TURF TOPICS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22618, 22 April 1948, Page 8

TURF TOPICS

GRIFFITH RETIRES (Herald Special Service.) W. C. Griffith of Hastings after half a century or more of close connection with the turf, both as a horseman and trainer has signified his intention of retiring. "Bill'’ has spent practically the whole of his turf career in the Hawke’s Bay district, but is well known in racing circles throughout the Dominion. As a trainer he has enjoyed more than the average success. For years members of his team have been successful in all branches of racing. One of his charges, the Gisborne-bred-and-owned White fan", won the C.J.C. Stewards in 1923 when ridden by Sammy Anderson and returned a dividend of close to a third of a century Limbolm, a Limonri gelding trained by "Bill", was successful m a Grand National Hurdle race. Bill's establishment situated in Karamu road is to be conducted by his nephew Athol (“Beau") Griffith.

Promising Jumper Pimlico, a four-year-old by Lang Bian from the Arausio mare, Penny Farthing will probably start in the Hack Hurdles next Saturday at Hastings He is a promising young jumper and although he has not started over thq battens has had a lot of schooling. Very seldom is a threevear old seen competing in a Hunt Point-to-Point steeplechase, but last .July Pimlico finished in a place. The lirT race he won was a mile and a quarter flat race for qualified hunters. For most of the last hunting season Dave Meikle regularly followed the Hawke's Bay hounds on this chestnut. His sire Lang Bian, won hurdle races both in'England and France. Hunting- Song Progeny The latest of Hunting Song’s progeny to be tried as a jumper is the Hastings-owned-and-trained, Queen s Charm, a fair winner on the flat. In his schooling essays lie has show n promise above the average. Although hardly physically forward enough to be recommended for the hurdles at Hawke’s Bay this week he should before very long win a jumping race. He is now a 10-year-old, but as he did not race until a four-year-old and has not done a great deal of racing is by no means worn out. On his dam s side he comes from the same family as Howe. Correct Schooling Over a period of years Mr. G. D. Beatson has produced some noted jumpers. The reason for this is that they are taught the rudiments of hindling or steeplechase correctly. The next to carry the well-known blue and white livery in a jumping event will be Gencroi in the Hack Hurdles at Hastings on Saturday. His last public effort was at Waipukurau when over 10 furlongs he narrowly defeated the Poverty Bay gelding. The Scotchman, so his condition must be right. He is by Gynerium (a well-bred sire but not too successful) from Caput Lux so that he comes from the same family on his distaff side as Luna Lux, one of the neatest steeplechase fencers this writer has seen. For Mr. Beatson Luna Lux won the Hawke's Bay steeplechase and ran second to Omeo in the Wellington _ Steeplechase and was again second in the. Grand NaItional when beaten by Thurina. I Might Surprise | Since winning at New Year at Hastings over a good field, including the consistent Mesalliance the Clivc-owned-mare. Flying Dink, has contested six races without weighing in. She was not an entrant for the first day |of the H.B.J.C. Cup meeting but is 'booked to be saddled up on Saturday. Horses of Dick Gregory’s for some years now' have been noted for their surprise victories. She might be the next. Out For a Spell The Gisborne-bred three-year-old, Apollo, by Robin Goodfellow from the Lord Quex mare Modern Way, who developed soreness after racing at the Auckland Cup meeting has been geld:cd and sent out for a spell. He was a very promising two-year-old as well as being one of the best lookers in the Auckland district, but although he won a mile open race at the A.R.C. Cup fixture in 1.371 he did not come up to (he promise of his two-year-old form. Now that he has been gelded ■he may come back to the form expected of him earlier in his career, but he is hardly likely to race again until the spring. I Again Broken Down The New' Zealand holder of the |six-furlong record, Irish Note, has ; again broken down and it is reported that he will not race again. It is to be hoped that no attempt will be made to patch up this brilliant galloper. He was a high class performer as his 1.9 for three quarters of a mile proves. Another outstanding effort of his was his narrow defeat of Golden Souvenir over a mile and three furlongs at weight-for-age at Trcntham. Possible Coming Hurdler A coming hurdler may be Padantic, who at the recent Nelson meeting won the hurdle race on both days and then in his one race at Marlborough won the chief handicap race on the second day. A gelding wflio can jump as he and is, also capable of beating over a mile and a quarter fair handicap horses ; his future as a hurdler, must be con--1 sidered bright. He is a seven year ) old by Inflation from the Gasbag mare Discourse.