Truf Notes

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 428, 9 August 1928, Page 6

Truf Notes

By

EARLY BIRD

Final Payments Acceptances for the G.N. Steeplechase and Hurdles, as well as for all first day’s events at Riccarton on Tuesday next, close to-night. A Good Sprint At Randwick last Thursday morning Prince Humphrey and Perception did the best of several horses over three furlongs on a heavy track, returning 40$. The former would therefore be well backed in the Denham Court Plate, in which he ran second to Royal Tune. The latter would probably be the starting-price favourite. Rang the Bell The ex-Auckland gelding, the Eng-lish-bred Ring the Bell (Hapsburg— Indenture), managed to get on the winning list at Gosford, N.S.W., last Thursday, capturing the Stewards’ Mile. The winner carried topweight, 7.12, and beat the only other two runners easily. Ring the Bell was the outsider of the trio, the odds-on favourite being last. How It Disappears In his statement on racing taxation, the Finance Minister said that the burden of taxation does not fall upon clubs, but upon the racegoers. This is like the Scots verdict of “not proven.” The backer starts off on the first race with a £1 bet, of which roughly about 3s is deducted by way of taxation, half of this sum going to the Treasury and the other half to the dub. This 3s

“sinking fund” on each £1 invested, with the minimum stake played on each of eight races, shows that the end of the day not only has the original £1 gone west, but a few shillings extra as well —the “sinking fund” has sunk. Apparently the Minister himself has not made many first-hand contributions to this sinking fund. Quarter of a Million More than a quarter of a million pounds were distributed in stakes during last racing year in Victoria. In all, £287,857 was given in stakes, the highest contributors being the V.R.C., £107,023; the V.A.T.C., £81,250; and the Moonee Valley Racing Club, £33,130. Randwick’s Leading Trainer

G. Price, who last year finished second to W. Kelso, was the leading trainer at metropolitan meetings in Sydney during the 1927-28 season. The last suburban meeting for the season was conducted at Rosehill last Saturday week, and during the year Price trained 16 winners and two deadheaters, for just over £14,628 in stakes. Peneus Dislikes Heavy Going

Peneus won his race at Riccarton on Saturday in easy fashion, which, after his poor demonstration at Trentham proves that heavy going will always beat the Boniform gelding. Peneus is engaged in only one hurdle race at the National meeting—the G.N. Hurdles. According to a Hastings writer, in this event Mr. Vallance will start both Peneus and Red Fuchsia.

Should Stay Greyfinch showed marked stamina by worrying Meadow Lark out of first honours in the concluding event at Riccarton on Saturday. She has invariably shown a lot of pace for a short journey, but has hitherto failed to see out a hard-run six furlong task. Now that she has become more solid than was the case last season, she should add to her winning list in the new term. A Successful Fixture

The 37th annual report of the Stratford Racing Club states that the net profit carried to capital account was £2,059 4s lOd after £4Ol Ss 3d had been written off the assets as depreciation. The sum of £3,657 10s had been given in stakes at the annual race meeting, and the profit on the race meeting account had amounted to £3,393 6s 3d, after paying Government taxation amounting to £4,403 5s 9d. Bred Royal Saxon

Royal Saxon, winner of the Brabazon Handicap on Saturday, was bred by the late Mr. J. Grigg, who imported the gelding’s dam, Heath Lass, from England. A three-year-old by Thurniiam from the same mare is at present attached to T. H. Gillett’s stable at Riccarton. He is the property of Mr. E. Hay, who bought the youngster and another by Thurnham from Trebelli 11. from the Longbeach stud as yearlings, and turned them out for 12 months after having them broken in.

England’s Best Up to the end of June the best two-year-old seen out in England was Arabella, a beautiful filly by Buchan from Polly Flinders. She just cantered home in front of a field of 27 in the richlyendowed Queen Mary Stakes at Ascot. Another good youngster seen out at the same meeting was Mr. Jinks, who is by Tetratema from False Piety. He accounted for a big field in the New Stakes in decisive style. He is owned by Major McCalmont, who also raced his sire and his grand sire, the Tetrarch. The Starshooter

One of the most promising contestants in the Maiden Plate at Riccarton on Saturday was the three-year-old gelding Starshooter, brother to Starfliglit, and half-brother to Starland, Limelight and Paperchase. He was in the firing-line in the run home, but lack of racing experience told against him. He is an attractive mover, and more will be heard of hirn as the new season advances.

