FROM TRACK AND STABLE

Taranaki Daily News, 23 November 1932, Page 4

FROM TRACK AND STABLE

GAY COURT’S PROSPECTS BLACK SONGSTER WILL IMPROVE. TAKANINI TRAINER'S SUCCESSES. (By ‘Hurry On.”) Something new in betting facilities, so far as Australia is concerned, is under" consideration in Queensland. The Minister of Public Instruction, when replying to a deputation which protested against the extent of gambling, gave a hint that the Government might consider the establishment of totalisators in the main centres of Queensland, as a means of controlling betting. Hampden showed a wonderful burst of pace in the Brewer Handicap at WaVerley, running right round the field to the front after being badly left at the rise of the barrier. As that race was sure to have done him good he should be capable of taking a hand in-the finish of the sprint event at Levin on Saturday, when the opposition is not likely to be very strong. Last season Broken Rule was a fair sort of a tWo-year-old and was very unlucky not to have received the judge’s decision in the Avondale Stakes. She raced well on several other occasions, among her wins being the Juvenile Handicap at New Plymouth last Boxing Day. She is down to make her reappearance .at Levin on Saturday, and provided that she has gone the right way during the winter, should prove hard to dispose of. . Looking much above himself, Chief Savage ran a respectable race into fourth place behind Arikitea at Waverley on Labour Day, when the outing should have brought him on. He is an acceptor for the Weraroa Hack at Levin, where the son of Chief Ruler will probably find strong support. The Gisborne horse. Black Songster, who raced unsuccessfully at the recent Ellerslie meeting, has not returned to the east coast but is remaining in the northern centre until the big summer meeting. This son of, Hunting Song is credited, with having the makings. of a first-class performer. He had only had a very , light preparation when he won a double at Gisborne at the end of-Oc-tober, and those two • races appeared to have got to the bottom of him as he did not show his true form at the Mitchelton Cup gathering. He is being given every chance this time and may make amends.

The Takanini trainer R. S. Bagby, who also holds a jockey’s license, had a very successful time at the recent Waikato meeting, when he led in no less than four winners, one the first day (Gay Marigold) and three (Gay Marigold, Chief Joy and Prolyxo) the second. This stable also shelters Gay Sheila, who was third to the two-year-old event on Monday. Even though he received the big end of the stake only after a protest had been lodged, Gay Court’s initial attempt over a mile and a quarter to the Cup at Carterton on Saturday was decidedly encouraging, and this • four-year-old looks like winning again before long. He will probably be found racing to Taranaki during the holiday season. Gustave has rejoined the active brigade at Riccarton. This fiVe-year-old brother of Count Cavour has shown himself to be a galloper well above the average, but has always been troubled by unsoundness and it is doubtful whether he will survive a preparation this time.

The winner of the Novice Stakes at Carterton on Saturday, Red Top is an Australian-bred three-year-old by Redfern, the sire of Korokio, and was bought cheaply at the Trentham sales by his present owner-trainer, Mr. C. Physick, Masterton. In his previous start he had run a great fourth in the Spring Trial at Trentham after getting all the worst of the start, and his success on Saturday was well anticipated. It is reported that the horseman Roy Reed returned to New Zealand on Monday and may be seen in action at Takapuna on Saturday. Reed does more riding in Australia than in New Zealand nowadays, and has been in the Commonwealth since August. Though he rode some winners his recent trip was not as successful as when .he was piloting Nightmarch home in the big events three years ago. So far her owner has made no definite plans as to where the crack filly Silver Scorn will next race. She has had an easy time since her four races at Riccarton, but it is reported that she came through that strenuous campaign to splendid style and showed no ill effects whatever. This is remarkable, especially as she works herself up into a lather before a race.

Forestry and Might were ' two outstanding disappointments at Rosehill on November 5, when both were considered to hold great chances (says a Syd-

ney correspondent). Forestry’s failure was really puzzling, for he had galloped well during the week on the track, and the Rosehill course is just as roomy at Randwick. T. Webster rode him and he was a solid favourite. He began slowly and did not muster up any pace at any stage. Webster said afterwards that he was labouring throughout. Possibly he struck an off patch, but backers will fight shy of him next time. Might did better than his stablemate. In the fixed weight Trial Stakes he was always one of the first four, but was definitely beaten out of a place by three useful horses, the winner, Gold Joy, being fit and smart. Might, too, had galloped well on the track, but, although carrying only 7.12 his finishing effort, was weak. He is a smarter colt than this, and despite his failure there is hope for him. The handicapper at Carterton took a risk with the Gisborne representative Kahunoke in the Highweight on Saturday, and this son of Cynic showed his appreciation by duly rolling home in front. Seeing that in his half dozen starts this season he had recorded two firsts and two thirds he was decidedly well in with Only two pounds above the minimum. His breeding has'an interest for Taranaki as his dam, High Degree, is a half-sister to Irapuka, who was a good performer in this province six or seven years ago.

