THE RACING WORLD

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 201, 22 May 1931, Page 13

THE RACING WORLD

RAIN AT ELLERSLIE Yesterday’s Track Work CARINTHIA DISLIKES DOUBLE Dominion Special Service. • Auckland, May 21. Rain fell at Ellerslie this morning, and the work was performed on a soft track and under unpleasant conditions. Catoma and Tanerlri went seven furlongs well In Imin. 33sec., the former being very pleasing. Eager Rose ran away from Tc Money over six furlongs, and Corlnax and Wild Country easily beat Tetrachate over seven furlongs in Imin. 32 3-ssec. Patutahi and Gay Cockade were others to work usefully. Manawhenua held Full Measure over five furlongs in Imin. S l-ssec. Billy Boy jumped four hurdles well on the course proper. Dark' Prince and Scaramouche gave a fine display over a round of the steeplechase country. The former finished in front.

Land Measure and St. Louis went with this pair, but Land Measure fell on the hill. Ho was remounted and jumped the other fences well. St. Louis jumped well, but appears to be very ordinary. Mangu King started also with this batch, but fell at the first fence. Then Importer came out to give Carinthia a lead up the centre. Importer fenced splendidly, but Carinthia baulked at the double, and was not tried again. Mangu King then joined Importer, and they safely cleared the fences in the centre. They collided at the double, and Importer cut a small artery above the foot, but the trouble is not expected to be very serious.

Fixture*. May 22, 23—Masterton R.C. May 23—Ashburton County R.C. May 23, 25—Te Kuiti R.C. May 27—Opunake K.C. .Tune 3, 4—Otaki-Maori R.C. June 3,4, 6—Dunedin J.C.’ June 3,6, B—Auckland R.C. June 13, 15—Waikato R.C. June 19, 20—Hawke's Bay J.C. June 20—South Canterbury J.C. June 20—South Canterbury Hunt. June 24—Egmont-Wanganul Hunt Club. June 25, 27—Napitr Park R.C. June 27—Ashburton County R.C. July 4—Oamaru J. C. July 4, 6—Tauraarunul R.C.

FREEHOLD AS JUMPER To Race at Masterton NOTES AND COMMENTS (By "The Watcher.”) Acceptances for the first day of the Otaki winter meeting, to be held on June 3 and 4, will close on Monday at 8 p.m. Nominations for the winter meeting of the Waikato Itacing Club, to be held on June 13 and 15, will close to-day at 5 p.m.

11. N. Wiggins, who will resume rldiug at Masterton to-day, will have the mounts on Speanuiss, Lady Ronald, and Nightspeaker.

Mr. C. C. Sheath, owner of Ammon Ra, who has been paying a short visit to New Zealand, returned to Sydney by the Aorangl on Monday.

Inevitable and Carinthia hare reached Ellerslie to fulfil engagements at the Great Northern meeting.

The friends of R. Gooseman will regret to hear that the veteran trainer has of late been confined to his bed, but it is hoped he will be about again in a week or two.

H. Duiieu will ride Tunbridge in the hurdle race at Masterton to-day.

The King’s Cup.

The King’s Cup race will be run at Perth on Saturday. October 10. The stake will be £l3oo—£looo for first horse, £2OO for second, and £lOO for third. Mr. L. K. S. Mackinnoa, chairman of the Victorian Racing Club, will make a bld for the Cup. His horse, Goondooloo, arrived at Fremantle last week, and will be trained by J. J. Kelly.

For Next Season.

Youngsters belonging to Mr. G. M. Currie, and trained by W. Rayner, were Indulged in a short sprint during an Interval between races at Wanganui, and they hit out nicely. They were also sent to the barrier on the day between the races, and they should be well forward when the spring meetings are at hand- One of the youngsters is a bay colt by Llmond from Inlaid, aud the others arc a filly by Llmond from Motley, and a filly by Thespian from Daniaris. Freehold as a Juniper.

