TURF NEWS & NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 November 1938, Page 9

TURF NEWS & NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE & COURSE

Views on Racing Facts and Fancies

HORSES FOR COURSES

(By “The Cynic.”)

Rarotonga, who had been off the winning list since he won a double at Feilding 12 months ago, staged a strong finishing run to win the Kowhai Hack and thus prove the old adage of horses for courses. He appeared to suffer a check when Shangri La went back going out of the straight and had to make a long sustained run from the three furlongs. Responding well under pressure he came through to wear down Glenthawn and Corroboree, who appeared to have the race to themselves up the straight. A Big Dividend. When Rodeo 11. and Chealsea Beach respectively won the Duke of York Handicap and Rivermead Plate at Kempton Park on October 1 they were so little fancied that only four tickets were taken on the double tote, and the dividend for 10s was £953 18s. Rodeo H.’s straight price in the ring was 16 to 1, and that of Chelsea Beach 20 to 1; their respective tote prices were 26 to 1 and 79j to 1.. It is not surprising that the tote continues to grow in popularity in England. Horses Have Improved. When Hova was credited with 2.6 in the Final Handicap at the 1893 Melbourne Cup Meeting, that time was received with considerable doubt. It reduced Carbine’s record —made at Randwick —by a second, and that savoured of the impossible. When Manolive won the Final Handicap in 2.2 on the concluding day of the recent Melbourne Cup Meeting it merely further demonstrated that our horses are faster now than they were between 40 and 50 years ago. Flemington has improved since 1893, but not to the extent of 4sec in a mile and a-quarter. Speedy Hacks. When Foxlove won on the final day at Riccarton, Toro Koura beat Phalanx for second, and there was a similar result in the Winchmore Handicap at Ashburton, with nothing to head them off on this occasion. Toro Koura again gave evidence of improvement. Phalanx followed him all the way and will be unlucky if his winning turn is delayed much longer. Should Pay to Follow. Gay Parade at Ashburton improved on the form he showed at Riccarton and should pay to follow on. Worth Watching. Dictate ran a creditable race in the Tinwald Handicap at Ashburton, and he should do even better in the North Island in the next few weeks. — Hurdler in the Making. Dazzling Raid,'by Night Raid from Dazzling Light, is reported to be making good progress in his education as a hurdler at Invercargill. He is now eight years old and won a race in Australia. A Sherlock Holmes. The man from the country knew all about the art and craft of trotting, and from what he told the waiters in the hair-dressing saloon he must have backed every winner on the first day. He told his listeners how he hadcome to back one winner which had paid a good dividend. He and his mate had visited the horse boxes to see the contestants coming out for the next race. He had at once noticed than one horse was favouring its left shoulder, and had quickly informed his mate that that was the animal for their money. He could see —at least that was what he informed his listeners —that the horse had had a “charge” as he called it, in the shoulder! Anyway the horse won all right. “You have to keep your eyes open when you go to the races,” he jauntily remarked as he walked with a confident step from the saloon.

May do better. Glenthawn ran his best race at Feilding for some time and may improve. A Good Winner. Since 1922 the Aga Khan’s horses have won £538.340 in England. Should Win Soon. ' Maroha registered a good effort to be second in the Apprentices’ Hack Handicap at Ashburton, as he was well placed all the way, and he finished solidly. He should win soon. Tepoto at Her Best. The erratic Tepoto was on her best behaviour in the Milford Handicap at Ellerslie and, after displaying great dash to reach the front early from No 12, she gave nothing a chance. Tepoto has always had plenty of speed, but the trouble with her has been that she has been uncertain at the barrier. Defeat of Balinavar, As a result of his victories in his two previous starts, Balinavpr was supported down to a very short price for the Takapuna Plate, but he had to be content with second to the third fancy, Oriental Bay. Balinavar flattered the hopes of his supporters when he ran up on the outside to join the pacemaker, Maxam, just after entering the straight and he appeared likely to win when he was in front after passing the distance. However, Oriental Bay, who was very patiently ridden by H. N. Wiggins, came through with a strong run on the inside and got up to beat him narrowly. Oriental Bay had not done much racing and he is useful. Balinavar looked as if he would be improved with the race. Padishah Looking Better. After a few days’ holiday Padishah is on the Hastings tracks, looking all the better for his trip to the South Island. He is being kept up to the collar as his owner-trainer, Mr J. Hennah, has decided to essay the Auckland Cup again. In the autumn, Padishah, in all probability, will be taken to Melbourne for the Australian Hurdle Race and the distance, three miles and a-quarter should suit him. Bound for Melbourne. Two Foxbridge two-year-olds, a colt from Green Linne, and K a filly from Ripple Song, are booked to leave Auckland for Melbourne on December 8 to join J. Fryer’s stable. The former is

owned by Fryer and the latter will carry the colours of Mr F. Cleland, Otorohanga.

Offer for Konneta Refused. Mr M. Steinberg, owner of the two-year-old Konneta, has refused an offer of 3000 guineas from Mr Sol Green, the well-known Australian owner. The offer was made after Konneta had won at Ellerslie cn Monday.

Wotan for Auckland Cup. Wotan will not race again till the Auckland Cup. He thrives on a very light preparation, with little galloping. It is probable that he will be ridden at Ellerslie by the stable apprentice, G. P. Dowrick, who was successful on him in Feilding, and who rides him in all his work. Wotan is a natural stayer, and in his best form will have to be considered in Auckland, but like all true stayers he will need the race run at a sound pace all the way.

Linguist to Start at Otaki. Linguist, in charge of S. Barr, was shipped from Christchurch to the North Island yesterday to race in Otaki on Saturday and in Woodville next week. A. Leach will ride her in her hurdle engagements. Linguist has shown promising form as a hurdler and should race well in Otaki and Woodville. She will probably remain in the north for the Taranaki and Stratford holiday meetings.

Auckland Cup Weights. The weights for the Auckland Cup, two miles, are as follow: —Padishah 9.0, Willie Win 8.12, Flood Tide. Argentic, Wild Chase, The Buzzer 8.11, Arctic King 8.10, Round Up, Mazir, Trench Fight 8.8, Quadroon 8.4, Wotan 8.3, Master Brierly 8.2, Cerne Abbas 7.12, Valamito 7.11, Malagigi 7.10, Knight of Australia, Francis Drake, Dictate 7.6, Kelly 7.4, Sly Fox, Kena, Gay Rose, The Bigot 7.3, Tidewaiter 7.1, Armacourt, Boomerang, Birthday Boy, Bon Star, Barrister, Conveyer, Coronation, Cheval de Volee, Erination, Galteemore, Gold Vaals, Happy Landing, Happy Night, Melvanui, Palmint, Parquet, Paddy the Rip, Roaming, Romani, Skyway, Silver River, Shy 7.0.