TURF NEWS AND NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 August 1940, Page 3

TURF NEWS AND NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE

Racing to Cease in England

(BY

“THE GRAFTER.”)

After consultation with the Government, the stewards of the English Jockey Club announced that there would be no more racing until further notice. No doubt many training establishments will be carried on under restricted conditions. There is still a market overseas for British bloodstock, and some of the horses it is decided not to keep in training should find buyers abroad. On the outbreak of war the Government announced that sports meetings and all gatherings for entertainment, whether outdoor or indoor, which involved large crowds were prohibited until further notice. Racing in Britain, therefore, ceased automatically. It was resumed on October 18 at Newmarket, and has since been continued on a restricted scale. Fixtures had been arranged up to the end of August.

The cessation of racing means a heavy loss to owners, trainers, jockeys and others engaged in the'sport, but they are taking it philosophically. ‘Tn view of the present situation. I am not surprised.” said Walter Nightingale, the Epsom trainer. “It is a pity, but the authorities know best what is necessary, and we must wait to see how things go.” Gordon Richards said that, while he expected further curtailments, he thought that a little racing at Newmarket from time to time would be permitted in order to preserve continuity. “I have not made up my mind'what to do in the changed circumstances,” he added. ”1 shall find something useful to get down io in real earnest as quickly as I can." Many of those associated with the sport joined up at once when -war broke out. and others have been putting in hours of duty on National Service when the day’s work is over. Some are Local Defence Volunteers, others are in the special police. Many trainers have farms on which they rear stock of all kinds. This is particularly so in Yorkshire. Stables will be carried on under restricted conditions, and only the best horses may be retained in training. This will mean that many stable men. too old for military service, will have to seek other employment. Some of the smaller training establishments will close down completely. The greatest sufferer will be Newmarket, as this town of 10.000 inhabitants is wholly dependent upon the sport. Private parks, golf courses, racecourses and cricket grounds, with other land used mainly for sport or recreation. will be liable to be ploughed up under additional powers conferred on the Minister of Agriculture. The Minister can now order the cultivation of uny such land, but ploughing will be undertaken for the present only where it is deemed that reasonable results will be obtained

Hawke's Bay Candidates. The last of the Hawke's Bay quota for the Grand National meeting left on Wednesday. There is a small representation this year, comprising Padishah. Hugme, Arabic. Willen, Limbohm and Lord Hereford. Padishah’s army of supporters are not quite as confident as on other occasions when the . gelding has raced away from home, the chief reason being the weight to be carried in the Steeplechase. However, with all possible disadvantages accepted, the Hastings champion must still be one of the hardest to beat.

Hugme, although a promising young galloper, lacks the’ racing ■ experience of some of her Cashmere Plate opponents.

A trial now seldom seen was given Lord Hereford before his departure, that being a school over 19 steeplechase fences. He came through impressively. suggesting that he will perform prominently in the Beaufort and Lincoln Steeplechases. Limbohm has never before been so fit since he started hurdle racing. On his win in the Hawke's Bay Hurdles he appears as a light-weight possibility in the Grand National Hurdles, in which he will be ridden by W. Jenkins.

Arabic is in great heart and he should show up in hack events. He may be particularly suited by the distance of the Sumner Handicap, nine furlongs, to be run on the second day. An Unlucky Horse. One of the unluckiest horses ever saddled for the Grand National Steeplechase was Pipi, who finished second in three consecutive years and third in the following year. The only other Dunedin-owned horses to fill a place since then are The Brewer, second in 1915. and Tuki. who ran third in 1928 in Mr J. M. Samson's colours. Tuki won in 1925, when owned in the North Island.

A Difficult Double,

Apart from the successful and unique effort last year of Padishah, the Grand National double has been essayed eight times in the same week by horses who have won the steeples. The eight horses were Levanter in 1897. Awahuri in 1903. Slow Tom in the following year, Paritutu in 1911. Bercola in 1913. Beau Cavalier in 1927. Aurora Borealis in 1930 and Clarion Call in 1938.

