RACING AND TROTTING

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 22920, 17 January 1940, Page 10

RACING AND TROTTING

WELLINGTON RACES

CENTENNIAL CUP MEETING REVIEW OF FIELDS [THE PRESS Special Service.J WELLINGTON, January 16. The Centennial Cup meeting of the Wellington Racing Club will open at Trentham on Thursday, when one of the largest and best programmes ever presented to racegoers of the Capital City will be run. An especially strong field will parade in the chief event, the Centennial Cup, tlie £3OOO prize having attracted the best class of horse in training from Auckland to the far south. The field at ■ present numbers 29. There is a final payment of £l3 at the post, and while this may weed out a few, there is every likelihood of the majority of them starting. Similar large fields are carded in all the other handicap events, but the response in the Wellington Stakes is disappointing, there being only, five two-year-olds remaining, all the others, and the three-year-olds, paying forfeit. The weather over the week-end was wet' and stormy, • and the tracks were softened, but provided there is not another fall on the eve of the racing the going will be perfect, and will suit all horses.

The win-and-place system will be In use.

A field of 30 in the Trentham Highweight Handicap, over a mile, will make a good beginning essential, and there is also considerable difficulty being experienced in getting jumping horsemen. ,In the event of a shortage, and having to put up an ordinary fiat jockey, the horse will be saddled with an extra 71b. In this race the "pure jumpers are overshadowed by several good hacks with recent form. They include Raana, Lockit, White .rtajah. Gay Fox, Harina, Colibri, Cymric, Kalika. King's Toast, Lord Puck, arid Scold. With a strong rider Scold should run prominently. The favourites may be Raana, Lockit, and Scold. A Small Field Absolve and Doria are the only penalised youngsters in the Wellington Stakes. Absolve is in winning form, and has improved since he last raced. Doria looked good in»the spring, but s* e disappointed at Auckland owing to being a .bad. traveller. However, a return to her best will see her dangerous, as there is no doubt she is smart. Kentucky has raced consistently during the season without quite being up to the class, and Lambourn, while showing great promise,.appears hardly seasoned enough yet. Sir Beau has I had only two races, but, narrowly] beaten in the first and easily winning the. second, he created a very favouri] able impression, and there is little doubt he is near the top rung. The best supported may be Sir Beau and Absolve. ■-..■, . For Apprentice Riders Riders will influence the betting in the Apprentices* Handicap. Good form prospects are - Brazil, Nelumbo, Te Oref Algerian, Meadow, Not Out, Scarteen, Wings of , Song; Classform, Hearth, Lady Tinkle, Millament, Pearl of Asia, . Sceptre, Serenata, and Veldette. Freegoers are usually most prominent in this class of race, and most money may come for Wings of Song, Not Out. and Hearth. -The Juveniles j The Fitzherbert Handicap is for two-year-olds ihat have riot won races to the value-of £l5O, and there is a lot of second-class form in the field, including one or two winners, while there are also some well-bred youngsters just starting their careers. None of the latter would haVe to be exceptional to" win. Form horses include Grandofa, Beau Coureur, Chary, Don't Forget, Phaleron Song. Kadina, Stencil, Croupisino, .'and Chablis. Actually the best form is that of Don't Forr get. wht was second to Doria in the Welcome Stakes, second to Absolve, and third to Enrich and Atreus at the New-Zealand Cup Sneeting. If he has improved at all he should be prominent. The favourites may include Don't Forget," Graridora, and Stencil.. Centennial Cup^

