TURF NEWS AND NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 November 1939, Page 9

TURF NEWS AND NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE

A Much-improved Horse

DARK FLIGHT’S RICCARTON FORM

(BY

“CARBINE.")

A. horse which attracted much attention at the recent Riccarton carnival on account of his improved form was Dark Flight, the Nigger Minstrel-Francolin gelding. There were many keen followers of the turf who greeted with ridicule his nomination in the Stewards’ Handicap, but his running third to Beaulivre and Sleeveless rather upset the opinion formed of his capabilities. It was Dark Flight’s first start in open company and in the circumstances there was no surprise expressed when he landed the Avon Handicap on the third day of the C.J.C. meetihg., Furthermore he emphasised his racing ability by equalling the New Zealand and Australian record of Imin 9 2-ssecs held by Silver Scorn.

Dark Flight was produced better than ever for the final day and beat another strong field in the Members’ Handicap. His time on this occasion was two-fifths of a second slower than the record, but he won with such ridiculous ease that the impression was formed that he would have beaten all time records for the distance had there been anything in the race capable of extending him over the last couple of furlongs. Dark Flight certainly had a strong following wind to assist him, but it in no way detracted from the brilliancy of his performances and one might be excused for thinking that he would have made the Stewards’ Handicap finish more interesting had it been run on one of the later days for he undoubtedly was a much better horse after racing on the first day. These three performances netted Mr Tweedie £675 in stakes and brought the gelding’s winnings for the season so far to £9OO. Dark Flight is by Nigger Minstrel from Francolin, by Paper Money from Philomela, by Bezonian from Philomel by Birkenhead, and traces back on his dam’s side to Musket and Touchstone blood. Francolin has had only four of her progeny racing, Nightwings by Nightmarch, Ortyx by Lord Warden and Dark Flight and Gold Flight both by

Nigger Boy, and all four have been returned winners and shown exceptional speed . Nigger Boy was bred at Riverton by his owner, Mr D. M. Tweedie, president of the Riverton Racing Club. Haughty Winner. Haughty Winner, who did not show his best form at the New Zealand Cup meeting, will be got ready for a trip to the Manawatu and Wairarapa meetings during the holidays. Great Legion Disappoints. The four-year-old Great Legion, owned by the Awapuni trainer G. W. New, was left in the South Island after the New Zealand Cup meeting in the charge of E. C. Parker and has been nominated for the Ashburton meeting next week. Great Legion has been disappointing since winning at Masterton last month, although he has been placed twice. He is very speedy when at his best. To be got Ready for Holiday Meetings. Rebel Chief has resumed work after a spell and should be ready to show form during the holiday season, when he may be raced on the West Coast circuit. The Well-bred Perillus. The four-year-old Perillus, who brought off a surprise in the Apprentices’ Handicap at Avondale, is bred on attractive lines and hails from Australia, where he was secured by Dr W. C. Ring and later sold at auction to Mr W. Scholium. Perillus is a goodlooking horse, except for the fact that his forelegs do not appear too sound, and he is by Brazen, sire of Bronze Eagle, from Vioweela, by Heroic from Weela, by The Welkin from Talitha, by Martian from Hebrew Maid, by Orion. Many good performers are descended from Hebrew Maid, whose daughter Lovelorn produced Nones, Menelaus, Lovematch and Left. It is a branch of the No. 13 family that has produced some good staying performers and on the score of breeding Perillus has much to recommend him. Perillus possesses brilliant speed and he has only to train on to achieve further success for Mr Scholium, whose colours are seen to the fore all too seldom these days. To Attack Trotting Record. The New Brighton Trotting Club has entered into an arrangement with the owner, Mr J. F. McKenney, for Lawn Derby to make an attempt to break the grass track record at the New Brighton meeting on December 2. Lawn Derby, Im 5'9 2-ss, is the only horse in the Southern Hemisphere to record better than two minutes for a mile, and this was done on the dirt track at Addington. The grass track records for New Zealand are held by Van Derby, who has registered 2m 0 2-5 s and 2m 1 l-5s for a mile. Although Lawn Derby did not gain a win at Addington, he is a great pacer when set against the watch, and with conditions favourable the fast grass track at New Brighton may see another record established. It was on this track that Harold Logan made his mile and a-quarter record, of 2m 36 2-ss. To Compete at Perth. It was reported in Christchurch on Friday that both Icevus and Plutus will be sent to Perth for the trotting championship meeting next February. Icevus has been handicapped at 12yds in the mile race, on the limit in both the mile and a-half and two-mile races, and Plutus on 24yds in the mile, mile and a-half and two-mile races. AUCKLAND RACES FIRST DAY ACCEPTORS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, November 17 Acceptances for the first day of the Auckland Racing Club’s mid-spring meeting on November 25 and 27. when betting will be win and place, arc: —■ Melrose Maiden Handicap, 6f.: Glen Connell, 9.0; Royal Fawkes, 8.9; Mayfair, 3.7; Erination, 8.4; High Crown, 8.4; Gay Movie, 8.2; Wapaugh. 8.2; Biddy Girl, 8.1; Merry Vaals, 8.1; Boy Lu. 8.0; Phil Vaals. 8.0; Waitarma, 8.0; Hunter's Night, 8.0; Fairfield. 8.0; Vertex, 8 0; Commemoration, 8.0: Fleuron, 8.0; Australian Star, 8.0; Stokowski, 8.0; Valley Maid ,8.0; Cornish, 8.0; Bronze Fire, 8 0; Monte Cristo, 8.0; British Talent, 3.0; Vaalsmac, 8.0: Digger Jim. 8.0. Milford Handicap, 6f.: Sebrof, 9.4; Midland. 8.10; British Nation, 8.6; Royal Message, 3.4; Penzance. 8.2; Tea Gong. 7.11; Pasture. 7.9; Miss Valerie. 7.7: Philemup, 7.7; Tahiti, 7.7: Acreman, 7.7; Mandalay, 7.7: Clipper, 7.7: Trevacc. 7.7; Lock Acre. 7.7; Gazeful. 7.7; Eupatrid. 7.7; Minority. 7.7. Tiri Hurdle Race, Inness Lad, 10.10; Royal Abb, 10.3; Ureklaw, 10.3;

