SPORTING

Grey River Argus, 29 August 1939, Page 3

SPORTING

Racing Notes

Glen Connell: Glen Connell, who impressed last term, although he did not win any money, has developed into a very solid three-year-old and he should have a successful season. The more one considers the numerous ’nack possibilities in the province, the more one wonders just how many will be still in the maden class at the end of the season, for obviousty their chances will be limited and there must be over a hundred horses now ready to compete in the non-winners’ classes. Finished On:

Finishing well on the heels of the placed horses in their respective divisions of the Sylva Park Handcap at Ellerslie were Beverley and Hunto. The former appears to be coming more solid and should not be long in winning a maiden race, even if this class is going to be difficult to score in, harder perhaps than a handicap class. Hunto is one who may progress rapidly as a result of that race. He is a three-year-old brother to Requiem and a half-brother to Call Again, winner of several hurdle races a few seasons back. Princess Vai:

A three-year-old noticed finishing in good style in her division at Ellerslie was Princess Vai, a naif-sister to Vaals to Hot Box and Sastrugi. She revealed pace last season but has now grown a great deal in the interim. Another three-year-old filly who will be improved try her outing in the same class at the Pakuranga Hunt meeting is Royal Tray, who was a winner in the old term. She came io hand early last spring, being runnerup in the Avondale Stakes, and as she appears to be coming more solid it is probable that she will enjoy a good season. Namara: Namai’a proved himself to be one of the best hacks in Taranaki last term, and since his arrival at Takanini, where H. Gray is now training, lie nas furnished nicely and may be a good winner this season. He looked a bit on the big side at the Pakuranga meeting, but revealed a lot of pace, being prominent throughout, and finishing not far away from the placed horses. He will do well on the provincial circuit. Bachelor King: Another failure was debited against Bachelor King at Ellerslie, and his supporters will have to wait until ne gets into the slightly weaker classes on the provincial circuit. He will be caught at his best on the easy tracks in the spring, and one may not have to wait Jong for him to prove himself once again. He was handy for most of the distance at his last appearance, and he ought to be improved by the run.

A Fast Seven Furlongs: The Australian record for seven furlongs is lmin 23sec, jointly held by Lough Neagh and Mohican, but at Aqueduct (New York) in June righting Fox did that distance in lmin 22 4-ssec. Subsequently Fighting Fox strengthened his claims to be considered one of the best four-year-old sprinters in America by running live and three-quarter furlongs in lmin 1 2-ssec at Empire City (New York). He reduced the previous track record by two-fifths of a second, and, as he carried 9.0 it was a brilliant performance. Galilee Retired: Mr E. H. Cucksey’s well-performed mare Galilee, by Chier riuler from Lady Bede, has finished her racing career and is to be mated with Phaleron Bay this season. Silver Quex: Silver Quex has resumed work at Ellerslie under the direction of F. Gilchrist. The half-sister to Round Up has not been idle during the winter and is bearing a very solid appearance. Gaine's Choice:

Gaine’s Choice, who won the Ladies’ Bracelet at Ellerslie, was bred by Mr James Williamson, of Auckland. Mr Williamson disposed of Gaine’s Choice for £5O, so he is now a bargain, as the winner’s share of the Pakuranga stake was £l4O. Lady Leigh:

Lady Leigh was expected to be retired after the Grand National Steeplechase meeting, but her owners, Miss L. Gates and Mr E. Gates, have decided to keep her in training wlrle there is a possibility of the present yieldng tracks continuing. China Clipper:

China Clipper, .who carries the colours of Mrs M. E. Curie, has joined W. Grindlay’s stable at Hawera. A daughter of Philamor and Sea Scout, she was a member of the team taken to Melbourne by J. Fryer, but after an unsuccessful sojourn in the Commonwealth she was returned to the Dominion three months ago. New Plymouth Riders:

Riding engagements announced for the Combined Hunt Club’s meeting at New Plymouth next week are:—G. RTattersail, Colossal Chief and Liberal’s Mint; W. Jenkins, Laughing Chief, Amoroso, and Vivacious; W. J. Broughton, Kaiwaka, Screen Star, and Saxon Tor; Mr S. M. Monteith, Cuisinier (Duke of Gloucester Cup); N. Watson, Bay Dawn and Book Law; C. P. Shield, Wykemist; N. R. McKenzie, Captain Bligh and Le Marquis; A. Gilmour, Civic Reception; C. G. Goulsbro’, Valvern; Mr L. Clever, Glenthawn; J. Mcßae, Glenvane and Huirangi Star.

