AUSTRALIAN TURF

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23154, 28 September 1938, Page 13

AUSTRALIAN TURF

MNDWICK CARNIVAL GEEBUNG HIGHLY RATED INELIGIBLE FOR THE DERBY NIGHTGUARD WELL FANCIED (Rccoivod iScptcmbor 'ZI, 8 p.m.) SYDNEY, Sept. -27 Providing that international events are not worse at the week-end, the spring racing carnival opening at Randwick on Saturday is expected to be the most successful for years. The course is in splendid order as a result of recent good rains. The Press Association commentator reports that F. McGrath believes that Geebung will become another Prince Footo. Geebung is ineligible to start in the Australian Derby owing to an irregularity in. his entry, consequently he will be forced to run in the Epsom Handicap. Publicity, from McGralh's stable, is a doubtful quantity as far as the Epsom Handicap is concerned, so that a piquant situation lias arisen in which a Derby discard might compensate for an accident to a stable-mate. It is also noteworthy that the Epsom Handicap favourite, Nightguard, should bo housed at McGrath's stables in charge of the Melbourne trainer J. Sing. Nightguard is regarded by Victorians as unbeatable in the Epsom Handicap, but New South Wales experts are not so keen on the jockey H. Skidmore, who rides better at home in Melbourne than in Sydney. G. Price also has an Epsom Handicap replacement, as Denis, who was lame to-day, will give way to Spear Chief as the stable's main Epsom Handicap hope. Gold Rod has galloped brilliantly and hopes were entertained that he would encounter Royal Chief at weight-for-age oil Saturday. However, it is expected that lie will be reserved for the Metropolitan Handicap on Monday. Mares are not greatly fancied in the spring, but Cooranga is expected to be an exception. Many consider Royal Chief unable to concede her 231b. in the Metropolitan Handicap. Mr. \V. S. Glenn has arrived from New Zealand for tho spring racing. He has a likely juvenile, Beau Mari, by Beau Pore from Betroth. Beau Mari is trained by J. T. Jamieson, who also has tho very smart Folk Song, by Siegfried from Princess Bell.

Owned by the lato John Brown, who raced under the assumed name of "J. Baron,"' and trained by F. McGrath, Prince Footo was tho outstanding performer of the 1909-10 season in Australia when he won nine races worth £14,610. Among his victories were the A.J.C. Derby, A.J.C. St. Leger, V.R.C. Derby, Melbourne Cup and V.lt.C. St. Le<*er. Prince Foote was a bay by Sir Footo from Petruschka and a brilliant stayer.

Geebung is, a bay colt by Bold and Bad, son of Swynford and Good and Gay. by Bavardo out of Popinpay (dam of Magpie), from Western Lass, by Westeourt (a good .stayer by the St. Simon horse Bright Steel), out of Wolaroi Lass, a sister to Wolaroi. Bred by Mr. D. U. Seaton, Geebung is stated to possess an abundance of quality, although little more than a pony in stature. EPSOM DOINGS SOME SOLID EFFORTS GREAT CHUM PACES FREELY KEWPIE'S QUEEN SHAPES WELL BY ABAYDOS Ridden by Mrs. E. Collins, Great Chum was the star performer at Epsom yesterday, when ho ran a mile in 2.12. Kcwpie's Queen, 1.7 2-5, recorded the best half-mile of the others. Equipoise, Munga Tangi, Kcwpie's Crest. Stargum, Pukemiro, Petite Jewel, Kcwpie's Triumph, Bedford and "Vanora all registered 1.8. The dirt track was in | good order. On the dirt track, Noble Prince (J. McKcndriek) went a mile and a-half in 3.22, the last half-mile' in 1.10. After, going the first half-mile in 1.6 3-5, he was joined by Great Chum (Mrs. E. Collins), who set a merry pace, to take him to tho mile in 2.12. Great Chum then drew cut and finished clear in 2.12. Ho looks in great heart.

Kowpio's Crest (J. Geo) and Kcwpie's Queen (W. Gee) loft tho mile and a-half two seconds ahead of Kowpio's Triumph (K. Bell), Bedford (D. Smith) joining them at tho mile and a-quarter. Tho mile was passed in 2.27, and Kowpio's Queen-scored narrowly in 3.34' 2-5. Kowpio's Crest, 3.35, and Kewpio's Triumph, 3.33, also worked soundly. Bedford, who went well, ran his mile and a-quarter in 2.55. Munga Tangi (F. Davis) led Fernbrook Lass (L. Laver) in the early stages of two miles, but thoy finished together in 4.50. The last half-mile took 1.8, and both finished full of running. Petite Jewel's Work Lucky Love (D. Cook) sot a lively paco over the first half-mile of a milo and a-half in 1.7, for Petite Jewel (W. H. Andrews), who was leading at the mile in 2.17. Petite; Jewel jumped a shadow At the turn, and Lucky Love went on to { * score in 3.20, doing his work in fine stylo.' Given a second task. Petito Jewel went with. Equipoiso (S. M. August), who just beat him over a mile and a-, half in 3.27. Both gave Argolis (R. August) three seconds start, while. Vanora' (L. J. Mahoney) joined in at tho mile and a-quarter. Equipoise sprinted to tho load, to complete the first inilo ill 2.19, and gave a sound display. ' i Petite Jowol wont solidly throughout to record 3.27 1-5. Vanora, who is looking .bright, ran his milo and a-quar-ter in 2.51. Argolis, unhoppled, went well until ho broke a furlong from tho post. • • Worthy Quest (G. Stubbs) began a little better than Our Princess (W. Willetts) at the mile and a-quarter, but the latter stayed the better to win in 2.59 3-5. Forest Jewel (L. Mitchell), after covering tho first mile and a-quarter in 3.6, completed, two miles in 4.57 2-5. She went very freely, and ran the last half-mile without effort in 1.12. She has done well since tho Inst meeting. Mile by Cliarterls Bay ! Tommv MelChvvn (A. McKonzie) was not hurried over a milo and a-half in 3.45, onoh lmlf-milo at an even rate. He j bears a very healthy appearance. Cbai'toris Bay, ridden by G. Cole, after covering tbe first ball in 1.9, was casing up at the end ot a mile in 22 9 2-5 He has not been up long. 'Pukoniiro (W. Fleming), after going an s -pn»v milo in 2.2K, stopped a mile and a-quarter.in 2.52, tho first six furlongs in 1.44. Although .not long back from a lengthy spoil, ho is making good progress. ~ „ Nelson's Pearl (S. M. August), Sweet Aloes (R. August), Gold kip OC. M. Morrison) and Gipsy Light (b. Cole) bewail as named from the mile and aquarter, tlio last-named going quickly to tho front to load Sweet Aloes past the six furlongs and win in 2.59 4-5.