TURF NEWS & NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 January 1939, Page 9

TURF NEWS & NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE & COURSE Views on Racing Facts and Fancies DEFAULTER MADE RACING HISTORY

(By “The Cynic.”)

History was made' when Defaulter triumphed in this year's Wellington Cup, the feature event on the first day s card. The race was first run back in 1874, and the Defoe colt carried the record weight of 8.11 for a three-year-old to one of the easiest wins secured for many years in the Dominion’s premier mile and a half handicap. The performance did more than either Derby or any classic win to raise Defaulter to the top plane of horses who have raced in New Zealand.

New Zealand is world renowned as a nursery of the highest class of thoroughbred, but it is doubtful if ever there has ben a more notable achievement than that of Defaulter in Thursday's race. The colt so completely overshadowed his opposition that one was left with the knowledge that he would win again however the race were run. Often there has remained a doubt about whether the winner was best horse in the field, but there could not possibly be any such doubt about this year’s winner. Defaulter has set a new standard of class for the Dominion; just as Phar Lap did for Australia some years ago. It is now clear that the supreme confidence of Defaulter's connections in taking on a handicap such as the Wellington Cup as a link in his second sequence of victories was no ordinary gamble thrown on the wheel of chance. With success in an important handicap to top off his victories in the Derbies, the colt has immeasurably enhanced his already outstanding record and so has lifted himeslf into the select category of most ’famous horses who have graced the Turf of New Zealand.

Sequence of Wins. The Wellington Cup is Defaulter’s eighth win in line this season, his only defeat being on the occasion of his first appearance for the term, when he was beaten on the post in a sprint at Dunedin through his rider’s letting up too soon. If L. J. Ell’is had not had to miss the early riding of him this season because of injuries Defaulter would undoubtedly now have an unbroken sequence of 16 wins, which would be better than Ajax’s present unbroken sequence in Australia and approaching the Australian and New Zealand record, of 19. The colt’s present sequence might still be carried to a record figure. Defaulter carries the Gloaming colours. He is owned by Mr H. D. Greenwood, son of Gloaming’s owner, the

late Mr G. D. Greenwood. He will now have a short respite and will then leave for Australia next month, where he is to met Ajax and Nuffield, the present champions of the Commonwealth. Australia, as well as the Dominion, is waiting with avid interest these encounters, which will be the ultimate test of whether Defaulter is another Gloaming, or even Phar Lap.

Defaulter a Bargain. Defaulter cost Mr H. D. Greenwood only 170 guineas at the 1937 National Sales. In 21 starts to date he has now won 16 races and been twice in a minoi’ place, earning in stakes no less a sum than £7315, of which £48405 has been secured this season.

Derby Favourite. The American-bred Foxbrough 11., who won at his only two starts as a two-year-old, has gone into winter quarters as the early favourite for the English Derby. However, winter favourite is a position of dubious importance, as some of them don’t even see Epsom Downs on Derby Day. Among the post-war winter favourites to justify such long-range optimism were Bahran, Call Boy and Coronach.

Foxbrough 11. is stated to be big and awkward, and one who would not be suited by the Epsom course. Nevertheless, horses of his build have won the world’s premier classic event. Owned by Mr W. Woodward, he is by Sir Galahad 111. from Marguerite, and thus a brother to that great American horse, Gallant Fox. Out of Hack Class. The Balboa —Celerity 11. colt, Boswell will make his final appearance in hack class when he contests the Wairio Cup on Saturday. It will also be his first attempt over 10 furlongs, but as he comes from staying blood on both sides of his pedigree, the distance should not trouble him.

Resumed Training. Ortyx, one of the fastest two-year-olds trained at Wingatui in recent years, and now trained at Riverton, ricked herself a short time back, but now appears to have made a good recovery, and is back in work.

The Yearling Sales. Although the majority of the top class yearlings at Trentham on Wednesday will be sent out of New Zealand, some well bred youngsters will remain in the land of their birth. The colt by Beau Pere from Amante, bought by Mr H. D. Greenwood for 875 guineas, can hardly be faulted. His dam is by Chief Ruler from Adorable, by Limond from Admyra by Solferino, and is a half-sister to Amigo. The colt bought by Dr. Louisson looks promising, and is a half-brother by Ringmaster to Royal Order and Limulet, both winners in Australia. The dam, Anklet, is by Absurd from Bronze. Dr. Louisson has not fared well with most of his yearling purchases in the last 10 years; but with any luck this purchase should turn out profitably for his new owner, and the trainer, C. Emerson.

Lost Prominence. one notable feature of Wednesday’s sale at Trentham was the back seat taken by the draft from the Koatanui Stud, owned by Mr G. M. Currie. When Limond was in the boom, the top-priced.yearling of the sale was invariably supplied by Mr Currie; but although this year’s draft was produced in attractive order, the bidding was only moderate. Nevertheless the majority of the draft were bought for Australia. Well Related. The filly secured by Miss O. Stewart, of Rakaia, owner of Elmarch, is a half- ■ sister to Chief Ranger, who was a good | performer for Mr A. Young, of Christchurch. until the gelding had to be retired from racing owing to a mishap. Untried Sire. Mr A. M. Cameron, owner of Lady Middleham, secured a likely looking coll by Inflation, at a reasonable figure, and the youngster will go into W. Cameron's stable at Riccarton. He is closely related to Arctic King, Pandora, and Rabbi.

Good Buying. A brother to the speedy but disappointing Raeburn, was bought by Mr. P. F. Campbell, of Christchurch. He is a well-grown brown colt, and at 110 guineas must be considered reasonable.

Champions Clash. Had Royal Chief and Defaulter met in the Wellington Cup this week, it would have been a unique occasion, providing the first meeting in the Dominion's history of two animals on both of which an offer of 10.000 guineas had been refused. When Royal Chief was io Australia in the spring his owner. Mr A. K Firth, declined an offer of this amount, while last week Defaulter s owner, Mill. D. Greenwood, refused to entertain an offer of a like amount, the source of which has not yet been made public. Nov; Royal Chief's plans have been rearranged and he will contest the James Hazlett Gold Cup at Wingatui in February, probably after a preliminary race at the Canterbury Jockey Club's summer meeting. Whether Defaulter will meet Royal Chief in the Dunedin race will not be decided until the colt has come through his Wellington racing.