CHAMPIONSHIP CARNIVAL

Press, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 26986, 11 March 1953, Page 4

CHAMPIONSHIP CARNIVAL

N.Z.BRED HORSES PROMINENT

One feature of the racing throughout the Inter-Dominion Championship series at Perth was the important part played by horses bred in New Zealand. The general standard of pacing throughout Australia is only fair if, ‘as was suggested, the best horses in the country were racing at Perth. During the four nights of the championships stakes amounting to £30,600, including a gold cup valued at £3OO, were offered. New Zealand-bred horses won £13,805. Of this amount £7930 was won by Captain Sandy. Blue Mist won £l3BO, Red Hussar £lO4O, Victory Globe £970, Triple Play £960, Gallantry £6lO, Bruce Hall £3BO, Expensive £l9O, Josedale Direct £l3O, Petty Officer £95, Piccolo £6O, and Gamble King £5O. On the Monday after the final, another meeting was held at Gloucester Park. The total stakes offered amounted to £3500. There were seven New Zealand-bred horses among the 82 acceptors, and they gained three wins and one placing for £ll9O in stakes. Radiant Echo, /Gold Metre, and Blue Mist won, and Expensive was placed.

The atmosphere in Australia, and particularly in Western Australia, apparently has a rejuvenating effect on horses from New Zealand. Many horses which have reached the end of their careers in New Zealand have improved out of all knowledge when sent to Australia, and in Perth most of the main winners during the last few years have either been raced in New Zealand or bred here. Triple Play has improved considerably since being trained in Perth, and his two wins during the championship carnival were most impressive. The Gamble pacer looks better than at any other stage of his career, and his connexions expect him to win several more races before the end of the season. Worthy Representative . While Blue Mist proved a worthy representative of New Zealand at the championships, there is no doubt that several other New Zealand horses would have done better. Had Johnny Globe been taken to Perth, the final would have been at his mercy if he had been at his peak. The only horse which showed anything approaching his class was the brilliant New South Wales four-year-old, Ribands, probably the best horse in Australia. Even so, it is doubtful whether he would measure up to the standard of Johnny Globe, Soangetaha, Burns Night, Masterpiece, Vedette, Van Dieman, and others prominent in major races in New Zealand.

Ribands impressed many competent judges, and his second to Captain Sandy in the final was a brilliant effort. For such a young horse he did well to fight back when headed by Kellett and Captain Sandy in the final, after making a strong pace all the way. Ribands galloped off the mark at each start, but he did not lose any ground. After about 50 yards he hit his hopples and revelled in his task. In some respects he resembles Lawn Derby and with age he could prove better than his sire.

The appearance of Ribands in New Zealand would be a great draw, and it should be possible for metropolitan clubs to combine and make a sufficiently attractive offer for him to be brought here and appear in special handicap, match, and free-for-all events early next season. If sufficient inducement was offered, it is possible that his connexions would be prepared to bring him here. The standard of horses in minor races at Perth was barely equal to that seen at minor meetings in New Zealand. Also, some of the Western Australian horses which raced in the championship heats would have difficulty in winning some of the cup races in country districts of Canterbury. Most of the horses looked very poor by New Zealand standards when worked in daylight, but under lights their appearance seemed improved. The lights also gave a false impression of the speed at which they were travelling. Horses in Perth did not carry the hard condition seen on horses here. In particular, horses sent out to spell seemed to lose condition, and most of them were pot-bellied. On Mr J. P. Stratton’s stud farm the best-looking horse was the 17-year-old former New Zealand gelding, Happy Man, which looked less than half his age. Lack of green feed was probably the cause of much of the absence of condition. Starting of Races At Perth there was no time lag between races. Just before the advertised starting time the starter began lining 'up the horses, and the fields were • dispatched right on time. At no stage during the carnival were races started more than one minute after the scheduled time. The starting was for the most part good, but no better than that seen at Addington. The stdrts were all snap ones, the starter pressing a lever with his foot, and drivers having no idea when a start was likely. The percentage of breaking horses is just as great as at the start of races in New Zealand, and there appeared to be more interference in the early rush for positions than on New Zealand courses. Drivers in Perth are not protected by the rules as they are in New Zealand. In Perth the fee for a losing drive is £1 Is, and this can be obtained only by a driver claiming from an owner. If the owner fails to pay, the driver can lay a complaint with the association, which will open an inquiry. There is no set scale for winning drives, although it is understood that most drivers claim 5 per cent. In no case does the association demand losing fees before the start of a race as' is the case here, nor does it deduct winning driving fees from an owner’s cheque. Owners receive their cheques at the end of each night’s racing.