TURF NEWS AND NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 November 1940, Page 3

TURF NEWS AND NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE New Zealand Cup Prospects (BY “THE GRAFTER”) Now that the Melbourne Cup is over the interest of racing patrons in the Dominion will be centred on the New Zealand Cup to be decided at Riccarton. After his recent Trentham successes Royal Chief will doubtless find very strong support but 9.6 is a heavy impost to carry successfully over two miles especially when probable race conditions are taken into account. The Chief Ruler horse, however, may be depended upon to keep the field moving and it will take something pretty hot to beat him. Perhaps, however, the cautious punter will keep Beau Vite and the Melbourne Cup in mind. The Ring, which was successful at Masterton and accounted for the Watkins Handicap at Trentham last month, ■ ran fourth to Royal Chief in the Harcourt Stakes, having the best of the weights by a few pounds. The Siegfried mare is doing excellent work on the track, and should be very fit for the big event. She is! sure to carry solid support. Pearl of Asia, though not having been successful in recent efforts, is showing improved form on the track and with Serenata and Kilometre has undoubtedly strong claims for consideration among ' the lower division. The latter won the Champion Hack Handicap at Masterton over a mile, and ran a second and a third at, Wellington ovei similar distances. Serenata has a mile win at Masterton to her credit and a couple of thirds at Trentham. Taurangi has been! putting up fair performances on the track and on the course but he must show much improved form to be able to successfully carry his impost of 8.8. The I Buzzer looks a good proposition for the New Zealand Cup. His Waverley Cup win over 1} miles, 1 though in ordinary company, and his Ling Memorial Handicap , victory at Otaki, will increase i his popularity. Of course, class and distance must be taken into account, but The Buzzer should be able to go two miles in better ' company than he has previously met. Sly Fox recorded two good wins last season, at Wanganui and Avondale, with varied success later throughout the season. This season he won the Mitchelson Cup, 1i miles, was second to Royal Chief at Trentham carrying 13lbs less than the winner. The Ring and Pearl of Asia were well behind him. His third to The Ring in the< Watkins Handicap at Trentham- was also a good effort. I If he is fit and well Sly Fox should be able to see the distance out at Riccarton and the! one which can head him will have a big say in the first stake 1 money. Te Kawiti won the 1 Jellicoe Handicap at Pakuranga this season and followed this up by scoring in the President’s Handicap at Ohinemuri over 9 furlongs. He ran a fair race in the Harcourt Stakes at Trentham. The Night Raid gelding should be well supported fon the New Zealand Cup. Capricious! has done nothing this season to flatter her chances in the Cup, and Passaform and Swordstick are but little better, though the latter scored a good win in the Teschemaker Handicap at the South Canterbury I meeting. Dictate has not filled a place in -his six starts this season, while Second Innings registered a third !in the Rangiora Cup which was won by Wardress. A better record is that of Little Robin who won the Heathcote Handicap at Riccarton in August in particularly good style. He is a / proposition that will undoubtedly find considerable support. Settlement, The Raker, and Auto Sweep will probably be ruled out by those who go strictly on form. At the moment the I racing public i may probably favour The Ring, Royal Chief, and Sly Fox, with Serenata as an outside chance.

Phyto, Phyto is a speedy three-year-old black filly by Foxbridge from Prolyxo and she has the ability to get on the winning list again, though restlessness at the barrier is a fault that prejudices her chances. She will be seen out at Riccarton. Will be a Favourite. Par Avion is a smart two-year-old brown colt by Ringmaster from Damascus and he will be one of the favourites for the Welcome Stakes. Par Avion started off his career in the Juvenile Handicap at Marton, but Foreign Coin, later to win the Wellesley Stakes at Trentham, beat him by a length. Since then Par Avion has won in successive starts the Juvenile Handicap, at Hawke’s Bay, and the Taita and Karitane Handicaps, at Trentham. Racing has improved Par Avion and he should do well.

