SPORTING

Grey River Argus, 16 January 1940, Page 3

SPORTING

HARD RACE TO PICK Trentham Sprint GLANCE THROUGH WEIGHTS Open middle-distance handicap events at Wellington meetings artdifficult enough for investors to select correctly, but the records of the past seem to show that they are not the fruitful sources of miscalculation that the open sprints have been. There is probably no race among the more important events decided at Trentham each season that has had as many surprise results as the Telegraph Handicap, the big sprint on Cup Day and the leading sprint of the year at Wellington head-quarters. The Telegraph Handicap this year marks a milestone in the history of the club as it is the first sprint race ever to be run at Trentham to cat ry a four-figure prize. It now shares with the A.R.C. Railway Handicap the distinction of being the most valuable sprint of the year in the Dominion, and it has passed the value of ' the C.J.C. Stewards’" Handicap. Whatever future stakes may be, it is to be hoped that the Telegraph Handicap at Trentham will retain its position as at least equal leading sprint of the season’s calendar.

FAILURE OF FAVOURITES.

The open sprinters are the gay deceivers at Trentham. These races have often drawn comparatively small fields, but they persistently refusel to work out according to the book. Only last October the three open sprint winners were respectively 747,' 8-8, and 3-4 favourites in fields that were 10, 8, and 8 strong respectively. ’’i’he! favourites have had a very pobi 4 innings in the Telegraph Handicap. The last favourite to win the race was Autopay in 1933 and Autopay broke a run against the division that had commenced the year after Tamatete succeeded in the event in 1923. Last year’s winner, Rakahanga, was 12-12 favourite in a field of 13, and the minor places were filled by the 4-4 and 9-9 favourites, respectively Lady Ina and Alunga. There appears to be more scope for an upset result in this year’s Telegraph than ever. The field promises to .be near a record in point of size, and’ almost every runner will have form or other credentials to attract attention. * ' The favourites will probably be found from among the horses who did 'their holiday racing at Ellerslie. Bron wen was winner of the Railway Handicap under 7.13 and she was then second to Arvakur under 8.8 in the' Newmarket Handicap on the third day, which was exceuptionally good form, and with 8.9 she will have a' big following next week, the main doubt about her being Whether she " will act as well at Trentham as at Ellerslie. . ’ Arvakur, who was galloping bril liantly at Takanini prior to the holidays was the other sprinting star at Ellerslie. In the Railway .Handicap lie ran a very creditable fifth from a bad marble, then on the second day was third to Orwere and Te Monowai under 7.2 in the Electric Handicap, won the Newmarket Handicap under 7.7 on the third day, and repeated the performance under 7.13 in the Bowen Handicap on the final day, . beating Orwere by a length. For the """ Telegraph Handicap he has been lifted to 8.7, thus coming in against Bronwep at 81b worse than Railway weights and 111 b worse than Newmarket weights which rather points to Bronwen as the more likely of the pair on paper. Amigo was one of the minor placegetters in the Railway Handicap, and he has been a winner of open sprints at Trentham. Amigo who failed on the later days at Ellerslie is down 31b in his Railway weight. He mee<s Bromven on 31b better terms than in the Railway, a substantial advantage for a horse of his proved class. Suleiman and Amigo were the minor place-getters in the Railway Handicap, and they are a pair who have f both won open sprints on the Trantham course. With 8.10, Amigo, who failed on the latter days at Ellerslie. is down 31b. better terms than in .the Railway, substantial advantages for a horse’of his proved class. 'I Olympus, Disdain, Blonde Princess, and Brunhild are^.others in the fie’d Who raced at Ellerslie. Olympus was responsible for most of the pace in the Railway, and on the final day he finished third to Arvakur and Orwere carrying 7.35, his weight at Trentham now being 7.3. Disdain was fourth in the Railway under 8.5 and she is now down to 8.1. Blonde Princess’s best effort in the nortn was a fourth in the Newmarket Handicap but she has previously raced with success at Trentham, where she scored under 7.6 in October and she looks to very, well in With the minimum next week. Brunhild showed no form in the north, and she does not read at! all well through Blonde Princess, who beat her into second place at Trentham in October at 751 b worse terms than their Telegraph difference.