At Hastings on Monday morning Freehold (McGovern) aud Princess Elizabeth (Holman) were mates in a one-round trial over the hurdles. The pair, in negotiating the live fences, did not make the semblance of a mistake. Freehold will race at Masterton, being engaged in the Flying Handicap the first day, but on Saturday will contest the mile and a half hurdle race.

Hunting Cry.

Hunting Cry, wearing his customary bandages, was out again on the tracks tlie other morning, and as far as one could judge, his big leg is no more In evidence (says the Hastings "Tribune.”) He worked and pulled up sound, and his return to active work suggests another spring campaign to Sydney by J. M. Cameron and his team.

Good-looking Colt.

The same authority says W. D. Young has an addition to his string in a yearling full brother to Royal Routine and Royal Hunting. Up to his arrival there was a wide difference of opinion as to what was the best ‘Tooker” among the babies, but now that question appears to be settled, for the time being, at any rate, as all plump for Mrs. Hutchinson's Hunting Song colt. Havering Over a Distance.

At Takanlnl on Saturday the Cornwall Handicap candidate Havering (Gray) was tried out over nine furlongs, with Ilowlek to bring him home from the half-mile. He went particularly well to finish on terms with Howick. His time was taken only over the last mile, which lie covered in Imin. 43 4-ssec., the last half-mile iu 5-lsec., aud altogether it was a very encouraging effort, which suggests Hint lie will succeed over middle distances. He is to race over a mile and a quarter at To Awamutu to-morrow, and this should furnish a further line on his Cornwall Handicap prospects. Charmaline Fit. At Hastings on Saturday morning Charmaline, carrying a flyweight, was sent a mile, her time being Imin. 40sec.— a very satisfactory performance. Tlie little mare will contest tlie Masterton Cup, a race which this season carries a gold cup valued at 100 guineas, presented by Mr. A. McDonald. Charmaline is just as fit now as when she ran second to Lady I’am in the Hawke's Bay Cup a few weeks back at Trentham. She no.w meets the Limond three-year-old filly on six pounds better terms, but it must be remembered that tlie distance is now a furlong less.

Napier’s Programme. The programme of the Napter Park Racing Club's winter meeting, to be held on Thursday and Saturday, June 25 and 27, is now Issued. It Is a well-arranged programme, steeplechase, hurdle events, hack and open events all being Included. The steeplechase events are three In number, the Napier Steeplechase and Meanee Hack Steeplechase being run on the first day, and Park Steeplechase on the second day. There are two hack hurdle events, one each day, and two open flat races, the Stewards’ Handicap being run on the first day, and the Winter Oats Handicap on the other. The hack races number seven, so that this popular form of race is well supported. Nominations for all events close with the secretary, Mr. .T. E. Gleadow. on Friday, June 12, at 8 p.m.

A Lucky Escape. An incident occurred on the Hastings tracks on Saturday morning flint is well worth recording (says the “Tribune.”). A horse schooling on the hurdle track had baulked, throwing his jockey, who, unfortunately, got bung up by one stirrup iron, and the mishap for the moment appeared likely to develop into a most serious accident, as the fallen jockey, in endeavouring to regain his sent, clutched the bridle, which broke. No one was near, but a trainer who was riding his own horse at work, and a valuable one at that, jumped off and let his mount go loose and ran to the assistance of the fallen one. Luckily no serious mishap occurred, and It is pleasing to relate that the horse that was left to himself stood quietly and ate grass. The prompt action of this trainer was probably responsible for the saving of a life.

