TURF NEWS AND NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 June 1940, Page 3

TURF NEWS AND NOTES

Mount Vai Improving. Mount Vai put up his best performance to date in the Wingatui Steeplechase. He was making a run up to the leaders in the concluding round, when he hit the first of the double near the six furlong post and he lost so much headway that he looked to be put out of the contest. He, however, settled down to one of his characteristic finishing efforts and at one stage of the fun home appeared to have a winning chance, but weakened in the last few chains and was beaten by Gay Boa. Mount Vai cannot boast of much size as steeplechasers go, but will win races in company not too select. ’

May Repeat Tactics in Race. Horses continuously checked in their fast work when reaching the straight are very apt to repeat the practice in a race It is very much wiser to allow a horse to run along than to check him in order to record a slow gallop. A horse will almost invariably ease up after passing the post’in a gallop, and it is a bad policy to teach him to do so prior to reaching the post. Bad habits are easily acquired and apt to prove costly.

Clarion Call’s Fall. Clarion Call’s fall in the Century Hurdles is attributed to the fact that his rider, P. L. Jarvis, attempted to go up on the inner at the fence near the five furlong post, and failing to get through he did not sight the obstacle and rose too late. He crashed heavily and broke the main railing. It was thought by many that he had run his last race as he did not move for some time afterwards. When he did recover, he made several attempts before he at last struggled to his feet. Clarion Call was made a hot favourite for the race and at the time of his \ crash was going like a winner. Streamline’s, Fine Effort.

Full credit has been given to Streamline for a fine performance in winning the Great Northern Hurdles practically from end to end. The pace he set had most of the field in trouble a good way from home, and he was assisted by his dashing jumping, which was a treat to watch. If all goes well with Streamline, he will attain greater heights before the jumping season is over. In physique he overshadowed most of his opponents, and the way he ran out the two and a half miles left no doubt about his staying ability. Streamline is a half-brother to the good mare Fast Passage, winner of the New Zealand Cup and the Auckland Cup. Jewelled Girdle. Had Jewelled Girdle survived the first fence in the Great Northern Hurdles, a different story about that race may have been written. Riderless, he passed the post litle behind the winner Streamline, and the question has arisen as to whether a riderless horse can gallop faster than one which has a jockey on top. This was the subject of much discussion many years ago, and authorities were of the opinion that a horse with a rider, no matter what the weight, could go faster than one without. Support is given this theory by a perusal of records of tests made, which showed that a horse under control was much faster. The result was the same with trotters, but in their case it is interesting to note that those drawing sulkies have returned faster times than those under saddle. However, Jewelled Girdle made some amends for his Northern failure by winning the Campbell Hurdles in easy fashion, and his meeting with the cracks at southern meetings will be eagerly awaited.

Bloodstock Sale. z Top price at the sale of thoroughbred stock conducted by Wright Stephenson and Company, Limited, at the Auckland Showgrounds this week was 71 guineas, paid by Mr J. C. Edmunds for Spring Morn, a three-year-old gelding closely related to Balinavar. There was a good attendance, but few lots were sold, bidding in the majority of cases falling short of the reserve. Among those passed in was a rising two-year-old colt by Cambria Park from Towyn, who reached 230gns., Llandale, a three-year-old sister to the former, 210gns„ a rising three-year-old filly by Hunting Song from Ketusoho, 200gns., and General Ruse, 150gns. Mr C. E. Robertson was the auctioneer. The following sales were made:— Oh account of Mr A. Reynolds, Morrinsville, Spring Morn, b.g., 3 yrs., by Surveyor—Spring Acre, Mr J. C. Edmunds, Ellerslie, 71gns.; Spring Jay, b.c. lyr., by Jay—Spring Acre, Mr H. Vinceht, Otorohanga, 42jgns. On account of Mr W. James, Auckland, Phildale, ch.g., 4yrs., by Philamor —Lunette, Mr C. Charlton, Mount / Eden, 27gns. V On account of Mr A. Cameron, Ham- / ilton, b.g., syrs., by Raceful—Bright Comet. Mr W. Hayes, Drury. 15gns. The marcs Lone Flier and Eudorace, the property of Mr C. ’M. Emanuel, were sold privately after being passed in at 55gns. each, the purchaser being Mr E. A. Price, Papatoetoe.

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE Mediocre Lot of Jumpers (BY “THE GRAFTER.”) In the jumping events decided so far this season, the talent engaged, with the exception of Clarion Call, appears to be mediocre. In the Great Northern Steeplechase the field to line up was considered to be one of the worst for many years. Though he is a brilliant jumper, the fact that All Irish, a reputeed non-stayer, was the winner, seems to lend colour to this assertion, and had he not bee bracketed with Baldric he would probably have paid a nice price. After his defeat of Clarion Call at Te Rapa, Baldric was hailed as a coming champion, and he yet may be, but his performance in the Great Northern was a poor one. It would also seem that a number of those who contested the race had not a sufficiently thorough preparation for such a gruelling event. The Escort” states, however, that it is probable that they may be seen to better advantage later in the season.