TURF NEWS & NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 May 1939, Page 9

TURF NEWS & NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE & COURSE

GALLANT CAREER ENDED

(By “THE CYNIC.”)

One of the truly great jumpers who have embellished the turf history of New Zealand closed his career on Monday at Te Rapa, in a dramatic manner. The gallant Valpeen had almost completed the course in the Te Rapa Steeplechase when he collapsed and died about a chain and a half from the finish.

Valpeen won the Great Northern Steeples for the first time in 1934 and two months later he added the Grand National to his list. He repeated his performance at Riccarton in the following year, and then last year he won another Great Northern. He was one of five to win the Great Northern Steeplechase twice and one of six since .1876 to capture the Grand National Steeplechase twice, but was the only horse to complete the double in both events. ,

His whole jumping career is a notable one, characterised by superb jumping and staying power. Before winning the Northern--Nat-ional double in 1934 Valpeen had been in commission as a racehorse only about 18 months but in two seasons at six and seven years he started 38 times for nine wines, 20 minor places, and £3,435 in stakes. He was successful once as an eight-year-old, when he won the Grand National for the second time, and his next success was when he scored again in the Great Northern last June. Subsequently he ran third in the Winter Steeplechase, in the W. G. Park Steeplechase at the Waipa meeting, and in the Homeby Steeplechase at the-Christchurch Hunt meeting.

At the beginning of the current season he was third in the Grand National Steeplechase to Clarion Call and Bryce Street, and from that he marched to victory in the Beaufort Steeplechase on the second day. That was his last success and the last time he gained a place. His best successes, apart from those mentioned, were the 'Wellington Steeplechase, the Sussex Steeplechase and Pakuranga Hunt Cup at Ellerslie. Valpeen was bred and raced throughout his career by Mr G. Campbell and he was by Valkyrian from a Spalpeen mare. He started 87 times for 12 wins, 11 seconds and 10 thirds for £6,265 in stakes.

Pyrenees An Improver. Of the hurdlers who were beaten the one who might make most appeal in connection with the Great Northern Hurdles is the six-year-old Pyrenees, who benefited by his race on the first day, and made a much better showing on Monday than on Saturday. Pyrenees should be all the better for the racing, and with the work he will receive in the meantime, he should be in the pink of condition when the Ellerslie meeting opens. Moreover, he should have a better chance with his speedier opponents if rain comes to make the ground heavy, as he has shown -previously is ability to act well when the ground is that way. Pyrenees has a splendid jumping pedigree, being by Tinoka, son of Quin Abbey, from Mountain Dream, by Trenton from Nightmare, by Panic. Here is some fine staying blood that will appeal to many. In addition to several winners on the flat Mountain Dream produced the good jumpers Erie and Brushwood Boy, who performed impressively as a hurdler until an unfortunate mishap cut short his career. Pyrenees looks the part of a good jumper and his fencing ability has been proved by his success both over hurdles and country at Ellerslie.

Views on Racing Facts and Fancies

Spring Invasion Discussed. , Next season’s New Zealand invasion will be productive of particular interest, writes “Pilot” in the Sydney “Referee.” Considering the representation was not numerically strong the Dominion’s horses did wonderfully well in important Australian events this season. Naturally enough, New Zealanders ascribe this to the general superiority of their horses, but it must not be overlooked that comparatively few moderates are sent to Australia. If some of our best were tied in New Zealand it is not improbable 'they would hold their own in the principal events.

Defaulter’s reappearance here is something to which racing men are already looking forward. He appears likely to prove Ajax’s most dangerous rival in races of a mile and a quarter or a mile and a half. Ajax may not be asked to go beyond the latter distance. Royal Chief will be another good one from New Zealand, and Beaupartir. whose admirers believe him quite up to Defaulter’s class, may be a visitor. Anyhow, New Zealand’s horses will add class to our weight-for-age races, and that is something for which to be thankful.

High Class. Bonnie Rollox reappeared on the tracks this week, and was given strong work on the plough. He has had a course of sea water treatment, and is believed to be quite sound again. If so, he will be a welcome addition to the ranks of steeplechasers, as there is no doubt about his brilliance when in his right form.

Bryce Street. , Although Bryce Street was walking short behind after his fall in the Te Rapa Steeplechase last Saturday, the latest reports are that his condition is satisfactory and he is expected to be on hand to fulfil engagements at the Auckland Racing Club’s winter meeting at Ellerslie. Bryce Street has been one of the favourites for the Great Northern Steeplechase since the nominations appeared and much interest will be centred in his doings in the next 10 days. RACING FIXTURES May 27 —Foxton. June 3, s—Wanganui.5—Wanganui. Juno 3, s—Napier5—Napier Park. June 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. July 4,6, B—Wellington.8—Wellington.