The best performances were those of Aurora Borealis, who was beaten by a narrow margin bj’ Carinthia, and of Clarion Call, who was relegated to third place by Padishah and Fireguard. No horse who has failed in the steeples has gone on to w>n the hurdles at the same meeting, and only two of these have been placed in the hurdles. These were Liberator.’ who ran third in the latter race in 1896, and Erigadore, who filled a similar position in 1937. Liberator was unplaced in the cross-country event and Erigadore fell.

Flashlight. Flashlight, winner of the Homeby Steeples, did not begin racing until he was aged seven years and ho is now beginning his fourth year on the turf. He has contested 20 races for five firsts, three seconds and a third, his wins in his first season being in the Craigmore Steeples at, Timaru, the Dromore Steeples at Ashburton and the Mariri Steeples at, Trentham. In the following year he ran second in the Enfield Steeples and about a year later he took the South Canterbury Steeples. To date he has won £925.

The 10-year-old jumper is by Shambles from Snapshot, by Calibre from First Glance, by Kosmos Bey from Ophelia 11, by Morion. Ophelia II was a half-sister to Player Queen, a winner over fences in England and herself progenitress of high-class jumpers. First Glance was a successful race mare in New Zealand, and Snapshot was represented earlier by First Sight and Tourist, who were both good winners over middle distances.

Streamline. One of the Grand National Hurdle candidates in Streamline ran third in 193 G to Jolly Beggar and Clarion Call in 4min 47sec. The record over the present distance is 4min 46sec, put up by Huntique who carried 9.0.

Interesting Pedigree.

Golden England, who ouljuinpod his opponents to win both the principal steeplechases at the Rotorua meeting, has an interesting pedigree. Ho is the last, of the progeny; by Little England, of Golden Chestnut who previously produced Lochiel Abbey. Maratoto and Nurjahan. all to Quin Abbey. Golden Chestnut was a daughter of the Musket horse Muskapeer, and was the last survivor of the Muskapeer clan in the. Stud Book when she died in 1933. five years after the foaling of Golden England. aged 2-1 years. Her dam was Golden Tress, by Nelson front Ficsole, by Ingomar. Paritutu's Record. Paritutu paved the way to success in the Grand National Steeplechase by running second in the Grand National Hurdles in 1907 1908 and 1910. He won over (ho Riccarton country in 1911. This year’s field for the National Steeples includes Clarion Cali, who won the Grand National Steeplechase in 1938 and ran second in the Grand National Hurdles in 1936 and 1937 and third in 1938. Dungarvan. It is stated that Dungarvan (Colossus —-Tikima) has bled so consistently after galloping lately that it is quite on the cards that his racing career may be closed

Sent Back to Trentham. Dark Water iNightmnrch —Waterlow) and Batsham (Tidal—Hunting Bello), who have been in T. R. George’s team at Opaki. have been sent back to Trentham for a spell. Shaping Well. ! Two Iliad colts, and the Ringmaster colt are shaping very well in their work at Opaki. and T. R. George has some likely stuff in them, which with his skilful touch should soon become profitable. White Rajah for Riccarton White Rajah was shipped to Lyttelton last night, and will take part in the Riccarton meeting. The Eastern Monarch —Princess Rosalie gelding has been shaping well in his work, and if he gets a good run should be m the money at the Grand National meeting. The last race he won was the Morrinsville Hack Handicap at the Te Aroha meeting in February when he led practically from end to end. His last seven starts have produced a second, two thirds, three fourths and an unplaced. His last start was on July 11 at Trentham when he finished fourth to Sleeveless in the Members’ Handicap. Trebor. Trebor (Spear Dance — Sports Queen) is back again in his box at Opaki, under T. R. George's charge.

Happy Ending. Happy Ending, a fine big gelding by Beau Perc —Termination, in B. Burgess's stable at Opaki. is shaping nicely and will be seen out at the early spring meetings.

