RACING NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 22798, 5 November 1937, Page 14

RACING NOTES

RACING. November 6. —Whangarei R.C. November 6.—Waipawa County R.C. November 6,8, 10, 13.—Canterbury J.C. November 13.—Rotorua and Bay of Plenty H.C. _ November 13.—Napier Park R.C. November 20. —Levin R.C. November 20.—Southland R.C. November 20, 22.—Waikato R.C. November 27.—Ashburton County R.C. November 27, 29.—Takapuna J.C. November 27, 30,—Feilding J.C. December 4.—Otaki-Maori R.C. December 11.—Hororata R.C. December 11, 13.—Woodyille District J.C. December 14 or 18,—Waipa R.C. December 27.—Waipukurau J.C, December 27. —Westland R.C. December 27, 28.—Dunedin J.C. December 27, 28. —Taranaki J.C. December 27, 28, 30.—Manawatu R.C. December 27, 29, January 1, 3.—Auckland R.C. \ , Pecember 31, January I.—Grcymouth J.C,

THE NEW ZEALAND, CUP FIELD The biggest field that ever started Sn the New Zealand . Cup was 21, in 1906, the year Downfall won, and the ■mallest fields were eight each in Tirailleur (1889), British Lion (1891), and Grand Rapid's (1904) years. Tomorrow's field promises to be well above the average in size, and, though deficient in _ proved stayers, little is wrong with the quality. The handicap is headed by last season’s outstanding three-year-old, Wild Chase, who proved himself well up to a mile and three-quarters, and at the other end of the list is the winner of the Grand National Hurdle race this season. Clubs nowadays do not cater for real stayers as they did years ago, and considering that there are only two handicaps run over two miles in the Dominion each season, an acceptance of 18 must be considered satisfactory. Until about 20 years ago three -yearolds played! prominent parts in many of the contests, since the race was first established in 1865, and 13 of the cups have been won by horses of that ago. The last three-year-old to score ■was Indigo in 1914, when he deadheated with Warstep. Four and five-year-olds have each won 18,. and six-year-olds and aged horses 13 each. In to-morrow’s race there are two four-year-olds, four five-year-olds, six six-year-olds, one seven-year-old, four eight-year-olds, and one nine-year-old. Argentic, Queen of Song, Sunee, and Might are the only horses in this year’s race that Lave contested two-mile races, hut none of them has been returned a. winner. Argentic finished second to Cuddle in the Auckland Cup last December, Queen of Song was fourth in the Melbourne Cup, and Might fourth in the New Zealand Cup last season. Wild Chase, Tauramai, Lowenberg. Ceme Abbas, and Small ißoy have each won over a mile and a-half, and Cottingbam over two miles and a-half over hurdles. None of the others succeeded'over distances longer than 10 furlongs. The following is a brief outline of the performances of the probable starters, with their riders. — WILD CHASE (Paper Money—Wild . Hind, by Autunmus) 8.13. . Easily the best three-year-old last season. He beat a good stable-mate, Trench Fight, 'in the New Zealand Derby and Cuddle in the Canterbury Cup, and a strong field in the Dunedin Cup under 8.9, each over a mile and a-half. He also won the Hazlett Gold Cup and New Zealand St. Leger Stakes, mile and three-quarters, in which he beat Martara seven lengths, with Ceme Abbas a dozen lengths away third. Has only started thrice this season, over six furlongs at Ashburton in September and over 11 furlongs and 10 furlongs at Trentham last month. Wild Chase is such a brilliant galloper up to a mile and a-half that he must be given a chance,' and will be_ ridden by L.' J. Ellis, who has won this race the last two years, on Cuddle and Fersen. ARGENTIC (Silverado —Spotlight, by . Nassau) 8.11. Last season be put up three sterling performances. He won the Wellington Handicap, 11 furlongs, in October, and after running unplaced in the New Zealand Cup he beat a strong field in the ■ Metropolitan Handicap, run over a mile and a-half on the concluding day of the Cup Meeting, finished second to Cuddle in the Auckland Cup, and also to the same mare in the Clifford Plate and to Sunee in the Wellington Racing Club Handicap last March. This season ho won oyer a mile and a-quarter at Timaru last inonth, beating a Cup candidate in Rebel Lad, who wul meet Argentic on 131 b better terms to-morrow. Argentic is such a good

(By St, Clair.)

