TURF TOPICS

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 4 September 1935, Page 3

TURF TOPICS

TRACK AND STABLE CHAT

(By "Childers”)

RACING FIXTURES Sept. 7---otago If.C. , . ' Sept; 7—Maxtoa J.C. Sept. .12, 14 —Wanganui J.O. Sept, 21-—Ashburton County R.C. . . Sept. 21-—Foxton E.C. Sept. 21, 23—Avondale J.C. Sept. 26, 28—Geraldine E.C. Sept. 28—Napier Park E.C. Sept. 28, 30—Taumarunui E.C. (at Paeroa). Oct. &—Otaki Maori E.C. Oct. s —Kurow J.C. Oct. 10, 12—Dunedin J.C. Oct. 12—Dannevirke E.C. (at Waipukurau). Oct. 12, 14—Auckland E.C. Oct. 18, 19—Masterton E.C. Oct. 19—South Canterbury J.C. Oct. 26, 28, 3Of— Wellington E.C. Oct. 28 —North Canterbury E.C. Oct. 28 —Waikato H.C., Oct. 28—Waipawa County E.C. Oct. 28—Waverley E.C. Oct. 28, 29—Gore E.C. Oct. 31, Nov. 2—Poverty Bay Turf C.

His First Fall. When Waitaunaha fell in the Hunt Club Cup on Saturday it was the first time in his lengthy career that he failed to complete the course. Incidentally, it was in this event six years previously that he scored his first important success, and since then he has performed most, consistently in hunters’ events. It seems rather a pity that the veteran should, be persevered with, as he is at an age when, little; success can be expected of him and'the majority of -horses have long been on the retired •list. Heritage Backward. Heritage, who, with the- remainder of the Woodvillo trainer F. Davis’ team, has transferred to Wanganui to undergo his preparation for spring racing, is stated to be rather’ backward and may not be seen at his best .until he has had a little racing. This beautifully-bred colt looks to be a great proposition for Derby honours ithis season and, with Haut Monde and Plato also in his charge, Davis should hold a strong hand in the major three-year-old events. Lowenberg in Favour. Despite the fact that’ he was not; suited by the turning track or the heavy going, Lowenberg registered an outstanding effort at New Plymouth to beat all but Alchemic. He should be all the better'for the outing and, after another race on the opening day at Wanganui, should be keyed up for the Wanganui Guineas on the second day. Lowenberg has given every indication of seeing out a really solid mile, and if he can handle the turning track the big son of Lord Q uex and Zarenc will be one of the hardest to beat. .i Royal Banquet Appeals. On his form during the winter, bettors are not likely to go past'Royal Banquet in the Marton Handicap, despite his impost of 8.9. The Mercian King gelding should appreciate the small field, which could hardly be classed as a strong one. Provided lie lives up to the promise, he has recently shown, the connections of Royal Banquet should have little difficulty in placing him to advantage amongst open company during the spring. Fersen May Surprise. •

Fersen rair a useful race in tlic Wailiau Handicap at ihis only start last week. The distance was too short for him, however, and it was not until the final stages, when he was observed fin-' ishing strongly, that he really got going. He should be greatly benefited by the outing, and over the seven and a-quarter furlong journey of the Seafield Handicap at Wanganui next week he might be capable of springing a surprise. Australian Trip Declined. The former Ilawera jockey W. E. Pine was offered the riding of the Corry team if lie cared to go to Australia for the spring, but ho declined the offer, as he expects to get liis full share of riding in the Dominion. Certainly, this is the wisest move, as New Zealand is very poorly off for firstclhss horsemen at present and Pine is assured of plenty of good riding here, whereas it is extremely difficult to secure an opening in Australia. Pine will be in the saddle on Wahine Nui, Huntsman's Chorus and Bazaine at Marlon on Saturday, while he has been secured for Lowcnbcrg in the Wanganui Guineas. Additions to Team. I?. Brough has an addition to his team in Clembroney, a five-year-old brown gelding by Kilbroney from Clemsoult. Formerly trained by his owner, Mr J. Ivallil, of Ohura, Glonibroucy had nine starts as a thrcc-ycar-old and five starts last season, but so far has been unable to get into a place. However, like the majority of his sire’s stock, he should improve with age. He will probably be raced in future as a jumper. Brough also has two othei newcomers to his team in a paii of yearlings, owned by Mr Dcaly, of Wellington. Both arc by the young Taranaki bred sire Resinous • (Limond— Amyrin), one being a well-grown filly from Fairy Girl (Arausio Pretty Gill) and the other a colt from Little Thrush (Birkdale— Pretty Girl).

