RACING NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 24009, 7 October 1941, Page 2

RACING NOTES

[By St. Ci.Ain.] AT WINGATUi THIS MORNING Though no rain fell at, Wingatui during the ingot- a strong wind, react).ng gate torco at times, was experienced, and was still blowing tliis morning right in (ho faces of horses finishing down the straight, and affected the times recorded. The outside of the course proper was open for fast work, and provided good but slightly slow going. Nightcalm opened proceedings by running sis furlongs on the course proper in Imiu 23 X-sseo. Dark Olga and Safe Flight were companions over seven furlongs in Imiu 37 2-sseo. Kohara was not extended to run half a mile in 62seo. Raroa left seven furlongs behind in Imin 45sec, but was taking it easily down the straight. Gay Lancer was going better than Attorney throughout bait a mile in 63sec. Flagman was sent a couple of circuits on the No. 1 grass track, and finished strongly over the last half-mile in 61sec. The Joker was much 100 good for Hoiho Tinopai over six furlongs in Imin 23 3-ssec, after running the first two in 25 4-ssec. Compeer (Paper Money—Last Note) ran the. first four of seven furlongs in 52sec, and completed the task in Imin 33sec. Lady Nuffield was too good for Happy Feet over five furlongs in 68 3-ssec.' Neither Strip nor Withdrawal was extended in a six-furlong gallop in Imin 22sec, the former showing to better advantage. Silver Lily had Pianist (Gustavo-Saxo-phone) as a companion over a mile, but there was little pace on over the first two furlongs. They ran the last sis in Imin 26 1-Ssec, the former doing much the better. Bouoaut (Te Monanul—Palentua) ran half a mile in 53 l-ssec, and is improving with every gallop Great Swoop and Mosgie) were not ridden out to record Imin 12seo for five furlongs. Both Astaire and Good Scout were schooled over three hurdles. JOTTINGS For Two-year-olds. Tho course proper next the rails was open this afternoon for the two-year-olds engaged at the meeting. Trainer Indisposed. His many friends will regret to learn that D, J. McDonald is at present confined to his bed with severely-strained muscles of his back. Bracketed. Gold Branch (Guarantee—Privet) and Legal Lady (Solicitor General—Atalanta Lass) will race in Mr J. M. Samson’s colours in the McLean Stakes, and will bo bracketed on the totalisators. Named. The Salmagundi—Honest Maid filly engaged in- the McLean Stakes has been named Macedoine, and the Theio—Gay. mint colt Cataract. The Paper MoneyLast Note colt engaged in the Trial Handicap has been named Compeer, and the Gustavo—Saxophone filly, Pianist, Dunedin Spring Meeting. Excepting in the Churchill and October Handicaps the acceptances for the first day of the local spring meeting are good, and tho total for the day is five better than last year. Four New Zealand Cup candidates head the list in the Churchill Handicap, and they will make an interesting betting problem for tho punters. ,