TROTTING. November 9, 11, 12.—New Zealand Metro. politan T.C. November 13.—Manawatu T.C. November 25, 27. —Forbury ‘Park T.C. December 4. —New Brighton T.C. December 4. —Waikato T.C., December 4.—Wairio T.C. December 11.—Reefton T.C. December 27.—Ashburton T.C. December 27.—Gore T.C. December 27. —Wairarapa T.C. December 27, &B. —Westport T.C. December 28, 30, 31. —Auckland T.C, December 29. —Winton T.C. January 1, 3.—Canterbury Park T.C, January 4. —Westland T.C. January 5, 6.—Greymouth T.C, January 15.—Cambridge T.C,

stayer that, though now eight years oldf his ohanoe must be considered good, as he will be staying on when many of the others are stopping. A. Messervy is reported to have been engaged to ride him. QUEEN OF SONG (Songbird—Differential, by Tractor) 8.8. Since this mare returned from Australia at the >end of last year she has raced badly, her only success being in a high-weight handicap at Kurow about five weeks ago. She has not been staying on in her races lately, and -her chances are not good. J. W. Jennings will he her pilot. TAURAMAI (Paladin—Fairform, by Boniform) 8.4. Like Wild Chase, Tauramai was a brilliant three-year-old, winning the Dunedin Guineas, Dunedin Cup, and Great Autumn Handicap. He went amiss during a visit to Australia and has done little racing since. He showed signs of returning to form by running third at Wingatui and Gore last inonth, but will be barely seasoned enough to see out two miles. Will be ridden by C. G. Humphries.

FRIESLAND (Friarsdale Fluency, by Demosthenes) 8.3.

His successful efforts have been confined to distances of 10 furlongs or under, and last season won six times out of 13 starts, the most important being the Thompson Handicap. On Labour Day he won the Waverley Cup under 9.2 in 2min 11 l-ssec on a good] track. His form does not suggest that he will see out two miles, but his ownertrainer, O. Cox, has a good record in connection with this race, and is not likely to continue the engagement of a horse unless he has more than a rough chance. Will be ridden by B. H. Morris. LOW'ENBEBG (Lord Quex—Lanene, by Chief Ruler) 8.0., A stable mate . of Friesland. ' Won the 1935 Derby after a falsely-run rabe.' Won the Stratford, Cup' last January and finished second to Ponty in theWellington Cup. Has placed performances over seven and a-quarter, furlongs at Wanganui and, nine' furlongs' at Marton this season,"but will have to show marked improvement to have any chance over two, miles. , Eider, H. Goldfinch. ' ' » ■ HUNTING CAT (Hunting Song—Catalini, by Catmint) 7.12. Last season Hunting' Cat had only three starts for two seconds and a third, his best performances beinggecond to Argentic in the Wellington Han-

dicap, 11 furlongs, and to Gallio in the Harcourt Stakes, 10 furlongs. Out of six starts this season ho has won once, just beating Big Dook in the Spring Handicap, 10 furlongs, at the Hawke’s Bay Meeting early last month. The time, 2min lOsec, on a fast track, was not good, and Hunting Cat will have to show a big improvement to have any chance to-morrow.

CERNE ABBAS (Lord Warden—Monoxide, by Boniform) 7.10.

The most improved and discussed candidate in the race, and had she not been beaten over 10 furlongs at Motukarara last Saturday would have started a short-priced favourite to-morrow. Last season she won three times out of 16 starts, including the Great Northern Oaks and St. Leger Stakes, both in very slow times. This season she has had eight starts, winning twice, the Marangi Handicap, 10 furlongs, at Wanganui in 2min lOsec, and the Watkins Handicap, 10 furlongs, at Wellington in 2min 3isec. In the latter race she had the following Cup horses behind her:—Rebel Lad, Sunee, Silver Streak, Argentic, Hunting Cat, Lowenberg, and Boomerang. For this win she incurred a 51b penalty in tomorrow’s race. When she was beaten last Saturday she carried 8.9, a big rise in weight, and with 131 b less in to-morrow’s race she will meet Argentic, who finished third, on 181 b better terms. If Cerno Abbas can see out two miles she looks to bold a royal chance of bringing the New Zealand Cup to Dunedin. She will be ridden by O. G. Goulsbro, who has been associated with her in most of her races this season.

