AROUND THE TURF

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23618, 30 March 1940, Page 9

AROUND THE TURF

AVONDALE CLUB PEOSPECTS FOR MONDAY FOLEY MEMORIAL CONTEST yogi probable favourite railway handicap fancies BY ATU'HET? .Excellent acceptances luive boon received for the opening ot' the Avondale Jockey C'luh's Autumn Meeting oil Monday, and the racing should prove highly interesting if the conditions remain favourable. The course has benefited by the rain that has fallen recently. and unless the weather is wet the going should be good. The betting will be under the win and place system a nd the first rare, the Avondale Hurdles, is tifned to start at 11.1(3 a.m. Chief interest will lie centered in the Foley .Memorial Handicap, one mile jind throe furlongs, and the Railway Handicap, six furlongs, in which some fino performers are engaged. The field of. 15 for the Foley Memorial Handicap is headed by Ru.val Appellant, with 8.11. Although he was unplaced in his two races at the recent meeting at Kllerslie. Royal Appellant wus l>y no means disgraced, and slight improvement• upon his fourth in the H. O. Nolan Handicap, one and a-half miles, would make him dangerous, especially as he will be meeting Yogi (winner) and Mintlaw (third) on loib and '-'lb better terms respectively. With s.lO Yogi has 101b more than when he won at Kllerslie last Monday, but the rise might not stop him, as he is a big horse, well up to weight. Only for receiving several checks in running Yogi would have won easier than he did at Kllerslie, and what beats him should win. Good Form of Proud Fox

Another good'three-year-old is Proud Fox. who has fvT. Before dead-heating for third in the Easter Handicap, one mile, at Ellerslie last Saturday, Proud Fox registered five successive wins, scoring at distances from seven furlongs tp a mile and a-quarter. Apparently he has benefited by his outing last week, and he will disappoint if he fails to give a good account of himself. The couiitrytained <; old Van Is, who has recently staged a return to winning form, is another with prospects. (Sold Vaals was second last year, when the distance was a mile and a-quarter. with 8.1 to Hound Up, and he has S.l on this occasion. His last performance was to win the Ohinemuri Cup, one mile and three furlongs, with 7.5. and similar form should I enable him to be prominent. CI old Vaals will have enhanced prospects if the ground happens to be soft. The good sprinter Bronwen has jet to prove her worth over a middle distance. On the score of breeding there is no reason why Bronwen should not prove better than a sprinter. Possibly she may lack the necessary stamina to run 1L" furlongs successfully at this stage, although she has the brilliance to take her a Mg way. Jack Tar failed on liis recent trip to Trentham and Feildmg, and will require to do better. Still, he should not be out of it with 8.0. and should have enhanced prospects if the ground is soft, to which condition he is very partial. Pocket Venus showed tjiat she was much improved by registering a first and a second at the autumn meeting at FJlerslie. and Is likely to run well again, although her task may be more difficult oiv this occasion. Opportunity for Mintlaw

The consistent Mintlaw. who has been racing unluckily, should have an excellent / chance with 7.0, and it will not be to his disadvantage that he is to be ridden by the successful apprentice \V. J. Mudford. Renu will require to show much improvement upon his running in the H. O. Nolan Handicap if he is to have a chance. However, he might have to be reckoned with if the track became heavy. Te Kawiti. who will be bracketed with Jack' Tar. is an improving three-year-old and, although he failed in the Islington Handicap at Ellerslie on Monday, he should take considerable beating if he runs up to his Easter Handicap form. Foxsen is capable of a sood performance, and she may be the pick of those below. Te Kawiti, as Blonde Princess, who is also in the sprint, and Susan have vet to show that they can stay, and the recent, form of Rarotonea and Kelly has not been encouraging. It should bo a good betting 'race and horses likely to find favour ure Yogi, Proud' Fox, Te' Kawiti and Mint-