TE KUITI MEETING

Divided Hack Race The To Kulti Racing Club has decided to divide the Te Kuiui Hack Handicap on Saturday, and the divisions will bo treated ’its separate races, the totallsator being open on each of them. The first horse In each division will receive COO, second £lO, and third £5. The divisions are as follow ;—

TE KUMI HACK HANDICAP, of 50 Bovs. Six furlongs. First Division: Second Division:

MASTERTON MEETING Good Fields for To-day THE CARD REVIEWED (By “The Watcher.’’) The Masterton Racing Club’s meeting will open at Opaki to-day, and conclude to-morrow. Fields for to-day, with the exception of the hurdle race, are good, and there should be some Interesting racing. The course is in good order, and the going is first-class. Reduced prices of admission and broadcasting of running descriptions of the races should be au added attraction to the public. The first race is timed to start at noon, and the 7.50 a.tn. train from Lambton will take passengers to Opaki siding in time for the opening event. A special train will return after the last race. The day’s card is as follows: — KAHUMINGI HURDLES, of ISO sovs. One mile and three-quarters. . Red Fuchsia If 0 Spearopa ..9 0 Full Mark ..11 1 Princess Tunbridge ... 9 10 Elizabeth 9 0 Staghunter .. 9 9 With Red Fuchsia an unlikely starter in the hurdles, form and the long straight points to Full Mark. Tunbridge is improving, and Staghunter, if started, might go well. Princess Elizabeth has no form this season, but last term she showed promise, and might go well. Full Mark, however, should be hard to beat.

NOVICE STAKES, of 90 sovs. Six fur'

The form in the Novice Stakes is moderate, but Childstudy raced well at tlie Wairarapa Easter meeting, and should be tlie favourite. Master of Arts, Park Acre, Shootist, Happy Hit, Acis and Waratah are all deserving of consideration. Happy Hit allowed speed at Marton, and should improve. Childstudy, however, if he has gone on the right way since Easter, should hold his own.

The mile hack race, like all the hack events on the day, bears a very open appearance. Pewa is in winning form, and should improve, while Speurful, Ephialtes, Johneen, Bon Hur and Lady Rene must all be taken into account. At the weights Eplijaltes and Lady Reno may do best, but It is a hard race.

Historic Mbs not worked so well aS usual in his preparation for (lie Masterton Cup, but appearances may be deceptive. On the other hand, Lady Pam has done everything right. Atholspear is also in the Flying Handicap. Chopin, Cessation, Charmaline, and Malayan are lighter weights with chances. Cessation is improving, and may lie the one to give most trouble to Lady Pam and Historic. Spearmiss has been a long time out of form. She would be hard If She wont right. Possibly Atholspear may be relied upon, and he should go well. Lady Pam and Historic may do best.

Atholspear is hack to form, and his chance in the Flying Handicap looks good. Staghunter would be hard I." lie would do his best. Schooling over hurdles may have made him a bit more solid. Portray and Arnjoan are likely lightweights. Moa Bird has not raced for some time. Atholspear and Portray should go well. GRANDSTAND HACK HANDICAP, of 90

Huskier should run well in Hie Grandstand Handicap, though lie has a big weight. His opponents are not overstrong. Flute, Beverage, Mdy Ronald. Seneschal, Lucretia, Zephyrus, The Sun, Leyland, and Joie do Vai, have form. Possibly Burgess’s stable may rely on Lady Ronald here, and Huskier in the flying race

over a furlong less. Both arc in both races. Zephyrus looks improved, and he and Lady Ronald appeal.

On Hie wav I’akitere won at Wanganui, she will be well-backed in Hie Lansdowne Handicap, but the field is strong. Golden Shadow. Ephialtes. Rasonli, Baskier, False Scent, Cook. Lady Ronald. Eminent. Aerospire, and Nightspeakcr are all possibilities. Rasouli lias not raced for some time. Eminent and Pnkiterc loolt a likely pair.

PHAR LAP’S FUTURE Will He Come Back? Expert’s Analysis. Reports from Melbourne lately indicate a complete return to health of Thar Lap. Whether he will be able to reproduce his best form in public remains to be seen until he is tried out, and the views of Dr. Stewart McKay, who has made a lifelong study of the racehorse in Australia, are interesting. Dr. McKay made a particular hobby of Phar Lap’s pedigree and conformation, and he says:—

a ivvvuujr rruu luiu xuai bled. It did not surprise me. Such a method is of use in a case of acute inflammation or high temperature, and it ha? been a matter of treatment for over 3000 years for human beings, also for animals, from time to time. Whether it will have a beneficial effect on Phar Lap remains to be seen. Perhaps the whole seat of his trouble is over-exertion. Over-exertion of a horse means that the nerve cells in the brain that supply energy to mould the muscles have become damaged.

