TURF NEWS & NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 August 1938, Page 9

TURF NEWS & NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE & COURSE Views on Racing Facts and Fancies SWORDSTICK HAS NEW OWNER (By "The Cynic.”)

Swords'tick has been sold by Mr G. Fulton to Mr D. P. Wilson, of Mosgiel. A six-year-old bay gelding by Rapier from Pledge, Swordstick has just fallen short of the best class in the past, but he should be an easy horse to place to advantage in the south. Formerly a member of H. Nurse’s stable, Swordstick was one of the most brilliant track gallopers at Riccarton, but taken all round his race form was disappointing. In ten starts last season he won only one race, the mile and a quarter Grandstand Handicap at Greymouth in June, but the opposition was poor, only Silver Ring and Maroha racing against him. In February he put up a smart performance to be the runner-up to Paper Slipper in the Craven Plate at Riccarton, but sandwiched in two moderate performances at Hokitika at his next start. Another good effort was when Balmenter beat him by a head in the Westport Handicap at the meeting held by the West Coast club'at Riccarton. Swordstick has inherited some of the staying powers of his sire, Rapier, a horse which was not long enough at the stud to prove himself. Consistent Form. Mittie, after running well oh the other days, stayed on better to win the Selwyn Handicap. She should get some more money before long. Grey Honour put up a good performance, after assisting to set the pace, and is due for an early sprint, and Top Row, never far from the front, looks on’ the Way to success in the best company. A late rush drew attention to the pros-

pects of Lady Montana. Land Raid failed to repeat his finishing effort of the second day. A Bad Fall. When The Surgeon came down at the second last jump in the Styx Hurdles he lay on the ground as if seriously injured, but recovered from the bad jolt he received and seemed right when returning to the birdcage. N. J. Dwyer, his rider, escaped with a severe shaking. Rockingham. Rockingham burst a blood vessel in his head when racing on Saturday. On his early form at the meeting he appeared to hold a good chance and was moving up through the field when the trouble occurred. It is the first time Rockingham has shown the trouble. Useful Qualification. When A. E. Ellis won the National Hurdles at Riccarton on Thursday last, it was the third jumping course he had completed, and this has qualified him to ride in high-weight events during the present season. Ellis does not get as many opportunities in the saddle as previously owing to weight trouble, and being able to compete in highweight as well as ‘jumpers’ flat races, will be a valuable help to him in his profession. Jottings. The proposed trip of Willie Win and Night Hawk to Melbourne has been definitely cancelled. Wino, who has been in a bad way for some time because of the effect of a fall some weeks back, was destroyed last week.

Valpeen was a tired horse a good way from the end of Saturday’s race. He hit one fence in the first round very hard, and then when he brilliantly jumped his way into the lead over the kennels double, he' appeared to have taken a lot out of himself by the extra effort; and from that onwards he commenced to weaken. His jumping was 'again a treat to watch. Raeburn showed up for a good way in his race on Saturday, and on that form should be in good order to enter upon his Australian campaign. - He is due to be shipped to Sydney on September 1.

Tidewaiter could claim to be the best in the hack staying class at last week’s meeting. He is owned by Mr C. W. Boyd, of Palmerston North, who raced Martara before selling him to go to India. In spite of his success on the second day of last week’s meeting, Cape Gabo was in moderate demand again in Saturday’s race and if he had been lucky enough to have recorded another surprise, his dividend would have been almost as big. As it was, he was always in a rear position and finished well back in the field. Synthetic. Synthetic, who attracted attention by finishing well into fourth place in the Longbeach Handicap at Riccarton on

Saturday, is a compact four-year-old by Paper Money, bred and owned by Mr A. J. Tutton, of Rangiora, for whom he is trained by J. Tomkinson. Synthetic has had very little racing, and is one likely to win some good money during the present season. Two well-known combinations of a few years back were in evidence at Riccarton on' Saturday. Silver Ring was ridden in the Heathcote Handicap by G. Humphries, who rode him in practically all of his early races, and Queen of Song was ridden by J. W. Jennings, who rode her to victory in several races, including the Wellington Cup and Great Autumn Handicap, and also finished fourth on her in the Melbourne Cup two years ago.

