THE RACING WORLD

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 266, 7 August 1934, Page 13

THE RACING WORLD

PROMISING FORM

Displays at Riccarton

NOTES AND COMMENTS

A Winter Cup Prospect

(Ry

"The Watcher.”)

With interest now centred in the Grand National meeting, opening to-day week, more than ordinary attention was attracted to the racing at the Christchurch Hunt Club’s fixture on Saturday. Several of the horses that are engaged in the principal races next week were engaged, and the form disclosed may have a considerable bearing. His Form Was Impressive.

The outstanding feature of Saturday’s form was the win of Arcade in the Longbeach Hurdles. He won comfortably after being in front all the way, and giving a last, clean display over his fences. At the finish he was being eased up, his rider looking round for likely opposition. This enabled Royal Lineage, Verden and I’ahu to get within distance of him, that rather flatters them for a longer journey, but there can be uo doubt that had Arcade been ridden out lie would have won by a big margin. His National Prospects.

Tlie question now arises what chance has he got in the National? Making all allowances for the longer journey (it is just under seven furlongs further) he has got just as good a chance over the longer course as any of his opponents that he met on Saturday. The most likely to show the requisite improvement is Royal Lineage, who would have been closer bn.t for getting nn interrupted run. Royal Lineage comes down 191 b. for the National and Arcade 121 b. Still, it is no certainty, on Saturday’s form, that Arcade will not finish in front again.

Bred to Jump. Arcade was bred .in the Auckland province by Mrs. Sheey, and was foaled in 1925, being by Marble Arch from Gienellu. Glenella was only a three-year-old when she threw Arcade, and she was bred by Mr. R. J. Matthews, being by Glen Albyn. Glen Albyn is a son of Soult, and a full-brother to St. Amans, sire of many good jumpers, including the dual National winner Oakleigb. Glenella’s dam is Popular Prices by Carl Rosa, from Mouclla by Monoform, tracing back to the colonial family, established by Flora Melvor. There is plenty of good blood in the pedigree, especially from the jumping point of view, and it was with this object that Arcade was purchased by tlie late W. J. Tumkinson, who, although mainly occupied with trotters, was very fond of the galloping- game, particularly the jumping side. Arcade was raced in partnership With 13. C. McDermott, also better known from the trotting side, but ho took a long time to come right, being very low in condition when purchased, and afterward disappointing in his races. It is the irony of fate that immediately following the tragic death of Tomkinson, who persevered and never lost faith, that Arcade should have now won two races in succession.

.Mixed It Successfully. His hurdling form was so disappointing that he was put to steepleehasing, and after some excellent displays at Riecarton he won the steeplechase at the recent South Canterbury .meeting. It was evident from this that lie was at last coini'JL' right, and it was decided to give him further trials ns a hurdler, and Saturday's success is an indication that he is likely to win a lot more money before being relegated to tlie ranks of tne ’chasers. Arcade must be highly regarded for the National.

Royal Lineage Will Improve. H. Dulieu made a special trip to Ricca i-toii on .Saturday to ride Royal Lineage, though he i.s not many days out of hospital. Royal Lineage ran a very good nice, and must be a National possibility. Dulieu at any rate considers tliat his form was good enough to warrant l|im making another trip next week to ride .him. lie blew a bit after Saturday’s race, so he should be improved for the National, especially ns he will get a run on the first day in the Jumpers’ Flat. On the way lie ran out tlie journey lie will net the National distance, especially with 191 b. off his back.

Liked the Firmer Going. Verden is regarded at Riccarton as one of the fastest hurdlers they have ever seen, and his pace on the flat is equal to rqod class, but when he took on Arcade lie more than met Jiis match. As tlie race was run Verden should have won had ue been good enough, as, when it was apparent. that lie stood np chance by taking on Arcade at the fences, lie dropped in behind. It a pity tliat lie screwed so badly at the last fence, or he might have made it interesting. Tlie probabilities are, however, tliat lie was tiring at the time. On the other hand, it was a much tetter effort titan lie put up at Trentliam, showing that the improved going is more suitable to one of his pace, and though ho does not impress for the National, ne might run well. .A less important event should see him prominent next week.

