SPORTING

Grey River Argus, 17 August 1937, Page 3

SPORTING

Racing Notes Pi pi: One of the hard-luck stories in connection with the Grand National Steeplechase is supplied by the Natator gelding Pipi. He ran second in 1902, 1903, and 1904, and> third in 1905. Kaitere: One of the greatest performances ever put up in the Grand National Steeplechase was supplied by Kaitere, wh6 ran third in 1907 with 13.3 to Eclair, who was in receipt of 431 b. General opinion heiu that if Kaitere had not been kept so far out of his ground he would have won.

A Hard Race: On more than one occasion a hard race in the Jumpers’ Flat has settled a good chance in the Grand National Hurdles. If Jolly Beggar had been kept in his box instead of getting a hard race in the Jumpers’ Flat he would have been in the money in the Grand National Hurdles.

Catalogue: The family to which Catalogue belongs has already produced some fine performers in the Dominion. Now seven years old, he is a bay gelding by Lord Quex from tne Catmint— Symbolism mare Catalini, the dam also of Paleta, Vandyke, and Hunting Cat. Symbolism, who was by the Ayreshire horse Symington, was imported from England, ana her other descendants here include Killashandra, Brampton and Symcony. Another closely-related member of the same family imported to the Dorninon was Cymene, the dam of the Derby winner Cylinder, and also of Cypress and Cyclonic.

Going on the Right Wav: Lord Vai has gone on the right way since he last appeared in public, and, judged by his effort over half a mile on Tuesday morning last, he has lost none of his speed as the result of racing over hurdles. ±r started in the Jellicoe Handicap at the Pakuranga meeting, Lord Vai’s condition will be an asset to him, and he is likely to beat more than will beat him.

To Reappear This Month: The Australian-bred three-year-old Barricade is due to make his reappearance at the Pakuranga meeting. Although he only won one race last season, the son of Baralong and Ednaver showed a fair amount of promise, and a good future should be in store for him. His last placed performance was at the Auckland meeting in March, where he ran second to Wildflower over six furlongs on the opening day.

Meeting Much Better Class: Maori Song, who. came into prominence as the result of his two impressive wins in minor hack events at tne Wellington meeting last month, will compete in the open sprint at the Pakuranga meeting. Although a smart galloper, and one that has steadily been improving with racing, there >s a big difference between the class that Maori Song beat at Trenthani and that which will oppose him in the Dunedin Handicap at Ellerslie. It will therefore be interesting to see how he performs next Saturday week.

Jockeys’ Weights: There are 13 jockeys who can ride under 7.0, and 22 who can ride 7.7 in the Dominion. Of the apprentice horsemen, 32 can ride under 7.0 and 39 more can go to scale under 7.7

Highborn: The two-year-old Highborn, who went to Sydney a few weeks back met with a rough trip and did not do well. This was not altogether surprising, as when coming over from Australia as a yearling he did not appreciate sea travelling.

The Preliminary: The last horse to follow up a victory in the Jumpers’ Flat Plandicap with another in the Grand National Hurdles was Nukumai, in 1928, and the last prior to that was Compass in 1909. Morning won the Trial Hurdles on the opening day as a preliminary to success in the Grand National Hurdles in 1913, and Art and Hounsiow did likewise in 1916 and 1933 respectively.

Trotting Notes Stays Fairly Well: Bismuth, who brings off an occasional surprise, is being kept going at Auckland. He is not high class, but stays fairly well, and may again be a stake-earner this season. Wellington Stakes Candidate: Stamboul, Durbar Lodge’s candidate for the Wellington Stakes, is a half-brother by Frank Worthy to Wrackler, Arethusa, and Raclalm, and this youngster has already appealed to a number of critics. A Two-mile Prospect: Star Pronto continues to work In free style at the Auckland tracks. Any time this horse does his work correctly he is invariably handy, and he appears to be a two-mile prospect at the coming meeting. An Improver: Kewpie’s Bingen is an Improver who is regarded as a possible winner early in the new season. He is getting through serviceable work, and will not lack condition if asked to race at the end of the month. t. .-T.