THE TONGS TO RUN IN WELLINGTON STEEPLES

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27992, 12 June 1956, Page 4

THE TONGS TO RUN IN WELLINGTON STEEPLES

RACING

The Tongs, the South Island’s main s hope in the big cross-country races I this year, is now being prepared for . the Wellington Steeplechase next month. He was little troubled to win the J Otago Steeplechase on the opening ] day of the Dunedin Jockey Club’s 1 winter meeting, and went close to s achieving a notable double two days 1 later when he ran Dusty Miller to 1 a head in the Otago Hurdles. The Tongs is an eight-year-old ’ Siegfried gelding, and a half-brother : to Frances and The Grate, two good I winners for Mr D. P. Wilson. He has great stamina, and a Tren- ' tham campaign has appealed to his connexions because he is good under ; the worst winter conditions. The Tongs is a second-season ’chaser. He had his first win over country at the Dunedin winter meeting a year ago. He won the Te Waimate Hack and Hunters’ Steeplechase at the Waimate Hunt meeting, and a week later the Teschemaker Steeplechase Handicap at the South Canterbury Hunt meeting. He had his first test over Riccarton country in the Homeby Steeples on July 30 and finished fourth behind Treasure Ring, Ryeland, and his stablemate, Belgravia. The Tongs was third to Treasure Ring and Every Time in the Grand National Steeples. He was beaten off, but more competent jumping might have given him a strong winning chance. He was well beaten when he lost his rider at the six furlongs in the Lincoln Steeples on the third day of the Grand National meeting. The Tongs recaptured winning form this year in the Great Western Steeplechase at Riverton. It was the general opinion that he was lucky to beat King Simper, which was badly checked at a fence late in the race. It is unlikely King Simper will get a chance to confirm that impression. He was withdrawn from the Otago Steeplechase, ran in the Wingatui Steeplechase on the second day but broke down late in the race when he appeared to have the result in safe keeping. King Simper’s breakdown was a loss to the South Island jumping ranks. He is a good' jumper and has more ability on the flat than most ’chasers. Capet Shows Ability W. E. Hazlett’s pair, Chief Light and Capet, improved a very good stable record for the season with wins over country at Wingatui. Capet made a big impression in winning the hack steeplechases on the first and second days, the second time under 11-1 on a heay track. Capet is one of the last of many winners sired by Sir Simper, which had a great record, although with restricted chances. Capet is out of French Lady, by Colonel Cygnus from the Tractor mare, Lorette, the dam of Colonel French, French Knight, and the Grand National Steeples winner, Anglo-French. Lorette was out of Moulin Rouge, by Kilbroney from the imported Directoire.. Directoire left Frenchman (10 wins including the C.J.C. Beaufort Steeples), Francaise (15 wins), Apache (15 wins including the C.J.C. Winter Oats and Spreydon Hurdles), Paris (Wellington Steeples, Beaufort Steeples), and Dark Marie, which left Noko, winner of 17 races including the ’'July Steeples at Trentham, the Great Western at Riverton, and runner-up in the Grand National. Percy and Sir Percy, two other successful ’chasers in the Hazlett colours, were also from the same family as Capet. Chief Light had an average lot behind him at the end of the Dunedin Steeplechase on Saturday. This was his first win over country, but he was favourite for the test after placings on the first and second days of the meeting. Chief Light showed some ability on the flat, and easily won the Otago Hurdles last year, but his form was not solid. His jumping has improved with each race, and he obviously does best when he gets a reasonably good foot-

ing. Chief Light should make further improvement during the winter, and may be a good type for tests over the Ricearton country at the Grand National meeting. 1000th Winner in Britain The last race at Manchester a fortnight ago last Saturday was a memorable one for the Australian jockey, Edgar Britt. When he passed the post first on Lintel in the Irwell Handicap it was his 1000th winner since .his arrival in Britain in 1954. Destroyed Winning Key broke a pastern about a mile from home in the Dunedin Steeplechase at Wingatui on Saturday and was destroyed. He was an eight-year-old Makarewa gelding trained at Gore by his part-owner, R. I. McCauley. Winning Key won the hack steeplechase on the first day of the Southland meeting last month. Banks Peninsula Club A loss of £642 7s 7d on the year’s operations is shown in the accounts of the Banks Peninsula Racing Club.

