NEARLY A RECORD

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 90, 13 October 1937, Page 15

NEARLY A RECORD

TALKING'S CRAVEN PLATE (From "Vedette.") SYDNEY, October 8. Talking revealed his best form this season when he won the Craven Plate at Randwick on Wednesday. He was taken to the front immediately after the start by E. Bartle, and although Allunga threw out a strong challenge over the last' furlong, Talking hung on gamely to win by a neck. His time of 2min 3sec was only half a second outside of Phar Lap's Australasian record for a mile and a quarter. .After his brilliant Epsom win Gold Rod was sent out a hot favourite. He, however, gave an inglorious showing, despite having the run of the race. Settling down in third place he appeared to be going easily at the turn, but could not come on and finished last. The Gimcrack Stakes was won in great style by Gay Romance, a filly by Gay Lothario who was bought in Melbourne for 375 guineas. She took charge at the top of the straight and never gave anything a chance. The runner-up was Bonheur de Pere (Beau Pere—Silver Rule). She was installed favourite, and after looking a winner at the turn failed to run on. Waving (Leighton—All Wheat) came home strongly in third place. The heavily-backed Politesse (Lord Quex —Courtesy) played up at the post and took no part in the race. Homily (Posterity—Homage), who carried the colours of Mr. G. M. Currie, ran a most promising race to finish fifth. Among the starters in the Members' Handicap was Glenora Boy (Lord Warden—Full Swing). He was not strongly fancied by the Jamieson stable, and after showing speed for the first half of the journey tired. AVENGER'S MANY RIDERS Avenger, winner of the A.J.C. Derby will be ridden by D. Munro in the Victoria Derby, to be run on October 30. E. Bartle rode Avenger in the A.J.C. Derby, but as he does the riding for J. T. Jamieson's stable when the weight permits, and that trainer has Lynch Law in the Victoria Derby, Bartle is not available for Avenger. Avenger's rider in the Caulfleld Guineas last Saturday was H. Badger, so the colt is having plenty of changes. THE "IRON" HORSE (By Telegraph.) (Special to the "Evening Post.") DUNEDIN, This Day. When Black Duke, now fifteen years old, started in the Wakari Hurdles at Wingatui on Saturday he contested his 237 th race. His record stands at 47 wins, 32 seconds, and 25 thirds, for £8422 in stakes. TURF NEWS IN BRIEF Acceptances for the second day at Masterton are due at noon on Friday. Acceptances for the first day of the Wellington Racing Club's Spring Meeting close at 5 p.m. on Friday. Nominations for the Auckland Cup, Railway Handicap, Summer Cup, Racing Club Handicap, Grandstand Handicap, King's Plate, and Clifford Plate at the Auckland Racing Club's Summer Meeting close at 5 p.m. on Friday. Weights for the C.J.C. Stewards' Handicap are due to appear next Tuesday. Flying Mist, the dam of Erin's Mist, engaged at Masterton tomorrow, is now owned by Mr. R. J. Murphy, who bought her at the Westmere dispersal sale in January. Masterton winners last year engaged tomorrow are Siegmund (a double), Patagdnia. Cricket, Helen Ford, and Lora Quick. Tauramai indicated by his' two races at Wingatui, especially in that on Saturday, that he is on the way to regaining some of his old form. His owner, Mr. A. C. Mills, is looking forward to having him in the right order to fulfil his New Zealand Cup engagement. Lucullus Lad. who is engaged in two races at Masterton tomorrow, will be making his first appearance in the colours of Mr. W. Devon, who also owns the two-year-old Colfort. In giving a list of the leading stakewinners in the world last week, Equipoise (America) was omitted. EqulEoise, who retired a couple of years ack, earned 338,460 dollars (£67,692) on the race track, which places him third to Sun Beau and Gallant Fox, two other American horses. Pink Robe, who brought off a surprise success at Wingatui last Saturday, was formerly trained by J. S. Shaw at Riccarton, but was sold some months ago to Mr. A. Ferguson, of Dunedin, who also owns McHeath and Seafox. Pink Robe was bred in South Canterbury, her dam. Loch Tava, being by Grafton Loch from Oratava, by Kilcheran from Poltava, by Stepniak. Pink Robe appears to be the only one of his dam's progeny to have raced with any success. Star Lad, who will be having only his second race at Masterton tomorrow, -is a three-year-old chestnut gelding by Captain Bunsby from the Chief Ruler mare Lady Star, a half-sister to Star Stranger and Star God, and good' things are expected from him in due course. He is held on lease by Mrs. M. R. Campbell, of Hastings.