RACING IN VICTORIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20925, 15 July 1931, Page 9

RACING IN VICTORIA.

GRAND NATIONAL HURDLES. . COCKCROW SCORES EASILY. MOSSTROOPER'S PERFORMANCE. 5 ' [FROM OUH OWN CORRESPONDENT. 1 B MELBOURNE, July 9. In many respects the Grand National ' Hurdles of .1931 was one of the most interesting in the history of the race. The 1 brilliant victory recorded by Cockcrow was B not more than the remarkable performance of Mosstrooper in endeavouring 3 to carry 12.3 to victory. The highest weight over won with was 11.13, which Don Quixote succeeded with in 1884. Drenching rain fell in the latter part of 3 the week and, although the bookmakers ' declined to take any risks with Mosstrooper, 3 most good judges considered that the task 3 was beyond him. The race was full of incident. Polygonum r was the first away and he soon set up a ; lead of about 15 lengths, and the field , was well strung out with Kendler and 5 Olina well up. Kendler, who started favourite, soon dropped out of it and it was ! left to Olina to go after the leader. Olina t was quickly joined by Cockcrow, and com- ! ing into the straight Cockcrow had a subt slantial lead. There,, was a remarkable happening at f the last hurdle. Cockcrow is a notoriously ■ careless jumper when in front of his field and lie' appeared not to see the obstacle s properly and .crashed into it. His nose . nearly touched the ground, but W. J. i Howson made a remarkable recovery and 1 Cockcrow vAent on to defeat the tiring Olina i by five lengths. Polygonum looked like ! gaining second or third place when he i crashed at the last hurdle. Then old Moss- . trooper, striving gallantly to overcome inr superablo,' difficulties, came on to fill tlprd ; place. It was generally admitted that i Mosstroojier's performance was one of the . best in his distinguished ..careor. Interviewed after the race, W. J. Howson, , rider of Cockcrow, said that he decided to [ ride the gelding in behind as he was in- . olined to pull when up in the lead. There was a bit of heavy going coming to the.last hurdle and this seemed to bother Cockcrow, who did not appear to see the jump. Cockcrow scarcely rose at all and "practically galloped right through it. That was the only mistake he made throughout the race. As was anticipated, Mosstrooper found the heavy weight and holding going more •than he coula* manage, but lie did not go down without a struggle. A fortnight previously at Caulfield Mosstrooper, had the first -fall of his career- and he appeared to be rather nervous when approaching tho obstacles. All interesting fncij, to record in connection with the race is taat Howson was able to keep his seat on Cockcrow simply because he adopts a sensible seat "on a horse. Howson rides with longer stirrup lonthers than most jockeys, and is better balanced i,, la ,\ l some of those who adopt tho short i leathers and the crouch seat. IMPROVING TROTTERS. WORTHY QUEEN'S EFFORTS. - i . RECORD OF KING'S GUARD. Three young trotters who will be worthy of more than passing notice when the new season opens nest month are Worthy Queen, King's Guard and Bessie Parrish, all of whom gave, promising displays as three-' year-olds,; 'Worthy Queen won at each of her two starts, Bessie Parrish scored two victories and a second in four outings, while King's Guard notched four wins in six starts. ?Worthy Queen is owned •bx Mr. J. R. 1 Corrigan, who bred the filly. She is -by Worthy Bifigen, full-brother to Great Bingeh« and ' Peter 'Bingen, from Queen Chimes,, a i well-performed mare, who waft bred ori high- , class lines, being by Coldstream Bellft from the Vancleve - mare Vanquish. Worthy Queen is an ideal trotter and when she scored at Ashhurst and New Plymouth gave attractive displays. Her trainer, T. Roe,' has a very high opinion of her capabilities and as she is gifted with both speed and stamina she should reach a high placo as she matures. Bessie Parrish. who is owned and trained at Mangere