SPORTING

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24271, 31 May 1944, Page 5

SPORTING

TURF GOSSIP

Winter Scale of Weight? The winter scale of weights will come into operation to-morrow, and will be observed at the Dunedin Jockey Club's meeting as well as at other King’s Blrthday fixtures. There will be no apprentice ?... owances at the three days’ racing at Wingatul. In all the flat handicap events with three exceptions, the minimum will be 8-0. which does not permit of allowances. The exceptions are the three principal races, in which the minimum is "-7, but in each case the winner is to receive more than £250. the limit up to which allowances operate. Wanganui Acceptors Additional acceptors for the Wanganui Jockey Club’s meeting are:—Maiden Race, Beneve 8-7; Century Hurdles, Moderate 11-3; Connolly Handicap, Moderate 8-I. (P.A.) Racing at eilcrslie The Great Northerns, Hurdles and Steeplechase, are exciting much discussion and both races arc regarded as very open, writes “Argus" In the "New Zealand Herald" of Monday’s date So far only a few of the candidates for the Hurdles have reached Ellerslie, and everyone is awaiting the appearance of the top-weights, Erndale and Town Survey, who have been assessed equal at 11-7. Erndale and Town Survey have proved themselves above the ordinary as hurdlers and, although the history of the race is against horses carrying more than 11-0, Erndale and Town Survey are expected to play a prominent part in the contest

Previous Winners Both have been successful in the event previously. Erndale winning with 10-2 m 1942, and Town Survey with 9-U last year Erndale completed the winter in his year of victory by finishing third in the Grand National Hurdles at Riccarton with 11-1. He was then raced on the Hal for a few months, after which he was given a spell He resumed • racing at Te Rapa last March, and a’part from showing good form on the flat he has been successful in his only run over fences in the meantime, winning the Hamilton Hurdles, two miles, on May 20, with 11-7 On his form there is no doubt that he is well above the average In our present lot of hurdlers. A Record Feat

After his victory in the Great Northern Hurdles last year, Town Survey made history by winning the Winter Hurdles al Trentham with 10-0 and the Grand National Hurdles at Riccarton with 10-12. No horse had previously won those three races in the one year, and Town Survey became the Dominion’s foremost hurdler In tlie meantime he has not started over hurdles, but has been kept in good order with racing on the flat, where his form has oeen highly creditable His best recent performances have been his third in the H. O Nolan Handicap, one mile and a half, at Ellerslie at Easter, and his third in the Storey Memorial Handicap, one mile and a half, at Te Rapa on April 29 The Better Stayer

In the Storey Memorial Handicap Erndale 8-6 beat Town Survey 7-5 by a length and a half for second. Undoubtedly on the flat Erndale has been the belter performer, but his superiority in that respect may be offset by Town Survey’s staying ability which may prove a real asset over the long journey of two and a half miles in the Great Northern Hurdles Town Survey's admirers are legion, ano they are bound to accord him good support on Saturday If he completes the final stages of his preparation to their satisfaction Stock Exchange Lame One of the candidates for the Great Northern Hurdles who has attracted much attention since his arrival at Ellerslie a few days ago Is the much-discussed Slock Exchange who has shown greatly improved form and won both on the flat and over hurdlta in the last few months. Stock Exchangp has done only slow work on the tan since his arrival, and was very lame In the near foreleg after working on Monday Soreness at this stage does not Inspire confidence in his prospects on Saturday, Noted English Sire Gainsborough, triple crown and Gold 'Cup winner of 1918. and one of the world’s most famous sires, has finished his stud career at the age of 29 years and will end his days at the Harwood SUfd. Newbury He commenced stud duties In 1920, and his progeny have won nearly £330,000 in stakes. Two of his sons, Gainscourt and Leighon, came to New Zealand, and other male descendants through Solario and Hyperion (sons of Gainsborough) to come to the Dominion are Vermeer. St Boswells. Chatsworth, Neptune and Fclous. Required tor Stud A prominent New Zealand breeder was m the market recently for the Australian horse Skipton who. as a five-year-old, has been retired from pacing, but no business resulted. Skipton won £15,000 in stakes, his successes including the Victoria Derby and the Melbourne Cup He is bv Marabou from the New Zealandbred mare Cupidity Both Marabou and Cupidity descend in tall male from Tracery'. and in his dam’s line Skipton comes from (he same taproot as those fine stayers, Beau Vitc. Old Bill. Wofan. Caine Carrington. Peter Tackson. and Molere. SuccessluJ Combination / The announcement that A./j.dnkms will ride Dozie Boy in the Great Northern Steeplechase recalls that this combination succeeded over the difficult Ellersne course In the same race' two years aga On that occasion Dozie-YBoy earned 9-iz and this year he has ip-5 Dozie Boy is the veteran of this yeqr’s field, as he is rising 13 years, but ht has not had as much racing as might [be imagined, for he did not make his debut hj i October, 1939 a? a s6ven-yeai>old. Though old in years he has been\ racing only ioi Hve seasons. 1 TROTTING NOTES Jack’s Pal The decisive win by Jack’s Pal In the Washdvke Handicap at the Timaru Trotting Club’s meeting will bring him into favour for the Winlei Handicap at Ashburton next Monday The brother to Dusky Sound will now start from the limit ’of a 2min 47sec class, as against 2min 48sec in his latest engagement, and the big grass track will be all in his favour’ Jack’s Pal is a good stayer, and has not yet shown his best on the race track. Safety Pin. who also figures In this race, has shown outstanding form in her last few races, but she is also encaged In the All Aged Stakes of a mile d nd a half to be run earlier in the day.

All Aged Stakes Since the All Aged Stakes was instituted in 1038 the following horses have been successful 1936 Pot Luck, 1937 Frisco Bey 1938 Horse Power. 1939 Nelson Eddy, 1940 (at Addington) Gold Bank. 1941 Walter Moore 1942 Loval Rey 1943 Hardy Oak. No driver has vef scored more than one win In this race. No Meeting at Forbury

On receiving advice from the New Zealand Trotting Conference that the Wellington Trotting Club would be unable to use its one-day permit, the committee of the Forbury Park Trotting Club made application for this permit, with the intention of racing on June 17 Extensive inquiries were made concerning the transoori position and if was found that transport of horses by float rail or boat would not be available If was therefore decided to withdraw the application for the permit.