ENGLISH STALLION

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 169, 13 April 1935, Page 11

ENGLISH STALLION

Foxbridge on the Rangitata NOTES AND COMMENTS Membo for Australia (By “The Watcher.”) The stallion Foxbridge, purchased in England by Mr. L. O. Otway, of Pukekura (Cambridge), is on the Rangitata now at Wellington. Foxbridge, a goedlooking horse, standing 10 hands, is by the Ascot Gold Cup winner Foxlaw. from Bridgemount, dam of the One Thousand Guineas winner Cresta Run. Foxbridge was purchased by Mr. J. V. Rank at the December sale in England in 1934 for £2500. He won the Atlantic Cup of £2500 at- Liverpool, and finished third in the Eclipse Stakes to Loamingdale and Firdaussi. He has several other good performances to his credit, and it is hoped Mr. Otway will have a worthy successor to Gay Shield. Tote Manager’s Observations. After a seven weeks’ visit to Australia, most of his time having been spent in Melbourne and environs, Mr. A. McDonald Smith, totalisator manager for the Canterbury Jockey Club, returned to Christchurch this week. Mr. Smith’s chief mission was to investigate at first hand the working of the barometric totalisator. a model of which type is to be built at Riccarton. The new recording method, says Mr. Smith, had done a great deal to popularise the machine betting at the expense of the bookmaker. Most of the barometric totes in Melbourne displayed close approximations of the win and place dividends in separate sections, but the latest machine, in use in the paddoek enclosure at Flemington, and which is of the type it is intended to erect at Randwick and Riccarton, displays both dividends on one dial. The machine for the Rand wick course, which will be in operation next spring, will cost between £35.000 and £40.000. Riccarton’s new plant will arrive next mouth.

and its installation will begin immediately after Easter, to be ready for the Grand National meeting.

Solarium Breaks Down. The five-year-old horse Solarium, winner of the Mitchelson and Avondale Cups in the spring, has broken down and is to be turned out for a long spell. Solarium worked very satisfactorily at Ellerslie on Saturday, finishing a shade in front of Roman Mascot and Imamint over six furlongs in 1.18, but the trouble developed subsequently.

Curie as a Hurdler. Curie has been given a trial over the hurdles at Napier Park and it is considered there is every prospect that he will prove proficient in this department. In 1930 the trainer, W. McKinnon, took King’s Jest, when only a novice, to Ellerslie to win the Great Northern Hurdles, and possibly he will set Curie a similar task. A

Successful Career in Prospect. E. J. Finn, who rode two winners at each of the Waimate and South Canterbury meetings last week, is apprenticed to E. J. Ellis at Washdyke. When he won the Waimate Cup on Nightform it was his first success in a r?ce. Pi nn ; who was born on the West Coast, is 18 years of age, and his present weight is 6st. 71b. A successful career as a lightweight horseman is anticipated for him.

Racing in Singapore. Mr. A. H. Todd, secretary of the Singapore Racing Club and the Straits Racing Association, arrived in Sydney last week. Mr. Todd is on a world tour, and he will, investigate racing conditions in the various countries. Referring to racing conditions in Singapore, Mr. Todd said that a new racecourse had recently been built in Singapore at a cost of 3,000,000 dollars; The site occupied 240 acres. The two most important fixtures of the year were the spring and autumn meetings, which lasted three days. Racing was held on Wednesday and Saturday during the seasons. Racing rules were adopted similar to those in Australia and England. Most of the jockeys were Australians. and most of the horses were imported from Australia and England. Mr. Todd said that all racing in Singapore was held by private clubs. The membership fee was 10 dollars a year. -There were five clubs in the Straits Settlement, with a total membership of 14,000. The membership of the Singapore Club total-, led 7000. Racing was placed on a high social level, because' of the private membership system. A totalisator system, similar to that at Randwick, was in operation. Bookmaking and starting-price betting were illegal, and there was a heavy penalty for a breach of the law. The sport was very clean, and few cases were reported where the stewards had to take action against a jockey or a trainer. Racing had been at a from the financial viewpoint in the Federated Malay States for some time, but it was now showing rapid recovery, as a result of the increased prices being received for tin and rubber.

