TURF NEWS AND NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 January 1940, Page 9

TURF NEWS AND NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE

Capricious in Excellent Form

WILL CONTEST DUNEDIN CUP

(By

"THE GRAFTER.”)

Capricious has made excellent progress since racing last in November, and though she will never carry overmuch in the way of condition, she looks in great heart. The Dunedin Cup will be her next mission, and while she will have to face the task without the benefit of a race to help her, she will be well fancied with a light-weight on her back. The conditions of the Wellington Centennial Cup made her ineligible to compete, thus showing up a weakness in the conditions, as she was the runner-up in the New Zealand Cup and third in the Metropolitan Handicap, and would have added to the strength of the Trentham field. But the spell has done her good, and she looks certain to be one of the early favourites for the Dunedin Cup. Considering her excellent form, it is surprising that the four-year-old Night Raid—Egotism mare has not won a race this season, her record reading five seconds and two thirds in nine starts.

Royal Chief and Defaulter. Defaulter, which also carries Mr H. D. Greenwood's colours, and is trained by F. A. Roberts, is approaching the stage 'where his work will be speeded up. So far his sprinting tasks have been over three furlogs at round about three-quarter pace, and his weak leg has not given any trouble. If he continues to progress, he may be a runner in the Hazlett Gold Cup.

The Dunedin Jockey Club may be lucky enough to attract both Defaulter and Royal Chief for the Hazlett Gold Cup, and a clash between this pair would prove a great attraction. Royal Chief won the race last year, getting up in time to head ofT Queen of Song. He is in top form just now, but will have a solid weight to carry. There is still a possibility that he will race in Australia in the autumn, and if the trip is undertaken, he will leave at the end of February. There was a suggestion that Beau Vite would also make the trip to Dunedin, but it is more likely that he will be taken along quietly, following some hard races, and then be prepared for the St. Legers and Awapuni Gold Cup.

To Appear at Riccarton. Nightglass, Pleading and Great Heart are two-year-olds trained by H. and A. Cutis which may have their first racing experience at the Riccarton midsummer meeting.

Pleading is a big brown colt by Solicitor-General from Eulalie, a good sprinter and a winner of the C.J.C.

Stewards’ Handicap and Champagne Stakes and the A.J.C. Gimcrack Stakes. By Absurd from Eulogy (imp.), Eulalie is a beautifully-bred mare, but has so far not been a success at the stud. Pleading will carry Mr G. R. Macdonald's colours. Pleading looks as though he will need time before showing form. Nightglass is a sister to Keen Sight, which was sold to go to India after winning a race last season. She is by Nightmarch from Good Sight, and is a typical Nightmarch in appearance. Good Sight is by Winning Hit from the Martian mare Equipment, dam of many horses to carry the Clifford colours, including Centrepiece, Full Feather, Semper, Paratus, and Cricket Bat. Nightglass has a good turn of speed. Great Heart, a good-looking chestnut colt, is the first foal by Magnus from Stout Heart, a sister to Good Sight.

Big Colts. The Defoe-Aurora Borealis colt being worked by G. Ridgway is shaping up well. He has plenty of size and is to be given the benefit of time as he may not be required to race until next season.

Another big youngster which is being taken along quietly is Kinsman, the Beau Pere-Amante colt in F. A. Roberts's stable. When he has developed fully Kinsman will be one of the biggest horses at Riccarton. He looks a Derby horse in the making. Amante is by Chief Ruler from the Limond mitre Adorable, dam also of Amiga, which is also by Beau Pere.

Plumage Working Well. Plumage, which has shown signs of soreness at odd times this season, is working well at present. The Full Feather-Jazz Girl mare has been running on in races and should again prove to be a payable proposition, in the autumn. Last season P. McGrath won three races with her. while she was also in minor places several limes.

Unfortunate Coincidence. It is an unfortunate coincidence that the reimposed petrol restrictions, starting on February 1. will again affect the Wanganui Jockey Club. An official of the club pointed out that last September the restrictions came into force immediately before the club's Spring meeting, with the result that the attendance of country patrons fell off considerably compared with the previous year, and the totalisator investments fell from £35,892 in 1938 to £26,563. Wanganui was the first race meeting to feel the September restrictions. The reimposition of the restrictions next week will fall on the opening day of the Wanganui Club’s Autumn meeting, and in the circumstances there appears little prospect of the totalisator turnover approaching the £44,429 handled at last year’s February meeting.

Suggested invitation Race. There is some talk in Sydney of an invitation race between the three-year-olds, High Caste, Reading and Beaulivre. It would be a great attraction if one- of the clubs could arrange it, but like the much discussed spring dash of Ajax and Defaulter, it may not eventuate. High Caste is claimed to have improved considerably since Reading defeated him in the Victoria Derby, but the Reading party assert that their colt has made just as much progress and will be on the scene for anything that is arranged. Mr E. C. Harnett is confident about the ability of Beaulivre. As a result of the discussions, the three colts are all getting good publicity, which will help the clubs when they race in the autumn. It would be interesting if Beau Vite were sent to Sydney in the autumn and proved good enough to beat the other throe. Wanganui Scratchings. Scratchings for the first day of the Wanganui meeting are: —Flying Handicap: Rakahanga. Springvale Juvenile: Peata, Black Robe. RACING FIXTURES February 1 and .3. —Wairoa. February 1 and 3.—Wanganui. February 3.—Canterbury. Feb rlla ry 3. —M ata m a la. February 3. —Tapanui. February 8 and .10—Egmont. February 10 and 12.—Poverty Bay. February 10 and 12. —Gore. February 10 and 12. —Rotorua. February 16 and 17. —Winton. February 17.— Tolago Bay. February 17. —Opunake. February 17 and 19.—Waikato. February 22 and 24—Dunedin. February 24.—Waiapu. February 24 and 26.—Westland. February 24 and 26—Te Aroha. February 24 and 26—Woodville.