TURF NEWS AND NOTES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 December 1940, Page 3

TURF NEWS AND NOTES

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE I Auckland Cup Weights (BY “THE GRAFTER.”) The weights for the Auckland Cup and Railway Handicap have aroused much discussion among followers of the turf in both islands. With Royal Chief and Beau Vite in the Cup, there was no doubt about their heading the list, but the impression in the south seemed to be that there would not be much, if any'difference, between them. Neither has won a two-mile handicap, and both failed over the distance last month. Beau Vite, however, ran fourth in the Melbourne Cup with 9.7 against a high-class field, and Royal Chief ran fifth in the New Zealand Cup with 9.6 in a moderate field. It is therefore surprising to many that Royal Chief is now called upon to give Beau Vite 51b. This does not sound much, but every pound above nine stone, especially over two miles, becomes severe. Royal Chief admittedly won the Metropolitan Handicap at Riccarton under 9.12, but again the class was not nearly up to the standard encountered by Beau Vite in Australia. The latter won several important weight-for-age races both in Sydney and Melbourne, and had the distinction of beating horses of the calibre of Ajax, Beaulivre, High Caste and others. Royal Chief has undoubtedly a great record behind him, but he has never beaten such class.

Royal Chief is set a very difficult task, but in his present condition, he would be entitled to serious consideration once again, states the sporting writer in the Christchurch. “Press." It is probable that the first acceptance will be made for him, and if it should then be likely that Beau Vite is to take his place, he may be started in a mile race on the first day, and raced in the later big handicaps. There is a doubt, though, about Beau Vite tackling the Cup. He suffered leg trouble after his Melbourne racing, and although his trainer stated this week that he was fit again, he will probably be reserved for the weight-for-age events at Ellerslie, unless, of course, the plans are changed after the weights have been studied. There do not appear to be any surprise adjustments regarding other Cup candidates, with the exception perhaps of Cheval de Volee, who won the Cup 2 years ago with 7.0, and again last year with 7.9. He is in this year’s race with 7.8. He certainly has not figured prominently since, but it appears the handicapper has taken even a bigger risk with him than he did 12 months ago. It is evident that no notice has been taken of Gladynev's weight in the Caulfield Cup, in which he ran second with 6.7. as he has been given 7.12 at Ellerslie. A comparison between the weights carried by horses weighted for the New Zealand and Auckland Cups is as follows:—

Circular Note. Circular Note has done well since joining R. Register's team and if he is ever going to win a race it should be the Trial Plate at Hororata, where he will be ridden by J W. Jennings. Circular Note is a smart beginner and the turning track will be to his liking. He is a six-year-old bay gelding by Paper Money from Sister Radius, which earlier produced good winners in Loughrea and Circulation. Sister Radius had reached the advanced age of twenty-five years wiien she produced Circular Note, which has had a couple of minor placihgs this season. Register has not led in a winner since Far East had a good run towards the end of last season, but Circular Note should give him a turn. Far East was in work with a view to racing at the New Zealand Cup meeting, but he did not look like standing up to the work and was sent back to Blenheim to spell.

Eulogist Has Bruised Heel. Eulogist has a bruised* heel that has been giving trouble and he will not contest the Sandown Hack Handicap at Hororata. Eulogist is a fine type of colt, and at Riccarton he won the Strowan Plate and was the runner-up to Gayest Son in the Seymour Handicap, strong finishing runs characterising his efforts. If he is all right Eulogist will race on the Dunedin-Waikouaiti-Oam-aru circuit.

RACING FIXTURES

Dec. 14—Otaki-Maori. Dec. 14—Waipa. Dec. 14. —Hororata. Dec. 21.— Manawatu. Dec. 26.—Waipukurau. Dec. 2*6, 28.— Manawatu. Dec. 26, 28. —Taranaki. Dec. 26, 28.—Dunedin. Dec. 26, 30. January 1, 2.—Auckland Dec. 28.—Westland.

