THE TURF.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 292, 23 September 1935, Page 2

THE TURF.

ASHBURTON RACES. THE CONCLUDING EVENTS. Tlio Ashburton County Racing Club’s spring meeting, held on Saturday, was a very successful one and gave the spring season a good start. The weather was fine, with a cold breeze late in the day. There was a satisfactoiy attendance, and some excellent racing was seen. The totalisator handled 1 £7424, compared with £7743 10s last year. The following were the concluding events:—

JOHN CRIGG STAKES, of 250 sovs. For two-year-olds. Colts and geldings Bst slbs, fillies Bst. Four furlongs. 1— Sir Chas. Clifford’s b c Wild Chase, 8.5 (E. Ludlow) ... ••• 1 4—Mr E. Hay’s b f Pelmet, 8.0 (A. Messervey) 2Mr 0. Hoidworth’s b g Studley Royal, 8.5 (J. W. Jennings) ... 3

Also started: 3 Amount 8.5 (coupled with Almira 8.0), 7 Sunbeam 8.5, 12 Nuipai 8.5, 9 Dictate 8.5, 5 Double Gift 8.0, 10 Asset 8.0, 8 Silver Slipper 8.0, 13 Impact 8.0, 11 Pelian 8.0, 6 Golden Emblem 8.0.

After a great deal of trouble- at the barrier the field got away to a good start, Golden Emblem being first to show out from Amount, who made the best start. At the entrance to the straight Studley Royal was leading from Golden Emblem and Sunbeam. Wild Chase came up in the straight to win from Pelmet by a head, Studley Royal being third l , three lengths back. Amount was fourth and Asset fifth. Time, 48 4-5. PENSCROFT HACK HANDICAP, of 80,sovs. Seven furlongs. 2—Mr E. Hay’s b c Greek Shepherd, 3yrs, 7.0 (A. Messervey) 1 1— Mr F. Armstrong’s b h Friday Night, 4yrs, 7.7 (H. W. Hibbard) 2 6 Mr A. iS. Elworthy’s hr g Dollar Prince, oyrs, 8.1 (O. Wilson) 3 Also started!: 9 Capital 9.0, 13 Bella Rosa 8.11, 2 Rip Tide 7.13, 5 Eibanor 7.10, 12 Rose Val 7.9, 4 Rose of Tralee 7.7, 11 Silver Jest 7.5, 7 Merry Del Val 7.4, 11 Maroha 7.0, B Trumpet Blast 7.0. Rip Tide and Eibanor were the first to show out and at the far turn Eibanor was leading from Rip Tide and Merry Del Val. Greek Shepherd showed up in the final run and won by a length and a half from Friday Night, which beat Dollar Prince for second money by half a length. Silver Jest was fourth. Time, 1.26 1-5. SPRING HANDICAP, pf 100 sovs. Six furlongs. 2 Messrs W. O. and D. 0. Rutherford’s hr m Tuirau syrs, B.G (C. Wilson) 1 I—Mr D. Grant’s br c Kinnoull, 3yrs, 8.3 (G. Humphreys) J 7 Mr J. M. Samson’s ch m Penelope, 3yrs, 7.5 (A. Messervey) 3 Also started: 3 Rebel Chief 9.0, 9 Quietly 7.9, 6 Bon Tray 7.5, 5 Metal Bird 7.2, 4 Joyous 7.0, 8 Courtyard 7.0, 10 Tunneller 7.0. Tuirau, which had the better of the start, kept in front all the way and won by two lengtiis from Kinnoull, while another two lengths back was Penelope. Quietly wap fourth. Time, 1.13.

RAIvAIA TROT HANDICAP (in harness), of 90 soys. For horses that can do 3.2 or better.s One mile and a quarter. X Mr F. Holmes’ b o Gaillard, 3yrs, 24yds (Owner) 1 B—Mr W. J. Gudsell’s blk li Plutus, 4yrs, scr (C. S. Donald) 2 2 —Mr D. A. Withers’ bib g Big Nelson, Oyrs, scr (Owner) 3

Also started: 10 Slipalong scr, 14 Handicapper scr, 19 Great Travis sci, 9 Bynley d’Oro scr, 4 Bed i'lush sen, 15 Wild Wrack scr, Id Bilk Bonny scr, 17 Royal Escort scr, 11 Vanity lair 12yds bhd, 18 Garry Thorpe 12, o Harold Wrack 12, 6 Oversight 12, 7 Valdor 12, 3 Colonel Bogey 12, 16 Black Shadow 24, 12 Dundee 48.

Handicapper, Plutus and Slipalong were the leaders after the field settled down, and at the far turn Valdor was in third place. Handicapper was still in front when the straight was reached. Gaillard then came into the picture and ran on to win by a length fi'om Plutus, while Big Nelson was third, half a length hack. Handicapper was fourth. Times, 2.49 2-5, 2.51 «i-o, 2,51 4-5.

FOXTON RACING CLUB.

