TURF NEWS & NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 February 1939, Page 9

TURF NEWS & NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE & COURSE

Views on Racing Facts and Fancies

BREEDING OF SUCCESSFUL COUNTER

(By

“The Cynic.”)

Counter, winner of the Juvenile Handicap at Pahiatua on Saturday is a chestnut colt by Croupier and gave that stallion his first winner on the Turf. Counter carries the colours of his breeder. Mr J. H. Payton, of Masterton. He is the first foal of the Thurnham mare Thurville who was bred in 1924 by the late Mr C. G. Dalgety. She descends through Mantes and Huguenot to the Martyr branch of the Flora Mctvor family. There is interesting in-breed to Thurnham in Counter’s pedigree. His sire, Croupier was by Surveyor from Pellet by Thurnham; and his dam, 'thurville, is by Thurnham. With such strains close up, Counter is bred to be something more than a sprinter. Thurnham, to whom Counter is in-, bt’ed, was a chestnut horse by John o’ Gaunt (sire of Swynford) from Lady Disdain, who was a half-sister by Bend Or to Polymelus. Lady Disdain was by Hampton from the Toxophililite mare Quiver. Thurnham was foaled in 1912, and after going to Australia was imported to New Zealand in 1916 by Mr B. Goldwater. Thurnham sired many good horses who showed special aptitude at jumping and most of them could stay. Counter was offered for sale at the yearling sales in 19.38 and was passed in at 50 guineas. He is trained at Masterton by A. Jenkins.

In Work Again. Monipere, who has been spelling during the past three or four months, has been taken in hand again and has built up well. He is not likely to do much racing until the tracks soften. Nightcalm Makes Good Recovery. When Nightcalm broke down two or three months ago it was feared that his racing days were over, but he has made such a good recovery during a spell in Central Otago that it is proposed to put him into work again shortly. Off the Map. In some quarters Royal Chief, in connection with the Dunedin Cup, will be paid the same compliment as that accorded Defaulter for the Wellington Cup. Royal Chief will not be on the map. On Paper. According to figures and the scale of weights, Spanish Lad is rated as the best, or near the best on paper, in his class in New Zealand. At Wellington Astaire was 71b away from the top-weight in the Ruapehu Handicap, and at Wihgatui Spanish Lad is giving him 71b. A New Owner. The yearling filly by Bulandshar from the Limond mare Monette, dam of Centrepoise, purchased by Mr R. L. McCormack, of New Brighton, at Trentham last month, has been handed over to H. R. Davies at Riccarton. This is the first thoroughbred owned by Mr McCormack, who intends to use the same colours, which were well known some years ago when his father, Mr James McCormack, was a prominent owner. Nuffield. The champion Australian three-year-old and dual Derby winner Nuffield has begun his preparation in earnest for autumn racing and recently made a reappearance on the track at Epsom, Melbourne. He is stated to have built up a good deal and his chief mission during the autumn will be the Victoria Racing Club's and Australian Jockey Club’s St Legers. 1 The Favourites. Royal Chief and Sovereign Lady are the ruling favourites for the Dunedin ' Cup. Counterblast is favourite for the Publicans' Handicap. T urncoat. Mr J. Richardson has taken up a two-year-old by Pink Coat from Repudiation. It has been suggested that Turncoat would be a suitable name for the youngster.

Well-Related Filly. The two-year-old half-sister by Bulandshar to Quadroon, Florence Mills and Old Bill, who races under the name of Moradabad, was given her first taste of racing in the Nursery Handicap at Pahiatua. Produced in showring condition, she galloped along at the tail of the field most of the way. Similar to all the progeny from the dam. Liaison, she has plenty of size and substance, and like them, no doubt, will be all the better for time to mature.

Disappointing.

One of the most disappointing horses in training at present is the Siegfried filly Brunhild. She was twice in open sprint company at Pahiatua. and on the second day she looked a

certainty when she turned for home at the head of the field. Brunhild had a very hard race in the New Zealand Oaks last season, and has never been quite the same filly since.

