THE RACING WORLD

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 262, 1 August 1933, Page 13

THE RACING WORLD

WINTER CUP TESTS

Two Mares Prominent NOTES AND COMMENTS Gladium a First Foal

(By

“The Watcher.”)

Two very interesting Winter Cup trials were witnessed on Saturday, one at Poston and the other at Riccarton, and it was a coincidence that in both cases' mares were the winners. Foreign Queen made a lot of friends for Riccarton by her convincing win over seven furlongs, giving the impression that the extra furlong in the Winter Cup will be well within her compass. At the same time her success does not read so well as that of Polydora in the Brabazon Handicap at Riccarton. Foreign Queen had only three opponents, and Royal Hunting was her only serious rival for honours in the finish. Polydora met a big field containing several Winter Cup contenders, and gave them all a < start over the last half, and beat them home. It is impossible to deny Foreign Queen a really good chance in the Winter Cup in the form sihe has at present, but the Brabazon in the past has been a wonderfully good guide to the big mile, and it looks like the form being confirmed again this year.

Mares and Cup. It is rather remarkable that the list of favourites for the Winter Cup should include two mares, Polydora and Foreign Queen. The sex has been moderately successful in this race. Fast Pas-sage won last year, and BiSox in 1928, but there is a gap then back to Cherry Blossom in 1916, and Banksia in 1915.

A First Foal. Gladium, the Foxton double winner, is the first foal of Mr. Ebb Simpson’s fine mare Degage, by KilbroneJ from the All Bed mare Miss de Vai. Degage wasi, as most racegoers remember, good class when racing, and she - has endowed Gladium with some of her ability. Gladium raced first in Sydney a,few weeks ago, and although he showed promise he Jacked experience, and earned only place money. He made a promising start in the winning list on Saturday, and while the company he beat each time was far from first-class lie did his work in a style which suggests that he will go on to better things. Another encouraging feature of his. displays was that he was going on with it at the right end.

Winter Cup Riders. B. H. Morris will ride Martian Chief in the Winter Cup, and L. G. Morris will be on Shatter. Both these liortJes appear to have run well in the Brabazon Handicup at Riccarton on Saturday, which was their first start for some time, so they .should improve for the Winter Cup. •Shatter has, in fact, been showing steady improvement in all his recent gallops. It should not bo overlooked that he ran a great third in the last Thompson Handicap at Trentham after being in the rear early in the race. L. G. Morris has yet to win a Winter Cup, but B. H. has won on Soliform and Historic.

Fog Riccarton. L. Knapp will leave for Riccarton on Wednesday night with Callainart and Omeo. C. Thomson as usual will be on Callamart in the National. Omeo was ridden by A. Jenkins at Wellington and Auckland, but so far no definite arrangements have been made for Omeo’s jockey at Riccarton.

Encouraging Form. ... Eminent, who was having his first race for some time when he ran at Foxton on ■Saturday, put up quite a creditable performance although he was last o£ the field of four. He was closer at the finish than at any other stage, and was going on with it. His display has been considered encouraging enough to warrant a trip to the Slational meeting, and he will go down for the second and third days.

For Foreign Queen. K. Voitre will ride Foreign Queen in the Winter Cup. When rihe and Polydora ran and won on Saturday they curried relative Winter Cup weights. Polydora bad 8.13 as against 8.8 in the Cup, and Foreign Queen carried 8.8, ’while she is in the Cup with 8.3.

Doing Well. D. O'Connor, who recently set up as a trainer at Riccarton, won his first race with Lant'er at the recent South Canterbury meeting, and he scored again at Riccarton on Saturday with Doiran. Doiran, who is Stonyhurst bred, is by Winning Hit from Brave Deed, and is thus a brother to the unfortunate Zeebrugge. Doiran is trained by O'Connor for Mr. J. A. Matthewson.

