ABOUT HORSES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 July 1939, Page 9

ABOUT HORSES

Stansted, who was placed aside for a spell as the result of soreness, is back among the active brigade at headquarters and is evincing no signs of the trouble that caused his brief holiday. J. F. Tutchen has also brought the rising three-year-old filly Foxsen in again and she looks in good order to enter on a further preparation. Starbright, the three-year-old Colossus —Beautiful Star colt, is making steady headway and may do better in the season ahead.

Night Dress, who has an engagement in the Winter Cup, has not raced since May, but following a short spell he is again getting through strong work, and F. A. Roberts should have him at his best next month. Some of his form has been disappointing, but he has run some good races and he should bo on the way to more good deeds in the new season, as he runs out a mile and a quarter.

Classic, a useful two-year-old performer in the season now drawing to a close, is back in steady work at Te Rapa and will strip a robust customer among the ranks of three-year-olds next season. J. L. Muir, who by the way is making steady progress towards complete recovery, has the Surveyor colt looking in splendid condition. Classic started on seven occasions during the present term for one win and five minor placings and £360 in stakes.

SPORT OF KINGS OVERSEAS

PERSONAL AND OTHERWISE.

It is reported from Australia that the "ringing-in” of horses in North Queensland has been rampant for some time, and the Rockhampton racing stewards allege the “ringing-in" of a well-known Brisbane horse at recent meetings. Police help has been called in. and an intensive search is being made for the horse, but it is thought that the animal has been destroyed. Mr J. S. Killian, one of the stewards, attended a country race meeting near Rockampton, and became suspicious of a certain horse. He asked the nominator to sign a statutory declaration that the horse was beyond doubt the horse it was stated to be in the race book. The nominator refused to sign the declaration, and Mr Killian declined to allow the horse to start. Swift action followed, and after further inquiries the matter was placed in the hands of the police.

At present when the owner of a racehorse wishes it to run outside France he has ■to obtain permission from the Government. It appears that the embargo was put on all classes of horses because in recent months, for no apparent reason, thousands of quadrupeds of all categories were being snapped up by Swiss buyers, and imported to the mountain country, obviously with a further’ destination in

view. It is probable that the embargo will soon be lifted so far as thoroughbreds are concerned, especially those with foreign engagements, and it will certainly be taken off before the yearling sales commence in the summer.

The exact amount of totalisator investments on the 54 days of the Santa Anita Park (America) winter meeting was £8,662,025, a daily average of slightly over £160.000. On each of nine days investments exceeded £250,000, and the greatest turnover was £425,400 on the day of the Santa Anita Handicap.

George Harrison, who was one of Australia's most famous jockeys, has announced his intention of retiring from the ranks of trainers. He will not apply for a licence this year. Since he turned his attention to training, Harrison has won many races, but he has not met the success which his ability deserves. 111-health, however, has chiefly influenced him in his decision to retire from active participation in racing. As a jockey Harrison had few equals. He won many great races, and among his greatest feats was the winning of all four flat races in one day at Caulfield. Among Harrison's principal wins as a rider were the Debutant Stakes on Remmon and Stephanotis, Caulfield Guineas on Artilleryman and Midilli, A.J.C. Derby (dead heat) on Artilleryman. Cantala Stakes on Ethiopian, Standish Handicap on Blue Cross (twice) and Sunburst. V.R.C. Sires’ Produce Stakes on Scarlet, Newmarket Handicap on Blue Cross and Sunburst, Australian Cup on Defence. A.J.C. Breeders’ Plate on Heroic, and A.J.C. Sires’ Produce Stakes on The Monk. Harrison’s principal interest in future racing will be to watch the careers of his two sons. One of them is apprenticed to the Flemington trainer, R. 81-adfield, and has won several races. Another son is likely to be apprenticed in about 12 months' time.