Successftil ; Two-year-Olds. . The Dunedin owner Mr. J. M. Samson had a successful ' experience at Riccarton . with his two-year-olds, Guarantee winning twice and running second in his other start, while Southdown in two races ran -fourth ana then second. These two juveniles are likely to earn a lot more money this season. Unfortunately, the Australian trip brought nothing but disappointment, the culmination coming when Admiral Drake broke down and hobbled home in the Melbourne Cup. Prior to that, the two-year-old Garter Knight, by Limond from Anklet, met With an accident. During the Riccarton Carnival Mr. Samson said the latest reports Concerning him were serious, it being doubtful if he would ever race. Garter Knight was vastly'superior to Guarantee and Southdown when the three were tried out, and the Riccarton forth of the other pair leaves no doubt that Mr. Samson was a great sufferer in the accident than occurred to Garter Knight. Reducing the Programmes. By the time 'the Christmas and New 1 Year meetings are over and the autumn meetings come round there will not be so many horses in training, and both the Taranaki and Egmont clubs would do well to Consider the . question of reducing their programmes to seven races each day. This .would have the effect of increasing the fields arid eliminating of number of one-dividend fields, which always play havoc with the totalisator turnover. Another aspect is that it enables the time for the first race to be put back half an hour or more and this, especially on a Saturday afternoon, makes a big difference to the investments on the first two races-. . The holiday racing Will give a good guide as to the support that is likely to be ■ forthcoming from the Auckland province, and this question- might well be left until then, but it certainly appears that a curtailment of the number of races would have a very beneficial effect.

FROM TARANAKI TRACKS • ORAPAI AND LADY QUEX. .1 TENTCALL COMING TO FORM. There were some interesting trials at both Hawera and New Plymouth yesterday morning, when most of the horses for Levin and Feildtog were galloped, nearly, all of them acquitting themselves well.

At 1 New Plymouth the tracks were again hard and dry and all the galloping took place on the plough. Few of the horses went fast, most being restricted to half and' three-quarter pace work.

Royal Bengal did half pace work. He is looking well and should not be long to making amends for his. disappointments during the spring. . ■ ■ Meri-y Way was not a great deal of use to Orapai over.five. furlongs to Im. 15.,, the big chestnut being to front practically all the way.: The first three furlongs took 365. and the last two 255., but- Orapai had something to reserve. He should strip wonderfully fit at Feildtog, as he has never been better than at present. Assisted by Lucky Alice over the first half and Arvada over the last, Tigerism galloped a mile, the last seven furlongs taking Im. 355. He was finishing on strongly and would have improved on this time had there been more pace to the middle stages.

Lady Quex was sent five furlongs on her own. She did not show her customary brilliance down the back stretch, the first three furlongs taking her 375., but she came home to great style to record Im. 1 l-ss. for the distance. She Is improving with every gallop and is sure to prove hard to beat at Takapuna on Saturday. Gibraltar and Easter Time did pace work. They are not being hurried as they will not be racing again until Christmas.

The telegraphed list of. acceptors for the Alison Cup at the Takapuna meeting on Saturday included Tigerism 7.1, but his owner, Mr. A. Lile, states that this is a mistake and that his horse is not going north. The weather was perfect for training operations at Hawera, most of the work being done on the plough track, which was in perfect order. La Crown and Calamine started proceedings by running once around at three-quarter pace.’ Neither of these mares will race till Christmas. ! Aga Khan and Awaken reeled off seven furlongs on the plough in Im. 325., both doing .it well. Tentcall finished in front of Orby’s Choice Over a run of six furlongs in Im. 17 l-ss. Tentcall is coming to hand very rapidly. Hampden, Royal Papa and Miss Cavendish were companions in a gallop over five furlongs in Im. 3 l-55., the two former finishing abreast about three lengths in front of Miss Cavendish. Rapper and Golden Hair ran. half a mile on the trial grass in 495. Peschiera went with them on the plough track for company. Carfex and Green Linnet ran six furlongs in lm. 1845., finishing together. Constant Sun and Little Doubt started very slowly in. their gallop over seven furlongs, which occupied lm. 365. The Tiger, Tenacre, Divola, Callapat, Davistock, Chief Line, Attentive and others not racing till the autumn were restricted to pace work.