DUNCANNON’S PROSPECTS. Other Telegraph aspirants who showed winning form over the hplifiays were Spanish Lad (sprint winner on the first day at Dunedin, ing Kilrobe, whose subsequent form was very consistent). Duncannon' (winner of the z main sprint at Awapuni at his only holiday appearance), Night Eruption (second to Duncannon at Awapuni and a winner °V er seven furlongs on the final day'; Alunga (a winner at Wairarapa,', Sternchase (a winner at Hawkes Bay), and Endorsement (a winner at Waipukurau). Of these the best prospects may be Duncannon Sternchase, and Alunga. • ’ Most of the others who raced over the' holidays were in the minor money and among them were some who were narrowly defeated, including Race Call, Sleeveless, Lord Cavendish, and Lexden. Sleeveless and '■ Lord' Cavendish are a pair well up •to the class at their best. ; Two horses nqt yet mentioned but liable to show better form at Trentham than over the holidays are Black Thread and Rakahanga, who have both won open sprints at Wellington fixtures. Black Thread was having his first race for some months when he ran third at Tauherenikau, after being carried out m the straight, and on that effort alone, without taking into account his good track gallop recently he must be

given a royal chance in the next week’s sprint. Rakahanga’s best holiday effort was a third, but she is a mare who does her best on the metropolitan courses, and she comes into the Telegraph field this year with lib less than she has when winning the race as a three-year-o’.l last January, which, assessed through the wf.a. scale, means that she has an advantage in the handicap of no less than 91b, as the scale difference between a three- and a four-year-old over six furlongs at w.f.a. in January is 81b. Five acceptors who appear to have excellent chances are Amigo, Black Thread, Duncannon, Rakahanga, and Bronwen.

TRENTHAM TRACK WORK.

WELLINGTON, January 13

There was nothing exceptional in the semi-final gallops at Trentham this morning, but a lot of good work was accomplished. Horses which shaped pleasingly included Black Thread, Malagigi Beau Vite, Meadow, Boldstep, Gaiteemore, Globe Trotter Silver River, and Cymric. The weather was overcast but fine and mild, with almost no wind. Both the plough an t the outside of the course proper were freely used, and the going was good. On the Plough. • Globe Trotter gave Silver River two lengths’ start over nine furlongs, and, joining him in the straight, just failed to get up in Imin 44 2-ssec for the last mile, the last half in 51 2-5 sec. Both worked well; in fact, Silver River has never worked more pleasingly. Globe Trotter has been finishing on at the end of his gallops after being allowed to settled down well early. Sly Fox, with a good weight up, was too good for Tooley Street, over a mile. They ran the first half in 53 sec, and Sly Fox finished his task in [ lmin 46 4-ssec. He did not appear as ( if he could have done much better. Beau Vite and Siegmund registered Jmin 43 4-ssec. They took 54sec for the first half, so Beau Vite just broke 50sec for the last four. He came home very solidly and was doing better than his companion, who had been in front early. Beau Vite has improved with every gallop, and is in first-rate order for his Cup engagement. Gaiteemore was better than Pearl of Asia in lmin 43sec. It was a very good gallop, and they ran the journey very evenly, 51 2-ssec for each half.

Malagigi went six furlongs with Trench Law and left the latter behind over tlie concluding stages, finishing well in lmin 15£sec, the last five in lmin 2sec and the last half in 591 sec. Malagigi was ridden by C. G Goulsbro, and he went really we’l, especially considering the fact that it was his first fast work since arrival.

Boldstep ran away from Trebor over five in lmin 2sec, the last half in 48sec, one of the smartest efforts of the morning.

Blonde Princess was pulled up at the end of seven furlongs to stay with Miss Appellant in lmin 31sec, the last half in 53sec.

