TURF NEWS & NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 August 1938, Page 9

TURF NEWS & NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE & COURSE Views on Racing Facts and Fancies GRAND NATIONAL DOUBLE (By “The Cynic.”)

While the Grand National double still proves beyond the ability of all the horses which has attempted it, there is a very different record in connection with the Great Northerns, run the Auckland Racing, Club’s meeting in June, Liberator, trained at Riccarton, won the Great Northern double in 1895. He was New Zealand’s best hurdler, having won the Grand National Hurdles the preceding year with 12.6, and he was weighted at 12.9 in the Great Northern Hurdles, while, though a novice over country, he had ,11.12 in the steeplechase. Twenty years elapsed before the performance was repeated Dy El Gallo, in 1915. He carried only 9.0 in the hurdles and 9.7 in the steeplechase, but he confirmed the form by winning again in the following year, when the respective weights were 10.13 and 11.5.

South island Again. In 1920. Lorbella, from Wingatui, gave the South Island another turn by capturing the double. He had won the Grand National Steeplechase the previous year with 9.9, and he had 11.0 in the Great Northern Steeplechase, but, his hurdle form being negligible, he had only 9.13 in the Great Northern Hurdles. Five years later, Sir Roseberry won the hurdle race with 10.12 and the steeplechase (his second success in that event) with 11.5. No horse has won the double since, though each year usually sees a few horses taking part in both races. The steeplechase fences at Ellerslie are not so difficult as those at Riccarton, and that makes the jumping part of the contest easier for a good hurdler, though the hill, which has to be negotiated more than once, makes the course a test of stamina. Apart from that aspect, the fact that the hurdle race precedes the steeplechase at Ellerslie is another reason why the winning of the Ellerslie double is easier than Riccarton, whete the steeplechase, with its big fences, is run before the hurdle race. Outstanding Records. While many horses have competed in the hurdles and the steeplechase at Ellerslie, and a lesser number have run in both races at Riccarton, there have been two horses with outstanding records for versatility, demonstrated at the three most important winter meetings. In 1930. Aurora Borealis was third in the Great Northern Hurdles and won the-Great- Northern Steeplechase/at Trentham, she was second in the Wellington Steeplechase, and unplaced in the Winter Hurdles; while at Riccarton, she won the Grand National Steeplechase and ran second in the Grand National Hurdles. A similar programme was set this year for Erination. Starting off at Ellerslie, he won the Great Northern Hurdles and was third in the Great Northern Steeples; at Trentham, he won the Wellington Steeplechase and was fourth in the Winter Hnrdles; while at Riccarton, he lost his rider in the Grand National Steeplechase and was fourth in the Grand National Hurdles. Erination, however, wound up with something extra. On the final < day, after running fourth in the Sydenham Hurdles, he made another appearance, winning the Lincoln Steeplechase. His record may never be repeated at Riccarton.

i omcat. Tomcat was bulky and carty when first placed in training, and just a slow plodder in pace. He has gradually improved, and shaped promisingly at Riccarton. Tomcat is a good jumper, and has. a pedigree that should infuse some speed and stamina into his action. He was got by Nightmarch from Pink Terrace' by Tractor —All Pink, by All Red. Pink Terrace is a half-sister to Pink Note, a winner of the Dunedin Cup and twice second in the same race.

T. Lyford. T. Lyford, who rode the second horse, Mousetrap, in the first Grand National Steeplechase won by Royalty in 1876, is still alive and well, living in retirement in Taranaki. Lyford won on Agent in 1884, Faugh-a-Ballagh in 1887, and Daddy Longlegs in 1890. He was also on placed mounts on other occasions. In’ the early days of the Grand National Steeplechase there was a water jump with 15 feet of water on the far side of the fence, and Mousetrap is credited with covering 37 feet in clearing it. Prize for Trainers. Before racing began at Moorefield on July 30, J. T. Jamieson, with 34 points, led the field for the- first prize of £75 in the trainers’ competition for the most winners at that track during the 1937-38 racing season. When Pultus won, and Aeolus and Korimako finished second in their races,, Peter Riddle’s total went from 28 to 424, and he landed the big end of the prize. Jamieson and King (who won with Miss Commond) divided second and third money, with 34 points. Their share of the prize money was £l2 10s each.

A Great Bargain. The most valuable two-year-old race in England is the National Breeders’ Plate, at Sandown Park. It was run on July 16, and was won by a cheap yearling, owned by Mrs D. Thomas, and trained by S. Donoghue. At last year’s Doncaster sales Mrs D. Thomas gave 240 guineas for a grey yearling cold by Mr Jinks out of Apple Ring, and the race won by him was worth £6151. He ran without a name. Bred by Captain J. B. and Lady Moyra Fitzgerald, the colt was offered as a yearling with his engagements, and Mrs Thomas kept him in the expensive races when the forfeits became due. It was because of these engagements Mrs Thomas was able-to purchase, the colt at such -a low figure. English buyers do not like low-priced yearlings that have been freely nominated for important races. The forfeits alone come to an amount not, as a rule, in keeping with the supposed value of the horse.

Hunt Club Meeting. The Manawatu Hunt Club held a steeplechase meeting at Otaki on Saturday, there being a splendid attendance. Results: —Maiden Hunteis Trial. —Mr G. Wade’s Pet. Lightweight Point-to-Point’ Steeplechase.— Mr W. Bills’s Starmond. Open Heavyweight Point-to-Point SteeplechaseMiss Morrison’s General. Walk and Gallop.—Mrs W. G. Shannon’s Bluffer. Open Lightweight Steeplechase.—Mr H. R. Cameron’s Daniel Boone. Open Hunters’ Trial'.—Miss Morrison’s Silver. Ladies’ Bracelet. —Mr N. Bicknell’s Kohika.