I'alui. While Palm ran a creditable race on Saturday, it was disappointing for n horse that is so prominent in Grand National discussions. He was a Jong way back in the middle stages, and being hard ridden over the last two fences. It is in his favour that he was banging on at the finish, but this was only to be expected of him, and he was not dangerpus enough in the running to suggest that his National chance is so good as it looked on his second to Kasouii in the Winter Hurdles. Royal Lineage meets him 101 b. better in the National. Still. I’ahu is susceptible to improvement, ami after the race on Saturday his rider, M. 11. Nicol, decided to remain behind and ride him work during this week. Hounslow’s Form. It was recently reported from Iliccarton that Hounslow was beginning to show something like his.proper form, but if his showing on Saturday" is the best he can produce he has no chance of winning his second National hurdle race. He appeared to move very short in his preliminary, and although he was fairly well up early in the running he began to drift a mile from home. He was slightly interfered with at that fence which helped him to drift, but at the same time he was never travelling freely. Yet his rider, W. Pascoe, says lie will win the National. Not on any of his season’s form, Kan Well. Transact ran a creditable race for a horse that has had very little experience of hurdling in good company, and while the National may be a trifle rich for him he looks sure to pay his way next week. Those Thtut Were Absent. In discussing National prospects of the horses that ran at. the Hunt meeting it. is necessary to keep in mind those that were not running but who will be in the field next week. On all recent form, however, those that look to have the best prospects against such as Arcade and Iloyal Lineage are Ibasouli and Invictus. Blacksmith if he runs to his best, and possibly one of the lightweights like Esteem, Constant Sun, or Huntique. Satisfied with Billy Boy. Billy Boy is looking well, and his trainer. 11. Lewis, is quite satisfied with ilia condition. He did not take long to

recover from his recent soreness and the race he had in the hurdle field on Saturday will give him the required amount of schooling that he will not get through the decision to keep him off the big fences prior to the National. Thurina's Condition. Thurina has fined down a lot since his second in the Wellington .Steeplechase, but be is well muscled up and looks well. Intermittent soreness, however, is rather puzzling and on Saturday morning before being warmed up he was moving short m front. He was afterward given a mile gallop with A. Eastwood in the saddle, and he went better. Quite a number of good judges among the track watchers there have gone off him since his return from Trentham, but in the main it appears to be old-fashioned prejudice against a horse that has not had a big racing preparation. He is not regularly schooled over the fences on the inside of the course as be has a tendency to run oft. ‘■Jimmy” Campbell, whose wife trains the horse, told me on Saturday that the soreness was not regarded very seriously, as he was always more or less that way. A Cup Prospect. Great Star is a quiet and steady tip among good judges of track work at Riecarton, and they think he will be hard to beat in the Winter Cup. I saw him gallop his mile on Saturday morning with Grand Review, and they went very well. The pace was fast early, and they naturally slowed up over the last half, but Great Star was finishing well and could have done better. Halfway up the straight he was under a particularly good hold. He has very little public form to go on. but his record and tlie way lie. i* working .suggests that the opinions being expressed about him by men who keep close watch on the tracks are not far wrong. Looks Hough. The form of Quinopal in winning a steeplechase double at the Dunedin meeting in June is said to have been very impressive, anti many in tbe south are waiting for him in the Grand National Steeplechase. They certainly cannot back him on looks, lie looks very lean though muscular, and in addition to ugly looking joint# his thick winter coat is clipped only trace high and he will be the ugly duckling of tlie field on Tuesday next. Still, his performance# merit consideration. Short of Work. The tracks at Wingatui have been heavy for #ome time past, so that the horses from down that way were considered in need of racing, which accounts for the long price paid by Ventrac when he won the Brabazon Handicap on Saturday. As he was doing his best a long way off the post to head off Haulbowline it miggests that the shortage of work, as reported, was in his case a fair report, but it also suggests that Ventrac is as good as his summer and autumn form indicated and that ho will improve a lot as the result of the race. The Brabazon Handicap has generally proved a reliable guide to the Winter Cup, though it has seldom pointed to the actual winner, and Ventrac may be the one to break the run of sec-