The Centennial Cup field comprises a wealth of form from classics' to handicaps and sprints. The weights were framed on a scale that natters the form of practically; every : candidate, and it will be a question of the fittest horse oh the day. while luck in the running is likely to be an important factor. Horses that have to come from behind will be at a disadvantage, but in a solidly-run race there should be a minimum of interference. On performances two well-treated horses are Royal Chief and Fils de Vaals, and the ability of the three-year-old to run his race in front will be a big asset.. to him. A likely candidate in Du Maurier has gone amiss and may not be able to start. There is not a horse in the field without recent form, most of it winning form, and from the point of view of fitness nothing will have an advantage ovef Malagigi. Beau Vite is also looking in first-rate order after his Auckland racing, and -the preparation of Old Bill has been carefully timed 'for this particular event. Betting is certain to take a wide range, but the favoured division may include Old Bill. Beau Vite, and Royal Chief. Hack Sprinters Hacks in the Ruapehu Handicap -with likely form include Sir Crusoe, Gold Dale, Autolite, Gold Chase. Siglow, Punarua, Pekoe, Nelumbo, Great Flight. Passenger. Buccaneer, Lord Lynn, and Desert Sun. Some stamina will be required here "as well as pace. The best supported may be Siglow. Sir Crusoe, and Pekoe. Telegraph Handicap The form in the Telegraph Handicap is dominated by the Auckland running where Amigo was third in the Railway, which Bronwen won, and Arvakur won a double. However, there is material in the race capable of holding its own. Black Thread, a comparatively fresh horse, ran well at Wairarapa and has worked better than any-

thing on the tracks since. Disdain will have to improve.. Counterblast has no recent form, but at her best she is good and is now down to a weight which should see her dangerous. Brunhild and Race Call have both raced consistently, and Spanish Lad's southern form is also good. Duncannon is a smart three-year-old who won at Manawatu. However, there is a possibility that he may not.. run. though there is nothing wrong with him. Sleeveless. Alunga, Night Eruption, Olympus, Sternchase, and Endorsement are all speedy light-weights in form," and Lord Cavendish is not without prospects on the way he is working. Most money may come for Black Thread. Arvakur, and Sternchase. Anniversary Handicap

Of the top-weights in the Anniver- : ry Handicap, the likeliest on recent .form are Full Hand. Dictate, and Flammarion, while Lady Leigh's excellent displays at the New Zealand Cup meeting should not be overlooked. Sleeveless, if reserved, should run a good mile, and Boldstep is. in winning form. Galteemore. Gay Mimic. . Rarotonga. Flame Queen, and The Wrecker all have chances on their latest racing. The favourites may be Sleeveless. Boldstep, and Ladv Leigh. „ The programme is as follows: — 12.12 p.m.TRENTHAM HTGH-WEIGHT HANDICAP, of £350. One mile. st lb. st. lb.

FINAL GXLLOPS AT TRENTHAM

SOFT GOING ON COURSE PROPER [THE PRESS Special Service.] WELLINGTON, January 16. The final gallops at-Trentham this morning created a great deal of interest. The high-light was the mile of Laughing Lass against Beau Vite. Arvakur sprinted well against Disdain, and others to work well were Queen of Song, Malagigi, Centrepoise, Gladynev, Mona's Song, Galteemore, Boldstep, Flammarion, Meadow, Mayfair, and Myarion. Further rain fell during the night, but the morning broke fine and clear without any wind. The going on the course proper, which was the most used, and also on the trial grass, was soft 'but not slow.

Laughing Lass fairly revelled in her mile gallop, always having Beau Vite held. She ran the first half in 49 2-ssec, and the full journey in lmin 42sec. She was carrying a -light-weight and was full of running at the end. Beau Vite hung on to her fairly well and would have done better for a stronger rider. He also had the outside running. Laughing Lass made a lot of friends for her cup engagement.

Queen of Song, Siegmund, and Malagigl Queen of Song on the outer, and Siegmund in the middle, went with Malagigi. They ran the first half in 51sec and the ■full journey in lmin 44sec.' Queen of Song, who carried H. Long; had something in reserve at the end, and went well. Siegmund, who did not seem to appreciate the soft going, was being niggled at over the last two furlongs, and was shaded by his companions. He carried J. Forsyth. Malagigi was travelling very smoothly all the way, and as he carried McCarten, he had more than 9-0 up, and the honours of the gallop were with him, for he could have done better. '

Centrepoise finished about six lengths in front of- Sly Fox in lmin 45sec, doing the first half in 51sec. He did not carry the weight that Sly Fox (Burgess) had, but he went well. Sly Fox was not ridden out. Gladynev finished ahead of Beau Repaire in lmin 441 sec, doing the last half in 53sec. He was going well at the finish, ridden by McTavish, and liked the going.