Winchelsea. Winchelsea, a member of H. Nurse’s team to race in the south during the holidays, is a four-year-old chestnut mare by Lord Warden from Sweet Beauty, which produced winners in Cottingham, Rebel Star, Palmyra, and Treasurer, all by different sires. Winchelsea was given one run late last season before being put aside. It will be interesting to see whether she will add to a splendid family record. She is built on much finer lines than any of her close relatives. Winchelsea is set down to start the season among the novices at Hororata. Well Worth Following. Tuatara, who worried the first day’s winner Harina out of the verdict in the Empire Handicap at Feilding. is a solid Lord Quex gelding who leaves the impression that he will win in good company before the season is over, states a Hastings correspondent. Tuatara should be well worth following during the holidays and one race that should suit him nicely at Awapuni is the seven furlongs Awapuni Handicap on the second day. Tuatara is trained by D. Marks for Mr W; Duncan.

Royal Chief’s Weight. Royal Chief's 9.11 is not the highest weight that Mr' F. J. McManemin has allocated since he first compiled the handicaps for the Auckland Cup in 1917, but he has assessed the Chief Ruler horse very near the best he has ever handicapped. Only two horses, Nightmarch 9.13 in 1930, and Amythas, 9.12 in 1921 have received more from Mr McManemin and the weight given such outstanding horses at Gloaming and Desert Gold was only 9.10, in 1917 and 1919 respectively. Rapine was once set on 9.9 (1926) and Cuddle (after winning two Auckland Cups) was set on 9.8 in 1937. The only horse weighted on top in Mr McManemin’s era to have won the Cup is Rapine under 9.6 in 1925.

Winning Juveniles. In all, there have been to date 29 two-year-old races this season, of which there have been 20 individual winners. Sexes have been equally divided, fillies winning 15 and colts or geldings 14. Including dead-heats, Pay Roll has won four races, Par Avion three, and Cambria, Foreign Coin, Erin’s Court, Route March, Corn Prince and Premature have each scored twice. Race Abandoned. To 'commemorate his accession in 1666, King Charles II instituted the Newmarket Town Plate, “to be rid for yearly, the second Thursday in October, for ever.” The event was abandoned this year for the first time in history. Locrian. Locrian has rejoined the team of P. Burgess, who has also taken over the training of Maharajah. Both horses have been very disappointing to date. The Ring. \ The Ring will not be taken to Auckland, but will probably race at Hawke’s Bay at New Year as a preliminary to Wellington. Riders for Auckland. Royevrus will be ridden in the Auckland Cup by H. N. Wiggins, who will ride Bronwen in the Railway Handicap. W. J. Broughton will ride Wardress in the Auckland Cup, and Lady Tinkle in the Railway Handicap. ( Manawatu Cup Weights. The following are the weights for the Manawatu Cup, lJm: Old Bill 9.11; The Buzzer 9.0; Nigger Boy 8.12; Friesland 8.8; Du Maurier, Te Kawiti 8.4; Belle Cane 8.1; Little Robin 7.13; Anita Foe 7.8; Aurora’s Star, Homily 7.6; Meamea, Hunting Cat 7.5; Dark Eagle, Raana 7.3: Settlement 7.1; Old Surrey, Pearl of Asia. Areas, Corroboree. Charles Edward, Charing Cross, Dynasty, Cherry Bay, Hasten, Esperance Bay, Shani 7.6.

n.; 5. Cup. Auckland Cup. st. lb. st. lb. Royal Chief 9 G 9 11 The Buzzer 8 G 8 3 Yogi 8 5 8 3 Royal Appellant 8 4 8 0 Siegmund '8 1 7 2 Sly Fox 8 0 7 13 Te Kawiti 7 10 7 8 Classform 7 7 ■ - 7;. 1 - The Ring 7 4 7 1 Lock it 7 3 7 0 The Cardinal 7 2 7 0 Wardress 7 1 7 4 The Raker 7 0 7 0 Anita Foe 7 0 7 0 Blonde Princess 7 0 7 0 Pearl of Asia .. 7 0 7 0 Kilometre 7 0 7 0 Coronation 7 0 7 0 Pern 7 0 7 0