In spite of the fact that she has a rise or nlh for her success in the Huia Handicap at Ellerslie last Monday, Blonde Princess is likely to be one of the hardest to beat in the Railway Handicap. She is right at the peak of her form and, with 7.10, is still handily weighted. A good effort may also be expected from Palustre. who was third in the Huia Handicap, and will now meet Blonde Princess on T'ilb better terms. The effort she made to reach" (he front in a furlong from on o-itside post position left Palustre a little wjintinsc at the, finish last Monday, but it miirht be different on this occasion. \\ ith 7.11 she is capable of running six furlongs in fast time if the conditions are favourable. Kathbella and Orelio

As she is right at the top of her form Kathbella should not be without prospects even with 0.10. After failing to jump out cleanly she was fourth in the Huia Handicap at Ellerslie with the same weight, and a similar effort should place her in the picture Orelio. who did not have the best of luck in either of bis races at the autumn carnival at Ellerslie, should havo an undeniable chance, as the long straight at Avondale will not be to his disadvantage. Pirate King and Lornacre are capable of solid performances and Bronze Moth, if be displays the same dash as he ilid at on Mondav. should take beating. Brazen Bold appeals as the best of those near the minimum, although Brazilian and Aero King are both useful when fit. The favourites may include Blonde Princess, Palustre, Orelio and Bronze Moth. '

FOR EARLY RACING STONYfIURST YEARLINGS SALE OF MASTER HOTSPUR [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN COR RESPONDENT J ' CHRISTCHURCH. Friday The Riccarton tracks are quiet. All visiting horses have gone home, while most of the y local candidates at the Easter meeting are having a spell. In some cases it will be only o short rest, as there are several oilier meetings in the next few weeks. 11. and A. Cults received Ibis week the first hatch of fdur yearlings from the Stonyhurst Stud to tie prepared for early two-year-old races next season. Easter Hind is by Jericho from Wild Hind, the dan) of Wild Chase. Willow Wood is by Cricket Bat from Winsome Ilind, by The Ace from Wild Hind. Full Pitch is by Cricket- Bat from Saijor's Love, a sister to Fast Passage, and Straight Left is by Winning Hit from Competition by Polazel—Rivalry. Mr. E. Hay has sold the three-year-old Master Hotspur, by Ringmaster from Impetuous, to Mr. Patterson, a Central Otago sportsman. He was a speedy galloper when trained by T. H. Oillett, but he became unsound. It is probable that another attempt will be made to train him in the south, after which he will have an opportunity to earn distinction as a sire, h The Aniberle.v Racing Club intends to hold its annual meeting at Riccarton early in May. It is probable that the programme will include a race for two-year-olds, for which there is local material for a good field.

AVONDALE BRACKETS "Brarkrt'j on, tin- cnrd for the first day of the Avondalc .Jockey Club's Autumn Mcctiiiir ori Holiday arc as follows: — Avonrlalp Hurdles. —Enjoyment and High „ Delight. ~ Chevalier Handicap.—Lady Acushla arid Bronze Emerald, roley Memorial Handicap.—Jack Tar and To K a will. Oakley Handicap.—Chain Acre and Sure Pay, . Maori Star and King Louis. Titiraiißi Handicap.—Full Hand and I' oxiiiond- , RACING FIXTURES April l, a—firoymoutli Jockey Club. April 1, a—Avoiidale Jockey Club. April 4, ij—Manawatu Racing Club April (>—Reofton Jockey Club. April <;— Vincent Jockey Club (at Wingatui). April li, i:t— — Ilav.kc's Bay Jockey Club. April li, 13—Onmarii Jockey Club. April 12, ia—"Whangarei Racing Club. April la, 1 r>-—Nelson Jockey Ciub. April an—Otantau Racing Club (.at Invcr- . f April 'JO—Waimate Racing Club. April '2O, 22 —Marlborough Racing Club April 27 —Waverley Racing Club. April 27 —South Canterbury Jockey Club May 2, <l—Egmont Racing Club. May -i—Franklin Racine: Club. May '] —Southland Racing Club. .May j—Aniberley Racing Club (at Rlc- ., carton). ■May M—Olaki 'Maori Racine Club. a -v I.l—Ashtinrtou County Racing Club, iay n, la-ijPoverty Hay Turf Club. 16. IS—South Canterbury Jockey Club. ■I 1 y IS—Manawatu- Racing Club. i>, y IS, 20—AVaikato Racing Club, ■way 25—Foxtou Kacing Club.

