TURF TOPICS

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 29 May 1935, Page 3

TURF TOPICS

(By “Childers")

RACING FIXTURES

June 1, 3 —Otaki Maori E.C. June 1,3, 4—Dunedin J.C. June 3,5, B—Auckland E.C. June B—Foxton E.C. June 13, 15—Hawke’s Bay J.C; June 15—South Canterbury J.C. June 20, 22—Napier Park E.C. June 22—Ashburton C.E.C. June 29—Camaru J.C. June 29—Levin E.C. July 3—Dannevirke H.C. July 9, 11, 13—Wellington E.C. Chile Favoured. Chile impressed northern critics by . his good second to Chang at Te Eapa, and he is now one of the ruling fav- • ourites for the Great Northern Hurdles. He stays really well, while he has also shown a liking to heavy going, which is usually in evidence at Ellerslie winter meetings. For a long while it appeared that Chile was destined to be the black sheep of his illustrious family, but there now seems to be every prospect that ho may yet place another important event to its credit. For Foxton. All going well in the meantime, J. Brown- will take Arouse and Carfex down for the Foxton mooting, to be held on June 8. Arouse has been entered for a maiden event and a six furlong hack race, while Carfex is engaged in the “open” seven only. This is a distance which should suit Carfex admirably, as he docs not begin quite fast enough for a six furlong sprint, while owing to his wind affliction bo does not stay on as well as formerly. “Unexpected” Success. Living up to his name, Unexpected’s | win at Dannevirke on Monday was rather a surprise, for he started fifth favourite. Although he had run into a place on several occasions previously, Mondav’s win was his first success. His breeding is of a most interesting nature, for he is by Malapert, a son of Lucullus and that great handicap mare Bleriot. Malapert was gelded shortly after siring Unexpected and has raced several times this season, winning a district event at Tolaga Bay in February, Unexpected, incidentally, running a couple of seconds at the same meeting. Unexpected’s dam is Jeannette, who is by Romeo out of Dixieland.

Doubtful Runners. Both King Win and Imperial Prince, who failed badly at Te Rapa, are now regarded as doubtful starters in the Great Northern Hurdles, while Free Air may not go to the post, as she showed signs of soreness after running third in the King Country Steeplechase on Thursday. A Hardy Veteran. Veteran Gay Crest proved that he is still far from a back number by winning each of his last two staits in a most decisive manner. Now rising ten, the Australian-bred gelding is at an age when the majority of open handicappers have onded their career, Gay Crest’s case being all the more remarkable when it is considered that he is an unsound horse. He has no immediate engagements, but it is probable that he will have his next outing at the Wellington meeting in July, for this course has been a happy hunting ground for him in the past.

Will Improve. When Tutor accompanied other members of Hr W. Scholium’s team on their Taranaki trip for the ChristmasNew Year circuit, big things were expected of this good looking three-year-old, but he raced only moderately. Since then he has done very--little racing and has evidently benefited by the policy adopted, as he was responsible for a most encouraging effort when he beat all but Lady Zinnia in the mile hack event at Tc Rapa on Saturday. Tutor is a half-brother to Might, being by Chief Ruler out of the imported Graciosa, by Gay Crusader out of Mistrella, by Cyllene. An upstanding three-year-old, Tutor should improve with age and a good stake may come his way next year.

TRACK AND STABLE CHAT

A Cornwall Proposition. King Musk did not experience the best of luck in the running when beaten by King Eey In the President’s Handicap at Te Eapa on Thursday in contrast to tho winner, who received a perfect passage. King Musk now meets King Eey' on Slbs. better terms in the Cornwall than last week, so on paper he would appear to hold the Eaceful gelding safe. A repetition of this form should find King Musk being very hard to beat on Monday'.

Sporting Song Appeals. Sporting Song made a most attractive showing when he ran second Bantiy at the Egmont fixture, indicating that he will not be long in opening his winning account. The field in which he is engaged at Otaki on Saturday is by no means a strong "one, so it will come as a surprise if the New Plymouth three-ycar-old fails to give a good account of himself. Like the majority' of Hunting Song’s progeny, Sporting Song is at home on a soft track.

Ethiop is Smart. After his, good third to Evasion and Happy Hunting at Wanganui, Ethiop'is sure to bo in demand in the Te Hora Hack at Otaki on Saturday". Tho race •should have improved him considerably", while he should also appreciate the extra furlong. Ethiop looks to be one of the likeliest propositions seen out for some time and, as the Nigger Minstrel gelding handles soft tracks well, he should more than pay his way during the next few months.

