TURF NEWS & NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 May 1939, Page 9

TURF NEWS & NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE £r COURSE

Views on Racing Facts and Fancies

WINNER OF ASHBURTON CUP

(By

“The Cynic.”)

In the Ashburton Cup, the main race at the meeting held at Riccarton on Saturday, Foxlove, and Dictate repeated the form they showed each day at Washdyke a fortnight earlier. On this occasion a few pounds advantage in the weights gave victory to Foxlove, after he had narrowly missed a place in the other two races. Never far from the front, he stayed on in attractive style. It was his second success at Riccarton this season, as he won a hack race in the spring. Gallant Fox, the sire of Foxlove, was a Hunting Song horse, a useful performer on South Island courses. Dictate ran one of his usual solid races, but appeared to be a trifle unlucky. He seems fated to miss success, as since he won at Motukarara in the spring he has been placed ten times, including six out of his last seven starts. As a result, he has had a big rise in weights for comparatively small financial reward. He is to have a spell and there will be a general hope that his owner will have a change of fortune when the Chief Ruler gelding resumes next season. Foxlove, is by the Hunting Song horse Gallant Fox, who was bred by Mr W. L. Rutledge and raced early by Mr G. D. Beatson, afterward passing to Mr G. Barton. He is a brother to Ringing Chief and Enchantment, the latter the dam of Red Witch and Sternchase. It is interesting to observe the revival of this sire line which, represented in England by Hurry On, was carried on by Hunting Song here, and now by his sons, Pink Coat and Gallant Fox, while in Australia Gaine Carrington is beginning to sire winners. Foxlove’s dam is Cupid’s part, by Archery—Princess Mosea, by Stepniak.

Sky Pilot. Sky Pilot started off in fine style on his North Island trip by winning the jEgmont Steeplechase. He gave a good exhibition of jumping, marred only by getting a little too close to one of the early fences. The merit of his performance was enhanced by the fact that it was his first face for nearly two years. He should be better at his next start. His sire, Day Comet, has made a name through the ability of so many of his progeny to jump. Sky Pilot may become one of his best representatives.

He is engaged at the Waikato meeting. after which the Great Northern Steeplechase will engage his attention. It need cause no surprise if he wins that event, and he may be the best of the coming winter’s cross country performers. C. C. McCarthy is entitled to credit for the manner in which he produced his charge for his first race, after so long an absence. Good Form. Haupongi showed very good formbefore he went wrong, running second to Maori Song at Wellington when the latter was in top form. His fourth at Otaki on Saturday is an indication that he may not have to wait long for another turn. Power Chief. Power Chief continues to do all that is asked of him and he should be in first-class order for his engagements at the Great Northern meeting. Ready for Work. Viscount, a full-brother to Nuffield, has made his appearance on the tracks at Epsom, and is an inmate of J. Holt’s stable. Rising three years old, Viscount has never raced, as in his early days he was constantly under the care of the veterinary surgeon, but he is reported to have been completely cured, and is now ready to commence his first serious preparation. Surprise Winner. Golden Flame, who won the Hack Flat Handicap at Gisborne, paying a dividend of over a score, prior to being transferred from the Woodville trainer, H. E. Russell’s stable to G. W. B. Green, at Hastings, had been working well on the tracks at Woodville. In consequence of a poor trial at Has--tings a few mornings ago her chances were not fancied, and the stable did; not participate to any material extent: from her handsome return as she was allowed to go out practically unsupported by her connections. Golden Flame is a three-year-old chestnut filly by Lackham from Megalo, and therefore a full sister to that good performer Golden Wings. She did not race as a two-year-old, but this season she has contested 13 races for two wins and two third placings. Mate for Beau Pere. Mr W. J. Smith, who has, among others. Beau Pere, at his St Aubins Stud in New South Wales, has purchased the Night Raid mare. Fan Tan, who is a four-year-bld half-sister to Greek Shepherd. Fan Tan was purchased at the National Sales on behalf of an Australian client for 300 guineas. She won seven races last season. RACING FIXTURES May 18, 20—South Canterbury. May 19, 20 —Manawatu. May 20, 22 —Waikato. May 27 —Foxton. June 3, s—Wanganui. June 3, s—Napier5—Napier Park. Juno 3. 5, 7 —Auckland. June 3,5, 10—Dunedin. June 10—Hawke’s Bay. June 17—Bay of Plenty. June 17 —Hawke's Bay. June 17—Greymouth. June 24—Otaki Maori. June 24 —Ashburton. June 24 —Waipa. July I—Dannevirke.1 —Dannevirke. July I—Oamaru.1 —Oamaru. July 4,6, B—Wellington.8—Wellington.

Plans for Silver pight. The North Islalnd trip which A. J. Martin had planned for Silver Sight has been revised. Originally it was intended to race at Auckland, with Manawatu or Waikato as a preliminary. On the appearance of the weights for tne Great Northern Hurdles and Steeplechase, however, no time was lost in scratching Silver Sight, when the burdens allotted him were reviewed. He has won some hurdle races, but all in moderate company and over short courses. Hast August, carrying 9st 1 lb, he was one of the last horses to finish in the Grand National Hurdles, Erination being in the field with list 131 b. In the Great Northern the margin between them is only 91b. Silver Sight has not had a race over country, but in the Great Northern Steeplechase ne shares second place with two others, only Erination being above them.

In his schooling to date, Silver Sight has shown a definite tendency to run down his fences, one result of this being that he has run off at the second of the double. There was a similar weakness when he was being educated as a hurdler, but he went straight enough in his races. His withdrawal froth his Auckland engagements came as no surprise. Martin has a revised trip in mind, taking in Manawatu and Wannganui. His intention is to start off with a steeplechase. If the horse acts well on the first day at Manawatu, he will be continued over country, but if he does not take to the game he will continue the trip as a hurdler. The Manawatu handicapper, however, appears to have given Silver Sight a full share of weight, but the class is not so good as at Auckland.