TURF NEWS AND NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 June 1940, Page 3

TURF NEWS AND NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE Dauber’s Prospects at Waipa

(BY

"THE GRAFTER.")

After his third to All Irish and Bells of Bow in the Winter Steeplechase at Ellerslie, Dauber appears to'have excellent prospects in the W. G. Park Steeplechase at the Waipa meeting tomorrow. in three starts over country Dauber has registered a first and two thirds.and he should be capable of doing still better. Only a five-year-old, he is young for a steeplechaser and the chances are that he will show more improvement than, most of his rivals. The topweight King Fley has had no experience at steeplechasing, but would not be out of it with 11.9 if he has had the necessary schooling. King Rey would outclass the field on the flat and his chancejwill depend upon his jumping.

On the form they revealed when they ran first and second in the Autumn Steeplechase at Ellerslie in March, Forest Glow and Lucidus, who was actually first past the post, jout lost the position on the grounds of interference, should have chances. However, neither has shown form since, although it is doubtful whether Forest Glow was, at his best when he ran at the Great Northern meeting in June. What should stand to Forest Glow and Lucidus is that they are reliable fencers. Biform failed in his races at the Great Northern meeting, but a repetition of the form he displayed in running second to All Irish at Te Rapa would make him dangerous. However, he is now 13 years old and may be deteriorating.

Floodlight ran a second and a first at Ellerslie recently, improving with the racing and he may be difficult to beat, as he is a fine fencer. On recent form he should account for the three below him and he may be one of the favourites, write “Archer" in the “New Zealand Herald.” Smiling Thru’, who has a doubtful-looking joint, appears to have lost form and London has failed in his latest races, although he was third in the Penrose Hurdles at Ellerslie to Racewhip and Valspear. Sockettes appears more favourably placed in the Andrew Kay Memorial Steeplechase. The main fancies may be Dauber. Floodlight and Lucidus.

The field for the Orakau Hurdles includes some very capable jumpers and a good contest should be assured. The topweight, Full of Scotch, is good, but is now difficult to train and may not reach the post fit. General Ruse is a possibility, but a better prospect may be Hirangi. who ran second in the Hunt Club Hurdles with 11.6. and third in the Great Northern Steeplechase at Ellerslie. Hirangi still possesses plenty of pace and he carried 10.10 to victory in the Westholm Hurdles at Waverley about the end of April. Apparently he took no harm from the distressed condition, attributed to a piece of earth lodging in his throat, in which he pulled up after the Great Northern Steeplechase, and he should have a strong following. The race he had on the third day at Ellerslie, where he performed creditably in the Campbell Hurdles, may , have been beneficial to Simint and improvement would give him a , chance. Hessketoon showed good form when he won both his starts among the hack hurdlers at the Groat Northern meeting and he should not find promotion to open company a bar to further success. In addition to being a good fencer, he stays well and it will not be to his disadvantage to be racing on his home track. It is quite on the cards that he will be all the better for his recent racing at Ellerslie and his prospects appear bright. The distance should suit Lapidarian, who was prominent for most of the journey in the Remuera Hurdles at Ellerslie. At his best he would take a lot of beating, but he was sore after his last run and there may be a slight doubt about his condition on that account.

The efforts of Racewhip among the hack hurdlers at Ellerslie, where he won on the first day. would give him a chance. Pyrenees does not appear to have struck form yet and it may be later in the year before he reaches the pitch of condition necessary to run his races right out. However, there is a possibility that he might come on quickly after his recent racing. Lack of experience may be against Rarotonga, who fell at his last start, and Mai de Mer, who was third to Brazen Bold and Orate at Te Rapa, has done his recent racing on the flat. If he were to jump well Mai de Mer might make his presence felt. Stokowski and I-lutu-wai are beginners likely to find it difficult in this company. Some who may find favour are Hesskctoon, Hirangi and Lapidarian.

War-Time Derby Winner. The result of the war-time Derby of 1940 is a crowning achievement for F. Darling, the Beckhampton trainer, who has saddled up previous winners of the race in Captain Cuttle (1922), Manna <1925), Coronach (1926). -and Bois Roussel (1938). Bois Roussel was in the stable for the six weeks between his purchase by Earl Beatty and his success at Epsorn. Pont L’Eveque, last week's winner, won the Spring Maiden Plate, one mile, at Newbury on April 13. Neither of the placed horses contested that race, which gave the Derby winner his first success. Last year he was runner-up in the Beaufort Plate at the Newmarket Cambridgeshire meeting. Pont J'Evcque's breeding is French. His sire, Barneveldt, a son of The Winter King, after running third in the French Derby of 1931. beat practically the same field a fortnight later in the Grand Prix de Paris. He also won the Prix du President the following week. The Winter King, sire of Barneveldt. was a good performer both on the flat and as a hurdler. He was. by Son-In-Law from Signorinetia, a Derby and Oaks winner, but Barneveldt was easily the best of his stock. Pontcba, dam of Pont I'Evcque. is a daughter of another French Derby winner in Bclfonds, a grey horse who was an outstanding performer and sire is France, and who is now having a successful stud career in Virginia, United States, where his fee is 1000 dollars.

