ON THE TURF NOTES AND COMMENTS On Gallops and Trotting

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 1 May 1937, Page 11

ON THE TURF NOTES AND COMMENTS On Gallops and Trotting

RACING FIXTURES May I.—Oamaru J.C. (second day). April 30, May 1. —Dannevirke R.C., at Woodville. May B.—Amberley R.C. May 8, 12.—Hawkes Bay J.C. May 12, 15.—Egmont R.C. May 12. —Ashburton County R.C. May 12.—Southland R.C. May 12.—Bay of Islands R.C., at Pukekohe. May 12, 15.—Otaki-Maori R.C. May 15.—Waipa R.C. May 20, 22.—South Canterbury J.C. May 22. —Carterton R.C. May 22, 24. —Waikato R.C. May 29.—Foxton R.C. June 5. 9, 12.—Auckland R.C. June 9, 10, 12.—Dunedin J.C. June 9, 12. —Napier Park R.C. June 17, 19.—Hawkes Bay J.C. June 19. —Greymouth J.C. June 19.—Opotiki J.C. June 24, 26.—Wanganui J.C. June 26. —Ashburton County R.C. June 30. —Dannevirke Hunt Club. TROTTING FIXTURES May I.—Kaikoura T.C. May B—Waikato T.C. May B—Oamaru8 —Oamaru T.C. May 12, 15. —Forbury Park T.C. May 20.—Canterbury Park T.C. June 9.—Ashburton T.C. June 19, 23.—Auckland T.C.

Nelson Owner’s Success Arrowglen has always shown ability to gallop but has lacked stamina in his races. His win at Oamaru was his first success, his previous best performance being a minor placing. He has been in C. Davey’s stable for a few weeks, and has recently been given schooling tasks. Arrowglen is owned by Mr A. Thomson, of Nelson.

Notes from Oamaru Vola Dale settled her chance in the Trial Stakes by a slow beginning. J. W. Jennings is a master at getting his mounts away smartly, and his effort on Arrowglen was one of his best. It was the gelding’s break at the start that gained him his win. Scrap, who finished fifth in the Trial Stakes, is a five-year-old gelding by Cockpit from Enmity, and is trained by T. Hobbs. He was last to leave Lhe mark, and showed a turn of speed in making up his leeway. Trivet missed the jump-out in the Stewards’ Handicap, and was never dangerous.The surprise of Thursday’s racing was the big price paid by Heloise. This is the second occasion during the last fortnight that she has surprised the public. Thermidor cost her present owner 200 guineas, and at the time it wasi considered she was very well sold. She has, however, almost repaid the outlay, and is set for more successes. Her finishing run at Oamaru on Thursday suggested she will do well over a distance of ground. She is a half-sister to Minerval.

Rebel Chief carried his 9.7 without any trouble in the Stewards’ Handicap. This gelding is exceptionally well just now, and when in condition weight does not seem to affect him. He was ridden a well-timed race by A. Russell, who has been associated with him in most of his recent races. Invoice executed some solid work over the concluding stages ’of the Stewards’ Handicap, and a win for him is due.

Successful First Day For an off day the Oamaru Jockey Club had every reason to be pleased with its first day’s programme. Although favourites were beaten, the turnover was satisfactory, and it exceeded the amount invested on the corresponding day of last year’s meeting, a Saturday.

Staying Qualities Dictate gave evidence by his win at Washdyke that, all going well with him, he will show up as a stayer next season. Now approaching his fourth year, he has not done much racing, and like numbers of the Chief Ruler breed not overdone with early activity, the best is yet to be seen of him. He can claim sound breeding on the side of his dam, Kirima, who is by Marble Arch from Martigues, by Martian from Everlasting, by Padlock from Azalea (imp.), by Galliard.

Full of Promise Irish Fiddle will go into Winter quarters with the record of a win, a third, and a fourth placing in her three appearances in public, and much interest will now be centred in her three-year-old exploits. She has every credential in looks, breeding and temperament to develop into a high-class performer with more age and experience. Irish Fiddle, raced by Mrs J. H. Grigg, was bred at Longbeach, and is a half-sister by Day Comet to Concertpitch, who races in the colours of Mr Grigg.

An Unlucky Pair Miracle was unfortunate in striking Dictate in his last two starts, and his prospects appeared bright in the comparatively weak field in the concluding event at Oamaru. The fates, however, were against him, as he lost considerable ground through a bad start. Silver Slipper was sideways on, with her rider pulling at her to get her straightened up, when the barrier lifted, and she immediately sidled to the outside of the track, taking Miracle with her.

The Betting System The various systems of betting came in for considerable discussion at the Timaru meeting (writes “Sentinel”). Owing to a published report that the betting would be 75-25 quite a number were wrath when they found on arrival that win and place instead of a single pool would be the basis of business. Some declared their intention of not betting, but somebody else did as the returns showed a very substantial increase over last year’s figures. It is understood that the club has definitely decided to use the win and place system in future with both bets procurable at one window.

