SPORTING

Grey River Argus, 15 March 1940, Page 10

SPORTING

RIVERTON TRIALS. INVERCARGILL, March .12. Racing at Riverton this morning, Spanish Lad and Nigger Boy worked over a brilliant six furlongs in lmin 15 3-sssc, the last half being covered in 49 2-ssec. They jumped away together, but Spanish Lad soon put a break of two lengths on his younger half-brother, and then waited lor him in the straight. They finished together, but Spanish Lad was doing it much the better. Spanish Lad carried about 9.10 and Nigger Boy 8.7. If was a brilliant gal lop on the part of bo tn. horses. Spanish Lad is definitely to, start in the Great Easter, and is to be taken north at the week-end. Southern Sail ran a very use,fill seven furlongs in lmin 33sec, the last six in lmin 19sec, and the last hail' in 53sec. She looks certain to show up during the Easter meeting. Bay Duke easily beat Rodeur over six furlongs in lmin 16 2-sseo, toe last haif in 51 2-ssec. Bay. Duke is very well, hut Rodeur has not been racing up to expectations. The first arrival at Riverton is G. Fielding with Joy Boa and Night Scout. They were schooled over three fences this morning and acquitted themselves well. -Loy Boa was Jh clined to jump extravagantly. Mount Vai has also arrived on toe scene. He looks all the better for his race on Saturday. It is understood that Slayer will not be a starter in the , Great Western Steeplechase at Riverton. Present indications are to start King WiEow in the Great Western Steeplechase in preference to the Plack Steeplechase. The first day of his Birchwood effort justifies tins decision. ■ Pandine wifi not be produced in tne Great Western Steeplechase, as it_ is considered the journey is too far for him. He will be reserved for the second and third days at Riverton. .He took no harm from his hard race on Saturday. , Besides the Riverton meeting, Wild Career has been nominated to lace at Ri,ecarton at Easter. He has been withdrawn from the Great Easter Handicap but has been entered for other events. A decision about where he will do his Easter racing will be decided after the appearance of tne Riverton acceptances.

Corban appeared to suffer an injury to his back when he fell’ heavily at the Birchwood meeting, and there is doubt about him carrying out ms Easter engagements. d , There is no certainty that Blissiu. Lady will contest the Southern Champion Hack Handicap at Riverton. She has also been nominated for the Open Mile on the second day and, if tne Champion Hack weights do not suit, she will be started in the latter race in preference. Already some riding engagements for the Great Western Steeplechase have been announced. T. J. Boyle will, be on Frenchy, P. J. Boyle, on Bally Brit, E. J- Jennings on Gay Boa. and R. Beal'e on Poniard.

Trotting Notes Dusky Sound: Dusky Sound, the winner of the Timaru Trotting Cup, was got by Happy Voyage from Hectors Own. by Sir Hector from a Dragoon mare. Wyndham Meeting: The excellent fields for the Wyndham Trotting Club’s meeting contain more than sufficient material to provide an assured success tor the club, and some interesting sport for those who fill the role of spectators. A Hot Favourite: The Nelson Derby horse Nelson Eddy started a hot favourite for the Timaru Trotting Cup, but failed badly after being well up for over a mile. The first mile was out ou t 111 ~mm 15sec, and Dusky Sound’s winning time of 4min 23 l-ssec is estimated to be better than 4min 20sec at Addington.

The Wizard: The Wizard won the distinction of gaining classic honours by winning the Cromwell Derby, and after two years’ retirement through breaking a simaU bone in a hind leg, came out again to become one of the best trotters of his day. He was got by Bucephalus from The Witch (also a Cromwell Derby winner), by Sorcerer, a son of Traducer and Azucena by Tonton. Azucena won the New Zealand Derby in 1863. The Witch also produced well-known performers m George L. Montero and Magic.

Racing Notes Yours Truly: , A repetition of New Zealand Cud form, would make Yours Truly hard to beat in the Sydney Cup. Wild Career: The soft going at Invercargill contributed towards the defeat of Wild {Career in the Birchwood Jubilee Cup. A Fail: When Gold Wren fell at the last fence in the Turi Steeplechase his rider, W. E. Shand, suffered concussion, and was removed to the hospital. At latest reports Shand was oh the way to complete recovery. Florence Mills: It has been necessary to retire Florence Mills, as she failed to recover completely from a rick that put her out of training. She is a sister to Quadroon, and a half-sister to Old Bill. Florence Mills was got by Nigger Minstrel from Liaison, by Loro Quex from Lovematch, by MartianLovelorn, and so belongs z to a good producing line. Polar Star: fence in the Gardner Memorial Steeplefence in the Gardner Memorial Steplechase, but crashed through the wing, was formerly trained at Wingatm. He is an aged gelding by Silverado from Starmist. by Autumnus—Stardancer, by Martian.

Concertpitch’s End': Concertpitch was in a bad way after breaking down, and had to be destroyed. Had he been sound the Balboa —High Note gelding would have made a great name for himself up to a mile. When trained early in his career bv T. H. Giliett. Concertpitch won the Great Eastei- Handicaps in 1936 and 1937, while his other successes included the Ashburton Coronation Cup and the Craven Plate. In his only start since being trained by G. Ridgway, he won <he Craven Plate at Riccarton recently.