TURF NEWS AND NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 December 1939, Page 9

TURF NEWS AND NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE , Few Proved Stayers in Auckland Cup PROSPECTS OF CANDIDATES REVIEWED (BY "CARBINE.”) The form revealed in the Te Awamutu Cup was not very illuminating in an Auckland Cup connection, although it has had the effect of bringing The Cardinal into further prominence. The Cardinal was running on strongly in fourth position after being a long way back, and it was certainly an encouraging effort. Another thing that pleased his admirers was his improved appearance, and it is doubtful whether he has ever looked better, so that there is every reason to believe that he will strip fit for a solid performance next T uesday. A four-year-old who has not been over-raced, The Cardinal has left the impression that he is a stayer and, although he disappointed badly in the Mitchelson Cup at Ellerslie in October after winning the Avondale Cup very impressively in September, he may prove difficult to beat. On the score of breeding The Cardinal has a good deal to recommend him, being by Night Raid, sire of the good stayers Phar Lap and Nightmarch, from Palestrina, by Clarenceux from Judith, by Martian from Hebrew Maid (imp.), by Orion. Some fine stayers are descended from Hebrew Maid, and among them are Menelaus (New Zealand Cup), Motere (Auckland Cup), Wotan (Melbourne Cup) and Peter Jackson, and there is no doubt that The Cardinal is bred on the right lines to make a Cup winner.

The top-weight. Catalogue, has advanced in favour since it was made known that he was to be a runner, and in view of the fact that he won the Melbourne Cup in 1938 with 8.4 and was considered unlucky not to have been placed with 9.0 this year, he has to be respected. It is in his favour that he has proved successful at two miles, a distance which few of the others have attempted, and he will disappoint if he fails to make a good showing with 9.3. The fine performer Golden Sheila, who has been one of tne favourites, now appears very doubtful, owing to the fact that she was sore after racing on Saturday, when she failed to show any dash at all. It is feared that she has strained a muscle and unless her condition improves quickly it is unlikely that she will reach the post. Flood Tide appears to be in better condition than for some time past and, all going well within the next week, he may be very dangerous. King Rey has contested the race twice previously, running unplaced with 8.3 in 1935 and with 8.0 in 1936. and it seems impro-

bable that now he has reached the age of 10 he will do better than in the past, although he has seldom looked better than at present. Sly Fox has performed well up to a mile and a-half, but we have yet to see a true stayer by Hunting Song, and there is a doubt about his ability to run a solid two miles. Moreover, it will not be to his advantage if the weather keeps fine and the ground is firm. The longest distance Llangollen has yet attempted has been 11 furlongs,, at which she was successful in the Herries Memorial Cup at Te Aroha. but there is no reason why she should not get further, as she is by The Ace. sire of the good stayer Fast Passage, from Llanberis, by Marble Arch from Recoup, by Hierarch from Agatha, by Nelson, triple Auckland Cup winner, from Sister Agnes (imp.), by Rosicrucian, write “Archer.” The form of the four-year-old Royevrus has been good, and he should be capable of a solid performance with 7.10. Last year’s winner, Cheval de Volee, has failed in his latest races, and

it seems unlikely that he will repeat his victory, although he appears to be in better trim than for some time past. Balinavar has been racing consistently but unluckily, and should go a long way with 7.7. However, there is a doubt regarding his staying ability, and if the pace is solid early he might be found wanting. A better prospect is Dictate, with 7.5. Dictate was third last year with 7.6 and last month at Riccarton was third in the New Zealand Cup with 7.5, the race being run in the fast time of 3.22 2-5. Consequently Dictate has better staying credentials than most and, as he looks very fit, his prospects are highly esteemed. Beverley, Bonstar, Pern and Poland have little to recommend them. Pern and Fils de Vaals, who has yet to show his worth beyond a mile, are the only three-year-olds in the field. The last three-year-old to win the Cup was Nestor, in 1896. The race at this stage bears a very open aspect, especially as few of the horses have shown form at the distance, and the work of the various candidates during the week will bo followed with a great amount of interest. It is probable that fancies will take a wide range, and some who may be in demand are The Cardinal, Dictate. Flood Tide. Catalogue and Royevrus.

Beaulivre For Australia. Arrangements have been made to ship Beaulivre to Australia immediately after the summer meeting at Auckland. though he will not race over there till February. May Not Start. There is a fairly substantial rumour that Golden Sheila and Llangollen are doubtful for the Auckland Cup. Llangollen was unable to start at Waipa last Saturday on account of soreness. Centrepoise Goes Well. Cehtrepoise (Atkins) was sent a mile and a quarter at Awapuni yesterday, running the last mile in 1.47. the last ■half in 53. He was assisted the first once round by Royal Star 11. running 1.401 for that circuit, but over the last quarter, when Royal Star pulled off. Centrepoise loafed. However, he pulled up extra well, and will be a force to reckon with in Saturday’s Manawatu Cup. The Buzzer anti Colonel Bogey. The highlight of the activities at Awapuni yesterday was an excellent gallop by two Cup horses. The Buzzer and Colonel Bogey, who were accompanied by Thrasos. The Buzzer made the pace and though the others joined him turning for home, he came away to finish the mile on the plough in 1.46 Attractive Gallop. Pern (Wiggins) covered a mile and a-half in 2.44 3-5 at Auckland yesterday. the last round in 2.7 4-5, and six furlongs in 1.20 4-5. The cup lightweight finished attractively to run the last half-mile in 53 1-5, and there appears little doubt of his ability to stay. Dictate Pleases. Dictate (Wilson) and Sly Fox (Briggs) were associated over a mile and a quarter in 2.17 2-5 at Ellerslie yesterday, running the first round in 2.7 2-5 and the last half-mile in 56. After pulling hard in the early stages. Sly Fox weakened near the end and Dictate beat him by a length. Though the time was not outstanding. Dictate pleased by the resolute style in which he was running on, and the effort is likely to keep him well in favour for the Auckland Cup. Wairarapa Races. After racing at Awapuni over Christmas many horses will find their way to Tauherenikau for the following Saturday, where the programme to be presented by the Wairarapa Racing Club is bound to attract attention. The Wairarapa Cup has a prize well worth capturing, carrying as it does a stake of £6OO. inclusive of a gold cup valued at £75, and the club has thoughtfully offered a canteen of cutlery for the trainer of the winner and a gold wristlet watch for the rider of the winner. Some slight alterations have been made in the order of races each day, and, with excellent fields indicated, keen and interesting racing should be forthcoming. The Tauherenikau course is a very popular one with enthusiasts, many of whom picnic 'beneath the glorious trees in the motor-paddock, and as they will have the Christmas form to assist, backers should be in for a good innings. The opening event each day is set down for noon, with an interval of 40 minutes between races. Manawatu Cup Riders. Probable riders for the Manawatu Cup are: —Centrepoise, P. Atkins: The Buzzer, B. H. Morris; Siegmund. G. R. Tattersail; Wotan. L. J. Ellis; Play On. W. J. Broughton; Hunting Cat. fl. .1. Callahan; Du Maurier, J. Williamson: Tidewaiter. R. E. Horne; Dainty Sue. A. Midwood; Kona, W. J. Stevens; Colonel Bogey, H. N. Wiggins; Aurora's Star, W, J. Mudford; Limbohm, J. Forsyth; Raeburn, D. Redstone.