TURF NEWS AND NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 November 1939, Page 3

TURF NEWS AND NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE

Metropolitan Trots at Addington

IMPERIAL JADE WINS N.Z. DERBY

(BY

“CARBINE.”)

The Metropolitan trots were continued at Addington yesterday when the New Zealand Derby was won by Imperial Jade after a good display. The sister of Indianapolis made all the running and staved off all challenges that were made at the business end of the race. It was a splendid effort on the part of a consistent trotter. The Ollivier Handicap was a falsely run race, though the speed was on in the second mile and the finish was full of thrills. Fine Art held, a good position all through and in the dash for the pos> he came through to score a well-earned win by a length.

Death of Great Trotting Sire. Rey de Oro, sire of Cantata and Blair Athol, who ran second and third respectively in the New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington yesterday, died on Monday evening at the Mardella Stud. Otahuhu. 1 Rey de Oro, who was foaled in 1917, was by Copa de Oro, 1.59, from Subito, and was imported from America by F. Holmes. He was leading sire, in the 1931-32 season and again in the 193536 and 1936-37 seasons, as well as being runner-up several times for the honour. Rey de Oro’s total of 105 winners in the 1935-36 season is a record.

Rey de Oro produced many highclass pacers, including Roi L'Or. winner of the Auckland, Wellington, Ashburton and Dunedin Trotting Cups. Roi L’Or holds the world’s grass track two miles race record, 4.14 1-5, and shares with Harold Logan both the New Zealand' mile and a-quarter dirt and grass track records, with 2.36 2-5 and 2.36 3-5 respectively. The champion mare, Parisienne, 4.15 3-5, who holds the world’s two-mile race record for her sex, is also by Rey de Oro. as is Graham Direct, winner of the Auckland and Wellington Cups. Morello, winner last year of the New Zealand Cup. is also by the defunct sire. When- previously at Mardella, Rey de Oro left many good ones, including the brilliant Uenuku. The loss of the horse at this juncture is a serious one for the Misses N. and M. Edwards, and they are negotiating in the South Island for a sire to take his place.

Namara’s Injury. Namara has been an absentee from the track since racing at Whangarei, where on the second day he suffered an injury which may keep him out of action for a time. Namara was badly galloped on during the running of the Park Handicap and was favouring the leg on his arrival home. Namara was right at the top of his form and it is to be hoped that he makes a good recovery.

Form of Penzance Encouraging. The form of Penzance at Whangarei was very encouraging, as she was having her first outing for nearly five months. Fourth on Friday of last week, she went better to beat all but Odtaa in the Marsden Hack Handicap on Saturday, and, as the racing is likely to prove beneficial, it appears that her return to the winning list will not be long delayed. She looks little the worse for recent exertions.

A Cup Prospect. Taurangr was responsible for a sterling effort when she won the Stratford Handicap with 9.0. There did not appear to be a great deal of pace on in the early stages, but the time indicated that the race was soundly run. By Beau Fere from the Top Gallant mare Barbacan, a Victorian Oaks winner, Taurangi is bred to stay, and, after the manner in which

FINE ART SCORES IN OLLIVIER HANDICAP

she scored on Saturday, it would seem that, she may be a prospect for the Manawatu and Wellington Cups.

Wotan's Failure. It was thought that the roomy Stratford course would suit a stayer like Wotan, and, on the strength of his close third in the Waverley Cup. he came in for good support. However, he was never really dangerous, although he was finishing on behind the placed horses. It was his second appearance at Stratford, and, as he ran a similar race on the previous occasion, it would seem as if he is not partial to the track. As no fault could be found with his condition, he may make amends at Feilding, a course on which he has usually performed well.

