ENGLISH STUD SALES

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24983, 18 September 1946, Page 4

ENGLISH STUD SALES

RACING

CRITICISM OF POLICY AVERAGE PRICE DECLINES English critics have lately been outspoken in their criticism of the present policy being pursued by the administrators of the National Stud. The drop in the average price of the lots from the National Stud was one of the features of the first day of the September sales at Newmarket. It was regarded as hardly surprising, as for several years what were considered the best of the season’s yearlings have been retained, and only the remainder sold. Such a policy can be pursued for a year or two to build up or replenish the breeding stock; but its continuation season after season naturally makes buyers disgruntled. In spite of steadily rising prices, six National Stud yearlings in 1944 brought 29,200gn5. an average of 4866 guineas; in 1945 seven brought 32,000gn5, an average of 4214 guineas; and this year seven brought 19,470gn5, an average of 2781gns. Critics know that the yearlings which are retained are leased for their racing career, which has in some cases resulted in great capital appreciation, but the policy is generally regarded as short Sighted. Centime In Work Again C. H. Fairman had Centime back on the tracks yesterday, and this Defaulter mare is to be given another preparation. Centime broke down at the Banks Peninsult meeting at Motukarara last March, ■when she ran second to Al Sirat in the Kinloch Handicap, her first start in open company, and was also unfortunate enough to be galloped on rather badly in the same race. Centime has always been troubled by unsoundness, otherwise she might have had a much better race record. She has been worked on the roads recently, and seems sound at present. Should she stand a preparation, she should have no difficulty in paying her way among the sprinters. Hurdlers Schooled Burberry did not shape well in a run ©ver four hurdles, in company with Pink Bird, at Riccarton yesterday morning. Pink Bird jumped well, but Burberry was very careful, and jumped the last two very slowly. Big Top and Battle Chief also went over four. hurdles. Big Top ran out at the first two, but jumped the next two well. Battle Chief also jumped well, but does not appear to be too sound. The Turf Register The 1946 Turf Register, which has just been published, represents a departure from the old style that will be welcomed by all who have occasion to use it, and by sporting writers in particular. The pages of the new publication are larger, and the publication is much more serviceable in its present form. Several errors in the records of past events have been corrected and some other records added. One addition that is particularly useful is the listing of the winning sires mid their progeny in alphabetical order. The publication, as it is now, compares more than favourably with any similar publication elsewhere. Ran Prominently Although he was inclined to be fractious at the barrier in the Penscroft Hack Handicap at Ashburton last Saturday, Botany eventually got away well, and was never further back in the running than second. He was under pressure in the straight, but had no chance with the winner, Avonbridge. Botany ran well enough to suggest that he will win a hack race before long. He is now’ seven years old, and cannot be expected to show much improvement; but Saturday’s race was his best since he resumed racing after almost two years’ absence. Unlucky in the Running Sanskrit was a little unlucky in the Spring Handicap at Ashburton. She. got anything but the best of the jump-out,, and her rider should have gone after the leader, Whitley, before he obtained too big a break. She was unable to do str, as she was hampered by another horse and unable to get clear. She was still giving Whitley five lengths with three furlongs to run, but under the conditions it was too much leeway to make up. In her last six starts Sanskrit has had three wins and three second placings. She is likely to make the trip to Awapuni for ■the Wellington Racing Club’s spring meeting, and should have good prospects there. Good First Showing

Sea Dog made a good showing foi his fiist race when he was out in front for a mile and a quarter in the County Hurdles at Ashburton. He made two faulty jumps, but managed to maintain his position. On the flat he showed that he had the pace that is necessary for a good class hurdler, and with more racing experience he should soon Show winning form. Half-Brother to Gigli Rosswood, a half-brother by Foxbridge to Gigli, had his first success when he won the Trial Hack Handicap at Wanganui last Saturday. Rosswood was sold as a yearling for 1500 guineas, and as a two-year-old secured three second placings, which returned £l7O in stakes. He was rather wayward when racing last season, but he has since been gelded. He won attractively on Saturday, and the fact that he is an acceptor in the Hawke’s Bay Guineas probably means that his form pleased his connexions. Was Not Caught On a t .ming track, the former Riccar-ton-trained Peter Gazelle is hard to catch. He began smartly in the Owen Handicap, the open sprint at Wanganui on Saturday, and led from end to end. The Pink Coat gelding has plenty of speed, and he is likely to find the going more suitable on some of the North Island tracks than it wal in Canterbury. He was credited with putting up an attractive - performance on Saturday, and he returned a double-figure dividend.