BALMENTER FOR OAMARU

Southland Times, Issue 23548, 30 June 1938, Page 10

BALMENTER FOR OAMARU

Wingatui Form Was Impressive INVERCARGILL HUNT PROGRAMME A Dunedin report states that Delrain gave a poor display in schooling over the brush fences at Wingatui during the week. Sale Reported It is reported that Mr L. C. Hazlett has sold a Gustavo-Pink Terrace colt to a patron of G. A. McKay’s team. He is a well-bred youngster and lacks nothing on the score of breeding. Given Away Saltspray gave a mulish display when produced the final day at the Dunedin meeting and A. S. McKay is evidently not prepared to waste time on him as he has given him away. Juvenile ’Chaser Wild Irishman has been one of the youngest, and doubtless one of the best, hurdlers to race in New Zealand. As he has been schooling with the Birchwood hounds it is likely that he will be one of the youngest steeplechasers tc race in the Dominion. Question of Class In the Grange Handicap at Oamaru Mungatoon is weighted 201 b above the next on the list, The Surgeon, a recent winner over hurdles. It does not say a great deal for the class of the field but Balmeter and Valantua, two newcomers to the open ranks, look like making a great race of it. Reads Well Lazybones has won ’ his last three starts, and the manner in which he carried 9.5 and won over seven furlongs on a heavy track at Wingatui was an outstanding performance. Having proved himself on a heavy track the Nigger Minstrel colt must be taken into account when the Whyte Handicap comes up for consideration at Trentham next week. Weighted at 8.2, only 91b above the minimum he is likely to run out a great mile. Doing Well Defaulter is doing well, and will probably make a reappearance in the Guineas at Avondale. His spring racing will be done in New Zealand, as he was not nominated for Australian classics, but a trip to Sydney in the autumn may be considered. 12.0 Maximum Up till 1921 there was no maximum weight in the conditions for the Wellington Steeplechase, but after Coalition had won in that season with 12.11, the club fixed the possible at 12.7. The condition remained in force until 1929, when the maximum was reduced further to 12.0. So long as this remains in operation, Coalition’s record will not be disturbed. . Expected to Make Good Padishah, who was tried over hurdles earlier in his career, is reported to be showing a lot of promise in his schooling efforts at Hastings. He is freely engaged in jumping events at the Wellington meeting, and it will be easier to gauge his future prospects after he has been seen in action at Trentham. Padishah is the ideal type to make a successful hurdler, and is expected to make a name for himself in that department.

Invercargill Hunt The programme drawn up by the Invercargill branch of the Birchwood Hunt for a steeplechase meeting on Saturday is a most attractive one and will secure an excellent afternoon’s sport. Suitable grounds have been secured near the aerodrome and there is every promise of a big number of wellknown steeplechasers and hunters taking part. Two steeplechases, each to be run over one and a-half miles, a flat race and two jumping competitions will be run, besides a hunt before the events. The hounds, with the master, ' whip and huntsmen as well as several followers will assemble at the Invercargill Post Office at noon.

Impressive Form Balmenter’s form at Wingatui was most impressive when he won over 10J furlongs, finished second over a mile and fourth in his only other appearance. Balmenter will make his next appearance at Oamaru on Saturday and he is likely to prove himself well up to this open company field. On recent form he is entitled to be sent out a firm favourite as the Balboa gelding is one of the most promising young stayers in commission. When Settlement (8.8) won at Wingatui, Valantua (8.4) was second, Johnny (8.12) third and Balmenter (9.10) close up fourth. The track was very heavy and Balmenter came from a long way back. On that occasion Balmenter was conceding Valantua 201 b and at Oamaru on Saturday will be meeting Valantua on level terms—--7.7. Valantua has been returned a winner since but on these figures Balmenter should certainly beat him at their next meeting. Balmenter looks one of the bright spots of Saturday’s card. Smart Performance When the Duke of Marlborough’s five-year-old Monument (SansovinoQueen of the Hills) won the Kempton Park Great Jubilee Handicap, on May 8, he not only carried top weight, 8.13, in a field of 14, but ran the mile and a-quarter in 2min 2 3-ssec, which is only a shade worse than Phar Lap’s Australian record of 2min 2Jsec. Monument’s dam cost the Duke of Marlborough 3700 guineas as a yearling, and, until Monument arrived, had not thrown anything of account. Monument won the Coronation Cup at the Derby meeting. Breeder’s Bad Luck The Sydney owner who races as "Mr Constable” brought off one of the longest —and most undesirable—shots ever associated with the breeding of thoroughbreds. When in England in 1936 he bought the mares Banita (Dark Legend-Balilla) and Aissa (HerbalistAmaryllis). He had them mated to Australian time, Aissa going to Truculent, and Banita to Havelock. They both foaled this season after their arrival in New South Wales, and each threw twins, both sets dying. It would be impossible to compute the odds against such an occurrence in similar circumstances.

For Trentham A candidate for the big flat races at Trentham who is doing well in his preparation is Quadroon. To a great extent Quadroon has yet to prove himself in public, but he has made a good impression as a likely winner of winter races. Two things in his favour are his condition and his ability to handle soft going. De Friend is a very

fit horse and his wins at Napier and Hastings were attractive. East Coast enthusiasts fancy his chance of paying his way at Trentham. Relatively, Master Cyklon is a much better horse in heavy going than in other conditions. He may be in his element at the Wellington meeting, and speculators are unlikely to overlook the fact that his form through the season has been useful. A hack who won decisively at the Egmont winter meeting when the course was much affected by rain is Requiem, states a Wellington writer. Requiem has engagements at Trentham next month. She is a four-year-old by Hunting Song from Dodo, and she possesses speed and ability to run a middle distance. Trentham winter conditions suit Maori Song, who is to contest the principal sprint races next month. A trial plater who will have plenty of friends on the second day of the Wellington meeting is Titter, one of Mr T. A. Duncan’s team who already has a second to her credit. However, Titter may be no good thing. Small Boy is engaged in hurdle and flat races at the Wellington fixture. He is a handy horse to have in any stable, as he is a very promising hurdler and can master soft going.