Another English Horse In addition to the fillies bought in England by the Australian sportsman, Mr. A. W. Thompson, his stud at Widden will be further enriched by the purchase of the high-class English stallion Fine Art. Fine Art is a son of Gainsborough, winner of the Two Thousand Guineas, Derby, St. Leger and other good races, out of Whitetor, who is a half-sister to imported Valais. Tatra, a half-sister to High Art, won the Newmarket J.C. Stakes, of £6,334. High Art himself won the Ascot Gold Vase (two miles), of £1,590, as a three-year-old. Best at Riccarton

Beau Cavalier was the best galloper at Riccarton on Saturday morning. In a trial over a mile with Tarleton he registered 1.47 2-5. Passing the post he held an advantage of three-quarters of a length from his companion. Beau Cavalier’s effort was very encouraging, and the stylish way in which he strode out indicates that he is right at the top of his form. But the fact that he was shod with racing plates and was receiving weight from Tarleton makes Tarleton’s performance very creditable

Cramped! Whisper “Pouri for the Steeples and Beau Cavalier for the Hurdles” to certain Christchurch gentlemen and back will come the response: “Sixteens is the best I can do, and there’s not much left!” Plane Pearl’s Finish The run of ill-luck dogging trainer T. George’s footsteps continues. After being schooled at Ellerslie on Tuesday morning, Plane Pearl got away from her attendant, and as a result of her escapade she fell and broke one of her hind legs, necessitating the destruction of the mare. Although she had early shown pace in her races, Plane Pearl was still a maiden, and of late her efforts had been confined to schooling over the sticks. By Swift Flight, Plane Pearl was the first foal of Pearl de Mont, by Demosthenes — Pearl Shot, and was bred by the Te Kuiti sportsman, Mr. A. Cole, in whose colours she raced. Heavy Penal Interest The remission of penal interest totalling £93S 10s imposed through the late payment of stamp duties is asked by the Te Kuiti Racing Club in a petition presented to Parliament yesterday by Mr. J. C. Rolleston (Waitomo). The club suffered a loss on its meeting held in February last, and was unable to pay the stamp duties in connection with the meeting. These amounted to £2,123 6s 3d, but later a progress payment was made, and the dues were cleared from the profit of the meeting held this year. The club says, however, it is unable to meet the demand for penal interest, and asks Parliament to forego the claim. Unsound ’Chaser

To many people Pamplona is the most interesting horse in the Grand National Steeplechase field. A few years ago he was one of the best cross-country performers in the Dominion, a real steeplechaser, to whom no fence came amiss. Unfortunately he was always subject to periods of unsoundness, but for which his record would have been greatly improved. IT© was at Riccarton a year ago, but after being beaten at the Hunt meeting he returned home and he was not seen again in public until two months ago, when he won on the second day of the Dunedin meeting, though not nearly fit. He is reported to have done well since then and if he gets through the remainder of his preparation, lie will play a prominent part in the Grand National Steeplechase.

Tuki Coming to Favour Early speculation on the Grand National Steeplechase at Christchurch shows Beau Cavalier as favourite, with Pouri pressing his closely; but during the last few days there has been a growing disposition to fancy Tuki, who may yet threaten the supremacy of the other pair. So far as the Grand National Hurdle Handicap is concerned, Beau Cavalier is a pronounced favourite, while Red Fuchsia is the only other horse who is being seriously discussed at present. Panther is the Winter Cup favourite, but Royal Damon and First Sight are two others with many admirers.

In the Epsom Market A horse, trained privately, but reported to be ready to show good form, is Royal Tune, who figures in the sixfurlong Denham Plate (said a Sydney “Guardian” writer on Friday last —the day before the race). He has been one of the forward line brigade in bookmakers’ Epsom charts, for both books and punters have not forgotten a good seven furlong win in a Rous division at Randwick on the last day of the autumn meeting. In form, he should not have much difficulty in beating to-morrow’s opposition. Prince Humphrey, a good New Zealand two-year-old, brought over ostensibly for the Derby, is in the same race. But. although the Derby is a long way off, Prince Humphrey is fairly well advanced in his preparation, and may he seen to advantage in this event. Merry Mint in Again Spelling since last January, Merry Mint has been brought in again by J. M. Cameron. Tlis badly affected hock has made a w'onderful improvement, but it will be necessary for some time to use the pressure hock boot (says the “Tribune”). This colt, it will be remembered, 12 months ago was making a name for himself in Sydney, his form warranting him starting one of the favourites for the A.J.C. Derby when he was beaten by Trivalve (V.R.C. Derby and Melbourne Cup winner) and Winalot (Sydney Cup and A.J.C. St. Leger winner). Merry Mint’s mishap occurred during the running of the Melbourne Cup, and should he not again be affected by it there is every reason for considering that the Catmint—Merry Roe four-year-old will this season win some of our most important races.