Winning Family. Cherry Queen, the winner of the Maiden Stakes at the Christchurch Hunt Club's meeting, is a four-year-old bay mare by Diacquenod from Cherry Pic, and, like her half-brother, Chief Cook, was bred by Mr. F. Armstrong. ’ Her dam, Cherry Pie, is by Elysian out of the ■Winter Cup winner. Cherry Blossom. Cherry Queen is owned by E. C. McDermott, better known in the trotting sport as trainer and driver, but there are few better judges of horses and cattle in the country.

Finished Racing. The racing career of the five-year-old gelding Zeebrugge, by Winning Hit from Brave Deed, has come to an end, as a result of his mishap while racing at Trentham. He was taken home after the meeting and since then he has been tinder treatment. An X-ray photograph disclosed that he had broken a small bone in his off fore fetlock and though he is making good progress, his future usefulness will be as a hack. It was a regrettable accident, as he was a very solid customer. He showed useful form this season for four wins and seven places, and he shaped like going on to even better deeds. His First Race.

Imitator, who represented Sir Charles Clifford in the Maiden Stakes at Riecarton on Saturday, was having his first start in a race, although he is now a six-year-old. His track work has been promising and in the race he went under only by a head, so that he looks a good prospect for a win in the near future. Imitator is by The Ace from Miss Mimic, by Sanquhar from Counterfeit, by Treadmill from Delusive, by Trimton, so it is not surprising to see him galloping well. One Too Many. In adding up K. Voitrc’s list qf wins for the season I inadvertently credited him with one too many yesterday. His total is 123, not 124. Not for Riccarton. Latest reports from Te Rapa state that neither Wiltshire nor Cruachan is making the trip to the Grand National meeting. Their recent form at Ellerslie was too poor to warrant the trip. Rapidly Improving. Punchestown, winner of the hurdle race at Riccartnn on Saturday, has now won

