TURF NEWS & NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 July 1938, Page 9

TURF NEWS & NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE & COURSE

Views on Racing Facts and Fancies

GRAND NATIONAL PROSPECTS

(By

“The Cynic.”)

With all of the important steeplechase meetings concluded, racegoers should now be in a position to discriminate between North and South Island form, and no doubt many have made up their minds regarding the prospective place-getters in the .Grand National, but a very difficult problem, nevertheless, faces investors. In the meantime, Jolly Beggar, Clarion Call, Nocturnus, and Santoft make strong appeal.

Few hprses at Ellerslie are doing better than Valspear, who is looking and working better than he has done for some time. It is doubtful if this hack will be seen out before the Avondale meeting in September. He should be a fit horse by the time that fixture takes place.

Jolie Dance, a disappointment this season, was schooled at Ellerslie last week and shaped promisingly for a novice at the game. She is the last of the progeny of the defunct and onetime good performer, Jolie Fille, but to date Jolie Dance has shown little- evidence of upholding the family reputation.

On the strength of her good record in the south Lady Leigh was expected to play a prominent part in the decision of hack events at Trentham, but the best she could do in her two engagements was to obtain the barren honours, However, some excuses can be offered for her, as she drew bad marbles each day, and this naturally saw her at a disadvantage from the jump-out. She also did not receive any the best of the running, and really her efforts to get fourth on each occasion were very creditable. She is well up in the weights, but it would not be surprising to note her making amends at Riccarton next month.

The Captain Bunsby gelding Ned Cuttie was generally regarded as a good bet for the Winter Oats Handicap., He got a bad run and had to make up a considerable amount of ground to finish third. His dam, Merry Twinkle, is an imported mare by Blink —Magheen, by The White Knight. Ned Cuttie is a half-brother to Bay Duke.

Bluffer, winner of the Novice Handicap at Trentham on Saturday, is a Nigger Minstrel filly from the Psychology —War Scare mare Bravado and so comes from a speedy family. This was her first success in 11 starts.

The rising five-year-old gelding Gold Glare, who won on the final day at Trentham, claims a stout pedigree on both sides of the house. He was got by Mintleaf from Red Gleam, by Campfire (son of Carbine) from Piriwai, by Obligado—lmpati, by Castor — Brown Alice, by Nordenfeldt—Ouida. Mintleaf was got by Catmint—Potona, by Potoa—Latona, by Phoebus Apollo —Antelope, by Apremont—Miss Kate.

It is interesting to note that the French-bred horse Actor, top-weight in the Melbourne Cup, is out of a mare by Achtoi, a son of Santoi, from Ashray by Martini Henry (winner Victoria Derby and Melbourne Cup) from Acme, by Chester. Actor is a rising five-year-old according to Australian time. He won three times as a three-year-old, and his form at that age makes him one of the best of his year when racing against the best in training in France.

Mr W. Scholium experienced a stroke of bad luck when he lost a yearling filly by Hunting Song from White Wings, therefore a hffif-sister to Bright Wings. The yearling was running in a paddock, when a man, who was out shooting, discharged a gun. The youngster became startled and attempted to jump a fence, with the result that she fell and broke her neck. Mr Scholium stated recently that he would not have taken 600gns. for the youngster.

Wee Pat and Knight of Australia are in regular work at Ellerslie with a view to racing at the Pakuranga Hunt meeting next month. An Auckland report states that Wee Pat is well forward, having done exceptionally well since being recommissioned. She will be given a race or two on the flat in order to keep her fit for jumping events. Knight of Australia is doing plenty of serviceable work, and no fault can be found with his condition. A win for this gelding is overdue. Airam was barrier-shy at Trentham. She was making her thirty-third appearance when sent out for the Winter Oats. Last season as a two-year-old Airam started 25 times.

