AUSTRALIAN TURF

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22971, 24 February 1938, Page 11

AUSTRALIAN TURF

HONOUKS TO AJAX FUTURITY STAKES TRIUMPH HIGH-CLASS PERFORMANCE BY PHAETON When Ajax romped over the opposition in the Linlithgow Stakes at Flemington last November the performance was rated of a high standard, for he encompassed the mile in 1.364, which equalled the Australian and Now Zealand record for the distance. As ho led from start to finish, winning easily, tho brilliancy of the feat was recognised on all hands. The meeting of Ajax and Hua in the Futurity Stakes at Caulfield last Saturday was invested with great interest, for Hua, who defeated his rival in tho Victoria Derby and who had scored three successive victories in weight-for-ngo races in tho interval, was considered likely to make a bold bid to score. Tho decisivo manner in which Ajax defeated Hua left no room for any doubts to be entertained in regard to his marked brilliancy over soven furlongs, for he led throughout and won easily in tho fast time of 1.25. Up to tho present Ajax has contested 13 races, his record standing a 9 follows: — First Second Third Unplaced At 2yrs .. i :i 0 1 At 3yrs .. 5 2 0 0 0 3 0 1 NEWMARKET HANDICAP NEXT SATURDAY'S RACE

With the fine stake of £3OOO, the Newmarket Handicap, run at the Victoria Racing Club's Autumn Meeting since 1874, holds its place as the most valuable sprint handicap eveut in this quarter of the globe. Some great fields have contested tho race and many notable horses havo won, including Malua, Lochiel, Cranbrook, Bungebah, Wakeful, Sir Foote, Pendant, Soultline, Cetigne, Heroic, Gothic (twice) and Greenline. Ajar, who is weighted at 9.0 for this year's race, was early installed favourite when the weights were declared, and, with his victory in the Futurity Stakes, it would seem safe to conclude that hj« will hold his position very firmly. The 9.0 allotted to Ajax represents an impost 71b, in excess of weight-for-age, but he is cast on vory solid lines and it is possiblo that a fresh three-year-old weight-carrying record will be entered up. With 8.12 in 1888 Cranbrook carried the highest weight by a three-year-old to win the Newmarket Handicap. Ho beat a field of 27. Tho one popularly singled out as th« most dangerous for Ajax is the six-year-old Pamelus, who is at the head of th« list with 9.9. In last year's Newmarket Handicap Pamelus, under 9.9, ran the four-year-old Aurie's Star, 8.5, to half a neck for first place. ■, The list of New Zealand-bred horses in the Newmarket Handicap does not bidk largely. Winners and placa* getters are as follows: —• 1875—Calumny, syrs, 8.0 .. .. 1 1887—Lochiel, syrs, 8.0 .. ..1 1880—(Lochiel, 7yrs, 9.4 .. ..3 (Carbine, 3yrs, 8.12 .. ..3 3894 —Hova, 3yrs, 7.13 ..1 1901—Advance, 4yrs, 9.11 .. ..8 1909—Soultline, syrs, 9.11 .. ..1 1911 —Broadsword, 4yrs, 7.13 ~ 3 1931 —Waterline, 4yrs, 9.2 .. ..2 YEARLING LOTTERY HIGH-PRICED DOMINANT A horse Bold as a yearling for a large sum is always sure to be kept in memory, even although he may prove a •disappointment when submitted to tho racecourse test. Such can be cited in the case of Dominant, the son of Saltash and Weltea, who stands at the head of the list of high-priced yearlings sold in Australia with 6750 guineas opposite his name. Summed up on the character of his breeding and physique, there seemed to be every reason to anticipate that the chestnut colt would play a part in contests for classic race honours. The syndicate of four who bought the colt decided early that he should not be raced at two years old. Dominant proved so moderate in training that hj« Was called upon to contest four races only at three years, a brace of seconds in minor handicaps representing his best performances at that age. He won a few races subsequently, but his total winnings were only £1739. Sent to auction in 1935, he was sold for 170 guineas, and at an interval of a year, when he again figured in the sale-ring, he was knocked down for 35 guineas. Dominant is now used a a hack at Northwood Park, Victoria. STUD NOTES BREEDER'S GOOD RETURN The Koatanui Stud, founded and owned by Mr. G. M. Currie, is included with the most successful breeding establishments of this Dominion. Yearlings from the Wanganui estate sold at Trentham from 1931 to 1938 realised 39,170 guineas. THE CARBINE LINE In an interesting article on prolific sires of stake-winners, " Warrawee," of the Referee, Sydney, singled out Pistol, the English-bred son of Carbine, for special notice for a remarkable record in the following figures:—For the eightyear period 1912-13 to 1920-21, Pistol sired the winners of 842 races, or an average for tho whole time of over 105 per annum. In one year he had 132 winners, in another 115 and in another 109. In his 18th year at the stud (192526) he had 32 winners of 78 ra,oes.

MELBOURNE COMMENTS SILENT SENTRY'S SURPRISE NAMAKIA SCORES AT MENTONE (Received February 23, 8.30 p.m.) MELBOURNE. Feb. 23 Hua (W. Sterling) galloped 11 furlongs on tho sand in 2.26$ at Flemington to-day. The first mile took 1.46. He looks well. A Newmarket Handicap candidate, Silent Sentry, created a surprise by winning from end to end the Newmarket Trial Stakes at Mentone to-day. Hammerhead was unplaced. Namakia, who is trained by J. Fryer, won tho Berkshire Mile and gave the apprentice, W. Hooten, his first win here. Tooley Street is expected to make his Australian debut in the Welter Handicap at Mornington to-morrow.