Without a Mount. Although. L. J. Ellis did not receive any advice regarding Sir Crusoe, for whom he was engaged in the Stewards’ Handicap, it is understood that the gelding was withdrawn from that race as he has been suffering from leg trouble since racing at Trentham. Ellis is experiencing bad luck with 5 his Stewards' mounts, as he was engaged some time back for Duncannon, whose trip was cancelled after his poor showing at Trentham, and after Duncannon’s defection he was offered the mount on Rebel Mate, but had to decline, as in the meantime he had contracted to ride Sir Crusoe. Riders For Riccarton. Riding engagements as follows have been made for Saturday’s programme at Riccarton: —H. Hibberd, St. Cloud, Jewish Lad, King’s Toast; S. Waddell, Blue Coat, Gay Parade, Serenata; A. Stokes, Wild Coon, Night Dress; C. Wilson, Dictate, Trench Fight, Spanish Lad, Willow Wood, Nightglass; P. Spratt, Capricious, Density. Salutation, Great Night, Grey Night; L. J. Ellis. Royal Chief. Silver Lily, Boloyna, All Night; B. H. Morris, The Buzzer, Sir Beau, Sovereign Lady, Corn Prince; H. Wiggins, Te Kawiti, Not Out, Belle Cane, Siglow. Pay Roll; M. Caddy, Passaform, Dash o’ Dublin; L. Clutterbuck. Swordstick; R. Beale. Recollection: I. Walther, Dividend; M. Billington. Second Innings, Rye Town, Cape Gabo: W. Ellis, The Raker, Don’t Forget. Prudent Prince, Desert Maid, Royal Lancer; D. Corboy, Sir Amyas; S. Green. Eulogist; H. Stewart, Pearl of Asia; V. Barrington, Rue; C. Fox, Cymric; A. Messervy, Wardress, Doria. Palfrey, Schoolgirl, Greenbank; J. Jennings. Night Pal; C. Stokes, Pleading, Alias: B. Brodie, Happy Night: W. Mudford. Taurangi; P. Burgess. Foreign Coin; R. Register, Master Dingle; T. Boyle. Milford; D. Redstone. Lord Midas; R. Howell. Blandisher, Poutatau; C. Goulsbro, Sly Fox. Sir Cameron; W. Broughton, Par Avion; J. Strathearn, Rebel Mate, Wild Career: L. Hare, Settlement, Hanlon. Gold Flight.

Impressive Gallops. At Riccarton yesterday impressive gallops were executed by Dictate and Ferriby, who, abreast, finished over two lengths in front of Sly Fox at the end of nine furlongs in 1.56, the last mile in 1.43 4-5 and the last half in 52. Dictate again went well, but was sore afterward.

Half-mile Sprint. The best half-mile sprint at Riccarton yesterday was credited to Windsor Chief in 47 3-5. with R. J. Mackie in the saddle. Outstanding Gallop. The most outstanding gallop a’t Riccarton yesterday over five furlongs was executed by Spanish Lad and St. Cloud in 1.1, the last four in 47 4-5, and they finished together. Race Away and Gold Don recorded 1.3, and others included Gay Parade and Great Night 1.3 3-5. Royal Chief and Taurangi. Royal Chief and Taurangi were mates at Riccarton, yesterday over nine furlongs in 1.55 2-5, the first three in 38 3-5, and the last four in 50 2-5. There was not much between them over the last furlong. Leading Jockeys. ' Statistics supplied by the compiler of the New Zealand Turf Register givci the positions of leading jockeys up to and including last Saturday’s racing. A feature of the list in the prominent positions occupied by apprentice riders. The list is as follows, apprentice jockeys being marked by an asterisk: —W. Broughton. 21; P. Spratt, 12: L. Ellis, *W. Ellis, *N. Howard, *W. Mudford, 9; *F. Cleaver, B. H. Morris, *H. Stewart, H. Wiggins, 8; C. G. Goulsbro, A. Jenkins, ®D. Redstone, G. Tattersail, C. Wilson, 7; D. Burgess, H. Hibberd, :! S. Waddell, 6; P. Atkins, A. Didham, *L. Hare, R. Marsh, A. Messervy, "A. Midwood, 5; P. Burgess, K. Chote, A. Leach, J. Mcßae. I. Walther, 4; *A. Anderson, G. Cameron, *L. Clutterbuck. L. Dulieu, ”R. Howell. W. Jenkins, A. Lord, N. McKenzie,. *M. Ritchie, *J. Strathern, S. Tremain, 3.