"An opinion lias been expressed that Phar Lap’s failure in the Lloyd Stakes may lie due to a broken heart, but that idea about the broken heart is practically exaggeration. The bulk of opinion is that you cannot hurt the heart by ordinary exertion. Of course, in the case of n diseased heart, heavy weights might ultimately result in the death of any horse. I am positive Phar Lap has not a diseased heart. He was probably asked to carry too much weight, and Hint may injure him in several ways.

Magnificent Horse. “Phar Lap is a magnificent horse, and it is only on very rare occasions that you see sucli an outstanding champion. It might lie once in a century. He is probably the greatest stayer in the world. One can hardly imagine a horse going better at the end of two miles than Phar Lap does. He is better than a stayer. He can be summed up as a freak galloper, who can commence in his races just as fast as some of our greatest sprinters. His Randwick Plate was a remarkable performanco. In that lie ran his first six in Imin. 12Jsec., the mile and a half in faster than Gothic’s record for that distance, the two miles in 3min. 21}scc.—the swiftest two-mile gallop ever put up by a horse in Australia—and the two and a quarter miles in figures that sent the previous record hurtling to tlie wall. After going two miles he was pulled up to a canter, ns the other horses were so far behind. Had he been pushed I daresay he could have run that race in four or five seconds faster time. He. therefore, is the most perfect Instance of staying power that we have ever seen. Most stayers have to go a mile or ten furlongs before they get going. Dottrel was no good till lie travelled ten furlongs.

“Phar Lap is so fast that he once gave brilliant Mollison a start and caught him in the first furlong. Sasanof, Wakeful and ■Windbag were of the same class. They could sprint well, and begin quickly in their races, though they were proved stayers. I cannot imagine a more perfect stayer than Pluir Lap. The strength of his hind quarters is simply amazing. So far as his picture goes lie greatly resembles old Stockwell with ids great, rugged, heavy bones, and Bend Or. “To diagnose his case it would be necessary to trace ills career carefully, but possibly the explanation for his sudden lapse is the Futurity. A strange thing about Phar Lap is that he does not race his bes. when fresh. Be Xvas beaten once at the commencement of a season in Melbourne bv Anionnis. and tlie same horse nariowly beat him in the 'Warwick Stakes in the spring. They were his preliminary races. A five-year-old can carry enormous weights, but that which Phar Lap was asked to carry in the Futurity was terrific. That race is undoubtedly the bottom of his trouble. At present it is. hard to tell what effect it will have on him. Time alone will tell.

Nervous System. “Phar Lap’s nervous system would be entirely different from that of a sprinter.

A sprinter’s nervous system can give out enormous force for a short time. Then it runs down rapidly. Ask the sprinter to run two miles at hurdle pace, and he can do it quite easily. Ask hltn to do the same in a welght-for-agc race over two miles, whore the pace is on all the way, and he will finish a furlong behind.

“A true stayer shows his power by being able to run his last quarter as fast as a sprinter can run his first two furlongs in a six furlong gallop. Mollison was not a stayer. As a sprinter, he was without doubt one of tlie best in Australia at the height of his career, but training him for the Derby ruined him. “Apart from his over-exertion, Phar Lap may have some bidden complaint of which we know nothing. Sir Samuel Hordern s Artilleryman was a good horse who won the Melbourne Cup. Afterward he went to pieces. It was not over-exertion In Ms case. He was a dying horse, suffering from a complaint that was not known till his death.