Clarion Call. In 1936 Clarion Call 10.4 ran second to Jolly Beggar 9.10 in the Grand National Hurdles. The following year Clarion Call 10.12 ran second to Cottingham. 9.2, a head between them. In 1938 Clarion Call 11.1 won the Grand National Steeplechase and ran third with 11.3 to Padishah 10.5 and Fireguard 9.11 in the Grand National Hurdles. This year he is up 1411 b in the Grand National Steeples, and has 91b more in the Grand National Hurdles than when he ran third. He now meets Padishah oil 181 b better terms than in 1938. Clarion Call did not run at Riccarton last year.

Very Rare Success. Dunedin-owned horsese have achieved only very rare success in the Grand National Steeplechase since Mi- D. Christie won with Katufelto in 1882. Walter Clifford, the crack horseman of the day. was in the saddle. In 1919 Lochella won for Mr R. Acton-Adams, and. Phaetontis won for the North Otago sportsman the late Mr St John Buckley in 1906. Dunedin-owned horses in Ixion, Stormont and General Advance won the Grand National Hurdles, and Dunedin-owned or trained in Misslire. Jack Symons. Captain's Gift. Fireguard and Whipcord filled places. Pdders for Riccarton. Riding engagements as follows have been made for Tuesday's programme at Riccarton: —L. J. Ellis, Grey Honour, Craiglea. Pleading. Raeburn; C. Goulsbro, Camphor, Disdain. Sweet Mystery; W. Jenkins. Black Thread, Limbohm; W. Broughton, Lady Tinkle, Mittie, Blue Abbey; G. Tattersail, Haughty Winner, Hunting Royal; J. Chaplin, Blue Steel, Aussie Ra; J. Jennings. Alma. Captain Bruce, Ann Mie: A. Didham, The Wrecker, Strip, Royal Style; P. Spratt, Wagner, Dinah Dhu. Don’t Forget; P. Jarvis, Lactose. Top Rank; S. Anderson. Kilcato, Lord Midas. Skyrena; M. Caddy, Great Night, Wardress, Foxette, Donadea; A. Leach. La Boca; H. Hibberd. Kilrobe; A. Stokes. St. Cloud, Ferriby, Wild Coon; L. Dulieu, Muffler, Kaiwaka; C. Wilson, Winning Rival, Haughty Lad, Great Flight, Nightglass; E. Baker. Tommv Ruff; E. Jennings, Uncle Jim. Land Raid; W. Ellis. Gnohill. Nigger Boy; P. Atkins, Noble Fox. Arabic: A. Messervy, Rebel Star. Doria. Alias. The Vulture;’ I). Mackie. Stabilize; V. Dye. Little Robin. Game Bird; W. Shand. Airdrie. Trisox; R. Mackie, Lockit. Recollection. Counter Lunch; A. E. Ellis, Catalogue. Tidewaiter, Rebellion. Spanish Lad; W. Maria. Jewelled Girdle, Eastern Heir; H. Were, Stock Exchange. Rebel Chief; R. Humphries, Night Hawk. Lockheed; P. Boyle. Turaki, El Caballo; F. E. Baker. Hunting Chorus; M. Reilly. Albar; G. Ridgway. Flashlight. Streamline: B. Brodie. Gold Don; M. Billington, Ripley; A. Gilmer, Erination; J. Mcßae, Slayer; S. Wright. Chat: A. Jenkins, Clarion Call; Mr G. G. Beatson, Padishah; A. Lord, Good Sun: R. McTavish, Dictate; T. Boyle. Baitruin, Colonel French; L. Hare. Taxpayer, Combat,

RACING FIXTURES

August 13. 15, 17—C.J.C. Grand National. August 24.—Pakuranga Hunt. August 29. —Egmont-Wanganui Hunt.' August 31.—Taranaki Hunt. August 31.—Otago Hunt. September 5. 7—Wanganui. September 14. —Ashburton County. September 14, 16. —Avondale. September 19, 21. —Geraldine. September 21. —Marton. September 28. —Kurow. September 28. —Foxton. September 28, 30—Ohinemuri.