TALK OF THE TURF

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18661, 22 March 1935, Page 7

TALK OF THE TURF

RACING FIXTURES March 21, 23—Oamaru J.C. March 22, 23—Manawatu R.C. March 23, 25—Bay of Plenty J.C, March 30—Birchwood H.C. J. \V. Cathro, the Matamata trainer, has acquired the stables of .J. Gray at Takanini,. and will in future train his horses there instead of at Matamata. Looking fit and well, Rebel Chief was splinted on Tuesday morning over half a mile at Riccartoh and acquitted him; self well. It is proposed to race him at the South Canterbury meeting, and that race should set him up for his more serious tasks at the Raccartbn Easter meeting. The Dunedin Jockey Club, which had been granted permission to race on May 6, will go ahead with the planning of a programme. The Forbury Park Trotting Club has surrendered its claim, and the clubs in the South Island who will utilise the holiday are Dunedin and West port. * * * » The solid style in which Cay Sheik won the North" Island Challenge Stakes indicates that he will be hard to beat in the remaining classic races for those of his own age this autumn. It is also a <:ood indication that he should train on tor three-year-old honors. He is one of the most likely Derby colts of the ••.eason.

Sunee's convincing win in the Champion Hack Cup at Trentham makes it plain that it is over a distance of ground that he is going to show- his best form. Sunee belongs to a great staying Australian family which contains St. Leger winners, and there now appears excellent prospects for his future. Owner-trainer J. W. Lowe had a good horse similarly bred a few years back in Glare.

riatlie, the surprise winner of the llutt Handicap on Monday, was bred by Mr. R. M. Greenslade, who sold .him in his present owner. Oanal. dam of Pladie, is by Kilbroney from Panama. by Vascp from Elysium by Slepniak from b'araway. and was originally owned by Mr, G. .1. Carton, who bought her from, the Burnside Stud as a yearling. I'ladie has won lour races this season. Red Sun looked a likely winner of the ilighweight Handicap at Trentham on Monday, when he moved up to the front division rounding the home turn, but after heading off Round Score he quickly submitted to Confiscation's challenge. Confiscation was bracketed with Round Up, owing to the hitter's owner having u half share in her. Confiscation was purchased as a yearling at the Rototawai dispersal sale for 65gns., and her previous win was in a two-year-old race at Woodville. Her dam, Lubrication, is by Nassau from Animation by Provocation from Declination by Stepniak. * * * * The appearance on a trotting track oi the first two-year-olds of the season is eagerly awaited by those on the lookout for the New Zealand Sapling Stakes winner and there was a certain amount of interest display£d,ji),ineXhevi*HnwU( ing. The only two-year-old presented, however, was Tapdancer, who is by Acrpn from a Harold Dillon mare, and is owned by the Auckland sportswoman, .Mrs. D. R. Revcll. The youngster plainly bad stage-fright, but would be all the better for her outing. Once on the journey she paced like an old stager, and R. B. Berry has atS least a promising juvenile. Her sire A'ci'on twice won the Free-for-Air at Aldington, and held the mile record of 2min. 3 3-ssec. for a number of years. * * * *

One of the most interesting youngsters seen out at the Wellington meeting was Mr. T. 11. I.owry's, chestnut coll Plato, l'lato. who is u well-bred one, is one of the few colts thrown to the new sire Iliad in his first season, and he is also a, particularly good-looking horse. He is out of Kilteel, a sister to Kilboy, a really great three-year-old, and one whom many good judges considered the superior of Sasanof at the same age. l J lato was brought in very early in the season, but'he was not hurriedoand the race last Monday was his turf debut. His opposition at this stage of the season was naturally well advanced in condition, but Plato put up a very creditable showing. He was prominent in the running, and finished well up in fifth place. He will improve and be harder to beat next time out. * « * * Silver Ring put up an outstanding performance in the Challenge Stakes at I'rentham, and but for a check in the straight he would have overhauled Gay Sheik. He appeared to be disappointed when making for an opening between Limulus and Mother 'Superior just after entering on the run home, and then had to be pulled to the inside of Gay Sheik, in which position for a while he was cramped for room. When he got a clear run lie put up a remarkable effort and would have beaten the tiring Cay Sheik in another stride. No doubt if Silver Ring had stayed with Gay Sheik and kept his berth on the outside of him he would have escaped trouble, but' his rider nevertheless was probably justified in going for a better position, and thus saving valuable ground for his heavilyburdened mount. Silver Ring is to go on to contest the Awapuni Cup, in which he will be ridden by G. Humphries, who was associated with him in all of his early successes. H * « * For Riccarton last Saturday's results at Trentham were very satisfactory, although this satisfaction was qualified by the failure of all but Emissary on the second day of the meeting. It is a sale conclusion that llaere Tonu would have won for no rider other than D. O'Connor. It was touch and go, but Hnere Tonu had learned respect for O'Connor at the January meeting and he finished most pluckily. In view of this, llaere Tonu must he considered a reformed racehorse. Ifororata's effort in the Pacific Handicap carried conviction that she is susceptible to still further improvement, and in the present state of flux of Iwo-year-old form, she is well in the running now for honors. It was first a rase of had luck in Emissary's race, hut Rercpai was conceding him a big start when he reached the course proper. But the stable had ample consolation when Moonbeam turned up in the following event- at a very satisfactory price. It is apparent now that the mare needed her race at Motukarara and that, she is on the up-grade.