TURF NEWS & NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 February 1939, Page 9

TURF NEWS & NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE & COURSE

Views on Racing Facts and Fancies

FRIESLAND IN WORK AGAIN

(By

“The Cynic.”)

Friesland is back at work at Hawera doing light work after an enforced spell. He appears to be quite sound, and in good order to undergo a preparation. Friesland comes to hand very quickly, and is expected to start in the late autumn. Friesland did not race a great deal last season, but scored well in the Waverley Cup and later in the Fendalton Handicap at the New Zealand Cup meeting at Riccarton.

Argentic.

Argentic has not been in the limelight for some time, but he is dropping in the weights and leniency in that direction helps to return to winning form. Trench Fight. Trench Fight gave evidence of stamina as a three-year-old when Wild Chase beat him by a neck in the N»v Zealand Derby. He is now a bit high strung, and the fact does not help him to stay and he faded out when tried over a mile and a quarter at Trentham. He may, however, go a quieter race at Riccarton than elsewhere, but would be preferred over less ground. A New Owner. The yearling colt by Lord Quex from Seamstress, bought for 200 guineas at the Trentham sales last month by Miss P. Hartland, of Christchurch, for Mr F. R. Meehan, of Timaru, who will train him for his new owner. Seamstress is by Catmint from Slipstitch, and is a half-sister to Black Thread. Summerhill, Threadneedle /sire of winners in the Gisborne district) and Drop one (Dam of Malagigi). It is not intended to race the colt until late in the new season, and after being broken in, he will probably be put aside for a period.

A Short Respite.

Wardress has been treated to a spell following a strenuous campaign over the holiday season, and will make her reappearance at the Banks Peninsula meeting next month.

For Steeplechasing.

Silver Sight is once again a regular track attendant. It was decided a few months back to retire him from racing, as he had reached the stage as a hurdler when he was being asked to carry heavy burdens. He did so well in the paddock, however, and was so thoroughly sound in wind and limb, his owners thought fit to put him into training again with a view to confining his future energies to steeplechasing. Silver Sight has always been a proficient jumper, and he will be a decided acquisition to the ranks of cross-country horses.

As Wayward as Ever.

The admirers of the three-year-old Te Hero were as disappointed as many others have been on previous occasions when he refused to line up with the fields in the Devonport Handicap at Ellerslie, and he was left standing some distance behind the field when the barrier rose. Considerable patience has been exercised by Te Hero’s trainer, A. Cook, and the jockey. P. Burgess, but their efforts appear to have been in vain, as,his behaviour has not improved. A very substantial sum could have been obtained for Te Hero last season, but his owner, Mr J. Hollier, refused to be tempted by high offers, and he deserves to have had better luck. Few colts in recent years have shown more promise as a two-year-old than Te I Hero, and it is a great pity that waywardness has prevented him from showing Jiis true worth.

Well Bred Gelding. Freshened up after his trip to Trentham, Boatsong stripped in great order for the Wairoa meeting, and there he showed his ability to gallop well in any going by beating Patches both days: once on a greasy track, and once in firm going. Boatsong comes from a good winning family. He is a half-brother to Town Major, a good galloper a few seasons back, and is by the Australianbred horse Mimetic from Barcarole, by Martian from Grand Opera, by Gipsy Grand, from lima, an own sister to Indian Queen, the dam of King Billy, Maori King and Aborigine, who carried Mr E. J. Watt’s colours with distinction. Barcarole was sister to two high class horses and Derby winners in Cherubini and Rossini.

Boatsong will never reach the class of some of the members of his family, but there will be more races for this useful gelding.

May Be Useful. Until last Thursday the Defoe gelding Opoho had not been seen in public, but this six-year-old gelding created quite a favourable impression when paraded at Wairoa.

His first race was in the District Hack Handicap, and, although he was not dangerous in the running of that

event, he was noticed putting in some good work on the home turn. He was not knocked about in the run home, and that racing experience benefited him immensely.

Opoho stripped obviously improved by his race when he paraded for the Carnival Hack Handicap on Saturday and he was quietly fancied by his connections.

Badly chopped back at the start, he was awkwardly placed half a mile from home, but he made a smart run around the field at the straight entrance and sustained that effort to win very decisively. It was most impressive.

Engaged at Gisborne. Opoho is engaged in a hack mile at Gisborne, and, as he appears to have escaped a penalty for his win at Wairoa. his prospects of adding to his winning account there appear very bright. Opoho is beginning his racing career rather late in life, but this six-year-old gelding, who is built on much the same lines as Defaulter, and that good two-year-old Daniel Defoe, who was recently destroyed, may be all the better for keeping. He is well enough bred, too. His dam. Azure Sky, is by the A.J.C. Derby winner Kilboy from Golden Sky, by San Fran from Gairy Gold, by Gold Reef from Nymph, by Ingomar from the Musket mare Wood Nymph. Fairy Gold is best known as the dam of those high class gallopers, Maiho. Mountain Lion, Hetaua and Toa Taua. Gisborne running will show whether or not Opoho fluked his field on Saturday and the writer holds the opinion that he will prove that his win was a genuine one. EGMONT RACES ACCEPTANCES FOR FIRST DAY. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) HAWERA, February G.