Cymric, with a light-weight up, went very fast over- seven furlongs the first three in '36sec and the full journey in lmin 28sec, one of the best gallops during the week. His stablemate, Haughty Winner took 49sec for four and did it we 1 !. The holiday racing has improved him and the going on the plough also suited him. / Down the straight half-mile,’ Absolve and Siglow went very well together in 50sec, and were still under a hold at the post. Black Thread always had an advantage from Alunga over five furlongs in lmin 3sec, the last half in 49sec. Alunga was ridden right out but Black Thread worked exceptionally well and could have gone clear at any stage. Great Legion showed his usual sneed early in a six-furlong task with Foral Robe, and was well clear till the last furlong when Floral Robe drew up and was gathering him rapidlv in lmin 24sec. Croupisino just shaded Kadina. with Beau Coureur beaten off in 51 sec. The former pair worked well, especially Croupisino. Desert Sun finished well with Loi\. Cavendish, find with Royal Portrait not quite up to them in 50>-sec.

Attracted Attention.

A. Julian gave Beau Repaire, Olympus, and Mayfair steady work. The first-named, half-brother to Royal Chief, attracted a good deal of attention. He bears a lot of resemblance to Beau Vite, being a typical Beau Pere.

Beau Vite’s jockey in the Centennial Cup will be B. H. Morris.

Bracketed Horses.

Horses will be bracketed on the < first day’s card as follows: — J High-wei>ht Handicap: Chere Arnie ] and Colibri; Cymric and Esperance i Bay; Kalika and King’s Toast; Lord j Puck and Phil; Ruling Star ana | Scold; Thrasos and Twenty Grand. Wellington Cup: Tooley Street and Tidewaiter; Laughing Lass and Glohe Trotter; Moorsotis and Blonae j Princess; Mona’s Song and Raeburn; ; The Wrecker and Windsor Chief. _ i i ’ Ruapehu Handicap: Pekoe and Gay Gipsy. • 1 RESPIRATOR FOR INDIA. SYDNEY, January 13. The racehorse Respirator has beer, sold, and he will do his future racing in India. KUMARA RACING CLUB[To The Editor 1. Sir,— Reading the account of the Kumara Racing Club’s meeting brought back old jnemories. It >s gratifying to note the zeal, enthusiasm and interest taken in this club, this particular year, and the large membership now attained. In live membership this club in recent years had been lacking, but new blood has invigorated it -again to a real life. It is pleasing to see that it has now a membership of thirty, some being new members from other districts. Gratitude should be forthcoming from the pldep members of the club, and trom the Kumara people, to have these people from other parts lending a hand to assist the club to success. Appreciation must first be extended to the stalwarts of the past, as it was they and their good work alone that had been the redeeming feature of the popular meetings held at Kumara. 1 There are a number of the old club members too, who have passed away, ; but who have left behind a memory ’ of past records, something Kumara , should be proud of. My wish to the new members is, that, they will en1 deavour to follow their example, and j restore once more the spirit of sports-

manship, which was always found in this principal meeting of the Easter Reading in the paper the list of present members of the club, I can assure the Kumara people that the club will never look back. They will be on the road to success, with the enthusiasm inspired by the zealous members so elected. The war might prove an obstacle in the meantime, but that will' be overcome by the members' sticking loyally to their guns. The road known as the Kumara "straight” has keen recently tar-seal-ed. This should be a boon to motorists. I am quite certain the club now will leave no stone unturned to re-establish that good old sporting spirit witnessed in the flourishing days of Kumara, when the Right Hon. Richard John Seddon, wl.<> was Prime Minister of New Zealand, resided there among his hdppy colleagues. Easter Monday, I am sure, will be a day set aside by the sporting public, and one which will live in memory for years to come. I am, etc.,

GOOD OLD KUMARA. -Greymouth 15/1/40.

Racing Notes

Wiggins’ Ride: H. N. Wiggins, who is to ride Laughing Lass in the Wellington Cup, won the race on Insurrection while still an apprentice back in 1922. One Whetu:

After a long spell, One Whetu has been taken in hand again by E. Fryer at Sti afford. Providing he survives another preparation it is intended to try him as a jumper. Sir Crusoe:

Sir Crusoe has worked his way to the top of the hand.cap in hack grade with only two wins, but the handicapper has probably made no error .n his estimate of this colt’s’ a’biiity. Any horse who beats him this week will require to be good.

