TURF NEWS AND NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 July 1940, Page 3

TURF NEWS AND NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE Giving a Start Fatal (BY “THE GRAFTER.’’) There is a golden and well-established rule in racing that a horse can concede weight, but not distance. In other words, it is fatal to give, if it can be avoided, a start at the finish of a race. Yet it happens at almost every meeting. Giving away a start may be due to a too literal adherence to riding instructions. For instance, if a rider is instructed to avoid going to the front and wait behind in a field a strict adherence may lead to sure defeat. In a slow-run race over a mile or more the first part may be slow and then almost inevitably fast for the balance of the journey. If under such circumstances a horse is pulled back in the early part it will mean giving a good start to the leaders over the last three or four furlongs. When the pace is slow it stands as very bad riding tactics to lose ground and then be forced to make it up when the pace is greatly improved.

It is also very bad tactics to issue cast-iron instructions, because only a wizard can foretell how a race over a distance will be run. If an owner or a trainer gave a rider instructions to give the leaders about two seconds’ start over the last three or four furlongs many would consider that he should consult a mental specialist, and yet such instructions are issued and too strictly obeyed. In effect, it would mean giving seven or eight lengths' start away and if the last half-mile was run in 49sec, the waiting horse would require to gallop 47sec or better to get up and win. Such a task may be next door to impossible. One reason why it may’ prove so is due to the fact that, while the leaders are getting a clear run, the horse giving the start may have to work through a field or go round, and this must naturally make a difficult task still more difficult or impossible. It has proved so on frequent occasions. Riders cannot be expected to make way for another coming from behind with a late run and in a short straight late arrivals are generally forced to go round the field or trust to a lucky opening. It is just a question of time and distance, and there is a limit to speed. /

Veteran Steeplechaser. There is still on the active list in South Australia a horse who is rising 19 years, which claims this as a record. This is Pistol Fuse, who, when he was a comparative youngster of 13 years, ran second to Burnemup in the Adelaide Grand National Steeples. He won a number of steeplechase events subsequently, but for three years until he resumed racing recently, he had been used as a hack.

He did so well in retirement that it was decided to qualify him for hunting events, but hunting in Adelaide was abandoned because of the war so he was given another chance against allcomers. In all, Pistol Fuse has run 86 races and has won 11 races, dead-heat-ing on another occasion. He is by Pistol King from a mare by Kerlie. A Serious Failing. It is unfortunate that Kilrobe has not improved in her barrier manners, for there is no doubt about her ability to gallop. She was placed on the outside of the field in the Claremont Handicap at Washdyke on Saturday, and was given every assistance to stand up to the tapes, but she failed to move until the remainder were into their stride. She lost a good deal of ground, but was one of the leading division turning for home, and was then only narrowly beaten into third place. With a reasonable get-away, Kilrobe would have to be seriously considered in the Winter Cup. Appeal Upheld. The appeal of the jockey, M. Ritchie, to the Auckland District Committee, against disqualification for three months, imposed upon him by the judicial committee of the Matamata Racing Club for his riding of Makoi, who finished second in the Corbett Steeplechase at Matamata on July 20, was upheld. RACING FIXTURES August 3—Christchurch Hunt. August 13, 15, 17—C.J.C. Grand Nation-