three races on end and in a space of nine days. His rapid improvement draws pointed attention to his National prospects. Better Form. Cottesmore was ridden at Riccarton on Saturday by the hurdle horseman 11. Turner. The Trentham gelding appears to have run a very creditable race to finish fourth in the Brabazon Handicap and he should be improved for the National meeting. Good Record. Polydora has won seven races, the last four in succession, in the last three or fourth months of the season just expired. Creditable Race. The hack Cranford appears to have run a very good race in the Brabazon Handicap. leading into the straight and finishing fifth.' Oranford has done very little racing and even should the Winter Cuip prove beyond him he. should be a good prospect for another event at the meeting. Good Breeding. ... Polydora, who now looks like being the favourite of the Winter Cup field, is a five-year-old mare by the Polymelus horse Polazel from Sweet Smile, by San Francisco from Winning Way, by Cannie Ohiel from Ladv Wayward, by Bill of Portland from Elusive, by Trenton. She was bred by her owner, Mr. G. Hall, but the blood is thoroughly Stonyhurst, and one of the most successful at that. Sweet Smile, for instance,., is a half-sister to Winning Hit, and Counterfeit also comes from the same stock. Polydora early in her career showed great promise, but she took time to come solid. Now that she has done so there is little doubt that H. Nurse has now got the best horse he has had in his stable since Rapier. Stewards Hear Complaint. At Riccarton on Saturday the judicial stewards investigated a complaint by D. Cotton, rider of Lady Zephyr, alleging interference by A. E. Ellis, rider of Imitator, near the finish of the Maiden Stakes. After hearing the evidence of the riders and of the honorary stewards, it was decided that no action be taken. Coming On. Pheon, who raced well but unluckily at Fo'xton on Saturday, is a four-year-old sister by Arrowsmith to Maui, and a half-sister to Arikira. Their dam, Hinearoha. is a half-sister by Boniform to the New Zealand Cup and Thompson winner Rouen, being out of Lady Laddo. Pheon has taken time to come right, but she is galloping well nt present, and she gives the impression, that she will run over a bit of ground. Well Named. Treasure Hunt, who nearly brought off a big sensation in the maiden race at Foxton, is a five-year-old black gelding by Shambles from Absurdity, by Absurd from Liquify, by Seaton Delaval. Deluge, a smart sprinter, was sister to Absurdity, both being bred by Mr. G. M. Currie. Treasure Hunt, however, was bred by Messrs. J. J. Waller and A. Anderson,, and races in the colours of Mr. Waller. He has done practically no racing, but possibly has been hunted, for he looks just the. sort to make a jumper. In the meantime he looks like earning some money on the flat. Should Make a Jumper. Count Rousillon, who ran second to Gladium in the Maiden' Staves at Foxtou, is not fashionably bred, but he is a good solid galloper, who looks as if jumping will be his game. He is a five-year-old by Manchineel (sire of Nukumai) from Topcora, by Quarantine (sire of Omeo) from Delecto, by Papakura, from Apres, by Apremont. Related to Cup Winners. Ramuna, who looked a bit unlucky not to win the hurdle race at Foxton, has made gradual but very decided improvement lately at the jumping game, and his turn does not look far off. This steady improvement is usually a good sign with a jumper, and Ramuna is a well-bred gelding, being by Paper Money from Sunbird, a sister to the New Zealand Cup winner Ardenvohr, and to the Auckland Cup winner Mascot (Martian —Mary of Argyle). Promising Debut. Rasouli, making his first appearance in a hurdle race at Foxton on Saturday,, gave every promise that he will, with experience, prove a success in his new sphere. The hurdles were set pretty straight, and for a beginner they were difficult, but Rasouli showed his intelligence by jumping very high. He made one blunder, probably due to being a bit crowded when the lead was being changed, but on the whole his performance was very satisfactory. He has probably given sufficient encouragement to warrant a trip to Riccarton. Adventus. Adventus was booked to go down to Riccarton last night, but the accommodation wae cancelled during the afternoon. Distance Was Too Far. Playground did not put up a very convincing Winter Cup trial at Foxton on Saturday, but he ran well all the same, and has time to freshen up for Riccarton. In the meantime a mile seems to be as far as he likes to go. Should Improve. Ythan ran a good race at Foxton on Saturday, while his condition lasted, and he should be improved for future races. Another Awapuni trained hack in High Society also showed up well in his race. Better. Nnvaho ran a much better race at Foxton than he did-at his last starts nt Hastings, and he may be a winner before long. Riccarton Work. At Riccarton on Saturday morning the No. 1 grass was available for fast work, and was used by a few horses who did not hold engagements later in the day. Cricket Bat went nicely over six furlongs, while Silvox acquitted himself satisfactorily over seven. Drum Fire ran seven furlongs in Imin. 30 4-ssec„ the first three in 3(5 4-ssec. A mile in Imin. 4(s>sec, went down to Ramo, who was assisted over the last half-mile by Solwit. Thurina went a mile and a quarter in 2min. 20 3-seec„ the last half-mile in 56sec. Ranelagh did the last half-mile of his work in 51 l-ssec. Royal Limond and Strong Light went a mile in Imin, 49sec\ Sweet Briar accompanied them for the first half-mile, which was run in 53 3-ssec. Plans Changed. High Pitch has gone soutli to race in the interests of his owner, Mr. J. Irwin, of Pneron, who intends to visit Riccarton for the Grand National meeting. Mr. Irwin had made tentative arrangements to lease the gelding for the southern trip, owing to his inability to go down to see him race, but later found it possible to get away, and he decided to carry on with the gelding on his own account. Sale of Burl. The five-year-old Ruri, by Surveyor from Juanna, has been purchased from Mr. G. Paul by Mr. C. B. O’Donnell, of Wellington, owner of King's Knave. Ruri has shown useful form In the hack class and may prove a profitable purchase for Mr. O’Donnell, who has had good results with King's Knave, whom he purchased from Mr. Paul last year. Ruri will in

