TURF NEWS AND NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 December 1939, Page 2

TURF NEWS AND NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE TIPPING BY THE STARS AN AUSTRALIAN ASTROLOGER’S FORECAST (BY “CARBINE.”) An Australian editor thought it a good idea to engage an astrologer to forecast the winner of the Melbourne Cup. This expert made no reference to the horses, but wrote a lot about numbers and the zodiac, among his prognostications being the following:—“The predominating astrological factors are Mars and Saturn. When the race is run the Sigh Aries will be rising, with Saturn 1 in the descendant .... The Ascendant is Aries, the rising planet Saturn. We translate this in terms of green, black, and dark colours generally for Saturn, with red for Mars. The potent numbers are 4 and 7. The Midheaven is ruled by Saturn, which makes Saturn’s number and colours more potent. Your astrologer would judge from this that a horse carrying the number 7,2, or 4 and bearing the appropriate colours—black, red, green—would be likely to pass the post first. We find Saturn rising at the time of the race, and Saturn is associated with “falls and sprains.” So that any horse born with, Saturn afflictions, ridden or owned by anybody also Saturn afflicted, is likely to have a spill or sustain some other injury.” First past the post in the cup was the riderless Ortelle’s Star. He carried No 7 saddle cloth, and his colours were black with red sleeves. No 2 was Catalogue, whose colours were cerise with gold spots. He suffered severe interference in the race. No 4 was The Trump, whose colours were green with a red sash and cap. He sprained a muscle so badly that he had to be pulled up.

Plans for Icevus. The Tasmanian-bred mare Evicus has been returned to her owner, Mr H. Rudd, and she will be prepared for the Inter-Dominion Championships to be held at Perth in February. Evicus, who had possibly’ readied the top of her form when she first arrived in New Zealand some years ago. has not been a very consistent stake-earner, but she has been a good, honest race mare and twice recorded 4.20 for two miles. Her brother, Icevus, winner of the Free-for-All and one of the most consistent pacers in commission, will probably fulfil engagements at the Auckland summer meeting before being taken to Australia. The trainer. J. Young, will be in charge and will probably drive Icevus in the championships. Usually the driver is R. Young, who scored with Icevus in the President’s Handicap at Forbury Park. Icevus won very easily in 4.21 4-5, and in his present form should add interest to the Auckland Centennial Gold Cup. Riders at Woodville. The following are some of the riding engagements for Woodville: —W. J. Mudford, Hunting Dawn, Entail, Setcna, Tableau or Sleeveless, Tidal Lass, Te Ore; P. Atkins, Mimetical, The Bigot, Isis, Kathbella, Te Ore; R. Marsh, Sir Musket; B. Stowe, Classical (apprentices' race, Monday); B. H. Morris. The Ring; L. Deeley, Royal Spades; H. J? Callahan, Hunting Cat, Night Eruption, Kurrawong, Red Chief; C. P. Sheild. Fossicker (second day); J. Forsyth, Limbohm, Gold Craft, Red Shoes; N. Caveney, Anini; C. L. Kerr. Hethers; C. Cameron, Sir Nigel. If T. Green has recovered from influenza he will be riding Jefferd’s team. Divisions at Woodville. There were 21 acceptors in the Maiden Stakes, the second race on the programme at Woodville tomorrow, and unless there is one scratching, the race will be run in divisions, in which case the stake for each division will be £5O. second £5. The divisions are as follows: — First Division: Hunting Dawn, Algerian, Goldcraft, Vai Pere, Newbury Queen. Daregain, Pharisee, Khyber, Game Pit. Parian, Kotua, all 8.11. Second Division: Mimetical, Ngeri, Mooradabad, Squeers, Waimutu, Don Quex. Parlato. Greatford, Great Fair, Last Acre, all 8.11. A Brilliant Gallop. On the grass at Riccarton yesterday Rebellion was responsible for a brilliant display over half a mile in 47 2-5, and Grey Silk and Lady Magellan followed in 49 4-5. These were the only serious gallops on this track.

Gay Circle. Gay Circle, who was trained by J. Fryer in Melbourne for the Dunedin owner, Mr G. J. Barton, has been purchased by Mr E. V. Jones, of Reefton, and will do stud duty in the Riccarton district. Gay Circle won seven races in Australia and was placed on a number of occasions, his best effort being when he defeated Bustard and a good field in the V.R.C. Stand Handicap, running the mile and a quarter in the smart time of 2min 3sec. Though not a big horse. Gay Circle is evenly tempered. He is a seven-year-old brown by Gay Shield from Nucleus. who was by Lucullus from Persis, a prolific brood mare. Wild Career Working Well. Reports from Invercargill state that no horse is working better than Wild Career. He has not raced since Gore, but there will be plenty of opportunities for him during the holidays. The Balboa gelding has won both as a sprinter and a stayer. Riding Engagements at Hororata. Some riding engagements for Saturday's races at Hororata are: M. Caddy, King’s Toast, Swingtime, Rebel Rose, Lady Magellan, Philibun; R. Register, Sir Frederick, Good Health; R. Caddy, Skyrena; J. Jennings. Pink Lad, Gay Hussar; V. Barrington, The Wrecker: The Duel; L. J. Ellis. Shanghai Lily, Dinah Dhu, Ageratum; P. Spratt, Gay Parade, Tantivy; W. Connor. Metric; H. Hibberd, Ferriby, Great Night; C. Stokes, Sham Raid, Sham Boy, Dividend; G. Ridgway, Chit Chat; C. Humphries, Grey Silk, Miss Tasta; A. Stokes, Kilrobe, St Cloud. Fascinator, Box On; A. E. Ellis, Rebel Queen; C. Wilson, Dictate, Scarteen, Great Legion: R. Mackie, Improvident, Rebellion: M. Billington, Caretaker. Princess Minerva. FIXTURES. December 9—Hororata. December 9, 11—Woodville. December 1G —Waipa. December 23, 2G, 27—Manawa! u December 26 —Waipukurau. December 26—Westland. December 26. 27—Dunedin. December 26. 27 —Taranaki. December 26, 28, January 1, 2—Auckland. December 30, January I—Wairarapa. December 30, January I—Greymouth. December 30, January I—Hawke’s1 —Hawke’s Bay. 1940— January I—Waikouaiti.1 —Waikouaiti. January I—Wyndham. January 1, 2—Stratford. January 1, 2—Marton. January 2, 3—Southland.