A BRIGHT OUTLOOK

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 150, 28 June 1938, Page 15

A BRIGHT OUTLOOK

NEW SEASON AT TAKANINI (Spccial to the "Evening Post.") TAKANINI, June 27. Following a lull in the activities of Takanini-trained horses, most of whoip were relegated to winter quarters after autumn racing, there is now a reappearance of many of the bet-ter-known performers and promising novices. This district has been active only during the last I ten seasons, but since the suburban track was formed many firstclass performers have been prepared here and the district justly boasts a very fine recotd. To date this season the tally reaches the fine figures of 49 wins, 106 placings, and over £14,500 in stakes. One of the best of the season's two-year-olds in Hot Box is being exercised preparatory to undergoing a preparation for early spring classics, and the Cape Horn—lceball youngster promises to take a prominent part in the decision of these events. As a result of three very impressive victories under big imposts in the autumn, Hot Box was a hot favourite for the Great Northern Champagne Stakes, but failed to act in the heavy going and was beaten into fourth place. He is considered better than his stablemate Arvakur, who finished in front of him in this event, so that track conditions were in no small measure responsible for his failure. In all his races he finished very resolutely, and has given every indication that he will stay: He will race next season as a gelding. The Beau Pere colt Arvakur was a very consistent performer and despite his size and ugly action was credited with some line ucrformances. Before he ever raced he showed evidence of being afflicted in the wind, but seldom failed to run a good race.. His ailment does not seem to have improved, and no doubt his future will mainly depend on whether he can satisfactorily overcome the trouble. He is a half-brother to Stretto and Mazir, and it is a pity that his future may be impaired through his wind infirmity. OPPORTUNITIES RESTRICTED. Flood Tide has been nominated for the Wellington Meeting, but his appearance will probably depend on the handicapper's assessment. After an uneventful trip to Australia last spring, when he was prevented from contesting the Melbourne Cup through ricking himself on the eve of the meeting, he enjoyed a good respite (?n his return and raced for the first time at the Auckland June Meeting, when he ran a creditable race in the Cornwall Handicap. A very capable performer over middle distances, nis opportunities are restricted owing to his position in the handicaps. A filly who is expected to reach high class next season is Valimeen, who scorcd very convincingly at the Auckland Easter Meeting after having had only one previous start. She has shown brilliance both in public and in private, and is confidently expected to hold her own with any of the same age in the decision of spring events. She is by Vaals, who is getting a lot of winners in the Auckland Province, from Limeen, a daughter of Limond. Royevrus has developed into a fine stamp of horse, and is definitely a colt with a future. Few northerners will, forget his effort at the Waikato Meeting, where he was left a dozen lengths at the start pf the Eureka Handicap and won easily. Unfortunately for his connections, he is not engaged in classic events, but despite this fact, the regard held for the Surveyor colt may be estimated when it is known that a four-figure offer failed to induce his owner to part with him after his above-mentioned victory. Plans for Saccone's trip to Australia are now uncertain. It was originally intended to send him to the Common- i wealth for spring racing, but there is now some doubt as to whether he will make the trip, and he is still under E. Pope's guidance. He was a much-boomed gelding last season, but failed to win a race, a fact that may be attributed to his inability to begin rather than his lack of necessary pace.. He looks better than ever. 1 One of the best individual efforts among the trainers in this district since the departure of J. T. Jamieson for Australia was this season credited to F. Smith. He secured 19 wins, 41 placings, and £7800 in stakes. His best winners were Round Up (£2070), Valamito (£1675), Grateful (£945), Hot Box (£920), Inver (£870), Arvakur (£790), and Anion (£515). LARGE TEAM WORKING. Smith has a large team in work for the coming season, and included among them are the Limond—Water wings colt who was purchased at the yearling sales for 1000 guineas, a yearling fullbrother to Rona Bay, a colt by Foxbridge from Gazelia, dam of Bunsby Gaze, and a filly by Vaals —Iceball, dam of Hot