LONG DELAYED

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 81, 3 October 1944, Page 8

LONG DELAYED

TURN FOR GREENFEAST

Just short of twelve months ago Greenfeast, who was then trained by J. McLean at Hastings, won the Heretaunga Hack 'Handicap at the Wellington Spring Meeting, coming from the back to score going away. The effort suggested that the Mr. Standfast gelding would quickly work his way into the best class, but he went a long way without fulfilling expectations. A change of trainers was tried i without effect, and he was finally taken over by the Awapuni trainer B. Burgess, who now races the gelding himself. At his .third . start in his new colours Greenfeast won the Hastr ings Spring Handicap on Saturday, and it was not surprising that he was at long odds. However, it is not the first occasion by any means that this trainer has brought off surprises, for it was only in December last that he won the Woodville Cup with Moderate. As he is only a five-year-old, Greenfeast might yet fulfil the high hopes originally entertained' for him. He is well-enough bred, for apart from being by Mr. Standfast he comes from the Catmint mare Mint Sauce who was the first of the progeny of Mona Bruce (by Eobert the Bruce) However, neither dam nor grandam did much racing, their activities being restricted to one term only, and neither was a winner.

Southern Surprise.—lt was probably the opinion of patrons at the Otago Hunt Meeting on Saturday that a mile was a trifle short for Tring, but the Salmagundi gelding beat a smart field, although he had to survive a protest from- the connections of First In, the pair being clear of Sal's Pal. The form of the last-named in the Winter Cup and Islington: Handicap at the Grand National Meeting had made him the logical favourite, but whereas Tring had given Sal's Pal 51b in the Winter Cup, he was in receipt of 21b on* Saturday, and it swung the scales in his favour.

Convalescing.— The many friends of Mr. A. V. O'Brien, Wellington, who is well known in racing circles as a judge and handicapper, will be pleased to learn that he has now been discharged from hospital. He is convalescing at his home. Family Speed.— A younger fullbrother to the brilliant filly Subdued, Majestic was having his first outing in public when he won the Hastings Stakes on Saturday. The RingmasterSubmission colt cost Mr. M. J. Moodabe, of Auckland, 1500gs at the National Sales, and although his first stake was quite a modest one Majestic should go to greater heights.' Good Time.— The going at Hastings on Saturday was fast, and when Majestic won the Stakes race he returned 49see for the four furlongs. However this time has been beaten in three instances, Glade (1911) and Epitaph (1921) sharing the record of 48 2-ssec, and the ill-fated Sea Spi scored two years ago in 48 4-ssec. Further, three have returned 49sec dead, Hyttus (1915), Saint Tor (1940), and Silvio (1943).

Great Family.— The Paper Money mare Francolin has been a most fruitful matron, having produced ten foals from 1932 to date, and with one exception, all have been winners The exception was Gay Flight, who had

only one start. The latest member to win, Bonny Flight, went through last season without scoring,' but she signalled her first outing at three years by winning at Wingatui on Saturday. Among the progeny to win fame are Ortyx, Dark; Flight, .Gold.Flight, Winning Flight, and Royal Flight. .■. ■ Overdue.—Winner of the Hollycombe Hurdles at Hastings on Saturday, Golden Tide has carried several different sets of colours, and has been in the hands of several trainers, but it was not till his fifth season of racing that his first. win came. ■• He is now owned by Mr. C. Nausbaum, who took him over last season and placed him with J. J.. Waller, of Awapuni, who had trained Golden Tide,as a two-year-old. Being by Tiderace from Treasure Trove, the dam being a daughter of famous Desert Gold, Golden Tide has fallen far short of the standard expected of him. Higher Scale.—At the Grand National Meeting Timber Topper made : a bqld bid to win the Lincoln Steeples on the second day, it being only over the last 60 yards that Kanui Te Pa wore him down. He was made'favour ite for the Hunt Cup Steeples a' Wingatui on Saturday, but an add) tional 311b made: all the different and he was beaten out of the monej Carried On.—Ramicourt, winner 6 the second division of' the •• Trial Plat* at the Poxton Meeting, carried his account further at the Hawke's Ba; Meeting on Saturday, beating a smar field very impressively. By Lani Bian, he is from the Leighton mart High Art, dam earlier of Ivar anc Nora Gregor. Some of the later products of High Art have been onlj fair, but Ramicourt looks like bein/ really good.