TURF NEWS & NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 October 1938, Page 9

TURF NEWS & NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE & COURSE

Views on Racing Facts and Fancies

GLEN ABB IN FORWARD ORDER

(By “The Cynic.’’)

It is understood that the Mitchelson Cup winner Malagigi will definitely contest the New Zealand Cup. He will be ridden again by H. N. Wiggins, and he will carry the confidence of northern supporters.

Glen Abb looked in forward order when he contested the open sprints at the recent Auckland meeting, and the two runs he had should help to fit him for coming handicap events. It ’is probable that he will race next at Whangarei, where he has .previously won.

Gay Seton went only fair races at Ellerslie, and now that the tracks are becoming firmer his chances of getting on the winning list are not too bright. His third the first day, when the course was a trifle soft, indicates that he is best suited when the going is yielding. After two disappointing efforts at Paeroa, Jayola went a good race in the Great Northern Guineas, and an easy win followed in the hack mile at Ellerslie, indicating that his previous form was all wrong. This galloper should not be left out of any future reckoning when the class is not the best, for he is a most capable sort. On the way back to Gisborne he and his travelling companion met with a mishap, but the horses were not injured.

Devon on Improve. One of the surprises among the hacks at the Auckland meeting was the forward showing made by Devon. On the first day, and also earlier on the provincial circuit, he had exhibited some speed, but nobody could have expected him to finish fourth to such horses as Jayola, Ring Shot, and Inquisitor. On that showing alone he must be considered a possibility for a maiden or hack handicap in the near future. He is an aged gelding by Little England from a mare by Archiestown, and is therefore bred to jump.

Track Work at Riccarton.

The outside of the course proper at Riccarton on Monday was open for use by horses booked to race at Trentham, and most of the trainers interested took advantage of the excellent going provided. A few other horses not included in the privilege were also galloped on the track under special arrangement. The inside of the trial grass was available for the remainder.

On Course Proper. Sovereign Lady and Disdain were sent nine furlongs, taking 53secs. for the last half-mile. Sovereign Lady led her stable-mate throughout at a steady pace without any inclination to go against the watch. It was the first time Disdain had been sent over any distance of ground, and although she was not put to any serious test, her work was very satisfactory.

A Good Mile.

Trench Fight showed a marked improvement on his gallop on Thursday by keeping Wild Chase up to his work over the final stages of a mile task in the good time of lmin. 42secs„ the first half taking 49 3-ssecs. Wild Chase again went exceptionally well, and held the upper hand throughout the gallop. Winning Rival was let off with an easy five furlongs, and Counterblast did similar work. Kinnoull was going better than Cape Gabo at the end of a mile in lmin. 45secs., the first half in 52 3-ssecs. The former pulled up quite sound, and can be depended upon again to have a profitable trip to Trentham. Flame Queen and Recollection finished abreast at the end of seven furlongs in lmin. 32secs., the last four in 52 3-ssecs., and their stable-mate Redolent was given a working gallop over a mile. Not Extended. Defaulter was going easily in front of Waitaka and Night Dress after covering a mile in lmin. 45 3-ssecs., the first half in 50 3-ssecs. Defaulter could have reduced these figures substantially if he had been called upon to do so.

Lame Again. Grey Honour and Rebel Star were together well clear of Phalanx at the end of six furlongs run in Imin 17 l-ssecs., the last half-mile in 53 l-ssecs. Grey Honour was lame later, and is a doubtful visitor to Trentham. Rebel Star shaped creditably, but Phalanx did not give a very encouraging display over the last furlong.

Cost I,4oogns. The success of Esperanto in the Debutant Stakes at Caulfield would no doubt be very pleasing to his trainer, J. T. Jamieson, who bought the colt at auction in Melbourne on behalf of Mrs J. C. Bancks for l,4oogns. Jamieson bred Esperanto's dam, Palyxena, whom he sold to H. R. Telford, owner-trainer of Phar Lap. Palyxena was by Chief Ruler from Podokes, hence a full-sister to Upoko Ariki, Chief Joy, and Panjandrum. Stretto Returns. The brilliant New Zealand performer Stretto, after an absence of several months in Sydney, returned to Auckland by the Wanganella last Wednesday. Stretto more than paid expenses in Australia with earnings of £9OO, and success instead of a narrow defeat in the Craven Plate at Randwick vzould have made the trip very profitable. She is to rejoin R. S. Bagby’s stable and be prepared for racing at the summer carnival at Ellerslie.

From an Imported Granddam. The awarding of the Great Northern Guineas to Hot Box has given the family of the English-bred mare, Pebble 11, its first classic success. Pebble 11. a daughter of Rock Flint, threw Iceball, her first foal, to Valky-

rian in 1925, and she has produced nine other progeny, none of whom has achieved any distinction on the turf. Iceball went early to the stud, in 1929, Hot Box being her sixth foal. Her first foal, Sastrugi, won at the end of her two-year-old season, but she did not race again. Her full-sister Snowball did not win until the end of her third season, but as a five-year-old she came into her own, winning seven races, and she won 10 events in all.

Versatile.

The hurdlers seen out at Ellerslie were dominated by Erination, whose versatility has proved surprising, even in the Auckland district, where racegoers are used to jumpers mixing hurdling and steeplechasing successfully. His performance in winning on the final day at Ellerslie with 13.0 in the saddle was appreciated by the crowd, and it set tongues wagging as to weight-carrying efforts of the past. Middle shaped fairly well in this class, but he made one mistake on the second day and paid for it by falling at the second fence. He should find the opposition and the obstacles at Waverley much easier. Royevrus was sore when he went out to contest the open sprint on the second day at Ellerslie, and, as there has been little relief from this trouble since, his Trentham trip has been abandoned. He has proved himself a brilliant colt, and is going to take all sorts of beating in the hack plate event at Avondale next month if his trouble does not interfere with his preparation.

Promising Sprinters. Two sprinters who exhibited promise at Ellerslie were Golden Sheila and Bachelor King. The latter was having his first race for some time and showed up for most of the journey on the second day, although weakening in the straight. This was his falling last term, but with age he may now run on better. Golden Sheila has also shown pace in her few outings, and, awhile she is still high in the weights, her return to the winning list may not be far off. Lost Form. Royal Bachelor appears to have lost his form, for while he showed some pace at Ellerslie last weekend he did not manage to get to the front and' his chances were not enhanced by that fact. It is possible his rider was instructed to try him in behind, and under this method he certainly retained his place at the turn passing the post. He is too speedy to write off just yet and his turn may come, for he can be placed. A smart hack who should very nearly win next time .up is the three-year-old filly Noitaro. She has the pace of her sire Oration, and is not unlike him in appearance, even if she has a long way to go before she can claim to be anywhere near as good. However, her showing at Ellerslie last week was very impressive, for she finished third to two oustanding hacks in Balinavar and Sly Fox after getting badly away. She is engaged at the Hunt Fixture at Cambridge on Labour Day and it will take a good one to beat her, especially if she is sent for the hack race.

Pure Strinter. More than useful as a two-year-old last season but under suspicion for respiratory weakness, Arvakur was watched with more than usual interest when he contested the sprints at the recent Auckland meeting. On the first day he tailed on strongly to be fifth, and while his effort on the second day was .scarcely as good, it may be as well to take his first day’s showing as the best guide. It does not, however, seem as if he will be anything except a pure sprinter.