TURF NEWS & NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 July 1938, Page 9

TURF NEWS & NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE & COURSE

Views on Racing Facts and Fancies

CHANCE OF JOLLY BEGGAR

(By

“The Cynic.”)

As the records disclose, the feat of winning the Grand National Steeplechase under weight is not by any means unique. It is a recognised fact that the steeplechasers will carry high imposts better than any class of horse. The simple reason why more horses have not won from the maximum is that it is only occasionally that any horse is set on that peak mark.

In contrast, the winning of the Grand National Hurdles under weight is most rare. There was that famous occasion when Record Reign won with 12.12 in 1900, but only one horse in the nearly forty years since has succeeded up among the 12 stones, and that was Paisano, with 12.1 (including a 141 b penalty) in 1910. In the last decade only two winners have carried weights in the eleven stones to success, these horses having been Nukumai under 11.11 in 1928 and Jolly Beggar under 11.4 two years ago. No less than seven of the. last ten winners have been weighted on the minimum or just above.

Jolly Beggar’s task in the Hurdles with 12.1 this year is therefore an even mightier one than the impost might make it appear at first glance. As Jolly Beggar failed, without any possible excuse, under 11.12 last August, and he is now rising ten years old, it is difficult to see how he can now do more than what so completely baffled him twelve months ago. That he was as fit as one could wish he demonstrated by winning the Jumpers’ Flat on the first day, which he had been unable to do in previous years.

’ Such a line from the records would be. a rational reason for most- why Jolly Beggar should not have started this year’s list.off with more than he failed under last year. Indeed, the rational thing seemed to be for him to haye a pound or two less weight. Instead He has been given 31b more, and so one would be seeing only with the eyes of blind hope to hold out more than the most forlorn prospects for his winning his third Grand National Hurdles this year.

A. J. Martin brought back two fresh horses for his stable, when he returned from Trentham, where he had Wagner .racing.

Mr R. McDougall has placed under his care the four-year-old gelding Waka, by Tractor from Caligo, a Tribulation mare tracing back to Kotuku, a sister to the . ..Derby- .winner, - Scots Grey. Waka, a .'well-growji and goodlooking horse, will be given a chance to earn distinction on the flat in the meantime, but later will be tried as a jumper, a game for which he has something to recommend him, as he is a half-brother to Luna Lux, a goodclaSs steeplechaser a few years ago.

An Australian-bred yearling filly With Plenty of size and of great promise is another acquisition for the stable. She was bought for 400 guineas and is by. the Son-in-Law horse, Constant son, her dam being Lady Cynosure by Comedy King from Lady Vic, by Wallace from Lady Victoria, an .imported mare by St Frusquin. The dam of Lady Victoria is a ; 'sister of Polymelus, a great English sire, also a half sister to Grafton, a horse with a wonderful stud record in Australia.

C. Emerson .also secured a yearling from last week’s sale at Trentham, Mr F. C. Christie, the owner of Nightcalm, paying 230 guineas for a colt by the Phalaries horse, Brazen. His dam, Irolene, is by Linacre from Lady Eagle, by Maltstir from Egale, by Goldsbrough. This is a great Australian family, the colt being a half brother to the brilliant sprinter, Ibrani, winner of the Oakleigh ’Plate and third in the Newmarket Handicap. Other good performers from this line include the Victoria Derby winner, Eusebius and the St Leger winner, Even Time. >

The name Algerian has been claimed for the rising- two-year-old halfbrother, by Beau Pere, to Lowenberg. He is in O. Cox’s stable. Nothing serious has been asked of him, but he is a handsome bay colt. The rising two-year-old brother to Lickem, in the same stable, is making progress.

Signor Federico Tesio, the millionaire sportsman, who sold Nearco, winner of the Grand Prix de Paris, to a British buyer for £60,000 (sterling) last week, has sold Elgreco, a four-year-old, for £15,000 (sterling) to Crespi brothers, proprietors of a Milan newspaper, on the understanding that he will not be exported. Signor Tesio refused an offer of £30,000 from an Australian.

Top Row, who may be one of P. T. Hogan’s team for Australia this spring, has started in 22 races this season for six wins, six seconds, and a third, and has won stakes totalling £1,465. Top Row has been allotted 8.12 in the Winter Cup, and at his best would be hard to beat.

All Irish has started four times over the country at Trentham for a win, two seconds, and a third. He was second to Burglar in the July Steeplechase last year. Though he is not much to look at he has built up a fine record for himself, both over hurdles and over country, as he has won seven races in 23 starts and has earned £ 2,250 in stakes. All Irish is one of the younger brigade of cross-country horses, as he is now only rising eight years old.

Sovereign Lady, Disdain, and Rebellion, Mr G. Murray-Aynsley’s trio trained by H. R. Davies, are progress-

ing nicely in work at Riccarton, and they are likely to be seen in action again at the Grand National meeting.

Defaulter has built up and furnished during a spell and has now resumed work again. His first race during the coming season will be in the Avondale Guineas, to be followed by the Auckland Guineas.

The Trump, who won the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups last year has 9.4 in the next big race at Flemington, a a rise of 131 b. Willie Win, whom The Trump beat last year by half a length in, the Melbourne Cup meets the latter on 61b better terms.

Trench Fight has rejoined the active brigade, after several weeks of easy work, and on Saturday sprinted three furlongs in an attractive manner. He looks in excellent order, bigger if anything than previously, and hopes are entertained that he has overthrown all the troubles which have prevented him from being an outstanding performer.

Charade’s form in the Winter Hurdles can be overlooked. She hit three fences so hard that she started to drift a mile from home. She is capable of much better form than that.

Middle is a novice hurdler worth keeping in mind for future events. His effort against the experienced class horses in the Winter Hurdles was a good one.

The Southlander, Hunting Chorus, did not quite measure up to the Trentham class, but he showed speed in his races.

Gay Hunting indicated returning form on the opening day at Trentham when, after a promising effort in the straight, he just faded out of a place through lack of hard racing condition. The race improved him, and those who followed him were rewarded with a good place dividend on Saturday. Gay Hunting is a good type of horse, who should do well for R. C. Penman in the new season. Jazz Boy ran forward races under big burdens at Trentham where the ground offered few opportunities for horses weighted up near 10 stone as he was._. -i