Coast Owners and Breeders The annual meeting of the West Coast Owners and Breeders’ Association took place this week, Mr W. Reid presiding over a large attendance. The annual report and balance sheet showing a credit balance were read and adopted. The following officers were elected: President, Mr

W. Reid; vice-president: Mr W. M. Greenhill; committee: Messrs J. Rothwell. J. Guy and W. Hughes; secretary: Mr R. Cooper. ■ It was decided to notify the Westport Association that an application would be made to the Greymouth, Reefton and Westland Clubs to have the local races reinstated at Christmas to form'a circuit. The meeting decided to support the Canterbury Association’s endeavour to have the win and place betting system abolished, and the single pool system reinstated. A motion of condolence was passed with Mr V. Alborn in his recent bereavement. Martara’s Family. The branch of the No. 12 family from which Martara claims descent produced the leading two-year-old in Ireland last season. This was Burdock, who won the Somerton Plate at Baldoyle, and the National Produce Stakes and Railway Stakes at the curragh, and was second in his only other start. Burdock is by the highly successful sire Soldennis, a brother to Wet Kiss, dam of Captain Bunsby from Clarendon, by Aldford from Thistle, by Neil Gow from Flowerer, by Persimmon. Thistle, who was dam of the good two-year-old Fohanaun, was a half-sister to Flower of the West, a grand-dam of Martara.

Not For Sale. A commissioner for an overseas buyer is stated to have asked the owners of Royal Chief, Smoke Screen and Haughty Winner to put a price on their two-year-olds, but in each case the reply was “not for sale.” Southdown. Southdown mad a winning debut over hurdles at Timaru. He made one bad jump, but improved as he went along. There was not much real strength in the opposition, but Southdown shaped promisingly and will be improved by the experience.

Recommissioned. H. Dulieu has taken Cute Melody in hand again at New Plymouth. The Nigger Minstrel filly is reported to be in splendid trim after her spell and should be ready to race early next season. A winner at her last two starts, she should benefit by the patient policy adopted with her, and she appears likely to develop good class as a three-year-old.

A Noted Family. A yearling, standing 15.2, and built in proportion, was on the Southland Racing Club’s track at Invercargill last week. He is by Colonel Cygnus (imp.) from Speedlight, by Paper Money from Simper (dam of a long line of descendants, including Affectation, Illume, Gold Light, Razzle Dazzle, Dazzling Light, Lucky Light, Ruling Light and Sir Simper), and for size and substance he is a credit to his family. Unfortunately, his dam died some time ago.

Potent at Riccarton. Potent, owned and trained by J. Johnston, of Kaiata, has been taken to Riccarton, and will race at Amberley next month. Additions to Bagby’s Stable. The Ellerslie trainer R. S. Bagby has augmented his team by the addition of the three-year-old filly Stretto, by Hunting Song—The Begum, and the two-year-old filly Privy Seal, by Lord’ Warden—Palestrina, the property of Mr A. J. McGovern. Stretto, who failed to run up to expectations when sent to Australia last year, when she contested five races unsuccessfully, has not been required to do anything serious at Te Awamutu since her return and has built up in condition. Privy Seal has a couple of placed performances to her credit and has shown the possession of pace. Baffles in New Zealand. Purchased in England by Wright, Stephenson and Company, Limited, on behalf of Mrs G. Carrington, the six-year-old stallion Baffles arrived in Auckland by the Doric Star and was sent on to his new home at the Hillcrest Stud, Waikato. Baffles is a goodlooking horse by Blandford from Waffles, by Buckwheat, and came through his long journey splendidly. It is intended to place Baffles at the service of breeders this year and it is likely that he will be in keen demand, as Blandford blood is highly valued. The new sire cost 6000. guineas as a yearling and represents some of the most fashionable blood in England. Blandford sired Bahram, winner of the triple crown; Trigo and Windsor Lad, Derby and St. Leger; Blenheim, Derby; Udaipur, Oaks; and Campanula, One Thousand Guineas. Blenheim, who was sold last year to an American syndicate for £45,000, is the sire of Mahmoud, another Derby colt. Waffles is the dam of Manna and Sandwich, both St. Leger winners. Manna also won the Two Thousand Guineas, while he sired Colombo, another Two Thousand Guineas winner.

Forbury System. At the Oamaru Trotting Club’s meeting on Bth May the Forbury system of betting will be in operation. This means that first and second dividends, in the proportion of 75 and 25 per cent., will be paid, besides dividends on the placed horses in the proportion of 33 1-3 per cent.

A Double Victory. The double victory secured by Imposter at the Auckland meeting on Saturday is a tribute to the excellent work of the trainer, E. N. Kennerley. for the Sonoma Harvester gelding had not been previously regarded as anything above the average. Now rising nine years, Imposter is developing from rather late in life. He is a half-brother to two useful performers in Kate Logan, 2.13 2-5, and June de Oro, 4.35. A double-gaited horse, he was successful against the unhoppled trotters in the Whitford Handicap, and later defeated the pacers in the Henderson Handicap.