Surf Notes

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 748, 22 August 1929, Page 13

Surf Notes

CONDUCTEIJ BY

"EARLY BIRD"

Two Meetings on Saturday There will be racing at Ellerslie and Hastings on Saturday. Juveniles at Ellerslie The two-year-old parade will be held at Ellerslie at 10.3 u a.m. on Saturday. With 22 entries this affair should provide a most interesting curtain-raiser to the Pakuranga meeting. New Zealand Cup Nominations for the New Zealand Cup close tomorrow night. Avondale Spring Meeting Entries for the Avondale Jockey Club’s spring meeting arc due at 5 p.m. tomorrow week, August 30. Easily the Best Wiltshire was the hero of the Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting. Jn the Grand .National Steeplechase his fencing was by no means perfect, but he outclassed the opposition for speed, and really had the Dominion's premier cross-country event at his mercy from the commencement of the race. In the Lincoln Steeples on the concluding day his superiority continued. In that event he carried the steadier of 11.11, but to such an extent did he outdistance his pursuers that his rider, lloy Syme, had the Waikato horse under a strong puli with two furlongs to go. Wiltshire is still a young horse, and provided he makes the natural progress of the ’chaser, he may be an even greater horse next jumping season. His. Lincoln win was a great performance, and racegoers were not slow to appreciate the merit it contained. for on his return to scale he was given a rousing reception. Lord Ranald Riccarton racegoers who had seen Lord Ranald triumph over the opposition in the Homeby Steeples would have liked to have seen the champion in action in the Grand National Steeples. His ardent admirers claimed that he was such a wonder that he would have put up a great race in the big cross-country event. He certainly hud done everything asked of him at his previous starts, but whether he would have beaten Wiltshire is purely a matter of conjecture. Still, the very fact that he made Fabriano, who ran third in the N;d tional, look a very modest performer in the Homeby, shows that he must have had a great chance had he started, and next season the Masterpiece gelding may develop into one of the Dominion’s best ’chasers. Hastings Try-Outs The following track work at Hastings last Saturday is reported in the Hawke’s Hay “Tribune”: Mountain Heath, who is coming back to last season’s form, was doing it nicely all the way to run six fur - longs in 1.20. . * I’m Alone, by himself, ran six furlongs in 1.205. The Lord Quex — Bayonne three-year-old is not making the progress this writer predicted some few months back, nor has he furnished as well as could be hoped for. Cuticle, by himself, ran half a mile in 51 3-5. The Paper Money fiUy possesses speed, and by October her new owner, Mr. J. A. McFarlane, should get a return on his purchase money. White Fang -was first out, and with a light weight up ran five furlongs in 65. This gelding at present looks very well, but strange to say, it is when he is on the light side and appearing as though he was in need of a let-up that he gallops and races at his best. Tahoma and Koodoo brushed home the last three furlongs of their twice round of pace work in 43. Tahoma, the three-year-old by Hunting Song— Kowerewere, is not coming up to anticipations, and on present form will need to improve a lump even to win a hack race. He is growing, which may account for him not fulfilling earlier promise. On the course proper Queen’s Choice and Essential finished on even terms at the end of four furlongs run in 51. Essential is a better horse now than ever he was. but as he will have to race in open company in the future his efforts, no doubt, will be confined to the “smalls.” Later on, perhaps, he will be tried over the fences. Great Charter, by himself. ran three-quarters of a mile in I.IBS, going at a most even pace throughout. On the course proper Marabilary (Mira —Adroit) and Clever finished abreast over four furlongs in the good time of 501. As Clever was carrying about 10 stone or more her gallop must appeal and it draws attention to her chances in the open sixfurlong event at Hastings next Saturday. Marabilary, a grey mare owned by Fred Davis, is a most promising sort. She is to have her initial run in the Okawa Maiden, five furlongs, here this week-end. Hunting Cry and Curtsey ran four furlongs in 511. Huikai was far too good for King Manu over the same distance in 53. Red Fuchsia

