SYDNEY TURF NEWS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21466, 13 April 1933, Page 9

SYDNEY TURF NEWS

DEFEAT OF PETER PAN PROSPECTS FOR RANDWICK NEW ZEALANDERS' CHANCES [from our own correspondent] SYDNEY, April 7 The sensational defeat of Peter Pan in the Rawson Stakes at Rosehill last Saturday has provided the chief topic in racing ciicles. He lost all chai.ce by the mishap at the barrier. He stood in very close, and the Blartcr warned E. Bartle, his rider, iho barriers are five rope affairs here and not the typo with which liberties can be taken. The lowest strand caught Peter Pan in the mouth as it was released. He could bo seen to twist right round with a decided jerk. "When he actually started the field was oight to ten lengths in front. Bartle allowed Peter Pan to run along and gradually bridge the gap. The three-year-old had caught the tail-enders at the half-mile and at the turn ho was moving up on the outside and appeared to justify those odds-oil layers who heartened themselves by calling, " Here he comes." It was a spent effort, however, for ho knocked right up and Bartle allowed him to tail the field past tho judge. P. McGrath, his trainer, at first feared that Peter Pan had wrenched himself, but he was quite bright and sound on Monday morning. There is no doubt that the colt was upset by the mishap and his rider would not be at his best. The real Peter Pan was not seen and now hi a next appearance will have to be awaited to see whether certain critics, always ready to topple an idol from his pedestal, are right in their assertion that lie has "slipped." Others say that his hard race in the Melbourne Cup has settled him, but then there is the fact that when he won tho Randwick Stakes two weeks earlier he defeated just as strong a veight-lor-age field as he met on Saturday. Success o! Lough Neagh The race was altogether an unsatisfactory one, for just on the post Kuvera had Lough .Ncask's measure when he ran out away from the whip, permitting Lough Neagh to go on and' score. Lough Neagh certainly ran a fine race, and he is as fit as any horse at ißandwick. Dermid was going so well two lengths in front at the turn, that it appeared to bo his day. He weakened into third place at the finish, but his effort was sufficient to make him firm in tho Doncaster Handicap betting. Rogilla was another decided failure, but no excuse could be offered for him. lie was last save Peter Pan most of the way and then beat home only Oro, Dcniß Boy and Peter Pan. For such a well-performed and high-grade galloper it was a miserable effort, too bad to be true. Braeburn really shaped next best to Lough Neagh, for he lost his place at the half-mile and drifted to the tail of the field. He then came again and finished strongly into fourth place, a very fair Sydney Cup trial considering that he was racing at weight-for-age and comes in much better on the handicap scale. New Zealand had two interests Rosehill Nursery Handicap, Blixten (Night Raid—Receipt), and Frimsel, who finished second and third. They had no chance with the winner, Leila Vale, who jumped out two lengths clear of the field and was not headed. Blixter looked in need of a race, so that he did exceptionally well with his nine stone. Frimsel was hampered at the barrier, missing the jump-out and she was again in trouble halfway through the race. She finished particularly well and should soon win again. Prestige (Chief Ruler—Homage) ran a sour race. Unless she shows improvement she will soon bo on her way back to New Zealand. She is in great condition, so that no excuse could be made for her. Doncaster Handicap Fancies Early investors already have had one severe reverse in the scratching of Rogilla for the Doncaster Handicap, for which he has been favourite since his good second to Peter Pan at Randwick a fortnight ago. So 6olid has the support for Winooka been this week that he is now first choice, but he has the task in front of him with 9.13, even on a dry track. With wet weather possible he is a questionable fa;ucy although a brilliant galloper and vastly improved. Dermid really is the horse weighted to win at 8.8. He falls just short of weight-for-age class and has never been better. For a day after his third at Rosehill last Saturday he was at the top of the list and is now second choice. He is working exceptionally well and looks sure to run a great race, wet or dry. F. McGrath has high hopes of