TURF NEWS & NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 May 1938, Page 5

TURF NEWS & NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE & COURSE Views on Racing Facts and Fancies DON ERMA A CLEVER JUMPER

(By

“The Cynic.”)

The “horses for courses” theory has 'worked out well as far as Don Erma is concerned,' as he won the Adamson Steeplechase at the Egmont meeting recently and a year previously had won the Egmont Steeplechase at the same meeting. Last season this aged DanilofErma gelding had a strenuous season, starting 23 times for four wins, six seconds, four thirds and £914 in stakes. After showing useful hurdling form he was put to steeplechasing, but failed to win another race after the Egmont meeting. He finished fourth in the Great Northern Steeplechase, failed in the Winter Steeplechase at the same meeting and was also unplaced in the Wellington and July Steeplechases at Trentham. Different tactics have been adopted with him this season, possibly with the idea of keeping him a comparatively fresh horse for the bigger steeplechases later on in the season.

Erma, his dam, is not in the Stud Book, but a mare of that name, by Patronus from Irma, ..raced in the Taranaki district some twenty years ago and she may be Don Erma’s dam. Patronus was the sire of a great steeplechaser in Coalition, which is the only horse to win the Great Northern, Wellington and Grand National Steeplechases in the same season, a feat he accomplished in 1921. Danilof, foaled in 1918, was by Boniform from Ukraine, by Stepniak from Madder, by Gossoon, Spalpeen, a good sire of jumpers, was by Gossoon. '

Ukraine was a sister to All Red, another successful sire of jumpers, and Danilof is a half-brother to the Melbourne and New Zealand Cup winner, Sasanof. Don Erma is a smart jumper, but whether he has improved sufficiently in stamina to run out the major distances time alone will tell.

Shirred Ribbon .ran her best race since she came to the South Island when she won the Kingsdown Hack Handicap at Timaru. She was back ini the- middle of the. field most of the ■way; - but she came home with a' solid run. She is a stayer and she may get some more money, tlfough she is not likely to get beyond modest class.

T. G. Pollock is educating a three-year-old full-sister to Island Linnet. She looks very like her elder relative, but is much more compactly built. Another addition to Pollock’s team is a full relative to Glenham Lark by Songbird from Killalea. The newcomer is a rising three-year-old.

Galleon ran his last race of. the season at Invercargill last- week and he is to be put aside until the spring. The Paladin gelding was slow in strik-

ing his best form but he finished up with quite a useful record. He contested 13 races for three firsts, two seconds and two thirds and won £B4O in stakes. He was unlucky in several of his races and with an even break he would have won the Dunedin Cup.

After a successful season Mona’s Song is to be given a well-earned rest and will not race again until the spring. The Songbird mare was one of the most improved and consistent gallopers seen out in the province this season and, being only five years old, she has time to improve still further and .may go on to much better things next season. In 16 starts this season she was out of a place, only four times and third four times. Her stake earnings amounted to -£5lO.

It was related by an English paper that the great racehorse and sire, Hurry On, was really a breeding fluke. A mare Mr W. Murland had booked to Marcovil died, and of his other mares available the only one was Toute Suite, a very small daughter of Sainfoin, for whom Mr Murland gave 105 guineas as a yearling. She never raced. Toute Suite did not have a foal after Hurry On, who had to be hand-reared, and was .brought up on eggs, milk, and stout. F. Darling says Hurry On was-the best horse he ever trained.

Aspire galloped badly at Invercargill and evidently she has had enough racing for a while. She is only three years old, and is to be put aside until the spring. The Weathervane filly won three races this term and next season may see her developing into quite a useful handicapper.

Sunee has returned tp active work at Trentham, but his splint has not yet completely disappeared and his tasks are of a light order. It is unlikely that he will be racing again until the late winter.

Island Linnet has run some of her best races in soft going and her forward running at Invercargill—she would have won in another stride or two —will bring her into favour for any engagements she may carry out from now on.

Lawrin, winner of the greatest of American classics, the Kentucky Derby, was one of the outsiders of the race. He is a brown colt by Insco out .of Margaret Lawrence, and his lines are full of eminent English names. On January 22 he won the Hialeah Stakes, a six furlongs race for three-year-olds. He won by three lengths, running the distance in Imin llsec. He carried 8.2. He is owned by Mr H. M. Woolf, of Kansas City. Lawrin was raced 15 times as a two-year-old ,for three wins and six seconds. His sire is by Sir Galahad 111 (a son of .Teddy, from Plucky Liege (by Spearmint, from Concertina, by St. Simon), and his dam is by Vulcain (a son of Rock Sand, the sire of Tracery and the dam of Man o’ War) from Bohemia, by Wagner.