future be trained by A. Cook, of Te Awamutu. Ixfft for Sydney. The Ellerslie trainer R. S. Bagby left for Sydney by the Marama on Friday ■with Master Brierly, Light Brigade, and a two-year-old filly by Chief Ruler from Hyades. The youngster is a half-sister Io Ammon Ra, mid she is to join J. T. Jamieson’s team at Rnndwick. The King's Good Season. Up to June 19 his Majesty tlie King had won. £5663 in slakes this season mid was tenth on- the winning owners’ list. Lord Derby leads with £16.022, Lord Astor £13,321, Mr. Edward Esmond £9630, Lord Woolavington £9072. mid I’rincesse de Faucigny-Lticinge £9037 are nearest Io Lord Derby. A Good Sign. Entries for English races to be run in 1935 and 1936, which closed during June, for foals and yearlings, received greatly increased support from breeders and owners compared with 1932. The total number of entries made this year is nearly 50 per cent, more than Inst year, mid 40 per cent, more than in 1931. Answers to Correspondents. “W.T.J.,” Foxton: Dreadnought died in 1897. “Hat,” Hawcra: £2/17/-. -<

EPINARD AS SIRE

An Atlantic Traveller PROVES STUD SUCCESS Before Hyperion won the Derby, Epinard held the unique distinction of being at the head of both the English and French winning sires’ list. This was principally due to the deeds of his son Rodosto, the only colt in history to win both the Two Thousand Guineas mid its French equivalent, the Poule d’Essai des Poulains. The English classic was established in 1809, and the French event in 1840. Epinard, a son of Badajoz, who won twenty of his thirty-seven races, _ was as notable a racehorse as he is proving a sire. Champion of his day in France, he crossed the Atlantic in 1924 to take part in match races against America's best. On the strange tracks he met with defeat. At Belmont Park. New York, over six furlongs run in Imin. 11 4-ssec., Wise Counsellor was first, Epinard second, and Ladkin third. Over a mile run in Imin. 36 2-ssec., at Aqueduct, New York, Epinard was second to Ladkin, with Wise Counsellor third. On the Aqueduct course, over a mile and a quarter, run in 2min. 0 4-ssec., Sarazen was the winner from Epinard, with Mad Play third. Epinard is probably the most-travelled high-class stallion in the world. After his American trip, he began his stud career at the Haras de Bessau, near Lespm-re, France, where he spent two seasons. Then he was exported to Kentucky. One of his first foals was Lafayette, who won 165,000 francs in stakes in bis first season, and broke the track records for 1000 metres (about five furlongs) at Longchamps and Chantilly. Although Epinard had only a limited number of mares in his first two seasons in France, his produce won over 624,000 francs. Epinard spent two seasons at the Dixiana Stud, Lexington, Kentucky. When the stud was dispersed, he was once more shipped from New York to Franco. In their first season in America (1930). his offspring won 03.300 dollars. The next season they won 49,890 dollars, and last year, when there were no two-year-olds, they won 24,700 dollars. His progeny in America won in all about £33,900. Amazing Speed. One of his sons was Hygro, who was credited with galloping a quarter in 21 l-ssec. Epinard himself at Goodwood (England) once galloped three furlongs with a big weight up in SOsec. Epinard spent the 1929 season nt the Haras de Bessau Stud, where he had begun his career, but in 1930 be got a better chance, for he was located at the Haras de St. Leonard des Parcs in the centre of the Normandy breeding area. The success of his progeny in America led to an insistent call for his return, and in 1931 and, 1932 he was back in the States at the Beaumont Stud farm at Lexington. However, last year Epinard broke all French 'records ns a sire of two-year-olds. In France that season his two-year-olds won 679,193 francs, a record. This result brought Epinard once more across the Atlantic to his native land. His fee is 20,000 francs without any concessions. It is estimated that his stock in France have now won over 2.000,000 francs in prize-money. HUNTERS’ RACES Meeting at Levin . -.The point-to-point steeplechase meeting of the Levin branch of the Manawatu Hunt Club is to be held on the Levin racecourse to-morrow (Wednesday). The first race commences at 1.30 p.m. A large number of horses, including the best hunters in the district, have been entered for this popular event. The entries are as follow:— OPEN POINT-TO-POINT STEEPLES About two miles.—T. O'Rourke's Hunting Boy, Allan McDonald's Hlnatorc, L. Collinson's Postman, J. Taylor's Gambler, Dr. S. J. Thompson's Baron Bruno. It. C. Blenkhorn’s Taneka, R. A. Smith's Glendowie, R. V. Brown's Marcel. 11. O. Whitehouse’s Reel Count. 11. W. Hnkarala’s Our Jack. 11. Piper's Top Rail.