Easter Prospects. Of the dozen runners in the Doncaster Handicap at Timaru, eight claim an engagement in the Great Easter. Capital apparently can be ruled out of the Riccarton race, and Rebel Star, who has been operated on for wind trouble, seems unlikely to see out seven furlongs (comments the Timaru ‘‘Herald”). Silver Streak does not appear to be right just now, and Sam Smith, though fourth at Washdyke, should be held safe by Tizzy and Kamal Pasha. Tuirau was stopping a bit in the Doncaster and may not be ready for a seven furlongs assignment. Rebel Chief was making his first appearance after a respite following an accident, and while he disappointed his admirers he should, not be discarded.;; Tizzy is a slow beginner-—as has been demonstrated in her last three rates, at Wingatui, Oamaru, and Washdyke—and she cannot afford to give anything away in an event like the Easter. If the prospects of the eight referred to had to be summed up on Doncaster running, Kamal Pasha and Tizzy would have to be selected, with a preference for Tizzy if she could begin well. Kamal Pasha is in the Riverton Cup, but the acceptance list for this race on Thursday morning may indicate that he is to go to Riccarton.

The Great Autumn. The twelve starters in the Timaru Cup included nine Great Autumn candidates, but the winner, Quietly, was not among them. Imperial Spear, Courtyard and Sea Fox, all failed to stay, while I’olydora and Minerval were not impressive, lout le Monde did a little better, but not as well as Silver Sight, Hunting Go, or Kamal Pasha. The last-named will probably find a mile and a half beyond him, and perhaps one of the most impressive autumn trials in the Timaru Cup was that of Hunting Go. The Waehdyke gelding came from the back to finish third, and should see out the Autumn journey, while the big track at Riccarton will ensure him the necessary room. Silver Sight also appeared in a very favourable light, and he will meet all those he beat at Washdyke on more favourable terms at Riccarton. A tenth Great Autumn candidate seen out at Washdyke was Grand Review, but she failed in a hack race and does not merit consideration for an .event of the Great Autumn type. For Australia. Membo has been getting through a lot of good work lately at Washdyke and indications point to him playing a big part in important jumping events during the winter. He has steeplechase engagements at the Riverton Racing Club’s meeting but it is doubtful if he will be at the southern meeting. A trip further afield is in contemplation, and it is probable that he will be shipped to Melbourne next month, to compete in a round of cross country events leading up to the Victoria Racing Club’s Grand National .Steeplechase. F. Trilford has Membo under his care, but he is not anxious to leave the other members of his team and if the Australian programme is carried out, Membo will go over under the care of the Southland trainer, R. E. McLellan. For Winter Racing.

j l . H. Gillett has Punchestown in work again, after a long spell. He is doing only easy tasks at present, but he should be ready soon to move along fast, in view of jumping engagements in the winter. If he trains on he should be a useful steeplechaser. Probably he will have a few races in the South Island before the Grand National meeting. Hounslow has started on useful work in preparation for the winter campaign. There is no talk of a North Island trip, but he may have a few races nearer home, the main objective at present being the Grand National meeting. His trainer hopes to give him some schooling over country later on, as it is intended to try him out seriously as a steeplechaser.

Chokebore Lodge Team. Horn’s Reef, who was severely knocked about in a fall in the Robiftson Handicap at Ellerslie on Boxing Day. has rejoined the team of 11. and A. Cutts. He has been under veterinary attention in the North Island ever since his accident, but he now seems quite sound. Back Thrust has been sent to the Stonyhurst stud for a few months. Four yearling colts from Stonyhurst arrived at Riccartonand Cutts Brothers will make an early start with their education. Two of them are by Winning Hit, one being a brother to Fracas, and the other a brother to Copyist. Paper Money is the sire of the other pair, who are from Shuffle and Wild Hind respectively. C.J.C. Meeting. Acceptances and final payments in connection with the C.J.C. Easter meeting are due at 8 p.m. on Wednesday next. Waipukurau Acceptances. . Acceptances for the Waipukurau Jockey Club’s meeting to be held on Easter Monday, will close on Monday next at 8 p.m. Feilding Acceptances. Acceptances for the Easter meeting of the Feilding Joekey Club will close on Monday at 8 p.m. Wairarapa Acceptances. Acceptances for the Wairarapa Racing Club’s Easter meeting will close on Monday at 8 p.m. Answers to Correspondents. “S.J,” Petone: (1) £2/2/-. (2) 11/6. (3) Cullus whs scratched at Pahiatua at 2.20 p.m. on Tuesday. “Piintcr,” Palmerston North: (1) £l/7/-.