On and Off the Track

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20926, 4 January 1938, Page 8

On and Off the Track

A BUDGET OF NEWS AND VIEWS FIXTURES Racing Jan. 4—Southland R.C. Jan. 7 and B—Reefton J.C. Jan. 14 and 16—Vincent J.C. Trotting Jan. 5 and 6—Greymouth T.C. Jan. B—Cambridge T.C. Jan. 15—Timaru T.C. The weather was hot and the course very hard for the first day of the Southland meeting, and as a result several horses were left in their boxes.

The Iliad filly Lady Athena had a tendon cut through being galloped on at Hokitika and is not likely to race again for some time.

Milford’s 2.6 in the Invercargill Cup established a new time record for the race, cutting 1-5 off the figures of Red Wink and Royal Saxton. It is many years since the course has been so fast as was the case yesterday, when dust was flying in places.

Tunneller, who took the Greymouth Cup, is owned by Mrs J. Campbell, having been presented to his trainer after becoming affected in the wind. A year ago he would have been capable of winning the coast race with another couple of stone on his back.

Something unique in the way of brackets was seen in the Wyndham race card. J. Walsh's stable provided four acceptors, one being owned by Mr W. D. McLeod, who had two other horses in the race. The result was that six horses had to be bracketed, a record for New Zealand, but half of them were scratched and only three figured on the totalisator.

That little three-year-old Top Row put up another fine performance in winning the Flying Handicap at Invercargill. He was one of the leaders throughout and stalled off strong challenges from Viking, Palmyra and Wild Career. He has now made a useful return towards the substantial price Mr W. J. Dore paid for him, and looks good enough for the best company.

Courtcraft’s decisive win in the Great Northern Derby has placed him at the top of the tree among the three-year-olds at present, but it has not given much line on his real ability. It seems obvious that Royal Chief has trained off since the spring, and the absence of Smoke Screen removed another dangerous competitor. However, until Courtcraft Is defeated he must be accorded the honours.

Daring Deed’s second in the Wyndham Cup made her the logical selection for the Waihopai Handicap at Invercargill, and after following Adina to the straight the black mare ran to the front and, stalling off a challenge by Amelita, was going away again at the finish. Survoy came from the ruck to collect third money. The ground was too hard for Rousseau, who could not get near the field until too late.

A good deal of the increase of £7OOO in totalisator turnover at Waikouaiti on New Year’s day is accounted for by the fact that last year the weather was unfavourable, but the turnover was the second highest for the club. This result, in face of the poorest entries received for years, was an indication of the popularity of this semipicnic meeting which appears to attract many hundreds of Dunedinites who do not patronise Wingatui.

In,,a field of seven in the Waikiwi Handicap at Invercargill, Wyndham form pointed to Sollad who was elected favourite in good betting from Lord Nuffield and Fog Peak. Western Song and Lord Nuffield were first away, and at the far turn Western Song and Fog Peak were in charge. Lord Nuffield having dropped back. Western Song was first into the straight but Sollad came with a strong run on the rails and beat the grey by a couple of lengths, with Rodeur a good third.

Backers concentrated on two brackets, Nell Gratton-Waitemata and Grand Meteor—Royal Guy in the Oreti Trot at Invercargill. Chief Drusus and Night Voyage led for six furlongs, then Waitemata took charge and led to f ■> straight from Lindrum and Nell Grattan. Waitemata hung on to win by half a length from Nell Gratton, who got up to beat Lindrum by a length. As the winning combination took two shares of the pool their place dividend was considerably in excess of their price for a win.

Directly, runner-up to Crown Peak at Wyndham, was made a pronounced favourite for the Myross Trot at Invercargill with Iron Duke (another roan g ’ding by Wellington Direct) next in demand. Directly ran to the front at t’re end of three furlongs and turned for home just ahead of Fransol and Capricorn. Stalling off a determined challenge by Capricorn the favourite won nicely with Sydney Grand close up third. Iron Duke was never in the picture.

Although the ground was too hard to suit her Queen of Song was the early favourite for the Invercargill Cup, but late money sent Milford to the top in a great betting race from Trebleack, Queen of Song, Davolo, Salient Knight and Last Refrain. Queen of Song and Made Money were slow to hit out and lost ground. Milford, Salient Knight and Galleon raced together up the straight, and at the back Salient Knight and Milford were followed by Galleon, Davolo and Last Refrain. Coming to the home turn the order was Milford, Salient Knight, Last Refrain, Trebleack, Davolo, and Galleon. Salient Knight weakened as the straight was reached. Last Refrain challenged Milford and Trebleack joined in. Both looked like heading i ' n but Milford fought back and in a stirring finish he secured the verdict by a neck with Trebleack a neck in f ont of Last Refrain and Galleon finishing strongly half a length away. Then came Davolo, Island Linnet and. Queen of Song.