HAZOOR (Black Ronald—Moana, by Hymestra) 7.9.

Out of 17 starts last season Hazoor won only once, the President’s Handicap at the Wairarapa Meeting last January. This season he has had four races for ,a win and three seconds. Ho won the M'Kelvie Memorial Handicap, 10 furlongs, under 8.9 in 2min 8 4-ssec. It was not a good performance as a Cup trial, and his chances do not appeal. He will be ridden by the stable apprentice, P. Williams, SILVER STREAK (Paper Money— Fulica (imp.), by Braxton) 7.9. Two seasons ago Silver Streak was the champion sprinter in the Dominion, and has twice won over 10 furlongs, both times on the Ashburton course, and in fast times. Until he failed to see out 11 furlongs at the recent meeting at Wellington Silver < Streak was fancied in certain quarters, but his racing at Trentham showed he is not likely to see out two miles. SMALL BOY (Psychology—Susan Lennox, by Kilboy) 7.5. Last season Small Boy started 21 times for six wins and six seconds, but a mile and a-quarter was the longest distance ho was asked to go. This season he has started six times for two wins and two thirds. It was his second win, when, with 7.3, he beat Cerne Abbas, 7.6, by a’ short length, in the Mitchelson Cup, mile and a-half, in 2min 32sec, that earned him a 51b penalty, and brought him into favour for the New Zealand Cup. He will meet Cerne Abbas on 21b better terms than when he beat her at Auckland, but raced badly in both of his starts at Trentham last month. Bred to-stay, he must boi given a good chance. Will ibe ridden by H. N. Wiggins. SUNEE. (Australian Sun—Bunee, by Earlston) 7.3. •’ . A proved stayer; Last season out of 17 starts won over 10 furlongs at the Masterton Spring Meeting and the Wellington Racing Club Handicap (11 furlongs! , beating Argentic, from whom he was in receipt of 231 b. Out of five starts this season he has finished only once out of a place, and won the Yallance Handicap, 10 furlongs, beating Hazoor, Hunting Cat, Might, Cuddle, and five others. If the pace is not made too solid Sunee must have a gpod chance, as there is no doubt regarding him seeing out the distance. REBEL LAD (Robespierre—Keel Row, by Gay Lad) 7.2. At tho Wingatui and Waikouaiti Meetings last December and January Rebel Lad twice defeated Willie Win (second in last Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup). Last season he won four times out of 19 starts. Argentic beat him over 10 furlongs at Washdyke last month at a difference of 101 b, and after beating Argentic at Trentham, when Rebel Lad finished second to Cerne Abbas in the Watkins Handicap, Argentic meets him to-morrow on 131 b worse terms. If Rebel Lad can see out two miles he promises to be the hardest to beat. He will be ridden by O. T. Wilson, who will put up about 31b overweight. BOOMERANG (Iliad —Graciosa, by Gay Crusader) 7.2. Out of 30 starts last season Boomerang only won twice, but finished in minor places 10 times. He. has shown his best form when the tracks are yielding. This season he has had eight starts for two seconds only. Must be taken on trust for two miles. Rider, G. R. Tattersall. MIGHT (Limond —Graciosa, by Gay Crusader) 7.11. In the same stable as Boomerang. Finished third to Steeton and Gold Trail in the 1934 Cup and fourth in last year’s Cup. A good stayer, but last season, out of seven strats, only scored two second placings. This season, out of seven start, ho has won twice, once over 10 and once over eight furlongs. Has been racing better this season than at any period of his career, and on account of his ability to stay has more than a rough chance. Rider, A. Bennett. LINGUIST (Paladin —Countersign, by Paper Money) 7.0. Won five times out of 11 starts last season, and once out of three starts last month. Her win at Gore on Labour Day was her first success over lOf, and she won very comfortably, but there is doubt regarding her ability

