TRACK TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3994, 30 September 1930, Page 53

TRACK TALK.

By

Adonis.

THE METHVEN MEETING. Although the acceptances for the Methven meeting on Saturday have not been received at time of writing, the indications are that very big fields will line up for all the events, and there will probably be many surprises. Several smart improvers are on or near the limit in the Cup, and the task of the back-

markers appears to be a difficult one. II the bracket of the brilliant Arethusa ahd Lydia goes to the post, it will carry heavy support but it is unlikely that the Derby iavourite will be harnessed up, and the rey Bydia. Captain Wrack and George Rey have yet to show that they can run out a sound two-inile journey, but it the race resolves itself into a sprint over the final mile their undoubted speed will make them prominent at the finish. Other smart ones on the limit are Denver City and Sodium, while of those further back Sir Guy, Proud Dillon, and lenedos look the best. lit the absence of Arethusa, the order of favouritism may be Tenedos, Proud Dillon, and Denver City. Horses Idtely to race well in the other events are Desert Rey, Todd Lonzia, Automatic, Royal Chenault, Brentlight, Iwanta, and Author Franz. •»

THE CUP NOMINATIONS. • . The nominations for the New Zealand Lup were much as they were expected to be, and all the champions are included'. H however, surprising to find Ahunri s name in the list, and it will bq even more surprising if he is accepted lor. lhe following are the nominations:— Author Jinks, D. O’Keefe’s b g, by Author Dillon—Lady Jinks, aged. lalaro, C. E. Lindsay’s b g, by Great Audubon—Coin, aged. Harold Thorpe, E. R. Husband’s b g, by 9 l| r Thorpe—Playsoon, aged. Jewel Pointer, D. Brideson’s br h, by Bogan Pointer—Law Chimes, aged. Native Prince. Mrs I. E. Sweetapple’s br h, by Native King—Miss Auarev, aged. Linkman, V. Alborn’s b g, by Matclilight —Harold Dillon mare, 6yrs. Terence Dillon, P. M'Carthy’s b g, by Author Dillon—Teresita, aged. Grandlight, Mrs E. L. Pounsford’s blk h, by _ Matehlight—Our Aggie, syrs. Ahuriri, R. M. Morten’s b h, by Cathedral Chimes—Muricata, aged. Jean D. R. Revell’s b m, by Nelson Bingen—Miss Spiers, aged. Dundas Boy, Mrs E. Berryman’s ch g, by Brent Locanda —Wildwood Jun. mare; Quality, Mrs J. O’Grady’s ch m, by Denver Huon—Lady Superior, aged. Imprint, T. B. Lonisson’s br g, by Denver Huon—Prince Imperial mare, aged. Dilworth, T. B. Louisson’s ch m. by Travis Axworthy—Muriel Dillon,

syrs. Wrackler, H. F. Nicoll’s b g, by Wrack— Trix Pointer, syrs. Roi I’Or, P. Brown’s ch g, by Rey de Oro —Gold Queen, aged. Machine Gun, R. A. M-Millan’e b g, by

