TURF NEWS AND NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 April 1940, Page 3

TURF NEWS AND NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE American Boosting Methods (BY ‘'THE GRAFTER.”; The Americans do not believe in hiding their light under a bushel, particularly in business matters, when they “sound the loud trumpet’ so well that it echoes ail over the world. Their business advertisements must cost a mint of money, and the same applies to racing. During the past few months the American mail has included press matter boosting this year’s Kentuck Derby, of 75,000 dollars, and by the latest to hand comes a very interesting book containing 127 pages of the history of the Kentucky Derby from 1875 to 1939, and in addition the story of racing and the horses from the very earliest ages. A quotation may be of interest: “The fossilised remains of the first horse known to history are in the Amherst College Museum, Amherst, Mass. Its age is estimated at 45,000,000 years. This horse was only 11 inches high, but perfect in conformation. It was dug up in the ‘band lands’ of Wyoming by Professor Frederic Brewster in 1903. Those who have traced the history of the horse down through the ages have found him appearing, disappearing, and reappearing in almost all parts of the earth through millions of years. The horse was first domesticated about 3000 E.C. by the Libyans and. later >by the Thebaics and Egyptians. Darius (522-485 E.C.) was the outstanding breeder of all history. He had more than 2000 stallions and 5C.000 brood mares. He desired to produce about 45,000 foals per year and breed a horse larger than the 52 inches of his time, so that men might ride them. King Henry I (1100-1135) of England imported Arab stallions and- Moorish stallions, and this led to horse racing being originated in England somewhere in the twelfth century.'

Jockeys in India. Because racing officials are of the opinion that there are sufficient jockeys- in India, no new licences will be issued for Australian or English riders. Only those who held licences up to the end of last season will be permitted to ride. Il has also been decided to limit the number of horses under any one trainer to 40. Norse Shows Pace. In the Trial Plate at Waimate Norse showed a lot of pace in finishing a close second after getting badly away. He is a three-year-old gelding by Valkyrian from Flourish, and should do well in future. Chopped Back. Knight Commander got chopped back near the six-furlong post in the Waimate Cup after being one of the leaders up to that stage. He was in trouble for the rest of the journey. Won Under Difficulties. Lord Puck won the Studholme Highweight Handicap under difficulties. He appeared to suffer interference when going to the far turn, and dropped back several lengths. He came with a fast run and got up in time to beat Cymric in the last stride. Studley Royal Unlucky. Studley Royal -was unlucky in the Highweight Handicap. He and Crack o Dawn got badly away and had to make up a good deal of ground. On his display in the Waimate Cup Studley Royal must have been hard to beat with a better start in his first race.

Sigurd’s Successful Debut. Sigurd, who made a successful debut as a hurdler by taking both jumping events at the Whangarei meeting, was transferred north to G. Holland's charge a couple of months ago, and'he was turned immediately to schooling, quickly showing a liking for the game. In his last school at Ellerslie prior to going to Whangarei he jumped brilliantly. Sigurd was bred and owned by the late Mr W. Higgins, and he was among the lots sold at the dispersal last July, when he was secured by C. Ericson, of Dargaville, for 45 guineas. Mr Ericson left him at Trentham for a time, and he was unlucky not to win a race on the flat from there before his transfer to his new owner’s territory. Now five years old, he has all his future as a jumper still ahead of him. He is an older full-brother to Siglow, who has been a useful performer for H. A. Telford this season. Women Owners. “It is a pleasing coincidence," said Dr G. J. Adams, president of the Wanganui Trotting Club, in presenting the trophies at Claudelands to the winners. "that the recipients are women owners." Dr Adams added that it was gratifying to see women taking a keen interest in trotting and he warmly congratulated Mrs C. McGregor, owner of Bronze Queen, and Miss A. J. Nunn, owner of Barney Bingen, on the success of their horses. ’S. Holmes, rider of Narbada, was presented with a gold-mounted whip, the gift of Mrs J. Toliek.

Sky Limit Undergoes Operation. In his recent racing it was noticed that Sky Limit (Sky Blue-Rangitere) seemed to slacken down when pressure was exerted at the business end of a race, and his owner. Mr J. A. Bells. of Masterton. decided to have the cause investigated. For this purpose he engaged one of the most noted veterinary surgeons in the Dominion. Mr Martin, of Christchurch, to examine the horse. This Mr Martin did and found the trouble in the throat, a valve closing and cutting off the oxygen supply. Mr Martin performed an operation on Sky Limit's throat with very successful results. The Sky Blue gelding is now making excellent progress towards recovery and should soon be in good form again. The operation will do away with the disadvantage under which the gelding suffered at the business end of a race.

