STEWARDS’ HANDICAP

Taranaki Daily News, 7 November 1935, Page 10

STEWARDS’ HANDICAP

SPRINT AT RICCARTON

BIG FIELD; ISSUE OPEN RECENT FORM REVIEWED VARIANT’S GOOD CHANCE (By “Hurry On.”) Though quality is not a feature of the field for the Stewards’ Handicap at Riccarton on Saturday there will be no lack of runners. No fewer than 25 figure in the final acceptance, and there is every indication of at least 20 facing the starter for the big sprint. Silver Streak, who won the race two years ago, will carry number one saddle cloth. He won a double at Dunedin and, though beaten into third place at Trentham, was far from being disgraced. He is an honest horse who can be depended upon for a solid effort. Rebel Chief is a brilliant horse when right, but there appears some doubt whether he will be able to start. Emissary showed good form last autumn but he will be having his first start since last Easter. Fair Weather has a fine record at Riccarton and his recent Trentham win demonstrated that he is right at the top of his form. Should the track be wet he may be favourite. Cranford has plenty of pace but does not appear to have the necessary stamina for a Stewards’. Though generally regarded as a middledistance performer, Davolo won over seven furlongs in such impressive fashion at Motukarara on Saturday that he has been discussed. Thq straight six furlongs will bp in his favour and he is sure to be /putting in good work over the final furlong. The early favourite, Knockfin, has lost much prestige after her defeats at Rangiora and Motukarara, but both those races'were over seven furlongs and she may be able to do better over the shorter distance. Bon Tray’s end to end win on the first day at Trentham was impressive, but she has a good deal more weight here. Travenna does not appear, but Variant must possess a great chance. She ran a fine second to Bon Tray at Trentham and has made marked progress since then. Haut Monde s form does not inspire confidence, and Sea Fox would be better suited by a longer distance. Tizzy has a big reputation but has not lived up to it. Rebel Star does not appeal, but Beau Gallante at his best would have a chance, even though he has not shown much form this season. Bodyline’s failure at Trentham can be forgotten and Awapuni track watchers fully expect him to run a great race. In the Telegraph Handicap at Wingatui early in October Trivet, 8.2, deadheated with Silver Streak, 9.8, and as they will meet on the same terms in the Stewards’ with both a stone less to carry Trivet should not be without prospects. Hostis is a solid horse who may run well, but the best of the lightweights may prove to be Viking, a good three-year-old, who showed plenty of pace to lead Kinnoull and Greek Shepherd for more than-six'furlongs in the Dunedin Guineas. Since then he has won a double at Gore. Penelope drew attention to her chances by whining at Motukarara on Saturday. Acceptable is a possibility. As is usually the case with such class fields the issue is very open. Silver Streak, Emissary, Fair Weather, Davolo, Knockfin, Bon Tray, Variant, Bodyline, Trivet and Viking all possess winning chances, but the favourites on Saturday may be VARIANT. SILVER STREAK. davolo. VIKING. IMPRESSIVE DISPLAY VICTORY 'FOR TUIRAU Describing the race for the J. F. Buchanan Memorial at the Banks Peninsula meeting on Saturday, the Christchurch Press has the following to say:— Tuirau justified her position as favourite for the J. F. Buchanan Memorial Handicap by recording a most impressive win after a striking display of stamina. Guarantee rushed to the front from barrier rise and was out clear of Haere Tonu, Tuirau, Quietly, Argentic and Tout le Monde entering the back stretch. Tuirau then joined Guarantee, and the pair piloted Tout le Monde, Polydora and Quietly to the straight entrance, where Tuirau shook off Guarantee, and Argentic, Quietly and Tout le Monde became more prominent. Quietly had Tuirau doing her best passing the distance,' but could not carry on, and Argentic tackled Tuirau. The pair then had a sustained tussle. Argentic appeared to be getting his head in front nearing the post; but Tuirau finishing in a dogged manner held on to gain a head verdict. Tout le Monde was a length away, clear of Quietly, with Guarantee, Polydora and Haere Tonu following at intervals. Tuirau created a good impression by staying under extreme pressure, and she will now be in stronger demand than ever for the New Zealand Cup. Argentic showed a pleasing return to his old form, and he can now be expected to be in excellent order for Cup week. Tout 'le Monde ran a sound race, while Quietly’s performance suggested she will race well at Riccarton. Guarantee stopped abruptly turning for home, and Polydora also put little fight into her finishing effort. Haere Tonu shaped poorly. PROMISING HACK TOOLEY STREET’S WIN Tooley Street, winner of the Trial Stakes at Banks Peninsula on Saturday, is a four-year-old gelding by Surveyor from Cantrip, by Signor from Carrara, who traces back to the Goldsbrough mare Mantle. He started on three occasions last season, his best effort being a second to Joyous in the Yaldhurst Handicap at Riccarton last Easter. As Tooley Street beat the opposition by a good margin on Saturday further wins are likely to come his way. He is owned by H. Rama, who has been located at Riccarton during the past 12 months. BRILLIANT FILLY FIDELITY’S BREEDING Fidelity, who won the Maribyrnong Plate at Flemington on Saturday and the 1 Mimosa Stakes or. Tuesday, was also the winner of the Mona Nursery on Caulfield Cup day, and she has thus now succeeded at her only three starts io date. She was bred in New South Wales by her owner, Sir Colin Stephen, chairman of the A.J.C., and she is trained by Bailey Payten. Fidelity is a brown daughter of Constant Son (son of Son-in-Law) from the Woorak mare Wolverine, a daughter of Vole, by imported Petrillo (son ;

