Truf Notes

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 416, 26 July 1928, Page 6

Truf Notes

By

EARLY BIRD

Fairway’s Easy Victory Fairway’s runaway victory in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown Park on Friday would be reassuring to his English admirers, and Lord Derby’s colt will now enter into calculations for the St. Leger Stakes, which comes up for decision at Doncasfer in September. His failure to gain a place in the Derby, which event was won by Sir H. Cuncliffe-Owen’s Felstead, came as a big shock to his admirers, but English critics refused to accept the colt’s running as his true form. Apparently he had one of his off-days, and his eight lengths’ victory over Royal Minstrel last week indicates that he is again at the zenith of his form. His meeting with Felstead in the remaining three-year-old classic race at Doncaster will be invested with a great deal of interest.

Rawhetu Returns To Form The aged Day Comet—Miss Winsome gelding Rawhetu has performed well on the Sydney tracks in the past, and on Saturday last, at Canterbury Park, lie dead-heated with Nan Kourgan for first place in the principal event of the day. The Dominion-bred gelding is undoubtedly a good galloper, and when allowed to set his own pace in front he generally runs his best races. Pink Rose Will Do Better The formr North Island gelding Pink Rose was interfered with during the running of the Hunters’ Plate Handicap at Washdyke on Saturday, and he put up a very creditable performance under his big impost of 12.3., to beat all but the winner, Prompter. The Solferino gelding has been handicapped with 10.9 in the Kennels Hurdle Handicap, which comes up “for decision at the Christchurch Hunt Club’s meeting, and, as he will be a much improved horse then, he should again show to advantage. Promising Hurdler

Lord Leslie, an inmate of J. W. Jenning’s stable at Riccarton, is carrying himself well at present, and if he stands up to his work he may soon credit hie connections with a stake, by annexing one of the minor hurdle events. Will He Run?

Beau Cavalier, who is a firm favourite for the Grand National Steeplechase, has been nominated for the Jumpers’ Flat race here on the opening day of the Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting; so it is evident that his connection have not yet decided whether or not he will be a runner in the cross-country event (telegraphs our Christchurch correspondent). The stylish manner in which he accounted for his opponents in the Winter Hurdles at Trentham impressed keen judges, and if he starts in the Grand National Hurdles in perference to the steeplechase it is certain that he will go to the post a strong favourite for that event. Last season the Chesterfield gelding won the Great Northern Steeples, Wellington Steeples and Grand National Steeples. This year he has won the Grat Northern Hurdles, and Winter Hurdles, and it is quite on the cards that he will complete the treble by adding the Grand National Hurdles to his already long list of victories.

Trial For Big Race The Longbeach Hurdles, to be run at the Christchurch Hunt Club’s meeting, is likely to throw some light on the Grand National I-lurdle Race. Red Fuchsia, Brigadier Bill, Peneus, Scion, Craigmore and I-leather Lad are Grand National candidates engaged, and their showings in the minor event will be keenly followed. Ranui Looks Well Ranui looked very healthy and well when ho contested the Teschemaker Hunt Cup Steeplechase at Washdyke on Saturday, but his winning performance was only a moderate one. Still, the Southerner is capable of improvement. Ho is engaged in the Lawford Steeplechase, of two miles, at the Christchurch Hunt Club’s meeting, and he should give a good account of himself in that event, especially as the distance will suit him admirably. Favoured By The Weight

A lightweight whose name is being freely spoken in connection with the Grand National Steeplechase is Matu. Though only a newcomer to the ranks of ’chasers, the Northerner is a very promising sort,, and his efforts at the

Wellington meeting, where he won the First Hack Steeplechase, and ran an excellent third to Kawini and Tuki in the July Steeplechase, were very encouraging. With only 9.1 to carry in the Grand Ns>onal the Polydamon gelding must be regarded as a likely lightweight. Likes Riccarton Passin’ Through was over sixty yards away from Pouri at the conclusion of the Wellington Steeplechase, and to reverse positions with the Franktontrained gelding in the National he will need to improve out of all knowledge. Still, the aged gelding is a proved performer over the Riccarton country, and this will count a lot in his favour. Formidable Fences

The brush fences on the steeplechase course at Riccarton have been built up again, and are ready to be tipped. Many people contend that the Great Northern course is much more difficult than the Grand National course. No doubt the Ellerslie hill is a great staying test, but the Riccarton fences are very formidable, and to succeed, a horse must be a proficient jumper as well as a good stayer. In The Winter Cup Wayward has not won a race since the Wellington Racing Club’s summer meeting, where he scored a surprise victory in the Douro Cup, and won the Melrose Handicap. But he went sore some time ago, and had to be spelled. However, he apepars among the first acceptors for the Winter Cup, and if right at his best he would be capable of a good effort in the big Riccarton event. The Sutala gelding, all going well, will be a runner in the Brabazon Handicap at the Christchurch Hunt Club’s meeting, and his running in that event should give some indication of his chance in the more important mile race,

