CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE & COURSE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 November 1938, Page 2

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE & COURSE

Views on Racing Facts and Fancies GAY PARADE HEAVILY WEIGHTED

(By

“The Cynic.”)

Gay Parade is recognised as a smart hack, but the weight allotted him in the Linwood Handicap on the first day of the Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting must have caused general surprise. The Nightmarch gelding won a division of a maiden race at Ashburton in September for which he received £7O, and a week later he won a hack race over seven furlongs 'at Geraldine, earning £lOO, since then he has not raced. For these two wins, Gay Parade was given 8.12 or 91bs. more than Lord Cavendish’s weight. Lord Cavendish won a division of the Weraroa Stakes at the Combined Hunt meeting at Taranaki —worth £7O and his next win—after two unplaced performances was in the trial Stakes at Trentham of seven furlongs for which he received £2lO. Trentham is generally recognised as one of the most difficult courses in the Dominion on which to succeed, so there would appear to be much more merit in the performances of Lord Cavendish than in those of Gay Parade. Probably Gay Parade will now contest the Spring Plate in preference to the Linwood Handicap. Mention of Geraldine brings to mind that Romarin, a winner at the meetings, gets in on the minimum of the Linwood Handicap and Great Flight, a Dunedin winner, is just as fortunate.

Sprinted Well. That Marie’s Acre’s two hard races at Ellerslie did him no harm, he showed by sprinting in fine style during the week. In the past, Marie’s Acre has been subject to attacks of soreness, but he is quite free at present and if easy conditions are maintained, he is expected to reach a high standard before the season is over.

In Work Again.

After a short respite, Philcourt is again being sent along in his work, and he has shown that there is little amiss with him. Regarded as the unlucky horse in the G.N. Guineas, he usually does better on race-day than on the track, and it will be surprising if he does not soon win a good handicap.

Recent Winners.!

Aggravate, Plumage and Romarin, who are engaged in the Apprentices’ Handicap on the first day of the Cup meeting all opened their winning accounts recently and each now has one winning bracket. The first named fared worst for his win—which was in a highweight at Rangiora, as in the Riccarton race under discussion he has to give the other two recent maiden winners 71bs.

Looks Good. Gay Son, looking all the better for his Trentham racing, arrived at Riccarton in the middle of last week, and he has thrived in his new quarters since his arrival. While Gay Son’s prospects against Defaulter do not look bright, his chances of making the trip more than payable are better.

Is Fit The Bigot had only one race at Trentham where he was not started on the last day on account of the soft track, but he looks thoroughly fit and well and he may be expected to soon improve on his fourth placing in the Wainui mile.

Settling Down. M. J. Carroll has Hunting Blood in regular work at Te Rapa, and it may not be long before this speed merchant ’is again in good form. He is settling down with racing, and, all going well, may reach a high standard as a 1 sprinter this season.

Doing Well. Top Rank is doing well in his work and he is looking a picture of condition at present. The Brush Hurdle races at Riccarton should see him performing well again.

Counterblast. * G. Humphries has decided to take the ride on Counterblast in the Stewards’ Handicap and it is more than likely that A. E. Ellis will be on Paper Slipper. Paper Slipper has come down in the weights as the result of his disappointing form over some months and with 8.6 he would give the opposition little chance if he were to show his best. Two years ago Paper Slipper won the Stewards’ under 8.5. Stopped Quickly. Although a good type of horse, King Silver seems to be getting badly affected in the wind. He stopped quickly in both his races at Rotorua on Saturday. Star Artist Schooled. Star Artist was schooled over four flights of hurdles at Te Rapa recently and she acquitted herself satisfactorily. At the first and last obstacle she failed to jump with any dash, but at the other two, she indicated distinct promise.

Star Artist was a useful sprint performer for R. T: Reid a couple of seasons ago, and hopes are entertained that she may make good in the new department selected for her future activities.

Silver Jubilee Breaks Down.

Towards the close of betting on the Haere Ra Handicap at Rotorua there was a rush to be on Silver Jubilee, with the result that he wound up a better favourite than his stablemate. Miss Te Koura, who had been the prime fancy in the early b’etting.

Unfortunately for Silver Jubilee’s supporters, he was seen to falter after barrier rise and he came in last a very lame horse.

Silver Jubilee is said to have galloped brilliantly at Matamata last week, thus giving a reason for the support accorded him. It would seem that his days of usefulness as a racer may be ended. Miss Te Koura won the race in decisive fashion, but the result was probably a facer to supporters of A. McGregor’s stable.

Fine Mare.

Simla, winner of the Innovation Handicap at Rotorua, is a fine big mare by Speardance—Lady Rewa, and it will be surprising if she does hot see a much better day. Simla is now trained by H. T. Paul at Rotorua. A Good Type. :■ The classes beaten by Dauber in his two recent victories were not strong, but the Romney gelding beat them pointlessly. He is a good type of gelding and a fit one likely to do A. Tinker further good service in the near future. Little Briton. Endorsing the fine impression he -made in the Hunters’ Hurdles at Cambridge Little Briton made short work of the opposition over the concluding stages of the Hack and Hunters’ Hurdles at Rotorua on Saturday. Jumping in polished style throughout he had drawn on terms with the pacemaker Valueless along the back and hitting the front half-a-mile from home the issue never afterwards appeared in doubt. And he won with something in reserve.