to see out the next sis furlongs of tomorrow’s race. Will be ridden by P. Spratt. TREBLEAOK (Woodend —More© Signal, by Signalman) 7.0. Had fair performances in hack company last season, and finished second in the Riverton Cup. Won over eight and a-half furlongs at Gore last month, but was easily beaten by Linguist over 10 furlongs on the second day. Linguist should finish in front of him again. Rider, G. Barclay. COTTINGHAM (Polazel Sweet Beauty, by Greyspear) 7.0. Won the Grand National Hurdles last August, and has not started since. A natural stayer, bnt may not have sufficient pace in such a field as he will meet to-morrow. Rider, H. W. Hibberd. The race bears an unusually open appearance, and there has been no outstanding iperformer to make favourite. Wagering is likely to take a wide range, and the favourites may be Rebel Lad, Argentic, Friesland, or Small Boy. THE STEWARDS' HANDICAP Since the Stewards’ Handicap was first established in 1890, Otago and Southland owners have won it on 10 occasions, and with Gold Bba, Alma, and Stolen March representing them in to-morrow’s race they have an excellent chance of making it 11. The field will be much smaller than usual, but includes at least eight sprinters of more than average reputation. On her form last season Gold Boa is fully entitled to' the 9.5, and is the same weight that Cadland won with five years ago. Paper Slipper won last year under 8.5, and a rise of 121 b was not out of the way, as he won the D.J.C. Publicans’ Handicap under 9.3. Ben Braggie, who started favourite in this race last year and finished fourth, showed that he is right at the top of his form by winning easily at Trentham under 8.10 in Imin lljsec. Oratory finished fourth in _ the same race and meets Ben Braggie on only 41b better terms. Emissary is very fast and races best when fresh. He has had only one race this season, but to-morrow will require to have atmospherical conditions favourable, as he is affected in the wind. Alma, who has won seven races out of her last nine starts, and all three that she has started in this season, made such a light task of carrying 9.7 at Gore that she must be dangerous with 8.8. Rebel Chief has yet to run a good race over the straight six furlongs at Riccarton, but with 7.10 has been given a chance to make good and will be ridden by L, J. fellis to-morrow. Laughling Lass won under 7.9 on the concluding day of the Trentham meeting in Imin lOsec, heads separating her from Lady Ina and Brunhild, and she now meets the latter on 31b worse terms. .Brunhild is a very smart filly that must be seriously considered. On their recent form Pelmet, Stolen March, and Waitaka do not appeal even for a place bet. Wagering should be well spread over at least eight or nine of this select field, and when the machine closes the best backed may bo Ben Braggie, Alma, and Brunhild or Gold Boa. THE MINOR