TURF NEWS AND NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 June 1940, Page 3

TURF NEWS AND NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE

Possibilities for Grand National Meeting

(BY

"THE GRAFTER.”)

After appearing to have the Dunedin Steeplechase won racing for the final fence at Wingatui on Saturday, Slayer nearly parted company from his rider, J. Richards, but a clever recovery enabled the combination to overhaul Gold Wren in the run home. It was a popular victory for the favourite, and Slayer must be considered one of the best of. the ' South Island Grand National possibilities. His earning this season total £1335. Gold Wren continues to race solidly and in three starts at the meeting was third in the Otago and Wingatui Steeplechases and.the runner-up on Saturday. Freshened up, he should be a nuisance in some of the shorter distance steeplechases at the Grand National meeting.

Cuiverden Pleases.

Culverden has pleased his trainer. G. H. Withers, and with Donadea is due to race at Ashburton. Culverden won a hack steeplechase at the Oamaru winter meeting last year, but did not shape well when tried out at Riccarton. With the experience of the past season to help him.-he should do better later.

Wardress Making Steady Progress.

Since being taken over by Mrs J. Campbell, Wardress has made steady progress and the Lord Warden mare may start racing again at the Ashburton meeting this month in the seven furlongs Moronan Handicap. In nine starts this season Wardress has won twice. In the past she has failed to stand much racing, falling away in condition, but she looks really well now. Will Be A Big Horse. Astronomer has grown since he last raced at Riccarton in November and when the three-quarter brother to Phalanx has developed fully, he will be a big horse. Astronomer is now a three-year-old and his owner, Mr D. Spence, has given him the benefit of time. Has Plenty Of Speed. Hurry Girl, a Defoe filly with little race experience, should soon get a winning turn as she is a smart beginner with plenty of speed. At her last start she finished fourth in a novice race at Ashburton. An Impressive Win. Turned out in great order by J. Ryan and ridden in masterly fashion by_ R..| Marsh, the three-year-old filly, Vas- i cones, scored impressively in - the Woodlands Handicap at the Hawke's i Bay meeting. She quickly displaced Heroic Maid, who was the first out at | the release of the barrier, but nothing afterwards had a show with her. Heroic Maid battled on gamely for second and Smiling Personality put up a fair effort for third. It was intended that Vascones would be retired at the end of the season to take her place at the stud, but after her performance on Saturday, Mr W. R. Stead stated that the original plans may not be adhered to. A Better Exhibition. In the Hawke's Bay Steeplechase Small Boy gave a much better exhibition of jumping than he did at Napier Park and repeatedly outjumped Dozie Boy. He made two faulty jumps, one at the first of the double, the second time round, and the other at the brush around the back stretch. Dozie Boy did

not jump as cleanly as at Napier and nearly came down at the post and rails, but his rider made a clever recovery. Dozie Boy was done when a good way from home, and Small Boy won on the bit. Southern Blood, who was making his first appearance this season, battled on gamely, but finished very tired, and was over a furlong away from the winner at the post. What a great training bout the race would have been fon Padishah. A Meritorious Win. Lazybones, a short-priced favourite for the Tainui Handicap at Wingatui, had a meritorious win, but nevertheless had a close call at the instance of Blissful Lady. He was in last place over the first half of the journey and at the home turn Blissful Lady and Combat were some 10 lengths in front of him. Combat retired before the straight entrance and Lazybones then worked his way into second place. He gradually drew up to Blissful Lady, and the pair raced abreast for some distance. Lazybones only gaining the upper hand in the last few strides. Valantua was a poor third, well clear of Auctor. Lazybones took some time to settle down to his difficult task, and has evidently become more solid than previously. This was his first win since the winter meeting at Wingatui 12 months ago. The Hat Trick. A close finish was provided by the King George Handicap at Wingatui on Saturdap. Alma followed Spanish Lad and Monipere into the straight, with Cherokee and Night Pall handy. Alma ran to the front a furlong from home and appeared to be in for a comfortable win until she slipped in a soft patch and lost a little ground. Cherokee then tackled her. and although Alma soon recovered and responded well to a renewed call from her rider, Cherokee got up right on the line to gain a creditable victory. Cherokee was ridden by W. F. Ellis, who thus performed the hat trick in riding Bay Duke. Sheeny, and Cherokee in succession. Cherokee is trained at Washdyke for her Wellington owner. Mr B. L. Hammond, and this was her first success in open company. Her dam, Orders Bright,, is by Boniform from Chakwana. a good winner in her time. Rebel Mate was well placed turning for home, but did not improve his position. He is due for a trip to Trantham. and no doubt will be accompanied by his stable-mate, Lazybones. Another Rabbi Winner. The Domain Handicap at Wingatui on Saturday gave the well-bred Sheeny her first success. She is a six-year-old by Rabbi from the Limond mare. Cessation. and carries the same colours as The Raker, also by Rabbi. She took charge at the straight entrance and carried on for a decisive win from Royal Style; who was tenth favourite on Monday, but second in this event. The latter was sent back to a rear position early and gave Sheeny a big break turning for home, but in any case would not have beaten her.