Machine Brick —Thora, aged. King Pointer, O. E. Hooper’s blk g, by Young Star Pointer —May Stanley, aged. Gold Jacket. E. J. Parke’s blk g, by Gold Bell —Lady S, aged. Logan Park, R. A. Armstrong and A. L. Johnson’s b g, by Logan Pointer — Miss Burlington, aged. Kingcraft, B. Grice’s b g, by Quincey— Colene Pointer. 6yrs. Kohara,.J. L. Webb’s blk h, by Cathedral Chimes —Bright Alice, aged. Daphne de Oro, J. Washington's b m, by Rey de Oro —Donaldina, 6yrs. Travis Axworthy, P. Watson’s ch h, by Dillon Axworthy—Lady Peters, aged. Logan Chief, J. F. M'Kendry's b g, by Logan Pointer —Regina Belle, aged. Waitaki Girl, H. W. Aker’s b m, by Harold Dillon —Stan'ey’s Child, aged. Padlock, J. A. Mitchell’s br g, by Hal Zoloek —Rawene, aged. ALLEGED MASQUERADER. Only a fortnight back this paper pointed out that there is no doubt that there are numerous cases of undiscovered “ ringtails ” competing on both galloping and trotting tracks (says the Sydney Sportsman). The paper urged the trotting authorities to follow the matter up and investigate the bona tides of certain horses alleged to be ‘‘wrong ’uns.' How timely was the article is shown by a sensation from Perth, the dumping ground of Sydney’s castoffs. A statement has been made to the WA.T.A. that the gelding Sir Marvin, owned and trained by J. Hand, is a “possum.” According to information from Perth, Sir Marvin is a seven-year-old, but in Sydney he was described a season ago, as a five-year-old, which, of course, would make him six now.- Hearing the rumours, the owner lost no time in approaching the president of the W.A.T.A. (Mr James Brennan) and demanding that steps be taken to prove or disprove the allegations. Hand is emphatic in declaring that the rumours are as reliable as most rumours usually are. He asserts that the sole idea in arousing suspicion is to force him to throw the horse out oi work and thus seriously hamper his Cup preparation. Bred in Victoria by B. E. Johnson, of Northcote, Sir Marvin is a six-year-old gelding by Marvin’s Heir from Lady Epris. Sold to H. Cooper he was shipped to New Zealand, but was taken oil the boat at Sydney and passed into the hands of R. H. Sweetman. Sweetman raced him in Sydney, and eventually sold aim to J. Hand. Hand was not enamoured of his bargain and tried to pass him on, but A. Sheahan, thinking he could improve him, took the gelding m hand. Sheahan now states that he has balanced Sir Marvin, and he looks like proving a good racing proposition. BACKED AND BEATEN. The most discussed horse at present in N.S.W. is Delavan’s Quest. After losing all form for 12 months, in August lie won the Flying Handicap at Harold TO TRAVEL PALMERSTON, WAL KOUAITI, and Surrounding Districts, THE IMPORTED AMERICAN-BRED STALLION BON PATCH. Two miles, 4.41; one mile, 2.20. Dam : Florador (2.165). Sire : Bou Voyage (2.08). Bon Voyage record 2.08, trotter, son of Expedition (2.151), by Electioneer, son of Hambeltonian. First Dam: Florador, by Athadon, trotter; one year old 2.27, world’s yearling trotting record when made. Second Dam that sensational trotter Flora S. (2.15), by Dexter Prince (11363; sired 77 in 2.30. Guaranteed sure foal-getter. Terms : £2 12s 6d on January 1, 1931; £2 12s 6d when mares prove in foal. Groom’s fee. ss. W. B. M'CONE, Tokarahi.

Park, one mile 75 yards,- in 2.19 2-5, about a 2,13 gait, the fastest since the race was aver that distance. This put him back an 48yds in the Flying at the Harold Park meeting, held early this month, and he was backed down to a short price. Nan’s Derby, from 24yds bhd, flew to the front, and was never approached, to win from Silver Heel and Marble Ridge in 2.20, a 2.13 J go. Delavan's Quest was never in the hunt (comments J. S. Walford in the Australian Trotting Record). To win, Delavan’s Quest would have had to do 2.11 J, which is exactly the time ■ he put up in making the track record just three years ago. Before two furlongs had been covered last week the whip was put on Delavan’s Quest, and he was flailed for the rest of the distance. To a lover of a good horse it seemed a cruel business to see a grand horse who had won upward of £SOOO for his various owners, and proved himself in championship class, being flogged to keep within distance of horses that would have been play to him when at his best. He finished out of a place. Marble Ridge, who was Standing him up 24yds, finishing third. It is to be hoped Delavan's Quest and the whip have now parted’ company for good, as it is announced he goes to the stud this season, and no doubt he has been retired permanently from the racing track. However, so long as 2.10 champion stallions are let up on 2.16 marks, as was the case with Delavan’s Quest, so long will there be a chance of their being brought baek into the racing game. During the time Peter Riddle raced Delavan’s Quest in New Zealand the horse probably never knew what a whip was, 'beyond a tap at the critical moment to let him know an extra bit was expected ■of him. In 1923-24 season he had three starts, three wins, including the £IOOO Otahuhu Cup. The following season he had bad luck with three seconds, includ-

’ing the Forbury Cup. In the 1925-26 season he had three seconds and three wins, including the Spring Handicap, which he won in 2.10 1-5. He had a season .at the stud at Wellington (N.S.W.), and there are said to be some very fine colts by him. That should not come as a surprise, as he is beautifully bred, being. •by Delavan Chimes from May Highwood (imp.), and had the Delavan stud not been broken up he would no doubt have .filled the place of king-pin stallion at that establishment.