TURF NEWS & NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 May 1938, Page 4

TURF NEWS & NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE & COURSE

Views on Racing Facts and Fancies

ALBY ON THE IMPROVE

(By

“The Cynic.”)

The strong finishing run put in by Alby over the final furlong of the Glen Memorial at Nelson on Monday draws attention to the immediate prospects of the Psychology gelding, and if he is produced at the Marlborough Meeting he may return to the winners’ list.

Alby is a seven-year-old by Psychology from Marsala, and he first raced in the ownership of Mr A. T. Smith, one of the partners in Legatee and Symcony. He was bought by Mr J. T. Spears, of Wellington, in January, 1937, and for the latter won a couple of races, including a Feilding Cup. A little over two months ago he was purchased by the Opaki trainer, B. Burgess, and it was in the latter’s colours that he gained second place on Monday. Burgess has won innumerable races in the Nelson and Blenheim districts, and he can always be relied upon to return, with his share of the prize-money.

Surcoat, a big gelding by Philamor from Windshield, the dam of Shatter and Protector, has started his jumping education. So far he has jumped only the pony hurdles, but this week he is to tackle the bigger obstacles. He shapes as if he will develop into a good jumper. Surcoat is one of F. D. Jones’s team, and after such a long spell from jumping horses, it is rather strange to see one of his team performing over the battens.

Disturbed, surprise winner of the last race at Egmont, was bred in Australia, and is a three-year-old by the Hurry On horse Excitement from Restful, by Birkenhead from Peace, so it is a fairly well-known New Zealand family. Disturbed was purchased as a yearling in Sydney by Dr. W. C. Ring for 200 guineas. His dam, Restful, is a half-sister to Chakwana, a good class mare raced by Messrs V. and E. L. Riddiford some years ago. f

No records are available to identify Lawrin, the winner of the 50,000 dollar Kentucky Derby on Saturday. He apparently made no particular showing as a two-year-old. Dawber, who was second, a chestnut colt by Pennant from Ship of War, was bought as a yearling at the C. V. Whitney dispersal sale in November, 1936, by Mr W. Dupont for 29,000 dollars. Can’t Wait, third, a chestnut gelding by Victorian —Winged Bee, won five of his 10 races as a two-year-old and was bought as a yearling by Mr Myron Selznick.

The Nightly—Clorane yearling which W. McDonald is breaking in is a solid sort of colt who is a good advertisement for his sire. An injury he received when coming out of his box has left a rather ugly mark, but it is never likely to affect his leg. As the colt was a late foal McDonald will not have him ridden until the end of the month, but late as he is, he is much better grown than many earlier foals.

Hunting Go is back in W. E. Hazlett’s stable after a brief let-up, but it is unlikely that he will be raced at the Southland Racing Club’s meeting

on Saturday. Because of the firmness of the tracks he has not been required to do a great amount of work.

Boomerang made a gallant effort to win the Mcßae Cup at Hawera and had he not struck himself badly during the running he might have troubled Ned Cuttie more than he did. The leg filled slightly and it was not possible to start Boomerang on the second day. This is unfortunate for his owner, as Boomerang usually shows his best form at this time of the season, and he started well by winning a race at Wairarapa at Easter.

Horowhenua, who was runner-up in last year’s Cornwall Handicap, commenced his season’s racing at Egmont last week and for a fresh horse did well to finsh fourth’ each day. It may not take much racing to bring him to hand and it should be remembered that he is right at home in winter going.

Porotiti’s aptitude for jumping was demonstrated by his dashing display at Waverley when he fed the field a merry dance until reaching the straight. Then he was not beaten and raced encouragingly to be close behind Artful Dodger and Brigadore. It is given out that Porotiti has improved out of all knowledge meanwhile and if this is the case he will have no difficulty in accounting for tomorrow’s hurdles. Early in his career Porotiti was a brilliant sprinter.

Valamito’s form at the Avondale gathering held promise of better things and the four-year-old son of Vaals will not be without his measure of support in the President’s Handicap. He is a good sort when right and appears to be coming back to his best again.

The Thomond gelding Siwell is now trained by F. Fishel’ at Pukekohe. He made a good impression by running second to the improving High Star at Pukekohe, and as he has had experience over country may be a useful horse this winter.

Among the beaten hack hurdlers at Pukekohe, Full of Scotch was one to hold out hopes for the future. He was running on at the end and has the necessary condition to stand up to a strenuous winter campaign..

