DICTATE’S FINE RECORD

Southland Times, Issue 24002, 18 December 1939, Page 10

DICTATE’S FINE RECORD

Holiday Weights Compared RIDERS ENGAGED FOR DUNEDIN Dunedin acceptances close today at 5 P- m - Wyndham acceptances will-be taken on Friday. Nominations for the Wairio meeting close on December 29. For Sale Brilliant Boa is on the for sale list. May Not Start Passaform is reported to be an unlikely starter in the Otago Handicap. Named A three-year-old filly by Fulll Feather from Perboa has been named Feather boa. Norseman The racing Norseman had at the New Zealand Cup meeting appears to have improved him, and at present ne moves pleasingly in his work. Yours Truly Vnnrs Trulv was withdrawn from all entente at the Auckland Racing Club’s summer meeting at 9 a.m. o Monday. Dunedin Riders At the Dunedin meeting R. E. Humphries will ride Sailing Lady and Jedburgh, while L. Hare will be on Spanish Lad and Nigger Boy. No rider has yet been secured for Boswell in the Otago Handicap. Being Educated The two Nigger Minstrel two-year-olds-from Steeton and Thornton resuectivelv—are being put through the educational stages and both shape pleasingly. They are well mannered youngsters. Correct Weight , In the *Salisbury Handicap, Boaform’s weight should be 8.9 and not 8.5 as published in the list of handicaps for the first day of the Dunedin meeting. Northern Campaign Haughty Winner is to go north to compete at the Manawatu and Wairarapa meetings. He will be about the only South Islander at these fixtures this season.' Dictate’s Record Dictate has started 72 times in all to date for 11 wins, 13 seconds, and 13 thirds. In stakes he has earned £3785. His consistent- deserves a win m the Auckland Cup, in. which he finished third ‘last year. Team of Jumpers \ The Greenmeadows trainer H. S. Greene continues to win everywhere with his jumpers. Both of the Woodville hurdles winners Hethers and Anini, hail from his stable, while the latter also scored for him at Feildmg. Greene has now won nine races since the season started, all being with jumpers, although three of the wins were actually scored on the flat. Atreus and Gold Flight It was not a high-class field that Atreus beat in the Irwell Handicap at the New Zealand Cup meeting, but he ran the four furlongs in 49sec, and next day showed his win was no fluke by running Enrich to a head in the Pioneer H;.._dicap and cutting out the five furlongs in 58sec. But according to the Dunedin handicapper his performances were not as good by 41b as Gold Flight’s win in the John Grigg Stakes, four furlongs in 48 4-ssec, and second in the McLean Stakes, four furlongs in 49 l-ssec, states The Evening Star, Dunedin. In the Spring Nursery Handicap Gold Flight finished third to Absolve and Don’t Forget. This was her only public appearance over five furlongs, and the winner’s time was 59sec, Gold Flight being four or five lengths away. Gold Flight and Atreus are in a class by themselves in this race, but it is difficult t understand why the Beau Pere colt should receive weight from the filly. The latter will have to show much improved form to beat him over five furlongs.

Comparison of Weights Fourteen of the horses engaged in the Otago Handicap are also engaged in the President’s Handicap, to be run at Oamaru, and 13 in the Waikouaiti Cup. The following is a comparison of the weights in these three middledistance races:— Wai-

Eleven horses handicapped in the Wyndham Cup are also engaged in the Otago Handicap, and the following is the comparison of weights allotted in those two races:—

Mr W. P. Russell framed the handicaps for the Otago Handicap, and Mr C. E. Hassall for the Waikouaiti, Wyndham, and Oamaru races. Stud Farm Near Christchurch Commenting on the decision of the Hons. P. C. Webb and G. R. Hunter to establish a stud farm near Christchurch, The Standarc says: “The breeding and racing of horses is the principal diversion of these two stalwarts of the Labour movement. They enjoyed thei most successful season as a partnership last racing term when their horses won £3052 in stakes, the principal contributor being Cocksure, winner of the Great Easter Handicap and five other races, and Toko Koura, who scored in seven races. Messrs Hunter and Webb probably derived most enjoyment from the fact that they bred

both horses. The colours of the partnership, emerald green and red hoops, are popular throughout the Dominion, and whatever the new venture may have in store for these sportsmen they will feel well repaid when the stud produces a few home-bred winners, for that is where their interest is principally centred in racing.” Report Denied A report was recently circulated in Melbourne to the effect that whisky was administered to the good performer Maikai on race mornings for the purpose of steadying his nerves. The matter came under the notice of the stewards of the Victoria Racing Club. The trainer, F. Godby, told the stewards that Maikai was not given whisky. An official statement issued from the office of the Victoria Racing Club read: “The stipendiary stewards interviewed F. Godby, trainer of Maikai, concerning the statement which appeared in the Press that whisky had been administered before the horse ran in the Williamstown Cup and Eclipse Stakes at Caulfield. Godby declared that no whisky had been given to Maikai before the horse raced and that the statements in the Press were incorrect. The stewards accepted Godby’s explanation.” The statement that Maikai was given whisky on race mornings because of his nervousness caused considerable comment in Sydney. The chairman of the Australian Jockey Club stewards, Mr George Williams, pointed out that the practice would not be permitted ’n Sydney as the rule of racing prohibited its use at any time if it was intended to affect a horse’s speed, stamina, or courage.

Sovereign Lady Otago kouaiti Oamaru 9.0 — 9.1 Queen of Song 8.9 8.10 8.10 Thermidor 8.9 8.11 8.11 Norseman 8.6 8.7 8.7 Silver Streak 8.5 8.6 8.6 Second Innings 8.2 8.2 8.2 Night Wings 8.0 7.13 — Rabble 7.8 7.8 7.8 Alma 7.8 7.9 — Queen Dorothy 7.8 7.8 7.8 Galleon 7.6 — 7.7 Night Dress 7.4 7.5 7.5 Knight Commander 7.3 7.4 7.4 Rebel Lad 7.0 7.0 7.0 Merry March 7.0 7.0 7.0 Parquet 7.0 — 7.0

Otago Wyndham Diff. Queen of Song 8.9 9.0 + 51b Passaform 8.6 8.6 + 31b Sailing Lady 7.11 8.2 + 51b Alma 7.8 8.0 + 61b Boswell 7.7 8.0 + 71b Swordstick 7.5 8.0 + 91b Mona’s Song 7.4 7.9 + 51b Made Money 7.0 7.0 —- Merry March 7.0 7.3 + 31b Chirp 7.0 7.3 + 31b Doubleack 7.0 7.0 —