Turf Notes

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 750, 24 August 1929, Page 14

Turf Notes

CONDUCTED BY 1

“EARLY BIRD"

Racing Next Week There will be racing at Dannevirke next Wednesday and Thursday. Marton Acceptances Acceptances for the opening day of the Marton J.C. spring meeting* close next Tuesday. Money Talks A feature of the betting on the Selwyn Handicap at Riccarton was the support accorded Bonogne. Considering he had not carried more than a handful of tickets before at the meeting, and not run conspicuously, it was surprising to see 3.654 chances registered against his name on Saturdav. ! The money spoke aright, for he finished very fast into second place. A Useful Team At Wanganui Murt Gardner has a team of half a dozen in preparation lor spring racing, with Valina, Potoatorm, Star Area and Royal Acre giving every appearance of being ready for j early racing The first two named will probably do the Dannevirke meetings before joining the team for the Marton and Wanganui fixtures, but Fernden and Just an Idea will not be seen in action until the later meetings. Patronage at Riccarton The attendance at this year’s Grand National meeting aggregated 30,706. I" a 1 d « u >’ of , 17 - 3 39 on the inside and on the outside. The daily figures were: First day 5.016 and 6,670. Second day 4.438 and 2.540, third dav :>,OSo and 3.957. The above total was oyer 1.000 ahead of the best recorded since the turnstiles were, established at Riccarton six years ago. A Rebuke It is a pity that there are not more locally-owned horses trained at Wanganui, and those Wanganui Club members—and stewards even—who have their horses trained elsewhere are rather lacking in their appreciation of the splendid facilities provided at this centre, says the “Chronicle/’ The fact that visiting trainers show their appreciation is further confirmation of the worth of Wanganui as a training centre. Hoylake Preparing Although the winter racing season has just concluded, many Riccarton trainers have made a start on their spring candidates, and in a month or two they should begin to assume real racing shape again. T. Lloyd has the English performer Hoylake in capital condition, and he looks so well at present that with a race or two into him he may soon be able to show his best. Last season he was a most unlucky horse, but if he overcomes the knee trouble that precluded him from revealing his best form on several occasions he may be a worthy contender for the New Zealand Cup in November, especially as there is likely to be a paucity of stayers this year. Derby Distance erection of the extra line of rails round Tattenham Corner this yeaiagain brings up the question of the length of the Derby course; and connected with the length is, naturally, the tuning of the races, says a writer in London “Sporting Life.” Prior to 1930 the actual length of the course, measured four feet from the inner line of rails, was 1 mile 4 furlongs 20 yards In 1920 the rounding off of the ‘Corner’ reduced the length to 1 mile 4 furlongs and 1 yard. The erection of the extra line of rails this year has now added only three or four yards. These figures may be a surprise to some, but they have kindly' been given me by the. clerk of the course at Epsom. The time record before 1920 was held by Lemberg. who in the year 1910 took 2.35 1-5. 1920 was Spion Kop’s year, and his time. 2.34 4-5, constituted a new record. The race was frequently referred to as the ‘Mad Derby,’ as the pace was supposed to have been something terrific, and few people apparently were aware that owing to the shortening of the course by 28 yards, which at Derby pace represents approximately 1 3-ssec, the pace was not actually as fast as Lemberg’s.” The record is held oy Call Boy and Felstead, 2.34 2-5. If the 2S yards be allowed for, this time is not as good as Lemberg’s.