EVENTS The New Zealand Cup meeting will commence to-morrow with the Spring Brush Hurdles, for which Travenna, who will be ridden by R. J. Mackie, Red Sun, and Silver Sight should be the best fancied. For the Spring Plate, one mile, the good performances at Hawke’s Bay and Trentham of The Bigot should ensure him being selected favourite,- and next in demand are likely to bo Sovereign Lady and Rousseau. For the Linwood Handicap, seven furlongs, several southern stables are well represented, but best support is likely to bo forthcoming for Miracle, Cocksure, and Lord Nuffield. Wingatui will also have two representatives in tho Welcome Stakes, five furlongs, and on Trentham form both Gayson and Taurangi should be better fancied than Ortyx or Compensate. For the Apprentices’ Handicap, one mile, Happy Night or Cocksure (if reserved for this race) should be the best fancied, with Owlsgleam or Drink Up next. The Riccarton Handicap, nine furlongs, generally provides Derby candidates with a good trial, but Smoko Screen and Lazybones are tho only three-year-olds engaged to-morrow. On his North Island form Smoke Screen will probably bo made favourite, but will have to Be at his best to beat Petersham or Last Refrain. JOTTINGS Member of No. 3 Family. Hua, winner of the V.R.C. Derby, is a descendant of tho Bruce Lowe No. 3 family, one of the finest in existence, and from this strain have come seven winners of the A.J.C. Derby and five previous winners of the Victoria Stewards’ Handicap Riders. The following riders have been announced for the Stewards’ Handicap: —Gold Boa, R. J. Mackie; Paper Slipper, J. W. Jennings; Ben Braggie, W. J. Broughton; Oratory. B. H. Morris; Emissary, A. E. Ellis; Alma, A. E. Didham ; Rebel Chief, L. ,J. Ellis; Laughing Lass, S. Wilson; Brunhild, H. N. Wiggins; Pelmet, A.' Messervy; Waitaka, H, W.’ Hibberd. Selections For To-morrow. The following are ‘ Sporting Life’s ’ selections for to-morrow:— Spring Hurdles. Travenna, John Charles, Red Sun. Spring Plate.—The Bigot, Sovereign Lady, Nightdress. Linwood Handicap.—Cocksure, Moonraker, Maroha. New Zealand Cup.—Small Boy, Cerne Abbas, Sunee. Welcome Stakes.—Gay Son, Taurangi, Compensate. Apprentices’ Handicap. Ardchoille, Parquet, Happy Night. Stewards’ Handicap.—Ben Braggie, Alma, Paper Slipper. Riccarton Handicap. Big Dook, Smoke Screen, Last Refrain. The following are tho ‘ Star-Sun’s ’ selections:— Spring Brush Hurdles (12.32). —Travenna, Red Sun. Last Link. Spring Plate (1.7). —Sovereign Lady, Tho Bigot, Nightdress. Linwood Handicap 1.52). —Cocksure, Maroha, Cardsharper. New Zealand Cup (2.27). —Sunee, Small Boy, Rebel Lad. Welcome Stakes (3.22). —Gay Son, Taurangi, Peerless. Apprentices’ Handicap (4.2). —Drink Up,'Mob Rule. Happy Night. Stewards’ Handicap (4.42). —Alma, Paper Slipper, Oratory-Laughing Lass bracket. Riccarton Handicap (5.27). —Smoko Screen, Big Dook, Pukeko,