Lady England should be all the better for racing at the recent Hawera meeting where on the second day she finished within three lengths of the more seasoned Silk Sox. Lady England is on the minimum in the Waikato Hurdles the first day here and is not without prospects of springing a surprise.

Royal Fire has a bold stride when racing along in steeplechases and his extravagant action makes him look of champion type. His other peculiarity is an inclination to hang badly and that may be one of the reasons for his covering wide territory at Hawera, but it was unwise to allow the control of that ’chaser to a young rider when it is apparent a strong mature horseman is wanted.

Now that Requiem, a disappointment earlier in the season, has become solid, further success should be in store for the Te Awamutu representative. On the latter day at Egmont she won the Champion Hack Plate in attractive style. Not too well placed early in the running she had to make a fast run on the outer to be handily placed at the straight entrance. Half-way down the running she had the leaders collared and then carried on to win with something in reserve. She had 8.2 on that occasion over the mile distance and has been risen 101 b. for her Horotiu Hack engagement the first, day at Waikato.

An acquisition to New Plymouth tracks is the four-year-old mare Merial (Chief Ruler —Melissa) who has been transferred to R. Johnson’s stable. Merial has been raced in the Auckland province by the Te Rapa trainer, A. Winder. With smaller fields in Taranaki Merial should fare very well after she has built up a bit in condition for her northern form at times was quite encouraging.

Curie, rising ten years old, is displaying a good deal of dash at Greenmeadows under the charge of W. McKinnon, who also owns the gelding. He is likely to contest both flat and jumping races this winter.

The promising hack Paint, who suffered a bruised foot a couple of weeks ago, has made a good recovery and is back on the active list at Ellerslie. Paint gained his first success at Whangarei last month and the manner of his victory indicated that he has possibilities.

Supreme Court, who scored in the Brackenfield Handicap at Amberley, had not been successful since he scored in the Champion Hack Handicap at Wanganui in June. 19.36.

Requiem, the winner of the Champion Hack Plate at Egmont, is a four-year-old filly by Hunting Song from Dodo, by All Red —By By, by Birkenhead.

The hottest favourite of the day at Franklin was Cintrace, who showed a lot of speed only to tire into third place. Cintrace may win a race during the winter, but we expect him to show his best when he gets a firm track, which may not be for some time now.

If Grateful's running at Pukekohe is a true criterion, he has trained off. He was well placed early, but faded right out at the end, the only one behind him at the finish being Rona Bay.

The' Lord Warden three-year-old gelding Gillie missed a place in the Novice Stakes at Amberley,. and later in the day won the Starky Memorial Handicap. His track work at Riccarton marked him down as a likely sort. He was third to Strip and Lady Leigh in the Coutenay Handicap, and was unplaced in the Yaldhurst Handicap won by Lady Leigh from Settlement and Donadea. Vennachar, the dame of Gillie was got by Martian —Samiesen, by Birkenhead —Guitar, by Dreadnought. She is also the dam of Scratchmere Scar, who was sold to an Australian owner.

Two thirds and a second in his three consecutive starts before the Egmont meeting was not sufficient recommendation for the public when Fafner went out to contest the scurry last Thursday and he paid a good double-figure dividend when he got home with two lengths to spare from Advance Plane. Fafner is a three-year-old half brother (by Siegfried) to Rapper, a smart performer of a few seasons ago and he is developing solidity as he ages.

Wine Card, who is to be tried over a mile and a quarter at Ashburton, scored a very easy win over seven furlongs at Amberley last Saturday, and under her light weight in the Ashburton Cup she looks like being prominent for a good part of the journey.

On the Riccarton track Paper Slipper, picked up by Every Port at. five furlongs, ran six furlongs in Imin 15 3-ssec, which was the best gallop of the morning. The latter is to have her first race on Saturday, and on her track work should make a good showing. Financiere and Passenger were companions over five furlongs in Imin 4 3-ssec. The former did not give a very pleasing display. Rebel Lad finished in front of Grey Honour at the end of six furlongs in Imin 19 2-ssec, and Grampian, picked up by Parakino recorded similar time. Dividend and Pelmet took Imin 20 sec for the same journey, and others were Great Bramble Imin 21sec, Rangemore and Dropped Catch Imin 20 3-ssec, Waitaka and Mungatoon 1

min 20 2-ssec, and Happy Night and Nightcalm Imin 20sec. Swordstick and Gillie ran five furlongs in Imin ssec, Lady Leigh and Nolana recorded similar time, and The Masquerader took Imin 7sec, and Lockit Imin 5 2-5. Phalanx and Wagner galloped seven furlongs in Imin 33 2-ssec, finishing together. Willie Win went over the same ground in Imin 33sec, the first four in 51 4-ssec.

