TURF TOPICS

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 6 November 1935, Page 3

TURF TOPICS

(By "Childers”)

TRACK AND STABLE CHAT

Racing Fixtures Nov. 7, 9—-Whangarei B.C. Nov. 9—Hawke’s Bay J.C. Nov. 9, 11, 13, 16—Canterbury J.C. Nov. 16—Carterton B.C. Nov. 16, 18—Waikato B.C. Nov. 23 —Bay of Islands B.C. (at Pukekohe). Nov. 23—Levin B.C. Nov. 23—Southland B.C. Nov. 30 —Ashburton County B.C. Nov. 30, Dec. 2 —Takapuna J.C. Nov. 30, Dec. 2—Feilding J.C. Dec. 7, 9—Dargaville B.C. Dee. 6, 7 —Woodville District J.C. Dec. 14—Waipa B.C. Dec. 14—Hororata B.C. Dec. 14—Otaki Maori B.C. Dec. 26 —Waipukurau J.C. Dec. 26, 28—Taranaki J.C. Dee. .26, 28—-Dunedin J.C. Dec. 26, 27, 28— Manawatu B.C. Dec. 26, 28, 30 —Westland B.C. Dee. 26, 30, Jan. 1, 2—Auckland B.C. Melbourne Cup Winner. Marabou, winner of the Melbourne Cup yesterday, is a four-year-old son of Marconigram and Vivandiere, by Bucks Hussar (Son-in-Law —Bracelet) from Spondee, by Phalaris from Despondency, by Dark Bonald from Bridge of Sighs, by Isinglass. Marconigram is by Abbots Trace from Marcia Blanche, by Lemberg from Lindal (dam of Limond). Last .season Marabou, racing in the interests of Mr A. Robertson, showed fair form, his best effort being a fourth in the V.B.C. Derby. Sold for 2000 guineas to his present owners, Messrs Jos. Fell and T. Hogan, he had his first start this season when he was left at the post in the V.B.C. Malakoff Stakes in August. He sprang into prominence as a Melbourne Cup prospect when he won the Caulfield Heatheilie Handicap, of li miles, on September 7, beating a big field in brilliant style. Following this he ran third to Feldspar and Charles Fox in the Caulfield Stakes, of 9 furlongs, on October 12, and third to Palfresco and Hot Shot in the Caulfield Cup on October 19. Last Saturday he was second to Sylvandale in the Melbourne Stakes.

Tahurangi Disappoints. After his fine winning effort at Waverley, Tahurangi looked, to have a second to none chance at Bulls, but he let his admirers down badly. Well back early, he put in a run across the top to be acclaimed a "winner turning into the straight. However, he then dropped right out of the finish to be eventually a poor sixth. It was an unimpressive showing and it seems the general opinion formed after Waverley that Tahurangi had come solid at last was rather premature.

N.2. Cup Field. The closing of the final payments for the New Zealand Cup on Monday n.ght saw only two withdrawals —King Key and Big Dook —but neither was a fancied candidate and their absence will not detract to any extent from the Cup field. With 17 horses likely •to go to the post the race should be a good one, and with nothing outstanding engaged betting should take a fairly wide range. At this juncture it seems that the favourite is certain to come from Cuddle, Kiltowyn, TuiTau, Sunee, Fersen or Vintage. Well Bred Hurdler. Strong support was forthcoming for Hunting Queen in the hurdle event at Bulls on Saturday, despite the fact that she was making her first appearance over the battens. She ran a splendid race and had her rider covered slightly less ground she may have been closer than third. Hunting Queen is of rather aristocratic breeding for hurdler, especially when it is considered that she is only a four-year-old. By Hunting Song from that good mare Enthusiasm, one would bo more inclined to think of her as a classic aspirant.

Voitre's Amazing Success. The success of Keith Voitre on Marabou in the Melbourne Cup yesterday must surely set a seal to his fame and stamp him out as one of the greatest jockeys of all times that has been seen in either Australia or New Zealand. Even Jim Pike, Hector Gray or other idols of the past have never experienced such a sweeping run of success as has been achieved by Voitre in the last six months. In* that short space he has won a host of important races that even some of the crack Australian Tiders have been unable to win in a lifetime. Great jockey that he undoubtedly is, one cannot but wonder at the almost unbelievable Tun of luck he is experiencing. At the crest of the wave as he is just now, he must have made a fortune for himself during the past few months, not to mention the vast sums his followers'must have won in betting. In stake money alone it is safe to say that his mounts’ winnings have exceeded the £oo,ooo maik.

