On The Turf And Off

Southland Times, Issue 23254, 17 July 1937, Page 10

On The Turf And Off

THE NATIONALS TROTTING IN PERTH

(By

SIR MODRED)

Racegoers are eagerly awaiting the issue of the handicaps next week for the Grand National Hurdle Race, Grand National Steeplechase, and Winter Cup. The Southland-bred gelding General O’Duffy, by Arrowsmith, now racing in new ownership, may compete in the Kambrook Trial at Caulfield today.

Early backers of the expensive colt Talking foi Sydney spring events may burn their fingers. The juvenile’s owner has yet to decide on Talking’s spring mission. The latest story in light harness circles in Perth is told about a thrilling, desperate, and close finish during an evening fixture at Gloucester Park. One of a group of officials enthusiastically remarked: —“That was the closest race I have ever seen in my life!” Whereupon came the quick rejoinder from a brother steward: — “Not so, not so! Why I have seen the Scottish race!”

When Triteleia won the V.R.C. Grand National Hurdle Race in Melbourne recently he returned double figures to win on the machine, but he was at a much shorter quote in the ring. In sire line the breeding of the successful Australian sire The Buzzard (imp.) is of peculiar interest in New Zealand, where he may claim several representatives next season. The Buzzard is by Spion Kop (winner of the Derby), by Spearmint (winner of the Derby), by Carbine (N.Z.), by Musket (imp.). In his turn Spion Kop sired Felstead, winner of the Derby and now a valued sire in England. Thus the great Musket line is being kept well to the front in the land where Musket was foaled and raced as a great stayer. When on his way to visit Europe Mr W. Falconer, well known as an honorary official in racing and trotting circles. in Southland, broke his journey in West Australia, where he was hospitably received by the sportsmen controlling the West Australian Trotting Association in Perth. He was a guest of the association at a race meeting held at Gloucester Park, so named by permission of Royalty, and during the evening’s proceedings was naturally honoured when Mrs and Miss Falconer, as his wife and daughter respectively, were both presented with bouquets. During the daylight hours the Invercargill visitors were motored in and around Perth for a comprehensive acquaintance with the well laid out capital city of West Australia. FIVE-SHILLING TOTALIZATOR The totalizator investments on the V.R.C. Grand National Hurdle Race amounted to £9536 on a five shilling basis—£4s9s 15/- to win, and £4940 5/- for a place. A very large sum would of course be wagered in the ring straight out and on doubles and trebles. The winner, Triteleia, was ‘more stoutly supported with the bookmakers than to win in the totalizator and as a result the automatic oddslayer returned the better price. To some extent this would be explained by the fact that the connections of the son of Great Star (imp.) backed him down from long prices with the bookmakers. Cabled information to the. effect that the two-year-old New Zealand colt Silver Bond had opened his winning account in Australia by scoring comfortably at a Geelong R.C. meeting in Victoria is interesting as the youngster is owned by Mr G. J. Barton, of Dunedin, and trained by S. G. Ware. The Torquay Two-year-Old Handicap, of £25 (6 fur.) does not read like an impressive event, but it is safe to say that the stake was a minor consideration and it would be the accommodation afforded the colt’s connections by the ring that would really count. Costing Mr Barton 550 guineas as a yearling at the New Zealand National Yearling Sales last season Silver Bond is by Pink Coat (son of Hunting Song —Red Edna, by AU Red, son of Stepniak, from Edna May) from Victory Bond, by Paper Money from Kilberry, by Kilbroney (imp.) from Success, by The Officer, and tracing back on thematernal side to a Apremont—Hammock (imp.) mating, which is suggestive of early speed in very many directions. Silver Bond is engaged in the Lillimur Two-year-old Handicap (7 fur.) at the V.A.T.C. meeting at Caulfield today. The youngster is a halfbrother to Fair Weather and Tray Bond, by Tea Tray (imp., and a well-known sire of early speed.) The mare Tray Bond is owned by the Invercargill trainer T. E. Pankhurst, who is at present handling a rising two-year-old filly as her pledge of affection to Pink Coat and has a still more youthful filly growing up. The two local fillies have therefore to be classed as very close relatives to Silver Bond. In her early sprinting efforts Pankhurst’s elder youngster pupil has displayed encouraging galloping abiUty. A SOUTHLANDER ABROAD Sportsmen who follow the trotting pastime are always interested to learn of the progress and welfare of the light harness sport in various parts of the world far removed from New Zealand and the latest report in this connection comes from a well-known and popular Southlander who has been visiting Perth to be highly honoured as a guest of the West Australian Trotting Association when en route to the Old World where he hopes to see how racing is conducted there for trotters, racehorses, and ponies. The visitor was, of course, escorted to and made free of the noted night trotting ground of Gloucester Park to see horses race free-legged and hoppled competing on the oyster shell path lit from below by electricity to obviate the casting of disconcerting shadows. It is needless to say that the Invercargill man was impressed by the park, its wonderful story of conception and construction, up-to-date facilities, including electric totalizators, and the financial success achieved. In writing to Mr W. Grieve, well known as an honorary official in charge of the monetary affairs of the Southland Metropolitan Racing Club and Invercargill Trotting Club the tourist referred to naturally emphasized a point that Gloucester Park when opened to the public on December 26, 1929, carried mortgage obligations amounting to £70,000, which today have been reduced to £6OOO, figures which must appeal to all followers of the American sport. From a racing point of view trotting has made astounding strides in Perth since the opening meeting of June 28, 1913, when the “Founder of trotting in the West,’ Mr Albert Mayor, was president of the body which established official recognition of the utility horse game on Perth Cricket Ground. At a later date came the W.A.T.A. with its energetic president, Mr J. P. Stratton, in command and still carrying on. In passing it may be remarked that many New Zealandbred light harness horses have found their way to West Australia as sires and performers and of the number the Southland-bred Sunny Mor.., by Sungod from Fourpence, is racing there prominently at the present juncture.