GAY BOA'S RECORD

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 64, 12 September 1942, Page 5

GAY BOA'S RECORD

HIS WIN WAS OVERDUE

(By "Binocular.") The win of Gay Boa in the Otago Hunt Cup Steeplechase last Saturday did not come out of its turn, for the Balboa gelding had been battling along without gaining many of the bigger prizes. He did not begin his racing career till he was a four-year-old, when he rather directed .attention to himself by winning at his-first start, the Hunters' Plate at Waimate. At his next start he ran third in a similar event at South Canterbury. Unlike the majority of jumpers he did not race over hurdles before attempting the bigger obstacles in public, going direct to 'chasing in the following term. After running third in the Turi Steeplechase at Win ton he opened his account by taking the Roslyn Steeples at Dunedin.

Form Fell Away.—ln his eight outings as a six-year-old Gay Boa was only once in the money, and that all was not well with him became apparent in the following term when he failed to figure under silk. On resuming racing he was fated to experience a sequence of minor placings before a win came his way in the Wingatui Steeplechase. Gay Boa was brought north to the Wellington Winter Meetng that year, when he ran second to Slue Tiger in the July Steeples, and his win at Wingatui following his return home was consequently anticipated. A Busy Season.—The 1940-41 term was a busy one for Gay Boa, but it was not till, the close that he got on the winning list—the Hack and Hunters' Steeples at Oamaru—and three starts later he added the South Canterbury Steeples at Washdyke. Sandwiched in between those two wins was a second in a hurdle race at Waimate, one of the few occasions he figured in that role. Last season he was disappointing to his owner, three seconds and four thirds having to content him. Fell Twice.—At his final start in the old term Gay Boa ran second to Recol-* lection in the South Canterbury Steeples, with Anglo-French third, but whereas Gay Boa was fated to suffer two falls at the Grand National Meeting, Anglo-French proved capable of winning the Lincoln Steeples on the second day. However, Gay Boas reward came in the Otago Hunt Steeples, the third occasion on which he has scored over the Wingatui country. Indifferent.—The record of the family to which Gay Boa belongs is hardly attractive, despite the fact that he traces back to the imported Tomboy mare The Giggler. The Spike, gran; dam of Gay Boa, had four seasons ot restricted racing, and her only success came in a maiden event at the Lake County Meeting as a five-year-old. Geraldine, the second of the The Spike's produce and dam of Gay Boa, figured under silk but once, so presumably something went wrong with her. At the stud Geraldine produced six foals, but two died. Of those that survived Gay Boa appears to be the best, although an elder half-brother, Pandine, showed great promise in the 1938-39 season when he won four steeplechases in succession. He completely disappointed thereafter. Makes Good.—While racing on the fiat" Strip built up quite a useful record, and judged on his effort over the battens at Wingatui last Saturday further successes should lie ahead. He is an eight-year-old son of Valkyrian and the Tractor mare Dismantle, so there is jumping blood in his veins. Great Family.—Although the majority of enthusiasts were hardly prepared for the success of Cruden Bay at Wingatui in view of the fact that she had not raced last season, the filly came in for strong support away from the course. As she is by Salmagundi from Lochlaggan, the dam being a daughter- of that brilliant speedster Glentruin, she comes from a successful family. Lochlaggan was also a good winner- for her owner-breeder, Mr. A. Chisholm, of Southland. Made Amends.—After getting away badly in the Islington Handicap on the final day at Riccarton. The Joker ran a creditable race, although he failed to figure in the finish. Over the shorter distance of the Tally Ho Handicap at Wingatui last Saturday he beat some good ones, Compeer among them. However, there was an excuse for the latter.

Masterton Spring Meeting. The Masterton Racing Club's application for a change of date for,its Spring Meeting from October 3 to October 17 has been approved, and it is probable that a change of venue to Otaki will be allowed. The programme has been drawn up and approved, and will shortly be issued. Bad Habit.—Katanga, who lost the Newcastle Cup through tarrying to bite Goose Boy, threw away another race through endeavouring to savage Pantler at Randwick. The stewards reprimanded the rider, D. Munro, being of the opinion that the rider had sufficient experience of the horse to have been prepared for the savaging act. Changed Hands.—Yaldhurst, the private training establishment made famous by Mr. G. G. Stead and R. J. Mason, has been the home of pacers for many years. B. Jarden occupied it for a time, then M. B. Edwards took it over, and now J. B. Pringle has leased the property. New Quarters.—The Phaleron Bay— Golden Rod two-year-old colt bought at the last Trentham Sales for 175 guineas has been sent south by Mr. J. W. Pankhurst, of Riccarton, to his brother, T. E. Pankhurst, of Invercargill. The youngster is a half-brother to Veldette. a winner at this end of the North Island. Great Blood.—Although Martian fillies and mares were somewhat uncertain racing propositions, as brood mares they have been of immense value to the Dominion. Few of his daughters were good jumpers, yet they hav| produced Callamart (Great Northern Steeples and Grand National Hurdles), Carinthia (Grand National Hurdles), and Foxiana (Wellington and Grand National Steeples). Back in Work.—Greenbank has been again taken up at Riccarton by J. B. Pearson, but as the Paladin gelding has been spelling since December he will not be ready to show form for a little time yet. Low Condition. —Quite sound again, if a trifle low in condition, Doria is among the active workers at Riccarton. T. H. Gillett hopes to have her racing in November. First Arrival.—The first foal to be dropped at the Brentwood Stud this season was a brown colt by the Derby winner Coronach from the Martian mare Ma Mie. Both sire and dam ai'c getting on in years, each having been born in 1923, but on opposite sides of the Equator. Ma Mie, who will next visit Kincardine, is the property of Mr. J. S. Harrison, of Nelson. Looks Burly.—The Lackham—Dawn Princess gelding Gold Dip, who showed plenty of pace on occasion without being able to win, is being hacked about on the roads at Trentham by W. J. Bromby. The chestnut looks big and burly. For Second Day.—The Trentham trainer H. A. Telford may have two horses racing on the second day of the Wanganiu Meeting. Astros, a grey gelding by Theio from Asturisca, has een entered for the Spring Hack Handicap, and Caithness, a chestnut filly by Tiderace from My Own, will contest the Debutant Stakes. Astros did little'racing in his first season, and has grown considerably during his spell. Likely Sort.—P. J. "Reardon has in work at Trentham a four-year-old mare by Nightly from the Arausio mare Lady Ann, thus a half-sister to that useful hurdler Great Quex. Evidence that there is Birkenhead blood in her veins is apparent by her lop ears. She might prove good later on. A Big Type.—Although he was brought in as a two-year-old, the Croupier—Court Gossip gelding Te Ngeru has been taken up again by P. Burgess at Trentham. He is a big type and may require time. A halfbrother to Red Dash, he is named after the station on which he was bred.

Highly Rated.— The Dominion-bred Shining Night (Foxlight—Speed Mint), who is a member of M. McCarten's team at Randwick, appeared to be flattered in being considered a likely, lightweight for the Melbourne Cup. However, the latest Australian Calendar shows that in July he won twice at successive starts, taking the President's Handicap at Kensington and the

Canterbury' Handicap at Canterbury Park, the former being a mile and a quarter event, and the latter a mile and three furlongs. On the other hand, his winning margin was a head only in-each instance.