Hynanna For Victoria Tempted by the favourable treatment received in the big Victorian events in the spring, Hynanna’s owner has decided to send him to Australia after all, and the three-year-old gelding Thurnbell has been selected as his mate. T. J. Daly takes the two horses to Sydney by the Ulimaroa on Friday and they go on from there to Melbourne. G. Ridgway and the apprentice, L. Daly, to go to do the riding. Miss Ransom was also well engaged in Melbourne, but she is not to make the trip. Thurnbell is a useful galloper and he may pay his way in minor events. Hynanna has been awarded 9.0 in th© Caulfield Cup, 9.7 in the Cantala Stakes and S.ll in the Melbourne Cup. Popularity of Limond cessful sire Limond has a full list for several seasons ahead. A number of Australian breeders, it is reported, offered large fees for a nomination, but were unsuccessful on this account.

Looking Well All continues to go well with the members of J. Williamson’s team, which are temporarily under th direction of C. Weston. Corinax hails from this stable, and he is a regular attendant at Ellerslie, although he is at present being indulged ’in walking exercise. Corinax is a picture of condition, and at the beginning of next month he will assume more strenuous tasks in view of spring engagements.

The Magpie gelding may be given a nomination in the New Zealand Cup in November, an event in which his prospects are favourably viewed. Judge’s Box Can Be Bought A member of F. Gilchrist’s, team on the retired list just now is Judge’s Box. Mr. J. McGregor, the owner of Judge’s Box, had rather a profitable period with the daughter of Nassau, for during the season she ran sufficiently well to work her way out of hacks. Providing Mr. McGregor can secure an enticing offer for Judge’s Box it is quite likely that the mare will change hands. Giving Them More Air The well-known vetinary surgeon. Dr. W. C. King, operated on Palmares for respiratory trouble at the end of last month. Palmares is an inmate of J. Williamson’s stable, and all going well, will probably resume work at an early date. The Thorn, also a member of Williamson’s team, was treated three weeks ago by the same surgeon for similiar trouble. Broken-winded horses who have been operated on for respiratory troubles have been doing well lately. Tipperary Tim, winner of the English Grand National, i«s one of them. Kiosk, King Lu, Pouri, Waltzer, Star Of The East, King Merv and Dave, all winners during the season, have also been treated for throat troubles. Good Representation

The Dirk Hammerhand mare Heather Dew had three sons by diffent sires racing at the Waimate Hunt Club’s meeting on Thursday. The youngest of the trio, Heather Lad, by Gay Lad, won the hurdle race on his first appearance as a jumper, and lie is the one most likely to bring further distinction to the family. Donation, by All Red. and Message Boy, by Clarenceux, competed in the Hunters’ Steeplechase and Hunt Club Steeplechase, Message Boy scoring a second and a third, while in the same events Donation ran sixth and fourth respectively. Powers of Stipendiary Stewards As there appears to be some doubt about as to powers of the stipendiary stewards, the following extraction from the Rules of Racing may clear the air: “The stipendiary stewards . . . shall investigate any matters which, in their opinion, require investigation, and report thereon to the stewards or committee of any race meeting, and recommend what penalty, if any, should be imposed either by way of disqualification or otherwise.” “The stewards of any club shall, on the request of the stipendiary steward, investigate any matter reported by him. Stipendiary stewards shall be entitled to call and examine witnesses, and to give evidence, but shall not be entitled to vote upon any investigation. . . .”

Raasay’s Derby Trial At Hastings on Saturday morning (says the “Tribune”), Raasay was sent seven furlongs, being picked up over the last five by Gesto, the distance taking 1.31 4-5. This gallop was in the nature of a trial or guide to see if the Lord Quex colt was such that his entry in the Australian Derby should be continued, but whether it will be has not yet been determined, or at least the writer is not able to say one way or the other. The back of the course proper is very soft and holding, and the writer, in walking around after the gallop, found that in places this colt had got well into the track. nder such conditions, the time, 1.31 4-5, for seven furlongs by a two-year-old, must be accepted as most satisfactory as a Derby trial. Tipping the Tin Hares In an endeavour to replace betting with something within the law, the N.S.W. Greyhound Coursing Association has hit upon a novel procedure. For their Wednesday night and Saturday afternoon meetings in future the Epping Club proposes to run tipping competitions. In every programme seven tickets will be found, and the person who can tip the winners of the double on any of the following courses—first and second, second and third, third and fourth, fourth and fifth, fifth and sixth, sixth and seventh, seventh and eighth—will receive a prize of 5s for each successful coupon. The coupons are to be lodged at the tote-house window before the start of the respective course. The winners will be paid at the window on the other side of the tote house immediately after the running of the courses named on the coupon. Should this innovation prove a success the G.C.A. says it intends to increase the prizes offered. If patrons are in good form the club might get a severe financial jolt. It would be possible—just possible—that a crowd of 2,000 could win £3,500 in one afternoon, allowing one programme to each patron. ,