SPORTING

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23809, 1 December 1942, Page 7

SPORTING

* TURF GOSSIt Canterbury Jockey Club Acceptances for the second day of the New Zealand Cup meeting will close at 5 p.m. to-day. —6 Answer to Correspondent j "F.C.”: Three races, three wins. Good Times The time for the New Zealand Cup. 3min 23 3-ssec, compared favourably with the figures of recent years. The track was slippery at the time of the race, and in places cut up slightly, so it is possible that but for the heavy shower of rain which fell before the race. Sercnata's record of 3min 20 4-ssec might have been beaten. The first half-mile was covered in 50scc, first mile in Imin 42sec, mile and a half in 2min 32 3-ssec, and last half mile in 50 3-ssec. No doubt Don't Forget, assisted by Eulogist, was responsible for these impressive figures, and it was not surprising that both horses tailed to see the ordeal through. The time for the Welcome Stakes, 59 l-ssec, had only once before been beaten, the speedy Chnabue reeling off the five furlongs in 1926 in 58 2-ssec, and the following year Childsplay recorded 59 3-ssec, and Symcony equalled that time in 1934. A Family Affair Palora, runner-up to Lord Nuffield in the Stewards' Handicap, was bred at Oamaru and purchased as a yearling by Mr A. F. Symes, who conducts a stud farm at Hastings. As with many other filly purchases, made for their breeding value, Mr Symes leased Palora for her racing career, the lessors in this case being the wives of three of the late Mr W. G. Stead's sons, two of them being daughters of Mr Symes. Their colours are yellow, yellow and black cap. A Popular Success H. Wiggins, who was laid aside for 12 months owing to a broken leg, secured the mount on Royal Flight in the Welcome Stakes on the eve of the meeting. A, Messervy rode the filly at Wmgatui, and could have had the mount on Saturday, but elected to ride Islam, on whom he won at Trentham. Wiggins rode Pay Roll, the winner of the race two years ago. Encouraging Form Cheap Lodging, carrying Hlb overweight, ran her best race to date in the Middleton Handicap. She was one of the leaders a furlong from home and momentarily showed out ns if she would take charge, but petered right out over the business stages. She will again be on hand in the high-weight event next Saturday. Slaying Credentials Stairway gave a disappointing display In the Middleton Handicap, and proved very expensive, especially to Nortli Island visitors. He was not nominated for the similar event next Saturoay. but is booked to contest the Otaic Plate, In which he will meet one of the strongest fields of middle distance hacks assembled at Riccarton for a long time. Stairway won over a mile and three furlongs at. Trentham, in soft going certainly, and there is thus no need to doubt his staying ability Slight Ailment All Night's absence from the Riccarton Handicap on Saturday caused much disappointment. His rider, A. E Ellis, was notified early in the afternoon that the horse had contracted shoulder soreness and had not made the trip. The trouble was not considered very serious, and it is hoped that All Night will be on the scene this week. Oaks Candidates Foxleap was not well placed over the major portion of the journey in the Middleton Handicap on Saturday, but was noticed putting in some good work in the run home. Her stablemate. Straight Bat, lost any chance she had in the Stewards’ Handicap by dwelling at the barrier, and by the time she found iter feet, the field was well on its way She made a fast run turning into the straight, and picked up a good deal of leeway. Both these horses are in the Oaks Stakes, and on Saturday’s form. Foxleap appeals as a likely candidate. Impressive Work Botany was responsible for an excellent performance in filling second place in the New Zealand Derby. He was up against more seasoned horses, and it was a creditable effort to hold off Boulder Dam, who, at least up to Saturday, was considered the best three-year-old of the season. Botany is engaged in the Ofaio Plato next Saturday, and with his Derby form as a guide he will no doubt be in keen demand. A Poor Run The Otaki-trained Hasten was well supported in the Riccarton Handicap, hut dwelt badly at the rise of the barrier, and was so unfavourably placed ever the early and middle stages that his chance was hopeless. Later Prospects Rawhamai was always in a prominent position behind Tufere in the Riccarton Handicap and was in the firing line for the minor placings until nearing the post, finishing close up to the fourth horse. This was Rawhamal's second race only this term, and he is a likely improver. A Useful Pair Mr J. A. Brown, owner of Lord Nuffield and The Joker, had the unusual distinction of collecting stake money from both the New Zealand Cup and Stewards' Handicap pool. The Joker gained fourth prize, £IOO, In the Cup, and Lord Nu/lleld's share in the big sprint was £560. Both horses have for some time past been trained at Wlngatui by J. A. White, who made several trips in late years to Trentham and Riccarton with his own horses. High Glee and Norseman. Exhibition Gallop Kindergarten was paraded at Riccarton at the conclusion of the second race on Saturday, but unfortunately heavy ram was falling at the lime, and many people were unable to leave shelter lo secure a view of him. He was trolled round to the six furlongs barrier, and although his rider, A. E. Ellis, kept a good hold of him, the champion ran home to the winning post In Imin 14sec, the last half mile in 48 3-sscc. Kindergarten lias done exceptionally well since coming south, and he promises to be a powerful drawing card for next Saturday's programme.