ON THE TURF

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 16 February 1935, Page 5

ON THE TURF

RACING FIXTURES February 14, 16—Dunedin J.C. February 20, 21—Gore R-C. February 21 —Tolaga Bay J.C. February 22, 23—Woodville D.J.C February 23, 25 —Te Aroha J.C. February 27—Opunake R.C. February 28 —Waipu R.C. Mnreli 2 —Banks Peninsula R.C. Ylaieli 2, 4 —Franklin and Bay of Is lands. March 2 —Napier Park R.C. March (i—'Rangitikei R.C. March 8, o—Cromwell J.C. March o—Napiero—Napier Park R.C. March 1), 11—Waikato R.C. March" 16—Kurow J.C. March 1(5 —Clifden R.C. Yin roll Hi, 18 —Ohinemuri J.C. March 1(1, 18—Wellington R.C. March 20—Opotiki J.C. March 21, 28 —Oamaru J.C. ■» March 22, 28 —Manawatu R.C. y[arch 23, 2a —Manawatu R.C. March 23. 2a—Bay of Plenty J.C. March 30—Hawkes Bay J.C. March 30 —Birchwood H.C.

TROTTING FIXTURES

February 16, 20—Auckland T.C. February 23—New Brighton T.C. March i, 2—lnvercargill T.C. March 2 —Wellington T.C. March 9—Timaru T.C. March 9—Marlborough T.C. March 13—Wyndh'am T.C. March 16—Cheviot T.C. March 23—Wairarapa T.CMarch 23—Roxburgh T.C. March 23—Auckland T.C. March 30—Thomas T.C. March 30— Manawatu T.C.

Lap Up was very solidly supported ii! Hie .High-weight Handicap on the first day at Rotorua, and although it was his first race for some time he registered a creditable performance in finishing fourth. On Monday he was duly fairly supported, and although he was badlv placed early in the race he ran up fast half a mile from home and was first into the straight, staying c.n to score nicely, hap Up is well bred, for he is by’ Lapidary from Bon Rose, by Boniform from Potpourri, by Bezonian from Crimson Rose, by Royal Fusilier from Rose Madder. He should again get on the winning list shortly, as he can. be improved a good deal. Flectwind registered her first success when she accounted for the Rennie Stakes at Rotorua, In the Arawa Stakes she commenced smartly and led the field till, fifty yards from the post, where weakened, and Parquet got up in time to beat her. The race improved, her a good deal for on Monday she was again in charge from the rise of the barrier and stayed there to finish a length in front of Parquet. I'leetwind has always shown that she possessed a great deal of pace, but has failed to run on. Now that she has become more solid she should again be seen to advantage before the autumn racing is through. There are times when one searches for the most forceful word in one’s vocabularly to express and emphasise an opinion (writes "Sentinel”). At Riccarton there is a straight five" furlong’ course, tuul tor some stupid reason the committee has elected to start races over that distance round the home turn on the course proper. The reason is. no doubt, due to a desire to give the spectators a better view of a race over a short course, but ii just about cost the favourite a win in ihe Lyttelton Plate. Silver Coat drew the outside position at the harrier and Penelope had sufficient speed to carry him out at the turn, and then with’a lug pull in the weights keep him busy all the way in the run home. The start round the turn just about made .the difference between the favourite winning and losing. Nightly looked particularly bright and "well when saddled up for the Craven Piute. He ran a good race and looked a possible winner half a furlong from home, but weight told at the finish and so did the fact that he had to face a breeze. There is no doubt that Nightly is tapped in _ the wind and will not get beyond a middle distance. Black Duke was responsible for another sterling performance in winning the hurdle race at Wingatui. He was in last place, but never far from the leaders, until nearing the home turn, and a fast run then took him up to the front before reaching the last fence. The rest was easy for the veteran, who must be. considered one of the most versatile performers ever bred in New Zealand, llis retirement has been announced on several occasions and bis owner-trainer would have given him away for use as a hack, but the old gelding has always been a difficult horse to manage. It was feared that he would not be properly looked after owing to inability of keeping him docile when not in strong work. Black Duke lias contested 190 races, of which lie has won 42, and he will win more hurdle races before he finally retires. Lycidas disputed favouritism with Black Duke, but was never really dangerous. He was always within reach of the leaders until lie drifted rounding tlie home turn, and then lie put in a powerful finishing run. Knowledge, now six years old, earned his first stake money for Mr E. Hay when lie won the Trial Handicap at

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NOTES AND COMMENTS ON GALLOPS AND TROTTING

Wingatui. and his folio v< rs waits entitled to the good prices he paid on both machines. He cost 275 guineas as a yearling, and owing to persistent unsoundness, combined with a gross constitution, lie had very little racing. Uis performance was attractive, as he. gave the leaders a good start in the inn home and his rider was at a disadvantage owing to liis saddle slipping during the final struggle. Parquet, who showed winning form at the Taka puna meeting last month, was a good favourite for the Arawa Stakes on the first day of the Rotorua meeting, and after lying handy to the turn had no difficulty in boating the opposition. On Monday she had a substantial rise in the Rennie Stakes, but this did not prevent the public in again installing her favourite. Fleetwind. however, stayed on too good for her. at the finish. Parquet is a speedy inly and one that is likely to do better mi a firm track. The -sprinter Araelme, who was sold originally as a yearling for 7o guineas and resold again 'he following day at mi advanced figure, has since.that day been much sought after. An offer of 4000 guineas has. been refused for her and she is at the present time insured for 5000 guineas. If money talks, she will he one of the hardest to beat in the Newmarket and Doncaster Handicaps. Strange to say, although she lias raced in both New South Wales and Victoria, all Arachne’s successes have been recorded in and around Melbourne. First Lap went two good races at Matamata, running third in the Cup and winning the Okoroire Handicap, eight furlongs and a half, in great style. He was taken to Rotorua and after being third in tlie Cup was second in the President’s Handicap, one mile, to Sinking Emul. When at liis best First Lap is a good sort and he should get some more money before the,country meetings are through. One of flic host-conditioned horses seen out at the Rotorua meeting was King Ford, and this was clearly proved v the convincing manner in which he accounted for the open sprint each day. He began smartly on each occasion and was never afterwards headed. On Monday lie carried the steadier of 9.3 in tlie Borough Handicap, and before the field had gone two furlongs lie was fully four lengths clear, and eventually wop pulling up l»v three lengths. King Ford’s recent form lias been most consistent, and he has only got to retain it to he troublesome in much better company. Sinking Fund had his first race over a mile and a quarter at the last Takapuua meeting, and although beaten lie made a very creditable showing. In consequence, lie was well fancied for the Rotorua Cup last Saturday, ami, after leading till well into the straight, he heat all hut Prince ('(dossus. On Monday he was saddled ii 11 for the President’s Handicap, one mile and again beginning smartly was one of the leaders all tlie way. Wait and See was with him for about seven furlongs, hut had then, had enough. Sinking Fund is now racing more solidly than ever iie lias done, and he will have to he reckoned with in any middle distance events lie contests from now on.

Min"true, a four-year-old colt by I'ravis Axworthy from Berthahel, is trained liv J. T. Paul at Epsom, and is regarded as one of the most. promising young pacers in commission. During tile present season lie lias done very little racing, and Pi is record is a iirst and a. second in two starts, hut last year in 12 starts lie won live races, was second,.twice, and third twice. He is a chestnut in colour, and a halfbrother to Great Ringer. Peter Bingen, and Great Parrish. Tlie Kelson trainer L. F. Berkett has Plain Pearly and Raydus engaged at the Auckland Trotting Club’s meeting.