TURF NEWS AND NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 May 1940, Page 3

TURF NEWS AND NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE

Interest ia W&fat© Meeting A LEAD AS TO GREAT NORTHERN FORM

(BY

“THE GRAFTER.”.

Strong fields are engaged at the Waikato Racing Club’s meeting on Saturday and much importance will be attached to the form revealed in view of the Great Northern carnival which follows at Ellerslie a fortnight later. The Te Rapa Steeplechase, about three miles, and the Waikato Hurdles, 1.7 miles, will be the principal jumping events on Saturday and they arc bound to create a lot of interest, although as a guide to the Great Northern Hurdles more attention may be paid to the Hamilton Hurdles, two miles, on the second day.

Pride of place in the Waikato Hurdles is occupied by King Rey with 11.11. Tie has not raced, over fences since winning the Sydenham Hurdles, two miles, with 10.13, at Riccarton in August, although he has performed consistently well on the flat in the meantime, one of his best efforts being to win the Storey Memorial Handicap, 11 furlongs with 8.7 at Te Rapa in February. Reports from Malamata credit King Rey with working and schooling well; he has to be respected in spite of his impost. Not much has been seen of Loombination since he won the Raglan Hurdles, l. : j miles, with 10.13 in February. but he is in good heart and should have a chance with 10.6, even although there is stronger opposition. The South Islander Streamline staged a return to winning form at Hawera recently, and as he is good when fit, he should run well with 10.6, states the “New Zealand Herald” writer. Present indications are that Streamline will this winter be one of tlie leading jumpers, as only ill-luck has prevented him from having a better record than he (possesses. Enjoyment is an improver who has three successive wins to his credit and he should be in line for further honours. At his last appearance he carried 10.11 and ran a mile and three-quarters at'Avondale in 3.10 4-5, so that with 10.5 he should take beating. On the same mark as Enjoyment is Aussie Ha. who fan second in the Grand National Hurdles with 9.5 and second in the Sydenham Hurdles with 10.4 at Riccarton last August. The racing he had recently

at Hawera. where he was unplaced, is likely to have improved Aussie Ra, who may win at any time now. All Irish is more distinguished as a steeplechaser than as a hurdler and he is also in the Te Rapa Steeplechase. However, if started, he should not be without prospects with 10.3 in the Waikato Hurdles, as at Avondale last month he ran third with 11.5 in the Hobsonville Hurdles, won by Enjoyment, whom he now meets on 101 b better terms. Donegal also ran in the Hobsonville Hurdles, and. although unplaced, he did well enough to indicate that he might not be long in striking form. Like All Irish, he has 161 b less on this occasion and he should be much more forward after the work he has had in the meantime. In spile of recent failures, Lapidarian should have a chance with 9.11, as the lighter scale might assist him. Recent placed' performances indicate that General Ruse and Jewelled Girdle are likely to run well with their handy weights and Kaiwaka is another worthy of serious consideration. Kaiwaka made a very promising debut as a jumper when he finished second to Streamline at Hawera recently and should be all the better for that experience. On this occasion he will meeet Streamline on 91b better terms and that should help considerably. Pyrenees, who has been operated upon for throat trouble since last racing; may not be quite ready and last year's winner Agog has been out of form, although he has been working better lately 'and may make an early comeback. Of the others easily the best “prospect may be Te Hai. who should be all the better for the experience he gained in finishing third to Midland and Chikara at Paeroa. With his ability on the flat Te Hai should make a bold showing with 9.4 if he fences well. Popular fances may be Kaiwaka. Streamline. Enjoyment and Jewelled Girdle.

After his brilliant victory with 11,10 in the Egmont Steeplechase recently. Clarion Call will have an army of admirers for the Te Rapa Steeplechase. There is no doubt that he is a brilliant steeplechaser and success with 12.5 should be well within the reach of a horse of his class. If started. All Irish should run his usual honest race, although he might not be able to hold his own with Clarion Call at a difference of only 121 b. All Irish ran third last year with 11.4. En Tour won the Adamson Steeplechase at Hawera recently with 10.6 and is in fine form. However, on running in the Egmont Steeplechase, in which he fell about five furlongs from home, he will require to improve to defeat Clarion Call. Mio Lume has not raced since he nulled up tender at Te Aroha in February and a better prospect may be the good stayer Biform, who is a very reliable fencer.

Saint Musk has not raced for some months and may bo troubled to run the journey right out. However, he is very useful and his prospects will depend upon his condition. Enjoyment is nicely placed and should take a lot of beating if started here in preference to the Waikato Hurdles. Baldric is in a good position with only one pound above the minimum. He appears to have benefited by his outing at Pukekohe and should be the best of those near the minimum, although Sub-edi-tor. Little Briton and Tutor may /ill add interest to the contest. Some who may find favour are Clarion Call. Streamline. Enjoyment and Baldric.

