TURF NEWS & NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 February 1939, Page 9

TURF NEWS & NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE & COURSE

Views on Racing Facts and Fancies

CAPRICIOUS HAS STAYING BLOOD

(By

“The Cynic.”)

Capricious was responsible for an excellent performance in winning the concluding event at Wingatui on Saturday, and it strengthened her claim to be one of the most promising young stayers trained at Riccarton for some time. She has every credential to stay, as she is by Night Raid from Egotism, by Demosthenes from Conceit, by Boniform from Lady Wayward 11. Egotism has produced some good winners in her time, including Autobiography, Wayward, Pride, and Jaloux. Capricious was bred by Mr H. D. Greenwood, who has a two-year-old halfsister. Posture, by Posterity to her. Settlement, third to Capricious, is also by Night Raid, and as he has not been in active commission for as long as many of his opponents he will do better later. Iliad' Winner in Perth. A recent winner in Perth was Study, a four-year-old gelding by Iliad from Sweet Charity, dam of Knightlike, Netley, The Surgeon and Clemency (dam of Kindheart and Baran). Study was sold by the Elderslie Stud in Sydney for 300 guineas, and a yearling halfbrother by Solocitor-General realised 575 guineas at Trcntham last month and is also to race in Australia. Death of Heritage. The death is reported from India of the high-priced six-year-old gelding, Heritage, by Posterity from Homage. Heritage won some races in India, including the West India Turf Club’s Eclipse Stakes. Sudden Illness. Mona's Song, who has been ridden in most of her races by the owner-train-er’s son, W. F. Ellis, was without his services at Wingatui on Saturday, Ellis having had to undergo an operation for appendicitis on Saturday morning. A Good Share. Riccarton-trained horses fared well at the Dunedin meeting last month, winning eight of the 16 races, and were second in five and third in five. Of the total stakes of £4240, the Riccarton visitors collected £1965 Fair Travelling. The sectional times in the Hazlett Gold Cup on Saturday were two furlongs, 26 l-ssec, three, 38 3-ssec, four, 50 4-ssec, five, lmin 1 4-ssec, and full journey, 1 min 39 3-ssec. The record for the race is lmin 38 2-ssec held by Silver Ring, who won for the second time in 1936. and this also stands as a track record for a mile. Mounting Up Royal Chief’s win on Saturday brought his stake earnings to more than £ll,OOO, of which £6200 was won in Australia. His next race will be in the Awapuni Gold Cup next month. A New Sire. Irish Lancer has only been repre’sented in three races to date. Spear Thrust, his first winner, is a wellgrown gelding from Meitui, a sister to a useful performer in Wingatui. He was purchased as a foal by Mr A. H. Fisher, of Dunedin, owner of Irish Lancer, who is by Allenby, by Bayardo, from Tagalie. Winton Cup Prospect. Passaform was not produced at Wingatui on Staurday owing to his dislike for anything but a firm track. He is expected to contest the Winton Cup this week, and with the promise of favourable going he should make good. M. Caddy will go south to ride him.

Strong Horseman’s Mount. The fall of Steer Clear in the Abbotsford Handicap at Wingatui on Saturday when near the tail of the field was found by the judicial stewards to have been caused by Combat interfering with him and pushing him on to the fence, causing him to dislodge his rider. R. Caddy. The stewards decided that in their opinion the horse was out of control of his apprentice rider, L. Hare; that Hare was too small and inexperienced to control a horse with the reputation for waywardness that this horse has, and that Combat's owner-trainer, D. J. McDonald. be advised that in future the horse should be ridden by an experienced horseman only. R. Caddy was galloped on by a following horse. Disband, and suffered an injured foot. He was sent to hospital for treatment and was able to return home yesterday. A Coast Claimant. Rabble ran an excellent race in the principal handicap at Wingatui on Saturday and stayed on’remarkably well. This form would point to good prospects in the two big race at the Westland meeting next week. Nightcalm. Nightcalm, which suffered a leg injury in November, is progressing well in another preparation. This four-year-old Night Raid gelding is a smart horse at his best. Benevolent, a Beau Pore two-year-old in the same stable, fell away in condition after being gelded. but he is picking up again. As he showed promise early, a patient policy should pay with Benevolent. Queen of Song. Queen of Song has won £5400 in stakes, including £1025 won in Australia two years ago. She has started 91 times for 17 wins, 10 seconds, and 13 thirds.

P. Spratt. P. Spratt has been in only one stable since linking up with racing. He was for four years apprenticed to A. E. Didham. Thermidor. The D.J.C. Handicap winner Thermidor, was got by Robespierre from Lady Minerva, by Martian —Lady Lilian. Lady Minerva is also the dam of Minerval, a winner of the Auckland Cup. Hurry On. Hurry On was the sire whose daughters were responsible for most winners in England last season. Forty were represented by 41 winners of 61 races of a total value of £31,716. Friar Marcus was next, with 33 mares, whose 37 winner, account for 59| races, and £24.577 in stakes. Hurry On sired Hunting Song and Lord Warden. Loss of Form. Willie Win is doing duty as a hack these days. Though he has been placed, Willie Win has failed to win a race so far this season. Since he was the runner-up to The Trump in the Melbourne Cup two years ago, Willie Win has never returned to his best form, . though he has looked well enough to win good races. The Vulture. The Vulture, the Valkyrian —Silent Flight colt in T. H. Gillet’s stable, is rounding into shape, but he is not being huried. The Vulture is one of the most sensible youngsters in training, and has shown promise in the easy tasks given him so far.

RACING FIXTURES 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, ?7—Te Aroha J.C.