TURF NEWS AND NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 December 1939, Page 11

TURF NEWS AND NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE An Auckland Cup Try-out BIG EVENT AT TE AWAMUTU ON SATURDAY (BY “’CARBINE.”) Splendid fields are earned for the Waipa Racing Club's meeting, to be held at Te Awamutu on Saturday and, because of its close proximity to the Christmas carnival at Ellerslie, a great deal of interest will be taken in the form shown in the various events. Something of an Auckland Cup trial should be provided by the chief event, the Te Awamutu Cup, as no fewer than 12 of the candidates are engaged in the big event at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. Golden Sheila holds pride of place with 9.12, or 6lb more than she carried to a decisive victory in the Alison Cup. In spite of the fact that she is good and in the pink of condition, Golden Sheila will require to have everything in her favour during the running to hold some of the lightweights, who are capable of setting a merry pace. With the easing of the track Sly Fox will come into consideration, especially after his effort in running second to Golden Sheila in the Hamilton Handicap on the second day at Te Rapa, last month, when he did not appear to relish the hard track. Sly Fox carried 9.0 on that occasion and he now meets Golden Sheila on 91b better terms.

Llangollen has been racing over sprint distances this season, and her best effort was in finishing second to Our Jean in the Kirikiriroa Handicap at Te Rapa with 9.7. As she has been set an Auckland Cup preparation since then, Llangollen is not likely to be lacking the necessary condition to see out the distance in the Te Awamutu Cup. Her success in the Herries Memorial Cup, one mile and three furlongs, at Te Aroha last year, proved her ability to run a middle distance soundly. Flood Tide has trained on splendidly since finishing thi rdto Birthday Boy and Balinavar in the St Andrew’s Handicap at Ellerslie last month with 9.0. and now comes 111 b less. Flood Tide, who has been produced only three times this season, has made considerable improvement with each race, and should now be approaching the peak of his form, write “Bobrikoff” in the “'Auckland Herald.” Flood Tide is partial to an easy track, and is likely to have conditions in his favour on Saturday. King Rey has not raced since October, when he ran third to Black Musk and Birthday Boy in the President’s Handicap on the second day at Paeroa with 9.5. Although he is reaching the veteran stage, King Rey has raced with rare consistency this season and has not been out of a place in seven starts. King Rey invariably races well fresh and present conditions should suit him.

Jockeys For Te Awamutu.

Third in the Alison Cup with 8.5 and second in the St Andrew’s Handicap with 8.7, Balinavar has failed to run a bad race this season, and a success for him would be thoroughly deserved. With 8.7 Balinavar is handily placed, and it will be in his favour that he. will be racing on his own track. Last year’s Auckland Cup winner Cheval de Volee, showed a glimpse of form at Avondale, when he finished second to Ivy Willonyx, but he later disappointed at Te Rapa. Cheval de Volee is a free runner and is capable of being in the van throughout on this track. The Riccarton candidate Dictate won with 9.0 over seven furlongs at Hororata last Saturday, but the class was not good. However, his third in the New Zealand Cup with 7.5 would give him an undeniable chance if a decision is made to give him another race before the Auckland Cup. Present intentions are to start Orate in this event in preference to the Flying Handicap and with 7.8 he should be capable of proving dangerous if he begins well, as he is very fit. The three-year-old Baran was second to Friesland at Woodville last Saturday with 7.8, the same weight as he has on this occasion. Baran is likely to be improved with that race, and he may prove one of the most dangerous of the light-weight division, as he showed some pretensions to class by running a good third in the New Zealand Derby to Beaulivre and Moorsotis, and third in the Canterbury Cup to Royal Chief and Beaupartir.