Useful Fonn. Silk Sox was responsible for three very croditablc efforts at New Plymouth for a first and two thirds. Ccr- . _talniy, -borwon. by. a- very narrow mar- ■ gin only, but it seemed that lie would have been most unlucky to lose, ,as he was rather indifferently handled. In the past, the Eoyal Divorce gelding has been most disappointing after showing promise, but it seems that lie may yet come good. Apparently he races best w r hen fresh and solid training does not improve him.

Improving Steadily. Gainsay showed still further improvement on his Pakuranga form to win the Ladies’ Bracelet at New Plymouth on the opening day in handsome style. This six-year-old son of Gainscourt has started on only four occasions to date for two firsts, a second and a third, showing improvement on every occasion. If he continues to shape in this stylo he should have little difficulty in paying his way amongst hack company during the spring. Eiders at Marton. LI. Goldfinch will do the riding for L. Wilson ’s stable at Marton and Wanganui when the weights suit. P. Atkins will be on Hard Times, Host, Eoyal Banquet, Heritage and Pakanui; B. H. Morris on Prevail and Unexpected; W. £. Pine on Huntsman’s Chorus, Wahine Nui and Bazaine. C. Thomson will ride Headland, and -S'. Anderson Jean Batten. S. Wilson has been engaged for Going Gay, Hunting Cat, Passion Fruit and Taumau. Three-Year-Old Weights. It is interesting to note tho assessments of the leading three-year-olds engaged in the Flying Handicap at Wanganui in view of last season’s form. Haut Monde heads them with 8.0, or, exactly weight-for-ago scale. Last season he started on nine oc* casions for four firsts, a second and two thirds, all of his wins being in handicap events. Galilee with 7.12 tops the fillies, thus being rated at 41bs. above weight-for-age, which is not hard to understand, for in ten starts

she registered five firsts and two seconds, her wins including the A.E.C. Welconio Stakes, Avondale Stakes and the A.E.C. Royal Stakes. Heritage is rated at I2lbs. below weight-for-age, which is rather surprising when it is considered that his - seven starts produced three firsts, one second and two thirds, including a win in the C.J.C. Challenge Stakes. Hororata is rated as being 31bs. below weight-for-age, earning this impost by a heavy campaign of 17 starts last season for five firsts, four seconds and one third. One cannot help but contrast these assessments to the Australian handicaps for important events. Across the Tasman very few of the two-year-olds which have shown winning form at all arc let in under weight-for-age, while the majority of well performed candidates are weighted at over this mark. Eiders for Burma. Some New Zealand -lightweight jockeys may be interested in the following: “The stewards of the Rangoon Turf Club are concerned about the dearth of good jockeys in Rangoon, and realise that the Burmese jockeys benefit from copying the riding of Australian or English jockeys. With the | object of improving the ability of the Burmese boys the Rangoon Turf Club is endeavouring to arrange for two experienced jockeys to make the trip from Australia. They must be single, from 20 to 2d years of age, and able to ride at least 7.8. They should arrive in Rangoon not later than November 7 and return after the last meeting in March. T,he club will provide a second-class return passage by a P. and O. steamer and £lO Australian currency each for expenses on route. It will also provide free quarter, and guarantee a minimum of 400 rupees (nearly £4O Australian currency) each per month for live months for riding fees, etc. Anything earned in excess jof that amount to be retained by the I jockeys.”

“Horses for Courses.” It is remarkable the liking certain horses take for particular courses, and time and again the old racing expression of “horses for courses” is borne out. Still further proof of this was clearly illustrated at New Plymouth last week when Tahurangi further enhanced liis great record there by winning his fifth race, all having been registered on the one course. There is not the slightest doubt that the Potoa gelding is a much better horse ■when raced at New Plymouth than on other courses. Will Do Better. On the strength of his good track work previously, Euaform was expected to run well, at New Plymouth, but the heavy track effectively settled, his chances, although he ran a useful race on the opening day. The Euapapa gelding will be back amongst the hurdlers again at Wanganui next week, where he should do much bettei. A factor in his favour will be that the sandy Wanganui course seldom gets very heavy.