TURF NEWS AND NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 November 1940, Page 3

TURF NEWS AND NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE New Zealand Cup Prospects (BY “’THE GRAFTER.") There is no reason for the belief that the New Zealand Cup winner raced among the seven Cup horses which contested the J. F. Buchanan Memorial Handicap at Motukarara on Saturday. Victory went to Second Innings, which got in the deciding stride to beat Dictate by a head. As a spectacle, the race was a good one, though the form disciosed that there are few horses in Canterbury capable of showing worthwhile form twice running. Canterbury stables have seldom, been weaker, and the visiting North Island horses should take the lion's share of the stakes offering at the >• Riccarton carnival.

Second Innings, a useful horse by Winning Hit, had run a good race at his first attempt for the season in the Rangiora Cup and in the Buchanan Memorial he gave of his best to defeat Dictate. On anything he has shown so far the New Zealand Cup distance will be too far for him, states a Christchurch "Star-Sun” writer.

Dictate, which has yet to race badly at Motukarara, seemed assured of victory with half a furlong to run. He was third in the New Zealand Cup last year, but it is questionable whether he can equal the effort. Swordstick was always one of the leaders and just held off Night Dress, which finished fast, for third. Swordstick does not appeal in the Cup. Capricious was finishing on close up in fifth place with Prudent Prince, one of the pacemakers, after she had been well back in the field. Wardress, the Rangiora Cup winner, soon drifted and there was little sparkle about, her effort, though she worked up a few places in the run home, ending behind Prudent Prince and Capricious, It was far from being a good Cup trial. Te Kawiti also failed to impress. He was soon handily placed on the rails, but drifted too far during the middle stages and was then checked when trying to get through on the rails at the turn into the straight. The incident was the subject - of an inquiry and for careless riding L. Hare (Prudent Prince) was suspended for one month. Appeal Upheld. The appeal of L. Hare against the month's suspension imposed on him at Mottikarara on Saturday was upheld by the Canterbury District Committee yesterday. Correct Weights. Kentucky, Poutatau and Wild Coon all have 7.7 in the Spring Plate at Riccarton on Saturday, not 7.2, as appeared in the telegraphed list of acceptors. The Spring Plate is run under special weights, three-year-olds having 7.7, and older horses 8.2, mares being allowed 51b. Sparkle.

Sparkle has been withdrawn from all engagements at the New Zealand Cup meeting. She did not race up to expectations in her one start at Gore, and it became evident that she is not yet ready to show her best, though she looks well and has been galloping freely in her work. It was not until the autumn last season that she showed her best form, and it may be the same this season. She will make her next appearance in the Southland Cup this month. In'Good Order. Royal Lancer. Spanish Lad, Gold Flight, and the two-year-old filly Desert Maid, were in good order when they left Invercargill for Riccarton. Royal Lancer is in grand form and will have a big southern following. Spanish Lad will be a much better horse than when he raced at the Dunedin meeting and should pay his way on the trip. Gold Flight showed brilliant speed in her races at Gore, but stopped badly each day. The outings should improve her a lot, and it would not surprise if she got on the winning list at Riccarton. It will be recalled that her full brother, Dark Flight, just scraped home in the hack race at the Gore spring meeting last year, and then went on to Riccarton to show brilliant winning form in open company.

Royal Chief. There was a rumour afloat in Christchurch that Royal Chief had walked off the Riccarton course on Monday lame after working but this was not the case. He went away in his usual cramped style after cooling down, but indicated by his gallop on Monday that there is nothing amiss with him. Yesterday at Riccarton Royal Chief, assisted by Iceland Spar over the last six furlongs, covered a mile in 1.45, the first half in 55. Royal Chief did not stretch out freely early but improved as the journey progressed and drew away from his mate over the final stages.

Wild Career Fit and Well. W. Anderton, of Invercargill, has arrived at Riccarton with Wild Career. The Balboa gelding is now eight years old, but he has lost none of his galloping ability and is carrying himself like a two-year-old. being fit and well. He was in good winning form at Gore, and should give a good account of himself at Riccarton. Wild Career’s victories include two Riverton Cups, and he holds the time record for the race. Neither is he any stranger to Riccarton, and, as a four-year-old there, he ran Great Star to a head in the Cressy Handicap (one mile), won in 1.38 3-5. He will be ridden on Saturday by J. L. Strathern.