Two Disqualified There is a rule of the Australian Jockey Club, in common with the other principal clubs in the Commonwealth, that if in the running of a race one horse jostles or interferes with another, such horse and every other horse nominated by the same person or belonging to the same owner, or in which lie has a share, running in the same race, may bo disqualified. The reason for it is obviously to prevent one or more horses “shepherding” dangerous runners while the stable elect wins. Evidently the rule also obtains in America, for at a recent meeting at Belmont Park the stable-mates Keep On and Clave, who finished first and second in the principal event of the day, were deprived of their places following an inquiry by the stewards into the interference to Erin, who had run fourth behind his stable-mate Adequate. The “Thoroughbred Record.” in discussing the incident, states that Hilaria bore over steadily from the outside, forcing Keep On to cannon into Erin, interfering with the last-mentioned severely. Hilaria, too. is in the same stable as Keep On and Clave, and after the interference continued in the lead until the final furlong, when her stablemates ran past her and she dropped out of the race. The placings ordered by the stewards were: Adequate. Erin and Mad Hattie. Aussie and Limerick Not since Aussie beat Limerick in the lluzlett Gold Cup at Dunedin eariy last autumn have the two met until last Thursday morning, says a Sydney writer of August 16. They were sent together for a gallop over six furlongs at Randwick. It was a pre-arranged trial, and when the two came on the track they claimed the attention of spectators, for Limerick always does well in his working efforts, and Aussie has been responsible for some smart sprints. It was the titbit of the mornings work. With the hurdles out 70ft from the rails, and the going somewhat heavy, conditions were against fast times, but the pair raced neck and neck down ihe straight, and in covering the distance in 1.20 they recorded easily the best effort of the morning for the distance. It was Indeed a good display on the part of Aussie, and one that is reasurring for those who have supported him foi* the Epsom Handicap. He had J. E. Pike in the saddle, and conceded weight to his more renowned companion, who had the services of a light boy. Both were lightly shod. It is not the practice to gallop Limerick in heavy shoes at any time, and apparently Aussie is similarly treated. Since he came from New Zealand. Aussie has been consistent in his track work, and most people are prepared to overlook his defeat by Harney hi Warwick Farm. Certainly he seems in better fettle now than on that occasion.

Wairarapa Team at Wanganui Trainer Moroney gave his team useful tasks at Wanganui on Tuesday, Yertigern being the only one to slip along at a decent pace on the hurdle track, covering the four furlongs of his task without breaking 50. He looks in good trim for his early engagements, though he may not be seen at his best for some time yet. King Midas has just about recovered from the effects of his mishap in the train while en route to Wanganui. Count Palatine, Talisker. Grecian. Kalmuck, Appledore and Tenterden are getting along nicely in their tasks. Belcaire’s Win The success of JJeleaire in the Three and Four-Year-Old Handicap at the Menangle Park races at Sydney this week did not come as a surprise to Southern sportsmen, for the Treclare filly had been shaping well before leaving for Randwick with Limerick and Paquito. At the South Canterbury Jockey Club’s summer meeting, held in November, Belcaire won the Spring Stakes from Page Boy and Waving Corn, but she failed to gain a place in her remaining engagements last season. The Australian-bred filly still races in the ownership of Mr. IT V A. Knight, chairman of the Canterbury Jockey' Club, and while she may never develop into an outstanding galloper she should more than pay her way at the minor fixtures. • Three-Year-Olds at Riccarton Of the three-year-olds who raced at Riccarton the big Chief Ruler —Formless colt Leade came out easily superior with three successive victories, writes “Vedette.” A great beginner, no matter where he drew at the barrier, he was one of the leaders on the rails before the straight was reached. He is a well-grown fellow, and most attractive galloper. He ran out six furlongs twice at Riccarton in exemplary style, and it will be a great pity if wind affliction restricts his useget some more money before the fulness as a racehorse. He should spring meetings are over. Of the others, Desert Song and Air Laddie, who followed Leader home on Grand National Day, with Honeycomb just behind them, should receive most attention in the near future. Both should be very useful horses. Jaleux and Stately arc two Southerners likely to pay their way soon. They were produced only on the first day. Similarly Dutch Money and Blue Metal did not come out until the third day, and they' followed Leader and Roi de Val home. This pair and Pat’s Boy' did well enough to be remembered. Dutch Money looked big, but showed that she can still gallop, and those who remember that she was about the equal of Nedda last spring will have her on their side in future.