TURF NEWS & NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 November 1938, Page 9

TURF NEWS & NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE & COURSE

Views on Racing Facts and Fancies

JANET GAYNOR ON THE IMPROVE

(By

“The Cynic.”)

Janet Gaynor has latterly improved in appearance as far as racing shape is concerned. Last year she won three races at the New Zealand Cup meeting, and finished with a win with 8.2 in lmin 24 2-ssec. This year she is up against stronger company.

Waka. The Tractor gelding Waka, who ran a close third in the final event at Wellington, is worthy of note for the future. Versatility, Last year Silver Streak finished third in the New Zealand Cup. This year he will appear amongst the sprinters. A Difference. In the Dunedin ’ Guineas, Defaulter won from Toro Koura and Dunstan. In the Riccarton Handicap, Defaulter is handicapped to give Dunstan 291 b. Viking. Viking has shown speed, but never stamina. However, he was nominated for the Riccarton Handicap, to be run over nine furlongs. Dark Flight. There has naturally been talk about the two-year-olds seen out this season. If Dark Flight, a half-brother by Nigger Minstrel to Nightwings, and Ortyx, has trained on since he won at thq Dunedin spring meeting, it will take a good one to give him much weight in a handicap. Chir PThe chestnut filly Chirp, who won at the Banks Peninsula meeting, came from a long way back to finish third in the Trial Handicap run at the Dunedin spring meeting. She is a three-year-old filly by Full Feather from Lucy Locket, by Boniform—-Killena, by Kilbroney—Ena, by Royal Artillery. The Short Cut. G. Barclay, who is engaged to ride Milford in the New Zealand Cup, had the mount on The Smuggler in the race of 1933, when he finished third to Palantua and Rocket. Barclay covered a good deal of ground on that occasion, and should stick closer to the rails in his next ride. Lady Rosette. Lady Rosette, who won at tj»e Banks < Peninsula meeting, is a half-sister to *■' Vintage, a winner of the Dunedin Cup and Wellington Cup. Lady Rosette shaped well in her final race at the Wellington meeting. No Impression. Malagigi did not appear able to stretch out on the holding track, at Banks Peninsula, and although hard ridden early in the run home, he failed to improve his position in the middle of the field, and Cape Gabo, who was in last place for a while, beat him home. Like Padishah, however, Malagigi is likely to show his true form on the wide and firmer Riccarton track. A Poor Showing. Willie Win's effort was also very disappointing to all concerned. There was an excuse for him in that he did not have a reasonable gallop in his one start at Trentham, and was not galloped after his return until early on Saturday morning, when he ran half a mile with Lady Rosette. It was intended to give him some fast work on Friday, but a grass track was not available. It may be that Willie Win has never recovered properly from his trip to Melbourne last year, as although he always looks well, he has failed badly practically in all of his races since. There is nothing, therefore, to suggest his possibilities on Saturday. Others Discussed. Argentic ran his best race since he was recommissioned, but after being one of the leaders to the straight entrance, he petered right out, form that would not recommend him for a two mile race a week later. Mungatoon did the best of the eight candidates by filling fourth place, but in his case also lack of staying ability found him out in the final stages. Roussea had a track to his liking, but did not make any showing under his light impost, and Happy Knight was in the same position. Both can be struck ~out of calculations. On the other hand, Cape Gabo, both at Trentham and on Saturday only came into the picture at the right end after being long disi tances away from the leaders throughout. However, he does not appeal as a Cup winner. Not in Cup. Dictate’s win created a big impression, and racegoers will regret that he was not left in the Cup. He has certainly failed in many of his races over middle distances, but in his present form he would have come into strong favour. His withdrawal was decided upon owing to a check in his preparation, and to the fear that a hard race over two miles in such circumstances may have had serious effects. Dictate is engaged in other distance events at the meeting and should gain further distinction. A Real Bargain. .' The purchase of Buzalong, winner of the Caulfield Cup, was one of those lucky events of the yearlings sales. Mr A. Leftwich had selected four yearlings at the Sydney sales in 1935 with the intention of buying one of them. Three came under the hammer, but Mr Leftwich found the opposition too strong and dropped out. Mr Leftwich said that when Buzalong came into the ring he was determined to get him. To his surprise and his delight the opposition was weak and he bought him for 110 guineas. Since then Mr Leftwich has refused big offers, including one of 5000 guineas, before Buzalong ran in the Metropolitan. He has always refused all overtures.

