TURF NEWS AND NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 April 1940, Page 3

TURF NEWS AND NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE Jumping Season Approaching A NUMBER OF ASPIRANTS FOR HONOURS (BY “THE GRAFTER..J The encl of the flat racing season is fast approaching, and already a number of aspirants for honours in the forthcoming major events over obstacles have commenced the first stage of their preparation. At the recent Hawke’s Bay meeting two champions in this sphere were seen in action. Charade and Padishah, probably the best of their respective sex in the Dominion. Both horses looked well, and Charade demonstrated by her performance in the Karamu Hurdles that she is nearing her best. On a track that was not to her liking she carried 12.8 into third place, and her finishing run left the impression that had the journey been a little further she might have won. Last season she was responsible for some very fine performances, which included a win in the Great Northern Hurdles and a third in the Grand National Hurdles.

Padishah, the dual National winner, was given a run in the sprint event on each day. in which he performed well enough to suggest that he will bo in good order for the more serious tasks which lie ahead, writes “The Escort." in the Napier "Telegraph." With two such proved jumpers to represent the district, it would not be surprising to find some of the richer prizes again ' coming this way. However, other stars { may arise on the racing firmament who | > may offer formidable opposition. Alli ready there is one, (he Gisborne-owned | Cup winner. De Friend. In his only | hurdles race to date he has proved his | worth, and with the big pull he is like- | ly to receive in the weights for the 9 'Grand National he will be a thorn in ! the side of the top weights. j At Awapuni the brilliant. Hunting I Song gelding. Clarion Call, is reported to be bearing a greatly improved appearance. and has been getting through his tasks in good style. A fast fencer, he is sure to add interest to any jumping event he contests. Also nt Awapuni is Bryce Street, now an inmate of Knapp's stable. Two seasons ago ho gave promise of developing into a top] notch steeplechaser, but last season he suffered a lapse of form and has not raced since he failed in the Great Northern Steeplechase. Since being put into work he has made good progress and has been infusing plenty of dash into his schooling essays and should be a payable proposition. j At present the South Island does not : appear to be as well served as the North Island. Survey and Slayer were : the leading steeplechasers and both won their share of the principal events . last season. Southern reports state that so far their programme is in doubt. Survoy won the Great Northern Steeplechase last year, after a great tussle with Power Chief, and then went ' on to win the Wellington Steeplechase. , His subsequent form was poor and.he • appeared to bo incapable of handling t the Riccarton country. Little more ' than a pony, his chances of winning a ‘ Grand National are remote. ‘ Slayer look’s to be a far better proposition. In the Wellington Steeplechase he lost his rider, but. won the ' Matai and July Steeplechases on the concluding days. Going on to Riccarton he ran third to Padishah and Cottingham in the Horneby Steeplechase, ( following this up by running third to Padishah and Erination in the Grand £ National Steeplechase, and winning the Beaufort and Lincoln Steeplechases. | c Slayer was the southern find of the year. Of the Aucklanders the iron horse, Erination, must enter calculations for jumping honours. He has carried immence imposts in hurdles races with distinction, and has been kept, going throughout the summer in hack events. ? He should strip in bettor order than t most, horses for the commencement of ? the “lepping" season. > P Old Bill Fit. P All continues to go well with Old P Bill, and he should be thoroughly fit P the next time he is required to race. P Ridden by M. Bowden, he pleased the I critics by the determined manner he P covered four furlongs, with a brush J home for the last three in 38 2-5 at ? Awapuni yesterday. ?

■J Nigger Boy and Spanish Lad. i! ;i The half-brothers, Spanish Lad and 1 Nigger Boy. have proved good money u spinners for their owner. Mr H. J. ■■ Riddle, this season, their total winnings , for the period amounting to £2040. To , this amount Spanish Lad has contribut- , ed £ll6O and Nigger Boy £BBO. Spanish j Lad has won four races and been sec- , ond once in 14 starts this season, while J Nigger Boy has won a similar number of races and been in a minor place five I times out of thirteen starts. Spanish Lad’s successes so far this s season comprise the Flying Handicap nt Invercargill. Federal Handicap (Wingatui). when he established a track record of 1.12 3-5 for six furlongs. Publicans' Handicap (Wingatui), and Templeton Handicap (Riccarton), while his place performances include a second in the Metropolitan Handicap (Trentham) and a third in the Great Easter Handicap. Nigger Boy opened his winning account this season in the Cashmere Handicap at Riccarton last August, and his other successes were in the Ashley Handicap (Riccarton), Flying Handicap (Wingatui), and the Aparima Handicap (Riverton). In the three seasons he has been racing. Spanish Lad has contested forty-one races for ton firsts, eight seconds, three thirds and £2015 in stakes, while Nigger Boy has started 15 times for five firsts, two seconds, three thirds and £960 in stakes. Both horses have done well since their successful outings' at Easter, and both give every indication of improving on their performances before the season closes. Trisox for Trentham. Trisox is reported to have recovered from the lameness that affected him during the running of the Great Western Steeplechase and it is understood 1 that his connections plan to take him io Trentham for the Wellington 1 Steeplechase. The Panmure gelding £ is a grand jumper and had he boon 1 sound in the past he would have made ' a big name for himself as a crosscountry performer by now. Ho had '■ the Great Western Steeplechase won 1 when ho broke down at the second last ' fence and gave easily the best exhibition of jumping. * Frenchy Recovered. S Frenchy, who knocked himself in a > schooling bout on the eve of the Riv- I erion meeting and had to forego his ’ engagements, is-all right again. -

RACING FIXTURES April 20, 22.—Marlborough. April 27.—Waverley. May 25.—Foxton. April 27.—South Canterbury. May 2, 4.—Egmont. May 4. —Franklin. May 4—Amberley. May 11. —Ofiiki Maori. May 11. —Ashburton County. May 11—Southland. May 11, 13—Poverty Bay. May IG, 18.—South Canterbury. May 17, 18. —Manawatu. May 18, 20.—Waikato.