Daughter of Ringmaster: The Colorado stallion Ringmaster had only Master Hotspur from his first small crop to represent him in the Dominion last season, but another of his gets, Magic Ring, one of three sold to go to Australia, finished up her two-year-old season very successfully in Sydney. In her last four races for the term, Magic Ring ran three firsts and a second. She is a daughter of Damaris, by Limond fx'om Eulogy s daughter Pennon, a half-sister to Humbug, Commendation, Epitaph, Eulalie, and Homage, an c ] she cost Mr F. W. Hughes, of Sydney. , 525 guineas as a yearling at the New Zealand National Yearling sales last year.

Lady Govern: Lady Govern, a chestnut filly by Leighon from Misgovern, dam also of Improvident, will be raced from D. McCauley’s stable at Trentham this reason. This filly has done well in her early work, and her breeder-own-er, Mr *E. N. Cunningham, of Lower Hutt, hopes to produce her in the Wanganui Debutant Stakes.

The Dozer’s First Run: When the Dozer beat everything

except The Cardinal and Right Royal in the Auckland Handicap at the Pakuranga Hunt meeting, he very nearly brought off what appears to have been a quietly-laid coup for his owner, Mi' J. J. Drozdowski, of Pukearuhe, North Taranaki, and his trainer, H. Gray, now of Takanini. The Dozer had never previously started in a race and he was ridden by a stable apprentice, J. A,- Logan, so the public had little inducement to support the horse. However, in the field of sixteen he was backed down to 5-10 favouritism, and he was beaten only three parts of a length an,-] a neck. It would look as if most of the money entrusted to him was lodged On the win machine, but his connection nevertheless probably secured some of this good place dividend. There was also very little in the breeding of this horse to attract notice, other than 1 that his sire was a strange name, and! he is also said to be a very plain cut] of a geiding. Now three years old, lie is by the Valkyrian--Fraiseite horse Valette. who never raced. Fraisette. by Valais, was Imported from England by Dr. V/. C. Ring, and the only horse of any account she left at uf:ici in the Dominion was Potent, who has been a fairly useful performer in the South Island. The dam of The Dozer is a mare namccl Kukuriki, who also never raced, and she was by the Sylvia Park horse Chaminade out of an unnamed mare by St. Paul, a son of St. Leger. The Dozer, who was bred by Mr Drozdowski, very nearly caught the public asleep last week, but they will be more awake next ■ lime he is produced. I 1-lawera Jottings;! Among horses }who are at present / working well at hawera are Student Prince, Vivacious) Barry Boy, Fiancee, and Captain Bligh. Student Prince is showing! no sign now of the soreness that kepi him out of action for a time, and after racing at New Plymouth this wefek he will probably be taken on to Ayondale and Ellerslie. Others who are doing everything required of them in view of coming engagements arc Race Call, Raceaway, Ramleh, Notium and Judgment, the last-named a most promising Appellant four-year-old in H. Scally’s team who has been twice a winner j and three times placed in his five starts to date. None of the youngsters at the centre is doing better work than Mr F. Walker’s Hunting Song — Lady Whirlwind gelding Barry Boy, who is to contest the Debutant Stakes at Wanganui. N. R. McKenzie has been engaged to ride Captain Bligh at New Plymouth. After Brazen Bold had won the second division of the hack sprint last Saturday, it was not surprising to find Black Musk, his stable companion, gaining a place in the principal fiai race. He finished very strongly and it is possible that he will have a goou season. The forward running of this pair indicated that horses trained on the Te Aroha course are more Forward than many others. Valvern:

Valvern left Ellerslie last week roi New Plymouth, where she will run in the novice events. This Vaals fi ! V has an abundance of speed and it is considered that the Taranaki couisr will suit her.