"Tlie best example of how a horse ean he ruined by one race is Valiard. He won the Newmarket brilliantly, but from that day onward, though he always looked well, could never raise a gallop of any merit, and never won again. Valiard damaged his nervous system in that great effort. The real fact of the matter is that horses of to-day have lost all the old endurance quality that they inherited from Arabs, Barbs and Turks. We repeatedly see two-year-olds win a race brilliantly, and never repeat the performance. The New Zealander Gold Tinge is an example. He won the Breeders’ Plate like an outstanding champion, running right away from his field in the straight, but he never lived up to that effort, though he was afforded many opportunities. “To revert to Phar Lap, one ean hardly conceive that a horse will get better than the Night Raid gelding over a distance. He has reached a standard that will be a standard for many years to come. In my opinion no horse In America could run against Phar Lap. It probably is the same in England, for staying power seems to be dying out throughout the world. Generally speaking it is possible that tbo Futurity is the seat of Phar Lap's trouble. The horse may have been asked to carry 100 much weight, and there is no saying Hint that strenuous bnttlo has not caused n number of things to happen to him that might affect ills future career.”

Clay Lap .... Il 0 Crlinesior 8 8 Derry Belle . 8 7 King Ford .. 8 6 Currajong .. 8 4 Brilliant Lady 8 4 Perennis 8 4 Hiata 8 3 Full Measure 8 i Te N'geru ... 8 •» Holly Holm 8 1 Te Tan no ... 8 i Miss Albvn 7 13 Rose Lunin . 7 12 Abbey Queen i ll Production 7 7 Fraser 7 7 Searcher 7 7 Mn reelin 1 7 7 Hekaranrnu . 7 i Ferry Light . 7 7 K luff 7 Peter Paul .. 7 7 Illuminngh .. 7 7 Diamond Mali! 7 7 All Soult ... 7 7 Bonny Play . 7 i Booklaw 7 7 Klrltnlianga . 7 7 Howlek .... 7

longs. Radion .... 8 7 Foghorn Master of Arts 8 7 Fair wind 7 4 8 *\ H s v Park Acre .. 8 4 Granado Y 7 Dick Hine Wehi . Y 7 Whittington 8 4 Bacchus Shootist 8 4 Marsh 7 7 Happy Hit . 8 4 Waratah 7 7 Childstudy . 7 7

LAWN HACK HANDICAP, ot 100 sovs, One mile. Pewa (inc. 91b. Ben Hur .... 8 0 rehcp.) .... 9 5 Lady Bene . 7 12 Spearful ... 9 0 Blacksmith .. 7 o Ephialtes ... 8 0 Retract .... 7 0 Johnccn .... 8 0

MASTERTON CUP, ot 300 sovs. quarter. One mile and a Historic ... 9 11 Mount Shannon 7 0 Lady I’am r> Billion .. .. 7 0 Chopin « 3 Spearinias .. 7 0 Atholspear , 7 12 Black Mint .. 7 0 Cessation . 7 10 Royal (lame . 7 0 Cliarmaline . 7 5 Spear Lad y 0 Malayan 7 3

FLYING HANDICAP, of 150 S0V8. Six furlongs. Atbolspear . . 9 0 Portray .... 7 10 Freehold . 8 0 Arajean .... . 8 3 Taranto .... 7 0 Staghunter . 7 0 Moa Bird .. . 8 0 The Dove ... 0

sovs. Seven furlongs. Baskier .... 9 7 The Sun .... 8 Flute ....... 8 13 Leyland .... 8 0 Beverage ... 8 8 Lady Ronald 8 ,5 Blue Heaven 8 .0 Joie de A al . 8 0 Seneschal ... 8 5 King Hal .... 8 0 Lucretia ... 8 4 Retract 8 0 Hystride .... 8 4 Zephyrus ... 8 2 1’opnlaco ... 8 0

LANSDOWNE hack HANDICAP, furlongs. of 90 Six Pakitcre (inc. Lady Ronald 411i. rollup.) 9 4 Eminent <3 Golden Shadow s G Aerospirc . Epliialtos 8 6 Ladv Spear . 7 0 Rasouli .... S Nightspeaker 0 Huskier 8 Leyland False Scent . 7 1(1 Thrasher ... 7 0 Cook 7 Sweet Sue .. 7 0