FINE FIELD

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 140, 10 March 1938, Page 17

FINE FIELD

The Thompson Handicap

NOTES AND COMMENTS

The Condition Of Stretto

(By

CABBINE.)

Next week’s Thompson Handicap field, for which acceptances close to-morrow, should be good. Silver Ring, who, with 9.5, heads the list, does not appear to be nearly as good as he was two years ago when he won the race with 10.6. As Sil ver Ring is eight years old, it is natura! that time should be taking toll of ln s galloping powers. He may not be done wiw yet, but his recent form has not been S °Stretto, now at the top of her form, was lame after working at Ellerslie on Saturday morning, so there is a doubt whether she will start. Paper Slipper is engaged in the Railway Handicap as well as the Thompson. If he contests the 'J.hompson he should run prominently, and be one of the hardest of the top weights to beat Catalogue finds a mile to ins liking, and will be one of the fancied division. Jonathan’s recent return to form will bring him into calculations. Jhe good three-year-old Smoke Screen should be one of the better backed. Golden Hair, when a three-year-old, won the race with 8.7 Smoke Screen has 8.8. A longer distance would suit Siegmund. Oratory ran a record mile at Trentham in January, and with 8.3 this speedy mare might take a lot of beating again. The race is not ideal for either Arctic King or Brazen King, but it will Suleiman, Dictate, Francis Drake, Icing, Royal Minstrel, and others. From such a fine field a great contest should -be witnessed. The early fancies may include Paper Slipper, Catalogue, Smoke Screen, Oratory, Suleiman, Dictate, Francis Drake and Icing.

To Resume Riding. . The Auckland lightweight, H. N. Wiggins, will be riding again next week and will be at Trentham. He is in Wellington at present.

Head and Tail. Gaily has been weighted tor two races at Trentham. She figures at the head of the Silverstream Handicap and the tail of the Thompson Handicap. It is understood that if a suitable lightweight can be obtained to ride her she will be started in the Thompson.

Tlds Week. There will be racing on Saturday at Carterton and Opunake. The Cromwell meeting is to be held to-day and to-morrow. Acceptances for the first day of the Wellington meeting are due to-morrow at 5 p.m.

For Trentliam. Jack Tar, who is engaged at Wellington next week, will not race until the second day of the meeting, when the Champion Hack Cup, one. mile and three furlongs, will be his mission.

Strctto’s Trouble. ~ , , According to the New Zealand Herald’’ Strctto’s trouble is still causing her trainer some anxiety and she has been absent from the track for the last few days. The chances of her fulfilling her Thompson Handicap engagement appear very doubtful. Stretto lias been entered for the Awapuni Gold Cup, weighWor-age, at the Manawatu meeting, on March 25, and if she makes a rapid recovery she may be fit to contest this rU On the other hand, it is stated in Wellington that Stretto will contest the Thompson and that H. N. Wiggins will ride her.

Not Encouraging. . Pouty was very disappointing at Wingatui. but it was thought he ■would come right ag'ain with a few weeks light work. His race on Saturday., however, wiis far from encouraging in view of. Ins Trentham engagements. He certainly lost ground early, but a reproduction of his former pace would have had him closer at the finish than was the case.

jo< The jockev'lj. H. Clifford had lodged an

appeal against the two months' suspension imposed upon him by the judicial committee of the Franklin Racing Club last Saturday, and it will be beard by the Auckland District Committee next Tuesday evening. Hurdles at Ellerslie.

The executive of the New Zealand Jockeys Association is approaching the committee of the AucKlaud Racing Club with a view to making proposals regarding the hurdles in use at Ellerslie. Lhe committee ot the Auckland Racing Club intends to give the matter consideration after hearing the proposals of the jockeys. Still Going..

The veteran stceplechaewr Billjt, Boy is going on the right way iu his preparation at Ellerslie, and toons very hright and healthy. He is entered lor crosscountry events at the Uhinemuri meeting, to be ueld on March 17 and 19. Names Claimed.

’Hie yearling colt by Bulandshar from The Begum, tuus halt-brother to Stretto and Ataztr, lias bad the name High Caste claimed lor him. Konueta is tnc name under which the Bdiaudshar —Sunny Hours filly will race, and the Siegfried-— I’oiouaise colt will be known as Wapaugli. These youngsters are under K. S. liagby’s charge at Ellerslie. Mated at Elderslio.

