TURF NEWS & NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 September 1938, Page 11

TURF NEWS & NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE & COURSE Views on Racing Facts and Fancies SLY FOX IMPRESSIVE (By “The Cynic.”)

One of the most Impressive victories at Avondale on. Saturday was that of Sly Fox in the Champion Hack Plate. On Friday, Sly Fox galloped six furlongs at Ellerslie in 1.17 3-5 and prepared those who' saw it for a possible victory the next day. In the race, Olympus was a hot favourite, but Sly Fox had him beaten a furlong from home, and came on to an easy victory.

Australia, will improve, and he looks almost certain to stay, but he will have no easy task in Australia. Horses like Ajax, Gold Rod, Royal Chief and Avenger, to say nothing of those of his own age, will be formidable opponents in weight-for-age events, and Australian handicap class at this time of the year is also very strong. Gold Salute. Gold Salute, who finished second in the John Grigg Stakes, is a chestnut colt got by Lord Warden —Frenzied Finance, by Papei- Money—Peronilla, by Achilles—Prelude, by Merrie England, and belongs to the Rosebud taproot, which has produced many good winners over short and long distances. Brandon. The two-year-old gelding Brandon hung fire at the start of the John Grigg Stakes and did very well to make up a lot of ground to finish third. He is a bit on the small side and was got by Roydon from Bran Pie, by Buckwheat —Eager Eyes, by Cesarion—Susie Bush. Eager Eyes is an American-bred mare brought out with a big shipment of xbloodstock in 1912. Eager Eyes was afterwards sent back to Australia to visit Buckwheat. Useful Races. Owner-trainer P. Holman has reason to feel hopeful about the Siegfried gelding Screen Star, who has run two useful races in his last two outings. He had no chance with Royal Choice at Foxton, but he beat everything else and fought on gamely when tackled by Nereus in the straight. On his most recent form Screen Star has prospects in a minor hack race at the provincial meetings. Faded Out. There was a little support for Mother-in-Law in the distance hack race at Foxton, but she faded out after lying handy to the leader for nearly seven furlongs. She is mean looking and light just now and the support was not justified by her appearance. The Bigot. The Bigot has taken on some flesh since he last raced and it will require a harder race than he got on Saturday to fine him down. He should also be more at home on a roomier track than that at Foxton. The Bigot is an entire and has developed into an attractive looking horse. Condition Failed. Royal Minstrel looked as big as a show horse when he stripped for the Robinson Handicap at Foxton. He went a fair race until his condition failed him. ” Speedy Novice. Lady Middleham is coming to hand nicely for W. J. Cameron. She is a speedy novice who has benefited from a good spell, but like many of the Paper Money breed is inclined to be highly-strung. In several of her starts to date she has had a big following, but though with place form to her credit has yet to lead a field home. Leg Trouble. H. Kearns made,an unsuccessful attempt in getting Riptide to make a “come-back” and it is not likely that he will be tried again. At one stage of his career, he showed some smart form, but leg troubles made him a difficult proposition to keep right. In Work Again. The Duel, a four-year-old bay horse by Rapier from Warlove, is back in work again. As a two-year-old, D. Cotton had him in training for a while, but he failed to show any form. Now H. Kearns is trying his hand with him. The Duel, though solid, is small, while he is also temperamental. Kearns is also working an unnamed three-year-old gelding by Robespierre from Zora a Catmint mare from Verintia, dam of Rebel Chief. Not Sound. Patuma, a bright spot among the novice hurdlers at Riccarton, staggered to a walk during a school with Dividend and The Sandwichman. Earlier, Patuma had a weak constitution, but recently appeared to be much stronger. Unless the disability is only a temporary one, and it did not look like it, this Cockpit gelding may end his racing career without winning a race. RACING FIXTURES. September 22, 24. —Geraldine R.C. September 24. —Marton J.C. October 1. —Otaki-Maori Racing Club. October 1. —Kurow Jockey Club. October 1, 3. —Ohinemuri Jockey Club. October 6, 8. —Dunedin Jockey Club. October 7, 8. —Auckland Racing Club. October 8, 10. —Hawke’s Bay Jockey Club. October 12 and 13. —Masterton Racing Club. October 15.—South Canterbury Jockey Club. October 20, 22, 24. —Wellington R.C. October 22, 24.—Gore Racing Club. October 24. —North Canterbury J.C. October 24. —Waverley R.C. October 24. —Waikato Hunt Club.

By Hunting Song—Gazi, Sly Fox is a full brother to that good performer Sporting Blood and if he trains on he may be just as good. The first indication Sly Fox gave Aucklanders .of his ability was at Waipa last December when in a head and head finish he was third to Kena and Balinavar with Jack Tar fourth over eight and a half furlongs. Sly Fox raced well in hack sprints at Trentham in July, but he seems to relish a journey and if he is not a good handicap horse in the making I will be much mistaken. Like Sporting Blood, a product of Gisborne, Sly Fox is owned and trained by Mr A. Mclntosh.

Good Prospects. The Taranaki jumper Don Erma is a steeplechase entrant at Paeroa, where there are not many good horses engaged. He has previously .raced well in the north and will be regarded as a good prospect if he makes' the trip this time.

Speedy. Although unplaced at Avondale, Penzance showed plenty of speed, and it appears quite likely that she will regain the form she showed as an early two-year-old. By Raceful —Lady Lois, Penzance belongs to the same family as Gay Chief, Gay Seton, Tuahine and numerous other winners. She did not race as a three-year-old until the season was practically over so that she has had a long lay-off.

Improving. The recent work of Marie’s Acre indicates that the relative of Gay Blonde is coming on rapidly. Marie’s Acre showed excellent form last season when he was often sore. He is now quite free from that trouble, and will be respected the first time he is taken to the races. He has been doing better work than Philcourt, a stablemate, who ran third in the Flying on Saturday and won the Guineas. Doing Well. Thatpromising hack Balinavar is reported to be doing well in his early season work at Te Awamutu. The Acre gelding has some good efforts to his credit and looks like turning out well at four-year-old. He is expected to make a reappearance at the Ohinemuri meeting.

Up Against Class. Amigo, who was recently taken to