Interest in Youngsters The two-year-old parade at the Christchurch Hunt Club’s meeting on Saturday created much interest. In the first division, comprising four of the Chokebore youngsters, Childsplay’s half-brother, Upheaval, by Winning Hit, from Helter Skelter, appeared to hold his companions safe, but there was little between the quartet at the post. In the second batch, Mr. G. Gould’s Juniper, by Kilbroney, from Judith, showed most promise, while in the final division, the five paraded got away on uneven terms, Mr. G. Gerard’s Pixie Gold, a brother to Noteworthy, finishing in the van. Honour pleased by the manner in which he executed his sprint, and Dr. M. G. Louisson’s Comique, by Limond, also attracted attention by displaying marked ability to gallop. This filly suggests coming to hand earlier than any of those seen out in the parade.

Mithra is when she could play with such a filly as Longway who, while not being anywhere near good class, has demonstrated her ability with a runaway win at Moorefield, and had run second to another good one in Figure in the meantime. Worth Following Mithra will be worth following, and evidently her sire’s stamina (Australian Sun won a Danger Handicap—1£ miles at Randwick) has been transmitted in this instance, and she should score at a mile before long, in her own or open company. There was a mighty plunge on Mithra, some of her bets being to win as much as £I,OOO, £6OO and £4OO several times, and £2OO frequently. Backers w r ith the right information about her rushed in to bet as if there were no settling, and for ten minutes money simply poured in. Books say that rarely have they seen punters in the know bet with such confidence. So, naturally, with little else fancied in the race, it was a costly race for bookmakers. REMINDERS Nominations for the Marton Jockey Club’s spring meeting close at 9 p.m., on Friday, August 17. Entries for the Wanganui Jockey Club’s spring fixture are due at 8 p.m., on Monday, August 20. Final payments and acceptances for first day events at the C.J.C. Grand National meeting close on Thursday, August 9. Nominations for the Avondale Jockey Club’s spring meeting, to be held on September 22 and 24, close at 5 p.m. on August 31. At the same time, final payments must be made for the RACING FIXTURES August 14, 16 IS.—Canterbury J.C. August 25.—Hawke's Bay Hunt. August 29.—Dannevirke R.C. August 30.—Dannevirke Hunt. Sept. 1. —Otago Hunt. Sept. I—Taranaki Hunt. Sept. s.—Marton J.C. Sept. 13, 15.—Wanganui J.C. Sept. 19. Manawatu Hunt, Sept. 22.—Ashburton R.C. Sept. 22. —Napier Park R.C. Sept. 22, 24.—Avondale J.C. Sept. 27. 28.—Geraldine R.C. Sept. 29.—Pakuranga Hunt (at Kllerslie> Sept. 29. —Hawke’s Bay J.C. Oct. 6.—lvurow J.C. Oct. 6, B.—Auckland R.C. Oct. 11, IC.—Dunedin J.C. Oct. 13. —Carterton R.C. Oct. 20, 22. —Wellington R.C Oct. 20. 22.—Gore R.C. Oct. 20, 24.—Waikato R.C. Oct. 22.—Waverley R.C Oct. 22.—Waikato Hunt Club. Oct. 22. —Waipawa County R.C. Oct. 22. —N. Canterbury R.C. Oct. 25, 27.—Poverty Bay C. Oct. 27.—Masterton R.C. Oct. 27.—Banks Peninsula. Oct. 31. —Birchwood Hunt. Nov. 1, 3.—Dargaville R.C. (at Avondale). Nov. 3,5, 7, 10.—Canterbury J.C. Nov. 8, 10.—Whangarei R.C. Nov. 17.—Levin R.C. Nov. 17. —Waipapakauri R.C. Nov. 14, 15.—Winton J.C.