The club’s chairman, Mr E. E. McCullough, reports that the loss has been mainly caused by a reduction of £539 14s 2d in the Totalisator Agency Board’s distribution and by the expenditure of £440 more than last year in repairs and maintenance. The club’s turnover, both on and offcourse, has shown a gratifying increase. On-course £80.455 was handled, compared with £69.313 in 1955. The offcourse total was £74,288, compared with £47,464. The increase would be reflected in the club’s share of the T.A.B. profits next year. Main items of expenditure were: stakes. £6130; Government taxes, £6819 3s 4d; repairs and maintenance, £1315 3s 4d; salaries, wages and general race expenses. £1922. The totalisator. including the T.A.B. distribution, brought in £14,359 19s 4d: nominations and acceptances, £864; gate receipts. £524 4s; Gcvernment refund. £5OO.

The club’s assets are shown at £7629. main items being land, plant, furniture, and equipment, £1730 17s; G< zernment

stock and deposits, £3049 17s 6d; and bank. £566 19s 2d. Generous Owner Mr R. S. Clark, the well-known American owner and breeder, who has presented his stallion Never Say Die to the National Stud in England, has been a popular and generous supporter of racing in England. His policy has been to breed the majority of his horses in the United States, and 4o send them tc. England and Ireland as yearlings. He also had a stud farm in France before the outbreak of the war, during which time the farm was destroyed. Then he used to send the produce as yearlings to race in England and Ireland.

Mr Clsjrk bred the two classic winners, Galatea 11, by Dark Legend from Galaday (bred in France), winner of the One Thousand Guineas and Oaks in 1939, and Never Say Die, by Nasrullah from Singing Grass, which won both the Derby and St. Leger in 1954. Since 1955, Never Say Die has stood at the Woodland Stud, Newmarket and will remain there until the end of the 1958 covering season under the existing contract between Mr Clark and Lord Derby. From the 1959 season onward, Never Say Die will stand at the National Stud. It is Mr Clark’s wish that the services of this stallion be made available to Irish as well as English breeders, and 10 nominations will be reserved annually for breeders with studs in the Irish Republic.

ACCEPTANCES < WAIPA CLUB J (New Zealand Press Association) < AUCKLAND, June 11. i The double at the Waipa Racing Club’s winter meeting at Te Awamutu on Sat- t urday will be run c . the Woodstock s Stakes and the Kihiklhl Handicap. E Acceptances:— 10 KAY h’aCK STEEPLECHASE, of £425; about two miles and a half.—Pad (9) 9-13; . Great Power (12) 9-6; Merrywa (6) 9-2; Great Fox (5) 9-1; Questionnaire (7), Distinct (8), Perspective (10), Master Greg- 3 ory (4), Glenkeith (1), Kitchener (3). Captain Bold (2), Rua Chief (11) 9-0. . 11 ARAPUNI HACK HANDICAP, of £3OO J (or £4OO if run in two divisions); one " mile.—First Division: Royal Hussar (5) 9-0; Trench Pal (15), Cloncarrig (20) 8-6; Sheer Luck (8), Triple Chance (6), Bel- ( wood (12), Revere (1) 8-4; Peter Night (16), Sabreur (4), Mon Espoir (17), Fort . Worth (13), Lord Simon (19). King David J (11), Artisan (14), Tschiffely (18). Coolstream (3), High Force (21). Beaudale . (24), Macbeth (7), Tepeta (2), Peter Keith ( (9) 8-3. Second Division: Ter Haar (18) . 8- Royal Festival (6) 8-5; Theodosius (8). Black Print (10), Setanatac (13), Willie ( Fight (1), Triwhin (22) 8-4; Royal Eclipse (11), Fulminate (9), Kaihou (23), Gold Armour (2), Ascot Beau (20), Irish Fancy (24)’, Afox (4). Ho Choy (15), Allan Lad (3), Talleyrand (14), Gold Rule (12), Pohiata (16), Black Lad (5), Dusky Prince (21) Balloted out, with right of re-entry in the following order:—First Division: Land King (10), Carphin (22), Sunbow (23) 8-3. Second Division: Don Fox (17). Brother Bob (7), High Town (19) 8-3. Brackets: Royal Hussar and Ter Haar. Trench Pal and Royal Festival, Cloncarrig and Theodosius, Sheer Luck and Black Print, Triple Chance and Setanatac, Belwood and Willie Fight, Revere and Triwhin, Peter Night and Royal Eclipse, Sabreur and Fulminate, Mon Espoir and Kaihou, Fort Worth and Gold Armour, Lord Simon and Ascot Beau, King David and Irish Fancy, Artisan and Don Fox, Tschiffely and High Town, Coolstream and Afox, Land King and Ho Choy, Carphin and Allan Lad, High Force and Talleyrand, Sunbow and Gold Rule, Beaudale and Pohiata, Macbeth and Black Lad, Tepeta and Brother Bob, Peter Keith and Dusky Prince. 12.20 p.m.— ORAKAU HACK HURDLES, of £425; about one mile and three-quarters.— White Ensign (15) 9-9; Royal General (1) 9- Great Fox (6) 9-6; Free Range (5) 9-5; Sea Contour (16), Balsir (1) 9-4; Regal Prince (14), Aboukir Bav (2), Tionui (12), Buck (4), Ray’s Hope (9). Lochgair (10), Golden Gate (3), Little Count (13), Nevest (8) King’s Joy (11)’ 9-0. 1.10 p.m.— WOODSTOCK STAKES, of £700; one mile and a quarter.—Meresun (16) 9-0; Rareka (2) 8-6; Cinna Maid (18) 8-4; Trench Light (15) 8-2; fc.ll Over (6) 7-12; Silver City (19), Muscille (4), Bronze Tact (9) 7-11; Nonpareil (13), Yorkshire (7), Kwasind (5), Indian Mars (1), Brown Grouse (14), Benton (8), Count de Neuilly (11), Balmeta (3), Red Aster (10), Flying Satchel (17), Stanhill (12) 7-10. 2 p.m.— PARK STEEPLECHASE, of £750; about three miles. —Bay lona (7) 10-6; Golden Brown (3) 10-5; Black Son (2) 9-8; Orontes (4) 9-5; Third Ruler (5) 9-4; Uncle Bob (6) 9-1; Great Power (1) 9-0. 2.45 p.m.— TE HINEMOA HACK HANDICAP, of £3OO (or £4OO if run in divisions); one

