TURF NEWS IN BRIEF

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 51, 28 August 1940, Page 13

TURF NEWS IN BRIEF

Acceptances for the first day of the Wanganui Meeting close at 9 p.m. on Friday next. The New Plymouth trainer H. Duheu has no fewer than 13 horses engaged on the first day of the Combined Hunts Meeting tomorrow. They are Mansura, Hoapai, Valtour, Liberation, Alexcelia, Vacation, Moymell, Eupatnd, Saxon Tor, Fiancee, Noble Fox, Heroic Maid, and Zest. The Theio—Painted Screen two-year-old Theatre is reported to be showing promising speed at Hastings, and his future is optimistically regarded. Royal Chief is shaping up satisfactorily in his preparation for big spring races, and the Chief Ruler gelding has never looked better. He will probably have his first race at Ashburton next month, and later may be brought to Trentham. Few horses possess the early speed of Race Away, and he is likely to take a lot of overhauling in the five-furlong President's Handicap at Wingatui on Saturday. Scold, who has been spelling for some months, has been recommissioned by H. and A. Cutts at Riccarton. She has filled out appreciably since last raced, and looks a more solid mare than formerly. The forward showing of Proud Fox at Ellerslie on Saturday draws attention to his prospects in the Avondale Cup next month, and he may pmve one of the most difficult to beat.

The Jockey Club, which suspended racing in England last June for an indefinite period, has now asked trainers to join in a census of horses that will be ready to race in September, states a cable message received in Australia. The census is intended as a guide to decide where meetings may be held in view of the difficulty of horses making long journeys. Only twice this year has Black Thread carried less than 9.0 to victory, and one of those occasions was the A.R.C. Easter Handicap, in which he had 8.4. He has carried 10.5 successfully in open company, and his final effort at Riccarton last week, he scored with 9.13, was a great ['achievement under the conditions.

All his eight yearling thoroughbreds, seven of them being colts, were sold recently by Lord Adare, of the famous Fort Union Stud, Limerick, to Mr. A. B. Hancock, one of the foremost breeders in Kentucky, United States of America. The sires represented were Hyperion, Caerleon, Donatello 11, Bahrain, Bosworth, and Loaningdale. It is stated that three of the colts, in ordinary times, would have brought five figures at the Doncaster sales. .

Prior to the commencement of the racing at Ellerslie on Saturday a two-year-old parade was held. Ten youngsters lined up for a sprint event over about two furlongs and three-quar-ters. The winner was Golden Pay, a chestnut colt by Autopay—New Star, ridden by G. Gilchrist. A bay filly by Autopay—Archette was second, and Transmitter, a colt by Vaals—Telepathy, third. Golden Pay led all the way and finished in front by two lengths, with Transmitter a length away.