TURF NEWS & NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 29 March 1939, Page 9

TURF NEWS & NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE & COURSE

Views on Racing Facts and Fancies

NIGHTCALM’S GOOD RECOVERY.

(By “The Cynic.")

Nightcalm split a pastern when racing at the New Zealand Cup meeting. The fracture was put in plaster, and the excellent recovery made is shown by his win in the Elderslie Handicap at Oamaru. '

Chile to Re-appear.

When Chile broke a blood vessel at the Christchurch Hunt Meeting last July it looked as if his career might be over, but he has been entered for steeplechases again at Riverton next month.

May Be Good. Ecstatic, a three-year-old sister to the defunct Great Hope, may yet prove the best of Enthusiasm’s progeny, for she is a fine big chestnut filly who will not be troubled with weight. Kept in behind instead of making the pace,, she is able to finish on resolutely. A Strong Pair. Although not raced, Toro Koura was at Oamaru, and was credited with running six furlongs after the last race on the first day in Imin 11 2-ssec. Unfortunately on Friday he was found to be suffering from a form of shoulder trouble which came against him earlier in the season, and it was deemed advisable not to take any risks by racing him on Saturday. The trouble is not considered likely to have any serious check on his preparation for Easter racing, and it is hoped that he will contest the Great Easter Handicap, in which he will be bracketed with Cocksure. Toro Koura will be ridden by M. Caddy, but a light-weight boy has not yet been secured for Cocksure. This bracket should be a powerful combination over seven furlongs, and is likely to be in keen demand. A Creditable Career. Argentic did not shape as well at Oamaru on Saturday as on the first day, and there is no doubt he has seen his best day. It is intended to race him at the Easter meeting at Riccarton, and he will probably then be retired. Disappointed. Parquet’s form at the Banks Peninsula meeting suggested that she would be a useful mare at the various autumn meetings, but her two efforts at Oamaru were disappointing to all concerned. She was not dangerous at any part of either race, and on each occasion finished a long way from the place-getters. Her stable mate, Teak, who races in the same interests, both being owned by Mr C. Dawson of Remuera, ran two good races, however, and properly placed, he will win some more money in the next few months.

Lady Middleham. Lady Middleham was a bit short of work when produced for the Waitaki Hack Handicap, and after going well until less than a furlong from home commenced to tire.

Defaulter is Good. Read what Billy Lappin, Sydney’s leading apprentice, thinks of Defaulter, the champion New Zealand colt, on whom he’s riding “work.” “He’s a beauty!” says young Bill. He’s a lazy cove at first, and I have to urge him along to get him going properly, but once he finds'out what is required of him he bowls along, and it takes me a while to stop him. I can sense his strength and power as he stretches out down the straight. . They say his style resembles that of Phar Lap, and I don’t doubt that. Once he starts he wants to go for a week.” Asked whether he would like to be riding Defaulter in his races, Lappin replied “I’ll say I would!”

Gold Wren Schooled. Ridden by C. Low, Gold Wren was schooled over four fences of the steeplechase course at Invercargill last week. He took each of his fences in his stride and his exhibition was one of the best seen at Invercargill for some time (says the “Southland Times.”) The Songbird gelding retains all the brilliance he exhibited last winter and on Thursday’s display he is likely to come into strong favour for events ahead. He has a doubtful leg in front but it did not appear to trouble him and he pulled up soundly. He has done a good amount of solid work and schooling during the last week and has come through it well.

A Plunge Missed. E. Connolly bought Tetreen, a Western Australian horse, for £2.000, on March 7. A few hours later he backed it to win £3,500 in the Bourke Handicap at Flemington. In a desperate finish Tetreen was beaten by half a head by Micawber. His chance was

spoiled through being bored of by Glentor. Resumed. Grey Honour has joined the team of D. E. Cotton. He' is sound and in excellent health, so should be ready to race again about May, as he did a lot of exercise before he was sent back from his owner’s place. It is intended

to race him through the winter and to retire him to the stud in the spring. Peerless for North. After ■ Saturday’s racing at Manawatu, T. R. George stated that Peerless would go north at Easter for the Great Northern St Leger and Oaks instead of going south for the Easter-Autumn double at Riccarton. Pearl of Asia will accompany her to Ellerslie, and Beau Vite will be sent to Riccarton. Trebor’s Unique Trot. After suffering a break in his recent winning sequence on the opening day, Trebor came up once again to capture the Adderstone Handicap at Manawatu in his most convincing style. This was his last run among the hacks. So well has he been placed that he has secured three good stakes in hack company out nominations, and his nine wins in the grade, including six in his last seven starts, have netted him no less than £llB5 for firsts alone, a unique performance, as horses move out of hack ranks as soon

as they have earned £5OO, though they can still compete in all races for which they have previously been nominated. Overdue Win. Sudan, who won a couple of times as a juvenile, was overdue for her first win this season at Manawatu. After her good second to Yours Truly on Friday she was the logical form horse in the field. A three-year-old bay filly, she is a daughter of Beau Pere and the Grandcourt —Desert Gold mare Sahara, who never raced, hence she has notable lines. Bred by Mr T. H. Lowry, she was bought at the yearling sales for 325 guineas on behalf of her breeder’s son. Mr T. C. Lowry, of cricket fame, and Mrs J. N. Lowry. Useful.

Hanover is likely to prove a useful member of L. Knapp’s jumping team during the winter. In his first term last season he won the Rangitikei Hunt Cup and Manawatu Hunt Cup, and as a hurdler during the past three months he has won at Ashhurst, Bulls, and Awapuni. He has more than average speed for a jumper and until Saturday he had generally raced out clear in front. Now eight years old, he is a chestnut son of Little England and a Spalpeen mare, two fine jumping strains, and he is being raced by Mr H. H. Bryce, of Kiwitea, who bought him from his trainer.