TURF NEWS & NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 April 1939, Page 11

TURF NEWS & NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE & COURSE

Views on Racing Facts and Fancies

BALBOA A NEGLECTED SIRE

(By

“The Cynic.”)

Though a New Zealand Derby and Auckland Cup winner, there was a time when Balboa could have been purchased for the few pounds owing for his keep in a livery stable in Invercargill. P. T. Hogan was responsible for bringing this son of Varco and Nerve to Southland. He was a well broken down horse then, but Hogan had, and still has, a reputation for being able to win races with broken-down horses. Balboa, however, was one of the few horses that he was not successful in patching up, and he failed in his at-

tempt to win the Riverton Cup in 1918 (Marsa’s year). Ealboa broke down badly under his 8.10, .and shortly afterwards found his way to Central Otago, and did stud duties at a very low fee. Gradually working his way back down country, he was in the Lumsden-Waimea Plains district for a season or two, and while there sired Black Duke, who raced over 13 seasons, during which he started 214 times at totalisator meetings, winning 46 races, second on 30 and third 25 times. Then Balboa was placed in the late George Heads’s livery stable at Invercargill. and for a period it was doubtful who really did own him. Some time afterwards he was purchased by Mr Alex. Chisholm for his stud at Otautau, and for the first time in his career mated with well-bred mares. With Redowa and Queen Balboa winning important races, breeders began to patronise this well-bred but neglected stallion, and in the course of a year or two his progeny were in evidence at practically every meeting in the South Island, and also won races in the North Island. No sire ever located in Otago or Southland has left a better record. He was a good and game racehorse himself, and has transmitted his remarkable vitality to his stock. As he improved with age at the stud, so does his progeny appear to improve with age as racing propositions. Though now dead about four or five years, his stock is still racing well, and on Otago and Southland courses this season has won £7,0443 in stake money. No fewer than 28 of them have won money this season, and 19 won races, They are, in alphabetical order: — Ardmayle £5, Auctor £235, Araboa £4B, Ashaway £35, Boaform £175, Boswell £575, Bow Street £465, Balferino £53, Bilboa £2O. Black Banner ’£92o, Brilliant Boa £lO, Corban £l9O, Doubleack £lO, El Caballo £5O, Fleet Street £570, Green Boa £215, Half and Half £360, Jedburgh £135, La Boca £lOO, Master Balboa £l5O, Passaform £955, Remembo £lO5, Rifle Range £lB2, Spanish Lad £560, Tautau Maid £l4O, Turaki £lBO, Waitoru £lB5, and Wild Career £415.

A Plucky Purchaser. If ever an investor in high-priced yearlings deserved a good return, but has yet to be rewarded, it is Miss Dorothy Paget. In 1931 she gave 5000 guineas for Portema, who ran seven times without giving any return. Celibate (3700 guineas) proved a similar failure in races, as did Osway and Colonel Payne, who jojintly cost 24,000 guineas. However, Miss Paget’s enthusiasm has not abated, and while she still buys costly yearlings, she has purchased several high-priced jumpers during the laast year. Trip Cancelled. S Kilrobe and Palmyra did not go to Reefton as the former has been put aside for the winter, and Palmyra was feeling the effects of galloping on hard tracks. It is intended to try the latter over hurdles, and she should do well at the game. Season’s Leaders. W. Broughton secured one win at Waverley on Saturday, bringing his total* for the season to 57 wins, eight wins ahead of H. Wiggins, who steered one winner at Whangarei. T. R. George is at the head of the winning trainers with 35 wins,- and L. G. Morris is second with 26 wins. An Escape. It is said that if Defaulter had won the Sydney Cup it would have cost the fielders £70.000 as the second leg of the Gold Rod double. A Promising Hurdler. It is a long time since such an easy win has been seen in Taranaki as that of Disturbed in the Autumn Hurdles. After trailing Ruadina for half a mile Disturbed took charge and from that on the further he went the greater his advantage. As Disturbed is partial to soft tracks, his winter prospects appear bright. He had just previously won a double over hurdles at the Feilding meeting, and is a four-year-old gelding by Excitement from Restful.