China Clipper: The Philamor mare China Clipper received severe injuries when she fell at Stratford on New Year’s Day, ana shs has been returned to her owner, Mrs. M. S. Curie, Wanganui. It ’s hoped to reserve her tor the matron’s paddock. Her place in W. Grindlay’s stable has been taken by Resmgold, a three-year-old chestnut ge.ding by Resinous—Goldzone, who was bred by his owners, Messrs Startup brotlieis. South Contestants:

Otago horses engaged at the Wellington Meeting are Norseman, Hearth, Twenty Grand, Lord Puck, and Tnerm.dor, and Southlanders engaged are Mona’s Song and Spanisn Enrich: Enrich has made a reappearance on the tracks at Trentham, but he is still coughing a bit. Liane: Liane has been returned from Her spell. She is very big, but she shou d not be long m taking off some of tns condition. Mayfair: Mayfair, who is engaged in tne hack sprints at Trentham, is a three-year-old daughter of Hunting Song and the Whirlwind mare Lady Whirlwind, a grand-daughter of Ammon Ra’s dam Hyades. She was a winner at Ellersne in Novemoer. Mittie':

Mittie, who was kicked at the post at the Wellington Meeting last Octoosr, was under orders for this week's meeting, but she could not throw on the soreness and she has now Deen set aside for some months. Gay Seton:

Gay Seton, who secured two wmc ana a dead-neat for second at the Taranaki holiday meetings, has Dee., .cased oy the Hawera spoilsman, Mr. v. Wright, who has hitherto confin.u his racing interests to trotting. Gay seton is at present on the ea=y list, cat will prooabiy be on hand tor me Egmont Meeting next munm. Additional Riders:

Additional riding engagements for Trentham are: B. H. Morris, Disdam and Cnary; G. H. Tattersail, Old B.h, Little Dorrii; W. Jenkins, Golden ludge.

Shaped Well: Two horses who shaped well in their eiigag-menis over , seven furlongs and a mile at Ellerslie were Sunola and Pirate King, and if they aie produced in the Goldiields Cup next week, or in the shorter event on the second day, tney win not. tac,-. support. The former especially is regarded as a good handicap proposition, tor he is a three-year-old brother to Hound Up, a good stayer who ran secund in the Auckland Cup in 1938. H. rate King lias won up to a mile and he should get the extra quarter on the Thames course, although as between the pair there may ne a preference for Sunola. •

Royal Musk: a two-year-old noted for future reference in the eariy spring was Royai tviusk, and he figures in the juvenile event at Thames. He fin shed third in the Musket Stakes on the second day of the Auckland spring fixture, a moderate placing behind N ghtbeam and Kentucky. He is a brown colt by Musketoon from Lady Mestor, and after his spell since the Auckland spring fixture he should oe a good prospect at Thames. Poor Class:

On the Thames programme Is a handicap event for two and three-year-olds, the only race of its kind in the province. It has again filled quite well, although on this occasion the class is poor, with only two winners, Heroic Maid and Biddy Girl. Both aie very fast and they wid have every opportunity to improve their record here. Silvern Eagle: Silver Eagle is engaged t-'j 1 shorter open races at Thames and ne is a horse who will not be neglected. He has not made a great many ap pearances this season, but he was inthe money at Whangarei and again at Avondale a coupje of months ago, and in his second essay at the latter fixture he wt| close up to the placed horses after experiencing a very bad run. This Bronze Eagle gelding Is one to keep in mind for coming events away from the best classes. Saccone: That Saccone was highly regarded was indicated by his programme at Ellerslie, for, after a sterling performance in winning the mile and a • quarter hack handicap undei 1 top weight, 9.0, he was started against the best handicap horses, and, while 'he did not get in the money, he was

far from being disgraced. He figures in the principal handicap events at the Thames fixture and his showings there and at other meetings on me circuit will be full of interest. Te Hai: Te Hai just prior to the summer racing gave promise of a return to form, and while he ran well on the early days of the Taranaki circuit he did not get to Ins peak until the final day at Stratford, when he won tne main handicap event and then came out three races later to dead-near with another Aucklander, Prince Rangi, in the high-weight contest.) Both these horses will be seen out at Thames and in their respective classes they ought to earn piacemoney at least.

