TURF NEWS AND NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 October 1939, Page 9

TURF NEWS AND NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE Trentham Form May Seriously Count IN DECIDING STEWARDS’ HANDICAP AT RICCARTON (BY -CARBINE.’ - ) The average punter will probably take Trentham form as a guide in connection with the Stewards' Handicap at the C.J.C. Carnival, and it will probably prove not far out in the end. i hough Beaulivre won his two races at the Wellington spring meeting he did not have as opponents any of those he will meet at Riccarton. The Beau Pere colt is unquestionably a good performer and it looks at the moment as if he will start favourite. The long straight track should suit him and there is no doubt that he will stay the distance. ..No three-year-old has won the race with 8.10, but Machine Gun had 8.9 when he won.

Two other horses in the Stewards’ Handicap will doubtless be solidly supported—Globe Trotter and Sleeveless. At Trentham Globe Trotter came with a well sustained run in the Nainai Handicap and beat Sleeveless who had charge at the distance and fought on. Sleeveless registered a good performance in the Rimutaka Handicap on the first day. Both Sleeveless and Globe Trotter had some good gallopers behind them in the Nainai Handicap. Sleeveless was conceding 91b, but there is a margin the other way now, so Sleeveless may turn the table on Globe Trotter, while she should be hard for any of her opponents to beat.

Before the Trentham meeting opened, it looked as if Disdain would be the favourite for the Stewards’ Handicap, but her two performances caused a great change. On each occasion she was handily placed from the start, and there was no room for excuses when she failed to run on.

Density showed speed, but failed badly in stamina, while Toro Koura also ran badly, stopping a long way from home. Gay Parade never got into the picture.

Rakahanga was third in her only start, and .may have a chance at Riccarton, as the race should improve her. Gay Chou may find six furlongs too short, states the sporting writer in the “Christchurch “Star,” but he needs only average luck to pay his way at Riccarton up to a mile. There is nothing engaged in the Stewards’ Handicap that can beat Disdain and Density for speed, but they do not carry it far enough at present. According to track reports, both go fast over four or five furlongs in their work, but so far it has failed to carry them over six furlongs. Perhaps an alteration in their track work, more ground and less speed, would make them more dangerous over the Stewards’ Handicap course.. Favourites for New Zealand Cup. Royal Chief, Centrepoise and Lady Furst are linked as favourites for the New Zealand Cup. The second line is formed by a group consisting of Arctic King, Peerless, Passaform, Thermidor and Yours Truly. Arctic King’s Form. Last year Arctic King failed in his races at the Wellington spring meeting, but three weeks later went to Riccarton and won the New Zealand Cup under 8.1. In this year’s race he has been allotted 8.10. and again will have to show a marked improvement on the forfe he showed at Trentham this month.

Hard Race to Pick. Recent winners engaged in the Spring Plate, to be run at the New Zealand Cup meeting, include Wings of Song, Sternchase. Anita Foe. Duncannon, Chirp and Raeburn. It will not be an easy race for the winner.

Hunting Cat. Throe wins this season have brought the eight-year-old Hunting Cat. the half-brother to Catalogue, by Hunting Song, into prominence for the New Zealand Cup. Hunting Cat was the ante-post favourite for this race four years ago, but did not start. <

May See Out a Middle Distance. Ortyx, one of the fastest two-year-olds ever trained at Wingatui, was tried out over eight and a-half furlongs on the second day of the Gore meeting. She lost several lengths at the start, but finished on very fast into fourth place. Since this mare had her last race she has filled out well, and now looks and gallops as if she will see out a distance when more seasoned. In Great Fettle. Beaupartir, who was shipped to Riccarton last night, looks in great fettle. It is unlikely that the anticipated meeting between him and Beaulivre in the Canterbury Cup will take place, as present intentions are that Beaulivre will run only in the Stewards’ Handicap and Derby. Shipped to Riccarton. The following horses were shipped from Wellington to Riccarton last night:—Arctic King, Beaupartir. Old Surrey. Raeburn, Sceptre, Sudan, Sleeveless, Anita Foe, Great Legion, Miss Hallomet, Verey Lights, Classform. Duncannon. S. Reid was to have taken his team south, but he postponed His departure till Wednesday because of the weather. Yours Truly will go down' tonight, and H. Telford will go on Wednesday with Enrich, Globe Trotter, and Dainty Sue.

GREAT CLASSIC RECORD

HELD BY JAMES SCOBIE. James Scobie, who is one of the best known trainers in Australia, is in his eightieth year, but still can train Derby winners. In Adelaide a few weeks ago he won the South Australian Derby for Mr E. E. D. Clarke with the Melfort colt Lussoh, and brought his tally of Derby wins to eighteen. Scobie had a great time in the spring of 1900, when he won the South Australian Derby for the first time with Miltiades and saddled Maltster to win the A.J.C. and Victoria 'Derbies. ■Winning three Derbies in a season must be a unique performance for a trainer anywhere in the world. He has trained the winner of the Victoria Derby eight times, and has four successes in the A.J.C. Derby to his credit. The South Australian Derby has fallen to him on five occasions, and the other Derby win was scored in Western Australia.

The following is a lisf of Scobie’s Derby successes:— - Victoria Derby 1900, Maltstar: 1901, Hautvilliers; 1903, F.J.A.; 1904, Sylvanite; 1908, Alawa; 1912, Wolawa; 1927, Trivalve; 1937, Hua. A.J.C. Derby—l9oo, Maltstar; 1901, Hautvilliers; 1904, Sylvanite; 1927, Trivalve. Jpouth Australian Dei by 1900, Miltiades; 1903, F.J.A.; 1913, Kildalton; 1920, Wycherley; 1939, Lusson. West Australian Derby—l9o6, Benbow. A long time will elapse before another trainer equals the record of Scobie in Australian classic races. He has trained three winners of the V.R.C. Leger, four winners of the Caulfield Guineas, four winners of- the A.J.C. Leger, and seven winners of the. South Australian Leger—a wonderful record. FIXTURES. November 3. 4.—Whangarei. November 4. —Stratford. November 4. —Otautau. November 4. —Napier. November 4. 6, 8. 11.—Canterbury. November 11. —Napier. November 11, 13.—Avondale. November 18. —Levin. November 18. —Southland. November 18, 20. —Waikato. November 25. 27. —Auckland. November 25. —Otaki Maori.