by J, T. Paul, is, also bred on excellent lines, being by the American sire Guy , Parrish,. from Bessie Bingen, a fullsister to Worthy Bingen,,,sire of Worthy Queen. Bessie Parrish ran "green" ill: hor.,first start,. hut. at . Cambridge she attracted considerable attention by the gamenous and speed displayed' at ths end of her- race.. After a bad beginning, Bessie Parrish came along in rare stylo at the finish to score a fine victory,* This the filly followed up by a solid performance at Claudelands, " where she gained another victory. Perhaps the best effort of _ Paul's trotter was her determined finish with her older rival Zanzibar at the Waikato Show meeting, in which she suffered a narrow defeat. Bessie Parrish is somewhat on tho small size, but may furnish into a more solid customer with ago." King's Guard is the property of the. Manawatu sportsman Mr. J. A. Mitchell, who successfully raced the three-year-old's dam Lady Nan. On the paternal side King s Guard also has some fine trotting blood, his sire Native King, full-brother to Nelson Derby and Nelson Fame, being a high-grade trotter. King's Guard won at the first time of Asking by. W. Hughes and he \vas later successful at Ashhurst, Hastings and Auckland. His Auckland success was a striking effort : for a threp-year-old and although he failed on the second day, he was by no means disgraced. Like Worthy Queen and Bessie Parrish. King's Guard should improve with age. Next season these three young trotters will add further to their laurels. SALE OF BLOODSTOCK. MODERATE PRICES RULE. 280 GUINEAS FOR COLT. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.]. WELLINGTON, -Tuesday. The winter sales of bloodstock conducted at Trentliam to-day attracted a largo attendance, but there was a Very slack demand and the majority of the lots was passed 111, while the sales were at moderate prices. Brood mares offered on account of Mr. S. J. Gibbons were all passed, but his colt rising two years realised tho top price, 280 guineas. -Mrs. C. E.-Elgar's horses m training were all »oM with the exception of Tenterden, who failed to reach tho reserve. The top prices were 200 guineas each for Count Palatine and Grecian. The former was bought by Mr. T. A. Duncan t Hunterville. Grecian caused spirited bidding and was purchased by the, trainer,' W. D.-Moroney, who is setting up as a public trainer. Moroney also secured Vertigern, *who is to be returned to Mrs. Elgar when his racing career ends. Details are:— ' On, account of Air. S. J. Gibbons.—Brood mares Oratress and" Martianette were passed in; Windbag was not offered; Equitas passed in at 200 guineas and Interlocutor at tho same figure. Hunting Bag, ~br c, by Hunting Song—Windbag, purchased, by Mr. C. Dawson, Remuera, 280 guineas. On account of Mr. W. G. Emeny,—Royal Finance was passed in at 110 guineas. On account of Mr. K. Wolland.'—Bright Song, ch f, 3yrs, by Hunting ■ Song— Brightly. Mr. H. M. Harris, Lyall Bay, 80 guineas. On account of Mrs Elgar.—Vertigern, b i g, 7yrs, by Rossendalo —Pansy, W. D. < Moroney, 35 guineas; Appledore, blk g, : 3yrs, by Rossendale—Demeter, Mr. T. li. i George, Blenheim, 50 guineas; Count Palatine, b g, 4yrs, by Paladin—Per Anna, i Mr. T. A. Duncan, Hunterville, 200 guineas; i Grecian, b g, 4yrs, by Lord Quex—Ennea, < W. D. Moroney, 200 guineas; ch f, lyr, by i Lord Quex —Charlady. E. Didhain. Dunedin. ( 45 guineas. i Lady Rene, Sunspot, Misgovern and Kilo- i rell were all passed. 1 DEATH OF WALLARUH. .; COLLAPSE WHILE WORKING. \ The three-year-old Wallaruh, by Hunting ] Song from Wallaby, dropped dqad while doing half-pnce work at Awnpuhi a few days ago. Wallaruh was a member of G. NeW's team and he had shown very promising form in minor company. S. kinson, who was riding Wallaruh- when, ho collapsed, was thrown heavily ' and had ; several teeth knocked out, besides receiving ■ an injury to one of his legs. Wallaruh was ■ owned by Mr. F. J. Nathan, who is at - present on a holiday trip to England. ;