TURF NEV

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 July 1940, Page 3

TURF NEV

CURRENT TOP oTABLt AND ■ 7 Maximum Weight for Steeplechase (BY “THE GRAFTER.”) It was after Coalition's success under 12.11 in 1921 that the Wellington Racing Club first decided to set a maximum weight for the Wellington Steeplechase, and the first such impost selected the next year was 12.7, the same as operated in the Grand National Steeplechase. So Coalition could be given only 12.7 in 1922, with a drop of a stone to Ngata, the next on the list. Of course Coalition was sent out favourite, but he fell. That was the occasion of Master Strowan's comeback, when he won with 10.10. Master ■ Strowan did not live long to enjoy his new fame, as he met fatal injury in his next start, the Grand National Steeplechase, a month later-

The maximum of 12.7 functioned from 1922 till 1928. But Mr Coyle never went up even to 12.0 again, though he gave both Oakleigh and Beau Cavalier 11.13 in the year following their respective success in the race. Nukumai declined to run under 11.12 in 1926, but two years later he was stepped out to run his famous treble —the Whyte Handicap, the Parliamentary Handicap and the Winter Hurdles—and he conthe big steeples the next four ■ Sears, the highest weight he carried being 11.7 and his best effort a second to Paris under 9.9 in his third attempt. Thb maximum was further lowered to its present mark of 12.0 in 1929, and Padishah is only the third horse that Mr Coyle has felt obliged to place on that mark. After winning the race under 11.3 in 1932 Billy Boy started with the maximum the following year and could finish only a moderate fifth, but the form was perhaps deceptive, as the old battler came out with 11.5 the next winter and captured the race for the second time. Tudor was also given 12.0 in 1937 and. though finishing on three legs, he was capable of running third, which was evidence that the task would not have been beyond him had he been sound. Last years weights started with All Irish on 11.5 and Padishah (who did not attend the meeting) was second top with 11.2. Good Schooling Effort. The feature of an otherwise dull morning on the tracks at Trantham yesterday was a schooling effort by Clarion Call over the fences on the course proper. His race jockey, A. Jenkins, made a special trip down from Masterton to school him, and he went over the two board fences down the back, the top brush, and the three-fur-long boards, cantering right round and then taking in the sod wall, and the previous four jumps a second time, nine fences in all. Clarion Call was not unduly hurried in his work, which was a good, strong effort, and he jumped in his usual brilliant style, especially at the top brush each time. Jenkins also schooled the stable hurdler Kincora, who gave only a fair .exhibition at a moderate pace. These aj/c the only two horses that L. G. Mor'ris has at the meeting. Gay Fox Doing Useful Work. Gay Fox has been doing very useful work at Opaki recently and the Foxbridge gelding, who is in Ashley Jenkins's hands, should be due to repeat his Wairarapa form soon. Galloping Well. Trainer-owner Burgess is licking Augment (Inflation-Eelspear) into shape and the gelding has been doing good work on the track at Opaki. Half Caste Coming Along. Half Caste, a gelding by Black Ron-ald-Faint One, and owned by B. Burgess. is showing improvement in his galloping at Opaki, and has turned on some quite good efforts recently. He is certainly shaping much better than he did in the Novice Stakes at the Wairarapa meeting last March. Cheerful Lady’s New Trainer. Cheerful Lady, which was formerly trained by the late G. Neich, is now under the care of A. Jenkins at Opaki. The Defoe-Cheerful filly is shaping very well in her work and should be in the money before long. Counter. Counter (Croupier-Thurville) is coming along nicely under the care of Ashley Jenkins at. Opaki. Mr Payton's representative has shown steady improving form. Of his last nine starts he has filled a place on seven occasions. The new season should see him ready to salute the judge. Nightbound in Good Order. Nightbound has been schooling well at Washdyke, and will be in good order for Trentham. where he may contest the Wellington Steeplechase. He will be ridden by R. Register, who won a double on him at Washdyke in May. Promising Youngsters. Ashley Jenkins has some very promising youngsters in his charge at Opaki One particularly good filly is a two-year-old by Matama, while a two-year-old Illumination gelding also gives promise of being a particularly useful racer. Two other two-year-olds by Nightly are likely youngsters.

MAY NOT RUN ON SATURDAY BEAULIVRE AMISS. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) BRISBANE, July 4. The Doomben Newmarket public fancy Beaulivre is reported to be suffering from internal trouble and it is doubtful whether he will be able to run next Saturday. Turf authorities express the opinion that Beaulivre has eaten some kind of poisonous weed while grazing. A veterinary surgeon states that the colt is in no immediate danger. Sensational rumours about doping are ridiculed. The stable attendants say Beaulivre has not been left unguarded since his arrival in Brisbane. GRAND NATIONAL HURDLES. FINAL ACCEPTORS. MELBOURNE. July 4. Final acceptors for the Grand National Hurdle Race are: Cheery Jack, Dark David. Exmoor, First Brigade Kerry' Bay. Glowing. Whernside, Harley, Bozzago, Paul Lois. Mamburdi, Bureaucrat, Peerie, Penfield. Napoleon. Sparkle. Sparkle has been placed back in work and during her absence from the tracks she put on a lot of condition. She went amiss with kidney trouble before the Easter racing when she was being prepared to contest the Great Autumn Handicap at Riccarton. The Colonel Cygnus mare stamped herself as an outstanding stayer and in 13 starts she won on four occasions and was six times placed—a wonderful record for consistency. When she won the Dunedin Cup Sparkle outclassed a high-class field and she should play a prominent part in later important spring handicaps, including the New Zealand Cup. Mr W. E. Hazlett also has a four-year-old filly by Colonel Cygnus from Stronglight in work and she greatly resembles Sparkle in appearance. Her dam. Stronglight, is a sister to Lambent (the dam of Sparkle). both being by Tractor from Dazzling Light, by Kilbroney.

A Useful Jumper. Culverden did not suffer any damage in his fall at Ashburton, and as he has schooled well since, he should make a bold bid to win the Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase at Oamaru, for a second year in succession. It was unfortunate that Culverden should have been brought down, as it was his first race since last August. Still,, he has schooled well lately, and looks forward enough to make a good showing at Oamaru. Check for Santoft. Santoft, winner of the Wellington Steeplechase in 1937. is unlikely to contest the same race next week, as he broke down during a schooling task with Nightbound at Washdyke on Saturday. Trained by F. Trilford for Messrs W. H. and W. D. Orbell, Santoft is a splendid jumper, but an unsound one, and many of his preparations have been interrupted. He had not started this season, while in the previous term he had only two races, finishing out of a place in the Grand National and being the runnerup to Erination in the Lincoln Steeplechase. Had he been a sound horse, Santoft would have made a great name for hirnself. RACING FIXTURES July 6 —Oamaru. July 6 —Hawke's Bay Hunt. July 9, 11, 13—-Wellington. July 20 —Matamata. 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. August 3 —Christchurch Hunt. August 13. 15. 17—C.J.C. Grand National.