Sporting SOUTHLAND FOR BREEDING

Southland Times, Issue 24754, 27 May 1942, Page 3

Sporting SOUTHLAND FOR BREEDING

THOROUGHBREDS OF GOOD CLASS Different judges have different standards to follow in making their selections of highclass racehorses, but those who maintain that selection should be restricted to only those horses capable of winning an important race under top-weight must overlook many good performers, states The Evening Star, Dunedin. A well-known Canterbury writer, in the course of a discussion on Southland as a breeding centre for thoroughbreds, made the sweeping statement to the effect that the province has yet to produce a really high-class racehorse. If his authority takes such horses as Sasanof, Nightmarch, Phar Lap, High Caste, Beauvite, Beaulivre and Kindergarten as the standard, his contention is right; but during the present century .at least some really good winners, if not in the top class, have been bred in Southland. Limestone formation of the soil is essential for a suitable breeding ground for thoroughbreds, and for many years after Southland was first settled the ground was too wet to be benefited by lime, but high-class farming, including good draining, lias now made the soil responsive to liming and changed the province into one of, if not the most productive in the Dominion, and it is now recognized as the best breeding ground in New Zealand for all classes of stud stock. And the standard of both thoroughbred and trotting stock in the province now reflects credit on the studmasters. In the earlier days breeders had a very limited and poor selections of sires in Southland to mate their mares with, and few, if any, were sent away to fashionable stallions, but during the past two decades this has been remedied, and the province is now particularly well served in this respect. Horses bred in Southland during 'this period have shown that they can at least hold their own in the best of handicap company.

Inquiry "Curious” (Invercargill): £ll2/1/- and £57/5/-. Turaki

Turaki, winner of the Otago Hurdles three seasons ago, is in work again at Heddon Bush and is being given a preparation for another attempt on Otago’s premier hurdles event. Turaki has not been raced since August 1940, his last appearance (his only race last season) being in the Kennels Hack Handicap at the Christchurch Hunt two years ago. He is now rising eight years. Southland Success

Two Southland-bred geldings owned by Mr W. T. Hazlett have been in the limelight in Melbourne. Otakau won a race, and Taramoa ran second in another. Both returned substantial dividends on the totalizator, and the former was an outsider with the ring, whose members bet straight out. Otakau’s totalizator win dividend was well on the way to £lOO. Penny Whistle

Penny Whistle, who has been purchased by Mrs W. D. Graham, of Auckland, is a three-year-old filly by Myosotis from Penny Wise, who is by Jerico from the Paper Money mare Dutch Money, dam also of Not Out. Foxiana

Although Foxiana was entered for both the Great Northern Hurdles and Steeplechase, this Hunting Song gelding also figures in the Wanganui Steeplechase. In the Northerns he has been weighted at 10,8, whereas in the weaker company at Wanganui he has been awarded 11.2. It is a substantial poundage for a horse who is recognized as a hurdler rather than a 'chaser, but his second under 11.10 in the Waverley Steeplechase points to his making good in the role. Esperance Bay Winner of the Great Northern Hurdles last year, Esperance Bay has had a searching preparation at Blenheim for events ahead. His programme includes the Great Northern Hurdles once again and, given a firm track and a fine day, the Sky Blue gelding should set his opponents a solid task. Taramoa Just Beaten

There was a thrilling finish for the First Division of the Stratford Handicap at the Mentone meeting in Melbourne, when Melchett, ridden right out by J. Purtell, got up to defeat Taramoa (M. Campbell) by threequarters of a length, writes "Sir Modred.” Taramoa, who was responsible for a front division display throughout, returned better than a third of a century dividend for his placing and had he won his price with the bookmakers would have exceeded 50 to 1. Taramoa is a Chelandry Stud product by Man’s Pal from Dazzling Light, by Kilbroney from Simper. Jockey M. Campbell is the stable apprentice horseman. Caulfield Cup It is unlikely that the Victoria Amateur Turf Club will make any reduction in the stakes for the Caulfield Cup, Toorak Handicap and Eclipse Stakes. Despite the fact that racing is confined to Saturdays many clubs in Australia are endeavouring to keep stakes up in the interests of breeders and trainers. The majority of the trainers are over 50 years of age and, having spent their lives in the racing game, it is not considered desirable to reduce them to ruin.

INVERCARGILL AMATEUR CYCLING CLUB About 23 members attended the ennual meeting of the Invercargill Amateur Cycling Club last night. In moving the adoption of the annual report the president, Mr D. Harris, said that the riders of the club had proved during the year that they were capable of extending the best in New Zealand. The finances of the club were in a sound position. The following office-bearers were elected: Patron, Mr W. M. C. Denham, M.P.: president, Mr D. Harris; senior vice-president, Mr K. Henderson; vice-presidents, Messrs R. McKenzie, G. Wilson, W. McLean, A. S. Prentice, L. S. Brooks, A. Tapper, J. D. Campbell, A. Wachner, J. Hubber, A. Sutherland, F. Robinson, S. G. Mitchell, J. Matheson, W. Rookes, A. Jenson, A. Insall, D. O'Brien and S. C. Bingham; club captain, Mr R. McDougall! deputy club captain, Mr J. McKenzie; secretary, Mr A. K. Sutherland; treasurer, Mr M. C. Wilson; handicapper, Mr M. C. Wilson; starter and timekeepers, Messrs M. Burgess, W. Frame, K. Henderson and H. Insall; judges, Messrs M. Toole, G. Elliott, Wilkinson, W. Jenkinson, C. McDougall, S. C. Bingham, D. Maxted and W. Wyeth; auditor, Mr W. E. McLean; delegates to association, Messrs J. A. Johnson, W. Chalmers and H. Mussen; referee, Mr M. Burgess; coach, Mr W. Frame; executive, Messrs D. Harris, K. Henderson, R. McDougall, J. McKenzie, A. K. Sutherland, M. C. Wilson, M. Burgess, G. Elliott, W. Frame, M. Toole, C. Waddick, D. Maxted and C. Campbell.

Opening day was fixed for Saturday, June 6. The first race will be held on June 13.

MEETING OF HOCKEY ASSOCIATION At a meeting of the Southland Men’s Hockey Association last night it was decided to write to the New Zealand Association and obtain from it a supply of the Hockey Booklet. It is intended to distribute this booklet to the primary and secondary schools in Southland with a view to encouraging the game amongst the pupils. The following is the draw for Saturday: High School A v. Technical A at 3 p.m.; High School B v. Technical B at 1.30 p.m.; Central v. Collegiate at 3 p.m. An invitation is extended to any player who would like to come along for a game to be present.

INVERCARGILL CROQUET CLUB At the annual meeting of the Invercargill Croquet Club the members were the guests of the committee at afternoon tea. The president (Mrs H. J. Farrant) presented the prizes won during the season. Opening day was fixed for October 3.