LEVIN LIGHTWEIGHT POINT-TO-POINT STEEPLES. About two miles and a halt.—Fred Davies’s Frizzier, D. C. Blake's Dovalston, J. Mcßeth's Miss Energetic. T. OTtourkc’s Hunting Boy, Ron Brown’s Gueress. H. O. Whitehouse’s Red Count, J. Taylor’s Gambler, E. Locke's Otaurn Kid. LADIES’ FLAT RACE. About one mile.—Ron Brown’s Cailaden, Mrs. Allan McDonald's Royston. L. , Collinson's Petrarch, C. Bills's Fee Simple, R. C. Blenkhorn’s Taneka. T. O’Rourke's Hunting Boy, If. W. Hnkarala’s Oiir Jack. N„ M. Thomson’s Brown Joe. .1. KUsby’s Magill. J. Bowler’s Fancy Mixture. Mrs. R. S. Mitchell's Prince Channing, Dr. S. J’. Thompson’s Baron Bruno, R. Garrett’s Moss Rose. HOROWHENUA HEAVYWEIGHT POINT-TO-POINT STEEPLES. About two miles;—ll. Jackson’s Aliumat. C. Brickland’s Valencia. Miss P. S. Brown's Grackle, T. Webipoihana’s Tanglwal. J. Taylor’s Akbar, Dr. S. J. Thompson’s Baron Brnno. 4J. C. Blenkhorn’s Jlontoa King. R. V. Brown’s Marcel, Ivo Bertram’s Tommy. N. M. Thomson's Brown Joe, K. McLeod’s Roger.

MANAWATU OPEN POINT-TO-POINT STEEPLES. About (wo miles ami a half. —Fred Davies’s Frizzier. D. C. Blake's Doyalstoh, J. Mcßeth’s Miss Energetic. T. O'Rourke's Hunting Boy. 11. O. Whitehouse's Red Count. Ron Brown's Gueress, Miss Dorothy Perry’s Caro. Geo. James’s Acervate. J. Taylor's Gambler. L. Collinson's Petrarch.

RUGBY FOOTBALL

Canterbury Teams Chosen RANFURLY SHIELD GAME By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, July 31. The Canterbury Ranfurly Shield team to play Ashburton ou Wednesday is a« follows:—Backs, >N. Mussen. W. •!. Brown. C. J. Oliver, N. Dunsliea, Mortlock, R. Hazelhurst, and G. Stevens; forwards, A. B. Cottrell, J. V ade, A. Bowes. A. 11. Andrews’, A. M. Hartnell, G. J. Howell, J. E. Manchester, and K. Hart, is not available for this match, hut may play against Wellington at Wellington on Saturday. , The Canterbury B team to play Buriborough on Wednesday at Lancaster Park is as follows: —Backs, G. 1. Bolan, J. Hattersley. J. Pawson, J. Jacobs, b. G. ITeudrv, A. P. Cobden, and L. Brown ; forwards. E. Watkins, A. .1. Bourne, K. Lowrv, 11. Milliken, J. J. Baseli, W. Coll. C. M. Wilson, and J. G. Rankin. The players to make the northen- tour will be selected early this week when inciiliries ns to availability arc com piet’— ’iTio players selected will leave by the fery steamer for Wellington on Thursday,