CHRISTCHURCH HUNT ACCEPTANCES FOR SATURDAY. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, July 30. The following are the acceptances for the Christchurch Hunt Club's meeting on August 'J: — 11.52 — Hunt Cup Steeples, two miles. —EI Caballo 12.13. Guapo 11.7, Golden! Glow 11.2. Tommy Ruff. Albar 11.0. I >2.27—Lawford Steeplechase, about j two miles and a half. —Baitruin 11.1,1 El Caballo 10.13, Joy Boa 10.5, Arctic) Star 10.4. Uncle Jim 9.8, Tomcat. La Boca, Waka 9.7, Valens 9.6. 1.12 — Maiden Stakes (flat), six furlongs.—Ann Mie, Circular Note, Citizen. Coup d'Etat, Foreclosure. Ham Way. Kilcato, Leopardstown, My Ship, Night Shift, Sir Amyas, Gentility 8.11, Alias, Anchusa, Blue Abbey, Camphor, Don’t Forget, Farida, Game Bird, Haughty Lad, Hurry Girl, Jolly Time, Lockheed, Muffler, Noko, Pleading, Snow Elf, Stock Exchange, Welsh Fusilier, Whiphand. Wild Coon 8.0. 1.52 — Homeby Steeplechase, about two miles and a half. —Padishah 12.13, Slayer 11. G, Ballybrit 10.12, Gold Wren 10.6, Flashlight 10.3, Nightbound 10.2, Trisox 10.1, Dauber 9.13, Baitruin 9.0. 2.32 — Camla Hack Handicap, six furlongs.—Great Night 9.5. Stabilise 9.2. Race Away, Dinah Dhu 8.11. Gold Don, Lord Lynne. Moneymore 8.10. Royal Style, Lord Midas 8.9, Synthetic 8.6, Ferriby 8.4, Gnohill 8.3, The Vulture 8.2; Sir Fredrick 8.1. Countervane, Lady Magellan, Papernilla. Feather Boa, Taxpayer 8.0. 3.12 — Longbeach Hurdles, one mile and three-quarters. —Streamline 11.6, Recollection 10.8, Court Yard, Kaiwaka 10.6, Tidewaiter 10.4, Aussie Ra 10.3, Dividend 10.1, Colonel French 9.10, Turaki 9.6. Hunting Chorus 9.1, Good Sun, Aggravate, Life Guard 9.0. 3.52 — Brabazon Handicap, seven furlongs.—Black Thread'9.B. Disdain 8.8, Dictate 8.7, Kilrobe 8.6. Lockit 8.5. The Wrecker 8.3, Strip, St Cloud. Nigger Boy 8.2, Grey Honour 8.1. Winning Rival, Wagner 8.0, Night Dress 7.13, Straightdel, Combat, The Raker 7.11, Wardress, Paper Note, Rebel Star 7.10, Skyrena 7.9, Night Hawk, Flame Queen, Cape Gabo, Noble Fox 7.7. 4.32 — Kennels Hack Handicap, one mile. —Rebellion 9.11, Schoolgirl 9.3, Islay Downs 9.2, Turaki, Prudent Prince 8.13, Merry Simon 8.9, Scarteen 8.8, Ryetown 8.5, Norse, Captain Bruce 8.4, The Duel 8.3, Sweet Mystery 8.2, Iceland Spar, Racewell, Richlieu Pearl. Greenbank, Prediction 8.0. AUSTRALIAN HURDLES FINAL ACCEPTORS. (By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright) MELBOURNE, July 30. Final acceptors for the Australian Hurdle Race are: —Cheery Jack. Dark David. North Cape, Mamillius, Cape Race, Kevastar, Paul Lois, King's Warden. Bozzago, and Vulcan. Vulcan is reported to be still in Sydney. D. McCormick trains Dark David, Mamillius, and Kevastar.

GRAND NATIONAL STEEPLES I FAVOURITES STILL IN. Padishah, Ciai’ion Call and Slayer, ruling favourites for the Grand National Steeplechase, held their ground when the first acceptance was taken by the Canterbury Jockey Chib. There were only eight scratchings, leaving a field of fifteen. Cottingham, a failure as a steeplechaser, and Mahala, runner-up to All Irish in the ' Great Northern Steeplechase, were the most likely of those to drop out, but Cottingham is still in the Grand National Hurdles. The test will come for him this week, and it will then be seen whether he will stand up to the work necessary to tit him for racing. Scratchings were fairly heavy for the Winter Cup, but there is plenty of room foi’ thinning out yet. One of the surprise scratchings was that of Royal Star 11, principal winner among the handicap horses at Trentham. Spanish Lad, another horse that had been freely mentioned, was also allowed to drop out. Other scratchings of interest were Sly Fox. Rebel Mate, Classform and Blonde Princess. Most of the scratchings for the . Grand National Hurdles were among the light-weights. King Rey was the only top-weight of any consequence to drop out. and his defection was probably due to the fact that he had not shown any form in his last five starts. Smoke Screen, which has not come up to expectations as a hurdler, and Old Surrey, the Wanganui Century Hurdles winner, were not accepted for. Hawke’s Bay Juveniles. Last season, on the whole, the Dominion's juveniles were below standard, while in Hawke’s Bay they were not even average, so it is pleasing to record that the prospects for the season 1940-41 are very bright, judging by the quality, breeding and make-up of the yearlings at present in Hawke's Bay, who number just on 30. Mr T. H. Lowry has had three of his young thoroughbreds, all by the Fairway horse Tiderace, broken in, but the April Fool filly has been returned to Okawa for a few months. The Tiderace—Oreum bay colt, halfbrother to Gold Rod. is all that a young thoroughbred should be —manners, size, bone, conformation, and action, and though he may not earn spring classic honours, he is a most promising colt. A well-grown and developing young lady is the filly from the Limond mare Courtesy, who gives every indication of early galloping ability. Her halfbrother, by Iliad, realised 900 guineas at the 1939 sales. Many predict that Mr A. F. M. Symes’s chestnut colt, Theatre tTheio —Painted Screen), will be a galloper above the average. Certainly he bears the hallmark of the English thoroughbred. Mr F. Ormond so far has placed three with his private trainer. S. J. Reid. The Bulandshar—Provence colt, half-brother to the defunct Le Toquet, is to race as Burra Sahib. A solid type that may take time to furnish into the handicap type, it is not surprising to see his name missing from the early classics. The chestnut filly by Tiderace from Gold Trail’s dam, Pure Gold, is one of the most unconcerned youngsters in work at Hastings, nevertheless she is I a quick learner, so should develop early winning form. She is longer in the body than most of the Tideraces. DEATH OF STALLION (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) SYDNEY, July 30. The imported stallion Pantheon, sire of Peter Pan. died yesterday at stud.