FIRST MILE WIN BLACK THREAD'S IfOBM SPRINTER OF GOOD CLASS EARNINGS NOW TOTAL £4237 Slipstitcli. dam of the Master Handicap winner Black 'I bread. was imported Irom Kngland in 1916 hv Mr. H. I), do Lautour, of Gisborne, and. although not a prolific brooclor. slio lias left lior mark on the Now Zealand turf, her son. Black 1 bread, by Mimetic, having accounted for £423", with 18 firsts and 23 placings.

Slipstitcli was loaied in 1013, and, as far as is known, she is still alive, as she was due to have a foal to the Autumn horse Cricklewood a few months ago, the return for which has not yet been officially made. Her first olT,spring was To Ngira, who left a wiiinoi in Conference. Her next was Drop One. the dam of Malagigi. Then came Lockstitch, who never raced, but has sired winners. Her fourth was the brilliant two-year-old Thread needle, winner of two juvenile events at Kllerslie and then forced into retirement through breaking down, but since a successful sire. Seamstress, dam of Dun Quex, was her fifth foal, Slimmer Hill her sixth and Black Thread her seventh and last recorded.

Breeding of Slipstitcli Slipstitcli was by Henry the First, son of Melton, out of Quickstitch, by Ladas, son of Hampton, out of Xoedlecase, a good winner in England, by Common out of Needles, a half-sister to the very successful imported sire Soult. At the stud in the Dominion she was used under an arrangement by several

Oisborne sportsmen, including -Mr. dc Lautour, Sir James -Carroll, Mr. D. .1. Barry, Mr. F. Goodman and Mr. H. Bayly. Mr. Barry raced Threadneedle and ho is also the owner of Black Thread.

Black 'l'llrcsitl made his first appearance as a three-year-old and at his fourth start he was a winner at Manawatu when sent, out favourite. He succeeded twice again that season, then four more times the following season, including an open sprint at Feilding at Easter. Those two seasons he was trained b.v \V. Goscomb.

As a five-year-old he was in J. H. Jeft'erd's team, and, though he won only once that season, it was a valuable success in the Shorts Handicap at Trentham, in which he upset a good field of open sprinters. Success for J. W. Nixon

The next season he was taken over by J. W. Nixon, and ho enjoyed six further wins, including a double at Manawatu at Christmas and an open sprint at Feilding. Again this season he has raced consistently, running second to Mittie in the Shorts Handicap at Trentham in the spring, then winning at Wanganui, Poverty Bay, carrying 10.M, Buy of Plenty and Kllerslie.

Until his success in the Easter Handicap Black Thread had not wo if at a mile, and only once previously, at Wairoa last season, had he scored at seven furlongs. However, nearly all his racing has been done as a pure sprinter. He is a brilliant beginner and until recently six furlongs in the best company was far enough for him. His performance at Ellerslie. with the speed on from the outset, showed that he has become more solid with age. Black Thread's performance in running the lightl.v-weighl.ed Blonde Princess to a head in the Huia Handicap at on Monday, under 0.8, in the fast time of 1.12, was a meritorious effort that stamped him as one of- the best class sprinters in the country. Like Black Thread, Blondo Princess, who is by Hunting Song from Fair Queen, is trained at (i isborne.