Chaste Stays Well. Following the steady improvement she has shown in her recent races, Chaste won the Rangitoto Hack Handicap at Bulls on Saturday in most convincing style. Well back early, she came with a great run over the concluding stages to win going away. She has only to retain her present form to be a winner shortly in much better company than she has been encountering of late, and it would occasion no surprise to find her developing into a useful middle distance performer. She stays really well.

Sporting Song Pleases. Making his first appearance in open company, Sporting Song ran a great race at Bulls in the main event, appearing a trifle unlucky* not to win. When the barrier rose, he commenced smartly, but was unable to secure a position on the rails. Savage attempted to take him to the front, but Windsoreen went witE him and Sporting Song was thus forced to go on the outside all the way. Even then, he was in front scarcely 50 yards off the post, but just died over the final part and, although he was less than half a length from the winner, he had to 'be content with fourth place. Sporting Song saould be a good proposition in open eompanj\

V.B.C. Derby Winner. Feldspar, -winner of the V.B.C. Derby on Saturday, is a bay colt by Thracian from Quartz by All Black from Quiara by St. Amant from Mrs Quickly by Queen’s Birthday. Thracian is a full-brother to Heroic by Valais from Chersonese by Cylgad from Chelandry by Goldfinch. He won two races last season "and has shown steady improvement in his races as a three-year-old. On August 24 at Williamstown he was a good third to Young Idea and Hall Mark in the Underwood Stakes (1 mile 55 yards) and in his following start at Caulfield on September 7 beat all but Hall Mark in the Memsie Stakes (1 mile 1 furlong), Young Idea, Palfresco and Carnavon all being unplaced. At his next attempt he won the Caulfield Stakes (9 furlongs) from 'Charles Fox and Marabou, but was a long way back in the Caulfield Cup.

Kaola Consistent. Kaola ran another splendid race at Bulls to be a close second to Spender. A feature of his performance was his outstanding display of jumping, which must have gained him many lengths during the course of the race. Kaola is racing most consistently at present and has only to be produced in his present fettle to be a fine proposition over the Taranaki-Stratford circuit next month. One to Bemember. I r Although he was only seventh at the finish, Plantation Song created a very • good impression when he contested the Trial Plate at Bulls on Saturday. Making his first appearance in public, he was naturally rather green and when the barrier went up was left several lengths. Despite the fact that the soft going appeared to trouble him, he then moved attractively to run a decidedly useful race. He is susceptible to a fair amount of improvement and is one to remember as likely to dej velop into a cut above the average. ; Plantation Song is an upstanding three- * year-old colt by Nigger (Minstrel from Tradewind, thus being a full-brother to the useful Copper King. He is owned by Mr J. Bull and trained by L. Jarvis at Marton.

Riders for Riccarton. The following riding engagements have been made for the first day of the Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting:— A. E. Ellis.—Vintage, Emissary, Beau Gallante, Top Bank, Wild Chase, Fracas. Li. .T. Ellis.—Cuddle, Knockfin, Chidden, Moonbeam, Paper Slipper. M. Kirwan. —Gold Cross. D. Cotton. —Riptide. E. Beale.—Polydora. J. W. Jennings.—Kamel Pasha, Bebel Chief. B. J. Mackie.—Madam Pompadour, Rose Val. D. O ’Connor.—Rasouli. H." W. Hibberd.—Grey Honour. J. W. Jenkins.—Travenna. H. Goldfinch.—Kiltowyn, Fair Weather. Argentic Striking Form. Argentic is "beginning to come into Gup discussions as the result of his recent form, and at Motukarara on Saturday he was responsible for a strong, finishing effort from the rear of the field, as at Wellington. It looks as if j he will be the horse to make most im- ; provement on recent showings. No rider has been engaged for him, though it is likely that now Arctic King is not starting 'S. Wilson may .get the mount.