Though he missed a place in the Grand National Hurdles, Red Fuchsia afforded his owner the consolation of winning the Sydenham Hurdles on Saturday, and his victory, which was accomplished in record time, confirms the belief that the All Red gelding was not at his best when he tackled the Great Northerns in June. Of course, he carried a rather lenient impost when he shattered the previous New Zealand and Australian two-mile hurdle record on Saturday, but the fact remains that he scored brilliantly and really outclassed his rivals at the end. Like a Tornado Courageous was a persistent tip for the Islington Handicap oir the middle day of the meeting, but though beaten by Royal Game his startling finish was one of the most amazing exhibitions of dash racegoers have been privileged to see at Riccarton for some time. From an impossible position he finished with a run that resembled a tornado of speed, and in another few strides would have been returned the winner. Courageous races in the interest of the well-known North Island sportsman, Mr. W. R. Kemball, and the next time he strikes an even middle distance field he may make amends. Will Be Loked After By winning the Winter Cup under 10.4,-Historic registered such a splendid performance that the handicappers are not likely to take risks with the Nassau horse when weighting him for the big spring handicaps. Prior to Historic’s success, only seven horses had triumphed in the big Riccarton mile with over 10.0 since the race was established in 1899, and it is worth mentioning that Historic’s weight is the highest carried to victory since 1923, when ! Sunny Loch won under 10.9. The j Trentham horse is such a fine galloper ! that no race may be beyond him, and | it will cause an all-round surprise if | he fails to notch one of the big cups this year. Although nominations for the New Zealand Cup do not close till tomorrow night, Historic’s name has already been mentioned in connection with the big two-mile event. He is an ideal horse for such a race, and if he comes to Riccarton in November he will not lack admirers.

A Full Book C. W. France will be in attendance at the Pakuranga Hunt fixture on Saturday, where he will ride Desert Glow, Flying Prince, Arikitoa and Cybele, the Palmerston North horseman having been engaged to do the riding for this stable when the weight suits. He will return for the Dannevirke meetings next week, Grattus being one of his mounts on the opening day. Opotikl Notes Two Opotiki horses which competed at the recent Gisborne fixture will remain there under J. White. The horses are Lady Castlemain and Primitive. They will remain at Gisborne until after the October meeting. Mosque, Mosaic, Nancy Lee, Squadron and Golden Pen nett have all wintered well and are being hacked about prior to going into serious work later on. Another* Karamu Price A dividend of nearly three centuries for £1 was paid on the totalisator at Catterick on August 2, and it is a long way the largest dividend yet returned on the totalisator in England. In the betting ring the price was. only 20 to 1. Debutante Stakes The names of three of Mr. C. Elgar’s juveniles were omitted from the list of nominations for the Debutante Stakes, the two-year-olds’ race on the second day of the Wanganui Jockey Club’s meeting. The trio referred to are Appledore, Tenterden and Kalmuck. This brings the number of entries for this race to 31. No Legal Action There will be no criminal proceedings in connection with the death of tlie jockey, J. Rylatt, whose case created a great stir. The AttorneyGeneral, Mr. MacGroarty, announced on Saturday that he had perused the papers regarding the case, and had decided against criminal proceedings. Rylatt was killed in a fall from Donoric during the race meeting at Kedron Park on May 27, and the occurrence was the subject of a lengthy magisterial inquiry. Promising Maiden High Court, Curies and Trisogne finished in that order at the end of five furlongs in 6G, the former finishing under a decided pull at Hastings on Thursday. Curies, by Lord Quex from q Martian mare, which cost Mr. 11. M. Campbell over a thousand guineas some few years back, is a most promising maidener, and with a little more time should win many races. The Right Age