The 8700-guinea horse Melfort is advertised to stand at 100 guineas. He represents the Colorado—Phalaris— Polymelus line, best known here through Paladin, a sou of Polymelus. Melfort’s first crop of yearlings sold at 10,420 guineas for 18 youngsters. This year 13 made 8040 guineas. The Masquerader, a Limond gelding, now seven years old, whose racing days are now over, was a horse of great promise early in his career. He did most of his racing in the colours of Dr. M. G. Louisson and it would have taken something above the ordinary to beat him the day he won the Great Easter Handicap. He carried only 7.4, but he won very easily and to show what he represented at that time, he

came out next day in the Challenge Stakes, with 9.4 on his back, filling third place, Silver Ring 9.10 being the winner, while The Masquerader was beaten by a head for second by the two-year-old Custodian, carrying 7.1.

Some time after that he went wrong in one of his legs. He had a good rest, but failed to make a come-back. Eventually he was acquired by J. C. Tomkinson, who had ideas of a jumping campaign. As a preliminary, The Masquerader was given a few trials on the flat during the last few months, but though he won a race at Reefton, he did not realise expectations. As a result, the attempt to win more races has been abandoned, and The Masquerader has been turned out in the country.

Top Rank is in solid condition and will strip in good order for hurdle races at the Christchurch Hunt Club and Grand National meetings. J. McLean gave him his first race after a spell at Ashburton, where he hurdled well without looking a possibility. Tp date Top Rank has started eleven times this season for a second and third, but earlier he was suffering from a blood disorder and possibly this has kept him off the winning list. A bold jumper, Top Rank will not fail in the future through condition.

Guapo, a dashing hunter with a very free action, had his first race at Ashburton, where he baulked at one fence and later lost his rider. He was remounted and taken over some more of the fences. With experience this horse should be useful, and he will be tried again at the Christchurch Hunt meeting, though it is likely to be next winter before he makes good on a racecourse.

Dracula, which completes McLean’s team in work at present, won three races this season. He has paid tiis way and is a hack with a good turn of speed.

It was intended a short while ago to ship Willie Win and the rising three-year-old Night Hawk to Melbourne early next month, but Willie Win is now to race at the Grand National meeting, and the trip will be commenced shortly after. Dictate is also to race at Riccarton, and a decision regarding his proposed trip will then be made. The rising' three-year-old Raeburn is to be shipped direct to Melbourne on August 1. He will be in charge of his trainer, D. O'Connor.

Veritable, who has been under R. S. Bagby’s care at Ellerslie since th e beginning of the winter, is making good progress on the tasks allotted him. He has grown a bit since last autumn, but has not filled out to any extent. The racing that Veritable had earlier in the season should prove beneficial, and more is likely to be heard of him when he has had more experience. By Sun Flare from Titaness, a' daughter of 'Lucullus, Veritable is bred the right way to make good as a racing proposition.

Though the programme of Kilonsa at present is not a strenuous one she is not being kept idle and she should not require time to come right early in the new season. This term Kilonsa proved herself a useful performer, her three wins, four seconds and five thirds bringing in £1460 in stake money. The fact that she won attractively over a mile and a quarter indicates that she is not lacking in stamina and further handicap events should come her way in the season 1938-39.

In Moonraker, Mr H. D. Greenwood may have the makings of a middle distance performer. She won the hack mile in convincing style on Saturday at her second race for the season and there is still room for improvement. Garonne, too, won in good style so with these two as well as Defaulter to carry his colours next season, his prospects seem extremely bright. The success of Moonraker and ’ Garonne brought trainer F. Roberts’s wins up to 28 for the season. Rex Maitland and Glenacre, runners-up in the respective events are also from Roberts’s stable.

The Hon. G. R. Hunter and the Hon. P. C. Webb, who won the Winter Cup with Wino will have a solid little galloper in Cocksure to represent them in this year’s race. Although it has not definitely been announced, it is understood that the Dominion’s leading horseman, L. J. Ellis, will have the mount. Ellis was successful on Wino, who, like Cocksure was trained by M. B. Edwards.