At a Hack Price. Gold Wren, who won the Hunt Cup and Aylesbury Steeplechase at Riccarton last week, was purchased early in his career by Mr J. Welfare, of Winton, for £ll. He was twice placed in his colours at the Dunedin meeting after which he was leased to an invercargill sportsman. In his first appearance for the latter he won a point-to-point steeplechase at Invercargill. He has had five starts since, winning three races at Riccarton and finishing second at Waimate and Washdyke. The Songbird gelding has not been a genuine stayer, but has improved greatly in stamina in recent starts. A Stayer. Tidewaiter put up a strong finish in each of his wins last week and extra distance should not trouble him. He was got by Tidal from Ballymoy 11, an imported mare by Sonning (son of Sunder) from Bally Kill by His Majesty—Farthingale. A Bold Bid. Valantua was a popular pick for the Heathcote Handicap, but failed to resist a strong challenge from Pukeko, who got up to win in the last couple of strides. Valantua’s was’a bold bid for success. A Good ’Chaser. Valpeen concluded his racing at the Grand National meeting by disputing leadership for the bulk of the journey in the Lincoln Steeplechase. He made a slight mistake at the first of the stand double, but otherwise gave a splendid display of fencing. Travenna. Travenna set a solid pace in the Sydenham Hurdles and apart from a faulty jump at the mile and a-quarter post and screwing at the last hurdle gave a good display. He paid a good dividend in each race, probably owing to a rumour that bad weather had kept him short of work. Fireguard. Fireguard was staying on at the finish of his races at the Grand National meeting but had no chance with Padishah, and meeting Travenna on 221 b. worse terms than when the Tractor gelding beat him in the Jumpers’ Flat did not brighten hopes for success in the Sydenham Hurdles. A Good Performance.

Erinatiori put up a stout-hearted performance at Riccarton on Saturday by finishing fourth in the Sydenham Hurdles and two hours later coming out again and winning the Lincoln Steeplechase. The majority of the Spectators thought that the owner was rather hard on his horse and despite the merit of the performance it was received in almost total silence. Bryce Street. Bryce Street is only a slow stayer without much pace. He must have been about 30 lengths away at one stage of the Lincoln Steeplechase. Coming to the last fence his rider got to work and although Bryce Street responded the effort could only carry him into third place. Another quarter of a mile would have made him a winner. A Bad Run. A run of bad luck has been experienced by Mr W. E. Hazlett, who trains and races horses in partnership with his brother, Mr J. S. Hazlett. There was another leaf added to a chapter of bad luck when the promising hurdler Wild Irishman broke a leg when running in the Spreydon Hurdles. Eastern Chief, Parasang, and Golden Lap were others in the same stable that had their careers terminated by • accidents. Wild Irishman was the youngest and one of the most promising hurdlers in training, and displayed great brilliancy for a novice that looked sure to develop into a good winner. El Caballo is a good jumper, and may develop into a ’chaser that will make amends for the run of bad luck. Hack Density, a three-year-old by Pink Coat, tried to lead all the way in the Longbeach Handicap, but Lady Leigh wore her down. The latter improved on her form earlier in the week. Density, winner of the Maiden Stakes at the Westport meeting, impressed with her brilliant speed, and she looks on the way to good class, at least as a sprinter.

Gay, Hunting owed third place to staying on better’ than a number of speedier opponents. One of these was Gay Lyric, a mare that should pay her way on the West Coast, while another Was Raeburn, a three-year-old that will do better later in the season. For the Stud. The Australiari-bred four-year-old, Moonraker, has had a recurrence of knee trouble which affected her in the early part of last season, and Mr H. D. Greenwood has decided to retire her to the stud. Moonraker, by Rionscup from the Magpie mare Voleuse, was purchased by Mr K. Austin in Sydney for Mr Greenwood with a breeding career in view for her. Night Dress. Night Dress is improving, and should be worthy of note for the spring meetings. He went with Sunbeam for about seven furlongs in the Redcliffs Handicap, but then they faded out.