Answer to Correspondent. “ Interested.”—The Australian time record for a. mile and a-balf, 2rain 27Jsec, was established by Palfresco at Caulfield iu October, 1935. Argentic holds the New Zealand record, 2min 30sec, established at Riccarton in November, 1937. Won Victoria Derby Last Year. Mr R. W. McLean, who won the A.J.O. Derby with Laureate on Saturday, won the Victoria Derby last year with Lucrative. To Be Spelled, Waitoru, who has been trained by B. J. Ellis at Washdyke during the past three months, has been returned to Southland, where he will bo spelled. Sky Blue Dead. The death occurred recently in the Masterton district of Sky Blue, sire of the Great Northern Hurdles winner, Esperanco Bay, and of Captain's Gift, a good Wingatui hurdler. Sired Six Winners, The defunct sire Paper Money has sired six winners of the McLean Stakes—Overdrawn (1924), Wealth (1931), Guarantee (1932), Card Player (1936), Compensate (1937), aud Silver Lily (1940). High Caste. In 58 of Ins 59 races High Caste has been ridden by E. Bartlo. It is questionable if any horse in the Empire has been ridden as often by one jockey as High Caste. Brother to Murmuring. Travancorc, winner of the Hastings Stakes last Thursday, is by Bulandshar from Tea Tattle, a Tea Tray mare. Travancore is thus a full-brother to the high-priced Murmuring. Not Represented This Season. Horses carrying the Clifford livery have won the McLean Stakes nine times, and the Dunedin Guineas 10 times. This year the stable is not represented in either race. Endowed With Family Speed. Winning Flight, who is engaged iu the McLean Stakes, to be run next Saturday, is by Winning Hit from Francolin, the dam of Night Wings, Ortyx, Dark Flight, and Gold Flight, and is reported to inherit the family speed. Stewards’ Handicap, Handicaps for the Stewards’ Handicap arc duo on October 21, before the Wellington Spring Meeting, Acceptances close on October 24, on which date the second pay. meat, £6, is due for the New Zealand Cup. Similarity in Names. An unnecessary similarity in the names of two horses in the Auckland district caused confusion to the handicapper. In the Hunters' Steeplechase, to be run on Saturday, Prival was handicapped at 9.5, but the horse that was nominated was Rival, who has been allotted 9,11. In Doubleack’s Favour.

When Islay Downs finished between four and five lengths in front of Doubleack in tbe Tally Ho Handicap at the Otago Hunt fixture there was a difference of 191 b in the imposts they carried over a mile. In the Churchill Handicap the difference is only 131 b, and the extra distance should bo in Doublcack's favour. Poor Class Field. Measured through the handicaps the Held for this year's New Zealand Cup is not a strong one in so far as class is concerned. Of the 35 that survived the first acceptance only four of (hem have been awarded over 8.0, and 22 of them less than 7.7, with 15 on the minimum. Donald’s Trotting Cup Candidates. For some time there was a doubt whether last year’s New Zealand Trotting Cup winner Marlene, and her stable mate. Ferry Post, would stand up to a Cup preparation. but they are so far showing no signs of lameness. Last Friday morning they were visitors to the Addington track and after going easily over a mile and a-half in 3rain 36 2-ssec, completed two miles in 4min 43 2-ssec. Piastre. With (lie exception of his first success as .a four-year-old, Piastre has won all his races at a mile .to XI furlongs. Last sea-

son he won four good stakes, including the Wellington Autumn Handicap, and the Egmont Cup. He has opened his spring campaign early in beating a useful field at Levin and he should wip his full shave of prize-money this season. He is in the stable of T. R. George and has been allotted 7.4 in the New Zealand Cup. Death of Mr T. Prendergast. After alighting from a friend’s car opposite his own homo on Friday night Mr Thomas Prendergast was struck by a passing oar and so seriously injured that he died almost immediately. He was very well known and respected in tbe racing community in Southland, having acted as honorary starter to a number of the racing clubs for some years. He had been a member of the committee of the Southland Racing Club for nearly 40 years, and held the office of vice-president during the past dozen years. For many years he was a member of the stock department of Messrs Wright, Stephenson and Co. Ltd. and in later years manager of the late Sir WilHam Hunt’s famous Waitoru stud farm, a position he retired from about 14 years ago. Deceased was 81 years of age, and is survived by two daughters and three sons.

Echo of April Direct Case. An official announcement in the Trotting Calendar reinstates April Direct as winner of the Royal Handicap at Forbury, in place of Night Beam, who was awarded the race by the judicial committee. As a result, C. S. Donald and M. Stewart tie for the reinsmen’s premiership last season. Previously Donald was placed one point in front. R. Donald’s total of winning drives is reduced to 22, and P. Gallagher’s increased to 23. Jack Potts now is credited with 131 wins in thc_ sires’ list instead of 132, Ibe point going to Wellington Direct; and Jack T’olt’s aggregate in slakes is reduced to £30,725,