Cintrace. 9.11; Knight of Australia, 9.9; Ringshot, 9.6; British Sovereign, 9.5; Chikara, 9.4; Tea Chat, 9.0; Tangiwharau, 9.0; Noisy Night. 9.0; Wynardo, 9.0; Seneta, 9.0; Whenua. 9.0. Alison Cup. Llm.: Floodtide. 9.1: Golden Sheila, 9.1; Royevrus. 8.3; Birthday Boy, 8.5; Balinavar, 8.5: Royal Appellant, 8.4; Valamito, 8.4; Nee Cuttie, 8.2; Orate, 8.0; Gold Vaals. 7.10; Ivy Willonyx. 7.8; Vaalso. 7.0: Inver. 7.6; Saccone, 7.0. Cambria Handicap, 5f.: Queen City, 9.0; Nightbeam, 8.12; Phaleron. 8.5; Beau Leon, 8.2; Lovaals. 8.2; Payette, 7.13: Marshal Hall, 7.12; Ascot Bloom, 7.12: Taane Pango. 7.12; Auburn Lad. 7.12; Mysito, 7.12: Water Hound. 7.12; Night Pilot. 7.12; Royal Descent, 7.12; Cheddington, 7.12; Sure Pay. 7.12; Radiant Vaals, 7.12; Tavern Gay, 7.8: Volifox, 7.7: Beaucoup, 7.7; Golden Bonnet, 7.7; Happicoat. 7.4; Harmony, 7.4; Belle Femme, 7.3; Money Spinner. 7.3. Takapuna Plato. 71'.: Anion, 8.5; Bronze Moth. 8.5; Dragon Moth. 8.5; Games. 8.5; Hutana, 8.5; Summary, 8.5; Vaalsstar. 8.5; Eupatrid. 8.0; Foxsen, 8.0; Foxtoon, 8.0; Minority. 8.0; Orel io, 8.0; Proud Fox. 3.0: Silver Stick, 8.0; Meadow'. 3.0. Cheltenham Handicap, 61'.: Orate, 9.12; Suleiman, 9.10: Royal Bachelor, 8.8; Tosh. 8.4; Our Jean. 8.0; Bronwcn, 7.13; Pirate King, 7.11: Olympus. 7.10: Konneta, 7.8; Foxmond, 7.6; Bachelor King. 7.3; Mintlaw, 7.2; Lexden. 7.0: Arvakur. 7.0: Veritable. 7.0: Miss Te Koura. 7.0. Ponui Handicap, Im.: Royal Tray, 9.3; Greek Queen, 9.2; Spinning Wheel. 8.1: Princess Vai, 8.1; Glen Connell. 7.12; Erination. 7.8; Kakarere, 7.8: Hunting Bee, 78; Philemup. 7.8: Milanion. 7.8; Selwyn. 7.8: Pern, 7.7; Lapidarian. 7.7: Starbrighl, 7.7; 7.7; Royal Huntress, 7.7; Loyal Grant, 7.7; Maereana. 7.7; Every Port. 7.7; Gay Opal. 7.7. _____