CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 December 1939, Page 5

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE

Beaulivre and the Northern Derby WILL MEET STRONG OPPOSITION AT ELLERSLIE (BY ‘'CARBINE.”) Beaulivre, with ten straight victories to his credit, will meet his strongest opposition this season over a distance in the Great Northern Derby at Ellerslie during the holidays. Though he has defeated at some time or other during the present most of the horses he will meet, improvement can be looked for in some, while Beau Vite is a newcomer around whom interest will centre. Not that there seems much likelihood of Beaulivre being defeated unless he has slipped back since last raced at Riccarton. The New Zealand Derby was run at a slow pace in the early stages, and though Beaulivre came home over the last half mile in fast time the race could hardly be described as a test of stamina. Rather, it was more a duel of speed and, as he had proved in the Stewards’ Handicap, Beaulivre was incomparable. With the Stewards' Handicap and Derby, an unusual double, Beaulivre finished the meeting, being allowed to drop out of the Canterbury Cup. It was a pity, as in recording 2min 13sec for the mile and a half in the Canterbury Cup, Royal Chief clipped 9sec off the Derby time, and finished in such fine style that, Beaulivre would probably have been thoroughly tested. But Beaulivre had done his part and there was soundness in the judgment his connections showed in withdrawing him.

Beau Vite did his spring racing in Australia this season, showing mixed form. In some quarters the Bean Pere—Dominant colt is expected to test Beaulivre, but on their form last season Beaulivre should again prove superior, states a southern writer.

Beau Vite defeated Beaulivre in the North Island Challenge Stakes, but later at Riccarton Beaulivre had convincing wins in the Champagne and Challenge Stakes, Beau Vite never looking as though he might win. Moorsotis has done well since ho was the runner-up in the Derby and may prove even harder to defeat at Ellerslie. Like Royal Chief and other members of F. D. Jones’s team, he was given a short let-up following the New Zealand Cup meeting. Baran gave a much better showing in the Canterbury Cup than he did in the Derby, but had to accept third place in both races. He may fall short of the best, class but should develop into a good horse up to a middle distance. Many other horses were left in the Great Northern Derby when a forfeit was taken recently, but it is obvious that many of their connections had forgotten to scratch them. On the day, the field should be a fairly small one, and unless Beaulivre is paraded below top form he should add to a record that is already a fine one.

TRANSPORT OF CUP WINNER

TRUE STORY OF STRIKE INCIDENT During the past few weeks a controversy has "been carried on in some of the northern papers regarding the transport of Sinapis, winner of the 1913 New Zealand Cup. Owing to a strike of wharf labourers being on at the time, Sinapis, who was not shipped from Wellington until the night before the race was run, was generally supposed to have been walked from Lyttelton to Riccarton. In a letter to the Auckland “Herald,” Mr D. M'Mullen, who had charge of the mare on the trip, finally settles the question. He says: “Having read in the ‘Herald’ the New Zealand Cup incident of 1913 and how the winner, Sinapis. walked over the bridle path, I can assure you that you have been wrongly informed. I would like you to know that I looked after Sinapis the whole of her racing career, and had charge of her on the trip to Christchurch in 1913, and can say that she did not walk across, as Mr Forman said. As we were first on the boat at Wellington we were last off at Lyttelton, and on going to the station were put on the train in a cream truck at our own risk and taken to Sockburn, where we arrived between 8 and 8.30, going to the place of Mr Millar, where we were staying. Shortly after having breakfast, Mr Fletcher, who trained Sinapis, and myself. took her over to the course and gave her a roll, after which she was taken back and dressed, then left to rest until time for her to leave for the races. Hoping this will clear up the incident of 1913, as most people have the same idea as Mr Forman, which is altogether wrong."

The Flying at Waipa. Some smart sprinters are engaged in the Flying Handicap, six and a-half furlongs, at Waipa on Saturday, ana top-weight is Suleiman with 9.13. Suleiman has had the benefit of two races this season, and in his last start was second with 9.10 to Arvakur in the Cheltenham Handicap at. Ellerslie last month. One of the best sprinters in the land, Suleiman should at this stage be close to the top of his form, but he may gnd it difficult to concede weight to several of the speedy lightweights engaged. Orate will probably contest the Te Awamutu Cup. With 8.7 Our Jean has 51b over weight-for-age, but she is a solid and consistent filly, who stylishly won on the second day a' Te Rapa with 8.2. beating Llangollen and Olympus, write "Bobrikoff." Cur Jean is a trifle slow to find her' feet, which may make her task difficult on this track.

Tosh raced twice at Te Rapa recently, but failed to show up. Since returning from Sydney, where he did not reveal his true form in two starts, Paddy the Rip has galloped well at Takanini, and may not be without prospects, although a slightly longer journey would be more in his favour. Young Paddon who is also engaged in the Paterangi Handicap, finished third in the Claudelands Handicap at Te Rapa to Full Hand and Gladynev. and showed up prominently for a mile in the St Andrew's Handicap at Ellerslie last month. Corato has raced twice this season

without making a showing, but he looked as if he was in need of racing' and he may be capable of an improved showing on this occasion. Corato is a smart galloper when at his best. After winning impressively on the

first day of the Waikato Racing Club's spring meeting when he defeated Farland and Race Call. Orwere ran below expectations in his only start at Ellerslie. when the going was soft. There arc few better beginners than Orwere and. if the going is firm, he should race prominently. In her last, start Blonde Princess showed excellent form by winning the Awatea Handicap from Brunhild and Rakahanga on the second day of the Wellington Racing Club's spring meeting in October. She is a good sprinter at her best and with 7.8 is likely to take a lot of beating. The three-year-old Brazen Bold raced well in the spring, but he subsequently suffered a lapse of form. He has not raced since October, so has had a chance to freshen up. After being badly away in the Cheltenham Handicap at Ellerslie last month, Foxmond displayed exceptional speed to finish close up, and on that performance she would only need to begin correctly to prove difficult to beat. Foxmond does not fall far short of the best of her age, and sex, and in carrying big weights to victory in hack company has shown herself to be a very game filly.

Jockeys for Te Awamutu, Riding engagements announced for the Waipa Racing Club's meeting at Te Awamutu are as follows: —G. Smith, Proud Rox. Cornish, Full Hand, Tahiti; W. J. Mtidford, Gladynev, Sunola; A. Spinley, Penzance: F. Beguely, Milanion: W. J. Broughton, Saccone, Buccaneer, High Crown; L. J. Ellis, Floodtide; G. Gilchrist, Vaalso; F. Cleaver, Namara; T. Green, Inver; 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. Gculsbro, Balinavar; N. R. McKenzie, Sly Fox, Ureklaw, Kingcraft; N. Vaughan, Brazen Bold, Poland. Centrepoise Training Well. Centrepoise will be ridden by P. Atkins in the Manawatu Cup. The Hunting Song gelding is showing good form on the track since his success in the C.J.C. Metropolitan Handicap. Reid’s Team Divided. The Hastings trainer S. J. Reid has arranged the programme for his team for tim holiday meetings. Beaulivre. Kathbclla and Brunhild will go to Auckland. Barbara Miller, Yogi and Kobi are booked for Waipukurau. while the same trio, in addition to Nora Gregor and Black Out, will compete at the Hawke's Bay New Year meeting.

FIXTURES. December 1G —Waipa. December 23, 26, 27— Manawatu 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.1—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.