Acceptances for the first day of the Egmont Racing Club's summer meeting, to be held on Thursday and Saturday, are:—

12.9 —Ohawe Hurdles, 11m.: Red Sun, 10.12; Donegal, 11.11; Pango. 10.10; Airam, 10.8; Ohanga (incl. 51b. rehdcp), 9.12; Don Erma, 9.3; Booklaw, 9.0; All Spirit, 9.0.

12.40 —Flying Handicap, 6f.: Lady Ina, 9.0; Amigo, 8.7; Race Call, 8.3; Taitoru, 7.13; Airing (incl. 41b. rehdcp), 7.4; Lifeguard, 7.2; Alyth, 7.0; Amoroso. 7.0.

1.30 —Trial Handicap, 5f.: Fiancee 9.0; Tidal Gift, 8.9: Highball, 8.9; Flamberg. 8.7; Crestman, 8.7; Lady Boden, 8.7; Oak Light, 8.7; Le 'Marquis, 8.7; Sir Col. 8.7; Gitana Lass, 8.7; Darthura, 8.7; Carmody, 8.7; Sang Bleu, 8.7.

2.25 —Egmont Cup, IJm.: Wotan, 9.0; Brazen King, 8.12; Amigo, 8.5; Dungarvan, 8.1; Aussie Ra, 7.12 Lady Furst, 7.10; Ned Cuttie, 7.10; Homily, 7.9; Rustem, 7.7; Lickem, 7.7; Winsome Lu (incl. 51b. rehdcp.), 7.7; Dainty Sue, 7.3; Te Huia, 7.0. 3.0 —Juvenile Handicap, 5f.: Filetto, 8.13; Judgment (incl. 51b. rehdcp.), 8.9; Pretty Lass, 8.3; Valerian, 8.2; Algerian, 7.4; Gold Card, 7.3; Chief Lord, 7.3; Miss Jack, 7.2; The Tryst, 7.1; Kilometre, 7.0; Kriemhild, 7.0; Pantheist. 7.0.

3.4o—Tokaora Hack Handicap, 6f.: Namara, 9.7; Te Huia, 8.10; Professional (incl. 51b. rehdcp.), 8.8; Ramleh, 8.3; Amoroso, 8.2; Judgment (incl. Gib. rehdcp.), 8.2; Mischief (incl. 31b. rehdcp.), 7.10; Daisy Chain, 7.8; Silver Gift, 7.8; Glenthawn, 7.7; Flamberg, 7.7; Le Marquis. 7.7. 4.20 —Whareroa Handicap, 7f.: Taitoru, 9.3; Triune, 8.10; Entail. 8.5; Lady Kyra, 8.4; Airing (inch 31b. rehdcp.), 8.2; Red Sand, 8.1: Barley Almond. 8.0; Alyth, 7.13. s.s—Waipapa Hack Handicap, Bif.: Amatory, 9.0; Te Huia, 8.11; Nereus, 8.11; Earl Colossus, 8.10; Eastern Heir, 8.9; Bumble, 8.3; Viracious, 8.0; Naughty Marietta, 8.0; War Lap, 7,12; Dark Eagle, 7.11; All Bunsby, 7.8; Wynardo, 7.7; Karerenui, 7.7; Resinguard,’ 7.7.

AUSTRALIAN RACING AUTUMN EVENTS. HANDICAPS OF NEW ZEALAND HORSES. By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. MELBOURNE, February 6. Top weights and New Zealanders for the principal autumn races are as follows: — Oakleigh Plate, s!f. (run February 18): Aurie's Star. 9.12; Pamelus, 9.10; Delmestor, 9.5; Judean, 9.4; Stretto, 9.4; Brazandt, 9.2; Amiable. 8.13; Disdain, 8.3: Lynch Law, 7.10. Newmarket Handicap, 6f. (run March 4): Ajax, 10.2; Aurie's Star, 9.8; Pamelus, 9.8; King’s Head, 9.5; Regular Bachelor, 9.5; Gold Rod, 9.4; The Trump, 9.2; Strettq, 9.1; Hamurah, 9.0; St. Constant, 9.0; Buzalong, 8.13; Judean, 8.13; Amiable, 8.10; Disdain, 8.0; Desert Chief, 8.0; Lynch Law, 7.9; Namakia, 6.9.

Australian Cup, 2' ; m. (run March 11): Donaster, 9.4; Manolive, 9.3; Spear Chief, 9.2; Bourbon, 8.13; The Trump. 8.13; Majkai, 8.3; Desert Chief, 8.2; Sir Regent, 7.12; Royal Order, 7.8; Highborn, 7.7; Pantoon, 7.7.

Sporting writers consider that Ajax has not been harshly treated in the Newmarket Handicap, though they point out that the highest weight ever carried to ■victory by u four-year-old was the 9.8 by Heroic, Ajax’s sire, in 1926.

RACING FIXTURES

rebruary 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—Woodxillc 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.