The Colour- Bar. Although fairly plentiful in England, there have been very few grey or cream horses racing in New Zealand at present. Thus, spectators at Ellerslie on Monday will view a rather unusual sight when the field for the Hunt Club Hurdles parades, as two of the candidates are creams. These are Ali and Arabesque, both of whom have been performing promisingly in schooling tasks, but nave yet to put in an appearance in public. Many racing men are inclined to be prejudiced against cream horses, and certainly it is a fact that very few of this colour have met with much success. One fact in their favour, however, is that backers have very little trouble in sorting them out even in the largest of fields.

Ellerslie Riding Engagements. Riding engagements for Ellerslie include: L. Clifford, Gay Egypt; E. Burgess, King Rod and Billy Boy; W. Rennie, Ruling King; N. R. McKenzie, Scotch Nation; L. Dulieu, Haakon; B. Sullivan, Whistling Rufus; D. Craddock, Volition-and The Sun; K. Chote, Stanchion; F. E. Baker, Gascelle; R. W. Savage, King Musk; H. N. Wiggins, Lord Val and Salesman; J. F. Fergus, Black Marlin; D. J. Burgess, Emancipation, Solanio, and Thespis (Great Northern Steeplechase); P. Burgess, Chile and Victor Colima.; E. Manson, Baroscope; W.. Lawson, Free Air; J. Winder, Horowhenua; J. Sharkey, Valpeen, Ardmanning, D’Artagnan and Ali; R. J. Fearn, Teddy Boy; F. Thompson, Verden.

Air Laddie Improves, Prior to falling when in the lead at the second to last fence at Dannevirke on Saturday, Air Laddie was going particularly well and had he stood up would probably have won. Apparently he is improving steadily, for in his previous start to last Thursday he was a good second to Esteem at Marton. Air Laddie meets both Esteem and Diamond on much better terms at Otaki on Saturday, which points to him having a second to none chance. Dual Engagement. It is interesting to noto that Transact figures among the acceptors for both Auckland and Otaki, although at the former meeting he is engaged in the steeplechase events, whereas at the latter fixture he is in a hack event. While by staying at Otaki Transacts connections will save a considerable amount in travelling expenses, his prospects of. winning a stake look much the brighter at Ellerslie, for whereas his steeplechase record is first-class, he has shown absolutely no form in a lengthy' career on the flat.

Interesting Purchases. A short while back Mr J. A. McDougall, of Featkerston, owner of Nightly, effected the purchase in Hawke’s Bay' of three horses all by Hunting Song from Marsurd, by Absurd from Makepeace, by Martian. Tho eldest, Marsong, a five-year-old marc, he has leased to the Featherston trainer, L. A. Crawford, and a four-year-old gelding, Whaddon Chase, will shortly arrive at Eiccarton to enter F. D. Jones’ stable. A two-year-old gelding has been broken in and ridden, and is to remain at his owner’s property' until later in tho year. Jones made a special hurried trip to Featherston this week to inspect the new purchases, and was much impressed with the two geldings.

Club in Difficulties. A rumour that has been current to the effect that the mortgagees were foreclosing on the Marlborough Facing Club’s property, Watcrlea, receives confirmation by the publication in Blenheim of an advertisement announcing the sale of tho racecourse and buildings by public auction under instructions from the mortgagees and under conduct of the registrar of the Supreme Court. The sale is announced for June 14, and it was stated, on behalf of the club, that the mortgagees’ action would not interfere with the holding of the race meeting arranged for last week-end. The mortgagees’ action is being taken with the full knowledge of the club and is described as a “legal process necessary to protect the interests of all parties.”

A Deserved. Rest. This week the well-known Southland galloper, The Smuggler, was transferred from Eorke’s Drift Lodge to the farm property on the New Eiver where he was foaled. The big Balboa gelding is to be wintered on the banks of tho Oreti Stream, and it is hoped that he will return sound and well in the spring to permit of a summer preparation. Eeminiscent of his youthful days on river bed and farm, The Smuggler is a great forager and ca.u find the best of feed whero other thoroughbreds would be on short commons and under the circumstances he should do well on his first holiday leave for a lengthy period—he has survived two successive New Zealand Cup preparations and contests, not without frontal trouble bo it said, and he should benefit by' his prospective let-up. Polydora. There is a good deal of speculation about tho future of Polydora as a hurdler. Her schooling has been exemplary' and in fact she is almost “readymade.” Although sho has won only one race this term, she will hardly be allowed to begin her jumping career from tho bottom. There is a likelihood that sho will be given a couple of races at the Trentham meeting in July", and if she gives satisfaction there, people will be prepared to back her at Eiccarton in August.