TURF NEWS & NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 July 1938, Page 9

TURF NEWS & NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE & COURSE Views on Racing Facts and Fancies GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE

(By

“The Cynic.”)

The old North v. South battle has to be fought all over again in the preliminary canter to select a likely winner of the Grand National Steeplechase. Picking a winner of any description is no mean task, but it grows to the proportions of a hazard where a National is concerned. After deciding the island from which the victor is to come (the south, of course, on this occasion), the choice has then to be narrowed down to one. Then the rest lies with the horse. It sounds fairly simple, but past experience shows that there is often that little something capable of lightening a. pocket and only serving the purpose of adding to a growing list of reminiscences. How many times has the thought been left unspoken, “If the horse could only speak?” But he goes through his daily dozen without the bat of an eyelid —sometimes lifting,his supporters to the clouds; while at other times he brings them back to. the realities of the day with a bump. Each year the trainers do their best and say what they think will win' and give an idea as to the chances of their own candidates, much to the chagrin of the milkmen, butchers, and others, who distribute, to use the vernacular, “the oil,” in large doses for nothing! Irish Comet, successful in the Great Northern last year, was considered the best of the field, but weight of money does not make the winner, for after falling and being remounted he finished a furlong behind a little-fancied southerner in Shillelagh Wood, which was two lengths behind the winner, Nocturnus, which hails from Riccarton. The fate of the other northerners was little better, Forest Glow and Brigadore both falling. There is no brushing through these fences —they have to be jumped or a fall is inevitable. Some try conclusions with the Kennels Double along the back and come off second best. The fate of the other southerners was no better. Royal Limond, which

knows as much about the steeplechase game as any horse in commission, practised once again an old trick of his —running off; Pahu, a veteran which is now doing a bit of hunting, decided that he had run his race and baulked; poor old Burglar, hero of several races in the previous season, broke down; while Cock o’ the North failed miserably to live up to his name and fell. Tragedy even sometimes mars the race. Remember a dashing jumper in Diamond, which was favourite two years ago and broke his back, who knows at what stage of the race, and then carried on until his gallant spirit gave out and he collapsed at the top of the straight—broken, and’ waiting for the bullet that was to end his worries here.

. Tradition has its place for all these things and many more, but it is the lighter side the average racegoer tries to keep fresh in his memory. Billy Boy, a character if ever there was one in horseflesh, has added interest to the race on many occasions, but he has been retired and so far there is not a horse to take his place. Billy, squatting down in the sand roll, looked nothing like a National winner, but appearances are deceptive. He objected to schooling and his wishes were respected. If set any tasks over country he would give poor displays, but with the colours up and the excitement of race day, Billy was a horse of another colour.

Once again northern form is likely to be preferred next month. Erination, fresh from his victories in the Great Northern Hurdles and Wellington Steeplechase; All Irish, the July Steeplechase winner; Clarion Call, which has been round about the big money several times; Valpeen, the Great Northern Steeplechase winner and a veteran performer over Riccarton country with two successive wins in the race to his credit; Irish Comet, Bryce Street, and a number of lesser lights form a formidable brigade. The south lot are at sixes and sevens in the meantime, but you can never tell until the numbers go up. Jolly Beggar is sound and fit, but many of the others are doubtful. Nocturnus may race at Timaru next Saturday, and so far he must be respected, in spite of the fact that he has yet to be tried out over any distance this winter. .. . . . ... - ■

Santoft, runner-up in the Wellington Steeplechase, was only having his second run for the winter. Unless the race has done him any harm he should come on quickly.

Flashlight is one of the bright hopes, but he has been given enough weight to lump in this company and may be reserved. If he goes to the post he will be one of the favourites.

Black Banner and two young and promising jumpers, Bally Brit and Burwood, were all winners at Dunedin. They have not been seen out since and no announcement has been made as to whether they will do battle on the day.

Last Post, who won at the Waimate meeting, was on offer as a gift after the Dunedin winter meeting, but no one accepted the gift horse.

Royal Gallant is a good acter in bad going, and was not allowed to loiter on the way in the Morven Handicap. He kept the opposition busy, and won nicely enough at the finish.

Valantua is gradually furnishing out and improving in appearance. He won nicely in the Waihao Handicap, but a 71b penalty stopped him in the Waimate Handicap, in which it took Imin 43 2-ssec to run seven furlongs.

Toro Koura showed pace in the early part of the Novice Stakes, but was too short of work to stay on. He looks like a useful sort and has furnished out since the early part of the season.

Mr J. M. Samson has decided to send his rising two-year-old bay colt by Iliad from Wealth up to J. H. Jefferd’s stable, and if the youngster makes satisfactory progress he will be taken over to Australia.

Petershaw looked well in on paper at Waimate, but the best he could do was a moderate third. The stable preferred Silver Sail, who, however, turned round and got hopelessly left at the start. Petersham has been off the scene for some time, and should be improved by the race.