On the Scene Again. The Australian-bred gelding Royal Ceres, who carried the colours of Mr A. McDonald, of Masterton, a decade ago when he was trained by R. S. Bagby, reappeared at Pahiatua last week. Royal Ceres is 14 years old,

and this was his first appearance un-

der silk since his three-year-old season. He is now trained and raced by Mr W. P. Nelson, of Pahiatua. to whom, it is understood, he was a gift from Mr McDonald many years ago. His form did not suggest that he is likely to regain the winning list very quickly.

Good Sprinter. H. Dulieu produced the speedy Gold Petal in the five furlong Scurry at Pahiatua on Saturday, but he got away badly and lost his chance at the start. His apprentice rider rushed him up to join Hunter's Eve in the lead at the end of two furlongs. There are few faster sprinters in commission than Hunter’s Eve, but old Petal gave her several lengths start and then reached her before the race was helf over. Naturally, Gold Petal had little in reserve for the final furlong, and he dropped out of the picture at the end. He is engaged in a five-furlong affair at Opu-

nake this week, and with a more even dispatch should be a good prospect. He is a gelding possessing very much above the average. Showed Promise. One of the neatest gallopers among the two-year-olds which raced at Pahiatua was Timothy, a gelding by Inflation from Timorous, a Chief Ruler mare, which Mr J. Mulvaney raced with some success a few years ago. Timbthy is the first foal of Timorous, and this was his first start in a race. He is a good-looking and compactly built type of horse. Success Deserved. One of the most deserved successes in racing this season was that of Row-

ana in the Rodney Handicap at Pahiatua on Saturday. Rowana is a four-year-old mare by Rowley (recently de‘ceased) from the Gainscourt mare Bendita, and is a first foal. Her record up till Saturday’s racing was nine times second and four times third in 27 starts since she commenced racing as a three-year-old. She is not a good one, but has always raced honestly. He -Carries the colours of the Masterton trainer, W. Morrison. Encouraging. Grampian raced unsuccessfully on the flat during the holidays, but his recent-schooling over the brush hurdles has been of encouraging order. His only win last season was gained in the Hornby Brush Hurdle Race, and his next race will be in the corresponding event on Saturday. Although Grampian’s recent efforts have been at nontotalisator meetings, the racing has him well fitted for immediate engagements.

RACES AT WAIROA

CUP WON BY SKYWAY.

ORMOND HANDICAP TO JAYOLA. (By Telegraph—Press Assotlation.) WAIROA, February 2. Very unpleasant conditions marked the opening of the Wairoa Racing Club’s meeting, drizzling rain falling. Nevertheless, there was a large crowd present. The course was heavy, Totalisator investments were £7lOl, compared with £BBl7 last year, a decrease of £1716. Results: —

Trial Handicap, 6f.: 1 Hunting Royal, 8.13, 1; 7, Miss Blue. 8.3, 2; 2, Halley, 8.6, 3. Also started: Tycoon, Greenore, Reay Bridge, Queen’s Dream, Plenteous. A close finish. Time, 1.18 2-5. ’

District Hack Handicap. 6f.: 2, Helios, 7.11, 1: J, Roana, 7.11. 2; 3, Paul Robeson. 8.11, 3. Also started: Ham‘arin, Ihu. Bold Bruce, Defora, Katonga, Hornpipe, Opoho. Aten, Carrington Hall. Three-quarters of a length; half. Time, 1.171. Wairoa Cup, 1.1 m.: 2. Skyway, 7.5, 1; 5, Small Boy, 8.9. 2; 3, Big Dook. 9.7, 3. Also started: Gay Hunter, Buster Brown. Postaris. Length; half. Time, 2.14 1-5.

Te is.upenga Hack Handicap, lm.: 5. Boatsong, 8.3, 1; 1, Patches. 8.6. 2; 4. Hincpit, 7.9, 3. Also started: Mendelssohn, Gay Mimic, Minnow, True, Quilp, Colenso. Three lengths; length. Time, 1.45 2-5.

