TURF NEWS & NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 February 1939, Page 9

TURF NEWS & NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE & COURSE

Views on Racing Facts and Fancies

WHITE GOLD WORKING WELL

(By

“The Cynic.”)

■Nothing worked better at Awapuni on Saturday morning than White Gold, who is engaged at Woodville on Friday, and despite her Ellerslie failures, this half-sister to Gold Trail is sure to again be the medium of heavy support. The Bigot was another who galloped well over seven furlongs while the solid mile encompassed by Old Bi'.i and Ccrroboree showed ii?€ three-yeai - old to be in great order to fulfil his immediate engagements. Misty rain fell through the morning’s 'operations and, the plough, on which most work was performed, became slightly holding. A good impression was created by L. G. Morris’s Fox Earth colt (Redstone) who finished on a little better than Myarion (Waddell) at the end of three furlongs in 39 1-5. They stood at the mark and jumped oft smartly to run their first furlong in .14. The Fox Earth youngster is a fine, big chestnut colt, who looks a ready-made galloper. Great Legion (Waddell), who has never looked better than he is just now, went away from the three furlongs from a standing start and finished well to cover the distance in 39 2-5. His form this season has been frankly disappointing, but there is no doubt he possesses the galloping ability and he may return to winning form soon. Better for her Race. Katesbridge (Williamson) hit out very freely over her three furlongs in 39 3-5. There is no doubt she is improved by her race at Pahiatua and it may not be long before she reaches the winning list. Work at Hastings. Kathbella was impressive at Hastings when she left five furlongs behind on the plough in 1.1 3-5 and the effort brings her into even greater favour for the Waikato meeting. The smart two-year-old Nora Gregor was too good for Sunola over half a mile in 48 4-5. She looks particularly well. Ivar also pleased the critics in his six furlongs gallop, recording 1.15, which was easily the best time of the morning for the distance. Quilp ran along nicely over his five furlongs in 1.7, while Hinerangi comfortably covered her six in 1.22. Boatsong worked out well over a round in 1.42 3-5, and looks fit for the Woodville meeting. Classical again proved just too good for Brunhild and Hunting Mint over six furlongs in 1.17 3-5. Sternchase did not appear to be unduly hurried to beat Haile Selassie over five furlongs in 1.5 3-5. He is in great order for the second day Ox the Woodville meeting. Felicitation easily ran her six furlongs in 1.19 3-5. Lady Stella, who is being attuned for Wanganui, where she is to have her first race over hurdles, ran her round in 1.50. Master Cyklon was working on the bit over the concluding stages of his six furlongs in 1.18. Sir Nigel, with a big weight up, ran his five furlongs in 1.6 3-5. Royal Spades occupied 52 for half a mile and appeared to have something in hand. The Ring easily beat Elettra over six furlongs in 1.20, while Red Witch, working under restraint, encompassed her half mile in 52. On the Map Again. After Master Hotspur had won the first two-year-old race in the South Island, the John Grigg Stakes at Ash-

burton, it was generally considered that his sire. Ringmaster, had received a very favourable start in his turf career, as the colt was the first of his progeny to race, and his victory stamped him as *an outstanding galloper. Taken to Trentham, Master Hotspur was sent out a staunch favourite in his, first outing at the meeting, but failed badly, and again disappointed at the New Zealand Cup meeting. These failures no doubt caused a slackness in the demand for Rinamaster yearlings at Trentham last" month, and those who nurchased them will now no doubt be pleased with their judgment. Twelve months ago Master Hotspur realised 850 guineas, a colt from Anklet, since named Phil Worth and now in Melbourne, was sold to Mr G. J. Barton for 525 guineas, a filly from Veil went to Melbourne at 625 guineas, and a filly from Damaris was bought for Sydney at 525 guineas. This year, Master Hotspur’s brother realised 250 guineas, Anklet’s colt was purchased by Dr. M. G. Louisson for 210 guineas. A colt from Waterwings, dam of Agrion, and Waikare, was bought by Mr E. J. Watt.

For the West. The Defoe—Oread colt sold after the recent sales for 800gns. was purchased on behalf of Messrs S. J. and N. V. Mills, prominent Perth business men, who had an excellent innings with another Defoe colt, Footmark, last season. Footmark failed to win in Victoria during the recent spring, but he was probably raced just too soon, and he is likely to come up better after his present holiday.

Setting a Standard. When Alan Cooper, who, by the way, returned to Sydney from a visit to America last month, gave £19,000 for Talking, he set a standard which owners of good horses in Australia have not been slow to copy (says an Australian writer). Once if a man offered £lO.OOO for the best horse racing, he would not have had much trouble’ in buying the animal. It is different now, and when Mr H. D. Greenwood, the owner of New Zealand's grand colt Defaulter, recently received an offer of ten thousand for the son of Defoe, he simply refused to hear the bidder. Asked to put a price on Defaulter he also refused, so it looks as if he will continue to own the champion. As Mr A. K. Firth refused £lO,OOO for Royal Chief in Sydney in the spring, it says something for New Zealand that there are two horses owned in that country worth five figures. I am afraid that the same could not be said about Australia. Ajax, of course, would bring a tremendous sum if submitted to auction, but I wouldn’t like to give ten thousand (even if I had it) for the best horse in the Commonwealth. One of the troubles would be to select the second best.

Spartan. Spartan, the winner of the Stewards’ Handicap, also won at the Riccarton midsummer meeting. Me is a three-year-old by Iliad from Dame Straitlace, by Kilbroney—Discipline, by Treadmill—Madowla. Dame Straitlace ran second to Rouen in the New Zealand Cup of 1923, when Roseday, in third place, was a certainty beaten by bad luck. Our Pal. Our Pal was bred to stay in being got by a winner of the New Zealand Cup from the winner of the same race. He was got by Nightmarch from Palantua. Nightmarch also won the Melbourne Cup, Dunedin Cup, Epsom Handicap, and Great Autumn Handicap.