TURF GOSSIP

Press, Volume LXXV, Issue 22804, 1 September 1939, Page 14

TURF GOSSIP

New Zealand Cup Nominations for the New Zealand Cup will close 5 p.m. to-day. Otago Hunt Meeting

The Riccarton horses engaged at the Otago Hunt Club’s annual steeplechase meeting at Wingatui to-morrow left for Dunedin yesterday. The only absentee was St. Cloud, whose trainer, H. Nurse, was unable to make arrangements to leave his team. Riding engagements made at Riccarton include the following:—R. Mackie, Flame Queen, Monipere; M. Caddy, Donadea, Dark Flight, Lazybones; A. Messervy, Lord Midas, Pink Dress; C. Wilson, Sir Hugh, Prince Ruenalf, Prince Flaneur; W. Connor, Straightdell, Foxy; J, Jennings, Valantua, Night Pal, Brilliant Boa; L. Gough, Sunny Comet; R. Register, Ballad, King Willow. For Greymouth Although there was plenty of track work at Riccarton yesterday, very little serious galloping was executed, the only horses sent along against the watch being a few of the horses booked to race at the Greymouth fixture next Saturday. Amongst these was Studley Royal, who covered a mile at a strong pace. He is due to make his reappearance in the mile and a quarter Grandstand Handicap, and although a .little backward as compared with some of his opponents, he should make a bold showing. ' Unfortunate Habit - Chief Lama, ridden by his trainer. R. D. Westenra, set out to jump four hurdles, but ran off at the first, and then in repeating the offence at the second, he ran into the wing, and dislodged his rider. Later the horse jumped two pony hurdles well, and then cleared the first of the bigger fences without trouble, this completing his task. Chief Lama was nominated for the hurdle event at Greymouth, but is likely to fulfill his flat engagement. A Promising- Novice

Cape Gabo has had a good deal of schooling of late over the pony hurdles at Riccarton, and shows marked promise, This good stayer should make good at the new game. Good Jumping Bit o’ Blue was responsible for a much improved display yesterday over four hurdles in company with Comus, who also made a pleasing showing, but was outjumped by his companion. A Strong Pair

Winning Rival and Great Swoop continue to make good progress, and yesterday were seen to advantage in a five furlong task. Both are expected to reappear at Ashburton in a fortnight’s time, and will then be sent to Wingatui to contest the Dunedin Guineas. Attractive Juveniles

The Chokebore stable will be represented in the Jphn Grigg Stakes at Ashburton by. Shikari and Wild Fox. The former, by Bulandshar from Capercailzie, owned by his breeder, Mr G. R. Macdonald, is one qf the biggest two-year-olds in commission, and in two short sprjnts yesterday appeared to be going better than Wild Fox, who is a half-sister by Foxlight to Wild Chase, winner of the Stakes in 1935. A Strong Contingent The Otago Hunt Club’s meeting tomorrow will open the new season for a number of Southland horses, and the contingent from that' district promises to be a strong one. In recent weeks trainers have not had the best of tracks at their disposal, but the majority of Horses are well forward, several having been-in work-all winter, while others have done a good - amount of hunting. ' The best of the Southland team may be El Caballo, Turaki, Royston, Corban, Ashaway, and Dark Flight A Veteran Returns

Quinopal has made a good recovery from the unsoundness which put him out of action earlier in the season, and has been schooling and working with all his old dash. His only appearance last 'season • was at Waimate in July, when he won the Hunt Cup, but was relegated to second position after a protest. In the same form, Quinopal could be expected to show up again, but the company will be much stronger. In Hunters’ Flat

Turaki has done a lot of solid work, and in a race such as the hunters flat he can be expected to give a good account of himself. Hard tracks have always troubled the Balboa gelding, but the going at Wingatui should be in his favour, and as he has done a good amount of hunting, he will be well forward. Turaki is a first-class stayer, 'and this fact will stand to him over 10 furlongs and a half. The Hurdlers

Corban and Royston have been working at Invercargill for the last week. The former failed rather badly when last raced at Washdyke, but has freshened up a great deal since. He always races well first up, and will interest to the hurdle race. Royston has not raced for some time, but be. too has been in commission most of the winter. He is a dashing jumper, and will be dangerous in the hunt cup. A Useful Trio Mr W. E. Hazlett will be represented bv El Caballo, King Willow, and Guste. El Caballo did not appear to be right when raced at the- National meeting, but schooled in . brilliant style this week. The Balboa gelding has 11-SJo carry, but judging by his recent work this should not stop him. Kmg Willow is carrying much ™ ore condition than for some time, and although he fell while schooling on Tuesday, he can be excused for this error. Guste is more forward than most; but " has yet to be tried over a middle distance. A Likely Candidate

Henry Dawson has. shaped well in his schooling displays hut.therepothers likelv to be preferred ahead of him in the hurdle race. An interesting newcomer is Surcoat, who won a flag * Mdale on Wp has done a good amount of hunting •md is a likely type.. Surcoat. is bred on excellent lines, being a six-year-old eelding by Philamor from Windshield, the dam of Shatter Control, Protector, and' others.'Windshield was got by Tractor from Kilbreeze, by Kilbroney from the imported, mare Bnsselette Surcoat is owned,by F. D. Jones, who leased him to his present Southland owner. ’

An Interesting Contestant Dark Flight will .be making his first appearance as a three-year-old. The Nigger Minstrel gelding has done good work at Riverton,.;but may require a race or two to bring him to his best. At the same time he can be depended on to run a sound five furlongs, as he is a brilliant beginner and better class tlian the majority he is to meet tomorrow.

Ashaway T E Pankhurst will,be represented by Mohdello and Ashaway, a very likely pair. Asha way will be one .of the best-conditioned horses of _ the Southland team, and will.be right at home on a heavy track. Ashaway has been a long time fh reproducing the good form he showed when first raced, and as he is a first-class stayer he may reward his party for their perseverance. * Mondello, has hot been up long, but has- been sprinting in good style. Last season her efforts as a two-year-old were above the average, and the Nigger Minstrel filly should not be long in returning to her best. Gay Deception has shown good form in the hunting fields, bpt was sore last week and her efforts will be confined to the hunters’ flat. The Rosenor mare has plenty, of speed but may not -be seasoned enough to run out the distance.

Change of Venue-"../ : The Williamstown races last Saturday were held at Caulfield because of heavy rain making the club’s own track unsuitable. The Caulfield track is sandy and suitable for all weathers.