ON THE TURF

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 20 October 1937, Page 8

ON THE TURF

Trcntha.in Slake*. Royal Chief mid .Smoke Screen am likely to monopolise .speculation in iho Trentham Stakes, for three-year-olds, to be decided on Saturday, writes “Rangatira.” At present honours are easy between these two horses. They met three times as juveniles. At the first clash Itoyal Chief won the Great Northern Foal Stakes and Smoke Screen was fourth. At the next Smoke Screen, in receipt of 71b, won the Pacific Handicap at the Wellington autumn meeting, with Royal Chief eighth. At the third, Royal Chief carrying a 101 b penalty, narrowly won the North Island Challenge Stakes, seven furlongs, from Paper Slipper, Haughty Winner, and Smoke Screen, Ihe last-named having only a 51b penalty but being regarded at the time as a little unlucky in the running. There arc only nine nominations for next Saturday’s Stakes and Smoke Screen and Royal Chief naturally stand right out from the others. Haughty Winner, the Dunedin Guineas victor, with whom Nightdress will be bracketed, will doubtless have a following, but it is difficult to see him measuring up to Royal Chief, unless he has improved tremendously since Royal Chief so easily beat him in the Wanganui Guineas. If any horse does give Smoke Screen and Royal Chief a battle it may bo the filly Brunhild, who impressed more at Masterton, and who looks like turning out better than ever this term. Brunhild will have a 51b concession for her sex. The Crooner’s turn to lake a share in the fight for three-year-old supremacy may not come till later on. Derby Candidates. The New Zealand Derby field is unlikely to include many horses who arc not in the Trentham Stakes field. In the entry for the Canterbury Cup, two days after the Derby is run, the only additional three-year-old is the South Islander Happy Night, a Nightmareh gelding who is still a maiden. It is noted that Haughty Winner is not engaged in the Canterbury Cup field, though Nightdress is, which suggests that the Chokebore stable does not believe Haughty Winner will go the Derby distance. The Trentham Slakes has not yet been won by the horse who is destined to go on and win the Derby, or who has previously won the Derby; but it is still a young race, only in its fifth season, and the result- this year may finally give the right clue to the Riccarton classic.

A Proved Stayer.

Argentic’s win in the Tesehemaker Handicap at Washdyke last week will bring him into favour for the New Zealand Cup. the Silverado gelding being one of the proved stayers in the big race. Two years ago he was third in the Cup to Cuddle and Vanestep, and third to Silver Ring and Cuddle in the Metropolitan. Then he finished third in the Racing Club Handicap at Auckland, and third in the Great Autumn. Last season he won the Metropolitan, and was runner-up to Cuddle in the Auckland Cup. The Metropolitan was his only win last season, so that the Tesehemaker Handicap gave him his first success for 11 months. He fell at Riccarton at Easter. He made his initial appearance this season in a sprint at Ashburton with 8.4, but was unplaced. At Orari he ran in the President’s Handicap (eight furlongs and a half), with 8.7, but finished only seventh in a field of 10. His win at Washdyke with 8.12 in a stronger field marked a big advance, and although he is high up in the Cup handicap, he is one of the few with two-mile credentials. Argentic will be racing at Trentham this week, and will be ridden by A. Messervy, who was successful on him on his previous visit to Trentham. A Melbourne Winner. Messrs G. Kain and G. Fulton, who bred Normal, winner of tire £IOOO Debutante Stakes at Caulfield on 9th October, have a brother to Norma! to offer at the next yearling sales at Trentham. He is stated to be better grown, and has more length than his relative, and no doubt will attract marked attention in the ring. The dam, Knocklynn, recently produced a colt brother to this pair, all three being by Lord Warden. A Clip Trial. The New Zealand Cup Trial to be decided at the Wellington Trotting Club’s meeting on 30th October will be the last chance for the New Zealand Cup horses to have a race before the big November race, and with the exception of Supertax, Village " Guy, Llewellyn's Pride and Guy Junior, rll those nominated are New Zealand Cup candidates, the number including Lucky Jack, Dc Soto, Willow Wave. Bonny Azure, Blue Mountain, Rollo, Gamble, and Glenrossic. The nomination is not quite so big as might have been expected for n stake of £450, but most of the trainers have their horses in forward condition.

War Buoy's Prospects.

The stirring race that War Buoy had at (he recent meeting at New Brighton has evidently satisfied ni.-> trainer, M. B. Edwards, as to the condition of the Man o’ War gelding, who will not appear at Oainaru ot Wellington. Edwards, however, has a second string in Gamble, who will maim at least one public appearance before the big test on Oth November. Both are fine stayers, and War Buoy, a comparatively young pacer, has twice filled a minor place in the New Zealand Cup. running second to Indianapolis in 1035 and third to Jndianpolis and Red Shadow last year. Such good performances entitle him to the early favouritism accorded him for (he Cup, and no trainer knows better than M. B. Edwards how to prepare a horse for such a race, although he has yet to lead in a winner. A Fine Facer. At the August meeting Farisienne proved herself one of the best fillies of her age raced in New Zealand, and after her three wins and five seconds of last season, she must be regarded as one of the most consistent pacers in commission. She is gifted with exceptional speed and of her gameness and stamina there is not a question. R. B. Berry will probably take her to race at the Wellington meeting on 30th October, after which she should be in first-class order lor November engagements.