Promising Steeplechaser. Surcoat is regarded as one of the most promising young steeplechasers in sight. He has started only twice so far. and won once in great style. The Philamor gelding is a fine jumper and a genuine stayer.

A French Sportsman. In referring to M. M. Boussac winning the Two Thousand Guineas with Djebel, an exchange said no French sportsman has made more attempts to win the English Derby than M. Boussac, who has had tantalising experience in his pursuit of the English classic. His colt Goyescas ran second in the Two Thousand Guineas in 1931 to Cameronian; Hesperus ran third in the same race the following year to Orwell and Dastur; and in 1937 his colt Goya 11. ran second to Leksar. owner by another French sportsman. E. de St Alary. Those colts did not fain a place in the Derby, although he has won the French “Derby" on four occasions. Djebe] will not more than likely become favourite for the Derby. He was not among the original entries for the race, but when fresh entries were taken for the “New Derby,” which will be run at Newbury on Juno 12, he was one of many French colts nominated.

Century Hurdles. The following are the nominations for the Century Hurdles Handicap, two miles and 194 yards, at the Wanganui meeting:—Tutor, Kaiwaka. Blue Tiger, Disturbed, Baron Bold. Curie, Hunting Lore, Clarion Call. Smoke Screen, Soho, Student Prince. Chat, Aurora’s Love. Gid Surrey, Bisquit, Brigadore. Waikato Scratchings. Dauber, Kaiwaka and Tidewaiter were scratened for their respective engagements on the first day of the Te Rapa meeting at 3.40 p.m. yesterday. Jayola. 7.3. was omitted from the acceptances for the President's Handicap on the first day. Riders for Te Rapa. Riding engagements announced for the first day of the Waikato Racing Club's winter meeting at Te Rapa are •as follow:—N. R. McKenzie, Gold Vaals, Tellsom; H. Long, Spinning Wheel. Hunter's Night; P. McD. Brady. Cuppy; J. L. Muir. Innes Lad, Aintree, Saint Musk; O. Mclnally. Enjoyment. Master Appellant; L. C. Brown, Flying Eagle, Foxsen, Hunting Blood. Trig Station, Flying Acre; D. J. Burgess, King Rey; A.. C. Messervy, Bronze Emerald, Lady Acushla; G. Cameron. Jack Tar, Lord Ace: G. Gilchrist, Trilliarch, Nuipapa; 11. N. Wiggins, Eionze Meth. Olympus; J. H. Mcßae, fill Irish; T. Williams, Mahala; C. Walters, Baldric; W. Thomson. Saecone, Silver Glow: N. Watson. Bells of Bow, Pyrenees; N. Vaughan, Sunny Downs, Little Artist. Waikato Divisions. Owing to the size of the field, the Otorohanga Hack Handicap at the Waikato Racing Club’s winter meeting at To Rapa on Saturday will be run in two divisions, which will be treated as separate races on the totalisator. The divisions have been arranged as follow: —Otorohanga Hack Handicap (first division), six furlongs: Minority, 9.5; Hum a Song. 8.13; Hunter's Night, 8.8; Pasture, 8.5: Hunter's Rose, 8.1: Bronze Emerald. 8.0; Flying Eagle, 7.12; To Haka. 7.9; Miss Valerie. 7.8; Monte Cristo. 7.7; Loch Acre. 7.7: Philemup, ?.7; Glenoevan, 7.7: Good March, 7.7; Douglas Hyde, 7.7; Prince Jay. 7.7. Otoi'ohanga Hack Handicap (second division), six furlongs: Town Section. 9.1: Flying Acre, 8.12; Gold Wings, 8.6; .Acreman. 8.2; Lord Ace, 8.0; The Trimmer, 7.12: valerian, 7.12; Esquire, 7.9: Mayfair, 7.7; Silver Glow. 7.7; Runanga. 7.7: Acquest. 7.7; Rose Acre. 7.7: Gas Acre. 7.7; Rackle. 7.7: Spats, 7.7.

RACING FIXTURES May 16, 18—South Canterbury. May 18. —Manawatu. May 18. 20.—Waikato. May 25. —Foxton. ■lune 1. 3. —Napier Park. .Tune 1. 3. —Wanganui. June I. 3. 5. —Auckland. •lime 1. 3. —Dunedin. Juno 8. —Dunedin. June 8. —Hawke's Bay. Jim? 15.—Hawke’s Bay. •lune 15.—Greymouth. June 22.—Otaki-Maori. June 22. —Ashburton County. Juno .22. —Waipa. June .29. —Dannevirke Hunt. June 29.—Oamaru.