On The Turf And Off

Southland Times, Issue 23199, 14 May 1937, Page 8

On The Turf And Off

A DEFUNCT SIRE

WEDNESDAY’S WINNERS

(By

SIR MODRED)

Sons of the defunct Southland sire Balboa won leading Coronation Day events on Wednesday—Ashaway at Invercargill and Concertpitch at Ashburton. In his Salisbury Stud mare Alma (Paper Money—Ravenna) Mr L. C. Hazlett appears to possess a galloper likely to be heard of in the best of company shortly. Tire Riversdale light harness ownertrainer E. Mitchell secured a long overdue success at the Southland Racing Club meeting on Wednesday with the improving gelding Labour Chimes by Four Chimes. The Coronation Handicap at Ashburton on Wednesday was won by Concertpitch, son of Southlander Balboa, while the runner-up, Queen of Song, was got by the Invercargill sire Songbird. The pace was not on during the first mile of the Southland Hurdles on Wednesday, the riders being content to let the speedy Western Song make the running. The greey appeared to get into the third to last flight of wood, but recovered quickly and held on. After passing the half mile Signaller, moved up from the bunch and went in pursuit of the grey leader. Nearing the two furlongs mark Signaller joined and then ran past Western Song to clear the final obstacle with a distinct advantage and gallop on to score comfortably. Western Song demonstrated that he is improving in cleverness and stamina by jumping well at all fences with one exception and then stayed on to beat Silver Jest by three lengths as runnerup. Low rode a good race on the second horse. The winner, Signaller, found the pace set and the going in his favour and was always travelling like a winner over the last five furlongs. T. Boyle handled the Balboa gelding confidently, but always with good judgment and reached the flat for the rim home with his mount holding something in reserve if called upon. Silver Jest raced like a gelding who will presently be discovered in winning form. Of the others British Star afforded some promise, the obstacles were hardly stiff enough for Royal Saxon and Golden Lap will probably be benefited by his outing in public. As the first batten event run in his home province for some time the race created marked interest. Ballad’s Pace Verdure, Ramana, and Golden Song were three runners slow to move in the Myross Handicap, while. Sailing Lady faded out quickly. Assisted by his acknowledged pace Ballad took command from Fog Peak when heads were straightened for home and stayed on well to score nicely from Fog Peak while the juvenile Rodeur carried the real weight of 9.4 into third berth just in front of Baitruin, who was running on well on the fence. Then came Young Sentinel and Ramana (left early). The winner, Ballad, who had the advantage of a 51b allowance, is mother of the successful progeny of Songbird, while his dam, Unawed, (ijam of Island Linnet and Meadow Lark), by Markhope (imp.) from Unawares, by Gipsy Grand from Ambush, by Vanguard (a noted performer) and T. G. Pollock’s Gore-trained gelding can thus be classed as well-bred. On his conformation he should develop. into a valuable jumper. Contrary to the expectations of many people the Coronation Handicap provided a good race and a slashing finish. Favoured by an apprentice allowance Amelita (7.2) made the running, while from the mile post Travenna, Ashaway and Milford were in order and almost in line within striking distance. Approaching the half-mile Travenna moved up to Amelita, then came Ashaway, while Milford dropped right back. Travenna led into the straight and looked to have the race in his keeping when Ashaway came fast and boxing on in determined fashion got up to beat the top weight by a long neck, with Amelita close up. Island Linnet was an indifferent fourth. Then came Milford, followed by Galleon. The winner who is raced by his breeder Mr F. Moore, of Winton, from Andrew McKay’s Riverton establishment was the third successive son of Balboa to win during the afternoon.' Ashaway, who looked well, is by Balboa from Some Form, by Some Boy II from Fairform, by Boniform from Satisfaire. Wednesday’s winner has established a unique record for his owner-breeder, Mr Moore, as during the past few months he has won the Winton Centenary Cup Handicap and the Southland Racing Club Coronation Handicap, a combination of turf coincidence that may not be repeated. Cross-Country Performers

An enthusiastic Southland, owner of cross-country performers in Mr M. Hanley, of Otautau, had the satisfaction of winning the Ritchie Memorial Steeplechase on Wednesday with a mare whose jumping would gladden the heart of the most exacting patron of the winter pastime. Sliding over the obstacles perfectly to gain ground on her rivals at fence after fence Shillelagh Wood probably scored by reason

of her accurate jumping. Trained by J. Langford, of South Hillend, Wednesday’s winner is by Woodend (imp.) from Direct Hit, by Fleetham (imp.) from Lucky Shot, by Calibre from Tapuwai, by Seaton Delaval and thereafter tracing back through a long line of thoroughbred maternal ancestory. Cranmore, who accounted for the Otago Steeplechase in 1916, was one of the first able steeplechasers raced in Mr Hanley’s turf livery. Had he not been blinded by Shillelagh Wood in the rush for a gap in the final fence Black Banner might have caused trouble to the winner but the Woodend mare appeared to have the race in safe keeping at the time. Black Banner jumped and raced well, but stripped slightly on the robust side. Miss Winston suffered a severe stifle injury by the way and this probably affected her ability to give of her best. The disappointment of the race was the downfall of the novice Hunting Go at the second obstacle of the double of the first round. Produced in excellent condition the maiden steeplechaser was anxious to gallop fast in company with Shillelagh Wood and Black Banner and in his eagerness he got too close in to the fence and turned turtle. The gelding and his rider (T. Boyle) escaped injury. The other starter Possum, a good jumper, came to grief at the sod wall and gave his jockey (W. .Rainbow) a very nasty spill. Shillelagh Wood was piloted to victory by clever horseman V. Langford, while Black Banner was well handled by the Riccarton horseman C. Hughes. It was a very interesting cross-country contest and many onlookers will await with sporting anticipation the next merry meeting of Shillelagh Wood, Black Banner, Miss Winston, Hunting Go and Possum where the result may be altogether a different one. Johnny made his score of the past few months almost three on end when he won the Bluff Handicap (Im.) in the capable hands of the well-known jockey F. Voight, who it was laid the foundation of the gelding’s present condition when he trained the son of Last Dart at Invercargill. Johnny is now prepared by his owner, R. McNay, at Riverton. Johnny and Cintilla looked to have the race to themselves turning into the straight but when the latter compounded the winner had to stretch out to the full to stall off a long run made by the fayourite Corban. Of course there were people who blamed the pilot of Corban for not coming to light sooner, but they were probably unaware of the fact that the Balboa gelding has to he permitted to find his own balance after the barrier lifts, otherwise he is apt to become moody and drift to the rear of a field. He can stay and, may some day prove this fact in the role of a jumper.