onds that have gone down to the credit of Brabazon winners. He Has Improved. The form of Haulbowlinc in the Brabazon Handicap was surprising to anybody who knew him only by his North Island displays, but lie has improved with age and must be taken into consideration when the Winter Cup i« under discussion. He. may luwsibiy lack the class to win a race of thio des'cription. but bis ability to begin and improvement in stamina will carry him a long way. He was very, freely used on Saturday, and more patiently handled there does not appear any reason why he should not run out the mile next week. Haulbowlinc, who was originally trained by his purchaser. G. W. New, and then passed into the stable of T. R. George, is now owned and trained on the West Coast of the South Island, where some of hi# recent form is worth looking at. Will Run Well. Davolo is one of the likely improvers for the 'Winter Cup on the form he displayed on Saturday. lie will be more at, home over a mile and has only got to run a similar race to be well in the picture. / Good Form. Giggleswies<’s fourlh nflcr his slow be-, ginning looked a very good performance. Horses often take tlie eye by finishing well from the back after the race i# over, but there is little doubt that with a furlong further to go on Saturday Giggleswick would have been in the money. A Good Hor.se. Vintage i.s very highly regarded in the south, but they say he is not right. Still, he ran a good race on Saturday and one which made his rider, A. E. Ellis, praise him afterward, so, taking into account the fact that Vintage was interfered witli and tliat Ellis is u good judge, Vintage may take a hand in the decision of the Cup. Disappointing. Slippery was disappointing on Saturday, as. after beginning well, lie went, only half a mile or so before beginning to drift. Tlie light was very bad at Riccarton on Saturday and it was difficult to distinguish with any certainty what was happening on the home turn, but unless there is an cxi'nee for Slippery in the running he will have to .improve to win the Winter Cup. Riders Change. Palermo, who was ridden on Saturday by It. Beale, will have the services of B. 11. Brodie in the Winter Cup. Brodie was on Slippery on Saturday, so, with A. E. Ellis getting off Vintage o.u to Curie

there is going to be some chopping about for the Cup. Palermo ran a fair race and finished juft behind the placed horses, lie was very little fancied. Not So Gand. Rebel Star did not run up to expectations in the Brabazon Handicap. He had every chance, but. was beaten soon after leaving the false rail. Rebel Star is a poor track worker a.ml a race should improve him. but. the latest reports from Riccarton regarding him are not reassuring. Watch Her. Water Power on Saturday ran in the dolours of her owner-breeder. Mr. L. ('■ Hazlett, but it is understood that the lease Io P. T. Hogan will be renewed, and he still tfains her. Writer Power ran a very good race on Saturday and she is at the top of her form, which will get some money next week. Showing Good Form. Sweet Agnes has been showing some good form on the tracks at Riccarton. and one or two track watchers her nt long prices for the Brabazon Handicap. Sweet Agnes got a bad run andon the way she finished afterward, it looked as if she may have been very unlucky. At any rate she is worth watching for the future. Unlikely Starter. W. McDonald, who is now training Tlurlingliam. stated on Saturday that his charge would not be a starter in the Winter Cup. Hu.s Come Kight. Top Rank, the winner of the Maiden Stakes at. RiiV-arton on Saturday, was bred at Westmere by Mr. .1. Donald and is by Chief Ruler out of the Comedy King mare Comedy Queen, 'fop Rank has always been a speedy customer, but up till recently had not. run on in his races. Now that he has come right further successes should come his way. While C. Emerson is away in Australia he is being trained by J. Cantrick. A Good Galloper. Scratehmero Sear, who finished third to Top Rank, is a likely improver for the future. He had been suffering from n cold and it was only a last minute decision that saw him fake his place in the field. He is by Hunting Song from Vennadhar, a more by Martian from

LOSS ON YEAR Position of Masterton Club Dominion Special Service. Maslcrtoti, August 6. ‘‘The profit and loss account shows a net loss of £lO3/1/1, after providing for depreciation amounting to £4l/3/9,” states the annual report of the Masterton Racing Club. ‘‘The profit on the spring meeting held in October was £2S6/7/5. In view of the fact that the nominations received for the autumn meeting were not considered sufficient to ensure that a successful meeting would result, the stewards decided to abandon the meeting rather than face the prospect of a financial loss. Past experience lias proved that the autumn dates allotted to the club arc too close to Easter, and whereas we have had successful meetings in the spring, we have not always been so fortunate with the autumn fixture. The stewards, therefore, have decided to hold a two-day meeting on October 12 and 13 next, one week before the 'Wellington meeting.

“Following on the loss of £389/3/5 on the autumn meeting last year the stewards were faced with the problem of finding sufficient cash to pay liabilities incurred on this meeting, and keep within our limit at the bank. After exploring all avenues available, the stewards decided to accept the offer of £3OO made by the Wellington Racing Club for one of our totalisator days.” Reference is also made in the report to a meeting held on April 20 last, at which a full explanation was given the public as to the financial position'of, the club. It was, at that meeting, decided unanimously that the club should continue its activities, and a campaign was decided on to increase the membership by 150 to 200 members, which would enable the club to balance its budget apart from racing. Since then 145 now members have joined the club, and fresh applications are being received daily. PRINCE POMBAL WINS Ascot Flying Handicap By Tplpurnph Pre** vrigbt (Received August 0, 9.10 p.m.) Sydney. August 0. At Ascot the Bank Tellers’ Flying Handicap resulted Prince Pombal, 8.0 (D. Munro), 1; Martingale, 7.5 (Knox), 2: ’The Dover Patrol. S.Li (Cook). 3. ‘Nine starters. Two lengths. Time, 1.211.

