FAVOURITE LEFT AT POST

Press, Volume LXXXV, Issue 25735, 22 February 1949, Page 7

FAVOURITE LEFT AT POST

STOREY MEMORIAL AT WAIKATO MEETING ...The Storey Memorial Handicap at the Waikato meeting on Saturday was robbed of much of its interest when the eachway favourite, Rizzio, turned round when the barrier lifted and took no part in the race. The winner, Contango, has raced consistently on country courses during the last three seasons, but the btorey Memorial was the most important success of her career. It was her first '¥* n beyond a mile and, on this occasion, she ran on well after enjoying a smooth passage. 4u Aft P r race an inquiry was held into the start. The judicial committee severely reprimanded the starter. Mr C. Clarkin, non 7°bservance of rule 280, clause 2, sub-sections (a and b), which say that a fractious horse may be placed either in the rear of a field or on the outside of a hurdle placed on the outside of the held. Rizzio. which drew No. 1 at the barrier, was placed on the inside of a trestle, with the rest of the field on the outside of it. Successful Experiment The connexions of Regality put up 6Jlb over-weight to get the services of W. J. Mudford for him in the President’s Handicap at the Waikato meeting on Saturday, and it proved a successful experiment. Regality gave considerable trouble after being first mounted in the stalls, but when he went out to the start was !P?. st trac table and was one of the bestbehaved horses in the field at the barrier: He began smartly and eventually won easily.

Regality, a three-year-old colt by Finis from Kama, was bred by Mr E. Steele at the Windsor Park Stud, Oamaru, and, when submitted for auction as a yearling at Trentham, failed to reach the reserve set by his breeder. He was passed at 650 guineas, but was later sold to Mr A. Court. Regality is trained at Takanini by F. Smith. Kama, the dam of Regality, was a daughter of Dark Legend and the imported mare Karlova, the latter being a half-sister to Kraya, winner of the Prix le Rochette, of 77,100 francs; Kettering, winner of the Gingston Stakes; and Kelani, a winner in Brazil. Karlova’s dam, Kitty Tchin, ran second in the French Oaks, and was a half-sister to Kandy, winner of the English One Thousand Guineas.

Mr Torrance to Retire Mr J. Torrance will retire from the position of racecourse inspector in the South Island as from the end of the season in July. Mr Torrance, who made his headquarters in Christchurch, has been in the service of the New Zealand Racing Conference .for nearly 30 years, and has officiated at every race and trotting meeting in the South Island at various times. He had a thorough knowledge on all points connected with the conduct of racing and trotting activities, both on and off the course, and in addition to his valuable service to his employers had been unsparing in his advice and help to many who depended on the sport for a livelihood. Mr Torrance will live in retirement in Christchurch.

Apprehensive Owner One of Australia’s leading racing identities. Walter Devon, has announced that he will retire from racing because of anti-doping measures. Devon, who is a New Zealander, won £25,000 in an Australian lottery while in New Zealand 25 years ago. He settled in Sydney and took up racing, where he had been successful. He won the A.J.C. Derby, Craven Plate, and Rosehill Guineas in 1944 with Tea Rose, and since then has raced in Queensland. Saying that he might be involved quite innocently in a doping incident, Devon has instructed his Brisbane trainer, George Anderson, to sell the promising horses Muscovite and Karapoti. In partnership with Anderson, he owns the New’ Zealand-bred youngster Te Paerata. Devon believes the risk is too great for an honest owner as, if a horse is tampered with by an outsider, owner and trainer are held responsible.—Sydney, February 21.