Sweet Agues, owned by Mr. F. VV. Hughes, Kooba, New South Wales, has this season been on a visit to Iliad iu New Zealand. The mare is being returued to Australia this mouth., Sweet Agues was an Oaks winner iu New Zealand. Carry On, winner of the Australian Cup, is also being sent back to Australia alter a visit to Iliad. Silver Jubilee at Hastings.

The latest newcomer to Hastings is the former brilliant Auckland sprinter, Silver Jubilee, who has joined 3. Cameron s stable. It is a while since he was raced, and at present he is backward, so it may be some time before he is ready to resume with the colours up. Silver Jubilee did most of his racing in Australia, where he held his own. One of his best performances was in the A.J.C. Epsom Handicap of 1935, when he 8.9 into third place behind Synagogue, 8.11, and King’s Head, 7.12. Another Woman Trainer. At present Miss Rona Bryce has Paperniila in her charge, a four-year-old bay gelding by Paper Money from Claronilla, dam of Arrownilla. Papevnilla is gradually building up,, and, as he possesses his share of the family speed, he should do well later on. To date he has had a few races, and has shown speed. Palady, a six-year-old gelding by Paladin from Dady Anomaly, is to be taken in band by Miss Bryce shortly. This horse won a number of races in Australia for W. Stone some seasons ago, but failed to stand up to training at Riccarton last year, and after a few races had to be put aside. He has been hacked about a good deal since he has been off the scene, and Miss Bryce is hopeful that he will stand up to a preparation. Norman Conquest, a hakbrother by Valkyrian to Palady, may also be placed iu Miss Bryce’s charge. He was raced in Australia by Stone. Training of Apprentices.

11. Badger, who won the Caulfield l’uturitv Stakes and the Newmarket Handicap on Ajax, is one of the many good riders who received their tuition as jockeys from the Flemington veteran trainer Richard Bradfield. For many years Bradfield has been almost as famous as a trainer of jockeys as he has been of notable racehorses. 116 teaches his apprentices much more than the rudiments ot race riding. When a boy has completed his apprenticeship with Bradfield he is not only a capable horseman but, socially, is a credit to his profession. That the boys appreciate that aspect of their training is shown by the respect and affection they have for their old master when they go out into the world at the completion of their /apprenticeship. In the training of apprentices Bradfield has done service of inestimable value to Victorian racing. World’s Richest Races.

The Santa Anita Handicap, of 100,000 dollars, was run on Saturday ast. lhe amount m equivalent to £25,000, and ot th”um 20,000 dollars (£5000) go to second horse, 10,000 dollars to third and 5000 dollars to fourth. It costs either £250 or £275 to start, so it is not exactly a cheap race for owners. The distance of the race is a mile and a quarter, and Azilcar, winner of the 1935 Santa ,A n *tJ Handicap, holds the track record with 1-5. The Santa Anita Derby, of £12,500, was run on February 22, but no results have been cabled. Manawatu Nominations.

In the list of nominations for the Manawatu Racing Club’s meeting recently’ published Wynardo was omitted from the Stoneyhurst Juvenile Handicap and Hunting Cat from the Tamatete Handicap. Answers to Correspondents.

“W.R.,” Masterton: Red Coat did not start at Ashhurst. “Grateful,” Alfredton: £2/1/--“E.M.,” Waipukurau: Courtcraft s times were: King’s Plate (one mile), 136; Great Northern Derby (14 miles). 3.24; Clifford Plate (li miles), 2.5 4-o. Te Hero’s times were: Great Aortliern Foal Stakes (six furlongs), 1.13 2-5; Royal Stakes (six furlongs), 1.12 3-o. “Subscriber,” Wanganui: flo/l/b. “Zulie,” Masterton: £2/2/6 and £1 “Not Out,” Devin : £5/17/-. “Nosey,” Wanganui: £l5/7/6. “H. 0. Newtown: (1) £6/10/- and “Robbed,’’ Wanganui: (1) £6/2/6; (2) fd “Sasanof,” Wellington: (1) 17/-; (2) £2/7/6; (3) £2/4/6; (4) £2/3/-; (5) £2/15/-, and £l/11/6; (6) £7/2/6 and “JJO.,” Palmerston North: Yes, Trilliarch.

“G.M..” Carterton: No. “Punter,” Majoribanks Street, Wellington : Yes. „ _., 0 “Jumbo,” Wanganui: (1) £l/15/6; (2) £l/18/-; (3) £l/14/6; (4) £l2 14/- and £3/9/6; (5) do you mean Aspire? (6) £3/19/- and £l/8/6.