THE RACING WORLD

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20513, 1 June 1938, Page 16

THE RACING WORLD

By "Martan.”

GOSSIP FROM ALL PARTS List Befraln, an acceptor for the Birthday Handicap at Dunedin, showed something like a return to form in his races at Tlmaru. Out For a Spoil Although there Is nothing wrong with her. Shillelagh Wood has been put out of training and will not race again until next winter. Silver Ring Silver King appears to be fairly sound, but lacks the muscular appearance he displayed when at the top of his form.

A Change of Plana It was Intended to spell Sllkwood after the Invercargill meeting, but evidently there has been a change of plans, as she has been freely nominated for the Dunedin Jockey Club’s winter meeting.

The Nationals There is always a chronic dearth of jumpers, but entries for the V.R.CGrand National Hurdle race totalled 77, an increase of 10 on the figures for 1537. The Grand National Steeplechase attracted an entry of 80, as compared with an entry of 73 for the corresponding race in 1538.

On the Improve Astaire, the winner of two races at Washdyke last we»»k, is a four-year-old by Valk>rian from Dancing Days, and is a half-brother to l.ast Dance. Astaire had his first win in a trial handicap at Gore on February 28. so apparently he has made a good deal of improvement. In all he had only four races before racing at Washdyke and had been only once out of the money. Signaller Signaller, who has been nominated for all five of the steeplechases to be decided at Wingatui next month, ha 6 not started this season. His last start was in a hurdle race at the Christchurch Hunt meeting last July, and his last win was scored in the Otago Hurdle Race last June, when under 10.5 he beat Arctic Star, Giggleswick and three others. Silver Streak Before Easter Silver Streak was working very attractively, but a few days before the holiday meetings showed sisns of soreness after a gallop. Rather than run any risk, his trainer decided to spell him. and the Paper Money gelding is now’ enjoying a rest on his owner’s farm. It Is not likely that Silver Streak will be brought in acafn for a few months, so that the joint will have plenty of time to make a complete recovery. Death of Tout le Monde A cable message from Australia states that Tout le Monde, one of J. Fryer's team, dropped dead while schooling at Caulfield on Saturday. Tout le Monde was bred at Koatanui In 1925. being by Liraond from Aspio. He cost Dr. M. G. Louisson, of Christchurch, 800 guineas as a yearling, and while he returned his price to the doctor, who is a non-betting owner, he was a thorn in the flesh of his backers. He won a Manawatu Cup and President's Handicap, and Marton Cup in 1534, and Liverpool Handicap, also at Awapuni, the following season, and also a C.J.C. Midsummer Handicap. Purchased by J. Fryer for hurdling last winter, he immediately made good, winning the Raglan Hurdles at Te Rapa, and the Manawapou Hurdles at Egmont. In hi 6 last starts here he was twice second, to Kllladar at Waipa and to High Grader at Manawatu. The 800 guineas paid for him at the sales was the highest price of the sale- “ Beneath His Dignity"

In charge of the horse gate at Caulfield each day is "Dodger” Argyle. a little man who knows a good bit about horses. And so he should, too. Way back in the roaring eighties, he rode Frisco to victory in the Sydney Cup—lßß7 was the year. He was with Frank Godby for some time, and for some years has been with the V.A.T.C. Many horses have bolted during Argyle’s time at Caulfield. He Is ever ready to close his gates to stop runaways from getting out on to the road, but some weeks ago he was pipped on the post by Melburgh, a fwo-year-old from Frank Musgrave's stable. The colt made for the gate after getting rid of his rider and knocked Argyle over in doing so. A head injury kept the old chap in bed for a few weeks, but he is back at his post again. “It would not be so bad to be knocked unconscious by a good one like Ajax.” said Argyle, “but to have to take the count to a colt without a record” —and here he showed his disgust by a toss of the head.

Returned to Owntr Stirred Rltbon had ter last race In the South Island when she competed at the South Canterbury meeting. Her win there on the first day was the only one to her credit since she went south, though she had shown promise more than once In earlier efforts after Joining F. A. Roberts’ stable. She was nominated for the Dunedin meeting. but the plans have been changed and the mare has been returned to her owner In Hawke's Bay. She may do a little more racing this season before being retired.

Up In Years The veteran steeplechaser Quinopal has been a follower of the Birchwood hounds in recent weeks with a view to contesting the Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase at the Dunedin meeting. In spite of his age, Quinopal looks well, and If his prospects of returning to his best form are considered at all bright It Is likely that he would have tackled a much better field than the one In which he has been nominated. As far as weight is concerned, Quinopal will not be set an easy task conceding poundage to a number of improving young Jumpers.

Boomerang To Spell T. R. George sent Boomerang back to Trentham from Hawera last week, and it may be some time yet before last year’s Cornwall Handicap winner sport's silk. Boomerang was out of luck on the Egmont trip, as not only did he fail to complete the stable double on the opening day, but he broke down during the running and is likely to be off the scene for some weeks.* It is unfortunate for his connections, as he is very well at present. and this is his best time of the ;ear. George believes that Boomerang would have won the Mcißae Cup but for the breakdown. He was doing It very easily behind Ned Cuttle on the turn, but failed to come home with his customary verve on heavy ground. Another Flying Filly Possession of Mirza 11. gave the Aga Khan most of the limelight of early two-vear-old racing discussions in England last year, and again in 1938 His Highness appears to be In the same happy position. At the Newmarket Craven meeting last month, the filly Yaklmoor, by Blenheim from Una, by Tetratema, won the Fltzwjlliam Stakes, of five furlongs, by eight lengths in lm 1 l-ss. On the second day the colt Dhoti, by Dast-ur from Tricky Aunt, by Son-in-I.aw. scored in the Granby Stakes and recorded the same time as did Yakimour. Both winners are trained by Frank Butters, who has 32 youngsters in his stables this year. The following event on the seoond day’s card, the Wood Ditton Stakes, of a mile, was won by Farts 11., by Dastur from Fironze Ranee, by Son-In-Law. This three-year-old colt was bred by the Aga Khan, but is owned by Mr E. Esmond. Beau Pare Juvenllee Mr T- H. Lowfiy’s high-priced Beau Pere fillies from Drama and Barbacan began their first lesson at Awapuni last week and oreated a good Impression by acting very sensibly and hitting out keenly. They have done particularly well since being broken In, and It will be a big disappointment if they do not rise to the top rank in the'spring. The McDonald stable has also recommissioned the Beau Pere— Sahara filly Sudan, who has thickened cut appreciably since she ran third to Defaulter and Russian Ballet In the Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes in March. Sudan proved herself a promising two-year-old In her few races, and, at this juncture, it appears probable she will be one of the best staying Ollles in the spring. Punch eetown Punchestown, who has been nominated in the three open steeplechases lo be run at the Dunedin winter meeting, was having his first race this season when he finished a bad last In the Pareora Steeplechase at W'ashdvke recently. Last season he had three starts In the first month, and In the previous season only two starts, finishing second to Valpeen in ihe 1933 Grand National Steeplechase. The last race Punchestown won was the Craigmore Steeplechase at the day meeting at Washdyke in 1935, and In awarding 11.4 in last Saturday's race the handlcapper appeared to be unduly harsh on him, Punchestown, who is now trained at Riccarton by A. J. Martin, did not look ready to see out two and a-half miles at Washdvke. and though he Jumped well throughout, was a very tired horse at the end of two miles. The Dunedin handlcapper has allotted him 10-13 in the Otago Steeplechase to be run over the same distance as the Washdyke race.