TURF NEWS AND NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 July 1939, Page 11

TURF NEWS AND NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE

Green Cape and Giant Killer WILL THEY ANNEX. ANOTHER NOTABLE DOUBLE? THE AUSTRALIAN HURDLES AND STEEPLECHASE TO BE RUN AT CAULFIELD NEXT MONTH (BY “CABBINE.”) Green Cape and Giant Killer, stablemates who landed £50,000 for connections and the public in grand national doubles, will endeavour to credit their trainer. W. Burke, with another notable double—the Australian Hurdles and Steeplechase—to be run at Caulfield next month. Whether they can win the Caulfield “Nationals” with the substantial weight rises is another matter, but their G.N. double was the culmination of one of the shrewdest betting moves in years.

The switch from Giant Killer Green Cape to Green Cape —Giant Killer, however, could not have succeeded without the outstanding training skill of “Bill” Burke, who transformed Green Cape from a 'chaser into a brilliant hurdler, and, at short notice, made a ’chaser of Giant Killer. Yet it was on Giant Killer, who had raced over fences only four times before his dashing Grand National Steeplechase win that Burke pinned most faith.

Green Cape, who justified his favouritism for the G.N. Hurdle, was practically unbacked straight-out by his trainer for that race. Burke was confident he would win, but he was keener still concerning Giant Killer, and was of opinion that the latter would land his double bets in the event of Green Cape winning the first leg. Everything worked out according to schedule. Melbourne’s leading double bookmaker alone laid the pair for £15,000, and his liability was not eased greatly by the £2OOO to £5OO he took from other ringmen when he financed his book at the final pre-post session.

Inclined to be a little “piggish” at the start, Giant Killer was last away, and last going out of the straight, but he moved through the field, rapidly, was third after going about six furlongs, moved up second to Deckard coming to the straight-entrance the first time around, and was left with a lead of about eight lengths when Deckard toppled over with about a mile and a half to go. ' From then on it was all Giant Killer. Just as he had done at Moonee Valley. He simply hurdled his fences, and, giving a glorious exhibition of jumping, was not afterwards headed to win by five lengths from Turf Boy, with old Wakerife three lengths away in third place.

Giant Killer pulled up comparatively fresh, and was in great heart when he returned to Burke’s stables at Pascoe Vale.

His win was one of the most romantic in the history of the race, for several weeks ago it was not even intended that he should be a runner. .

Burke was of opinion that Nevizes, another member of his team, would be an ideal G.N. Steeplechase proposition, and, during a telephone talk with that gelding’s owner, Mr W. P. Mein, he sought permission to "set” Nevizes for that race. Mr Mein, however, replied that he did not want Nevizes raced over fences just yet, so Burke there and then decided to make a 'chaser of Giant Killer.

He had little time to do the job. and the fact that Giant Killer won the National exactly five weeks after his first race over fences is the greatest tribute that could be paid to the ability of his trainer. Frank Dummett. who docs most of the jumping riding for the Burke stable, is one of Australia's most successful cross-country jockeys, having won four of the six Nationals in which he has ridden, but Giant Killer did not go too kindly for him in his first race at Flemington, and in another at Caulfield.

Watts, who has ridden work for Burke, had his first experience of Giant Killer in a school at Moonee Valley less than three weeks before the National, and the gelding went in such dashing style for him that Burke’s eldest son, who watched the trial, remarked to his father: “There you are, dad; he’s the rider for Giant Killer.” Watts was engaged on the spot to ride him at Moonee Valley three days later, and he earned the National mount by piloting Giant Killer to one of the most dashing steeplechase wins seen for some time.

CJ.C. MEETING

ACCEPTORS FOR CHIEF EVENTS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH. July 21. The Canterbury Jockey Club today received acceptances for the throe principal events at the Grand National Steeplechase meeting to be hold on August 8, 10 and 12. and also nominations for minor events on the three days of the programme. The acceptances total 63. -as against 72 for the same payment last year, figures being as follows: Grand National Steeplechase. 1938, 20; 1939. 13; Winter Cup. 30, 26; Grand National Hurdle Race, 22, 24. Nominations total 585 as compared with 549 last year. The following are the acceptances:—

SPORT OF KINGS OVERSEAS

PERSONAL AND OTHERWISE. The total turnover on the three days of the English Derby meeting was £220.917. Of this the “daily double" was responsible for £17,922, but-as investments on the “daily treble” amounted to only £1761, seemingly it will lake some time to educate English bettors to that method of speculation.

Most important handicap run at the Belmont Park (New York) spring meeting a few weeks ago was the Suburban. I.', miles. Notwithstanding there was prize-money for the first four horses, only six started, and a four-year-old named Cravat won by two lengths in 2.2 4-5. In America it is generally difficult to get large fields for handicaps of a mile and a quarter, or farther. The winner's share of the Suburban prize-money was £4437; while £lOOO went to second, £5OO to third, and £250 to fourth.

A Press Association cablegram from London announces the death of Tetratema. one of the most famous racehorses of all time. Tetratema, by The Tetrarch from Scotch Gift, was foaled in 1917. As a two-year-old he won the five races in which he started, beating the best of his age. and as a three-year-old the Two Thousand Guineas was his first success. He became favourite for the Derby, but failed badly as a stayer. Later in the season and again as a four-year-old he was invincible among the sprinters. During 13 seasons tnat his stock have been racing he sired winners of about £250.000. His best season was in 1930, when 24 of his progeny won 38 races, worth £38.303. He endowed his descendants with great speed, and though he did not sire a Derby. Oaks, or St Leger winner. Mr Jinks (now a successful sire) won the Two Thousand Guineas, and Four Course the One Thousand Guineas.