Mona's Song, with W. F. Ellis up, was well clear of Raana in lmin 44Jsec. She finished strongly. Galteemore was too good for Pearl of Asia over a mile in' lmin 44sec, the last half in 53sec. Galteemore worked well.

Harina was well clear of Areas at the end of seven furlongs, doing the last six in lmin 20sec, and the last half in 53sec. Harina will be ridden in the High-weight Handicap -by J. McLaughlin.

' Good Six Furlongs Full Hand alone ran lmin 33. 4-ssec, and did it well. Baran worked very badly over seven furlongs with Flammarion, thn latter pulling up at the end in lmin 34Jsec. The best six furlongs went to the credit of Meadow, who was slightly better than Serenata in lmin 18isec, going the last half in 50Jsec. Meadow has worked well. Several sixes were run in a similar time of lmin 20sec—Trebor and LordCavendish, Algerian and Pekoe—Algerian doing it specially well. Good Sun and St. Grace (trial grass), Malik Kafur and Thrasos, and Kings of Song took a little longer, going easily the last four in 53sec. Floral Robe held Piastre and Great Legion in lmin 21sec. Arvalcur (McCarten) set the -main for five furlongs against Disdain (Morris) in lmin 4-Jsec, the last half in HOJsee. Arvakur always had her measure and could have done better. Mayfair galloped very freely in beating Olympus in lmin ssec. relishing the soft ground, and doing the last half in 51sec. Rakahanga shaded Alunga in the same time. :, ■ . '

Black Thread and Blonde Princess ran about five and a N half furlongs and passed Boldstep between the four and three furlongs. Boldstep went after them and finished on terms, with Black Thread, with Blonde Princess, carrying a good weight, three or four lengths away. Black Thread was not after time, but he did not work with the same dash as earlier in the week. Boldstep was going well. A Good Gallop Spanish Lad and Myarion took lmin ssec, and for a horse that is just out of the maiden ranks tt was a good gallop on the part of Myarion. The last half was run in 50Jsec. Absolve and Siglow ran down the straight half in 50sec. and could have done better. Qn the course proper; Grandora and Sir Beau ran nearly four and a half furlongs, and were going strongly past the half-mile mark, finishing up in 49sec. Sir Beau did not greatly impress. Grandora doing it just as 'well, if not better.- , Chablis and Lancelot, over the same ground as Absolve, recorded 51sec. Fils de Vaals was ill-matched. with Ugly Duckling; the time being 53Jsec. Lady Tinkle took 51sec, Gold Chase 54sec easily, and Speedwell and Locrain 54sec. Suleiman also Worked freely over four furlongs.

Chary and Cetewayo were npt galloped, nor were the later arrivals, Bronwen-, Buccaneer, Ned Cuttle, and.Lexden.

, Possible Non-starters • Shy did a working gallop, arid was then schooled over a couple of hurdles. It isreported that he will not start the first day. ■. Another who will not be in the High-weight Handicap field is Cymric, who jarred a joint .and will be sent home. The Wrecker has arrived in charge of W. McDonald. He worked with the apprentice, C. Fox, in the. saddle, and will start in the Cup-with that, rider up. Globe Trotter's ■final was - a working round with. Silver River, and a sprint home over the last •three furlongs. . ' ■•*..' Phil- has been scratched for, the Highweight Handicap, and Awapuni reports state that Du- Maurier" will not run in the Cup.-- ' "> .

TIMARU TROTTING jCLUB PROFIT ON RECENT MEETING

A profit of £55 was made, at the Timaru Trotting Club's recent meeting, according,to a report made at a meeting of the committee,. over which Mr E. Macdonald presided. It was reported that the totalisator account showed a credit of £1202 Is 3d. : The running costs represented a proportion of 1.35 per cent, in comparison with 2 per cent: under the previous arrarigement. -

The following programme for the March meeting was approved:—Kingsdown Trot, one mile and a half. 3min 44sec class, stake £150; Fairlie Handicap, one mile and a half, 3min 39sec, £150; Timaru Cup; two miles. 4min 34sec, £400; Seadown Handicap, one mile and a half, 3min 36sec, £150; Classic, one mile, £350 and ribbon; Temuka Trot, 13 furlongs, 3min 50sec, £250; Washdyke Handicap, one mile and. a quarter, 2min 48sec, £260; Waiiti Handicap, om mile and a quarter, 2min 59sec, £l6O. Total stakes, £IBBO.

