TURF NEWS & NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 June 1938, Page 5

TURF NEWS & NOTES

Views on Racing Facts and Fancies

VALPEEN’S FINE RECORD

(By “The Cynic.”)

At 10 years old few horses, even among the hardy steeplechasers, have anything to contribute to the history of racing, but Valpeen’s victory in the Great Northern Steeplechase marked another jumping record for the Dominion. Valpeen is one of five to win the Great Northern twice since the inception of the race in 1885, and one of six since 1876 to capture the Grand National Steeplechase twice, but he is the only horse to have completed a double in both events.

Valpeen won his first Great Northern in 1934. He was ridden by R. E. Thomson, who was associated with him in most of his early exploits. Two months later, when he took his first Grand National, he was ridden by A. J. Peart, and in the same race the following year W. J. Bowden was his pilot. On Wednesday he had the services of F. R. Foster, who rode him in his previous six starts this season. Before winning his double success in 1934, Valpeen had been in commission as a racehorse for only about IS months, but in two comparatively light seasons at six and seven years he started 38 times for nine wins, 20 minor places, and £3435 in stakes. He had one win as an eight-year-old, this) being his second success in the Grand .National, but he was not successful again until this week. ■ All Valpeen’s appearances have been marked by superb jumping and stay-

ing power. He is a natural jumper, and his owner-trainer, Mr G. Campbell, does no schooling with him on his farm, relying on a round of the country on the eve of the race.

In the race-books Valpeen is described as by Valkyrian from a mare of unknown breeding, but, as his name would indicate, the dam is believed to be by that great sire of jumpers, Spalpeen. This mare had two other progeny, but they both died of strangles before being raced. Valkyrian was a son of William the Third, the best staying horse by St. Simon.

Many horses have little peculiarities and fancies in the matter of diet, but in few cases can they be indulged to any extent. Valpeen’s weakness is milk, which is given to him as a daily part of his bran ration. That he thrives on this diet is evident by his wonderful vitality and bloom. He. would pass for a horse half his age. His having come back in such spectacular fashion, after having apparently passed his usefulness, points to the decision of his owner to contest the next Grand National with him as being a wise one and based on more than hope. The jumper will not be taken next month to Wellington, where he has never been seen at his best, but will appear next at Ricca rton. »

In six seasons of racing Valpeen has gone out 76 times for 11 wins, 11 seconds, six thirds and 48 times unplaced. His stake earnings total £5575.

A very promising young steeplechaser is the Hunt Club Cup winner Power Chief, a five-year-old gelding by Tractor from Asterism, by Lord Quex from Asterina, by Merry Moment from Asteroid, by Apremont from Planet, by Castor. There is some good jumping blood in this pedigree and it is on the cards that Power Chief will make a fine performer as his powers become more fully developed. One factor in his favour is that he is not lacking in size and looks susceptible to much improvement.

Quadroon, who ran third in last season’s Great Northern Derby, has made .good progress lately and is one of the younger division who may be' sent to Riecarton to contest the .Winter Cup in August. Quadroon is a fair performer, and is on the up-grade. He is seen at his best when the courses are easy, and it was on a heavy track that he pressed Essex and Trench Fight home in the Great Northern Derby, with Cerne Abbas behind him. No doubt he will contest the leading middle distance flat races at Trentham in .Inly, and his running there should furnish a line on whether he is up to Riecarton standard.

In Great Northern Steeplechase history, it is interesting to recall that Hautere, who led the field home in 1912, was bought for £l2 10s at a Wanganui auction, at which period he was three years old, in the hope that he would be a useful buggy horse. The Euroclydon gelding, as he was then simply known, showed such marked dislike for the job between the shafts that he smashed everything to which he was hitched. He was then bought for £3O by the late Mr J. B. Williamson, and on the latter’s death, he passed to his son, John. Hautere was later offered to a Waikato farmer to square a grazing account for £2O, but was declined.

Later the gelding was taken on trial -at a purchase price of £2O, but an unruly display and then a bolt from the stable caused the would-be buyer to cry off the intended purchase. It was then decided to jolace the gelding in training, with happy results. When schooled he early displayed relish for jumping, with a good dash of pace. The once despised Hautere was a strongly fancied candidate for the Great Northern Steeplechase, which he won in dashing style.

The death is reported from Bathurst,New South Wales, of Silverado, sire of Silver Ring. Silver Scorn, and many other good horses. Silverado was bred in England in 1922. He was by Polymelus from Silver Tag, by Sundridge, and was imported to Australia. In 1928 he was purchased by the New Zealand studmaster, Mr A. S. Higgs, Riecarton, and after standing there till 1930 was repurchased for Australia. Silver Ring has been a great performer both in the Dominion and Australia, and Silver Scorn was a great three-year-old and was sold to a Sydney sportsman at a big figure. However, she failed to repeat that form in Australia.

Oratory’s run-away win from No. 1 berth in the last Thompson Handicap has led to the provision of a new starting point for mile races at Trentham. Formerly the barrier was erected on a turn, about 40yds from the entrance to the back straight, and horses which drew the outside positions were at a very great disadvantage. The new site will give all the starters a straight and even run into the back, although the rails position will still be preferred.

The progeny of Balboa were successful in the three big races on the first day of the Dunedin meeting. Corban winning the Otago Hurdles, Black Banner the Otago Steeplechase, and Araboa the Winter Handicap. On the second day he was represented by Corban -who was successful in the hurdles and Balmenter who won the Southern Handicap, while Black Banner and Bally Brit filled the role of

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE & COURSE

runner-up. Balboa’s record as a sire is a splendid one. His progeny, with limited opportunities, have won many of the most important flat, hurdle and steeplechase events in the country, and include a Grand National winner in Membo, in 1932, who also ran second to Valpeen in the Grand National Steeplechase of 1934, and a Winter Cup winner in Mount Boa.