Lady Benso: Lady Benso is the name that has been chosen for the Gustavo —1 faction filly whom D. McCauley has entered for tiie Debutant Slakes at Wanganui. The name is derived from the lull title of the Italian patriot and statesman Count Camillo Benso di Cavour, whose eldest brol'.ter warnamed Gustavo. The racehorse Gustavo is a younger full-brother to the racehorse Count Cavour

Mahala: It is disappointing to learn that Mahala will not now make the trip to New Plymouth, lor she is better than her effort in the Pakuranga Hunt Cup ■ndicated. As is often the ease it was just the one mistake that brought about her failure, fur she oungicd a fence so badly that she became totally unbalanced upon landing and cou d never recover her stride. At her best •die would have had an excellent chance at New Plymoulh.

Premising Efforts: Marie’s Acre, who was bracketed with Philcourt in the Jellicoe Handicap. ran quite a good race, for he was always handv and tailed only m the run home. He still appears to be a very gross customer, tor. de.-phe l.v fact that his trainer one morning recently asked him to run two sprm.s of live furlongs against the watCii. m. stripped burly. Philcourt. too, won. a good race, but without ever appearing to be a possibility. Orate:

Orate displayed none of the waywardness expected of him when ho lined up to contest the sprint at Ellerslie, and after going a smooth race he was running on at the end, being in fifth place at the post after having none the best of the running. On this showing he will have to be con • sidered for coming sprint contests, the first of which may be at New Plymouth, although in common with other owners Mr J. C. Edmunds (in whose colours he now runs) may no. relish taking on BeauliWe. Maxam:

Nothing is sprinting better at Taka nini than Maxam and it seems as ishe will enjoy a much better record than she had last term even though she did then win four races. She is to fulfil her New Plymouth engagements and on that turning track her early brilliance should stand to her. If she becomes more solid with age and experience she ought to be able to win in the best sprint company.

Wykemist’s Failure: It is seldom that a horse stops sc suddenly in a race as did Wykemist in the Pakuranga Hunt Cup. Safely over the brush hurdle nearing the foo of the hill the last time, the Hawke’;-. Bay jumper began a great run that seemed as if it must take him on to victory, for he was overhauling the leaders quickly, but by the time he got to the top of the climb he war a spent force and rapidly disappeared as a possibility. Flat country woulci -seem to suit the Royal Stag gelding better, and he still has to be given i good chance in the cross-country events at New Plymouth. He is remaining at Ellerslie prior to being sent to that fixture. Buccaneer: One three-year-old that may pay tcremember in early maiden races is the Australian-bred Buccaneer, who contested the hack mile last week. He revealed a lot of pace to be one of the leaders for five furlongs. It was the Constant Son gelding’s first run since last October. He has furnished into a nice three-year-old and after his showing it would not be surprisng if be develops into an early wnner.

Clear Cut: A feature of the recent Pakuranga

meeting was the clear-cut win of Bronwen in the Admiralty Handicap. Still a hack at time of starting, she scored so convincingly that it is evident that she is above the average, and one well worth tollowing in her immediate engagements. Three-year-olds:

The appearance of several maiden three-year-olds in the hack class at the recent Pakuranga meeting created interest and in this category forward showings by Princess Vai, Buccaneer, Gay Movie, and Tellsom drew attention to their immediate prospects.. Buccaneer, a fine type of gelding by Constant Son from Girton Girl, piloted the field until well into the straight in the Auckland Handicap, and as he is known to be uncomfortable in heavy going his effort was very satisfactory. Tellsom. a Bronze Eagle colt with little experience, showed a bold front until retiring about a hundred yards from home in the Sylvia Park Handicap, and Gay Movie and Princess Vai went well enough to encourage the belief that they will not be hard to place to advantage in the future. Long Span:

