NOT EASY TO TRAIN

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 152, 24 March 1938, Page 17

NOT EASY TO TRAIN

Galleon, Winner Of Oamaru Cup NOTES AND COMMENTS Bodyline Changes Hands F. W. Ellis has had a lot of trouble with Galleon, but turned out the somewhat delicate Paladin geldiug in firstclass order to win the Oamaru Cup yesterday from Mungatoon and Linguist. Galleon has not been overtaxed since his narrow defeat by Studley Royal iu the Dunedin Cup recently, and his success in the Dunedin Jockey Club Handicap. His success will bring him into consideration for the Great Autumn Handicap at Riei carton. He will not lose friends by again having the services of L. J. Ellis. Bodyline. The six-year-old Paper Money horse Bodyline appeared on the Trentham tracks yesterday. He has been bought by Mr. J. A. Robertson, owner of Privy Seal and Happy Heels, and is to be trained by H. B. Lorigan. Under H. S. Greene's care, Bodyline won two races recently on the East Coast circuit, but lack of inches is his trouble, though he appears fit, and is nuggety and compact. Champion’s Decline. Golden Miller, who, for a long period, was rated England’s best steeplechaser, appears to have had his day. At Hurst Park last mouth he was reckoned a certainty for a three miles w.f.a.. steeplechase, but a younger horse in Macaulay beat him with ease. Airgead Sios also ran in the race won by Macaulay, who is trained by P. Thrale. After the race Thrale said it was only what he expected, and he looked to Macaulay again to beat Golden Miller when they met in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the race in which the latter has such a remarkable record. On the other hand O. Anthony attributed Golden Miller’s defeat to his not having had a race for a month. Programme Amended, In the programme for the Dannevirke Racing Club’s meeting, to be held on April 29 and 30, an error has been made in the conditions for the Tiratu Maiden Plate, the second race on the second day. Instead of being for horses that have not won a flat race “at time of entry,” it should read “at time of starting,” otherwise if could, not, according to the definitions of the Rules of Racing, be for maiden horses. Owners and trainers are asked to take note of this amendment. Silver Cloud. Mr. N. G.rafas, owner of King Rey, has completed the purchase of . the filly Silver Cloud, -who ran a promising third at Paeroa and looks as though she will stay well next season. Difficult Ainfroc. Aintree, the course over which the Liverpool Grand National is run, is not inviting even for the professionals. It has, however, a great attraction for amateurs, several of whom have at different

times bought horses so that they could ride in it. Since the race was first run in 1839, amateur riders have won on 33 occasions. Mutus Destroyed. The seven-year-old gelding Mutus, by Songbird, broke a leg while working at ■\Yashdyke, and was destroyed. Light Betting in Ireland. Totalisator betting in Ireland is on the light side. Last year’s turnover totalled £139,851 for 114 days, against £132,563 for 117 days in 1936. Since the inception of the totalisator in 1930, the sum of £22,529 has been paid to racecourse executives, and £1192 has been given by the Totalisator Board of Control in aid of races. While the totalisator is in use bookmakers have to pay additional admission fees. Apart from actual working expenses the takings from the totalisator in Ireland go back to racing. Ireland can stand an uplift in the way of stakes, the amount distributed for fiat racing last (gear being £50,488, and for jumping £27,801. Gelded. The three-year-old Nightdress, who has failed twice since he was bought from Sir Charles Clifford a few weeks ago by Messrs, A. S. Elworthy and D. W. J. Gould, has been operated on, and when next he races after a spell it will be as a gelding. Increase Refused. In England a little while ago. stablemen’s wages at Newmarket were increased to 48/- a week. Trainers were asked for a further rise of 2/- on March 1, After a meeting of the Trainers’ Federation, it was announced they were unable to make the extra increase. It. was stated that a large number of trainers had to take horses at a figure which left very little profit. Most owners, becatise of increased taxation and reduced income, were unable to pay more. A Good Hurdler. High Quality, who was trained for a short period at Riccarton last winter, and who recently resumed work at Ellerslie after a spell, is coming to hand in cm couraging style, his progress being such that a quick return to form is predicted. High Quality is a good-class hurdler, capable of winning in any company, and :f he remains sound his prospects during the remainder of the season look hopeful. Success of Camera Finishes. The latest Jones camera, which takes a slow-motion picture of the finish of each race, -was such a success at Hialeah Park (Miami, Florida) that it is likely to be installed on all New York tracks. There is even an idea of going one step further, and placing cameras at different positions on the tracks to photograph the entire race. It is believed this would help the officials to detect foul riding, and would further satisfy the public. Some of the photo-finish camera experts have been — endeavouring to produce pictures in colour, but have not yet got beyond the ordinary black’ and white. For Riverton. Waitaka, who has been racing consistently of late, is to be nominated for the Riverton Cup at Easter. Waitaka was runner-up to Sovereign Lady in the Midsummer Handicap, and in the Banks Pen-