Lightning March, a smallish chestnut, but a solid little fellow. Provided that he has a bit of luck early he has a great, chance. Tom Pinch is a smart sprinter, but it is generally believed that a mile will be too far for him. He just staggered to the post to win at six furlongs a fortnight, ago, but had 9.5 against 8.11 in the Doncaster Handicap. Jacko is one who has little chance if the track is Soft. Johnnie Jason, Whittingham, Autopay, Version and Gnine Carrington are among the possibilities and Autopay could hardly look better after his travelling and racing. The Melbourne trainer J. Holt has a worthy pair, Gallante and Gordon's Leap. The latter, a four-year-old by Heroic, is a likely-looking candidate, who is working particularly well and is a very probable surprise-packet. If anything springs a surprise he is the likely one and mud does not trouble him on the training track. Dermid and Lightning March should be the best of the Sydney division. Lough Neagh's Cup Chance Of those near the top of tho handicap in the Sydney Cup nothing appeals so much as Lough Neagh. Queensla nders say ho will not stay the two miles, but he is particularly fit. Braeburn is ono of the likely candidates. He has had a good preparation, including a trip to Melbourne, and is a proved stayer with a handy weight. Pretzel is another Randwick-trained candidate who appeals. He is receiving something of an old-time preparation and is the type that standß up to hard toil. Mr. Kerry is bein# naked for his most difficult tnsk to date, but it is felt that ho will not disgrace himself. 110 is one of the finds of the season as n distance horse aijd might easily win the cup for the ex-New Zealander, Mr. E. J. Watt. Eastern Chief and Shadow King are two dangerous southerners. Rogilla hardly appeals at two miles, although he won the Gaulfield Cup. Topical is being prepared by W. Kelso, who is a master of I)is craft. Topical is a light-fleshed gelding, a proved stayer through his Australian Cup success, and one who requires only a light preparation. Mince Pie and Nord are likely lightweights. Eastern Chief, Braeburn and Pretzel may be selected for places. The two-year-old races will be mnde more interesting by the in;lusion of Golden Hair and she will be well tested by Shakuni, Limarch, Miramond. Burlesque, Wexford and Blixten. La Moderne may be lucky enough to strike Peter Pan below par in the St. Leger, but that is her only chance. Peter Pan has done all required of him since las) Saturday and there is no reason to think that lie will not bo at his best in the St. Leger. DOUBLE-GAITED HORSES SMOOGER AND DERBY THORPE At, least two contestants at the Hawera trotting meeting have strong claims to be classed as double-gaited horses. Smooger last season had his first race at Hawera as a (roller, but later, when put to (lie pacing gait, won a double at *tlie llawke's Bnv meeting in fine style. For the major-portion of this season ho raced in straight-out trotting events, although on the final day of the Auckland Clirisfmns meeting he started in both trotting and pacing sections. Failing to show winning form as a trotter, ho was again prepared for pacing and won the mile dash nt Ashhurst in 2.14 1-5 from a 2.23 mark, and on this form lie should be hard to beat in the Eltham Handicap. Willi Derby Thorpe the position is eomijwhat reversed. 3le raced recently at vVellington as a pacer and finished a useful third to Iron Man and To Mahvnga in the Martinborough Handicap, registering J .-7 from 3.45, and he followed this effort up by winning the Ladies' Bracelet at (he Manawatu meeting in 3.33 3-5 from a similar mark. L. O. Thomas, who owns and trains him. has evidently converted him to the (rotting gait, as ho will start in tho 3.50 Matapu Handicap at Hawera from a 3.49 mark. It will be interesting to see how he shapes as a trotter. TARANAKI TROTTING CLUB • CANCELLATION OF MEETING [BY RAT'TT—riUCPK ASSOCIATION"] NEW PLYMOUTH, Wednesday The Tarani.ki Trotting Club's annual meeting on April 22 lias been cancelled, owing to lack of support, due principally to the temporary closing of the Stratford Main Trunk line. TROTTING FIXTURES April 15, 17— Hawera Trotting Club. April 15, 19—Metropolitan Trotting Club. April 22—Ashburton Trotting Club. April 29—Wangnnui Trotting Club. May 4, fi— Forbury Park Trotting Club. May G—Cambridge Trotting Club. May B—Northland Trotting Club (at Cambridge). . May 13—Auckland Trotting Club.