While admitting that an objection founded on alleged interference in the straight or close to the winning post may present less difficulty to the stewards and create less uncertainty in the minds of the public than one which alleged a similar offence earlier in the race. I fail to see (says an English authority) that there is any difference in the actual merits of a case wherever the rules were broken. Reckless. rough oi - foul riding, a crossjostle. and any other irregular act on the part of a jockey are offences for which an objection can be lodged, whether they happen at the start or at the finish.

So much notice is now taken of race times in England that the papers feature new records. 'Monty’s win in the Catherine of Aragon Plate, a handicap run at Hurst Park on May 30. was productive of headlines setting

forth the fact that he had reduced the previous best for five furlongs at that course by a second. Monty, who is a five-year-old by Noble Star, carried top weight by 9.2, and ran the five furlongs in 59 4-5. Hurst Park is a slack by comparison with some in England, where courses vary so greatly that times at one are really of little value in any attempt to apply them to others.

For the recent meeting at Santa Anita. 2865 persons in some way connected with the turf were licensed. The list included 771 pari-mutuel clerks, 261 trainers, 703 grooms. 408 owners. 287 exercise boys, 60 jockeys. 28 apprentices, and 42 jockeys' agents.

If Blue Peter continues his run of success and lands the St Lege) 1 he will be a winner of over £40,000. A yearling would be cheap at 10,000 gns if he could repeat the same performance.

ABOUT HORSES

It is unlikely that U. Scott will race again, and he will probably take up stud duties at Roydon Lodge during the coming season. For some months U. Scott has been troubled with a split hoof, which was making such a good recovery that it was thought he would become quite sound again. There has been a recurrence of the trouble, however, and the American stallion is on the easy list.

The Nightmarch gelding Tomcat, who fell when running in the Pareora Steeples, run at Timaru, is schooling well at Riccarton. At the last Grand National meeting he was third to Gold Wren and Nightbound in the Hun Cup, and second with 9.3 to Gold Wren 10.10 in the Aylesbury Steeples.

Curie, winner of the Winter Hurdles on the concluding day at Trentham, has contested 95 races for 20 wins. 8 seconds, and 15'thirds. His total stake earnings amount to £3,623. of which £llO5 has been won this season. Curie is not engaged in the Grand National Hurdles.

The aged gelding Mungatoon, by Musketoon —Mangamaire, has been purchased by Mr G. D. Greenwood, and will accompany Defaulter to Sydney, leaving on August 3. Mungatoon won a double at the May meeting at Washdyke recently.

The former Takanini-trained jumper. High Quality, is now a member of R. S. Bagby's stable at Ellerslie. High Quality is a winner over hurdles and. although he has not raced this season, he looks well forward.

Francis Drake has built up in condition during a spell and at present is doing easy exercise.

RACING FIXTURES

Julj' 29—Christchurch Hunt. Julj' 29 —Manawatu Hunt. August 8, 10, 12.—Grand National meeting. August 19—Pakuranga Hunt. August 31— Egmont-Wanganui Hunt. September 2—Taranaki Hunt. September 2 —Otago Hunt. September 7, 9—Wanganui Jockey Club. September 16—Foxton Racing Club. September 16—Ashburton County Racing Club. September 16, 18—Avondale Jockey Club. July 22—Rangitikei Hunt. July 22—South Canterbury Hunt.

NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLECHASE. Three miles and a half, Erination .. .. 11 10 Cottingham 10 1 Padishah .. .. 11 5 Gold Wren . 9 12 Survey 10 13 Manawatu . 9 7 Black Banner 10 10 Burwood .. . 9 2 Power Chief 10 4 Pandine .. .. . 9 0 Slayer 10 3 Tom Cat .. . 9 0 Silver Sight 10 2 WINTER CUP. One mile. Catalogue .. .. 10 3 Fleet Street .. 811 Majority .. .. 10 2 Lord Dungarvan .. 9 12 Cavendish 8 8 Black Thread 9 11 Spanish Lad .. 8 7 Haughty Mishna .. .. .. 8 7 Winner 9 5 Yours Truly .. 8 5 Nightcalm 9 4 Settlement .. .. 8 2 Ned Cuttie .. 9 4 Night Dress .. 8 0 Silver Streak 9 3 Roy Bun .. .. .. 8 0 Alma 9 3 Waitaka .. .. .. 8 0 Lady Montana 9 2 Gay Rebel .. .. 8 0 Trench Fight 9 1 The Wrecker 8 0 Meamea .. .. 8 13 Ruling Spi .. .. 8 0 Dictate 8 12 NEW ZEALAND GRAND NATIONAL HURDLE RACE. About two miles and a half Charade 11 8 Disturbed .. .. 9 G Padishah 11 7 Aussie Ra .. .. 9 5 Erination 11 5 Silk Sox .. .. 9 4 King Rey .. .. .1010 Ellanui .. .. .. 9 4 Travenna .. . 10 7 Pink Robe .. .. 9 3 Silver Sight . 10 3 Power Chief .. 9 1 Survey 10 1 Last Link .. .. 9 0 Recollection . 10 1 Vantoon .. .. .. 9 0 Cottingham .. 9 13 Araboa .. .. .. 9 0 Peter Lustral .. 9 0 Beckford 9 12 Tutor .. 9 0 Agog 9 7 Bit o’ Blue .. .. 9 9 Dividend .. . 9 7