It. is interesting to keep tally of tlie races won during a season by horses of different ages on metropolitan tracks, says a Sydney writer. During the concluding half of last season, the 5 and 6-year-olds, with the aged horses, more than held their own. Many racegoers hold the opinion that the most favourable age is four years. A count-up of different winners during the last four seasons shows that it is a sound opinion. The actual winning figures for the four seasons are: Three-year-olds, 309; 4 years, 441; 5 years,' 350; 6 years, 200; and aged, 223. Ridden Out At Hastings recently Te Awha and Admiral Drake ran five furlongs in 65, and, in a ding-dong finish, with both doing their best, Te Awha, got his head in front. Wallace Young has Te Awha in fine nick and owner Miss K. O’Grady, of should have a useful stake-earner this season. Gay Ballerina’s half-sister by Leighton, and a gelding by Leighton—Jestee. both two-year-olds, ran three furlongs in 39. Mr. W. G. Stead’s pair are neat gallopers and bound to make early two-year-olds. Magpie’s Winnings Figures compiled for the “Australasian Turf Register” indicate that Magpie (imp.) headed the winning sires’ list for the Commonwealth with plenty to spare. His progeny won races worth £38.596, 42 horses winning 85 races. In New Zealand his stock won 11 races worth £5,635. Last year Magpie had 43 representatives who won 87 races worth £29,189, figures that placed him fifth to Valais (imp.), Cyklon (imp.), Seremond (imp.), and Rossendale (imp.). The list this year shows the names of these sires at the top again, with one exception, Cyklon having no Trivalve to represent him in the important races. Although St. Anton’s 54 winners of 93 races again gives him the honour of siring the most winners, the figures are not so large as last year when he had 55 representatives who won 140 J races between them. Greenstead is again the best of the locally bred sires, occupying 12 th place, with 21 winners of 375 races, and £11,733. Gascony for Wanganui All eyes were on Gascony when he went out at Hastings on Saturday to run six furlongs on the plough, which he accomplished in the very good time of 1.17. This gelding is in great order for early spring racing, and by Eclipse Stakes’ (seven furlongs) time he should be a better horse than at any other period of his career. Recovered Merry Mint is still an absentee from the tracks, but has about fully recovered from the mishap that prevented him from fulfilling his "Winter Cup engagement. Royal Elm’s Rider Royal Elm. who is in great heart, ran a round at Hastings the other morning in the creditable time of 1.45. He will be raced on Saturday in the Hack Hurdles, when Alf. Tricklebank will be his pilot, as Chris McGovern still has his arm in a sling, the result of his fall from Handy down South. Youngsters Sprint Three two-year-olds were sent out at Hastings, being tried over three furlongs. The Chief Ruler—Watchful colt pleased better than the Arausio — Carlatour gelding and the Grand Court —Parley filly, the time being 39. All went most pleasingly, but there is no mistake that the Chief Ruler colt is going to be good. Presented to Trainer Imported Star D’or. which recently “broke down” when being prepared for spring racing in New South Wales, has been presented to his trainer. I. Foulsham. Though Star D’or’s breakdown was serious, he may possibly be able to race again if he is given a lengthy spell, and if he ever struck form, he would prove a valuable present. Star D’Or is an aged bay gelding by Sunstar from Airashii. He ran second to Bard of Avon in the Williamstown Cup of 1926. and won that race the following year. He also won races at Moonee Valley and Flemington. Of Course The head of a big motoring concern was rating his new secretary. •‘Look here,” he said, flourishing one of her epistolary efforts, “you haven’t the remotest idea of spelling. Do you know you have spelt ‘pneumatic’ ‘newmatic’?” The young lady was not without some resource. “I’m sorry,” she said, drawing herself up haughtily, “but the *k’ on my machine is not working.” Honesty “Give you a job,” said the lady, eyeing the tramp very doubtfully, “but how can I be sure that you’re honest?” “Madam,” said the wayfarer with dignity. “I was manager of the town baths for many years, but never once did I take a bath.”