ON THE TURF

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 11 August 1934, Page 8

ON THE TURF

RACING FIXTURES August 14, 16, 18—Canterbury J.C. August 18—Pakuranga Hunt Club August 18—Egmont-Wanganui Hunt Club. TROTTING FIXTURES September I—New Brighton T.C. September B—Wellington T.C. September 29—Methven T.C. October 6—New Brighton T.C. October 12, 13—Westport T.C. October 13 —Waikato T.C. October 20, 22—Auckland T.C. October 20, 22—Greymouth T.C. October 22—Camara T.C. October 22 Manawatu T.C. October 27—Wellington T.C. November 6,8, 9—New Zealand Metropolitan T.C. November 10 —Te Aroha T.C. November 22, 24—Forbury Park T.C. November 24, 26 —Nelson T.C.

Billy Boy and Thurina still rule as favourites for the Grand National Steeplechase, and in their cases public opinion is justified. Billy Boy won the Wellington Steeplechase with 11.5, beating by a length and a half Thurina, who carried 10.4. The Wellington Steeplechase was run over three miles and a quarter, and the country is not as difficult as the Riccarton country where, also, another quarter of a mile Ims to be traversed. ilr Henry’s assessments oi these two splendid ’chasers are: Billy Boy 13.13, Thurina 10.11. Billy Bay has been risen 81b. above his Wellingtonweight, Thurina 71b When Billy Boy defeated Thurina last month he was far the more seasoned. Consequently a greater measure of improvement can be expected from Thurina. Callamart has done a lot of solid work on the flat at Awapiini and will go to the post a fit horse. He is a good stayer, having proved this by winning a Grand National Hurdle Race and a Great Northern Steeplechase. _ There must be some doubt about bis jumping, especially bis jumping of the Riccarton country. Certainly he lacks the fencing ability of Billy Boy or Thurina, each of whom is an exception. Riotous, who hails from the same stable as Callamart—that of L. Knapp —has improved considerably as a steeplechaser, and may go on to greater things yet. In a remarkable fencing duel with Valpeen on the final day of the Wellington .Steeplechase meeting be revealed the possession of real grit. He jumped well, but his leaping was neither as fast nor as smooth as that which had been exhibited by Thurina and Billy Boy earlier in the fixture. He might fin'd the Riccarton country rather Irving, but if he does not he should be in* the money. Valpeen, winner of the Great. Northern Steeplechase, surprised toy the poor fight he made in the Wellington Steeplechase. He improved to run Second to Riotous iii tiie July Steeplechase, hut his form oven then was not up to Grand National standard, and lie will require to do still better to win on Tuesday. Io is possible, of course, that the different ground conditions and stiffer fences will enhance his chance. Below Valpeen here are few horses whose performances warrant favourable reference. The most likely of them may be Quinopal, Membo and Punchestcwn. Quinopal is in a fair degree of favoulwith southerners who have seen him race this winter. Membo is not a sufficiently expert jumper yet for one to feel confident that he will successfully manage the Riccarton country. Punchestown’s form does not excite a great deal of interest, but in him there are possibilities. The public may choose: Thurina, Billy Boy, Riotous. Free Air, who accompanied Horowhenua and Wee Musk to Riccarton,

NOTES AND COMMENTS ON GALLOPS AND TROTTING

lias been on the easy list for a few. days owing to an injured foot; she is expected to be able to race next week, but will not contest the Grand National Hurdles.

L. J. Ellis, who was left without a ride when Rebel Star was taken out of the Winter Cup, has since accepted the mount on Silver Streak, oil whom lie won some big races last spring, including the Stewards’ Handicap at Riccarton, and the Railway Handicap at EUerslie. Those who saw Arcade win the Longbeach Hurdles at the Christchurch Hunt Club’s meeting could not help being impressed by the performance. Immediately his name became the medium of discuSsion as a possible Grand National Hurdle race winner. In the field he so easily beat there were seven National Hurdles candidates, namely, Hounslow, Royal Lineage, Billy Boy, Palm, Verden, Transact and Royal L'imond. There are several houses among these that are regarded as having good National chances, especially Royal Lineage. In the Grand National Hurdles Arcade meets all those Horses, with the exception of Royal Lineage, on better terms. In the case of Royal Lineage the last named gave Arcade 151 b. on Saturday and in the Grand National Hurdles he lias only to concede him 81b. On Saturday’s race Arcade should account for all the horses he heat on that occasion. Arcade gave a first-class display of hurdlino- and, after being in front practically all the way, and being challenged at times for the lead by, Verden, he was going as strongly as ever at the finish. There is no doubt Arcade is a much improved horse. J. C. Tomkinson has him right at the peak of his form, and what is more, the Marble Arch gelding is racing most generously, arid there is no question about his stamina. He should turn out an excellent propositloOne of the best prospects for the Winter Cup should he Davolo, unless he fails to reproduce his striking Trentham form Bay Tree was unlucky at Irenthitiii, and is fully expected to take considerable beating. Another Hawkes Bav candidate worthy of respect is Slippery, fast enough to obtain a position early in the race and solid enough to hold it. well. Water Power s opportunity will come if rain makes Riccaiton heavier than it usually is in August. Silver Streak ran fair races in the Auckland mud in June, and something he - ter can be expected from him when lie runs on firmer ground. It should not be overlooked that h e won a G.J.U. Stewards’ Handicap and ari Auckland Railway Handicap last season. Thesuccess of Veutrac in the Brabazon Handicap has pointed attention to his Winter Cup chance. As a winner over a mile at Trentham ,_ Prince Val must be considered. He will meet Curie on 51b. worse terms, but still has only 41b. above the miriimuni. It is worth considering that he was very well handled when he won at Trentham and received a fortunate run on the fence at a critical stage of the race. The best pair lower down appear to be Giggleswick and Haulbowline. It is nrobable tliat Curie, Davolo and Silver Streak will be near the front at the finish. .