RACING FIXTURES

January 18. 20, 22—Wellington R.C. January 22—Ashhurst-Pohangina R.C January 20. 22—Thames J.C. January 20 —Wairio J.C. January 26, 27—Pahiatua R.C. January 27, 29 —Auckland R.C. February 1, 3—Wairoa R.C. February 1, 3—Wahganui J.C. February 3—Canterbury J.C. February 3—Tapanui R.C. February 3—Matamata R.C. " February 8. 10—Egmoht R.C. February 8, 10—Poverty Bay Turf C February 10. 12—Gore R.C. February 10. 12—Rotorua R.C. February 16. 17—Winton J.C. February 17—Opunake R.C. (at Ha-

wera). February 17, 19—Waikato R.C. February 22. 24—Dunedin J.C. February 24—Waiapu R.C. February 24. 26—Westland R.C. February 24. 26—Te Aroha J.C. February 24. 26—Woodville District J.C.

TROTTING FIXTURES

January 20 —Matinee meeting (Addington). January 20. 22—Wanganui T.C. January 31. February 3—Wellington T.C. January 25. 27—Forbury Park T.C. January 27—Marlborough T.C. February 10—Canterbury Park T.C February l 10. 14 —Auckland T.C. February 17—New Brighton T.C. February 17. 19—Manawatu T.C. March 2—lnvercargill T.C. March 9—Timaru T.C. March 16—Taranaki T.C. March 16—Cheviot T.C. March 16—Wyndham T.C. March 23. 25—Hawera T.C. March 23. 27. 28— N.Z. Metropolitan

T.C. March 26—Westland T.C. March 30—Wanganui T.C.

The committee also approved of a recommendation for .the 1941 classic, stake £SOO and ribbon, with first forfeit £l, second forfeit £4, and final payment £7. Two claims for dividends for which the totalisator tickets had been destroyed were discussed, it being decided that the totalisator committee be recommended that no claims be recognised without production of the ticket concerned. ./._..