Astaire owed his success in the Claremont Hack Handicap at Timaru to his stamina, after Thermidor looked a winner from the time she took charge in the straight after being well placed all the way. Astaire had shown some form in Southland, and he looks like doing better. His dam, Dancing Days, was a smart mare a few years ago, being .owned in North Otago. Silver Slipper was always in the picture, and stayed on. Lockit was running on in fourth place, and will improve, as he had been off the scene for some time. Cocksure was near the front to

the straight, and then faded out. His turn will come again when the tracks are firm. Flame Queen was always handy, along with Great Memory, but they failed in the run home. Palmyra was never prominent. Mazamarch has speed, but lacks stamina.

The Marquis de San Miguel turned down an offer of £5OO0 —with £2OOO more if the horse won —for his Grand National candidate Takvor Pacha, a French-bred six-year-old. The oiler was made by Mr J. V. Rank, millionaire, who had two horses, Bachelor Prince and Cooleen, running at Aintree. Takvor Pacha lost his rider early in the Grand National.

Surge gives every promise of developing into a good winner over the jumps.

Knight of Australia is reported to be in capital condition, and is expected to race well at Ellerslie next month.

Erination, with 10.5, is likely to be one of the early favourites' for the Great Northern Hurdles.

Smoko, who will probably be seen at Wingatui next month, is due for a win in a hurdle event.

That good hack Ohmaha is in steady work, and will be suited by the winter going.

Valarth, who has not fulfilled the earlier promise he showed on the flat, is a brilliant jumper and is likely to take high honours over hurdles. He suffered a slight leg injury during a recent schooling effort.

The Craigmore Hack Steeplechase at Washdyke proved a comfortable win for Flashlight, who drew up to Sunward the last jump. Uncle Jim hooked the second last fence when going at it with Sunward, and this mistake and others prevented him from making a better show at the finish. Flashlight will probably take higher honours as a cross-coun-try horse.

An offer of 4000gns has been received for Spear Chief, the winner of the Brisbane Cup. He cost 430gns as a yearling, and has won close on £6OOO in stakes.

Raphis, the three-year-old sister to Phar Lap, has resumed training and has rejoined J. Tomkinson’s team. The filly was mated last season, but failing to prove in foal she is to be tried again on the tracks. Mr F. Armstrong has had her in useful road work preparatory to resuming active commission.

Surcoat, until recently had been used as a hack by F.'D. Jones, has come into the limelight in recent weeks as a potential good winner over hurdles. Surcoat, a half brother by Philamor to Shatter and to Protector, has never had a race of any description, but his recent schooling efforts over hurdles suggest that he will not be long before showing to advantage as a jumper.

Bodyline, who is now trained by H. B. Lorigan at Trentham, ran two good races at Wanganui and narrowly failed to pay a dividend on Saturday. So far Bodyline has not proved equal to the best sprint class, but he is very well just now and a provincial handicap should be within his scope. WAIKATO MEETING WINDSOR LAD WINS STEEPLES. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) HAMILTON, May 23. The Waikato Racing Club’s meeting was concluded today in bright weather and before a large crowd. The track was in splendid order. Totalisator investments for the day were £29,554 10s, compared with £29,438 for the corresponding day last year. The total for the meeting was £76,165. compared with £65,702 last year, an increase of £10,463. Results: — Gordonton Hack Handicap, six furlongs.—l/1 Hunting Blood, 8.2 (J. Winder) 1; 12/11’British Nation, 7.4 (R. Fearn) 2; 6/5 Young Paddon, 7.10 (H. Long) 3. Aso started: 5/9 Prival, 4/4 Dragon Moth, 9/6 Paul Robeson, 2/2 Pirate King, 8/8 Viracious, 3/3 Highland Queen, 11/6 Friskland, 1078 Windcress, 13/15 Midland, 18/19 Spearford, 14/13 The Trimmer, 16/17 Miss Clipper, 17/16 Windsor Lass, 15/14 Te Pouroa, 19/19 Chastisement, 7/10 Orwere. Eight lengths; half a length. Time, 1.16 2-5.

Hangatiki Hack Handicap, seven furlongs.—l/1 Du Maurier, 9.1 (H. Long) 1; 2/2 Melvanui, 8.7 (N. R. McKenzie) 2; 4/7 Senacre, 7.6 (N. Vaughan) 3. Also started: 6/6 Hutana, 3/3 Forest Acre, 8/8 Valspear, 11/10 Abbey Lass, 9/9 Disturbed, 15/13 Pokei’ Face. 7/5 Chief Lap, 10/10 Silver Glow, 14'15 Hawthorn bracketed with Bright Idea, 5/4 Maxown, 13/14 Mai de Mer, 17/16 Mia Fratollo, 16'17 Raceline, 12/12 Fleur d’Or. Five lengths; neck. Time, 1.30 2-5. Hamilton Hurdles, two miles. —3/3 Jolly Beggar, 12.0 (G. Ridgway) 1; 7/6 Kilberis, 9.3 iN. C. Trillo) 2; 1/1 Donegal, 10.7 (P. Jarvis) 3. Also started: 2'2 Silk Sox, 5/5 King’s Archer. 4 4 Iddo, 8 8 Valpai, 9/9 Count Roussillon, 6/7 Killadar. Two lengths; neck. Time, 3.50 2-5.

