On The Turf And Off

Southland Times, Issue 23067, 8 December 1936, Page 8

On The Turf And Off

CUP WINNERS AT WORK LOCAL NOVICE JUMPERS (By Sir Modred) The juvenile colt Flood Tide, who was runner-up to Greek Shepherd in the Great Northern .Derby last season, is in active demand for the Auckland Cup. The successful Southland-bred pacing mare, Sterling Lady, is descended from one of the best if not the smartest clean-trotting two-year-old colts ever foaled in Southland. He was called Sterling Lady, by Dexter, and lived to win well as a matured trotter in the hands of the late A. Pringle. When J. T. Jamieson returned to Sydney recently from Auckland to resume training there he was accompanied by a number of horses spelled and youngsters purchased in New Zealand. Two of the youngsters present interesting breeding credentials and from all accounts have displayed ability to gallop on the preparatory tracks in New South Wales. A two-year-old likely to be heard of is the colt Te Rangihiroa, by Chief Ruler (imp.) from Prestige, by Limond from Homage by Absurd (imp.) from Eulogy (imp.) by Cicero. This galloping pedigree is a very attractive one, and it may be pointed out that Te Rangihicra’s dam is a full sister to Honour (New Zealand Derby) and Episode, and halfsister to Heritage. The colt was purchased at the last New Zealand National Sales by J. T. Jamieson, on behalf of a client for 800gns. The second youngster referred to is engaged to race as El Meynell, a brown colt by Hunting Song from Haligan, by Hallowmas (imp. and son of Martagon, sire of Martian) from Bonny Helen, by Boniform from Helen Portland. Passed in at 250gns at Trentham, the colt was bought privately for Jamieson’s stable. Reports from Taranaki state that the Melbourne Cup winner of last month, Wotan, is in active commission again at Hawera, and the New Zealand Cup winner, Fersen, is getting through strong exercise on the New Plymouth tracks. The jockey, N. Creighton, who came from Australia to ride for the trainer of Wotan, J. Fryer, until early next year, is claimed to have a very attractive seat in the saddle and thus furnish an example recommended to the budding horsemen of the North Island centre. The six-year-old mare Topsy Wood, by Woodend from Topsy Knight, was seen to distinct advantage on Saturday morning on the Southland Racing Club’s tracks, when she was tried out over the little sticks for the first time in company. With her trainer (C. F. Low) in the saddle, Mr H. H. Booth’s mare cleared the obstacles smartly on the outside of her companion novices, Bonazel and Blazon. Her owner has always contended that jumping was the game for Topsy Wood and with limited schooling the balance of the argument is with Mr Booth. Fancied for the Auckland Cup event, which is now only a few weeks away, the four-year-old horse, Flood Tide, is a well-bred and very promising galloper. He is a son of the imported French sire, Tidal, from Cicilian, by Crown Imperial (imp.) and son of Martagon) from Sicily, by Formulate, from Miss St. Cecelia, by Wonderland from St. Cecelia, by Aprdmont from Martyr. His sire comes from a staying family, and Flood Tide’s maternal lines also display stoutness in prospect from various sources. Mr C. E. Robertson, manager of Wright, Stephenson and Co., Ltd.; blood stock and stud stock department, a Southlander who ranks as one of the best known salesmen in the world where thoroughbred horses are concerned, is at present visiting Invercargill from Wellington to attend the Southland Metropolitan A. and P. Show. Yesterday afternoon he visited the Western District to inspect blood stock at Otautau and Winton, and may call to see growing horseflesh elsewhere before returning to his headquarters. It is not betraying any confidences to state that there are sales of youthful Southland thoroughbreds in the air. Mr Robertson has made some noted sales of New Zealand thoroughbreds to overseas purchasers during recent years, including the disposal of horses to Peru, Ceylon, England, the United States, South Africa, the Argentine, and, of course, to Australia, while he has been instrumental in introducing sires, mares and youngsters from England, Ireland and Australia to the Dominion. The Stonyhurst Stud suffered a severe los srecently when the imported sire Magnus had a leg broken by a kick from the mare Ball Dress, and as a result his destruction was found necessary. He served four light seasons at the stud of his owner, Sir Charles Clifford, and several of his first progeny may race before the current turf season closes as pupils from Chokebore Lodge, Riccarton. Foaled in England in 1922, Magnus was by that great galloper The Tetrarch (son of Roi Herode) from Princess Dorrie (winner of the One Thousand Guineas), by Your Majesty (son of Persimmon, by St Simon) from Dorris (dam of Sunstar, winner of the Two Thousand Guineas and Epsom Derby), by Loved One from Lauretta. Included in the pedigree of the defunct stallion are to be found the names of a number of enduring racers apart from those quoted, and thus the blood strains of Magnus may link up successfully with the proved St. Simon—Musket cross strongly represented in the veins of many of the matrons tenanting the Stonyhurst Stud paddocks, particularly as a return of St. Simon blood comes through Persimmon’s son, Your Majesty, and his daughter, Princess Dorrie. Magnus was a winner in England.