TURF

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 12887, 13 June 1936, Page 11

TURF

"OVER" 560-WINS McCARTEN'S FINE RECORD Maurice McCarten Iras ridden more than -300 winners since ire settled in Australia in 1926 (writes “Vigilant” in, the Melbourne “Sporting Globe”). A check oi- the records reveals 447 in ISyd&ey ( aod the nearer courses. More than 50 successes, in Victoria and Queensland bring the total, which McCarten thought was 400 to more than -500. McCarten has now been riding 20 years—the lutt decade in New Zealand and the second in; Australia. .-C19.000 THIS SEASON He is having a> great season. Although suspension put him out of action, for one of the most important months, lie lias, to date won 77 races since August 1 last. The value of these events is just on £19,000. In addition there is the money secured by his mounts -who have gained minor placing®. This: must reach a. considerable sum for in Sydney this season McCarten has been -on 49 seconds and 35 thirds. McCarten lias won 23 two-year-old races since October 1. Asked if he had ‘any comment to offer on the op nion held by Sydney racegoers: that •lie was a wizard with two-year-olds. McCarten said with a. smile: “Really 1 think it is very largely a .question oi being fortunate enough .to be on the right ones at, the right times. 1 remember a few years back another Sy4 4" ruler being in the limelight through hi® great success, that season. on youngsters. He rode just as veil the next season, but his inr.Tuits were inferior and the limelight moved.” V ABOUT GOLD ROD

This brought up the subject of Gold llud. “He is undoubtedly a very good Mo-year-old,” remarked McCarten. “Of course that does not. necessarily mean that he will maintain such a high standard next season. Yet I .think that this colt will, go on. He impresses me that way. He has such a nice disposition and is so- easy to handle.

“tn those cases,” added McCarten.. “where good-cla-s:s two-year-olds- fail to justify expectations in their next think that probably the explanation often is that their superiority at two years has been due to physical .preeodousness. In other woids they were better developed and more robust than other ‘babies.’ ”

A PREMONITION NAIL- IN HORSE’S FOOT X-RAY AFFORDS PROOF Many strange cases come under notice in veterinary practice, but one of the most uncommon is that of the fracing maT© Dam© Moab. part of whose treatment for lameness was in a Wall measure the result of a premonition (saySi a Sydney writer). About live weeks ago Dame Moab ciime under the care of tho vtterinary surgeon, Mr. 13. Pottie. The mare was lame, and after an- exhaustive examination Air. Pottie came to the conclusion that her ailment was; due to a strained shoulder nerve, caused by ricking herself. In this diagnosis her owner, a practical man with horses, concurred, both men having given consideration, to tho possibility of tho mare being: lame in the foot. Dame Moab responded well to treatment and showed every tsign of improvement. Later a relative of the owner had a premonition that tho mare had a nail in the near foot, although all signs of lameness had disappeared. Tho owner was persuaded, that the mare might he so affected 'and asked Mr. Potto to search the foot. The veterinary surgeon suggested X-ray examination. The premonition proved correct, a nail clinch was found embedded in the foot, although in tho oir and not in the near forefoot. According to Mr. Pottie the na:l could' hardly have been the cause of Dame Moab’® lameness,, not being in the soft tissue but more in the inside wall of the hoof, where it could notfiet up inflammation. Dame Moab is ■' a. six-year-old mare by Moab it o (imp.) from Lady Magpie, and .'has, been a. good sprinter. She has won at Randwick and isi noted for her determination in a finish.

NOTES’ AND NEWS

Figures compiled by the “Australasian” for the Australasian Turf Register from August 1- to April 30, show that Heroic had a clear lead in the field of winning sires '.this season. With tlio major handicaps! in. nail States' now finished until the spring, it is most unlikely that he will' be deposed.' Ho .will thus head-the list for the fourth. year in 'Succession. He is approaching the record of los. sere, ValaiSi (imp-), who .was a, leading sire for five consecutive years. Heroic this iseafon has accounted for 43 winners of 85 races, and £23,194 m stanes. His 'stake earnings for previous three years were £26,540, £32.,581 and £25,468. Marconigram, sire of Contact (Sydney Cup) and Marabou (Melbourne Cup>Ls second' on tho list with. 12 winners of 17 races, worth £14,320. * Six .sires hre credited with winnings of more than £10,000,. two of them being Aubtralrain bred. Another Australian bred' sire, Spearfelt, is credited with .winnings' of £9270. T^cjan, ; a .brother of Heroic, sired V’liuioVs of £7143,

H. Rama, who has made Ricc-ar-ton his headquarters for the past two years, has- decided to return to Auckland, mainly for health reason’s. He lias Horowlicnua, Horotiu and Tooley Street at Ellcrslie. Free Air, who l lias been under the care of E. Shaw at New Brighton for some weeks past, is to be raced at Wingatui before she goes to Ellcrslie. ; * * * a

The addition to his total of the winning stake for the Tainui Handicap a.t. OtaJ.i, namely £55, took Vinco out of hath ollaiss, this being his seventh success, of winch six were gabled' this season. He could not) ho difficult- to place in open sprints and ho lias usually improved with a race. He will not race again this season and he goes out for a -spell more robust than he lia.s over been previously.

The committee of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club has' decided to purchase an electric totalisator, and has selected a machine, which it considers the most suitable for! Addington. The officials wish to install the new device as soon as possible. It. now r'rinarns for the Canterbury Park I Trotting Club to make its decision, i and if the .committee of that club is | in agreement, with the action of the | premier club, then an electric tot-allsa-I to at Addington will be an accomplished- fact. It- is understood that the necessary finance lias been arranged. * » »

Arctic King has been racing very well lately, which made his lapse in the Raukawa Cup at Otaki all the more surprising. Ho ran second and first, on the respective, day's at Wooclville.and was- runner-up to Prostration in the Wairarnpa County Cup at Carter ton. Qn that form he was made ai firm favourite for the Raukawa. Cup, but he beat only one horse home, namely Peter Jackson. Til the Ta Timi Kara Handicap on tlic second, day lie made a. good recovery, running the .improved Gay Boy to a short- neck. Arctic King will be; in good order for Tre-nthum, where lie won the Wellington. Handicap in the spring, while at the 1935 winter meeting he scored twice.

At quite, a number of race meetings throughout the Dominion actions taken by stipendiary stewards are neither communicated to the press nor to the public, aud at a recent meeting ol the Executive- Committee lit the Racing Conference this important matter was considered, and the following resolution was carried: “That the stipendiary steward- is to submit a report in writing on any action taken by him during the day’s racing to the chairman of the Judicial- Committee for his- 'approval, and the report is then to he handed by the steward to the secretary of the club, whose duty it will he to hand a copy thereof to the Press Association representative, and also to the local newspaper representatives.”