NOTES BY PHAETON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21882, 18 August 1934, Page 9

NOTES BY PHAETON

'CHASERS IN VICTORIA DETERIORATION IN QUALITY ' i REDpITCH OUTSTANDING I . ■ •» s "J' • ' • ... I , • : At various timed du'ring the 'p&st couple of ytars Melbourne writers have made pointed reference to the falling away in tlie standard of steeplechasers | in Victoria, and the fact that this year there was a field of . only holf-a-j dozen, for the Australian Steeplechase ! of £ISOO shows that the position is i indeed acute.' Some time ago it was stated that a prominent Melbourne I sportsman had decided to establish a ' stud especially for breeding Steeplechasers. No doubt such a project, carried out Ou extensive lines, would lie expected to havu an important bearing in placing Victoria again in a distinctive position in the breeding and racing of steeplechasers.

A few years ago the Victoria Racing Club endowed the Grand National Steeplechase at Flemington with £SOOO, and, although that was before the financial depression, the stake this yeaf was £2500, and it can therefore be said that the juhitfing division continues to be well-catered for in the matter of prize-money. Whatever may be stated in regard to the indifferent character of the general run of Steeplechasers ' contesting in Victoria at. present, it can. be claimed for Redditch, the leading performer, that he is well entitled to be included among the charhpions that have raced over country at and Gaulfield. Last year Redditch won , the V.R.C. Steeplechase, carrying 12.3, and later, the Australian Steeplechase under 12.13, and in each race he created a 'time record. At Flemington last mouth he made a game effort to again win the V.R.C. Steeplechase, carrying 12.7, and, although he eutiered defeat, the Honours were on his side, for he was conceding the winner, Woodlace, 2st. 9lb. In the Australian Steeplechase his task, was made easy by reason of the poor character of the field, but ho could do no more than win, and this he accomplished in runaway style in record time and under a similar weight/ to that which he carried in the same race last year. Aa Redditch is only seven years old, the future should still hold something attractive in store for him, as he is credited with being very sound. He is a prize of the Balering, for as a. yearling he was bought for the small outlay of 75 guineas. Up to the present ho has won over £7OOO in prizemorey.

Redditch has a high-class pedigree. In tho top line on the sire's side a double strain of the celebrated Bend Or is tho feature—one through stout-hearted Kendal and the ather through Arklow, the fullbrother to unbeaten Ormonde. Then on the dam's side St. Simon's name is found early, and in cloße order follow Melton and Carbine. The leading lines of the pedigree are as follows:

Sire: Rod Dennis, by Tredennis, son of Kendal and grandson' of Bend Or, from Rosey Head, by Brayhead, son of Arklow., from Babrose, by Maxim, eon of Peter. . f ' Dam: Kenihvorth Queen, by Kenihvorth, son of Childwick and grandson of St, f-imon, from Punkah, by Duke of Melton, son of Melton, from Fail-wind, by Carbine, son of Musket. \

RETURN OF WINOOKA MAY NOT RACE UNTIL AUTUMN Witiooka having returned to Australia after a ' disappointing campaign on tho American turf, it will be interesting to see whether ho succeeds in reinstating himself when ho is called upon to rade again. It is understood that this will not be until the autumn and that, his first, important engagement will be the Caulfield Futurity Stakes, seven furlongs, which he won last year in the fast time of 1.24 J.

/ STUD ITEMS SUCCESSFUL BROOD MARE The victory registered by Sir Simper in the St. Aubin Handicap at Caulfield last Saturday revives frecollections < f Mr. W. T. Hazlett's purchase of the imported mare Simper for UOo guineas at this dispersal sale of the late Mr. R. D. Morrison's stud in the autumn of 1919.- When sold Simper had a filly, foal at foot, by Kilbroney and was in foal to Hymettus. The result of the mating ■with Hymettus cave the turf Gold Light, whn ivon high honours as a stayer and who captured prize-money to the amount of £12.218. In subsequent . years Simper was represented by several good winnerß. notably Raszle Darkle, who once defeated;the brilliant Gloaming and whose winnings in stakes amounted to .£7625. Altogether it is computed that Simper's produce have won over £26,000 in prizemoney, eo that she can very fittingly be referred to as a great pri7e. Sir Simper m by Grand Knight, and. having won his opening engagement at four years old. his future looks promising. He figures in the Caulfield Cup with 7.5 and in the Melbourne Cup with 7.7. GRAND NATIONAL WINNER Valpeen's victory adds one more success to the remarkable record in the New Zealand Grand National.? Steeplechase of horses: tracing to St. Simon. They have scored 10 successes dating front 1919, as follows; 1918, St. Elmn, by St. Ambrose; 1922 and 1923. Oakleigh, by St. Amans; 1925, Tuki. by Qu'in Abbey; 1927, : Beau Cavalier, by Chesterfield: 1928 and 1929. Wiltshire, by Day Comet; 1930, Aurora Borealis, by Day Comet; 1932, Billy Boy, by Archieatown: 1934, Valpeen. by Valkyrian. TROTTING ASSOCIATION MEETING NEXT THURSDAY A meeting is called for next. Thursday evening for the purpose of reorganising the Auckland Trotting Owners, Trainers and Breeders' Association, The promoters are formulating a progressive policy for the benefit of trotting generally in the province, and solfd support has been assured from a. good number of country owners, trainers and breeders. THE REDLOCK CASE LIFE DISQUALIFICATION ADELAIDE, August 17 C. Prince the Owner-trainer of the horse" called Redlock, and the horse,' have been; disqualified for life by the South Australian. .Tockey Club (stewards. As ho left the inquiry room Prince was arrested by detectives, and later charged with having obtained stake-ftioiiey; at the' Murray Bridge meeting by falsely pretend-' ing that a certain horße was Redlock. The horse was impounded. It, is alleged that the horse which won the race was Erbie. The real Redlock is now at Malmsbury, Victoria.

THAMES CLUB AFFAIRS LOSS ON PAST SEASON , [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] I THAMES, Friday The Thames Jockey (Ilub held its' 65th ■ annual meeting last evcYiing, Mr. H. Lowe presiding over tv good attendance. The annual report stated that the receipts from all sources amounted to £4(V74, including the balance brought forward of £25, and the expenditure had been £4844. leaving a debit balance of £l7O. The Government rebate of totalisator duty in connection with; the club's last roce meeting had hot been included in the receipts. The annual rate meeting showed a profit of £270, while the profit and loss account, offer yrritingr oft £.IOB for depreciation, showed a loss of £454. The annual race meeting quite successful in view of the prevalent conditions, The dates allotted to the club by the Racine Conference' for ■ the next meeting, January 10 "»d 12. were.as suitable as any: ; t.hAt coUld be obtained! • A marked improvement- was shown during the.year in the, prices obtajned for the club's i wool and stock, £241 being realised from ' this source. Of this amount £92 was re- ' invested in the purchase of additional breed- ; ing ewes. The club membership now stood at 119 active members. With the assistance of the Thames Trotting Club some much needed improvements to the lawn and' grandstand had been made; All the retiring officers were i#-elccted. The committee expressed rcgrot at the death o? Sir Edwin Mitchelson, who had been of great assistance to the club for many yea/a. The question of- the issue of complimentary tickets was discussed, and it was decided to continue to issue a restricted num- . ber of tickets.