THE TURF IN ENGLAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19714, 13 August 1927, Page 15

THE TURF IN ENGLAND.

THE ST. LEGER.

BY PHAETON.

With the Derby winner Call Boy struck out of the St. Leger, the issue in the classic event at Doncaster is rendered extremely open, and London papers to hand by this week's mail show that the question favouritism is a' matter of considerable doubt, which is held to be accountable by difiidence on the part of owners and speculators to make a move until the situation is rendered more clear and the probable strength of the field indicated. Sir Victor Sasßoon's colt Hot Night (by Gainsborough), who ran second to Call Boy in the decision of the Derby, is considered likely to lorm one of the field at Doncaster, but there ia no tendency to regard him as anything above the ordinary. Sir A. Bailey is thought to possess a promising colt in Royal Pom (by Pommern—Royal Blue), who is expected to stay well. A BRILLIANT JOCKEY. One of the most pleasant features of the season in England has been the complete restoration ol health and good riding form of Gordon Richards, one of the most successful light-weight jockeys of recent years. In 1925 he headed the list of winning riders with the fine total of 118 successes, last season was almost a blank for him on account of his illness, but this year he bids fair to resume his place at the head of the list. He has something of the aptitude which fod Sloan possessed of making moderate horses show their best form in his hands. While he cannot be said to possess the exquisite hands of Donoghue. ho is remarkably strong foi his size and can be depended on to extract everv ounce out of his mount in a lteen finish At the Alexandra Park meeting last month he steered the winners of four races in one afternoon, which included the London Cup.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. The Derby winner Call Boy had won ,£II,GSS in prize-money at three years old when his nominations for all races for which ho was entered became void by the death of his owner, Mr. Frank Cuizon. STUI) NOTES. VALAIS' GREAT RECORD. BY PHAETON. Valais, who is at the stud in New South Wales, has to carry his record a good way yet to bring about figures that will give him the euding position in regard to orizemoney, but in one respect the record of his descendants gives him a special place. This is based on the fact that in the five seasons that his * progeny have raced in Australia they have captured stakes to the value of £171,970. THE CARBINE LINE. Few direct descendants of Carbine now figure on the active sires list in Australia, but one" of the number is Pistol, whose descendants won stakes to the value ol £10,699 during last season The grand total won by Pistol's progeny now amounts to £218.596. which gives the son of Carbine a place with the noteworthy sires of the Southern Hemisphere. THE COLOUR QUESTION. The colour of Hurry On's offspring .1 as interested me (writes " The Special Com missioner"' in the , London Sporting Lite;. We all know that when two chestnuts me mated together the resulting produce vill also be a chestnut. That is simple, but why Hurry On's chestnuts are so much better than his buys—and, further, that his best chestnuts have been out of bay maresis a question of biological interest that v ill probably never be solved. Can there bo some factor linked with the colour that he passes on? This may sound a ridiculous theory, but think it over. An absence of pigment is usually associated with weakness. A grey horse rarely has the stamina of one with colour. White bull terriers and white cats are often affected with deafness. The white West Highland terrier is gradually, as the colour is being bred out, being affected with the same troubles. There must be some correction between the one and the other. Possibly the factor that determines the chestnut or ltjck of pigment also determines the superiority or disease. What this determining factor is it is difficult to say. but it is quite possible tfcat one day it will be discovered that the peat of control lies in one or other of those bodies that are known as tho ductless glands.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES. In the list of winning sires in Australia for last season the following were the amounts credited to the New Zealandowned division: Martian, .£12,863; Limond, £11.952: Absurd. £9673: Kilbroney. £4378; Paner Money. £3027; Sutala, £2050; Day Comet. £1615: Tea Tray, £1375: Leighton. £1362: Solferino. £991 Tho W'airiki horse Chesterfield, who fas been brought into prominence as tho siie of Beau Cavalier, has been mostly used vitli hnlf-bred mares, and in a recent conver sation with his owner. Mr. J. P. Sinclair. I learned that on!y four of his progeny have been trained for racing. Beau Cavalier's victories should be to the advant age of Chesterfield.

RACING IN AUSTRALIA. PAST SEASON IN SYDNEY. THE FINANCIAL RESULTS. A. and N.Z. SYDNEY, Aug. 12. The annual report of the Australian Jockey Club shows a. profit for the year of £385. The smallncss of the amount is accounted for by the bad weather experienced at the summer and anniversary autumn meetings, the latter having to be postponed. Racing was carried on at Randwick on 15 days and £147.989 was distributed in stakes. The previous year's total was £148,355. At Warwick Farm there were nine days' racing and the stakes totalled £24,136, bringing the grand total to £172,125. compared with £176,884 for the previous year. The amount passed through the totalisator was £1.129.204 at Randwick and £113,889 at Warwick Farm, a total of £1,243,093 for 30 days, against £1,294,649 for 32 days last year. The State revenue from the totalisator was £112,000. NOTES FROM ELLERSLIE. GOSSIP OF THE TRACKS. BY ARCHER. By winning the Homeby Steeplechase in decisive fashion at Riccarton last month Maunga indicated that he was likely to prove one of the hardest horses to beat in the Grand National Steeplechase. lie gave a splendid display over the big fences in the race and bis performance was generally regarded as a good trial for the more important event, more especially as the country appeared to give him no trouble. The indications proved deceptive, as Maunga fell in the Grand National and he also came down again in the Beautort Steeplechase. Beforo the Grand National meeting opened Zircon showed a dislike for the big fences at Riccarton and baulked several times while schooling. However, he has raced kindly and ran a creditable race m the Grand National Steeplechase, while he also finished second in the Beaufort Steeplechase. For a horse that has only been nut to steeplechasing this winter Zircon has done well and he promises to do his owner further good service Wharnclifle'a victory in the Grand National Hurdles was attained in decisive fashion and he seems to have clearly outstayed the opposition at the finish. .-.no Thurnhani gelding in a bi{£ fellow that stays and iumps well and he strikes one as a horse that, might do particularly well at steeplechasing. For some time past Nadarino and Indian Sage have both disappointed their trainer. S Reid, but they came to light with good efforts at Riccarton on Thursday, when Nadarino sprung a surprise in the August Handicap and Indian Sage finished second in the -Islington Unndicnp It was up to the pair to do something, and. m mow of their failures last season, their forward running would be pleasing to their r.onnec lions. The filly by Chrysolaus from Secret Wedding that was purchased at the Trent ha in sale last month by the To Aroha trainer G. Reid has been named lilope

The hurdler Day 801 l has had a (,u;cl limo lately and he is in blooming health at present. The Day Comet gelding should come to hand quickly when sent along sill ously in his work and his prospects for the season look very bright, as he is a very promising young jumper whose powers have probably not yet reached full development. A couple of W. Gall's charges in Sleepy Sol and Master Arch have been accomplishing sound work and are in excellent order to commence the season. Sleepy Sol usually manages to pay his way each season, and when the class is not good he should be found in winning vein again. Master Arch has little to recommend nun. but he looks improved and may do better this season in minor company.