DAVISTOCK WINS CUP. FQXTON, September 21. Ideal weather prevailed for the spring meeting to-day. The track was in good order, and the attendance was very good. The totalisator handled £7147 10s, compared with £8698 on the same day last year. Results: — Two-year-old Handicap, of 6Q 1 sovs; four and a half furlongs—2 Dawning Light 8.0 (S. Anderson) 1, 1 Lavish 8.5 2, 3 Jovial Prince 3. Won by four lengths; a length and a half between second and third. Time, 59 4-5.

Maiden Stakes, of 60 sovs; weight 8.5; six furlongs—s (4) Nightlass (P. Burgess) 1, 10 (10) Golden Chest 2, 1 (1) Garter Red 8.7 3. Won by half a head; a length between second and third.

Piaka Hurdles, of 80 sovs; one mile and five furlongs—l (1) Gold Cure 9.12 (A. McDonald) 1,2 (2) Invictus 10.3 2, 3 (4) Arctic Star 9.7 3. Won by half a length ; four lengths between second and third. Time, 3.6 2-5. Motuiti Hack Handicap, of 70 sovs; six furlongs—l (1) Jubilee Song 9.0 (Jenkins) 1, 3 (3) Dtoraldo 7.7 2,2 (2) Lord Moutoa 8.7 3. Won by two and a half lengths each way. Time, 1.184. Carnarvon Gold Cup, of 175 sovs; one mile and a quarter —3 (3) Davistoek 7.8 (S. Wilson) 1. 8 (9) Rompalong 7.0 2, 4 (5) Gay Boy 7.0 3. Won by half a head ; half a length between second and third. Time, 2.14 1-5.

Awahou Hack Handicap, of 80 sovs; nine furlongs—7 (6) AVyndale 7.0 (L. H. Jones) 1, 5 (5) Evasion 7.4 and 8 (8) Chaste 7.1 (dead-heat) 2. Won „by

three-quarters of a length. Time, 2.1. Robinson Handicap, of 90 sovs; seven furlongs—s (5) Hunting Lodge 7.7 (J. McFarlane) 1, 1 (1) Glenvano 8.3 2, 3 (3) Catalogue 8.0 3. Won by a length; a head between, second and third. Time, 1.32*.

Moutoa Hack Handicap, of 65 sovs; five and a half furlongs—l (1) Bodyline 8.4 (S. Anderson) 1, 4 (4) Terry 7.0 2, 5 (5) Weather,step 7.5 3. Won by two lengths; half a length between second and third. Time, 1.12 1-5.

AVONDALE JOCKEY CLUB.

STRETTO SUCCESSFUL IN STAKES. AUCKLAND, Sept, 21. Fine weather prevailed for the opening of the Avondale Jockey Club’s spring meeting to-day, when there was a large attendance. The track was in good order. The totalisator handled £24,104, against £20,102 for the corresponding day last year, an increase of £4002. Good dividends were the order of the day. Royal Secret gained a surprise victory in the Flying Stakes Handicap, and returned a dividend of more than a fifth of a century. Results:—

Champion Hack Plate, of 300' sovs; seven furlongs.—4 Nun Nicer (P. Atkins) 1, 7 Royal Dance 2, 3 Valiente 3. Won by a neck. Time, 1.28 3-5. Avondale Cup, of 500 sovs; one mile and a quarter.—4 King Rey (Wiggins) 1,2 Engi 2, 6 Knight of Australia 3. Won by half a length. Time, 2.9 1-5. Avondale Stakes, of 300 sovs; five furlongs.—4 Stretto (Wiggins) 1, .3 Anion 2, 1 Gallio 3. Won bv two lengths. Time, 1.1 4-5.

Flying Stakes Handicap, of 250 sovs; six furlongs.—lo Royal Secret (Savage) 1, 6 Scotland 2, 1 Galilee 3. Won by a length and a half. Time, 1.15. Swanson Handicap, of 130 sovs; one mile.—Miss Lu (Smith) 1,2 Salon 2, 11 Impellant 3. Won by threequarters of a length. Time, 1.42 4-5. Henderson Handicap, of 150 sovs; seven furlongs—s Imamint (Savage) 1, 3 Gay Lap 2, 8 Velocipede 3. Won by a. length and a half. Time, 1.28.

GERALDINE PENALTIES. CHRISTCHURCH, September 22. Penalties for the first day events at the Geraldine Racing Club’s meeting are: — Raukapuka Handicap—Gold Cross 91b, Madam Pompadour 9lb. Geraldine Cup—Silver Sight 51b.

THE ROSEHILL MEETING. SYDNEY, September 21. The Roseliill Racing Club’s spring meeting was held to-day. Peter Pan, having his first race of the spring season, accounted for a strong field in the Hill Stakes in a characteristically convincing fashion, definitely proving he is himself again. Young Idea’s creditable race against the champion was regarded as an impressive Derby trial. Lough Neagh also registered a fine performance, and the English horse Berestoi, finishing fourth, ran his best race in Australia.