Tautau Maid won over hurdles at the first time of asking when she landed the Studholme Hurdle Handicap. She shaped well and stayed on to win in style suggestive of further success Tautau Maid was got by Balboa from Hobson’s Choice, by Tractor —Crossan’s Choice, by Sunny Lake —Aphaea, by Stepniak—Britomarte.

The Sandwichman scored his first win out of 14 starts this season when he won at Waimate. Last season he won four races out of 34 starts. He was bred to do better in being got by Shambles from Leicester Square, by Joculator —Blighty, by Kilbroney — Armilia, by Castor —Necklace, by Musket —Locket.

Calydon, whose death is reported from Melbourne, was bred in 1929 by the late Mr C. F. Vallance, and was by Hunting Song from Blue Mint, by Catmint from Blue Lake, the dam of Little River, Peneus, and Blue Paper.

Calydon was raced in New Zealand by Mr W. G. Shannon and won a highweight at Trentham prior to going to Melbourne. In America, trainers treat training track times even more seriously than they do in Australia and New Zealand, where the stop-watch plays a prominent part. A few days before the date fixed for the special race of £25,000, between War Admiral and Seabiscuit at Belmont Park, New York, Seabiscuit failed to show satisfactory form in a mile and a-quarter gallop, and later in a mile spin. Ridden right out, he took Imin 42sec in the latter, and that was regarded as of no account. His owner, Mr Howard, thereupon notified the Westchester Association that, as track form showed his horse was not at his best it would be inadvisable to run him. The race was then called off. In announcing Mr Alan Cooper’s decision to give racing a spell for a couple of years, the Sydney ‘Referee’ gives the run of bad luck he experienced at the recent Brisbane Cup Meeting as follows: — (1) Grand Mogul broke down there during last year’s visit. (2) This year Sukiyaki, owned by him, had to be destroyed soon after Mr Cooper's arrival. (3) Involved in motor smash in Fred Shean’s car. He was hurt, and is still on crutches. (4) Mala, backed for a fortune, failed in Doomben double. (5) Shean injured when Mala fell after passing the judge’s box in the Cup. Mala died later. He v/as insured for £6,000. SOUTH CANTERBURY HUNT ACCEPTANCES FOR SATURDAY. By Telegraph—Press Association. TIMARU, July 19. Acceptances for the South Canterbury Hunt Club’s annual steeplechase meeting on July 23 are: — Hadlow Hack and Hunters’ Hurdle Handicap, one mile and a half. —Tra; venna 11.5, Silver Sight 10.13, Corban 10.6, Sunny Comet 9.11, McHeath 9.9, Chaste 9.6, Wild Irishman 9.5, Tautau Maid 9.3, Ballad, Proscenium, Guilder 9.0.

Pareora Steeplechase Handicap, about two miles. —Harkaway 11.6, Macalpein, Red Sceptre, Tomcat 11.3, El Cavallo, Golden Glow 11.0. South Canterbury Steeplechase Handicap, about two miles and a half. — Nocturnus 11.13, Bonnie Rollox 11.8, Flashlight 10,8, Black Banner 10.7, Monastic 10.3, Dunmure, Burwood 9.13, High Speed 9.10, Redolent 9.9, Chile, Sunward, Nightbound, Culverden 9.0. Levels Hack Handicap, six furlongs. —Astaire 9.6, Nightdress 9.4, The Sandwich Man, Donadea, Countervane, Mazzini 8.4, Half and Half, Derive, Maori Maid, Rsmembo, Royal Refrain 8.0.

Washdyke Trot Handicap, 3.43 class; one mile and a half.—Audo Girl, Balaclava, Coleridge, Drumcree, Joan Grattan, Marfax, Mongolian, Palomar, Parishioner, Silver Grattan, Stamboul, Tinker, Wee Truman scr., Taiki 12, Cerebus, MacGregor 24, Loyalette 36, Battlevale, Myrna Loy 48, Sylvie's Best 60.

Teschemaker Memorial Hunt Cup Steeplechase Handicap, about two miles and a half. —Bally Brit 10.11, Snowy Dawn 9.13, Last Port 9.5, Uncle Jim 9.4, Golden Wren, Bonny Bluff, Tomcat, Vantoon, Gay fire, Sporting Lass 9.0.

Pentlow Hack Handicap, one mile and 35 yards.—Recollection, Rose of Tralee 9.5, Drink Up, The Wrecker 8.12, Glenacre, Windward 8.10, Robant 8.3, Countervane 8.2, Back Lead, Auster 8.0.

Claremont Handicap, one mile and 35 yards.—Araboa 9.0, Last Refrain 8.13, Royal Gallant, Travenna 8.7, Waitaka 8.6, Mount Vai 8.2, Petersham, Balmenter, The Surgeon 7.13, Pink Robe, Silver Slipper, Valantua 7.7.