RACING NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25951, 18 September 1945, Page 7

RACING NEWS

By Sentinel

Jottings Nominations for the Dunedin Jockey Club's spring meeting are due on Thursday. The Geraldine Cup handicaps are framed on a 71b higher minimum than those for the Ashburton Handicap. Acceptances and withdrawals in connection with the Geraldine meeting are due to-day. Courtdress was disputing leadership with the speedy Bali at Ashburton, but he commenced to tire before reaching the straight. Lady Welbeck, a filly by Kincardine —Lady Beniinck, was up with the leaders in the John Grigg Stakes until reaching the straight. Beau Cheval drew No. 16 at the barrier at Ashburton and had to cover a lot of ground. He put up a good race to finish third

The southern filly Loyal Lady did not begin well in the John Grigg Stakes, but ran a promising race to finish third.

The Hellespont mare Simmering, one of the best in training in Australia, broke a leg when running in the Memsie Stakes and was destroyed. Stopping at the End Gold Spur reproduced his two-year-old pace when racing at Ashburton, but was stopping at the end of five furIqngs. Questions Asked

The riding of Piccolo at Ashburton attracted official attention, . but no action was taken, A question was asked about Sandy Cape and the explanation was accepted. Lord Advocate Lord Advocate won with 8.0 at Ashburton and has 211 b more at Geraldine over a furlong less ground. A 71b allowance will bring the increase down to 141 b.

Sterling Lad Sterling Lad, who acted as pacemaker in the Spring Handicap at Ashburton and finished close up, failed to win in 11 starts last season. As a five-year-old he ran 18 times without winning. Failed to Stay

Atreus failed to stay a mile and aquarter in the Ashburton Handicap with 8.7. He has an extra 71b in the Geraldine Cup, but the Geraldine track may suit him better than Ashburton did. Ashburton Handicap Winner

Silver Sal has been sent up to 8.8 in the Geraldine Cup, or 211 b more than She carried when she won the Ashburton Handicap. A 71b allowance would bring the increase down to 141 b. Made Up Ground The Foxbridge—Rose Latour gelding Thornbridge made up ground after §etting away slowly in the John Grigg takes. Thornbridge is a brother to Bascule, who shaped well in his short racing career. Non-stayers

Speedy non-stayers are still allowed to run themselves into the ground. Atreus won all the way at Ashburton until inside the final furlong. Sterling Lad also ran himself out after leading into the straight in the Spring Handicap.

Narrow Straight The straight at Ashburton is bottlenecked, tapering towards the winning post. When the field was bunched in the final furlong of the Ashburton Handicap the track did not supply too much room for seven or eight horses racing in close order. A False Start

The false start in' connection with the Camellia Stakes at the Rosehill meeting recalls a similar occurrence at Riccarton in connection with the Fendalton Handicap. Only half the barrier rose, and several of the field were left at the post, including Siege Gun, who started favourite. The late Mr G. G. Stead declined to start Siege Gun when the race was ordered to be run again. A Classic Winner

Royal Raider, the winner of the Wanganui Guineas, was got by Royal Chief, who is being well represented by his first crop of foals. Royal Raider won twice as a two-year-old. His dam. Moonraider, was got by Nightmarch from Aspiring, who won the McLean Stakes in 1928. Aspiring was got by Some Boy II from Silver Peak, the dam of Silver Paper, one of the best left by Paper Money. t