of Gallinule) from Elvo, by Malvolio from Treason, by Treaton (son of Musket) from Sedition, by Neckersgat, and the breeding is along similar lines to that of the Caulfield Cup winner Palfresco. Sedition, who beat Lochiel and Carbine into the minor places in the 1889 Newmarket Handicap, was a shortbred mare, and thus her descendants are eligible only for the “appendix” of the Australian Stud Book. Academically, they are “half-bred,” but what a host of good races they have won. Elov, bred at Woorak’s birthplace, Chatsworth Park, by the late Mr. James Redfearn, was raced by Mr. (afterwards Sir) Colin Stephen about 30 years ago. From her he bred a number of winners. One was the useful Barlow. Mr. “C. Barlow” was Sir Colin Stephen’s assumed racing name in those days. It is easy to see why he sent Elvo’s smart daughter Vole from Sydney to be mated with Woorak in Victoria. Woorak’s dam, Madam, was half-sister to Elvo’s sire, Malvolio. Wolverine was a useful winner for her breeder, as was her sister Woollahra. From Elvo and her descendants the A.J.C. chairman has bred many winners, and from the manner of Fidelity’s two successes to date she is by no means the least of them. AMMON RA’S CONDITION CAN HE COME BACK? The former champion Amnion Ra is making what appears to be a successful comeback, states the Auckland Star. After a long period of idleness R. Miller took over and in a comparatively short time he commenced to mould into shape, and at present he is one of the best-con-ditioned horses on the Takanini track. In addition to this, he has taken a new lease of life and is throwing all his former dash into his tasks, while very creditable half-mile sprints have been accomplished by him during recent weeks. Owing to the fact that Ammon Ra developed bleeding trouble his career was considered ended, and althpugh it seemed problematical whether he would ever again reproduce his best form when taken in hand a few months ago, he has definitely shown sufficient promise that it seems certain that he will again sport silk. No .efinite plans for his future have been made, but it is generally thought that if all goes well he may again cross the Tasman to Australia, where the greater part of the £26,000 won by him in stakes was earned. Ammon Ra’s condition reflects credit on his trainer, R. Miller. Feilding Nominations. Owners and trainers are reminded that nominations for all events for the Feilding Jockey Club’s spring meeting will close with the secretary, Mr. E. G. Goodbehere, P.O. Box 45, Feilding, at 8 o’clock to-morrow night. The meeting is always popular with Taranaki owners and trainers and is sure to draw a big response from the province. RICCARTON TRACK PREPARATIONS FOR CUP FINAL GALLOPS TODAY By Telegraph—Press Association. Christchurch, Nov. 6. The weather was fine but cold for early Riccarton work to-day, but the, sun was shining after breakfast. There was not much interest in the proceedings. No. 6 grass track was open, but though plenty of horses went on it in preference to the sand most of them did only strong pace work in preparation for something more serious to-morrow, when the outside of the course proper will be open for the final gallops. Walton- Park, who arrived yesterday, did five furlongs in 1.7 3-s—a satisfactory effdrt. Quite Soon hit out freely over six furlongs in 1.17. She looks well. Rebel Chief, after going off slowly from the three-furlong post, dashed down the straight. It was his first sprint for about a week, following on an injury to the near hind leg, which is now mending all right. He will be given a fast spin over five furlongs to-morrow. Polydora and Olive Smith were schooled twice over two brush hurdles, giving a good display. Most of the New Zealand Cup horses were out doing strong pace work. After breakfast a large number of young horses went to the five-furlong barrier, where they were given some starting practice, most of them being allowed to run down the straight at a smart pace. Caliente was exercised on the lead in the middle. She did not move so stiffly as she did yesterday and the present intention is to gallop her to-morrow. The trouble is in the hindquarters and it is thought it may be due to ricking a muscle. She is having massage treatment, which appears to have been beneficial so far. Hostis struck himself a few days ago and is a doubtful starter in the Stewards’ Handicap. Wino was out doing easy work. The swelling in his knees as the result of a fall on Sunday is going down, but it is not yet certain if he will be able to race at the meeting. Steeton and Horn’s Reef arrived from Invercargill last night. This morning’s arrivals from the north included Cuddle, Princess Doreen, Going Gay, Ayresleigh and ’ Acceptable. MONANUI’S PROSPECTS SHOULD BE FIT MARE Having her first outings since June, Monanui ran two good races at the Ellerslie meeting last month, beating considerably more horses than beat her in both the Mitchelson Cup and the King Edward Memorial Handicap. As these races should have worked an improvement in her she is likely to come in for good support in the Whangarei Cup today. It will be in her favour should the going be soft. FLEMINGTON ACCEPTORS NEW ZEALAND HORSES By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. Melbourne, Nov. 6. New Zealand acceptors for Flemington on Thursday are: Flying Handicap: Arauhan, Quarto, Gay Sheila. Moore Stakes: Martinborough, Prince Quex, Cricket, Gay Brunette, Bold ! Blood. I Carnival Handicap: Gay Circle, Yil- > derim, Gay Sheika, Link Divine, East Cape. Veteran Stakes: Sporting Blood, Limbohm, Korero, Cape Morn. Linlithgow,, Stakes: Synagogue, Silver Jubilee, Gay Blonde. At Flemington on the tan Silver Jubilee covered three furlongs in 375.Thrawn accounted for a mile in 1.45 J /z.