RACING FIXTURES

June 22.—Otaki-Maori. June 22.—Ashburton County. June 22. —Waipa. June 29. —Dannevirke Hunt. June 29. —Oamaru. July 6 —Oamaru. July 6 —Hawke's Bay Hunt. July 9, 11. 13—Wellington. July 20—Waimate District Hunt. July 20— Manawatu Hunt. July 27—Rangitikei Hunt. July 27—Rotorua and Bay of Plenty Hunt. July 27—South Canterbury Hunt.

Dromore .Steeplechase. Surcoat is the likely favourite for the Dromore Hack Steeplechase at Ashburton tomorrow, as he is in racing trim and will be meeting a number of horses that are not seasoned. Later on Surcoat may go to Trentham for the hack steeplechases. The Ashburton fences are not . difficult and as Surcoat has proved himself at Riverton and Wingatui he looks the pick of the field at lOst 71b. Fie has a good turn of speed and races well out in front. Cottingham’s chief trouble would appear to be his weight, list 121 b. though as he is a seasoned horse now he should make a good attempt to carry it successfully. : Court Yard lacks racing, while Flashlight did not start on a recent northern tour owing to a mishap. Mount Vai is not reliable and is given to making mistakes. He was the runner-up to Gay Boa in the Wingatui Steeplechase, but failed in the Dunedin Steeplechase. At the best, his chance is nothing to enthuse over. Frenchy'may be an Invercargill visitor. but so far this season he has only had one race. He is receiving 21b from Surcoat. and looks too close in the weigths. Top Rank has schooled well but lack of racing condition will trouble him. and also Culverden.

The rest represent a moderate, lot. though they include Uncle Jim. a surprise winner of the race last year.

Eight Races At Otaki. Owing to the division of the Waikanae Hack Scurry there will now be eight races at Otaki tomorrow, each division being treated as a separate event. The order of events will be: — 11.30. Rangiuru Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase: 12.10. Waikanae Hack Scurry (first division); 12.50, Ta Timi Kara Handicap; 1.30. Pukehou Hack Hurdles; 2.5, Waikanae Hack Scurrji (second division); 2.45, Taipua Handicap; 3.25, Ohau Hack Handicap; 4.5, Tainui Hack Handicap. The stake of £lOO for the Waikanae Scurry has been increased to £l6O- £BO for each division.

W. Bullock .Still Riding. Jockeys, as a rule, last longer in England than in New Zealand. W. Bullock. who won the Derby and Oaks on Signorinetta 32 years ago. was among the winning riders at Nottingham on April 9. Bullock is a grandfather. Commenting on his Derby and Oaks wins, an English writer said that, though many jockeys have been recipients of the most generous gifts following success in big races, it was not so with Bullock. Apart from what he received from the owner his gifts for Signorinetta's wins were a bottle of wine and three half-sovereigns. Evidently the art of “finding a punter” was unknown to Bullock. He needed the tuition some jockeys are capable of giving on that score. Some years ago it was laughingly said of one rider that when he had a good mount he went round on the milkcart on the morning of the race so as to avoid overlooking even small punters.

Parchment. Parchment, who has been entered for the Waikanae Hack Scurry at Otaki. is the colt by Papyrus purchased in England last year on behalf of Mr T. Coltman, of Wellington. Parchment had a good spell on the Waikanae Stud pastures and recently returned to the stable of H. Telford at Trentham. Parchment is bred to stay. He is a grandson of Tracery, and his dam. Tan Belle, is by Tangier’s from Deas Mhuma, by Desmond (sire of Limond) from Combine, by Carbine. Combine was the third dam of the Derby winner Felstead. also a successful sire. Haintan, a half-brother to Parchment was a winner in England in 1932 and 1933.

Totalisator Figures. For the first 10 months of the current racing season, to the end of last month, totalisator investments at race meetings amounted to £5.193,496. of which sum £5,024,427 10s was invested on galloping events and the balance on trotting events on racing programmes. Of this total the Auckland district contributed £2.022.713 10s. The next highest amount was that of the Wellington district, with £833.092 10s.