CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 February 1941, Page 3

CURRENT TOPICS FROM STABLE AND COURSE

Dunedin Cup Horses

(BY

"THE GRAFTER.”)

Royal Chief, Trench Fight, Wardress. <inning Rival, and Schooler! have all own useful form in recent months. —- v. nile Iceland Spar is a promoted staying hack which should be suited by the distance. Sparkle, which had a runaway win in the race last year from Capricious and Willie Win, but has since failed to reveal her best form, is again engaged. In recent starts she has had a third in the Southland Cup. second in the Wyndham Cup, and an unplaced run in the Invercargill Cup. The field also includes Doubleack (Wydnham Cup), Mona’s Song (Southland and Invercargill Cups). Straightdell <Otago Handicap), and Peony Rose ( a Southland winner). Dunedin Cup Weights. The weights for the Dunedin Cup. I’m. are: Royal Chief 10.4; Trench Fight 8.11: Wardress 8.11: Winning Rival 8.7; Mona's Song 8.7: Lord Nuffield 8.0; Schoolgirl 7.12; Wild Career 7.10; Peony Rose 7.10; Sparkle 7.9; i Straightdell 7.8; Doria 7.7; Doubleack 7.C; The Wrecker 7.4: Iceland Spar 7.2; Sir Hugh 7.0; Happy Night 7.0. Ruahine Handicap Entries. The nominations for the Ruahine Handicap. Of. at the Woodville meeting are: While Rajah. Screen Star. Tuatara, Mittie. Kathbella. Scandal. Proclamation. Namesake, Old Bill, Stencil. Cheerful Lady. Counter. Hui. Colincamps, Cherry Bay. Riccarton Gallops. Royal Chief was sent along at al sound pace at Riccarton yesterday. He revelled in his work and he looks in great form. He is likely to start a warm favourite for the James Hazlett Gold Cup, but before that he should play a leading part in the Dunedin Cup despite his big weight. The Wrecker and Iceland Spar were mates over a mile and they were staying on very strongly. Iceland Spar is an improved horse as the result of recent racing and The Wrecker is fast getting back to his best form. Winning Rival was not required to show her best, but she went freely over seven furlongs. She has done welll since her success in the Midsummer Handicap, which she owed to her stamina so she may be a fancied candidate for the Dunedin Cup. A Comeback. ’ Superex did not race last season, but I this season he has partially staged a come-back, having one second and two thirds in four starts. Superex has had many placing during his career as a hurdler, but has never won out of turn. He is now racing in the interests of his Washdyke trainers. P. T. and W. P. Hogan. He may be tried again at Wingatui. Woodville Cup. The following are the nominations for the Woodville Cup. l*,m: Homily.

Olympus Ruatiti. Lambourn. Piastre. Dainty Sue, Hunting Cat, Authoress. Gay Fox. Colonel Bogey. Lady Furst. The Ring. Master Cyklon. Diana Tetrix.

Wild Fox Shaping Well. Wild Fox was shaping as though she Would be-hard to bead in the hack races at Trentham when she had to be eased up in her work on account of soreness. She is all right again, and this filly should win races in the autumn. Wild Fox is a three-year-old half-sister by Foxbridge to Wild Chase, the outstanding horse from the Autumnus mare Wild Hind. In her one run this season. at Wingatui in October. Wild Fox finished fast for second place in the Trial Stakes behind Sir Amyas. While Sir Amyas was easing up. Wild Fox's effort was a good one. as starting the last furlong her chance of gaining a place looked a remote one. Wild Fox is one of the best maiden horses al Riccarton.

May be Tried as Hurdler. Nightcalm was a useful sprinter when trained by C. Emerson at Riccarton. and while he won only one race last season, he had four seconds and two thirds in thirteen starts. After being trained for a while by his owner. Mr. F. C. Christie, he was transferred to A. E. Didham's stable at Wingatui. So far this season. Nightcalm has had live races without showing any encouraging form. He has been nominated for the hurdle races at Wingatui. a move that suggests he is on the downgrade, though his name also figures m the lists for the mile Steward: Handicap and the six furlongs Flying Handicap. Nightcalm is a six-year-old bay grldmg by Night Raid from Sweet Memory, which produced to Balboa a good jumper in Membo, which numbered among his successes the Grand National Hurdles <>f 1932

The field of seventeen nominated for the Dunedin Cup includes the best of the handicap horses in the South Island. Riccarton stables are well represented, their nominees being Doria. Happy Night Iceland Spar, Royal Chief. Schoolgirl. Trench Fight. The Wrecker. Winning Rival, and Wardress. Doria s has yet to tackle any distance beyond one mile, and an alternative race for her on the first day of the meeting will be the Publicans’ Handicap.