To Rapa Handicap, one mile.—B/5 Day Wind, 7.1 (G. Gilchrist) 1; 2/2 Rulette, 7.4 (H. N. Wiggins) 2; 5/6 Gay Rose, 8.11 (R. Horne) 3. Also started: 1/1 Gold Vaals, 6 6 Light Comedy, 7/4 Waitaka, 4/3 Cheval de Volee, 3/8 High Tea, 9/9 Prince Rangi. Three lengths; head. Time, 1.44 1-5.

Waikato Steeplechase, about two miles and a half. —2/3 Windsor Lad, 10.3 (J. McLaughlin) 1; 3/2 Lucidus, 9.5 (N. C. Trillo) 2; 4/4 Kinkle, 9.0 (N. Watson) 3. Also started: 1/1 ’Riotous. 5/5 Mio Lume. Three-quart-ers of a length; eight lengths. Time, 4.59 1-5.

1 Maeroa Handicap, seven furlongs.— 1 3/4 Maori Song. 7.0 (O. Evans) 1; 1/1 I Whirling, 8.100 (W. J. Broughton), 2; 1 4/3 Prince Acre, 7.7, car 7.4 (B. Sargent) 3. Also started: 12/12 Tosh. 6/5 Tradesman, 8/7 Johnny Walls, 10/8 Sinking Fund, 11/11 Lornacre, 7/6 Surella, 9/10 High Tea, 2/2 Te Monowai, 13/13 Gay Seton, 5/9 Rerepai. Neck; length. Time, 1.30. Farewell Handicap, one mile. —1/1 Barrister, 7.12 (S. J. Tremain) 1; 5/3 Loombination, 8.8 (R. W. McTavish) 2; 4/6 Alyth, 7.6 (G. Gilchrist) 3. Also started: 7/7 Black Man, 10/10 Abbey Lass, 2/4 High Sea, 8/8 Arawa Rose, 9/9 Bass, 11/11 General Riske, 13/13 Long Span, 3/2 Love Parade, 12/12 Salesman. Two lengths and a half; neck. Time, 1.44 1-5. FOXTON ACCEPTANCES (By Telegraph—Press Association.) FOXTON, May 23. The following are the acceptances for the winter meeting of the Foxton Racing Club to be held on Saturday next: — Trial Stakes, six furlongs.—Sporting Luck, Raroa, Lindy, Flying Acre, Gation, Shining Hours, Ugly Duckling, Selkirk, Cuisinier, Gold Band, Firdon, Cuddler, Irish Orders, Charmante, High Peer, Quexona, Protectress, Rowana, Koura Rua, Stargono, Ngaitahu, Prinihia, Titter 8.5. Poroutawhao Hurdles, one mile and five furlongs.—Beau Gallante 9.13, Artful Dodger 9.10, Conveyer 9.8, Spender 9.6, Aiguille 9.4, Entheos 9.2, Royal Romance 9.1, Kentucky Song, Camilla Horn, Primak, Te Huia, Otaki, Sunder 9.0. ■ Foxton Cup, one mile and a quarter. —Korero 8.6, Passion Fruit 8.1, Liane 7.13, Gaily 7.11, Good Sun 7.6, Kena 7.3, Aiwai, Quadroon, Terry, Galteemore, Davistock, King Mestor 7.0. Himitangi Hack Handicap, six furlongs.—Rotoma 8.11, Quake 8.9, Dainty Sue 8.6, War Lap 8.5, Rustem, Short Circuit, Fafner 8.3, Maahanui, Min Lu 8.2, State Bank, Haile Selassie 8.0, Daisy Chain 7.13, Gay Hunting, Golden Enterprise, Advance Plane 7.12, Colincamps 7.11, Noisy Night, Gay Molly 7.9, Captain Treville, Silver Fox 7.8, Sporting Gift, Mahita, St Roger 7.7. Whirokino Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase, about two miles and a quarter. —Red Sun 11.10, Artful Dodger 10.12, Ruenzori 10.9, Croydon 10.7, Power Chief 9.10, Booklaw 9.7, Lady Callaghan 9.4, Burghley 9.3, Primak, Park Acre, Requested, Louvain 9.0. Kebbell Memorial Handicap, seven furlongs.—Alunga 9.0, Debham 8.0, Mea Mea 7.10, Old Surrey 7.7, Reipar 7.6, Erebus, Lapel 7.5, Red Sand 7.3, Taillight, Lady Montana, King Mestor 7.0. Moutoa Hack Handicap, nine furlongs.—Puroto 9.4, Galteemore 9.1, Son and Heir, Maahanui 8.1, Perfect Idea 7.9, Merryman, Revival 7.8, Sunbeam, Royal Tinge, Koura Rua, Gay Molly, Prince Mulla 7.7.