ON THE TURF

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 9 January 1929, Page 9

ON THE TURF

NOTES AND COMMENTS

Rod Heckle (Warplane—Glenhice) winner of the Great Northern Derby, oniy .stalled once as a two-year-old, signalling his debut by a win in tho Kiissley "Plate, at the ‘ Autumn meeting of tho Canterbury Jockey Chib, in which he silenced a good sized field. Prior to the Derby lie had one win this season lo his credit, but it was an impressive one, as he scored in tho Members’ Handicap at the New Zealand Cup Meeting of the C.J.C., included in the opposition to him being Benzora, Bet Sail Cimabue, Childsplay and Arrow Lad. . , Tommy Dodd lias been getting through useful work lately on the Iticcartou tracks. , This Solferino gelding was a* good performer before going to Australia, where a fall resulted in injuries necessitating a spell, lie has been under tho care of W. Stone for some time past, and ho has done so web that hopes arc entertained of a return to his best form, lie may accompany Silver Paper and Aspiring to Trentham this month if a slight injury received lately has no serious result.'' Owricr-traincr R. Johnson has made a big improvement in tho manners of Ridgemount, who gave no trouble at Stratford last Tuesday. Ridgemount won very easily in his onTy start-, and looks certain to pay his way in better company. One of the smartest hacks seen out for a long time is Lady Quex, who won under the steadier of 9.12 at Stratford. She was turned out in splendid condition by E. George, and at the present time would be capable of winning in open company. Although he failed to win a race at Ellerslie, the Riccarton-traincd _ hack Amor raced consistently, and registered a second and two thirds _ during the meeting, lie is a solid-looking four-year-old by Archery from Warlovc, _ who should develop into a good sort in the future, for lie stays on better than the usual run of hacks, and has the right breeding behind him. . When Aston fell in the Stewards Handicaps'll Hastings’,' on New Years Day, he broke several xribs and it was stated on the course the following day that he had been destroyed. One of the best looking of the youngsters contesting at Hastings was Glasslough, a full brother to lalisker and half brother to Kick Off, Bcnnanee and Rosamond s Daughter. He was bred by Mr J. S. McLeod and was carrying tho racing badge of Mr J. J. Gatenby, a new addition to tho ranks of owners in tho Dominion. The Papakura-trained two-year-old Pclyxena nearly cifected a surprise win in tho Midsummer Handicap, Gay Ballerina just defeating her at the finish by a neck. Tho manner in which the Chief Ruler filly finished on at the end of the race referred to augurs well for her future success on the racecourse.

The Lucullus mare Mervette registered two attractive performances at Ellerslie when sho. scored in the Glasgow and Goodwood Handicaps. Her form during the present season has been very consistent, for sho has the good record of five wins in Ihe last six races that she has contested. A. Tinker has her in capital condition, and she is a likely proposition to win a good handicap around tho country circuit.

It appears to be considered generally that Historic was a very unlucky runner in the Marton Cup. He might not have beaten Nightmarch, but he would have been troublesome. Trentham should see him in the limelight again. Singleton failed to win a race at Marton, but he should have beaten tho outsider, Nucleus, on the first day, comments a Northern exchange. He was all over the course in the middle' stages, and just failed to reach the winner, who was in receipt of over two stone. The Avondale hack Mussie ran 4 two good races at the meeting, and was in tho money on botli occasions. J. Cathro has the Day Comqt mare in great fettle at the present time, and she looks like being an early winner. The Thames meeting will probably find this improved hack in action again.

That consistent galloper Wenday was in good form at the Stratford meeting. She ran third in the Cup on the opening day and scored in the Malone Memorial on' the concluding day. Wenday has paid her way well during the season, and her latest form indicates that she may do better in the future. As was expected, the two-year-old Clenartnev was very green when he contested his first race at Ellerslie on Tuesday, being erratic at the barrier, and then running off the course at the home turn. lie displayed a lot of pace, and when lie becomes more accustomed to the race track, should win plenty of races. Glenartney is one of the Hunting Song tribe, being out of Melodise, the dam of fair performers in Vivo' and Agitato. The best form Diana’s Lad has shown since coming to the North Island was revealed at the Manawatu Christmas fixture, where, after running fourth on the first day, he won on the third day in a hard finish with Elysianor. Diana's Lad was twice as well packed when he failed as when he won, but the good dividend ho returned on the occasion of his success must have more than compensated his party for any money they lost on him when he failed.

It was slated at Awapuni on Saturday that the two-year-old Dalston, who made a good impression upon those who were present at the Auckland meeting, lias been purchased .by Mr F. J. Gore, who some little time hack gave a substantial figure for Perception. Dalston is by Chief Ruler, whoso stock are doing well this season, from Gipsy Martian, the dam of Stormy. lie was bred by Mr 11. W. Lurch, in whose interests he ran at Ellerslie. The price at which the youngster changed hands is said to have been 2000 guineas. Balloon shewed improved form at the Manawatu meeting, and was unlucky not to win a race on the lastday. • His turn should not be fur oil. In the Southland Handicap 'last week Bilbo ran third to Queen Balboa and Rotor after being a long way back at the start. Bilbo made up a lot in the last furlong, and was staying on much more strongly than Rotor. A first place for the Greyspear —St. Helen gelding would not be out of turn at Wairio on Saturday. G. Murray-Aynsley lias some good ones nearing top form, including Paperchase, Chide, Starslicoter, Starflight, Footfall and Stately. It is possible that Paperchase, Chide, and Btarshooter will bo nominated for the Wellington meeting.

Great Peter justified the high opinions formed of bis real capabilities by winning the December Handicap in hollow fashion. The brother to Great Bingen and Co. looked the part and J. T. Paul bad an easy drive.. The way Great Peter finished up his task made it look as if lie will see out a two-mile race soon. Bankhead was most costly to hackers during the Auckland meeting, and there is no doubt the Bryce candidate is one of flic “iffy” sort. ITis displays at Epsom were so bad that the public got no chance to see what pace lie possessed and if lie wins in the near future Aucklanders will be prepared to let- him run for the stake.

Unless .something good comes to light in the meantime the first country cup Rercmai steps out in should see her the hardest to beat, says a, Northern cxchange. She was most unlucky on the' final day of the meeting, and had .T. T. Paid been able to get a run with her in the straight she would have won comfortably. She is worth remembering when she steps out again in a two-mile race.

Had Nelson McCormack found » mile and a quarler race on the Auckland programme to suit him, Percy Rogers would have driven a winner, says an Auckland paper. As it was the Nelson Bingen gelding put up two good efforts over 12 furlongs courses, and on the last day he looked a winner 100 yards from the post. lie just failed to hang on sufficiently long enough to return his supporters a dividend, but over a shorter journey ho should not he long in showing a profit.