TRACK TALK

Otago Witness, Issue 3993, 23 September 1930, Page 54

TRACK TALK

By

Adonis

A BRILLIANT FILLY.

The eau-de-nil racing jacket of Mr H. F. Nicoll, the Ashburton sportsman, has been carried by many brilliant performers, and among them iqust be included Arethusa, the diminutive sister of Wrackler, who has won each of the three races in which she has so far been started. Last season, as a two-year-old, she had her first race at the Ashburton Racing Culb’s autumn meeting, winning by a- neck from Red Shadow in 3.31 from a 3.45 mark. This she followed up by winning the N.Z. Sapling Stakes from a particularly fine bunch of youngsters in 3.25 3-5. Those two performances stamped her as a distinct possibility . for this season’s Derbies, and her win at Ashburton on Saturday will bring her into pronounced favour for. the .two classics. Arethusa would not be picked out as a champion bn looks, but it takes something more than looks to make a champion. Just at the moment Wrackler, who won both Derbies in 1928, is one oj the favourites for the New Zealand Cup, and there are less likely things than that the stable will produce the winner of the Cup and the winner of both Derbies. ■ ' " -

FAITH IN THE FUTURE. Just at present the pessimist, who, like the poor, is always with us, appears to be in his element, and so far as racing and trotting are concerned he would have one believe that the twin sports are going to the metaphorical dogs. In support of his argument he quotes the succession of decreased totalisator returns and the enforced reduction of stakes by some clubs, but these facts prove nothing beyond that the patrons of the sports have temporarily curtailed their outlays on their indulgence in them. Both racing and trotting have probably a bigger hold on the people now than ever before, and they will weather the present time of stress occasioned by decreased speculation and increased taxation to enjoy the prosperity that was theirs before. In a young country such as New Zealand as there is no place for the apostle of gloom, who feeds on imagination rather than facts, and so far as trotting is concerned, he can be referred to the justifiable faith in the future that is being shown by those who are spending large sums of money in importing valuable bloodstock from America for breeding purposes. THE WYNDHAM CLUB. , The annual report of the Wyndham Club, which will be presented to the annual meeting of members on Wednesday of next week, states that “ another very successful year has been accomplished, both from a racing and financial point of view. Our cash balance for the year increased from £193 18s 2d to £303 4s 9d, after spending the sum of £147 15s 9d on new track and loading bank, and adding to plant account a new sulky costing £25 10s. Assets have increased from £1534 18s 5d to £1732 5s 3d. this not taking into account expenditure on new tracks, etc. Increases in revenue .are shown on gates, £352 8s (£342 ss); totalisator, £1314 3s lid (£1254 0s 3d); nominations and acceptances, £531 15s (£516 ss). The principal increases in expenditure were stakes, which rose from £l2OO to £1325, and new tracks, plant, etc., £173 5s 9d. Other running expenses were much on a par with previous years. The club has continued, in conjunction with the Racing Club, in spending the totalisator rebate on permanent improvements. Record fields of horses were started at the club’s fixture last season, and, with the excellent track provided, excepionally good racing was witnessed, and in practically every race very close finishes resulted. This has, no doubt, been brought about by the shorter limits provided by tighter class races, and improved handicapping methods, which is very pleasing from the public point of view.” THE GRATTAN BLOOD. Mary E. Grattan, the winner of the last Kalamazoo Pacing Derby, was got by Calumet Grattan, a handsome chestnut, son of Grattan, and about the latter there are some interesting particulars in a recent issue of the Horse Review. Grattan was. in my judgment, one of the best»types of the standard-bred horse that I have ever seen (writes “Volunteer ”). He was .of fine size, in colour a true black, with a satin coat that shimmered and glowed with lustre, his few white marks serving to accentuate its ebony sheen. In form and symmetry he was of a rare elegance, being in effect faultless in conformation. His Grandam was the thoroughbred mare Bandella. by Brown Dick, son of imported Margrave, she being from Double Out. by Jack Malone, son of Lexington. The strains of Lexington and Margrave rank among the most plastic thoroughbred elements that went to help form the trotting breed, and Grattan showed his descent from the blood-horse very distinctly, most particularly in his symmetry, his elegance and the formation of his limbs, which were of that “ fluted ” variey dear to the heart of the connoisseur. He was also a highly organised horse, and his tribe inherited this trait along with the others mentioned. In some respects it was a detriment, because when they fell into hands incompetent to handle such horses, they fared ill and got nowhere. But it was also, without doubt, one of the main reasons for their innate superiority, and above all, their surpassing gameness and ability to carry their speed heat after heat in a manner to break the heart of le«s resolute and enduring opponents. A daughter of Emmett Grattan 2.28, son of Grattan, became the dam of Peter Manning 1.565, for the past nine years the world's champion trotter and a gelding that is. individually, as has often been said, “ Grattan all over.” Grattan Royal, another son of Grattan, is to-day recognised as the most wonderful progenitor of pacing speed, combined with racing prowess, that has ever lived. He has provided us with, a larger number of 2.5 pacers than any other sire—l 6 to date—has two in the 2.0 list (Grattan Bars 1.59} and Louie Grattan 2.0; both win-race records). and a third virtually in that category. Widow Grattan, 2.0}, a mare that has been timed below 2.0 in her races. In Grattan Bars. Tarzan Grattan 2.2$ and Prue Grattan 2.3}, Grattan Royal has given us three winners of the American Pacing Derby. Another son of Grattan, Solon Grattan 2.9}, got Jackson Grattan 2.1}. still another pacer that was timed a mile better than 2.0 in a losing heat.