Took No Part. It was unfortunate that Paper Slipper did not get a run in his engagement at Motukarara on Saturday. He appeared to jump out smartly, but one of the two strands used for starting caught-in his mouth, and after moving a few yards with the tape trailing behind him, his rider, G. Humphries, pulled him up. It was then too late to pursue the field, so the horse was allowed to run home seven furlongs alone at a sound pace. Paper Slipper had been galloping well before the meeting, and although he had not had a race for some time, he was confidently expected to make a bold showing. Both Paper Slipper and Counterblast are to contest the Stewards’ Handicap, and in them the trustees of the late Sir Charles Clifford hold a very strong hand. A. E. Ellis will ride Paper Slipper and Humphries will have the mount on Counterblast. Invercargill Jottings. Horses engaged at the New Zealand Cup meeting were given their final gallops at Invercargill yesterday morning before being sent to Riccarton. The course proper, with' the poles about 18 feet out, was in use only for those who will be taking part at the cup meeting. Light rain fell during the early morning, and the going was slow. Milford jumped off at the mile and a quarter post, being picked up at the mile by Moonraider, and at the six by Brilliant Boa. Milford ran the first half in 56 4-ssec, the five in lmin 10 1-5 sec, the six in lmin 24sec and the 10 furlongs in 2 min 20 2-ssec. The last mile was run in lmin 51 3-ssec, and the last half in 56 3-ssec. Brilliant Boa was in front at the finish, but Milford does not over-exert himself on the tracks, and this was an excellent final trial. Moonraider was several lengths ' back at the finish. Mondello, Blissful Lady and a Colonel Cygnus—Louise two-year-old jumped off at the half-mile post, running the journey iin 51 2-ssec, the first two in 23 4-ssec, an excellent gallop under the conditions. Mondello was smartest to begin, and was ridden right out at the finish. Blissful Lady was slow to find her feet, and made up a lot of ground over the last furlong Before the Dunedin meeting Mondello had been doing her work on the bit, and her trainer considers that this may have been the reason for her not racing more prominently. Today, after running the first two in better than 24sec, she finished full of running. Tripleeone was a couple of lengths clear of Foxlove and Mona’s Song when they jumped off at the six furlong post. Triplecone ran the first furlong in 12 2-ssec, two in 25sec, the six in lmin 20 2-ssec, and the last half in 55 2-ssec. Mona’s Song got to within a length of Tripleeone at the finish. Foxlove was not in a galloping mood, and was allowed to tail off. This is nothing new for him, but he can al- ; ways be depended on to race very solidly. . J. A. Rowland has decided against taking Ardchoille to the cup meeting, while Cintilla is another who will not make the trip. Rowland will take Blissful Lady, while he will also have Foxlove under his care. Mondello will be one of T. E. Pankhursts’s team, but no decision had been made on Saturday whether Moonraider or Tripleeone would be taken.

RACING FIXTURES

November 4, s—Whangarei.5—Whangarei. November s—Napier Park. November 5,7, 9, 12 —Canterbury. November 12—Napier Park. < November 12, 14 —Avondale. November 19 —Levin. November 19—Southland. November 19, 21—Waikato. November 26—Ashburton County. November 26, 28—Auckland. November 26, 28—Feilding. December 3—Otaki Maori. December 10—Hororata. December 10, 12—Woodville. December 17 —Waipa. December 24, 26, 27— Manawatu. December 26—Waipukurau. December 26, 27—Dunedin. December 26, 27 —Tarandki.