The Cardinal has not raced since he ran below form in the Mitchelson Cup in October, but he can run a middle distance well. Scotland would need to improve on recent form, but the hard tracks have not been altogether in his favour, and he may go much better with the sting out of the ground. Gladynev quickly graduated to open company by winning at Avondale and Ellerslie in the spring, and he showed that he was up to the class by finishing

stoutly in his last start to run second to his stable mate. Full Hand, in the Claudelands Handicap, one mile, at Te Rapa last month. The three-year-old has been working in great style, and has given the impression that he is endowed with plenty of stamina. Of the remainder on the minimum Bonstar, who shaped creditably at Te Rapa, appears to have the best prospects. In what promises to be a very interesting contest fanced horses may be Sly Fox, Balinavar, Baran and Gladynev.

Riding engagements annaunced for the Waipa Racing Club’s meeting at Te Awamutu next Saturday are as follows: G. Smith —Proud Fox, Cornish, Full Hand, Tahiti. W. J. Mudlord— Gladynev, Sunola. A. Spinley—Penzance. F. Beguely—Milanion. W. J. Broughton —Saccone, Buccaneer, High Crown. L. J. Ellis —Flood Tide. G. Gilchrist —Vaalso. F. Clear —Namara. T. Green—lnver. G. Cameron—Golden Sheila, Foxtoon, Young Paddon. J. Logan— Ringshot. A. G. Murray— Biddy Girl. A. C. Messervy—Nyola, Beau Repaire. Gazeful. M. Ritchie — Glen Abb. J. Muir—Royal Nation. C. G. Goulsbro —Balinavar.

A Costly Oversight. After the first forfeit was made for the Great Northern Derby 33 three-year-olds, some of them still unnamed, were left in. At least half of them appear to have been left in through inadvertence, and their owners have become liable to the subscription of £l5.

Nigger Minstrel Leads. For the first three months of the present season in Southland Nigger Minstrel leads in the winning sires list with nine winners and £1,900 in stakes.' Balboa gains posthumous honours with six winners and £735 in stakes. Lord Warden is third with three firsts and £5lO in stakes.

Spendthrift as Hurdler. Spendthrift may make his debut as a hurdler on the second day of the Dunedin summer meeting. '

Change of Name. Mr J. Richardson has been advised that the Racing Conference has agreed to the change of name of his Paladin— Spanish Maid gelding from Spark Plug to Palencia.

Engaged Again. Horses successful at the Dunedin summer meeting who are engaged again this year are Sparkle. Passaf'orm, Top Row, Dictate, High Glee. On Call and Nightwings.

A Strong Team, R. E. McLellan has a strong team nominated for the Dunedin meeting, his' representatives being Sailing Lady, Boswell, Doubleack, Ackemma, Remembo, and Jedburgh.

Ready For The Fray. In view ■ of his engagements at Ellerslie during the holidays Melvanui is being speeded up in his work and no fault can be found with his condition. He is not engaged on the first day of the Auckland summer meeting, but is entered for hack events on the later days and may earn some money at the fixture.

A Cheap Filly.

FIXTURES. December 16 —Waipa. December 23, 26. 27 —Manawatu December 26 —Waipukurau. December 26 —West land. December 26. 27—Dunedin.

The four-year-old filly Night Eruption has won four races this season, and as they have been worth £390 she has proved a good investment at the 40gns she cost her owner. Mrs L. C. Faith, as a yearling. By Nightmarch, she is from Molten, by Paper Money from the Solferino mare Lava, who was a good mover when raced by Mr J. M. Samson.

Suleiman’s Weight. Winners of the Auckland Railway Handicap carrying 9.0 or more have been few and far between. The last to succeed was Jonathan, who carried 9.12 in 1935. Then years previously Reremoana won one of the divisions under 9.7. Only three other horses have been winners among such weights. They were Silver Tank 9.(1 <1912), Hohoro 9.6 (19011), and The Workman 9.8. who dead-heated with The Dancer in 1894. Tn this year's race Suleiman has been weighted at 9.6, but he has proved himself such a good sprinter and weight-carrier that ever, with that impost will have' many friends if he goes to the post.