A like improver from the north who was not seen at his best at Eg: mont is Cometarium, who has run some splendid races here in the best of hack company. The going at Wanganui should suit him better than at Hawera, and even if the Maiden Handicap is a bit short for him he ought to be able to do more than hold his own.

The recent efforts of Girl Pat have been most disappointing, and her owner, Mr S. Bassin, decided not to bring her back to Trentham after the Nelson Meeting. She has been turned out for a spell and is unlikely to be seen under colours again till next season.

Clubman created a good impression when he scored in the Motueka Handicap at Nelson, and he looks like developing into a useful performer. He stays on very solidly, and if taken to Blenheim should be difficult to beat.

After a good second on the opening day Export was expected to race prominently in the Glen Memorial at Nelson on Monday, but his chances were extinguished when his saddle slipped in the straight. He is in excellent fettle at present, and should not be long in making amends.

MARLBOROUGH TROTS

BERKETT RIDES FIVE FIRSTS. BIG EVENT TO HAPPI. By Telegraph—Press Association. BLENHEIM, May 13. Sunny weather and ideal track conditions were experienced for the Marlborough Trotting Club’s annual meeting. There vzas a satisfactory attendance. A feature of the meeting was the fact that L. F. Berkett, Hope, scored five wins and a second out of seven races. Totalisator investments were £2356 10s, compared with £2995 last year. Results:—

Trial Handicap, 3.43 class; IJm.: 1 Tristan, scr. (L. F. Berkett), 1; 4, True Reflection, 48yds behind (C. K. Yeatmin), 2; 2, Roylette, scr. (A. M. Con-

nolly), 3. Also started: 6. Ando Girl; 5, Worthy Note; 3, Gold Cue. Two lengths; four. Gold Cue was fourth. Time, 3.35 3-5.

Stewards' Handicap, 3.49 class; 11m.: 2, Lucky Rose, 72yds. behind (Berkett), 1; 3, Count Parrish, scr. (J. Pugh), 2; 4, Korotangi, scr. (F. Broughton), 3. Also started: 1. Native Leaf, half a length; six. Time, 2.31 4-5. Marlborough Handicap. 4.50 class; 2m.: 6. Happi, 12yds. behind (Berkett), 1; 3, Evora, 12yds. behind (W. Warren), 2; 2, Guy Zolock, scr. (J. F. Cotton), 3. Also started: 7, Bridget Borough: 5, Storm Signal; 4, First Aid; 1, Ropata. Length; three. First Aid

’••'as fourth. Time, 4.44 2-5. Seaview Handicap, 2.27 class; Im.: □, Orby Lad, scr. (E. E. Edmonds), 1; 2, Mitewin, scr. (Berkett), 2; 1. Queen de Oro. 12yds. behind (B. P. Broughton). 3. Also started: 7. Golden River;

6, Restraint; 4, Ulster Girl and Worthy Note (bracketed); 3, Gold Cue. Half a length; two. Gold Cue was fourth. Time, 3.22 1-5.

President’s Handicap, 5.7 class; 2m.; 2, Lucky Rose, 96yds. behind (Berkett), 1; 3. Count Parrish, scr. (Pugh), 2; 1, Native Leaf, 108yds. behind (Dyke), 3. The only starters. Five lengths. Time, 4.49 3-5. Seddon Handicap, 3.5 class; I’m.: 1,Tristan, 24yds. behind (Berkett), 1; 3, Coral Prince, 48yds. behind (W. Broughan), 2; 4, True Reflection, 48 yds. behind (Yeatman), 3. Also started: 2, Orby Lad; 5, Ulster Girl. Half a length; length. Orby Lad was fourth. Time, 2.54 3-5.

Dash Handicap, 2.24 class; Im.: 2, Evora, 36yds. behind (Warren), 1; 5, Storm Signal, 24yds. behind (Yeatman), 2; 4, Cassidy, scr. (E. Schofield), 3. Also started: 8. Aimworthy; 6, Bridget Borough; 3, Guy Zolock; 7, First Aid; 1, Happi. Half a length; length. Guy Zolock was fourth. Time, 2.15 2-5.