TURF NEWS & NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 October 1938, Page 11

TURF NEWS & NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE & COURSE Views on Racing Facts and Fancies MALAGIGI’S MITCHELSON CUP WIN (By “The Cynic.”)

The five-year-old Malagigi achieved his second success at a mile and a-half when he scored narrowly in the MitCup from Mazir, and he deep- ’’ ened the impression that he is a good stayer. As a result of the performance, he is likely to advance in favour for the New Zealand Cup, in which he is nicely placed with 7.5, but is now eligible for a rehandicap. Malagigi moved into a good position just behind the leaders at the turn and ran on in the most resolute fashion under pressure. Mazir ran one of his best races and, after following the winner into the straight, made a valiant effort to head him in the last furlong. The top-weight King Rey has seldom, if ever, performed better. He made a great bid on the outside in the run home but found the first and second just too good at the weights. Cheval de Volee stayed better than'expected for fourth. Happy Landing, who went to the front six furlongs from home, Kena and Shy were right with' the leaders commencing the last furlong and then weakened. Palmint also shaped creditably. The favourite Francis Drake was slow away and never flattered the hopes of his supporters. i Daniel Defoe. A youngster whose debut is being keenly awaited is Daniel Defoe, a brown colt by Defoe out of the Arausio —Martulia mare Aratulla, and it is noted that he is engaged in the three juvenile handicaps at the Wellington

meeting, but not in the Wellesley Stakes, for which he was not nominated. Daniel Defoe had further experience in a sprint down the straight prior to the races at Otaki, and those who saw him must have thought the horse was a three-year-old at least by his size. An Oaks Possibility. Great Flight, a winner at Wingatui on Saturday, impressed racegoers by her free-going action, and by the indications she gave of later doing well over middle distances. She had often displayed promising form on the tracks but was not raced until the first day at Dunedin. That effort was against some seasoned hacks and she did not show up, but there was no doubt about her superiority amongst the maidens on Saturday. Great Flight is in the New Zealand Oaks, and appeals as one likely to be selected as the representative in that classic of the. Clifford colours. Expensive. Rousseau was credited with sprinting three furlongs at Wingatui on Saturday morning in faster time than he had ever previously recorded in a track gallop, and as the going, which had been softened by rain, was considered to be to hjs liking, he was sent out a strong favourite for his engagement over 10 furlongs and a half, but after looking dangerous in the early part of the run home, he failed badly. This five-year-old has been booked to contest the New Zealand Cup, but, like many other candidates seen out last week, he will need to show something more satisfactory to qualify for inclusion in the ultimate field.

Won Easily. Defaulter beat a weak field in the Dunedih Guineas at Wingatui on Saturday With ridiculous ease, and the way in which he did his task and cantered in four lengths clear of Toro kpura after running the last half-mile in 49 2-ssecs. augurs well for his prospects of ending up the season as the champion three-year-old of the Dominion. Defaulter will race next at Trentham, his first start possibly being in the mile Wainui Handicap, but he is certain to start in the Trentham Stakes and Harcourt Stakes. In both these races he will have excellent prospects. G. H, Humphries took no chances with Defaulter on this occasion, as when he took the lead from Toro Koura half-way down the straight he kept the Defoe colt up to his work until there was no chance of anything catching him. Even Class Three-year-olds,

The running in the Great Northern Guineas demonstrated that at a mile there is not a great deal to choose between several of the three-year-olds. The first five passed the post almost in line and it was unfortunate that interference in the straight by Gay Son necessitated the stewards relegating him to third after his finishing first and their awarding the position to Hot Box and second to Philcourt. There is no doubt that Gay Son hampered both Hot Box and Philcourt when he shifted out in the straight and continued to veer out in the run home. After coming out on to Hot Box shortly after rounding the turn and finally crossing him, Gay Son bored on to Philcourt, who was taken almost to the outside fence and considerably hampered in the last furlong. It appeared as if Hot Box and Philcourt would both have beaten Gay Son without the interference, and Philcourt might have won. The fast pace caused Russian Ballet to weaken slightly near the end. Jayola and Homily shaped very creditably.

Good Progress. Alloa’s education as a hurdler is progressing. He jumped the first two fences at Otaki rather slovenly, but after that he did better, although he checked to clear each one. Alloa looks in nice order at present, and his next race most likely will be in the highweight at Masterton this week.

Southern Blood. Southern Blood is a real bread-and-butter horse and in small fields is always hard to beat over hurdles. He must possess a queer temperament, as he never seems to go properly until he hits a couple of fences. Then he can jump with the best of them. Some of the mistakes he has made in recent starts would have brought most horses down, but they have had the opposite effect on Southern Blood and made him go better.

Solid Condition. The Grandcourt gelding, Dorado, has never looked in more solid condition than he is just now. His age is against him, but he is an honest plodder, who always has a chance when the best horses are left in their stalls.

Staying Hack. Auctor, which left novice ranks at Geraldine recently, was far too good for the hacks opposing him in the Kaikorai Handicap. He had the lead soon after the start and was never troubled to win by three lengths. Natty, the runner-up, was always within striking distance, but had no chance of troubling Auctor, which looks like developing into a good staying hack. Straightdell, third, was another which had every chance.

RACING FIXTURES.

October 12 and 13.—Masterton Racing Club. October 15. —South Canterbury Jockey Club. October 24. —Waikato Hunt 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.

Brown Lap Destroyed. When Brown Lap blundered at the last fence in the Trial Hurdles at Ellesrlie on Saturday he broke his near hind leg and had to be destroyed. Brown Lap was an aged brown gelding by Lapidary from Dido and was a useful performer on the flat.

Russian Ballet’s Sister. Serenata, who carried the colours of Mrs W. Richmond, is a sister to the Wanganui Guineas winner Russian Ballet, being by Nightmarch from Praise. This filly was passed in at the last national yearling sales at 200 guineas and subsequently was bought privately.

Paper Money. Paper Money sired Money Order, Countersign, Silver Paper, and Paper Slipper, all winners of the Dunedin Guineas, and this year he got the dam of the winner, Defaulter. Paper Money had winners at Wingatui last week in Withdrawal and Silver Streak, and also sired the dame of Nightwings and Dark Flight.

Dark Flight. Judged by the manner in which Dark Flight strode home in the Dominion Handicap, he was improved by his race in the McLean Stakes. Dark Flight is a well-grown two-year-old, who, with ordinary luck, will add to his initial success. Dark Flight was got by Nigger Minstrel from Francolin by Paper Money—Philmela, by Bezonian— Philomel, by Birkenhead —Arethusa, by Dreadnought—Dryady, by St Leger —Wood Nymph, by Musket —Sylvia,- by Fisherman. With such a pedigree Dark Flight should add stamina to the speed already displayed as he adds strength to his frame with age. Fair Race. Boomerang ran a fair race for a fresh horse in the Ling Memorial at Otaki, and the outing would sharpen him up for near-at-hand engagements. He is not a sound horse, but might pick up a race while the tracks remain easy.