On and Off the Track

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20612, 29 December 1936, Page 4

On and Off the Track

A BUDGET OF NEWS AND VIEWS FIXTURES Racing: Dec. 29—Westland R.C. Dec. 29— Manawatu R.C. Dec. 29, Jan. 1, B—Auckland R.C. Jan I—Walkoualtl R.C. Jan I—Wyndham R.C. Jan. 1, 2—Stratford R.C. Jan. 1, 2—Marton J.C. Jan. 1, 2—Hawke’s Bay J.C. Jan. 1, 2—Wairarapa R.C. Jan. 1, 2—Greymouth J.C. Jan 2—Oamaru J.C. Jan. 2, 4 —Southland R.C. Trotting. Dec 29—Winton T.C, Dec. 30, 31 —Auckland T.C. Dec 30—Westland 1.0. Jan. 1. 2—Canterbury Park T.C. Allspice's win at the Wairarapa meeting was the first success of the colours of Mr F. Armstrong, who made his entry into the sport when he purchased Entreaty, the dam of Phar Lap. Royal Chief, winner of the Great Northern Foal Stakes, is the first horse raced by Mr A. Firth. By Chief Ruler from Modiste 11. he was secured for 160gns at the last yearling sales, and is proving one of the bargains of the year.

L. J. Ellis has won both the New Zealand and Auckland Cups this season. The double had not been accomplished in the same year since 1919, when B. Deeley won on Vagabond and Karo. A light drizzle in the early morning was followed by heavier rata just before noon at Dunedin. The attendance was poor when racing began on the second day at Wingatui. The track was much slower than on the first day and gradually became softer as the afternoon progressed. Jack Ahoy ran a disappointing race on the first day at Dunedin. His win at Gore and a good third in the Otaio Plate made him look a possible placegetter, but he was one of the last to finish. This form was too bad to be accepted, and the big gelding should do better before long. Leniently treated as she appeared to b- on her best form, Cuddle’s second Auckland Cup win was a feather in the cap c' T. R. George, as she appeared to be due for a spell when she returned from Sydney at the end of October. George’s luck had been rather poor this season, and an Auckland Cup would seem like a turn of the tide. The South Canterbury contingent at Dunedin was not as big as usual this year, being made up of Queen of Song, Top Row, Stratosphere, Superex, Poniard and Rebel Lad (from Washdyke), and Stolen March and Jack Ahoy (From Orari). On the first day it did well, Top Row, Stolen March and Rebel

Lad being winners and Queen of Song and Stratosphere filling second places.

Cuddle’s win in the Auckland Cup, which was just what might have been expected if she was anywhere near her top form, added to the fine record of mares in two mile races in recent years. Fast Passage, Gold Trail and Cuddle (2) have won four of the last five Auckland Cups, and Fast Passage, Palantua, Steeton and Cuddle four of the last five New Zealand Cups. These are the only two mile races run in the Dominion. Two horses which ran a long way below form in the Otago Handicap were Travenna and The Surgeon. On form and track work, Travenna should have been among the money, but he was never near the front and finished a long way back. The chestnut appears to go best for R. J. Mackie, who was required for Guarantee. The Surgeon had previously shown a liking for the Wingatui track, but on Boxing Day he stopped just at the point where he came on in the spring. Although Toorak’s owner was confident that the Wrack-Sungod gelding would run a big race in the Champion Stakes, the result was a surprise to the general public. Toorak’s best previous performance was a second to Donald Dhu at Oamaru, where he finished fast after being penned in. This was a promising effort, but it did not entitle him to much consideration when pitted against Parisienne and Co. Toorak was bred in Southland, and while Mr J. Richardson’s other horses are trained by C. Dunlevey, he was educated by V. Leeming. The Great Northern Foal Stakes is the first two-year-old event of the season run over a longer journey than five furlongs, and the extra distance not infrequently brings about the downfall of the champion of the spring. Francis Drake was credited with improvement since his earlier successes, and the only apparent reason for his defeat by Royal Chief seems to be that the Riccarton colt Is the better stayer. Royal Chief finished resolutely when he won on the final day of the Riccarton meeting, and he was expected to test the northern champion.

In -a small pool Look Smart 175-134 was elected favourite in the Taieri Hurdles at Dunedin from Chrysology (129-132). who was only slightly better backed than Royal Pal and Blazon. Blazon and Chrysology led over the first two hurdles and for over a mile Chry rlogy and Blazon were just in front of Silver Jest. Blazon had a slight advantage over Chrysology when they reached the last jump and, ridden out, the Southlander won by a length from Silver Jest, who beat Chrysology by nearly three lengths. Octave and Look Smart were five or six lengths further back. Blazon hit one or two fences, but most of his opponents did likewise and a rise of a stone for his first, day win failed to stop him.