Small Boy -.'. 10 8 War Lap 9 2 Raana 10 8 Harina 9 2 Golden Ridge 10 3 Arabic 9 0 Shy . .. 9 13 Cher Amie .,' 9 0 Lockit .. 9,12 Colibri 9 0 Limbohm 9 11 Cymric 9 0 Good Sun ... 9 10. Esperance Bay 9 0 Silver River 9 9 Kalika 9 0 Hunting King's Toast 9 0 Moments 9 8 Lord Puck .: 9 0 White Rajah 9 8 iPhil 9 0 Gay Fox .. 9 6 ' Ruling Star 9 0 The Ring .. 9 4 Scold 9 0 Haupongi 9 2 Thrasos 9 0 Little Robin 9 2 Twenty Grand 9 0 Race Boy .. 9 .2 12.54 p.m.— WELLINGTON STAKES, of £700. For two .' and three-year-olds. Five furlongs. /.'■.: st. lb st. lb. Absolve 7 3 Sir ' Beau. .. 6 12 Doria .. 7 2 Kentucky .. 6 12 Lamboiim .. 6 12 1.38 p.m.— ■ ,— '■ •'■ APPRENTICES '•■ PLATE, of £300. SeVen furlongs. st. lb. T lb. Brazil . .. 8 7 Classform .. 8 .Greatford .. 8 7 Flying Flag 7 8 Nelumbo 8 4 Hearth J-- .. 7 8 Te Ore 8 4 Lady -Tinkle 7 8 Titter 8.4 Millament • :v. 77 <■ 8 Algerian 7 11 Myarion t.' 8 Chief Lord .. 7 11"Pearl of Asia 7 8 .Meadow 7 11 Sceptre 7 8 Not Out 7 11 ■■ Serenata ' „ 7 8 Scarteen .. 7 11 Veldette 7 8 Wings' of Song 7 11 2.22 ,pm.— FITZHERBERT HANDICAP, of £350. For ' two-year-olds. ' Five furlongs. st. lb. st. lb. Grandora 8 10 Croupisino 7 '8 Beau Coureur 8 9 Courting 7 7 Chary 8 9 : • Radio "Call % . 7 5 Don't Forget 8 8 Taane Pango 7 5 Phaleron Shikari 7 4 Song 8 4 Chablis 7 4 Stencil 8 2 Locrian 7 3 Kadina 8 2 Cicada 7 0 Lanelot 7 10 Lady Govern 7 «. Retrogression 7 10 ■Triple Crown 7 Speedwell .. 7 10 ''■-■'- 3.7 p.m.— WELLINGTON CENTENNIAL CUP. of £3200. One mile and a half st. lb.St. lb Royal Chief 9 6 Mishna - 7 8 Catalogue .. 9 3 Tooley Street .7 8 Beaupartir 8 11, Fils de, Vaals 7 8 Centrepoise 8 10 Tidewaiter .. 7 G Malagigi 8 9 Baran ''■ » .. 7 4 • Beau Vite .... 8 7 Laughing : Lass Sly Fox .. 8 4 1 4 Willie Win .." 8 4 Globe,-Trotter 7. 3 . Siegmund .. • 8 2, * Mborsbtis' '' 7 3 Old Bill .."" 8 o Queen of Song 7 13 Blonde Princess 7 0 Lady Montana 7 12 Mona's Song Raeburn The Wrecker 7 o Gladynev .. Norseman .. 7 11 7 11 7 9 7 7 0 0 Beau Repaire 7 9 Windsor Thermidor .. 7 8 Chief 7 0 3.54 p^m.-r; RUAPEHU HACK HANDICAP, of £350. Six furlongs. st. lb. st. lb. Sir- Crusoe 9 5 Buccaneer . 7 9 Gold Dale .. 9 0 Areas 7 7 Autolite ... 8 13 Beauly 7 7 Gold Chase 8 12 Dark Water 7 7 Siglow 8 10 Desert -Sun 1 7 Punarua* 8 8 Floral Robe 7 7 Little X)orrit 8 7 Golden Phenomenal 8. 7 Melody 7 7 Pekoe 8 4 Gay Gipsy 7 7 Nelumbo- .. 8 3 Lord Lynn 7 7 Great Flight 8 1 Prediction 7 7 Mayf air 7 11 Sky Limit 7 7 Passenger .. 7 10 4.39 p.m.— TELEGRAPH . HANDICAP, of £1000. Six furk sngs. st. lb.. st. lb. Amigo 8 10 Night Bronwen 8 9 ' Eruption 7 7 Arvakur 8 7 Olympus . .. 1 3 Black Thread 8 2 Rakahanga 7 2 Disdain 8 1 Sternchase 7 2 Counterblast 7 13 Blonde Brunhild 7 12 Princess 7 0 Racecall 7 12 Endorsement 7 0 Spanish Lad 7 10 Lexden 7 0 ' Duncannon 7 8 Lord Sleeveless .. 7 8 Cavendish 7 0 Alunga 7 7 5.25 p.m.— -: ; ANNIVERSARY HANDICAP, of £450. One mile. st. lb. St. lb. Paper Slipper 9 7 Galteemore 8 4 Ned Cuttle 9 2 Gay Mimic 8 4 1 Full Hand 8 13 Rarotonga 8 3 Dictate , .. 8 12 Cricket 8 0 Flammarion 8 12 Flame Queen 8 0 Haughty "-lie Toquet 8 0 Winner 8 11 Miss Lady Leigh 8 10 Appellant 8 0 Baran' 8 9 Nereus '■ a 0 Trebor •' .. 8 6 Solaria8 0" Sleeveless .. 8 5 The Wrecker 8 0 Bold Step 8 4 Togi .. 8 0