Gold Boy has not proved much of a success to date, but he may be capable of winning a race at one of the approaching hunt meetings. He ran quite a fair race in the highweight last Saturday at Riccarton.

Rex Maitland ran a solid race in the maiden event at the Westport meeting and he looks like developing good form next season. He was running on well enough to suggest that the six furlong races for maidens at the Christchurch Hunt Club and National meeting should see him performing prominently.

Although he did not earn distinction until late in the season, the two-year-

old Royevrus created a deep impression when he won at Te Rapa. Despite the fact that he suffered from soreness during the autumn, he showed fine speed and plenty of courage and it is safe to say that the best has not been seen of him yet. By'Surveyor—Desert Fire, Royevrus is being exercised by W. Townsend at Takanini and as he appears to have thrown off his former soreness, it is expected that he will make his presence felt early in the new season.

MATAMATA ACCEPTANCES

(By Telegraph —Press Association.) AUCKLAND, July 15. Acceptances for the Matamata Racing Club’s Winter meeting, to be held on July 23, at which the win-and-place system of betting will operate, are:— 11.15—Peria Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase, about two miles and a quarter.—Cromwell 10.7, Bells of Bow 10.4, Killadar 10.3, Cordon, Electric Flash 9.10, Simirtt 9.8, Folly’s Choice, Etcetera, Floodlight 9.4, Orenda 9.3, Illumination gelding, Te Monatekapa, Wee Lady 9.0. 11.55—Pairere Hack Handicap, six furlongs.—First Division: Alyth 9.5, Susan 8.13, Advance Acre 8.7, Galloping Acre 8.4, Chief Lap, Te Poto 8.2, Raceline 8.1, Spearford, Kotahi, General Riske, Forlorn, Chikara, Broadway Bill, Free Advice. Miss Mestor, Very Glad 8.0. 12.40 —Turanga-o-Moana Handicap, about one mile and a quarter.—King Rey 9.3, Enge 8.11, Malagigi 8.4, Airam 8.3, Gold Vaals, General Ruse 7.10, Gay Rebel 7.3, Dutch Girl 7.1, Te Hai 7.0, Kena, Gay Sister, Palmint 7.0. 1.25 —Corbett Steeplechase, about three miles.—Valpeen 10.13, Riotous 10.9, Royal Mimic 10.3, King’s Archer 10.0, Lucidus 9.13, Roxy, En Tour 9.3, Bells of Bow, Electric Flash, Floodlight 9.0. 2.5 —Pairere Hack Handicap, six furlongs.—Second Division: Strathire 9.5, Highland Queen 8.9, Ngawiri 8.6, Valueless 8.5, Penzance <8.2, Poland, Miss Clipper 8.1, Tralee Rose, Kittle, Lady Defoe, Frontino, Orwere, Clooneen, Erlick, Devon 8.0. 2.50 —Okaiua Hurdles, about one mile and three-quarters.—Full of Scotch 11.6, Royal Mimic 5>11.3, Lady England 10.6, London, Killadar, Mangukaha 9.1, Sinking Fund, Queen Lu, Cappy, Solomon, Paunui 9.0. 3.35 —Te Poi Hack Handicap, nine furlongs.—Du Maurier 10.1, Full of Scotch 8.12, Silver Glow, Mia Fratollo 8.10, Vaalso 8.9, Philemup 8.4, Valueless 8.2, Long Span 8.1, Siega, Raceline, Paunui, Libra, Miss Mestor, Erlick, Manawahe, Devon, Little Musk 8.0. 4.20 —Taihoa Handicap, seven furlongs and a quarter.—lmpasto 9.7, Gay Seton 9.2, Erndale 9.0, Tradesman 8.9, Royal Dance, Day Wind 8.8, Maori Song 8.7, Kena, Solomon 8.1, Mangukaha, Orac, Calcutta, Young Paddon, Besiege, Strathire 8.0.