Leg Operation. Defy (Defoe-Rangitere), a half-sis-ter to Sky Limit, recently underwent a leg operation in Masterton, which was performed by the noted veterinary surgeon. Mi- Martin, of Christchurch, and is now- coming along nicely.

Kilrobe in Form. At Riccarton yesterday. Blue Coat and Pink Lad ran five furlongs in 1.4 3-5. and Raceaway, assisted by Shangri La, covered the same ground in 1.4 2-5. The best over this distance was credited to Kilrobe, who recorded 1.2 4-5. She is to make her reappearance at the Amberley meeting.

Purchase of Yearlings. Mr C. W. Anderson, who races Gladynev, has purchased from Mr T. Impey the yearling by Phalcron Bay from Duckling, a full-sister to Admiral Drake and Francis Drake. Mr Impey has named two of his yearlings, the Nightmarch—Variant gelding having had the name of Borak bestowed on him, while the Cambria Park — Llandovery gelding will be known as Versus. All the yearlings mentioned are members of F. Smith’s team, but it is unlikely that any will be ready for early spring racing, as only two have been broken-in. Waimate Cup Failures. Two big disappointments in the Waimate Cup were Cape Gabo and Balmenter. Both were slow to find their feet, and seemed to be in trouble thereafter, attempts to improve their positions at various stages meeting with net-backs. Hanlon also appeared to have a rocky passage, and then finished very fast. Another in Studley Royal would no doubt have offered some danger if he had not been asked to race over a mile under high-weight conditions a little over an hour earlier. After getting away badly mainly through his own fault, he ran to the front passing the half-mile and was still in charge entering the straight, but naturally ho could not go on. Racing horses twice during a day with only a little breathing space in between ap,pears to be becoming common at South Island meetings. The procedure may be advisable when short courses have io bo tackled, and a case in point was provided on Saturdayby Aravane. who, .-'.flor winning over six furlongs, camo out again two hours later and won over seven furlongs.

Roy Bun in Winning Form. Roy Bun added to It is good record I in recent weeks by ti comfortable win I in the Marlborougl: Cup on Saturday 1 and the principal event al the Marli borough meeting on Monday. On the I previous Saturday hr- won the NclI son Cup. Iho slake for which carried j a canteen of cutlery for Roy Bun's ’ breeder-owner, Mr T. E. Coates. c f Greymcuth, and also a silver-mounted, toilet set. given by the gatekeepers on - the course, for Roy Bun's rider, the Ricearlcn apprentice. M. Hollands. , Smce the Easter racing started on the : Wes, Coast, Roy Bun has won six races land nearly £550 in slakes. I A Faultless Exhibition. ! Padishah (C. Shields) was schooled over seven hurdles at Hastings yesterday. negotiating the initial one in hunting style, but from then with the pace on gave a faultless exhibition. The triple- National winner is in great fettle to incline some to opine that ho is bettor than over he was. X intrec and Calorie Gallop well. A dashing exhibition over a section of the steeplechase country by Ainlree and a useful five-furlong effort on the flat by the improving Calorie, were features of yesterday's activity at Te Rapa when ideal weather conditions ic/dowed an early morning frost. Aintror- iWatson) and Socketts (McGregor) were associated over two brush fences along the back, the former

giving a stylish exhibition. Sockeits also impressed by his effort. I On the course proper, where the flags were over 60ft. out from the rails. Calorie < Ensor) pleased by accounting for Acute iGollop) and Glenbovan i Day i at the end of live fiiilom's io 1.5 -1-5. “Dividend" for Patriotic Fund. Sixty or 70 people’ who attended the Cromwell Jockey Chib's lasi race mooting each, unconsciously and involuntarily' made a contribution of two or three shillings to the funds of the Otago Provincial Patriotic Council, which was informed at its lasi meeting that il had struck a substantial dividend. After one race at the Cromwell meeting a compensating error on the totnlisalor reduced the dividend on the placed horse by 3s (id for a .Cl bet and by 2s for a 10s bet. Thcresult was that an amount of ,29 4s was under-paid on Ute race, and. as this money belonged Io the public the Department of internal Affairs was advised of the posi-l (ion. The outcome of the mistake was ‘.hat] the department ordered that the "divi-l dened” should be paid Io the Otago I Patriotic Council as a donation.