Like His Chance. The connections of Small Boy are satisfied with their prospects in the New Zealand Cup, despite his failures at Trentham. Small Boy beat Cerne Abbas in the Mitchclson Cup, and meets her 21b better at Riccarton. Small Boy should stay the Cup journey, being by tho Tracery horse Psychology (sire of Cuddle) from Susan Lenox, by Kilboy from Shoma May, by Treadmill—Edna May, by Multiform. It is a branch of the successful No. 18 Flora MTvor family. Small Boy will again bo ridden by H. N. Wiggins at Riccarton. May Win It For Family. If Rebel Lad should win the Now Zealand Cup he will make amends for the defeat suffered by one of his ancestresses. He is out of Keel Row, by Gay Lad—Bonne Buche, by Boniform— Heorthen. Heortben should have won the 1908 New Zealand Cup, and she was backed for big. money by all the Riccarton “ heads.” Unfortunately sha took charge of her rider in the race, and, after opening up a tremendous gap on tho field at one stage, weakened at the finish to be beaten by Downfall, who got there only by a head. Hua’s Great-grand-dam. Mr Sol. Green, acting on the advice of R. Lewis, purchased Gladsome for 1,200 gs after she had proved herself the best three-year-old filly, of her year in the Dominion. She proved a rare bargain, as she won oyer £IO,OOO for her new owner. Her list of successes across the Tasman included the A.J.C. Sprung Stakes, A.J.C. All-aged Stakes (twice), V.A.T.C. Caulfield Stakes, V.R.C. Melbourne Stakes, V.R.C. Flying Stakes (twice), V.R.C. All-aged Stakes, A.J.C. April Stakes, A.J.C. Craven Plate, V.A.T.C. Eighth Futurity Stakes, V.A.T.C. Ninth Futurity Stakes, and the Newcastle Cup. When she was a seven-year-old she was retired to Mr Green’s Shipley Stud at Warrnambool, and there she remained until that stud was disbanded in January, 1918. Like many mares who proved their greatness on the turf, she failed to produce anything near her own standard. De Soto Descendant of Stepniak. De So.to’s dam, Entice, was by Birbery from a General Lincoln mare, whoso darn was by that good thoroughbred sir© Stepniak, and it is worthy of note that both De Soto, his dam, and grand-dam were all first foals. De Soto began his racing career at the Christchurch Hunt Club’s Meeting on August 4, 1934, and won his first race at the Geraldine Racing Club’s Meeting on September 20 in the same year. Alter three failures (including a disqualification after winning from tho wrong mark at Methven) he won a mile-and-a-quarter event at the Wellington Trotting Club’s Autumn Meeting in 1935, and concluded that year with one third and one second. The following season he won 10 ■ races, and recorded three firsts and a second out of four starts last season. His wins to date total 18. Friesland Should Stay. The Hawera trainer, O. Cox, is in the unusual position of having two New Zealand Cup candidates, Lo wen berg and Friesland. The former is trained for his patrons, the Messrs O’Neill, of Wanganui, and Cox owns Friesland himself. On any public form Friesland is the better performed horse, but Friesland has not often been tried over a distance, and this season it is Lo wenberg who has had the best trials (writes “ The Watcher,” in the ‘ Dominion’), He has, however, not come up, to expectations, and he failed at Wellington, while Friesland was winning the Waverley Cup, Some doubt appears to exist about Friesland’s stamina, but on the way ho finishes in,all his races he should run on. He is really a stoutly-bred horse. His sire, Friarsdale, is by Friar Marcus, who was bred by His Majesty King George V., and was by Cicero, a high-class sire, from a mar© by the St. Simon horse Persimmon. The dam of Friar Marcus has Enthusiast in her pedigree, which represents speed, but she goes back to a mare who was a full-sister to Martagon, the sire of Marian. On the dam’s side Friesland comes from a Demosthenes mare, who was out of a Boniform mare, whose full-brother was Los Angelos, a high-class horse and stayer. Nanette and other good horses are closely related. Friesland really should stay any distance, and the _ only argument that can be used against him is that he has not been tried as a stayer. Lawn Derby and Walla Walla. It is a coincidence that both Walla Walla and Lawn Derby have won in good company unadorned with the hoppies, though the former was strapped when he put up his 2min 2 2-Sseo at Harold Park. In type there is considerable difference, Walla Walla being of solid build, while Lawn Derby is more on thoroughbred lines. 'Walla Walla stands 15.1 J hands, while Lawn Derby is exactly 15 hands. Walla Walla soon appealed to the public imagination,' and he became the bestknown horse in Australia through his spectacular performances, and seldom failed in his mission. If ever a horse looked to have a chance of entering the two-minute list it was Walla Walla, and it was a great pity (says the ‘ Trotting Record ’) that the great son of Globe Derby did not strike his best form in New Zealand. If present arrangements are adhered to, Lawn Derby’s hollow victory in tho recent Pacers’ Cup was reminiscent of Walla Walla’s wonderful effort in winning the Free-for-all at the Melbourne Show in 1934. and also in his wonderful burst up' the ' straight in winning a similar event during the same period on the Ascot course. Notes. The first race at Riccarton to-morrow is scheduled to start at 12.31. The New Zealand Cup is timed to start at 2.36, and the Stewards’ Handicap at 4.36. If both Oratory and Laughing Lass start in. the Stewards’ Handicap tomorrow they will bo bracketed on the totalisator. _ Brunhild is a bad track worker, which is ,apt to mislead track watchers. She is to start in the Stewards’ Handicap, and will be ridden by H. N. Wiggins. Compensate will bo ridden in the •Welcome Stakes by A. Messervy, who was successful on him in the M'Lean Stakes last month. _ J.’ W. Jenkins has been engaged to ride Norseman and High Glee in their engagements at Riccarton. If available, L. J. Ellis will have the mount on Lord Nuffield in the Linwood Handicap to-morrow.