NOTES AND COMMENTS On Gallops and Trotting

ACCEPTANCES OAMAItU TROTTING CLUB lin |'e|i ['null) - I’rcHH AnKoeiatimil GAM.MiI', liilli (l< lo|,er. Fm the O, ini,-ii ii Trolling ( lull's inerting In hr In-ill oil Monday ur.\l, I In- following arrr|il a iirrs have lien received:- - 12.15 p.ni. Inipritv ns’ llandii ap, of .11200; inilio|i|ilrd trutfere, 5.42 class; one mile and a. half —Clnidleigli, Swiff Guy, sc)-; l.isluwrl, Royal Romani r 2'lyds lilnl ; Axiom, (irrfairoii 30; Gracia Fields, Orphan Bingen, Sir Kit, 'VO; Gyrale, In{Jolent, I’arrish Chimes, 00.

.12.55 p.m.—Trial llandii ap, of £200; 3.38 class; mm mile and a half- Are High, Adverse, Ring ( roshy, Cyrano, Intrigue, Loyal I’al, Master I’at, Master Rolls, Mohican, Norham Lady, Zineali, sit; Mollv Direct, Wynuu, 12yds hlid, Cruiser, 2d.

1.35 p.m. Redeasth: Handicap, of 11300; 3.32 class; one mile and a half— Dark Hazard. Dundee, Forlex, Gold Salute, leoviis, Ivy Peterson, Silver Guy, Slippery Sam, Superior Rank, Trevor de. Oio ser; Fay Hey, Marseeres 12 yds bhd; Coherlo, Donald Dim, Snowy de Oro, Waipahi 24 yds bhd, 2.20 p.m.—President’s Handicap, of ,t’sso ; 4min 31seo class, two miles—Double Great, Kivu, Guy .Junior ser; Isabel Derby, Parisienne, Sea Gift (TJ 12 yds bhd; Gallant Knight, Gunfire, Village Guy 36 yds bhd; Willow Wave 72 yds bhd.

o p.m Waitaki Handicap, of £250; unhoppled trotters, 3min 57sec class, one mile and five furlongs—Arapai, Axiom, Graeic Fields, Li.stowcl, Orphan Bingen, Sir Kit, Sonoma King ser; Gyrate, Indolent, Parachute, Parrish Chimes, Pilot Peter 12 yds bhd; Golden Bingen 24 yds bhd ; Helen’s Bay 48 yds bhd.

3.40 p.m.—Dash Handicap, of £3OO ; 2 min 52sec class, one mile and a quarter— Doris Derby, Ginger .Jack, Harold Wrack, Ma Warn, Snowy de Oro, Toorak, Repeal scr; Frisco Boy, Harlequin 12 yds Lbd; Aircraft 24 yds bhd. 4.20 p.m.—Weston Handicap, of £450; 2inin 44sec class, one mile and a quarter— Guy Junior, Llewellin’s Pride, Lucky Jack, Rollo scr; Glenrossic, Rocks Ahead, Satin King, Village Guy, Willow Wave 12 yds bhd; Blue .Mountain, De Solo, Supertax, Worthy Light 21 yds bhd ; Cloudy Range 36 yds bhd; Indianapolis 84 vds bhd.

5 p.m.—Electric Handicap, (in saddle), of £250; 2min 18sec class, one mile— Colierlo, Credit, Funds, Dona Id Dim, Dundee, Dillon Queen, .Eastern l’rinec, Ilealhc: Queen, Reno, Repeal, Triclilf, Waipahi scr ; Belle Grattan, Doris Derby, Ginger dark yds blul. AUSTRALIAN RACING CAULFIELD CUP TO-DAY IMPROVEMENT IN WEATHER i United Press Association - !5y Electric telceratili • Oouvrieutl MELBOURNE, 19th October. Mr Clive Leonard, chairman of the V.A.T.C., announced after an inspection of the racecourse that the Caulfield Cup will be definitely run to-morrow. The weather is fine to-day, and an improvement is forecast.

Balkan Prince has gone sore, though he is looking well. He is lame in the offshoulder. and is under veterinary treatment. He is expected to be right by morning. Balkan Prince galloped a mile at Epsom to-day in 1.48. He was beaten by the Highardo. The jockey, P. Atkins, has arrived.

The Melbourne Cup candidate Tapestry arrived at Caulfield looking well. To-day’s gallops at Caulfield were carried out on the tan. Sir Regent ran five furlongs in 1.7 A. Only one covered half a mile in 55. Wotan and International were associated over a mile in 1.571. The unusual conditions upset Willie Win, but his connections hope that the horse will be fit to run to-morrow. Desert Chief does not appreciate a wet track, and his connections are leaving the decision as to starting or not until to-morrow.

The Flemington gallops were carried out on the sand this morning, when Mala ran seven furlongs in 1.36. J, Conandale assisting over the first five furlongs. Talking (M. McCarten) ran three furlongs in 391, but he did not go with his customary dash. Courtcraft, looking well, cantered on the sand Boficld covered three furlongs in 38',. Stevenage. Allunga, Ross Joy, Shakespeare, Pandava, Black Laughter, and Bristol did serviceable work.