TURF GOSSIP

Northern Advocate, 24 May 1939, Page 11

TURF GOSSIP

IEI Meyneli Withdrawn. 1 El Meyneli was scratched for the Cornwall Handicap at 12.50 p.m. yesterday. Eased Up. Florence Mills and Old Bill, both of whom are members of L. Wilson’s stable at Awapuni, have been eased up until the spring. Class Hunter. Miss Pango, who won the Rangitikei Hunt Cup on two occasions, the Hunters’ Steeplechase at Ellerslio, the Manawatti Hunt Cup, and other races, has been mated with Commandant. , JReady When Required. Sudan, who ran third in the Great Northern- Oaks at her last start, is in great order to resume racing. However, she will not be asked to race again until about the middle of next month. Recovering Slowly.

Sporting Gift, who was galloped on at Wanganui in the autumn, is again in work at Awapuni. but it will probably be some little time before he is asked to race, not having made the progress expected. Racing Days Over? Manawatu, who won the Beaufort and Lincoln Steeplechases at Riccarton in August, 1936, is still out on his owner’s property at Akitio, and there is a probability that his racing days are over. High Grader to Reappear. High Grader, who has not raced since the 1936-37 season, is down to contest the hurdle event at the Foxton Racing Club’s meeting next Saturday. Reports from Hawke’s Bay state that he has been schooling in brilliant fashion. Not For Ellerslie. Riotous, who is now getting on in years and who does not appear to be the formidable force of a few seasons back, will not figure at the Great Northern meeting. After racing at the Waikato meeting, he was to have gone on to Tolaga Bay.

Early Win Probable. Wings of Song, a two-year-old by Hunting Song from Adornment, thus a younger half-brother to, Whakapara, showed a good turn of speed in the maiden event at Otaki. A winning bracket should come his way in the near iuture.

To Continue Hurdling. Frimak, a winner over hurdles at Otaki, was entered for the Manawatu Steeplechase, but the engagement was not gone on with. The Acre gelding figures in the Porautauhau Hurdles at Foxton next Saturday, so it would seem that his activities are to be restricted to the smaller obstacles in the meantime.

Alleged Interference. Following the running of the Mcßae Handicap at Awapuni last week-end, an inquiry was held into the alleged interference by the winner, Lord Cavendish, with ' Diamond Cutter. 'After hearing the evidence of the rider of Lord Cavendish, W. J. Broughton, it was decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Ellerslie Trip Cancelled. . The northern trip of the jumper Sky Pilot is to be discontinued, and instead of coming to Ellerslie he will return to Riccarton this week. Sky Pilot, one of the early favourites for the Great Northern Steeplechase, pulled up very lame after contesting the l Te Rapa Steeplechase on Saturday, and it was deemed inadvisable to bring him to Ellerslie. The trouble is believed to bo in a tendon in one of his forelegs. Wild Chase For Stud. The racing career of Wild Chase closed with his unsuccessful effort in the Ashburton Cup, and he will shortly be retired to stud duties at the Stonyhurst Stud, where he was bred. During his four seasons of racing, he started 51 times for 16 wins and 14 minor placings, which returned £6760 in stakes. As a three-year-old, Wild Chase won New Zealand St. Leger, Derby, Canterbury Cup, Dunedin Cup, James Hazlett Cup and Awapuni Cup.

Will Fulfil Engagements. The Great Northern Steeples and Hurdles candidate Bryce Street is to fulfil his engagements at Ellerslie next month. When this horse fell while contesting the Te Rapa Steeplechase at the Waikato meeting last Saturday, he ricked himself slightly, and it was on that account that he was not started in the Waikato Steeplechase on Monday. However, the connections of Bryce Street are quite confident that the gelding will be at his best next month.

Valpeen’s Great Record. Valpeen, who closed his career at Tc Rapa on Monday in a dramatic manner, when he collapsed about 30 yards from the finishing post while contesting the Te Rapa Steeplechase, won the Great Northern Steeplechase for the first time in 1934, and two months later added the Grand National to his list. He repeated his performance at Riccarton in the following year, and last year won another Great Northern. He was one of five to win the Great Northern Steeplechase twice, and one of six to capture the Grand National Steeples twice, but he was the only horse to complete the double in both events. Valpeen, who was by Valkyrian from a Spalpeen marc, was bred and raced throughout hiS career by Mr G. Campbell. He started 87 times for 12 wins, 11 seconds and 10 thirds. His stakeearnings totalled £6265.