Long Span declined his hurdles engagements at the Pakuranga Hunt in order to take on the mile hack flat event, and his performance indicated that it may not be long before he is tried as a jumper. He drifted badly in the early part, and the further they went the further he was tailed off. However, he finally finished seventh in a field of sixteen, so his effort was quite good. Unfortunately, that tendency Io lose ground in the early part will always be against him. Useful:

Two useful gallopers who failed in the Jcliicoe Handicap at Ellerslie were Airam and Jayola, despite the fact that they appeared to be well favoured. The former was slow to find her feet, and in consequence was never able to get in the lighting line. Nothing in the field impressed more than Jayola n the prelrhinary, and although ' the heavy going might have been responsible for his failure to show up, his effort was not in keeping with hs appearance. However, an improvement can be anticipated.

Sprints Well: Maxam is a promising sprinter, and Solitary is a smart beginner, whose best efforts in maden company have been over five furlongs. Saccone, who showed good form late last season, has disappointed recently, but he is to contest the Duke of Gloucester Cup, over which distance he may effect a surprise. ■ WERAROA STAKES DIVIDED. , NEW PLYMOUTH. August 27. The Weraroa Stkes t the combined Hunt Meeting has been divided as follows: — 12.40: WERAROA STAKES FIRST DIVISION.— Solitary, Ugly Duckling, Lu Chang, Minority, Valvern Gwenland, Colossal Chief, Hum a Song, Sweet Nothing, Kernel Mint, Vai Pere, Wee Ethel, Laughing Chief. 1.20: W E R A R O A S T AKES SECOND DIVISION. —White Foam. Captain Bligh, Suntire, Eupatrid. Mountain Fox, Erin Lad, La Coquette, Duncannon, Brown Bird, Carmody. Race Away, Social Credit, Raidora. RACING FIXTURES. August 31, September 2—Taranaki Plunt Club. September 2—Otago H.C. September 7. 9 — Wanganui J C. September 9—Greymouth J.C. , September 16—-Foxton R.C. September lb—Ashburton R.C. September 16, IS —Avondale J.C. September 21, 23—Geraldine R.C. September 23—Marton J.C. September 30—Otaki-Maori J.C. September 30, October 2—Ohinemuri J.C. October 5. 7—Dunedin J.C. October 5, 7 —Hawke’s Bay J.C. October 12, 14—Masterton R.C. October 14—South Canterbury J.C. October 14, 16—Auckland R.C. October 19. 21—Poverty Bay T.C. October 19. 21, 23—Wellington R.C. December 2—Kurow J.C. In Australia. August 30—Kensington R.C. September 2—Canterbury Park R.C. September 2—V.A.T.C. September 6—Rosebery R.C. September 9 —Tattersall’s .Club. September 9—Moonee Valley R.C. September 13—Ascot R.C. Sep! ember 16—Rosehill R.C. September 16—Mentone T.C. September 20—A. J.C. (Warwick Farm). September 23—Hawkesbury R.C. September 23—Moonee R.C. September 27—Rosebery R.C. September 30, October 2,4, and 7 A.J.C.. October 2—V.R.C. In England. September 2—Prince Edward Handi-

September s—Great Yorkshire capSept ember 6—-St. Leger Stakes. September B—Doncaster Cup. September’ 23 —Newbury Autumn Cup. September 28 —Jockey Club Stakes. September 30—Duke of York HandiOctoTer 21—-Cambridgeshire Handicap. TT .. October 21—Newbury Autumn Handlcap. October 25—Cesarewitch Handicap. TROTTING FIXTURES September 2. —New Brighton T.C. September 23—Wellington T.C. September 30.—Methven T.C. October 7.—New Brighton TX>. October 21, 23-Greymouth T.C October 21, 23 or 25.—Auckland T.C October 23. —Oamaru T.C. October 28— Wellington T.C. October 28— Invercargill T.C. November 7,9, 10.—N.Z. Metropolitan T.C. November 23, 25.— Foroury Park T.C. Dates to be approved by New Zea'and Trotting Conference.