TURF NEWS AND NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 May 1940, Page 3

TURF NEWS AND NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE Great Northern Hurdles and Steeplechase PROSPECTS OF CANDIDATES (BY “THE GRAFTER.”) As a result of his two winning performances at Te Rapa recently Jewelled Girdle is favourite for the Great Northern Hurdles and with 1C.2 he should take considerable beating. The top-weights, Erination and King Rey, are capable of solid performances, even though heavily burdened. However, they will not find it easy to account for Jewelled Girdle at the difference in weights, and lower down two who may be more'sought after are Knight of Australia and Aussie Ra, two, of the best stayers in the field. Knight of Australia has been working well and Aussie Ra has reached Ellerslie looking improved for his racing at Te Rapa, where he ran below expectations. Possibly he may redeem his reputation on Saturday and there is no denying his chance if he repeats the form he displayed in finishing second to Padishah in the Grand National Hurdles at Riccarton last August.

It will be necessary for Streamline and Enjoyment to do better than at Te Rapa if either is to win. However, Streamline should be a little more forward than he was there and Enjoyment may be capable of showing to more advantage, as he appears to have been doing well since his arrival at Ellerslie. All Irish and Mio Lume are reliable fencers who may run creditably, and distinct possibilities on the minimum are Inness Lad. who was second last

year to Charade, Baldric and Lapidarian, writes “Archer’’ in the “New Zealand Herald.’’ Baldric appeals more in the Steeplechase, but he is a stayer, and that should make him worthy of consideration if started. Lapidarian failed at Te Rapa, but looked a little above himself and should be in better trim now, so that he is likely to go along way with his light weight. General Ruse and Survalyon are others who. may add interest to the contest. The favourites may be Jewelled Girdle, Knight of Australia, Inness Lad and Aussie Ra.

The Great Northern Steeplechase bears an open aspect and should provide an excellent contest, although it is possible that a few of those still engaged may be missing if they fail to race well on the first day. All Irish, Enjoyment, Mio Lume, Aussie Ra and Baldric are all engaged in the Great Northern Hurdles and much may depend upon how. they fare in that event. Probably, if he is reserved, Baldric will be the favourite for the Steeplechase, as his prospects certainly appear, bright. He is well acquainted with the country at Ellerslie, where he has won previously, and he is an easy runner and genuine stayer who seems the ideal type for the long journey. Another light-weight likely to have ( a strong following is Hirangi, who won recently over hurdles at Waverley, and ran second on the flat at Awapuni. He is top-weight in the Hunt Club Hurdles on. Saturday and a forward showing in ' "DLbat event will bring him into stronger' IPaVour. Hirangi is no stranger to El/lerslie, having won the Hunt Club Hurdles in 1938 with 10.7 and run third to Power Chief and Smiling Thru’ in the Hunt Club Cup with 11.6. Like Baldric, Hirangi has good blood on both sides of his pedigree, being by Centrepiece, son of The Ace and grandson of Bayardo. from Cinnamon, by Sarto from Canella, by Alawa from Crucinella, by San Francisco from Charente, by Nordenfeldt. Cinnamon was a half-sister to Birkenella, winner of the Wellington Steeplechase in 1926. Present indications are that Baldric and Hirangi will take a lot of beating. However, there is plenty of material to prevent them from having matters all their own way. Success in the Hurdles would bring Aussie Ra into favour, and then again there are horses like Enjoyment, Biform, Mahala and Smiling Thru’, all of whom are capable of solid performances. OTAGO STEEPLECHASE PERFORMANCES OF ACCEPTORS. Slayer, who is top-weight in the Otago Steeplechase, ran third in the Grand National Steeplechase with 10.3, when Padishah 11.5 won from Erination 11.10. Cottingham 10.1 broke down in the race, and Gold Wren 9.12 fell. Slayer 10.10 won the Beaufort Steeplechase, with Gold Wren 10.5 12 lengths away third. Slayer 11.4 won the Lincoln Steeples from Bridegroom 10.5, and Gold Wren 10.2 fell, but was remounted. In the Riverton Steeplechase Gold Wren 10.9 was third to McHeath 9.5 and Baitruin 9.0, with Slayer 11.13 unplaced. Gold Wren 10.11 won the Autumn Steeplechase from Vitaphone 9.0, Gay Boa 9.1|, McHeath 10.1, El Caballo 9.8, Arctic Star 9.6, Mount Vai 9.5, and Joy Boa 9.0. In the Otago - Steeplechase, the weights are: Slayer 11.0, Gold Wren 11.2, Cottingham 11.0, McHeath 9.12, Mount Vai 9.4, Gay Boa 9.0, and Joy Boa 9.0. On the form at the Grand National meeting, it will be seen that Slayer meets Gold Wren on 81b better terms than when they met in the Lincoln Steeplechase. Slayer was giving Cottingham 21b in the Grand National Steeples, and the latter now comes in on 81b better terms. On form in the Riverton Steeplechase. McHeath meets Slayer on 101 b worse terms and Gold Wren on form in the same race, also comes in on 101 b worse terms. On the Lincoln Steeplechase form, Gold Wren comes in on 81b worse terms with Slayer. Bally Brit has been seen out three times this season. He fell at Winton and won the Turi Steeplechase with 9.11 from Pandine 10.4 and seven others, including Gold Wren 11.9. He then won the Great Western Steeplechase with 9.5 from 10.3, who pulled up lame. McHeath 9.3 was third and Arctic Star 9.5, Poniard 9.12. and two others were unplaced. Bally Brit meets McHeath on 31b worse terms—the latter afterwards won the Riverton Steeplechase. Pandine was second to Bally Brit in the Turi Steeplechase, and now ocmes in on 141 b better terms. Mount Vai has failed over fences. Baitruin won at Riverton and was second to McHeath, whom he now meets on 41b better terms. Corban was second at Winton, giving Gay Boa 101 b and a beating. Joy Boa won the Otago Hunt Club Cup Steeplechase, and Whirr was third in the Wairau Steeplechase and second to Surcoat in the Otaitai i Steeplechase.