mile. —First Division: Compass Rose (16) 8-9; Royal Crescent (9) 8-6; Peepanella (1) 8-4; Moorlight (23), Maria May (10), Prowess (5), Complimentary (22), Sweet Moments (18), Salmatact (20) 8-1; Makalu (8), Bonnie Treasure (11), Air Flame (12), Vai’s Pride (17). Silver Petal (15), Steel Queen (7), Gretchen (19), Grande Vitesse (6), Bonny Jinks (13), Heather Bank (3), Mac’s Ain (4), Lady Janice (14) 8-0. Second Division: Classeen (22) 8-9; Arva (15) 8-7; Mystery Trap (6) 8-2; Royal Praise (5). Silver Lining (13), Ecilagwen (2) Springfield (20) 8-1; Miss Tirhana (4). Miss Caress (10), Autumn Glow (17), Sweet Tyrone (8), Dolina (21), Span Toon (18), Echolands (3), Merry Time (23). Star Guide (11), Miss Regina (16). Sonia’s Pal (9), Fidgette (7), Trench Girl (14). Italian Lady (19) 8-0. Balloted out. with right of re-entry in the following order:—First Division: Ruth of Trelawney (2), Cornish Blue (21) 8-0. Second Division: Bo Kay (1), ‘ Curacao (12) 8-1. Brackets; Air Flame and Sweet Tyrone Vai’s Pride and Dolina, Silver Petal and Span Toon, Steel Queen and Echolands, Gretchen and Merry Time, Grande Vitesse and Star Guide, Ruth of Trelawney and Miss Regina, Bonny Jinks and Sonia’s Pal, Heather Bank and Fidgette, Mac’s Ain and Trench Girl, Lady Janice and Italian Lady. 3.30 p.m.— KIHIKIHI HANDICAP, of £500; seven furlongs.—Rangipapa (8) 9-0; Baby Dakar (12) 8-7; Hutt Valley (14) 8-6; Rangi’s View (9). Shine (10) 8-3; Smiling Princess (11) 8-2: Gold Jewel (3), Lady Yet (1). Great Rose (2). Kerrydale (7) 8-1: Lucky Admiral (13), Ranfurly Shield (5). Con Spirito (6), Quits (4) 8-0. 4.15 p.m.— HAIRINI HACK HANDICAP, of £400; one mile and a quarter.—Black Amber (5) 9-6; Britannia’s Song (10) 9-4; Sun

Quex (17) 9-0; Royal Diamond (12) 8-11; Barbecue (3) 8-9; Scarlet Robe (14) 8-7; Valcille (18), Insignia (9, 8-6; Native King (IS), Nupla (8) 8-5; Free Tickel

(7) 8-4; Blonde Boy (11) 8-3; Valleydale (1), Straight Lead (20) 8-2: Zones Boy (6). Blondel (16), Summer Gin’. (4) Royal Waltz (19), Contact Victory (13), Anairess (21). Belle Serein (22) 8-1.

Balloted out. with right of re-entry Princes Rana (2) 8-0.