NOTES BY PHAETON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22030, 9 February 1935, Page 11

NOTES BY PHAETON

AUSTRALIAN RACING LEADING AUTUMN HANDICAPS NEW ZEALAND-BRED HORSES The declaration of weights for the Newmarket Handicap and Australian Cup, to be run at Flemington, affords a pointed reminder that tho autumn season, is near at hand, and the fact that a good number of New Zealandbred horses are engaged invests tho contests with considerable local interest.

The outstanding New Zealand-bred horse in the Newmarket Handicap ia Gaine Carrington, 9.7, who is in receipt 'of 81b. from tho topweight, Winooka, 10.1. After being off the scene since last autumn Gaine Carrington made a reappearance at Williatnatown recently, when he contested the G. F. Orr Stakes, one mile 55 yards, under 0-13. Although ho suffered. defeat. the honours of the race wercv on his fiido and he is pretty tmro to play a prominent part in the Newmarket provided that he trains on satisfactorily. Wheriko, 8.7. has been made to pay 'for his recent victories in Ne>v Zealand. No chances have been taken with Croupier, 8.5, and the same remark may bo applied to the "three-year-old St. John, 8.4, who won his first race this season at Roscbery last' Wednesday. Another three-year-old hailing from tho Dominion who can bo viewed as a very promising candidate ia Radiant Star, a son oi Hunting Song, who ha& the handy impost oi 7.12. He is credited with being endowed with brilliancy and is described as a colt with a bright future. Prior to the declaration of weights for the Australian Cup the prediction was freely expressed in Sydney that the New Zealander Vintage would have tho distinction of heading the list of weights. This has proved correct, and in being allotted 9.7 it can be said that the son of Shambles has been estimated as a first-rater. Vintage has yet to win over a longer distance than a mile and a-half, and, as the Australian Cup journey extends to two miles and a-Quarter, he will require to be a thorough stayer to score. MasteS' Brierly, 8.13, who follows Vintage in the handicap, ako has nothing to his credit beyond a mile and a-half. Sir Simper, 8.9, failed badly in the Melbourne Cup under 7.5, and now, with 18lb. more, his prospects do not appear bright. The 8.6 allotted to Gold Trail represents an increase of 9lb. on her Auckland Cup weight. Having won the A.J.C. Derby and Victoria Derby, it was regarded as certain that Theo would head the three-year-old divi: ''on. and with 8.6 he has 6lb. over weight-for-age, so that the handicapper has not left any doubt as to his opinion of Limond s bay son. King March, 8.3, can be regarded as nicely handicapped, but Senior, who is on the same mark, seems to be rather harshly treated.

AUSTRALIA'S CHAMPION PETER PAN AT FIVE YEARS Sydney advices credit Peter Pan with making good advancement with a view to the autumn campaign, but it is definitely stated that he will not race at the coming meetings in Victoria. In referring to the present-day champion. " Pilot," of the Sydney Referee, Bays With age Peter Pan is thickening and generally ' improving in appearance. Of course, most experts can readily detect good points in any important winner, hut, apart from possessing size, there was nothing specially impressive in Peter Pan's appearance at three or fonr years. Now, in addition to having proved himself a high-class racehorse, he looks the part. If he had gone into the eale-ring as a yearling, his pedigree on the maternal side was not one that would have attracted buyers, who prefer horses from mares that have cither shown galloping ab.ility in public or from dams that have done eo. Neither Peter Pan'a dam, grand-dam...jior great-grand-dam were well credentialled in that respect, and I think it was the same with his fourth dam, Aorere. "Without those advantages Peter ,Pan is a great horse. , • BRILLIANT MILER RETIRES. CHATHAM'S FINE RECORD When Chatham displayed unsoundness after cpntesting the Melbourne Stakes last November, feats were expressed that he would not again grace the turf, and it is now definitely stated that he is not to be further, raced. Chatham's record is studded with many brilliant exploits, his victories in tho Epsom Handicap' at four and five years old, carrying 9.10 on the second occasion, gave him a place among the greatest milers that have raced in Australia. Ho was something more than a miler, for he won the Craven Plate, one mile and a-quarter. in three successive f.years, and. as he defeated Rogilla and Peter Pan in that race ■ last year, his performance carried the full stamp of excellence. During his career Chatham contested 45 races and his placed record stands as follows:-—ITwenty-fpur 1 Twenty-fpur wins, seven seconds and one. third. Chatham was inoluded among the first batch of yearlings sired by Wiifebag. and ho was bought by Mr. A. E. Blair, of Sydney, for 650 guineas. His winnings ip prize-money amounted to nearly fIS.OOO. STUD ITEMS BREEDER'S &OOD LUCK An interesting story is linked up with the career of the Absurd mare Veil, whost> yearling son by Limond realised top price. 2100 guineas, at tho recent sale at Trentham. In 3921 Veil, known eirnply as the AbsurdCowl filly, figured among the yearlings sent up for sale by Mr. G-. M. Currie, owne. of the Koataiuu Stud, and she was bought by the lato Mr. G. D. Greenwood for 1000 guineas. She failed to win at two years old. and was running in hack company at a year older. After winning ft majden plat 6 at Wellington, she was sold back to Mr. Currie, under whose colours she won the Purua Hack Handicap at "Wanganui. The real luck that camo to Mr. Currie in connection with Veil lies in the handeorue sum received in the sale of her produce as a brood mare, six having realised a total of 4300 guineas. Particulars are as follows: 1930, Bay colt (Veilmond). by Limond. 575 guineas; 1931, bay colt (Prince Pombal). by Pombal, 200 guineas: 1932, bay coli, by Limond. 525 guineas: 1933, bay filly (Visage), by Limond, 400 guineas; 1934, bay colt (Saecula), by Posterity. 500 guineas: 1935, bay colt, by Limond. 2100 guineas, The 1932 colt, who was bought by tho late Mr. J. E. Brien, of Sydney, met with an accident while being trained at Randwick and was destroyed. THE BEND OR LINE The use of Bend Or blood in England is becoming eo general that not ft few breeding experts regard the development as mischievous and seem to think that if it goes on Bend Or will eventually share the fate of St. Simon. An English breeder, who wont through the linee of 35 stallions advertised in the Racing Calendar, said he found that these sires came from eight different male lines, but 19 etalliona, or 54.28 per cent of the total, traced back to Cyllene or Hampton, while 11. or 31.5 per cent, traced to Cyllene alone. THE SWYNFORD LINE The number of horses tracing to Swynford imported to Australia lately has brought that family under the searchlight there. Verbius, a son of Swynford. who, it is pointed out, has been advantageously placed, figured 87th on the winning eires' list in Australia last season. JUSBS being the amount won by his progeny. March Along and Bold and Bad, two other eons of Swynford at the stud in Australia, also figured well down tho list last year with the respective totals of £llO9 and £583. Tho pronounced success of Swynford'a son Blnndford in England hns given the Swynford line world-wide fame. Last year the progeny of Blandford racing in England won prize-money to the amount of over £70,000.