Maiden Stakes. 51'.: 1. Mimicry, 8.7. 1; 6, Tu Rahiri, 8.7, 2; 3, Whetu, 8.7. 3. Also started: Queen’s Dream, Hethers, Bravado, Malmetic, Cymetic, Defray. Three lengths; length. Time. 1.4. Ormond Handicap, 7f.: 1, Jayola, 7.8, 1; 2. Pennycomequick, 7.12, 2; 4, Fossicker, 7.7, 3. Also started: Golden Blonde, Bothwell. Length; two lengths and a half. Time, 1.31.

Rauwa Hack Handicap. 6f.: 2, Bold Step, 8.4, 1; 1. Red Witch. 8.10, 2; 4. Diana Tetrix, 7.11, 3. Also started: Gay Mimic, Minnow, Native Song, Imogen. Length and a half; head. Time, 1.16 2-5. SATURDAY'S ACCEPTANCES. vVaikaremoana Hack Handicap, Of.: Gold Ballad, 9.0; Hunting Royal, 8.8; Gay Mimic, 8.5; Diana Tetrix. 7.12; Miss Blue, 7.9: Tycoon, 7.7; Greenore, 7.7; Raana, 7.7; Reay Bridge, 7.7. Wairoa Carnival Hack Handicap, 7f.: Helios, 9.0; Hamarin, 8.13; Paul Robeson, 8.12: Raana, 8.2; Ihu. 7.11; Bold Bruce. 7.9; Katonga, 7.7; Opoho, 7.7: Carrington Hall, 7.7; Defora, 7.7. Carroll Memorial Handicap, Im. and If.: Big Dock, 9.8: Small Boy. 3.12; Skyway. 8.2; Gay Hunter, 8.1; Buster Brown, 7.11; Hornpipe, 7.0.

Tairawhiti Plate. 6f.: Mimicry, 9.3; Malmetic. 8.7; Carrington Hall. 8.7; Valley, 8.7; Whetu, 8.7; Tu Rahiri, 8.7; Plenteous, 8.7; Defray, 8.7; Tetahinga.

8.7; Hethers, 8.7; Queen’s Dream, 8.7. Hurumua Hack Cup, lm.: Red Witch, 9.0; Boatsong, 9.0; Patches, 8.9; Mendelssohn. 8.8; Gold Ballad, 8.7; Hamarin. 8.5; True, 8.1; Hinepit, 7.9; Colenso, 7.7; Imogen, 7.7; Defora, 7.7; Postaris. 7.7.

President’s Handicap, 7L: Black Thread. 9.9: Golden Blonde. 9.2; Joyola, 8.5; Pennycomequick. 8.2; Buster Brown, 7.11: Fossicker, 7.7.

Electric Hack Handicap, 6f.: Red Witch, 9.0; Hunting Royal. 8.8; Helios, 8.7; Minnow, 8.2; Diana Tetrix, 7.10; Native Song. 7.9; Miss Blue, 7.9; Imogen. 7.7: Greenore. 7.7: Defray. 7.7.

RACING FIXTURES

February 2, 4 —Wairoa R.C. February 4 —Canterbury J.C. February 4 —Matamata R.<-. February 4 —Tapanui R.C. February 4 —Opunake R.C. reoruary 9, 11 —Dunedin J.C. February 9. 11 —Egmont R.C. February 9, 11—Poverty Bay T.C. February 11. 13 —Rotorua R.C. February 17, 18 —Winton J.C. February 17.18—Woodxille District J.C. February 18 —Tolaga Bay J.C. February 18, 20 —Waikato R.C. February 23, 25 —Wanganui J.C. February 24, 25- —Gore R.C. February 25 —Waiapu R.C. February 25, 27 —Westland R.C. February 25, 27 —Te Aroha J.C.