Gold Dale Impresses. Gold Dale, who ran away from his opponents in the Juvenile Handicap, impressed as being a galloper above the average. His time for the five furlongs was fast for Stratford, and he won with plenty in hand. Calliope went with him for a little over three furlongs, but from then on Gold Dale had the race to himself. He is by the successful sire Vaals from. Gold Dawn, by Day Comet from Red Dolly. Gold Dawn is a full-sister to the good mare Bright Glow, who won among other races an A.R.C. Easter Handicap and two Stratford Cups. She was also twice second in the Thompson Handicap. Gold Dale carries the colours of her breeder, Mr H. Cleland. Stratford, who also raced Bright Glow and Gold Dawn.

Unlucky Lowenberg. According to the rider’s version of the race, Lowenberg was unlucky to miss a win in the New Zealand Cup. He was travelling well when the field raced along the back stretch, and just near the false rail was running on the outside and handy to the leaders. His big blazed face was conspicuous, and' Broughton appeared to have a fair hold of his mount. Yours Truly had not yet started his final run, as they were still some distance off the post. Just inside the false rail Lowenberg collapsed and Yours Truly was sent out to win.

Sir Amyas Disappoints. After his good display on the first day at Riccarton, Sir Amyas was considered to hold a good chance in the Strowan Plate. He drew 14 at the barrier and was with the leaders at the home turn, and so were Gay Lancer and Mosgiel, who struggled on into third place. Sir Amyas sadly disappointed, fading away at the business end. Still the racing should do him good! Gay Lancer began from 2 and ’Mosgiel from 3, positions assisting a horse in a big field at the six-furlong post. Green Boa drew the rails in the Randolph Handicap, and Combat began from 4. Combat was prominent all the way, but Green Boa did not get sighted in the race. Boloyna began from 11, and was always with the leaders, but Duncannon proved rather too good for him, and Flame Queen stayed on to beat him for second place. In this race Areas got a bad run, and otherwise would have been hard to keep out of a place. In the Epsom Handicap High Glee got near the leaders when racing on the outside of the field as they came up lhe straight, but he faded out over the final couple of furlongs. The race may improve him. Swordstick may do better if the handicapper allows for defeat and horses showing better form are sent up in the weights.

A Falsely Run Race. The Ollivier Handicap at the Metropolitan trotting meeting yesterday was a race of varying fortunes; but it was not truly run race for stayers. The first mile was run in 2.21 and the second in 2.7. In a manner it was a false run race, but the speed was on in the second part and the finish was full of interest. Plutus, a good beginner, was left in front soon after the start, and it was quite apparent that his driver did not want the position. The pace slowed down and this gave Renown’s Best, who had lost ground at the start, her chance to take the load. With six furlongs to go. Renown’s Best was followed by Plutus. Gallant Knight. Fine Art, Blair Athol, Cantata, King's Play, Pot Luck and Lawn Derby. Down the back Renown’s Best still looked a winner, and al the straight entrance his lead, Was disputed by Fine Art and Blair Athol. In the run to the post Fine Art held his own and was not thrashed out to score a clear cut win by a length. Blair Athol was beaten on his merits after being driven a great race, and Plutus pul. a dash in at the finish. In a fast-run race he is not the best stayer. Lawn Derby lost ground early, but he made an impression on the winner in the later stages. Cantata did not run on as expected, and Gallant Knight, always in the firing line, did. not finish with much determination.

New Zealand Trotting Derby. Imperial Jade, a sister to Indianapolis, followed up her success in the Riccarton Slakes by winning the New Zealand Derby at Addington yesterday. after a splendid exhibition of pacing. Not only did she make all the running, but she withstood all challenges that were made in a fast last

half-mile. Betty Boop hopped out of the barrier smartly, but Imperial .Jade soon took up the inside running, and she and Betty Boop carried on down the back stretch from Shady Glen, Great Waitaki and Gallant Chief. Nationalist, after a slow beginning, had joined the leaders at the end of half a mile. Betty Boop made several attempts to take the lead from Imperial Jade, but the latter held on. and. when the last six furlongs were commenced. Imperia] Jade was still leading from Betty Boop, Nationalist. Gallant Chief, Groat. Waitaki, Ordnance, and Durability. When the real racing commenced three furlongs from home. Betty Boop showed an inclination to bore.