Samisen, by Birkenhead. Vennachar is a half-sister to Sam Smith. So It Goes. Somebody got a “lip” for Sea Fox on Satuixlay. 'The ex-North Islander, ridden by D. Cotton, had one solitary ticket on his straightout ehanel', and three on the place machine. So much for “tips.” Sea Fox all the same looks well, and may not be long in showing some form.

Won in Their Absence. C. Geiseler. who trains the Brabazon Handicap winner Ventrac, has recently been in hospital for an appendicitis operation. He bad to miss the Wellington meeting, and he was also away when Ventrac won on Saturday, but he liopes to be present at the Grand National meeting. Ventrac and Top Rank thus both won in the absence of their regular trainers. Sporting Family,

Tlie Elworthy family is closely connected witli sport in Canterbury, and Mr. 11. 11. Elworthy, who won the 'iTunt Cup on Witui on Saturday at Riccarton, had made a hurried trip from Mount Cook, where a couple of days earlier he had won the open downhill race at the New Zealand Ski championships. Mr, Elworthy also won on IVitui at Washdyke the .previous Sntiirday. AVitu.i is owned by his sister. Miss C. Elworthy. Feeding Racehorses. T. J. Healey, the trainer of Equipoise, is recognised in America as an autnoriry on the feeding of racehorses. In an interview with a rnpresentative of “The Blood Horse,” he stated he never gives a horse more than 10 quarts of oats a day. His horses in trailing are fed four times a day—-4 n.ni., 11 a.m.. 5 p.m., and 9 p.m. If, however, any horse is a really good doer, ho gets only three feeds, the one at 9 o'clock’ being omitted. The horses get corn, oats, carrots, and plenty of green stuff. Healey is strong on bran inash and oil meal for his charges. During trainiing they are also given mineral oil. and. throughout the winter they receive six ounces of cod liver oil a day. Healey stated that Equipoise had a fine, regular appetite, and did not mince witli his feed. He was almost a self-training horse, and required only a light preparation to get him ready.

Donoghue is Hopeful. After S. Donoghue had won the Alexandra .Stakes on Brown Jack (for the sixth time) and (lie Grand I’rixe de Paris on Admiral Drake within two days of each oilier, lie was asked when lie was likely ‘.o retire. “I am not going Io retire until I hnvo ridden another Derby winner.” he replied. Donoghue ! s J 9 years of age. but li u recent xvins in big races have evidently strengthened bis belief that, as a jockey, lie will lie able to hold his own for several more years. Donoghue has won the Derby at Epsom four times, his mounts being Humorist. Caplain Cuttie. Papyrus, and Manna, and was successful on Pommern and Gay Crusader when the. race was run at Newmarket during the war.

Spring Markets. Considering tlie number of New Zealand horses in tlie important spring handicaps. it is not surprising tliat most of the early overtures in the pre-post discussions favour the visiting gallopers (says Ihe “Sydney Morning Herald” of Wednesday last). 'Toward the end of last week Silver Ring and Nightly were joined for a fairly substantial amount, but the operator emphasised tliat lie did not think the business was inspired by either stable. Nightly has been in fairly constant demand, so much so that lie is now disputing favouritism for The Metropolitan with Limnrch. The only business of note for llie Victorian events was that on behalf of tlie rising thrce-ycar-old Sir John, who is now shown on tlie same mark as Peter Pan for the Melbourne Cup. Chatham : s a clear favourite for flic Epsom Handicap, witli Closing Time. Core Free, Dame Moab. Golden Hair. Silver Ring, and Tim Masquerader on the second line, while Limarch and Nightly are followed bv Hall Mark. Regal Son. Res'lla. ami Silver Ring for Tlie Metronolitnn. Till* most fancied horses for th" Caulfield Cup are Kuveri'. Rogilla. and Silver Scorn. nn4 "ext Peter Pan and Sir John for the Melbourne Cup come Hi" Sydney Cup winner. Broad Arrow, last year's Melbourne Can winner. Hall Mark, and Limarch. Rogilla. and Topical. C.J.C, Acceptances. Final payments for the C.J.C. Gram! National Steeplechase. Winter (’up. and Grand Natiojinl Hurdle race, and, acceptances for the minor events on the first day of the meeting, will close on Thursday at 8 p.m.

