TURF NEWS AND NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 January 1940, Page 9

TURF NEWS AND NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE Racing in England in 1940 JOCKEY CLUB’S OPTIMISTIC VIEW (BY “CARBINE.”) According to the London “Sporting Life,” the stewards of the Jockey Club have taken an optimistic view of racing for 1940, and, anticipating that conditions will be almost normal, have made all arrangements for races and forfeits this year on the same assumption that the fixture list will be the same as that published in August. Racing was suspended in England immediately war was declared in September, but since then there has been a modification and several meetings have been held. At such meetings attendances have been excellent, and various writers have pointed out that stands and enclosures have been packed. The 1940 flat-racing season is scheduled to begin on March 25, with meetings at Kempton Park, Birmingham, and Newcastle, and to end at Manchester on November 23. The dates for the Ascot meeting have been set down for June 18, 19, 20, and 21, and entries for it close on December 5. The dates for the classic races are: May 1, Two Thousand Guineas; May 3, One Thousand Guineas; June 5, Derby; June 7, Oaks; and September 11, St. Leger.

For the first time in the history of the St Leger, which was instituted in 1776, it was abandoned last year, being set down for a date a few days after the declaration of war. Even in the Great War the classics were not abandoned, although the Derby venue was moved from Epsom and the St Leger from Doncaster to Newmarket. In announcing the conditions of races for 1940, 1941, 1942, and 1943, the stewards of the Jockey Club stated that should conditions or circumstances so demand fixtures are liable to be cancelled, but that they would do their best to maintain, as much as possible, the fixture list published, and, should the necessity arise, to substitute fresh fixtures at places where racing is permissible. Such a provision would seem to indicate that racing will carry on as during the last war.

A Sequence Broken. When Beaulivre was beaten in the Great Northern Derby by Beau Vite, a sequence of 11 wins was broken. The race was run at a fast clip throughout, the first half-mile in 52sec, five furlongs in Imin ssec, six in Imin 17 2-5 sec, seven in Imin 30 2-ssec, mile in Imin 43sec, and the last half-mile in 49sec, making 2min 32sec for the full journey—a new course record. A Comparison. Beau Vite’s record now stands at 7 wins, 5 seconds, and 2 thirds in 24 starts in Australia and New Zealand, his stake winnings totalling £4,560. Beaulivre has won 15 times, been second 6 times and once third, all his racing having been done in the Dominion. His stake winnings total £6.805. Consistent Racer. Mona’s Song raced very consistently over the holiday meeting, and. following placed efforts in the Otago Handicap and Invercargill Cup, she came into her own in her best style on the final day of the Invercargill meeting to win the Southland Handicap. The Songbird mare is more than useful when right, and is to be taken to Trentham for the centennial meeting. — Fulfilling Promise. Spendthrift is now fulfilling , the promise he showed as a two-year-bld. Two outright wins and a dead-heat was his contribution to the stakeearners over the holidays and on each occasion he won by staying on. Spendthrift had his first race in open company at Invercargill and won the Flying Handicap decisively. The Paper Money gelding has not won be- ■ yond six furlongs, but he should run out a middle distance without any difficulty. Royal Chief May Not Compete. There is a possibility that Royal Chief may not take his place in the Wellington Cup field. There is certain to be a big field, and, as was the case in the New Zealand Cup, his inability to go with the field early, and then having to go round several horses, makes his task again look very severe. His stablemate, Moorsotis, who ran a quite creditable race in the Great Northern Derby, is to be a starter, and will be ridden by A. Messervey. A. E. Ellis had been engaged for Royal Chief, but if the trip is not made with him, Ellis will ride Catalogue. Improving Over Hurdles. Milford is improving with every race over hurdles, and his winning turn does not appear to be far away. He may be taken to Trentham for the meeting on January 18, 20 and 22. Doubleack may also make the trip North. The Balboa gelding showed excellent form, and the best has yet to be seen of him.

Laughing Lass in Form. Having her first race beyond a mile, Laughing Lass won the ninefurlong Aidworth Stakes at Marton, a course on which she has always raced prominently. Generally recognised as a sprinter, Laughing Lass drew attention to her prospects as a stayer when she ran Taurangi to a head in the Thompson Handicap at Trentham in March. Laughing Lass, who is six years old,' is by Laughing Prince, from Night I Out, by Lord Quex— Frosty Morn. Night Out was purchased by Mr T. A. Duncan at the Flaxmere dispersal sale in 1931 for 70gns, and, mated with Laughing Prince, produced Laughing Lass, who has now won over £4OOO in stakes. Three others by Laughing Prince, Royal Sign, Ecstatic and the two-year-old Royal Consort, also won at Marton. Laughing’ Lass, Royal Sign and Ecstatic were bred by Mr Duncan, and Royal Consort was bred by the owner’s son, Mr K. McK. Duncan. Royal Consort, who is from Happy Hit, by Leighton—Kinsem, has won three races, which gives her the distinction of sharing the lead among the two-year-olds who have raced this term. The others with three successes are Lou Rosa, Ringling and Absolve. Laughing Prince, who ran second to Corinax in the 1928 Auckland Cup, was a splendid racehorse, and his stock are proving successful. He is by Ivantock, from Martian Princess, a daughter of Martian, by Martagon— Otterden. Definitely Retired. It is reported that Silver Streak ran his last race when he contested the Waikouaiti Cup. His retirement has been announced several times, but his owner states that this time it is definite that the Paper Money gelding will not start again. For Patriotic Purposes. The members of the Kaikoura Trotting Club have decided to forfeit its totalisator permit this season so that a meeting may be held at Addington by one of the Christchurch clubs and the profits of the fixture given to the Patriotic Fund. An Improved Horse. Heidelberg has been unbeaten in his last three starts, and was one of the most improved horses seen out during the holidays. His next appearance will be in the Wairio Cup on January 20, for which he is already one of the favourites. Ortyx, from the same stable, staged a successful comeback, and was unlucky not to win twice. Her win in the Waikiwi Handicap was her first since she won the John Grigg Stakes, and her all-round improvement since going into F. Voight’s stable has been most marked. Both horses are held on lease by Mi- P. H. Nicholson, of Invercargill, who has met with much success in the little time he has been associated with the sport. Malagigi at Work. The Sydney visitor and ex-Auck-lander Malagigi was out doing pace work at Trentham yesterday. He looks a picture of condition and his form suggests he will be in the firing line in the Cup. He ran third last autumn in the Sydney Cup to Mosaic and L’Aiglon, and at his last start in the recent Tattersall’s Gold Cup was narrowly and, according to reliable reports, somewhat luckily defeated by the lightweight Binnia Hero, .who has been showing good form this season.

A Brilliant Sprint. A brilliant four-furlong sprint by Black Thread, and a mile by Beau Vite and Ruling Star, were features of the track work at Trentham yesterday. Conditions were fine and mild, with no wind, though overcast, and with the plough track almost evclusively used, there was a livening of interest after the lull following upon the holiday racing. Ashhurst Cup. The following are the weights for the- Ashhurst Cup, one mile and a quarter. Lady Montana 9.0, Notium 8.12, Ned Cuttie 8.9. Hunting Cat 8.1, Race Call, Galteemore 7.12, Corroboree 7.9. Mataroa 7.8. Colonel Bogey 7.6, Bronze Stop, Classform 7.5. Limbohm, Hunting Moments, Lord Moutoa, Miss Appellant, Lady Chat 7.0.