Paper Slipper Sold. Paper Slipper has been sold by the estate of Sir Charles Clifford to a South Canterbury owner. Like Inflation, Paper Slipper was a high-class son of Paper Money, and should do well as a stud proposition. Paper Money, incidentally, who is now 24 years of age, was stated by his owner, Mr J. Faulks, last week, to be still halp and hearty on his farm at Pembroke.

Worth Keeping An Eye On. Conditions were very heavy for training operations at Hawera yesterday, when the outside of the course proper was available for horses engaged at Otaki on June 22. Those include Notium, Winsome Lu, Vivacious, War Lap. The Hawera-trained pair, Royal Star II and Southern Blood, are also nominated, and they will probably go to Otaki at the conclusion of the Hawke's Bay meeting. The first mentioned quartet were all placed at Wanganui, and they should again give a good account of themselves next week.

Revelling in the mud. War Lap (Toki) traversed five furlongs in 1.8. He is going to Hastings today for his engagement in the Hawke’s Bay Hurdles on Saturday. Kaiwaka. from H. Dulieu's stable, will accompany him to contest the same race. Unlucky both days at Wanganui, War Lap is a capable hurdler when caught in the right mood, and with the minimum weight (will be quite capable of a surprise. J. Toki will have the mount. In Great Heart. The rising three-year-olds, Barry Boy and Vai Eoy, who were operated on a couple of months ago by Dr. W. C. Ring for respiratory trouble, have resumed regular exercise at Hawera. Their condition suggests that the operation was a complete success, and Barry Boy in particular is in great heart to commence another preparation. The son of Hunting Song will probably be got ready for the Combined Hunts meeting at New Plymouth. Bracketed Horses. The Thames Jockey Club in a remit to the annual conference seeks to have the rule of bracketing extended to horses in the same stable, as in trotting, but the racing authorities have always been opposed to this.

To Be Given A Spell. Paper Note and Gold Don. who showed good form in heavy going at Wingatui, each winning a race, are to be given a brief spell before going on to the Treritham meeting next month. Not Expected To Do Much. Winner of the Maiden Plate at Hastings, Etla, is a three-year-old filly, by Arausio from Angela, a sister to Halley and half-sister to Pewa. Etla has been showing steady improvement with racing, but she is not expected to reach great heights.

The Leading Jockeys. There has been little change in the leading positions on the jockeys' ladder as the result of the racing at Hastings and Dunedin, but W. J. Broughton's lead over E. H. Morris has been reduced to five as the result of two successes by the latter on Saturday. The leading apprentice rider, W. J. Mudford, retains his place as fourth. Details are as follow: —W. J. Broughton 53, B. H. Morris 48, H. N. Wiggins 44, AV. J. Mudfordl 41. P. Spratt 39, P. Atkins 38. G. R. Tattersail 35, G. Cameron 29, A. E. Ellis. C. T. Wilson and R. W. McTavish 27, L. J. Ellis. A. Jenkins and T. Green 24, E. V. Dye 23, A. C. Messervy and S. Waddell 22, C. G. Goulsbro 21. R. J. Mackie and W. F. Ellis 20.

RACING FIXTURES

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.