Cup Riders: With such a big field for the Wellington Cup next Thursday, owners nave been prompt in securing riders for their candidates, and only a rew of the engagements have not yet been announced. The following are the probable riders:— Royal Chief A. E. Ellis Catalogue W. Jenkins Beaupartir W. J. Broughton Centrepoise P. Atkins Ma'agigi M. McCarten Beau Vite B. H. Morris Sly Fox P- Burgess Willie Win H. W. Hibberu Siegmund A. Jenkins Old Bill G. R. Tattersail Queen of Song J. W. Jennxigs Lady Montana A. Midwood Gladynev R- McTavish Du Maurier C. G. Goulsbro Norseman P- Spratt Beau Repaire L. J. Ellis Thermidor C. T. Wilson Mishna R- Hawes Tooley Street W. J. Evans Fils' de Vaals H. Long Tidewaiter R. E. Horne Laughing LassH. N. W*gg<ns Globe Trotter W. J. Muaford Moorsotis A. Messervy Blonde Princess -■ Mona's Song W. F. Ellis Raeburn .. ■• ■ v V. Dye ( The Wrecker Windsor Chief K. Chote Though Footloose is not an acceptor for the Telegraph Handicap at Trentham, he is making the trip to race on the second and third days. Won Both: When Vogengang won the Wellington Cup in 1894, he was saddled up again later in the day and won the Telegraph Handicap. Vogengang was then a four-year-old colt, and ne got by Burlington, a son of Albany, whose name occurs fa.iTy frequently in the back of some trotting pedigrees. Windsor Chief:

Windsor Chief has come through his holiday racing in great style. He is a sluggish worker unless in company, and under the circumstances his effort was satisfactory. He is Taranaki’s sole representative in the Wellington Cup. Retrogression: f

Retrogression, who will be making his race debut in the Fitzherberi Handicap at Trentham next Thursday, is a bay colt by Magnus from me Autumnus mare Retrospect, the dam also of Recollection and Great Memory, and he will carry the Clifford jacket. Speedwell:

Speedwell, another juvenile who will open his race career in the Fitzherebrt Handicap at Trentham next Thursday, is a bay gelding by Myosotis from the Martian—Love n Duck mare Love in the Mist, a halfsister to L’Amour, who won a number of races at Riccarton and elsewhere a decade or move ago. He is owned by Mr. G. Gr gg, who bron him.

Norseman’s Cup Chance: Norseman is a Dunedin candidate for the Wellington Cup who will have friends in the south, as he is usually tunmng very sol.dly at the end of his races. This son of Vaikyrian won the Jockey Club Handicap and beat everything except Centrepoise in the Metropolitan Handicap at the Kew Zealancl Cup Meeting, and dur.ng tn. holidays he was second to Lady in the D.J.C. Otago Handicap and won the St. Andrew’s Handicap, 1 mile, on the final day. He is a halfbrother to that useful performer High Glee, and according to a Dunedin report he is holding his form well. Dunedin stables have never been greatly represented in races tor tne Wellington Cup, and their only winner was Loughrea, who won in 1924. Others from the centre have been in the minor places, including Jonn Barleycorn (third in 1917), Roseday (.third’ in Loughrea’s year), and rink ixote (second to Star Stranger in 1928).

Field May Be Too Big: The Robespierre mare Thermidor, a half-sister to the Auckland Cup winner Minerval, has in the Wellington Cup what is a luxurious burden when compared with what she has successfully carried. Her chance, nowever, looks better on paper than it does .in fact for the reason that sne is generally slow on her legs in the early part of a race, and this would doubly handicap her chance at Trentham, wnere a Tair k idsitlon al the turn out of the straight seems essential to success. Thermidor was fancied for her engagements at the New Zealand Cup Meeting, but got lost in the crowd. Her best form has been put up in small fields and this fact must be taken into consideration when summing up her chance, tn common with many others of her sex, she comes to the top of her form in the second half of the season.