Trebleack 230-271 was in more demand than Trumpet Blast 160-289. Pink Del 158-269 and Radio Star 150225 in the Novice Handicap at Dunedin, but the favourite was very restive at the barrier and ultimately got off too badly to have any chance. The race was run in thick mist, and it was hard to pick up the horses, but Radio Star, Petersham, Trumpet Blast, Restrain, Natty and Pink Del all began well. Radio Star and Petersham were well clear of Restrain, Natty and Pink Del at the top and they had the finish to themselves, Petersham wining by a length and a half from Radio Star. Natty was third over two lengths away with a gap to Restrain, Corban and Trumpet Blast. Petersham, who is trained by T. Hobbs, has done very little racing, and in view of his private reputation he returned a liberal dividend.

In spite of his. 9.9 Top Row 537-391 was made a pronounced favourite for the Juvenile Handicap at Wingatui yesterday, but he was not so lucky at the start as on the first day. Heidelberg and Circular Note stood flatfooted, but Stromboli and Peony Rose jumped out clear of Gusto. Gusto and Peony Rose led across the top three lengths clear of Stromboli, with Top Row next. Peony Rose drew away at the top of the straight and won by nearly two lengths from Top Row, who finished a length and a half ahead of Stromboli, with Silver Bond, who got away slowly, hair a length further back. Peony Rose is one of the first two-year-old winners by Robespierre.

Following first day form backers sent Gold Boa out a two-way favc irite for the sprint race at Dunedin yesterday. Bon Tray, Sliver Sail, Song Boy and Gold Boa raced in company for a furlong. Then Gold Boa drew out a couple of lengths from the other three. Gold Boa turned for home a length and a half clear of Silver Sall and Song Boy with Half Note commencing a run from the extreme rear. Gold Boa was not caught, but she got home by only a neck from Half Note who ran extremely wide in making the turn and finished near the outside of the track. Lochlaggan and Silver Sail Were together about three lengths away. Gold Boa has started seven times to date for five wins and two seconds.

Trivet, Grand Finale and Stolen Match were struck out of the Allanton Handicap at Dunedin, and of the runners speculators showed a preference for Gaysome and McHeath. Surge, Poniard, Gaysome and Silver Lark began well, the last to leave being Southdown and Viking. At the far turn Surge, Poniard, Gaysome and Silver Lark were three lengths clear from McHeath, and racing across the top Surge, Poniard and Silver Lark were showing daylight from Gaysome and McHeath. Soon after reaching the straight Silver Lark took sole charge, but in the final furlong she was tackled by McHeath, who beat her home by a length. Gaysome, who was pulled out from the rails, finished fast wide out a neck behind Silver Lark. Last Link led the unplaced division home. Backers made no mistake in the St. Andrew’s Handicap at Wingatji. selecting Davolo and Travenna to run well in the soft going. Travenna and Great Star moved off smartly, and at the end of two furlongs Travenna was leading from Wild Career, Great Star. Queen of Song and Amy Johnson, with Pnlydora bringing up the rear. Travenna raced across the top half a length ahead of Wild Career w h Great Sar two lengths away piloting the next bunch. Wild Career ran up to Travenna on the turn, but a furlong from home Travenna had opened

a gap of two lengths. Then Dav 3 i o came with a strong run from the ruck and overhauling Travenna 100 yards from home, won going away by over a length. Two lengths back came Wild Career, a length in advance of Great Star, who was followed by Polydora, Amy Johnson and Queen of Song.

Stolen March 542-500, Barley Almond 454-444, Superex 230-253 and Ilithyia 182-302 carried nearly all the money in the Fernhill Handicap at Dunedin yesterday. Stolen March drew No. 1, but this was a doubtful advantage as the going was not good there. Great Empire and Ilithyia soon forged to the front from Gambler’s Luck and Vantoon, and this lot raced to the far turn about three lengths ahead of a bunch headed by Barley Almond, the last tw r o being Stolen March and Mutus. Barley Almond moved up fast on the turn and soon after reaching the straight the Riverton mare shot to the front to win comfortably by three lengths from Mutus, who beat Stolen March by two lengths. Great Empire and Superex were some distance back.. Gambler’s Luck fell soon after entering the straight.

The Farewell Handicap, the long distance hack race which concluded the Dunedin meeting, attracted only six starters, and when the machine closed sharp on time Rebel Lad 784-433 was a good favourite, with Convivial, High Glee and Rousseau pretty evenly backed. Bay Biddy end Convivial led out of the straight from Rebel Lad, and turning into the back the order was Bay Biddy, Fireguard and Convivial. Going to the far turn Bay Biddy. Fireguard, Convivial and High Glee were racing in that order, but halfway across the top the field was running in pairs—Bay Biddy and Fireguard, Convivial and High Glee, Rousseau and Rebel Lad. Bay Biddy was beaten when the traight was reached, but Rebel Lad and Rousseau moved up sharply to challenge Fireguard, High Glee and Convivial. In some crowding halfway up the stretch Convivial was sent on to Rebel Lad, both being checked. High Glee was left in front and apparently a winner, but Rousseau finished -fast and Rebel Lad came again and the two flashed across the line with hall a head between them, the judge’s verdict going to Rousseau from Hijh Glee, Rebel Lad on the inside being just too late to get up.