TURF NEWS AND NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 September 1940, Page 3

TURF NEWS AND NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE The Great Musket Line (BY “THE GRAFTER")

The remarkable influence of tne Musket line in New Zealand cannot be better illustrated than by pointing out the fact that from 1887, when the first representative in Maxim won the New Zealand Derby no fewer than 12 of them won the classic 1905; 12 winners in 18 years. The line also got nine winners of the Great Northern Derby. From 1890 to 1908 Musket stamped his name on 14 winners of the Welcome Stakes, showing that it can bestow speed as well as stamina.

The Melbourne Cup winning list started with Martini Henry in 1883, and Carbine attracted world-wide attention by winning with- 10'.5 in 1890 after running second the previous year to Bravo. From that on, winners such as Auraria, Clean Sweep, Revenue, Blue Spec, Kingsburgh, Patrobus, Spearfelt, and Trivalve show the wellsustained vitality held by the Musket line. The Sydney Cup has been won by Carbine (2), Lady Trenton. Wallace La Carabine, Wakeful.' Noreen, Realm, Trafalgar, Scotch Artillery, David, The Dimmer, and L’Aiglon, again showing the lasting influence of the Musket strain, and the same applies to the principal races decided in Australia and New Zealand. This is doubly remarkable when it is recalled that Carbine, Trenton. Maxim, Artillery, Siege Gun. and other high-class performers were allowed to leave the country. Retrogression. Retrogression has furnished out since racing last season as a two-year-old. when he scored two wins, a second, and two thirds in eight 'starts. His final win was in the Russley Handicap, which he won with 8.0 in lmin. 0 3-5 secs. Retrogression was got by Magnus from Retrospect, the dam of Recollection.

A Gpod Lead. The Canterbury Jockey Club has supplied a good lead to others in the decision to keep up the stakes for the New Zealand Cup meeting to last year’s level. So far as can be gathered, every club has adopted the same idea, and that is to.carry on. Gladynev. The Caulfield Cup favourite. Gladynev, made his first appearance in a race in Australia at the Moorefield meeting in Sydney, and it was not a very satisfying one, as he was last home in a weak field. That his failure is not regarded seriously is disclosed by the fact that he retains his position as Caulfield Cup favourite, but he is not quite so popular as he was before he ran at Moorefield. Gladynev. who is of little more than pony height, but very thick and solid looking, ran in the Carlton Mile, but the betting indicated that Jamieson did not fancy him. The reason was obvious, as Gladynev was very much on the big side. He was fairly well placed most of the way, but when his condition gave out and he tired he hung out; consequently Bartie did not persevere with him. He was last to pass the post. He looks a gross sort and may need a good deal of racing to bring him into condition. So we may suspend judgment regarding his Caulfield Cup chance until he has run a few times. Melbourne Cup Favourite. Commenting upon Maikai’s favouritism for the Melbourne Cup, •'Pilot” writes:—Maikai was a good second with 7.11 in the last Melbourne Cup, but. even making full allowance for all he has since accomplished, it is expecting a lot of him to go one better this year with 9.4. On A.J.C. Plate running, he has no pull in weight ovei - Mosaic. The latter, in. receipt of a pound, beat him decisively, and will meet him only 3 lb. worse in the Cup. From March to November the weight-for-age scale allows for 51b improvement in Mosaic and 21b. in Maikai, .who is now seven years old. As Mosaic is the younger horse, it is reasonable to expect greater improvement in him than in Maikai, and if the w.f.a. scale is correct, and all goes well with Mosaic, he should again beat Maikai. Mosaic won the Sydney Cup with a pound over weight-for-age, and, a proved stayer, he is similarly treated in the Melbourne Cup.

Judge Appointed. Mr A. O. Wellwood has been appointed judge to the Banks Peninsula and North Canterbury Racing Clubs.