Box. The Limond colt is a ready-made youngster who shows much quality, and he will belie his looks if he fails to prove very. fast. The Foxbridgc colt looks certain to make a name for himself. In addition to those already mentioned this stable also shelters a rising three-year-old by The Ace—Volimond, Vaals Star and Paddy the Rip, the lastnamed being a six-year-old by Whirlwind from Danae, an Oaks winner. Paddy the Rip, on' a very short preparation, ran third at the last Whangarei Meeting and is predicted as an early winner next season. Probably one of the most attractive youngsters seen in recent years is the Foxbridae—Lady Mane filly in A. Tinkpr's stable. She has much to do to emulate the deeds of her relatives, Gay Sheila, Cay Blonde, Gay Sheik Gay Brunette, Marie's Acre, and Philcou.rt, but coming from such a prolific family of winners it seems hardly likely that she will lack the necessary pace. If looks are any criterion she will prove a topnotcher as she cannot be faulted. No effort is being spared for her benefit and during the Waipa Meeting she was taken south for educational puinoses. The district possesses a fine array of young talent for the new season, but this filly undoubtedly looks the pick. , , „ j As a rule maiden performers are bad betting propositions, but in Poker Dice, Takanmi was thought to have one above the ordinary last Christmas. Halfmile gallops in 47sec were a common practice with this son of The Ace j and Amber Link, but four appearances in public failed to reveal the promise he had shown in private. He was then put aside, and with some of the edge now gone off his reputation, he has not the same standard to uphold. W. Townsend is convinced that he is likely to show this in public next season, and is bringing him along mcelj in his preparation. A. Quinlivan, who has made Auckland his headquarters for the last few years, has decided to set up training in his home town, Hastings, and in ay probability a move in that direction will be made in the very near fuVure. During the present season he did moderately well with Royal Passage and Asset, while Royal Ace and Gaiwind are two members of his team who some time ago were sent to Hastings, where they have been under the guidance of T F. Quinlivan. It is possible that Huntsman's Chorus will be taken to Hastings also, this being a Hunting Song gelding who raced last as a hurdler at the Whangarei Meeting, k all goes well with him he may not be hard to place to advantage at some of the country meetings around Hawke s Bay. A FULL STABLE. Since an uneventful trip to Australia a couple of seasons ago, the wellknown trainer E. Pope has maintained his average of winners despite the fact that he had more or less to start all over again and establish a team. Today he has a full stable comprising mostly young horses, and it is possible that there may be another Gay Blonde or Tea Trader among them, thougn horses of this class are few and far between. Palustre, who was the mainstay of the team this.season, is a young mare likely to extend her record. For Mrs. C. McGrcgor he is also preparing a rising three-year-old by Hoarin from Valaria. There are two yearlings in the team, these being fillies by Lysan3er—Adi Vunivola and Vaals —Marshland, the latter being a half-sister to Palustre. A juvenile from March, the ■ dam of the Auckland Cup winner Te i Kara, is highly regarded. He is by Bronze Eagle, but has yet to race, although a rising four-year-old. His I owner nas been very patient with him,

and he may be destined to a good future. There is a nice type of filly by Tea Tray—Tambourine and another rising four-year-old by the young sire Cambria Park, and both are doing well. Saccnne should be capable of paying his way, and the speedy Penzance is also a member of the team. True Bill, by Surveyor, and Feldberg form the remainder of his active team, but Romani, Solitary, Nordic Song, and High Quality are expected to resume any time now. Pope, who has saddled up no fewer than 117 winners in the last ten seasons, looks certain to maintain his record with the promising material under his guidance for the new season. A couple of seasons ago a. group of Auckland sportsmen formed a syndicate headed by Dr. W. C. Ring, and at the Sydney yearling sales acquired several Australian-bred youngsters, who were handed to the young trainer D. J. Burgess to train. The venture did not prove as well as expected, but last season some compensation was reI ceived when the Baralong colt HignI born was taken back to Sydney, won a couple of races, and just prior to the A.J.C. Derby was sold for £1750. The present crop of two-year-olds fell a little short of