I Baldric. ■ Baldric, who is at present one of the [ruling favourites for the Great Northern double, is closely related to Martara, who was sold to India for 3000 guineas. He is by Martarma from Life, by Gay Lad from the English mare, Flower of the West, while Martara was by Martarma from Taraheke by Paladin from Flower of the West. Should Baldric be successful in either of the Northerns, his name will be added to the list of bargain horses to score. • Originally owned by Mr C. W. Boyd, of Palmerston North (who races Classform, and who also owned Martara and Tidewaiter), Baldric was a failure on the flat, and was offered at the Trentham sales a couple of seasons ago. He was disposed of io his present owners for £25. Incidentally, at the same sale. Golden Gleam was offered, but failed to raise a bid. The next day he won and paid a dividend of close on a score. Since then he was won several races over obstacles in Australia.

Century Hurdles. Many good, horses have won the Century Hurdles, which first appeared on 'the programme of the Wanganui Jockey Club in 1906, including Waipu, Wimmera, Bercola, Sir Fisher, Lochella, Ngata, Poanui, Red Fuchsia, Mister Gamp, Aurora Borealis, and Charade.

In past years the race has often given a lead to the Great Northern Hurdles, but this year this is not possible as both races will be run on Saturday. Waipu, Wimmera, Lochella, Poanui, Mistei’ Gamp, and Charade, last year's winner, have, all followed up their Wanganui successes by winning the Great Northern.

The Century Hurdles field has drawn one of the best horses in the country in Clarion Call, the topweight with 12.5. It is the weight of a good horse, but Clarion Call measures up ,to the standard required. When last raced over hurdles at Ellerslie in January, he. won the New Year Hurdles under 12.9. Since then he has won the Egmont Steeplechase and been the runner-up to Baldric in the Te Rapa Steeplechase.

Nightbound Unlucky. It was bad luck for Mr H. Elworthy and the Washdyko trainerr F. Trilford. that Nightbound should meet with a mishap at Washdyke, as the Night Raid gelding won the Craigmore and South Canterbury Steeplechase easily and looked in line for further successes. During his winning run in the South Canterbury Steeplechase he hit the stand double and the last fence, stifling himself. In the normal course of events Nightbound would probably have contested the steeplechases at Dunedin, and would have added to the strength of the fields.

Possibly, after a short rest, Nightbound will be ready to race again. He is a young horse as far as steeplechasers go, and with a little more experience may have prospects over stiffer country and in more important races.

