MEMORABLE YEAR

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 76, 26 September 1942, Page 5

MEMORABLE YEAR

'KING'S TURF SUCCESSES

(By "Binocular.")

The English racing season approaching its close will go down in history as memorable in more respects than one. The sport has been carried on under \a big handicap owing to war conditions, but this is far surpassed by the fact that four of the five most important races for three-year-olds have been won by two juveniles bearing the Royal livery of King George VI. Sun Chariot won three of the races and Big Game one. Sun Chariot a filly, is related through her sire, Hyperion, to one of England's .greatest sires, and her dam. Clarence, is a granddaughter of Blanche, the dam of Blandford, sire of four Derby winners, and of Bulandshar, whose stock are fast building a reputation for themselves on this side of the globe. Another valuable strain in the pedigree of the St. Leger winner comes through Hyperion's dam, Selene, who was got by Chaucer, one of St. Simon's celebrated sons. Ban on Travelling. —Because of a ban preventing horses travelling more than 45 miles—it was to come into force as from yesterday—two of the most popular handicaps in the English rac-, ing season, the Cesarewitch and Cambridgeshire, are not being held this year. It is the first break in the continuity of the two races since they were cancelled in 1920 owing to a coal strike. Been Schooled.— Chandelier, who started off his three-year-old career by winning at his first start, followed with three seconds but then failed m his next eight starts. The Salmagundi gelding was given a course of schooling over hurdles before being turned out for the Winter. He shaped well enough to indicate that he might be a worthy addition to the ranks of the jumpers. Auspicious Start. —Tutere, winner of the Novice Stakes at Ashburton, is stated to have shown signs of shin soreness when doing his preliminary. Except that he ran very wide turning into the straight it seemingly did not affect him in the race, although he squeezed home by a head only. He was bred by Mr. M. H. Tims, of Te Awamutu, who sold a half-share in him to Mr. C. E. Robertson, of Wellington. His dam, Callisto (dam of Areas), is by General,Latour from Prodice, by Catmint from Hyades, and is a sister to Gallio and half-sister to Te Hero, and is closely related to Ammon Ra and Prolyxo. Promising.— Eulogia, runner-up to Tutere at Ashburton, is a half-sister by Paladin to Eulogist. She is stated to be not particularly robust and is inclined to take a lot out of herself before the barrier is lifted. However, her performances to date suggest that she will make good, especially over some ground. Very Harsh. —Prior to registering his second in the Woolston Handicap at the Grand National Meeting, Kurawhi during 20 months of racing, had run two seconds in maiden events. As a result of his Riccarton placing, worth £25, he was handicapped about 111b higher than he would have received in the new season when the minimum is altered to 7.7. This is only one ot the innumerable unfair results of the 8.0 minimum. Australia gets along quite successfully with a 6.7 minimum all the year round. # Not Herself.— Straight Bat made her return to racing at Ashburton. After doing an attractive preliminary, she was well supported. She was in a lather at the post, and no doubt this took a lot out of her. Nevertheless, she was in a commanding position right into the straight before compounding. . T . ~ Tc . Expensive—The former North Islander Tea Drop must have proved an expensive horse to her new owner in the south. Tea Drop has had several starts in recent months, but has invariably failed. He was considered good enough to bring up to Trentham in July, but it was a profitless trip. He won races in the Auckland Province, but has seemingly lost form. Engaged.— Sea Spi, runner-up to Screen in the Wanganui Debutant Stakes, was- omitted from the list ot entrants for the Hastings Stakes. She is by Phaleron Bay from Ruling Spi, a Douro Cup winner. Better News.— lt is reported that H. N l Wiggins hopes to return to the saddle at Christmas time. He has been inactive since he suffered a bad leg fracture in the Shorts Handicap at Trentham last October. Will Make Good.— Bought at the National Sales last January by the Takanini trainer P. E. Pope for 170 guineas. Brief, with an ounce of luck, would have won the first division of the Pioneer Handicap at the Avondale Meeting, and on that performance should be good. He is by Solicitor General from the Paper Money mare Gold Paper, who is a sister to those good ones Gold Tinge (winner of the A.J.C Breeders' Plate), Rereatu, Pin Money etc. '

Taking Time.— Although she won as a three-year-old, Erambie failed to continue that early promise and went through last season without being placed. However, at her third outing this term she got on the winning list at Ashburton. It was long overdue, for in her track work she has always been brilliant. Two others of Chiefava's progeny, Lady Nottava and Royal Counsellor, are also seemingly taking time to make good. The latter, in particular, should make the grade. Made Good.— ln the Cashmere Plate at Riccarton last month John Gay nearly brought off a big surprise at his second outing on the Turf. Last Saturday the Theio colt narrowly touched off another of this progeny, King Herod, in the John Grigg Stakes to open his winning account. John Gay was bred in this island, being from the Lord Quex—Polly Peachum mare Jenny Diver. This is the family to which Runnymede, Raasay, My Own, Simba, etc., belong. Colouring: Differs. —Whereas John Gay, winner of the John Grigg Stakes, is a brown, King Herod, the runnerup, like his sire, Theio, is a grey. Few horses of the latter colour have won classic distinction in New Zealand, but King Herod should carry the record further. Back in 1889 Scots Grey won the New Zealand Derby, and holds the distinction of being the only grey to have won that particular classic. Canteen, winner of the N.Z. Cup in 1903, is the best-known handicap performer of the colour.

Solid Mare.—lt was unfortunate for the owner of the Inflation—Spearform mare Classform that after showing undoubted brilliance as a three-year-old she was prevented from racing in the following term. However, she staged a come-back last season, winning the Aldworth Stakes at Marton and the Empire Handicap at the Wanganui Winter Meeting. On seven other occasions she was in the money, one of her minor placings coming in the Wellington R.C. Handicap. In all, she won £760 in stakes. Then, at her second start this term, she won the Higgle Handicap at Marton.

Speedy Family.—Winnipeg, runnerup to Yaralla in the Warwick Stakes, is a son of Manitoba, an imported English horse who is doing stud duty in Victoria, and whose progeny have already succeeded at various distances. The Southland owner, Mr. W. T. Hazlett, used Manitoba extensively for his young mares sent to Melbourne. Winnipeg's dam. Parsimony, was got by Valais, a sire of speed merchants.

Back in Work.—The Inflation —Jean Ladosio gelding Sterling Lad, who has been spelling for some months, is back in work at Awapuni. Last season, as a three-year-old, he gave a lot of promise, but showed a preference for the top of the ground. Responding.—The puzzling lameness that troubled Colonel Bogey last season has been located and has responded to treatment. Although now a seven-year-old, this Nightmarch—Kilmiss gelding should prove capable of carrying his account further, for he was very useful two seasons ago.