Settlement's win at Wingatui on Saturday,' although somewhat belated, indicated that staying is going to be his strong asset. He had not before raced in such heavy going, as was in evidence when his race came up for decision, and his owners did not feel disposed to start him, as it was felt a risk would be taken with a three-year-old in galloping him on dragging ground. It was, however, decided on the advice of his trainer to try him out, and the result was a very pleasing one. Settlement has improved a good deal since coming south, but he has not yet fully furnished. and he may be now put aside until the summer months. Settlement was bred by Mr G. A. Kain, at Orari, and was sold as a yearling at Trentham for 160 guineas, his present owners: acquiring him as a two-year-old.

Mungatoon shaped consistently a Wingatui, but his chance of beatini Monipere in the King George Handicap was settled when the latter re ceived a 71b. allowance.

Valantua stayed on in the Aldworth Handicap much better than generally expected, and she should win over a middle distance in the future.

Baitruin failed to get anywhere near the leaders in the Domain Handicap, in which he appeared to hold a good chance on paper.

Ramann, who started favourite for the Electric Handicap, was slow away at the start, and never got near- the leaders.

Valkyrian sired Donadea and Slayer, who finished first and second in the Electric Handicap.

Bally Brit scored a well-deserved win in the Dunedin Steeplechase, as he had previously put up two seconds at the meeting. Direct Hit, the dam of Bally Brit, was got by Fleetham— Lucky Shot, by Calibre —Tapuwai, by Seaton Delaval.

Barley Almond appeared to have a chance in the King George Handicap on paper. She was racing under a light weight, and meeting Cintilla on 161 b. better terms than when she finished in front of him in the Brighton Handicap. The owner, however, wired to scratch the mare, although the trainer had engaged Hibberd to ride her.

The Winning Hit gelding Second Innings stayed on well in the sloppy going when he won the Domain Handicap. The win made his fourth consecutive success. He won on the first day under 8.1, and a substantial rise to 8.12 did not stop him.

BAY OF PLENTY ACCEPTANCES (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, June 14. Acceptances for the Bay of Plenty Racing Club’s winter meeting, to be held at Tauranga on Saturday, and at which the win and place system of betting will operate, are as follow: — 10.45 — Novice Handicap, 6f.: Slam, 9.1; Long Span, 8.13; Very Glad, 8.13; Kia Ora, 8.7; King Silver, 8.6; Libra, 8.6; Ngawiri. 8.6; Hessketoon, '8.6; Lapiourian, 8.3; Te Monoplane, 8.0; Spearford, 8.0; Miss Clipper, 8.0; Miss Dawn, 8.0; Wild Acre, 8.0; Forlorn, 8.0; Gold Petal, 8.0; Kotahi Acre, 8.0; Devon. 8.0; Hempton, 8.0; Acelia, 8.0; Midland, 8.0. 11.30 — Stewards’ Hack Handicap, 7f.: Strathire, 9.8; Blue Needle, 9.8; Bonny Song, 9.1; Mai de Mer, 9.0; Gay Sister, 8.11; Alyth, 8.10; Senacre, 8.8; Raceline, 3.2; Chikara, 8.1; Racing Lady, 8.0; Gazeful, 8.0; Miss Mestor, 8.0. 12.15 — Bay of Plenty Steeplechase Handicap, about 2jm.: Lucidus, 11.11; Inness Lad, 10.2; Bells of Bow, 9.5; Holly Lu, 9.2; Electric Flash, 9.1; Stray Dog, 9.0. I.o—Opotiki Handicap, ljm.: Airam, 9.0; Day Wind, 8.12; Miss Lu. 8.11; Gold Vaals, 8.8; Light Comedy, 8.2; Kena, 8.2; Brown Lap, 8.2; Gay Rebel, 7.10; Te Hai, 7.9; Requiem, 7.8; Johnny Walls, 7.8. 1.45— Waioeka Hack Handicap, Im.: Gay Rebel, 9.12; Requiem, 9.10; Strathire, 9.8; Bonny Song, 9.1; Gay Sister, 8.11; Raceline, 8.2; Long Span, 8.0; Mio Fratollo, 8.0; Libra, 8.0;_ Paunui, 8.0; Miss Clipper, 8.0; Gazeful, 8.0. 2.30— K. S. Williams Memorial Highweight Handicap, Irn.: Hunting Mars, 10.0; Brown Lap, 10.0; Melvanui, 9.13; Orac, 9.10; Mai de Mer, 9.0; Alyth, 8.10; Solomon, 8.0; Miss Mestor, 8.0; Hessketoon, 8.0; King Silver, 8.0. 3.15 — Otara Hurdles Handicap, lijm.: King’s Archer, 11.13; All Irish, 11.6; Kilberis, 10.11; Inness Lad. 9.12; Killader, 9.8; Mio Lume, 9.1; Simint, 9.1; Holly Lu, 91; Count Rousillon, 9.0; Queen Lu, 9.0; Chief Lap. 9.0; Jan Ridd, 9.0; Floodlight, 9.0; Air Commodore, 9.0; Solomon, 9.0.

4.0 —Farewell Handicap, 6f.: Llangollen, 9.12; Impasto, 9.10; Gay Setoh, 9.0; Far Land, 8.12; Hunting Mars, 8.12; Orate, 8.9; Miss Lu. 8.8; Day Wind, 8.7; Palustre, 8.4; Hunting Blood, 8.4; Te Hai, 8.0: Mangukaha. 8.0; Blue Needle. 8.0; Hampton, 8.0; Acelia, 8.0.