Sudan’s Career Endfed: The racing days of the. four-year-old Sudan, by Beau Pere from Sahara. are ended. Sudan, who was trained by Mr. A. W. McDonald, at Awapuni, was severely injured recently when she bolted on the track and collided with the fence. An attempt is being made to save her lor the stud, but the chances are that she will have to be destroyed. Her most important success was the North Island Hack Plate at the Manawatu Racing Club’s Autumn Meeting last season. Kathbella: An impressive winner on the concluding day of the Auckland Racing Club's Summer Meeting, the Hastings trained Kathbella was not entered for the first day at Trentham, but she is engaged in the mile events on the later days of the meeting.

The Favourites: Beau Vite is the ruling favourite for the Wellington Cup, and Amigo, Bronwen, Arvakur and Duncannon

are linked as most in favour for the Telegraph Handicap.

The Cardinal: After his two hard races at Ellerslie it was decided not to send The Cardinal to Trentham for the Centennial Cup, the possibility of a very big field also having something i o dy with the decision. It is probable that trns promts.ng handicap horse will next contest the Matamata Cup earn., in February, when he will be racing at home, in the same stable as The i Cardinal there is a promising maiden performer in Kilcash, who filled tmrd place behind Cornish ana Meadow at Ellerslie recently. He is engaged in both the Trial and nacn Cup at Thames on Saturday of this week, and as he is on the up grade he snomd not be long in making the winning list.

Trotting Notes

A Brilliant Filly: The yearling pacing filly Koya, Lady, by Ronnycastle from Laay Daie,’ by Hal Dale, bred, owned, ana driven by the veteran horseman, O. M. Rowell, America, established a new world’s record for yearling pacers on October 20 . when she . paceu 2min. 14i.'sec. in an olfic.al record trial. American horsemen consider this one of the most remarkable performances in the history of the sport, as the filly has been trained only four heats better than 2min. 30sec., with one quarter in 301 sec.'ij. the end of a slow mile from October i. Several watches caught the mile a shade faster than the official time. The record displaces the former yearling pacing record of 2min. 15 sec., established in 1911 by, Frank Perry. The best previous performance by a pacing liily was 2min. 167 sec. by Hemet Queen in 1916. Another’unusually good performance oy a' yearling pacer was a mile in 2m;n. 222 sec. by Jack Abbe, a colt, by Abbe Guy from Fly Across, by Hollyrood Peter, owned and driven by W. A. Thompson. This youngster never saw a track until October 2, and in 18 days had been trained one mile in 2min. 36sec. and another in 2min. 30 sec.

Racing Fixtures: January 18, 20, 22.—Wellington R C January 20, 22. —Thames J C, January 20.—Wairio J.C. January 22.— Ashhurst-Pohangina

R.C. January 26, 27.—Pahiatua R.C. January 27 29.—Auckland R.C February 1, 3.—Wairoa R.C. February 1, 3.- —Wanganui J.C. February 3.—Canterbury J.C. February 3.—Tapanui R.C. February 3.—Matamata R.C. February 8, 10. —Egmont R.C. Februarv 8, 10. —Poverty Bay Turf CFebruary 10, 12.—Gore R.C. February 10, 12.—Rotorua R.C. February 16, 17.—Winton J.C. February 17. —Opunake R.C. (at Ha-

wera). ’ February 17, 19.—Waikato R.C. February 22, 24. —Dunedin J.C. February 24.—Waiapu R.C. February 24, 26.—Westland R.C. February 24, 26.—Te Aroha J.C. February 24. 26. —Woodville District J.C. T rotting. January 20, 22—Wanganui T.C. January 25, 27—Forbury Park T.C. January 27—Marlborough T.C. January 31, February 3.—Wellington

T.C. February 10.—Canterbury Park TC. February 10, 14.—Auckland T.C. February 17. —-New Brighton T.C. February 17, 19.— Manawatu T.C. March 2.—lnvercargill T.C. March 9. —Timaru T.C. March 16.—Taranaki T.C. March 16.—Cheviot T.C. March 16. —Wyndham T.C. March 23, 25.—Hawera T.C. March 23, 27, 28. —-N.Z. Metropolitan T.C. March 26. —Westland T.C. March 30. —Wanganui T.C.