Riders for Hawke’s Bay Horses. Riders for Hawke’s Bay horses at Wanganui are: B. H. Morris, Black Majesty, Dainty Dell (second day); P. Burgess, Soho. Curie, so far. is riderless. Napier: Cavaney, Dozie Boy, Jean Quex. Son and Heir, Royal Wave — Ke-hua, Royal Toast (second day); E. Baker, Acron, Myology—Centrepoise and Limbohm (second day); A. E. Lord Red Cockade, Kikiroki; J. Cullin, Tide, Malacca, Skerryvore; B. Stowe, Hunter’s Eve; J. Rae, Arachne, Haile Selassie; L. Cullen. Tractive, Royal Spades: W. J. Mudford, Smiling Personality. Native Song or Gold Ballad; H. Callahan, Shani, Proclamation; W. J. Broughton, Myraid, Indian Sun, Rakahanga. BIG WEIGHTS SOME INTERESTING FIGURES. The facts that Padishah was allotted 12.12 in the Grandstand Steeplechase at Wanganui and that Clarion Call has been given 12.5 in the steeplechase and hurdle events, have provoked comment. Today big weights are not resorted to as frequently as they were in the past, according to older generations of racing men, and as the leading modern handicappers obtain excellent results it is evident that the necessity docs not often arise. Probably the explanation is that today we have a much greater evenness of quality in our horses.

Years ago success under big weights in jumping events was common. Between 1879 and 1923 the Grand National Steeplechase was won on a dozen ocasions by horses carrying 12.0 or more. In his three victories in the race Agent carried 12.0 (1879). 12.7 (1880), and 12.6 (1884). In 1881 Clarence won under 12.2, and in 1886 Canard set the weight record by winning under 12.10. Mangaohane, the 1888 winner, carried 12.7, a weight which Chemist succeeded under a year later. Norton’s weight v/hen he won in 1894 was 12.8. Mutiny, who won in 1895 and 1896. carried 11.5 on the first occasion and 12.4 on. the second. Levanter's burden in his 1897 success was 12.6. After winning with 11.13 in 1920, Coalition scored again in the following year with 12.7. Oakleigh, who carried 10.7 when he won in 1922, had 12.0 in the saddle, when he repeated the success a year late. “Carbine” points out that the lightest weight ever carried successful-

RACING FIXTURES Juno 1, 3. —Napier Park. June 1. 3. —Wanganui. June 1. 3. 5. —Auckland. June 1, 3. —Dunedin. June 8. —Dunedin. June B.—Hawke’s Bay. June 15.—Hawke’s Bay. June 15.—Greymouth. June 22. —Otaki-Maori. June 22. —Ashburton County. June 22. —Waipa. June 29.—Dannevirke Hunt. June 29.—Oamaru.

ly in the race was 9.1, Peter Maxwell's weight in 1926. The ,heaviest weight carried successfully in the Grand National Hurdle Race was 12.12, Record Reign’s burden in 1900. Liberator, who had won with 10.10 in 1893, won with 12.6 in 1894. The last horse to carry more than 12.0 in the race and win was Paisano (12.1) in 1910. Continuance carried 11.11 when he won in the following year, and Nukumai succeeded under 11.11 in--1928, apart from which Padishah’s 11.7 last year was the heaviest weight carried to victory in three decades. Kaitere holds the winning weight record in the Great Northern Steeplechase. He won the 1907 contest under 12.13. Others who won the race with 12.0 or more include Macaroni with 12.0 in 1885. Levanter with 12.1 in 1897, The Guard with 12.2 in 1902, and Coalition with 12.5 in 1921.

The highest weight carried to victory in the Great Northern Hurdle Race was 12.12, by St Simon in 1897. St Simon, by the way, was owned by the present Auckland Racing Club starter, Mr R. H. Skipwith. Two years before this Liberator won with 12.9, ridden by Free Holmes, who looks as if he could still make the weight without the aid of a lead bag.

In recent years the Hawke's Bay Steeplechase has not attracted many of the best horses, but in other years the elite used to contest the race. In 1884 Clarence won with 13.2, after having won with 12.12 in the previous year. Moifaa’s weight when he won ir, 1901 was 13.0. Macaroni carried 12.1 to victory in 1885. Chemist 12.6 in 1888, and Norton 12.9 in 1895.

The Napier Steeplechase was won in 1896 by Mutiny under 12.3. in 1906 by Kaitere under 12.0, and in 1917 by Braeburn under 12.0.

The heaviest weight carried successfully in the Wellington Steeplechase was 12.11 by Coalition in 1921. Three years before that Master Strowan had won with 12.5. and in 1900 Blain Eill had carried 12.0 successfully.