SPRINT BY LLANDAFF FOUR FURLONGS IN 49 1-5 ORATE JUMPS PONY HURDLES BY BOBRIKOFF Ridden by A. C. Messerv.v, LlandafT sprinted half a mile in to l-5s on the No. 3 grass, track at Ellerslie yesterday. LlandafT moved with plenty of freedom and was not asked to do his best at any stage. The Cambria Park gelding has done everything required of him since his stylish win in the Nelson Handicap at Ellerslie last Monday and is likely to have a host of friends in the Chevalier Handicap at Avondalc. Orate (Turner) was schooled over four pony hurdles at Ellerslie yesterday, and, except for hitting the second, made a very satisfactory showing. He appears to h.tve taken kindly to jumping and with his speed is likely to prove useful as a hurdler. The Easter Handicap winner Black Thread is still at Ellerslie and it is intended to race him on the second day at Avondale. The two-year-old gelding by Vermeer from Llanore has had the name Corot claimed for him. Corot has shaped promisingly in the few sprints that he has had and is to make his debut in the Oakley Handicap at Avondale on Monday. , Now a member of F. J. Tutchen s team, Donegal will be an interesting runner in the Hobsonville Hurdles on the second day at Avondale. The Nigger Minstrel gelding has been at Ellerslie during the Inst few days, and, although he has not raced since November, looks in capital trim. Donegal will only require to remain sound to prove a good winner during the jumping season. TURF JOTTINGS TRACK AND STABLE GOSSIP Gayest Son, by Beau Pcre —La Modcrne. and his unraced half-brother, Travel Talk, both ucavily topped colts, have been added to the list On the strength of her Champion HackCup victory at Trentham, Gaelic Son? was heavily supported for the Hack Cup at Feilding on Monday. However, her display was very disappointing and evidently she has trained off. Wild Career has been in the Rivorton Cup field lor the past four years and in the second and fourth attempts he was successful. Although at times' he has been difficult to train, he has beon a good stake-winner for Messrs. Price Brothers. Inflation himself a classic winner, opened >iis classic record as a sire when Chary took the Champagne Stakes at Riccarton. Charyhad had two earlier victories to his credit. Diinr.iiiiion is another son of Inflation who lias raced prominently throughout the season. In winning the Trial Stakes at Hokitilift last Saturday. Sham Bov became a cheap purchase lor Mr. 0. I'. Watson. Christchurch, .Mr. Watson had bought the Shambles gelding only a week earlier from Mr. J. 11. Prosser, for whom he had raced eight times without making any return

Waitoru, a treble win nor at the Riverton meeting, and Ackemma, who gained her first, success there, both claim Morse Signal as their dam. Waitoru is by Balboa and therefore closely related to the former useful performer. Signaller, -who was by Balboa from Miss Signal, dam also of Morse Signal.

Since she opened her winning account at Stratford on New Years Day, the Beau Pere filty Zest has been unplaced only once in half a dozen appearances. This was on the opening day of the l-'eilding meeting, but she made amends on Monday by walking away with the Rowa Handicap by seven lengths.

In'view of his victory over a similar distance at the Carterton meeting early in the month, it was surprising lo see Liudriirn relegated lo the role of outsider for (he Halcombe Handicap at Feilding on Saturday. However, he won well, and had yet an easier success on the concluding day, when lie again made a satisfactory return.

Kentucky's fourteenth start-, at Tauherenikau on Monday, wus lucky, for in it the consistent two-year-old gained his first victory. He had been placed on eight other occasions. Jt was his third appearance from the stable of If. B. Lorigan. Although the winning stake of the Juvenile Handicap was only ,1' 120, his total earnings arc .fcoSO.

The Night Raid horse Wheriko was represented b.v two attractive winners on Saturday. Triple Crown scoring in smart time at Tauherenikaii and Taiiio in the Maiden Stakes at Feilding. Triple Crown is a half-sister to Maui and Kustem, and races in the same interests. Taiho was W. .T. Broughton's first mount following his suspension for two months.

After nearly losing his. rider nt the start and tfieri being hemmed in o:n the rails for the greater part of the journey, Native Sour secured a most meritorious win in the Winpiikurau Cup on Monday. He has a consistently goou record and this season ho has gained seven win:?, Iwo seconds, a third and a fourth in 11 starts. His record to date from :<,i starts is la wins, six seconds and lliree- thirds.

The four-year-old gelding Coronation, who has been off the scene for nearly 12 months, lias been taken in hand again by F. \V. Davis at Ellerslie. By Liniond from Jewel of Asia, Coronation, who raced as a colt, last season showed glimpses of form at times, but he, was not too reliable. He has developed a good deal during his spell, and his appearance suggests that he will be fit to raco during the winter.