expectations, but their future is now more hopefully regarded, as in the late autumn all showed a definite improvement. At present there are four who promise to turn out well, and these are High Sea, by Heroic; Silver Glow, by Silverburn; Milanion, by Baralong; and Brazilian, by Brazen. Milanion won the last of the northern juvenile events' at the Avondale Autumn Meeting, and since then has shown a big improvement in his work. Brazilian has placed performances to his credit, and he too is on the upgrade. It would.be pleasing to note more success coming this way, and if the track work of the horses is a reliable guide, then their future can be regarded optimistically. DERBY TELEVISED BENEFIT TO THOUSANDS (From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, June 4. Derby Day, 1938, will be remembered for the romping win of a French outsider in Bois Roussel, and the torrent of rain shortly after the great classic was decided. Otherwise, except that the race was televised for the first' time, and a totalisator was introduced on the Downs, it was the same traditional holiday, with the same sights, the same crowds, the same hopes, fears, dreams, elation, and deS Those who went by road found the. usual interminable string of cars, buses, and charabancs. Reaching Tattenham Corner by train, the familiar sights and sounds were met again. A babel of shouting groups of blind men singing and rattling their begging boxes, bearded men quietly and earnestly handing round tracts bidding holidaymakers beware of death and hell fire, or earnestly seeking them to remember that peace is the greatest thing in the world. HIGH LIGHTS OF THE DAY. Courtesy policemen ("cops" to the crowds) broadcasting the best tip of the day—"Safety First"—bookmakers bawling, motor-cars hooting, and cigarette, fried fish, and correct cards men all shouting; people everywhere, and a riotous clashing of colour. On the Downs the fair, the- gipsies, and the jellied eels, the working man and the middle class; in the paddock and the grandstand the top hats, long tails, latest modes and freakish hats; in the Royal Box the Royal Family, and everywhere the holiday spirit. Arriving just .after 1 o'clock, the King and Queen walked to the paddock, cheered by the surging crowd pressing on both sides of the course. There they sought out Licence, his Majesty's horse and 100 to 1 chance. Although it actually led for part of the race, it had no hope. "Licence will win the Derby if it starts this morning," a top-hatted tout had shouted earlier. He was right—for once. Meanwhile, Queen Mary, magnificent in pale blue, looked out over the Downs from the Royal Box. She was joined shortly before the return of the King and Queen by the Duke of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent. Their Majesties entered the box as the field was parading. Hundreds who went to Epsom saw nothing of the race, so great was the crowd. Some of the best views were had by some 10,000 people who were nowhere near the course. Television overcame the distance for them. It was almost as thrilling as being in the grandstand. The last quarter-mile was splendidly shown and viewers saw Bois Roussel come right through the crowd of runners to win in the most spectacular way. PICTURES FASCINATING. The pictures included the crowd, the fun fair in the valley, the bookmakers, the unsaddling enclosure, and finally the King and Queen with the Royal party going back to their seats from the paddock. The 8.8.C. commentary was then taken up, and it was fascinating to see each horse appear on the screen as it was described in the parade. Bois Roussel aroused interest by his sprightly walk and handsome colour, dark with two white feet, and an excellent view of him was obtained. In the canter past the horses came and went like spirits, an odd effect, peculiar to television, and not at all like rapid cinema pictures. Up to this point the visibility had been good, but as the race began so did the rain, and the pictures were excellent in spite of the rain, and the finish of the race wts as thrilling as anyone could wish. The tote takings on the Derby were £53,081 16s, a record for any race in England, beating the previous best, that of the Royal Hunt Cup at Ascot last year, by nearly £11,000. The tote double pool also set up a new record of £11,144 10s. The victory of Bois Roussel had a remarkably quietening effect on the crowd. The great gathering, on the Downs seemed to have had its spirits dampened. People moved away with an air of resignation. Soon the rain began to pour down, to be met by a forest of bulbous umbrellas. The stream back to London began an hour earlier than usual.