Incidentally, another Beau Pere in Amigo, shares the Australian record for five furlongs—sB seconds—with the famous New Zealand sprinter, Machine Gun. Amigo, who is a two-year-old, also races in the Dominion.

Hilton is one of a big. string of horses raced by Mr Kemball, .and is named after his trainer Mr H. Hilton. The three-year-old hurdler, Masterton, is proving a splendid stayer. He is New Zealand bred by Cape Horn out of Lady Fingers.

' Although Studley Royal was a complete failure on the Waimate track on Saturday, he should not be discarded for the Great Autumn Handicap on that account. A galloper of his long-striding action requires a roomy course with a long straight, and it is only reasonable to expect him to shape better at Riccarton than on tracks like Motukarara and Waimate. A rider has yet to be engaged for him.

Rebel Lad well deserved his win in the Waimate Cup, and was going away at the finsh. Salient Knight ran his best race for some time, in what was merely a sprint home. Silver Sight’s finishing effort suggested his prospects during the hurdling season. Linguist failed to stay on. Queen Dorothy was never likely. Studley Royal’s display was far from pleasing, and many of his supporters failed to understand his showing. It was evident, however, that he failed to do right on the turning track.

Wild Chase, Dictate, and Ponty are three Great Easter Handicap candidates nominated for the Sockburn Handicap, to be decided on the same day. The trio are also acceptors for the Great Autumn Handicap. Silver Streak, Wild Career, and Cocksure are also acceptors for both big events.

In 13 ’months of racing Llangollen has won more than £l5OO in stakes, her most noteworthy effort being at the Bay of Plenty meeting, when she won the Tauranga Cup and Herries Memorial Handicap. Llangollen, who is a half-sister to Kilberis, was bred by her owners, Messrs Abbot Brothers at Opotiki. In 15 starts she has won nine times, has been second twice and third twice for prize money amounting to £1587, of which £1417 has been earned this season.

The Woodville trainer, F. W. Davis, who had no good luck at Hastings on Thursday with Francis Drake, Aiwai and Coronation, again stepped out the trio on Saturday, with the result that the two former were responsible for capturing the two principal events on the card, the Hastings' and Okawa Handicaps, in an impressive fashion. Both looked none the worse for their attempts on the opening day, and seemed to relish the yielding going.

Silver Ring’s name is missing from both the Great Easter and Great Autumn Handicaps, but appears in the nominations for the Sockburn Handicap, generally considered to be a dress rehearsal for Great Autumn Handicap candidates. This is the only race in which Silver Ring is engaged, and it is problematical if he will make the trip for one outing.

S. J. Reid halved with F. W. Davis the credit of being the most successful trainer on Saturday at Hastings, as he was responsible for the condition of Ivar and Thala, who prevailed in the Juvenile and Akitio Handicaps.

Lady Middleham, who was a close third at Waimate, is a three-year-old filly by Paper Money—Miss Victoria, by Greyspear from Lady Victoria, the dam of Royal Star, a winner of the New Zealand Cup.

The successful stallion Lackham left for Sydney by the Awatea yesterday. The Ashhurst studmaster (Mr W. T. Bailey) is also sending across to Sydney three yearlings and a two-year-old by the Awatea. The yearlings, all by Lackham, are chestnut colts out of Royal Queen and Panette (dam of Pontoon) respectively, and the two-year-old is a bay gelding by Musketoon or Lackham out of Limoka, a half-sister to First Acre.

Alma was sweating freely when produced at Waimate, and the race should have a very beneficial effect in cleaning her up for more important engagements. She was always going well behind Janet Gaynor and Acceptable, and won well at the finish. Alma meets Janet Gaynor on the same terms in the Great Easter, and the latter will

have to improve considerably to beat her. It will be remembered that Alma won the August Handicap at the Grand National meeting with 8.11 in Imin 27 4-ssec.

When the flat racing season commences in England this month King George will have 15 horses in training, six of which are three-year-olds, the balance being in their first season. The most promising of the latter is Cosmopolitan, by Sir Como. Captain Charles Moore, the manager of the King’s stud and racehorses, says it is difficult to fault him.

At Hialeah Park (Miami, Florida) a rule prohibited the use of a whip on any two-year-old that had not started three times. Recently the .crack jockey, E. Arcaro, was fined for evasion of the rule. He spanked his mount home with his hand. Immediately after fining Arcaro the stewards rescinded the rule, announcing: “In future whips will be allowed on all two-year-olds, whether they have started or not. Trainers are presumed to have their two-year-olds educated before including the whip in their equipment.”

Drink Up’s form at Oamaru pointed to his holding a good chance at Waimate,, but few expected to see him clear out from the opposition. Drink Up, who has been improving with age, was got by Tea Tray from Link Up, a half-sister to Silver Link, and also to Entre Nous, the dam of Guarantee.

Sold as a three-year-old for 1700 guineas, the New Zealand-bred Radiant Star has gone down in general estimation, for at a recent Melbourne sale he was knocked down for only 27J guineas.

The first Liverpool Steeplechase was decided over the Aintree course in 1836, but the Grand National Steeplechase was not established until three years later. Lord MacDonald’s Lottery was the winner. An incident during the race led to Becher’s Brook being named. Captain Becher, a gallant horseman, took a toss at the brook. The record field is 66, when Gregaralack, a 100 to 1 chance, won in 1929.