RICCARTON TRIALS Preparing For National REBEL STAR INJURED Riding Engagements . Dominion Special Service Clu-istchurcii, August C. Scarlet Rambler, who promised by her recent efforts to develop into a good performer, has suffered a recurrence of a complaint which affected her previously, and Sir Charles Clifford has decided to retire her to the stud. This filly by Day Comet from Brambletyre, the dam of 'Thorndale, Prickles, Sharp Thorn, and Brambleton) —all good winners—should do well as a brood mare.

Briggidore, who accompanied his halfbrother, Invictus, from Marton to Riccarton. met with a leg injury ou the steamer, and his owner-trainer. Mr. E. C. Haddock, has not been able to do any serious work with him since. It may be possible, however, to race him toward the end of next week's programme. Invictus has done well since coming south, and will be given his first gallop to-mor-row, while lie is to school with Royal Limond on Wednesday. A. E. Ellis and L. J. Ellis will leave Wellington for Sydney by the Makura on Tuesday. August 21, and will arrive jn Sydney on Saturday morning, in time to ride at Warwick Farm races. On (hat day the former will have the mount on Silver Ring in the Warwick Stakes, weight-for-age, one mile, and on Custodian in tlie Hobartvilje Stakes, t'or three-year-olds, over seven furlongs, while Shatter and Two No Trumps will probably also race at the fixture. L. J. Ellis will most likely have tbe mounts on Mr. C. T. Kecble’s horses. Rebel Star suffered from knee trouble after his race in the Brabazon Handicap on Saturday and can now be considered a very doubtful starter in the 'Winter Cup. In the meantime L. J, Ellis is on the look-out for another ride, He just missed a mount on Davolo. as J. Dooley was engaged after his race on Saturday, and also on Palermo, for whom A. E. Didham was booked on Saturday evening. Vintage ran only a fair race in the Brabazon Handicap. He was slow to find his feet over the early stages, and when he essayed a forward move at the false rail he was stopped by another horse coining back on to him. and on to Southdown, who had raced practically abreast from the start. Both were badly stopped. It wfls expected that the race would give a useful lino as to the prospects of this pair in the Winter Cup. but in the circumstances their winding-up gallops will have to be relied upon. Quinopal (G. Dempster). Piinchcstown (V. Langford), and Rational II (G. Sait I were companions in a task over a round of tiie schooling steeplechase fences today. Quinopal, xvho doesn’t look as robust or’ as bright as on his former trip to Riccarton, jumped slovenly. and finished some lengths behind his two mates, who were responsible for a most attractive exhibition. Rational II especially jumping fust and cleanly. Punchestown is to start in the Enfield Steeplechase, and will be ridden by Langford.

'Don Jose (G. B;irr) negotiated four hurdles faultlessly, and at a fust pace. He lias been suffering from slight leg trouble of late, but it is hoped to race him next week. Some riding engagements made for the opening day of the Grand National meeting are as follow: —A. East wood. Giggleswick. Knocklong, Friday Night, Lady Rene; D. O'Connor. Southdqwn, Thurina, Royal Limond. Mihirow, Willow Glen, and Sam Smith or Haere Tonu; G. Humpliries, Colossian, Some Shamble, Dollar Prince. Belin Rosa; Q. Eastwood. Lady Spy, Tea Garden; A. E. Ellis. Curie. Copyist. Synagogue. Top Rank; 11. Turner, Rebel Chief. Verden, Valves; S. Tremain. Moonbeam, Prince Vai. ICrnissary: C. Goulsbro. Red Sun; M. Kirwan. Polydora, Scratchmere Sear Knockfin: E. Leckie. Water Power; G. Barr, Don Jose; G. Dempster, Quinopal; R. McTavish, Rnnelagh; J. W. Jennings, Haulbowline; Madam Pompadour; J. Dooley. Davolo, Quietly; A. E. Didham, Palermo.

TURF FIXTURES. August 14. 111. 18.—Canterbury J.C. August IS.—Pakurauga lI.C. August 31!.—Llgmout-Wanganui lI.C. September I.—Otago H.C. Septembr I.—Taranaki H.C. September s.—Marton J.C, September 13. 15.—Wanganui J.C. September 15.—Ashburton C.R.C. September 20. 22 —Geraldine R.C. September 22.—Foxton R.C. September 28, 29.—Marlborough R.C. September 2!).—Kurow J.C. September 2!).—Napier Park R.C. September 29. October I.—Taumarunui R.C. (at I’acroa).