SPORTING

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23132, 23 September 1940, Page 11

SPORTING

TURF GOSSIP

Reminders Acceptances for the Kurow' Jockey Club's meeting will 'close at Oamaru at 8 p.m. to-morrow. Nominations for the Dunedin Jockey Club’s spring meeting and forfeits for the McLean -Stakes and Dunedin Guineas will close at 5 p.m. to-mor-row. Trains for Oamaru The Railway Department is arranging for a special race train to run from Timaru to Oamaru next Saturday on the occasion of the Kurow Jockey Club’s meeting, and the return train from Oamaru to Timaru will continue on to Christchurch, provided that a sufficient number of horses will be offering. Good Dispatches Mr A. J. Hastings, starter to the Geraldine Racing Club, was unable to carry out his duties on Saturday, owing to officiating at the Wellington Trotting Club’s meeting, and he arranged for Mr P. D. McNab to do the work. Mr McNab, however, was indisposed. and his assistant (Mr J. Bridges) filled the position. Except for the second event, the Wainui Handicap, for maidens, Mr Bridge’s work was very satisfactory. dispatches in front of the stands of the two nincfurlong races, in which fairly big fields were engaged, being especially commendable. Not Produced

Recollection was not produced at the Geraldine meeting on Saturday owing, it was stated, to the track becoming harder than' on the first day, and in view of a trip to the Dunedin meeting next month it was not deemed advisable to start him under his big weight of 11-11,

Every Credential Leopardstown, winner of the Second Hurdles on Saturday, is bred on distinct jumping lines, being by Day Comet from Princess Thurnham, by Thurnham from Heather Dew, dam of a useful forse in Heather Lad, Mr J. H. Grigg purchased Princess Thurnham in 1932, and Leopardstown was her first foal at Longbeach. She missed to Day Comet in 1935. and was not served in 1936 or 1937. Leopardstown has had very little racing, and his win on Saturday, in the circumstances, was very encouraging in view of his later racing as a jumper. First Appearance An interesting runner at Orari on Saturday was the grey filly Portadown, by Pori law from Dorettn. The dam was purchased in England for Mr E. Steele, of the Burnside stud, Oamaru. and was served in England to New Zealand time. Portadown was foaled at the Eldcrslle stud, and is a most attractive three-year-old, and although she did not show up in her race on Saturday, her gallops on the track have indicated that she will develop into a smart galloper. She is one of F. Roberts’s team.

Norse’s Relative Urge, who had two races at Orari, is a three-year-old chestnut gelding by Valkyrian from Spurs, by Royal Stag from Flourish, dam of Norse, and is Owned by his breeder, Mr A. S. Elworthy. for whom he is being trained at Washdyke by F. Trilford. Unfortunately. Urge was not in line when the field in the Wainui Handicap on Saturday was sent off. and he was hopelessly left.

Cup Candidates There were five New Zealand Cup entrants in the President's Handicap at Orari on Saturday, and the best form was shown by Swordstick and Passaform, who, nevertheless, were easily beaten by Petersham. > Pas.saform’s effort was encouraging, as he Is still on the big side. He went down rather scralchily, and was heavily bandaged in front, making it apparent that he Is not as sound as might bo wished. Glenora Boy disappointed on Saturday after his good race, on the first day. and Nighthawk’s two races at the meeting did not suggest his ability as a two-milcr. The Raker ran very poorly and his displays to date this season have been in distinct contrast to the outstanding form which characterised his hack performances last term.

Bright Prospects All Night, by Nightly from Cloranc, was bred in Canterbury by Mr R. Fleming, who put the colt in work as a two-year-old, but did not race him owing to growing. Later, he was acquired by Mr W. Payne, and handed to W. McDonald to train. McDonald had previously trained Soigele and Grecian Prince with n good deni of success for Mr Payne. Clorane was bred by Mr H. A. Knight, who purchased her dam, Bclcalre, by Treclurc, in Australia. Belcaire is now the property of Mr J. A. McDougall, of the Wairarnpa, owner of Nightly, and he has had three foals by Nightly from her. Clorane was recently sold by Mr Fleming, and is on a visit to Defaulter.

Later in Season Airline’s two races at Orari attracted attention to this good-looking colt by Surveyor from Maid of (he Air, by The "Ace from Kenilworth Maid, oy Kenilworth. He has grown into a massive four-year-old, and will do with a good deni more racing befor the best is seen of him.

Below Expectations On Riccarton form Taxpayer should have shaped better at the Geraldine meeting. He is evidently a difficult horse to manage on a turning track, and will probably do better on his home course, Wingatui, next month. Related to Passaform

Platform, a half-brother by Night Raid to Passaform, showed out in front for a while in the concluding event at Orari, but was out of the contest with half a mile to go. He has not had a great deal of racing, and will require more time. He is a solidly-built three-year-old resembling to a marked degree the Night Raid gelding Nightcalm, and more will be heard of him.

Diminutive Proportions Grey Silk ran a creditable race over nine furlongs on Saturday. He was the smallest horse racing at the meeting, and will always bo at a disadvantage In a big field. Especially was this the case when he made a run through between Halt and the rails in Saturday’s race, and he was so overshadowed by this big gelding that very few people were aware that he was on the scene at all.