Although the brilliant Hadrian won the Roseliill Guineas, the efforts of Allunga and Loud Applause were more interesting from a Derby point of view, as Hadrian is not in that race. Both were overhauling Hadrian over the last furlong. Gay Blonde’s run to-day was not as impressive as last Saturday’s. Nevertheless she jumped out badly at barrier rise and had to go fast early to make up leeway. Sporting Blood’s close second under his big weight was good, as he was twice checked during the running of the Spring Handicap. . Scratchmere Scar also came from behind for third money. Results: —

Camellia Stakes, of 200 sovs; seven furlongs—First division: Dermid 7.6 (W. Doyle) 1, Barak 7.10 2, Australia Fair 7.11 3. Won by three-quarters of a length; half a length between second and third. Time, 1.26. Gay Blonde was fifth, and Sir John, Golden Gate and Princess Doreen were the last three to finisli.

Second division: Cid : , 8.4 (D. Munro) 1, Windbird 8.3 2, Golden Chance 7.13 3. There were 11 starters. Won by two lengths; a length and a, half between second and third. Time, 1.26. Grand Sport was eighth and Palm was last.

Rosehill Guineas, of 750' guineas; one mile and a furlong—Hadrian 8.5 (D. Munro) 1, Allunga 8.5 2, Loud Applause- 8.5 3. All started. Won by a- neck; a length between second and third. Time, 1.53. Homer was sixth. llosehill Spring Handicap, of 250 sovs; one mile and three furlongs—Oro 8.11 (J. Pratt) 1, Sporting Blood 9.2 2, Scratchmere Scar 3. There were 14 starters, including T’heo (sixth), Limyris (ninth), and Master Brierly (twelfth). W r on by a, head; a length between second and third. Time, 2.20. Hill Stakes, of 600 sovs; weight-for-age; one mile —Peter Pan (J. Pike) 1, Young Idea 2, Lough Neagh 3. Won by a length; a length and three-quar-ters between second and third. Time, 1.39. Synagogue was fifth, Legatee sixth, and Silver Jubilee seventh. Peter Pan received a warm ovation. Havaspot and Debut was unplaced in the Brush Hurdles. Cherry King was second in the first division of the Highweight, in which. Gallant Knight was unplaced. Mananui was third in the second division, in which Dual Ratio and Saecula were unplaced.

MEETING AT MENTONE.

MELBOURNE, September 21

At the Mentone Turf Club’s meeting to-day the following was the result of the

Mentone Cold Cup, of 350 sovs; one mile and a quarter —Hostile 8.6 (S. Tomison) 1, Greenhorn 8.3 2, Gay Lover 7.12 and Tip 7.10 (dead-heat) 3. There were 14 starters, including Prostration and Quarto. W 7 on by a head; half a head between Greenhorn and deadheaters. Time, 2.11. Gay Circle was unplaced in the Three-year-old Handicap, and Cape Morn was unplaced in the first division of the Dandenong W 7 elter. Epigram was third in the second division, in which East

Cape was unplaced. Kilonsoa was third in the Avenza Plate, and Melisande, Tenterden and Hunting Morn were unplaced in the Avenza Purse.

DEATH OF POMMERN. Pommern, winner of the war-time “triple-crown,” in the colours of the late Mr Sol Joel, died in England last month. As a two-year-old, in 1914, Pommern, won the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood and the Imperial Produce Stakes at Kempton. He secured the Two Thousand Guineas, New Derby Stakes, and September Stakes at Newmarket the following year, being ridden by Steve Donoghue. In all, Pommern won stakes to the value of £15,616. Apple Sammy, Polyphonies, Pondolandi, Duncan Gray and Shell Transport were among the best of the stock which he sired. One of his sons, Dolomite, raced in New Zealand, and is now at the stud.

PREPARING CRACK HORSES A TRAINER’S WORRIES. A 4.0 rising every morning except Sunday. Risks, worries, minute personal attention, months of mental, and sometimes physical, strain —and at the end, the important spring handicaps. If the rewards of success often run into four figures, who will declare that trainers of racing champions do not earn their recompense, writes “A.W.D.” in the Sydney “Telegraph.” The vigil lasts from the time a prominent horse commences his spring preparation until lie has run his big race, usually at least three months. And that vigil calls for a rising in the dark, a careful inspection of the horse before he leaves for his morning exercise, the planning of the morning gallop, another inspection when he returns home, and even closer attention to breakfast. Even the manger of a champion is more than an eating box. It is the barometer that often gives a trainer the first indication of trouble. Trainers of Melbourne Cup winners have declared that they had a good night’s sheep only after the great race was run, and the worries of those men are the worries of every trainer upon whom devolve the care and welfare of horses worth thousands—and often the blame when things go wrong. Apart from ordinary infirmities of tendon and joint, possibilities of trouble are almost limitless. A heel can split. Two days before the 1933 Melbourne Clip Hall Mark could not walk, and months of solid work apparently had gone for nothing. His trainer, J. Holt, worked on him all night, and after one of the most remarkable recoveries in veterinary history Hall Mark won his Cup.