TURF NEWS & NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 January 1939, Page 9

TURF NEWS & NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE & COURSE

Views on Racing Facts and Fancies DEFAULTER AND ROYAL CHIEF

(By

“The Cynic.”)

A clash of the widest interest which may eventuate at the Dunedin Jockey Club’s meeting in February is that between Royal Chief and Defaulter. This should prove one of the biggest drawcards the Dunedin body has had for years.

The James Hazlett Gold Cup, weight-for-age over a mile, will be the race in which the thrce-year-old and four-year-olds will clash, if all goes well in the meantime.

Defaulter’s recent form is well known to New Zealand followers, while everyone knows of Royal Chief’s outstanding form in Australia, but it is on his three-year-old form that Royal Chief will be weighed by most New Zealanders, as only a favoured few were fortunate enough to follow him through his successful spring campaign. So for those who have not seen him since last season, a most favourable report of his progress may be released.

Returning from Australia looking as. if he was just setting out on a tour instead of having just returned from one, Royal Chief was given a week or two off, but it was not long before he was back showing all his old brilliance and none of his former “shortness.” His trainer, F. D. Jones, is now not troubled with Royal Chief’s feet as he was formerly, as he started on a treatment for the horse’s trouble before he left for Australia in the spring, and naturally, finding it so effectual, has continued with the treatment, with splendid results.

Following his spell of some sixteen months, Dungarvan has been racing since October before scoring his first success from T. R. George’s stable, and it required ten starts for him to do so. However, this was the first time in his present campaign that he had been tried over a middle distance once again, and possibly one of the reasons for his previous failures has been .that he is no longer the sprinter he once was. Earlier in his career he showed middledistance ability, one of his successes being in the Marton Cup and another being at Riccarton.

The Waikouaiti Cup winner, Nightdress, did not shape up to expectations at Wingatui, although he finished third in the Allanton Handicap. At the Waikouaiti, where the going was soft but not so holding as at Wingatui, Nightdress strode like a good stayer and in keeping with his best form. Nightdress was got by Nightmarch from Balldress, by Winning Hit—Equipment, and is bred to stay. Promising. While scarcely a thought has been given the not-so-far-advanced two-year-olds in training—most interest being in the clashes of High Caste and Beaulivre and similar colts—there is always the day to look forward to when a new star appears. In this direction one cannot but be favourably impressed by the Riccarton colt Trumpeter Sound, by Night Raid from High Note, dame of a good performer in Concertpitch, winner of a Great Easter Handicap. This youngster is one of the most per-fect-natured colts one could wish to find, and although he has always done his work in a manner which indicates that he will gallop to some tune when given a loose rein. A fine big youngster of a hardy col-

our —he is a brown with black points —he looks every inch a Derby colt in the making.

Trumpeter Sound is trained by Mrs J. Campbell for his breeder, Mrs J, H. Grigg, his dam, High Note, being by Masterpiece (sire of the dam of Willie Win), a Clanranald horse, from Sopra. by Ampelion from Autopay's dam, Trebelli 11, by Thrush from Dramatica, by St Simon.

Attracting Attention.

D. Cotton has a pair of two-year-old colts which lately have been attracting attention at Riccarton.

They are Coastline by Pink Coat from Rebel Mate’s dam. Seaside, and Grey Night, by Nightly from Grey Lass, the dam of Grey Honour,

Galloping companions of late, these two, without having broken any watches, have completed their training work :n impressive style and look sure to make good.

Mention of Nightly brings to mind that the Night Raid horse is well represented at Riccarton by his goodlooking colts. A particularly fine sort is All Night, the one from Clorane (by the way, he was gelded a week or two ago,) while the chestnut from Minehead, which will be known as Night Shift, looks a real little racehorse, although at present diminutive. Night Shift is trained by F. D. Jones and when All Night resumes work he will be under the care of W. McDonald. Round Up. The contention that Round Up would have won the Auckland Cup with a better pace was borne out by his brilliant victory in the A.R.C. Handicap. He took up a good position early in third place and after waiting on Dictate and Knight of Australia to the home turn, he quickly settled the leaders and shot away to win in the most brilliant style.

By Lord Quex —Nukerakau, Round Up has been one of the best middledistance performers in Auckland for a couple of seasons, but this was easily his m 5t attractive performance and stamps him as a much improved horse.

By Safari. Mr W. Higgins, who is enjoying gn extraordinarily good run of luck, has reason to be confident with regard to the prospects of the two fillies he has at Riccarton.

They are both by Globe Trotter’s sire. Safari, but the Bee Acre filly at present appears to be smarter than Joy Princess.

These fillies are still backward, but may be ready for an educational race at the midsummer meeting at Riccarton. and should then be capable' of showing their worth round about Easter.

RACING FIXTURES

January 7—Reefton. January 13, 14 —Vincent. January 14 —Clifden. January 19, 21, 23—Wellington. January 21 —Wairio. January 21, 23—Thames. January 23 —Ashhurst-Pohangina. January 27, 28—Pahiatua.

“How.do you like this shaving soap?" asked the talkative barber. The submerged customer replied faintly: “Excellent. You must come and have lunch v.’ith me some time.”