On and Off the Track

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20880, 9 November 1937, Page 10

On and Off the Track

A BUDGET OF NEWS AND VIEWS FIXTURES Racing Nov. 10, 13 —Canterbury J.C. Nov. 13—Rotorua and Bay of Plenty H.C. Nov. 20—Levin R.C. Nov. 20—Southland R.C. Nov. 20, 22—Waikato R.C Nov. 29—Ashburton R.C. Trotting Nov. 9, 11, 12—MetropolUar T.C. Nov. 13— Manawatu T.C. Nov. 25, ’7--Forbury Park T.C Trotting Cup this afternoon. C. McCarthy’s stable provided three of the runners in the Strowan Plate at Riccarton, and two of them —Rabble and Screamer—returned dividends.

The judicial committee held an inquiry into the falls in the New Zealand Cup, and found that the occurrence was accidental. Might came down through getting on to the heels of a horse in front, and Small Boy fell over him.

In the Criterion Handicap yesterday Alma made a brave attempt to add to her sequence of wins, and a furlong from home she looked as it she might threaten danger to the pacemaker, Pelmet. Her weight then pulled her up, and she faded into sixth place. Janet Gaynor proved that her easy win in the Linwood Handicap on Saturday was no fluke by defeating Lady Montana even more decisively in the Randolph Handicap yesterday. Once more she led all the way to pay a big dividend, and was the first double winner at the meeting.

Thermidor is acquiring the habit of finishing third, and a win for her would not be undeserved. The Fair-lie-owned mare invariably finishes well, but her apparent inability to begin well places her at a disadvantage, while her consistency keeps her up in the weights.

Friesland was responsible for a good finishing effort in the Fendalton Handicap. He was last for most of the way, but put in great work in the straight to run down Davolo when the Riccarton gelding appeared to have the race in safe keeping. Last Refrain also came home strongly after getting into a bad position, and’was travelling faster than anything except the winner.

The one eyed Australian horse, The Bigot, was not disgraced when tackling open company in the Epsom Handicap yesterday, as he ran up against a good horse in Trench Fight. The Bigot made his task more difficult by running about a bit in the last furlong. Trench Fight was in more sober mind than when he last raced at Riccarton, and appeared to pull less than he did last season.

The Awapuni colt Surmount ran a fine race in the Irwell Handicap at Riccarton. and it was a pity that he had not been nominated for the Welcome Stakes. After dwelling at the start Surmount was soon in the front line, and he held off all his opponents except Defaulter, a nice-looking Defoe colt owned by Mr H. D. Greenwood. Defaulter runs rather greenly, anil might be good when he has had : ore experience.

B. H. Morris obviously was not desirous of acting as pacemaker in the Derby, as he pulled Smoke Screen up as soon as the horses had jumped away. The Crooner's rider had other ideas, and ran the first half mile in 49 3-ssec. It then looked as if a 'ime record might be established, but the pace moderate for a couple of furlongs. The horses were travelling again over the concluding stages, as Royal Chief covered his last mile in better than 1.39.

Probable drivers in the Trotting Cup are: Gamble, S. A. Edwards; Lucky Jack, R. B. Berry; Pot Luck, M. Holmes; Glenrossie, L. O. Thomas; Bingen Palm, J. R. Simpson; Reporter. T. H. McGlrr; Tempest, D. C. Watts; Evicus, R. Young; Bonny Azure, C. Smith; King’s Warrior, F. J. Smith; Graham Direct, F. G. Holmes; War Buoy, J. Bryce, junr.; Willow Wave, O. E. Hooper; Cloudy Range, J. Fraser, junr.; De Soto, J. Pringle; Blue Mountain, L. A. Maidens; Indianapolis, F. Holmes. • • • • By his win in the Derby, Royal Chief definitely established himself as the Dominion’s premier three-year-old. His winning margin was only half a length, but it could have been Increased had his rider willed it. Royal Chief made history, as he is the first Chief Ruler horse to win a Derby. He has proved a wonderful bargain for Mr A. K. Firth at the moderate price of 160 gns given for him as a yearling, and he looks like carrying on. Yesterday’s win was his tenth since his first success in the Pioneer Handicap less than a year ago, and his earnings now total about £4225.