AUSTRALIAN TURF

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22493, 10 August 1936, Page 7

AUSTRALIAN TURF

STEEPLECHASE RECORD WAKERI FE'S EASY VICTORY SANTA CASA FAILS BADLY t (Received August 9, 5.5 p.m.) MELBOURNE, August 9 Jumping badly throughout, the warm favourite Santa Casa could finish no better than sixth in the Australian Steeplechase at the Victoria Amateur Turf Club's meeting at Caulfield yesterday. He wus over 30 lengths from the winner, Wakerife, whose performance was remarkable. Wakerife made light of the jumps and the distaace, and cleared right away from the field six furlongs from home. Ho was easing up at the finish, and beat Fulham's course record by CJs. Gay Circle was unplaced in the Balaclava Stakes and Membo in the Knowsley Steeplechase. Palatinate was third in the St. Auburn Welter, liesult: — AUSTRALIAN STEEPLECHASE, Of £1500; about 3'/, miles WAKERIFE, D. J. Wcekes' ch g, aged, by Sea Prince —Eveillc, 0.5 (W. Foley) . .. . . .. 1 ACTA EON (New Zealand-bred), B. Ward's bay g, aged, by Hunting Song— Crisis, 0.0 (J. Dillon) . . t - .. 2 CHARACTER, M. O. Markillie and C. P. Cox's blk g, aged, by Jiobniak—Harmonist, JO.'-i (F. Douglas) .. ..3 All started. Twenty lengths; two lengths. El Damaroyal was fourth and Cold Spring fifth. Actaeori led until six furlongs from home, followed by El Damaroyal, Xmas Gift, Strobus and Wakerife. When Wakerife shot to the front the race was all over. Time, 7m 3'/ 4 s, a courts record.

ROSEHILL MEETING WENTWORTHVILLE STAKES TALKING WINS COMFORTABLY (Received August 9, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, August 0 The Magpie colt Talking, having his first run since April, led all the way to win the Wentworthville Stakes comfortably from the favourite Cane Grass. Loud Applause came homo well for third. Hands Up was second in the Maiden Handicap. The following were unplaced:—Mala, Stalin and The Palmist in the Three-Year-Old Handicap, Kginont in the Flying Handicap, Collstar and Miramond in the August Handicap and Limoux and King of Diamonds in the Parramatta Mile. Mala's chance was prejudiced by his starting badly. He was second to last in the field of 18 entering the straight, and finished fifth a little over a length from the winner, Water Waggon. Egmont, having his first run since the Sydney Cup. showed promising form in the Flying Handicap, finishing brilliantly in sixth place after being well back early. Result: WENTWORTHVILLE STAKES, Of £"200; weight-for-age, with allowances; 7 fur. TALKING, S. Cash' 9 b c, Syrs, by Magpie—Society, 7.11 (W. Cook) . .. 1 CANE GRASS, G. B. Falkiner's ch g, aged, by Orby's Pride—Blue Grass, 0.0 (F. Shean) 2 LOUD APPLAUSE (New Zealand-bred), E. Moss' br hj, 4yrs, by Liraond— I Curtain, 0.0 (M. McCarten) .. 8 j Five started. Two and a-half lengths; length and a-quarter. Time, lm SG'/is.

SANTA CASA'S FAILURE SWAB TAKEN AFTER RACE (Received August 9, 5.5 p.m.) MELBOURNE, August 9 Following Santa Casa's dismal showing in the Australian Steeplechase at Caulfield yesterday, a veterinary surgeon under instructions from the stewards took a swab from the favourite. This was done at the request of Santo Casa's owner, who is reported to have told the stewards that the horse's form was so bad that Santa Casa must have lieen "got at."

WOODVILLE ACTIVITIES RED MANFRED DOING WELL [from our own correspondent] WOODVILLE, Saturday After a spell oi : several months Plato and Haut Monde have rejoined the active brigade and both seem to have wintered well. Haut Monde will do his future racing as a gelding. During the past week the Woodville tracks have dried up considerably and the opportunity was given to speed up a number of the spring candidates. Karl displayed his usual dash in covering half-a-mile in 525. He is coming to hand rapidly. Black Friar finished very resolutely in a similar task and recorded the same time. Mandamus and The Tramp took 53s for half-a-mile, but were not bustled. lied Manfred finished up the last four furlongs of his work at a sound pace and was anxious to go faster. He is shaping up nicely and will probably race at Wanganui. The two-year-old Aiwni, -by Chief Ruler—Yeomanry, showed a pood burst of speed in sprinting a couple of furlongs in 25<]s. She is well forward. Do Trop has been n consistent placegetter this winter and is always seen at her best on soft tracks. The Hymestra mare is looking bettor than ever at present and is being kept going in view of the Taranaki Hunt Club meeting this month.

WINGATUI HORSES TRAVENNA LOOKING WELL [BY TELECRAPH OWN CORRESPONDENT] OHKISTCIIURCII. Sunday Autumn Wind ran fairly well at the Dunedin Winter Meeting and should be an improved horse at the Grand National meeting. The Dunedin-ownod Epic was a fairly smart two-year-old and may shape well at the National meeting. A prospective buyer has been after him, but the owner is not anxious to sell. Owing to bad weather, Travenna did not get as much track work as deemed necessary at Wingatui, but he has come on well since arriving at Riccarton. Judging by his appearance he looks ready to produce something like his best form. The Dunedin-owned Redolent has improved considerably in his hurdling and gave a good display in a school at Riccarton on Saturday.

The Smuggler gave the most brilliant school ho has displayed up to date when sent out with Ruaform at Riccarton on Saturday. Ho Hew each flight in fine style without dwelling at all. He cannot bo overlooked in connection with the Grand National Hurdles, but will require to be more patiently ridden than lie was at the Wellington winter meeting. The Dunedin Jockey Club had a prosperous season and has decided to give an increase of £SOO in stakes this season. The Wingatui-trained Araboa can go fast. Ho ran a good third to De Friend and Golden Ridge in the Trial Plate at Trcntham. He may be a good prospect for a hack race at Riccarton,