LONG OVERDUE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 137, 7 December 1944, Page 10

LONG OVERDUE

SUCCESS OF DOMINATE

Bought at the Yearling Sales in 1941 by Mr. Ralph Stewart, of Wellington, for 600gs, Dominate promised to be a cheap buy when he won three races in succession as a two-year-old, those successes being in the Roseneath Handicap at Trentham and the Spring Nursery and Pioneer Handicap at Riccarton. He did not maintain his form and went through his, three-year-old career without winning, although he was placed on three occasions. Following the death of his owner Dominate was purchased by Mr. John Wren, of Melbourne, at a substantial figure, but proved a big disappointment in Australia, and his first win across the Tasman came in different colours. Despite his repeated failures Dominate continued to figure in the news by reason of his brilliant track work, and last month he reeled off nine furlongs on the steeplechase track at Caulfield when 22 feet from the rails, in 1.58. Next to the rails this would be equal to about 1.55|, ■or f sec outside the track record. On that occasion he was ridden by T. Hoppo, and as it was the first time that horseman had ridden the Phaleron Bay—Martial Lady gelding it was apparent that the partnership was a happy one. It was not stated who rode Dominate when he opened his overdue account in the Liehfield Handicap, 1 mile, at Mentone, last Sattirday, but no doubt it was Hoppo. Martial Lady, the dam of Dominate, is a half-sister by Lord Quex to Beau iVite and Pakeha, the latter being a winner in Ceylon under the amended norn-de-course of Blue Heaven.

Reinstated. — Last December the Woodville Jockey Club celebrated its diamond jubilee by staging a Jubilee Cup race at the summer gathering, with the Woodville Cup occupying its customary place at the winter gathering. However, Saturday will find the Bolton Handicap, 1£ miles, back in its usual place. Further, it has the increased stake of £400 attached to it

Cup Candidates,— Thei;e have been occasions when Auckland Cup candidates have had their final outing prior to racing at Ellerslie •in the . Bolton Handicap at Woodville, and there are two prospective runners at Ellerslie engaged on Saturday. They are Lambourn and Harris Tweed. They have 8.3 and 7.7 respectively at, Woodville, but are both in at the minimum at Ellerslie. Seemingly plans' are doubtful where Lambourn is concerned, for he is also entered for the Manawatu Cup. A Northerner. —Down to contest the Oete Handicap, the open sprint, at Woodville on Saturday is Olga's Pal, who has done all his racing in the north. He has not been seen on the racecourse this term, and ..last season was placed only once in eleven starts. However, he was a good winner at two years, his successes including the | A.R.C- Welcome Stakes, G.N. Foal Stakes,' and G:N. Champagne Stakes., He is a half-brother by Man's Pal to; Night Eruption and, like the latter, I handles bad ground successfully. Out of Hacks.—Winner of the' first division of the Parewanui Hack Cup at Bulls, Financial is.engaged in the Whariti Hack Handicap, 1|- miles, at Woodville, and this will mark his final 'outing in the lower grade, for his win last Saturday carried him out of, hacks^ Poor Showing.—ln v the majority of her earlier racing over short courses, the Foxbridge filly Casilda "has been finishing on, and she-had many admirers for the' New Zealand Oaks at Riccarton. However, she is very highly strung, and in the "ladies' classic"] she .experienced a bad run, after her I rider had taken up a position on the j rail in behind the' 'leaders. In' all probability she would have made a better showing had she been free of; the press, even though it would have entailed covering extra ground. Fair Races.—Without measuring up to the best class, Lord .Coronach showed at Riccarton that he does not fall far short of the grade. He ran third in the Spring Nursery on the opening day under 8.11, when required to give away from 121b to. 231b,^and filled the same placing in his division o£ the Pioneer Handicap on the second day when weighted at 8.9. Unfortunately, his respiratory organs are under suspicion. - - ' Wrong Class. —His second in the Southland Cup just.prior to the opening of the New Zealand Cup Meeting brought Alpine very much into favour for the highweight event at Riccarton, but after showing a good turn of speed swinging into the straight, he quickly compounded. His frame does not suggest that he is a weight-carrier, j but he should win races, in open handicaps when near the minimum of 7.0. Strong Run.— Although far from impressive from the point of viev/ of looks, Silver Sal ran a very creditable race for third in the Seymour Hack Handicap at Riccarton. She was not prominent early, but finished with a great run.to pay a double-figure dividend in a minor capacity. This Salmagundi mare should appreciate longer distances. Stopped.—When Coronau-e ran forward to join Listen In and share the lead at the straight entrance in the Seymour Handicap at Riccarton <he promised to take part in the finish. However, he did not appreciate the shifting surface and stopped "badly. His half-brother, Broiefield, was similarly handicapped, although the latter did run third in the Otaio Plate. Both should make amends. Good-looker. —Hormuz, who had been a winner on the opening day at Riccarton, looked improved by the 'race; and being a fine-looking type backers installed him favourite for the hack mile on Saturday. He was not so well placed on this occasion, being back in the ruck turning into the straight and he was just outside of a place. The manner in which he came home suggested that he would have played a part in the finish had he been better placed in the early running. Disliked Conditions.— The Wanganm Guineas winner Alright found track conditions definitely against him in the Canterbury Cup. He made a moye along the back to join Trench Law in behind the leader, but the effort was short-lived. This Inflation gelding has a tremendous stride, and bad ground will always be against him. A Bracket.—Both carrying the colours of Mr. F. Ormond, Kol Ragi 'and Ramicourt will be bracketed in the Oete Handicap at Woodville. Ramicourt won the Belmont Hack Handicap at *Trentham in October wjth 8.8, but after failing under 9.4 in the Taradale Hack Handicap at Napier Park a ' f orthight later the New eZaland Derby engagement of the Lang Bian gelding was not continued. Down to 7.0, Ramicourt should appreciate the drop in poundage, although he is opposed to some fine speedsters.