CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 November 1940, Page 3

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE

Training Operations at Opaki (BY “THE GRAFTER.”) The Levin Racing Club’s meeting interfered somewhat with the regular operations at Opaki during the week, ,but the horses are now settling down to routine work. Feilding will be the next meeting at which Masterton horses will compete. Defy, after her successful trip to Levin, will go across to Feilding if circumstances permit and should add further to her stake money. White Rajah has come along much better lately. The Eastern Monarch gelding has not run into a place since the Masterton meeting last month. Te Ore has galloped well this week and Feilding may see the Lord Quex mare in the money. Pillory has shaped much better on the track since her third at Waverley and should soon be ready to appear in public again.

Counter. The success of Mr J. H. Payton's Croupier — Thurville representative, Counter, at the Levin races, will be very popular among sports in the Wairarapa. Counter has run with a lot of bad luck of late and failed to present his track form when appearing with the colours up. It is stated that running in company has in the past distracted him from producing his best form, but the effort at Levin this week should provide Counter with “company confidence” and be the forerunner of many more wins. Counter’s success is all the more popular because his owner is in the game for the love of the sport, Defy. Defy followed z up his win in the Trial Stakes at Masterton with a double at Levin, demonstrating, as has been stated in these columns before, that Trainer B. zj. Kelleher has the Defoe filly very fit at the moment. Mr J. A. Betts has been warmly congratulated on the success of Defy, and deservedly so because he is always a trier and likes his friends to participate in his good luck. Cheerful Lady. Cheerful Lady’s second at Levin this week is evidence that the Defoe filly is approaching top form and should be worth watching for immediate meetings. Since her win in the Spring Handicap at Masterton last month Cheerful Lady ran unplaced in the Trial Stakes at Trentham and was second in the Spring Novice Handicap at the same meeting. Consistent Cornish. The consistent Cornish, who saddled up splendidly after his race on the first day, was made an each-way favourite for the St. Andrew’s Handicap at Auckland on Monday, and he acted up to expectations by winning nicely, though he was hard pressed by the three-year-old Sir' Cameron, who paid a good price for a place. Sir Cameron Erlick and Bronze Moth were quickly prominent, Bronze Moth going on to make the pace and lead into the straight from Sir Cameron, Erlick, Royal Message, Royal Appellant and Cornish, who'was moving up on the outside. Once in line for the judge Cornish ran to the front, and he held off Sir Cameron to win by three-quar-ters of a length. Royal Appellant fought on gamely to be half a length away third, and Bronze Moth was a good fourth, ahead of Odtaa. British Talent, Anita Foe, Wildore and Valamito. The place-getters were well placed throughout, Cornish finishing best with his light weight.

Capricious to Retire. Unless Mr H. D. Greenwood changes his plans, the racing career of Capricious came to an end when she was fourth in the Metropolitan Handicap at Riccarton. The Night Raid —Egotism mare won three races as a three-year-old (two small events on the West Coast, after which she beat some useful hacks over a mile and two furlongs and a half at Wingatui) and earned £322 in her winning efforts. Last season sh«k was placed 10 times, including second in the New Zealand Cup. third in the Metropolitan Handicap, and second in the Dunedin Cup. and this season she finished fourth in the New Zealand Cup and Metropolitan, but secured third money in the former race when the rider of Little Robin failed to draw the weight. Since she was three years old she has not won a race, and still is eligible for hack events. In these, however, she is unable to give away the weight she has to concede to improving hacks, whereas her placings in big races have earned for her burden: which seem just enough to prevent success in open company. Mr Greenwood has therefore decided to retire her. It is probable she will be spelled till next spring, when she may be mated with Defaulter.