ON AND OFF THE TRACK

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21554, 17 January 1940, Page 9

ON AND OFF THE TRACK

A Budget of News And Views FIXTURES Racing: Jan. 19—Wairio R.C. Jan. 18, 20, 22—Wellington R.C. Jan. 20, 22—Thames J.C. Jan. 22—Ashhurst-Pohangina R.C. Jan. 26. 27—Pahiatua J.C. Jan. 27, 29—Auckland R.C. Feb. 1, 3 —Wairoa. Feb. 1, 3 —Wanganui. Feb. 3—Canterbury Feb. 3—Tapanui Feb. 3—Matamata. Feb. 8. 10—Egmont. Feb. 10, 12—Poverty Bay. Feb. 10, 12—Gore. Feb. 10, 12—Rotorua. Feb. 16, 17—Winton. Feb. 17—Tolaga Bay. Feb. 17—Opunake. Feb. 17, 19—Waikato. Feb. 22, 24—Dunedin. Trotting: Jan. 20, 22—Wanganui T.C. Jan. 25, 27—Forbury Park T.C. Jan. 27—Marlborough T.C. Jan. 31, Feb. 3—Wellington T.C. Feb. 10—Canterbury Park T.C. Feb. 10, 14—Auckland T.C. Feb. 17, 19— Manawatu T.C. Feb. 17—New Brighton T.C. Wellington Cup to-morrow. Duncannon is reported to be a doubtful starter for the Telegraph Handicap. The Wellington Cup candidate Du Maurier has a filled leg and his prospects of getting to the post are not bright. B. H. Morris who is to ride Beau Vite in the Wellington Cup, won the race on Vertigern in 1929 and on Concentrate in 1930. Tentative riding engagements suggest that there is a possibility of 25 horses starting in the Wellington Cup The safety number at the mile and a half barrier at Trentham is 30. The weights for the Wellington Stakes (five furlongs) are:—Absolve 7.3, Doria 7.2, Lambourn 6.12, Sir Beau 6.12, Kentucky 6.12. These figures may be revised by overweights in the 6.12 division. The Birchwood Hunt will hold its jubilee meeting at Invercargill on March 9th. The Gardiner Steeplechase (for hunters) is worth £215, the Turi Steeplechase (open £l5O, and the Jubilee Handicap £l7O. ♦ . * • Namara, reputed to be badly injured while racing at Taranaki, is surviving his preparation for the Goldfields Cup at Thames and the dash he is displaying in his work indicates that he will be a force to be reckoned with. Malagigl is raced in partnership byMessrs R. Nelson and J. T. Jamieson, but the trainer owns the larger share and the horse will carry his colours in the Wellington Cup. It has not been decided whether Malagigi will remain in the Dominion or return to Sydney. Old Bill finished ahead of Catalogue over a mile at Awapuni, and Raeburn gave weight and a beating to Beaupartir. Kathbella, who was booked for the later days of the Wellington meeting, bruised a foot on the trip down from Auckland and It has been found necessary to treat her to a spell • • • « Mrs A. W. McDonald’s stable has three Wellington Cup horses—Catalogue. Beaupartir and Raeburn. Most attention is being paid to the two first named, but taking a line through recent track -work it would not be astonishing if Raeburn finished ahead of them.

Willie Win has not won a race for over two years, but twelve months ago he carried 8.12 into fourth place in the Racing Club Handicap at Auckland, and he beat Arctic King in the Canterbury Cup just after this horse had won the New Zealand Cup. Willie Win is in the Wellington Cup with 8.4, and has been given a chance to come back.

An Interesting entrant for the Takapuha Cup is the three-year-old Proud Fox, whose rise from the hack ranks has been almost as sensational as that of his stablemate Gladynev. By Foxbridge—Gazella, Proud Fox gives every Indication that he will run on well, and his preparation in the interim will arouse great local interest. He is another from the successful stable presided over by F. Smith.

It has been found necessary to spell Doubleack, the most promising graduate from the hack stayers in Southland this season. He has already handsomely repaid Mr E. C. Govan the amount given for him in the spring, but his enforced retirement may prove expensive. Doubleack is half-brother to Trebleack another horse who gave high promises when unsoundness terminated his racing career.

Clarion Call did well on his Auckland trip and he won the New Year Hurdles race in brilliant fashion. However, as he had 12.9 in that event, his imposts in races until the good horses come out would be prohibitive and his connections have decided to spell him until the late autumn. Clarion Call needs a hard track to show his best form and conditions may not be altogether to his liking in the winter, so it is unfortunate that there are no opportunities for him just now.

The conundrum of the Wellington Cup field is Malagigi, who has not raced in the Dominion since February. He won the Mitchelson Cup at Ellerslie in the previous spring, and has succeeded twice in Australia besides finishing third in the Sydney Cup and second in the Summer Cup. There is no reliable means of estimating the value of that form. The snag of the field is Siegmund, who is capable of winning if he wills.

Royal Chief, topwelght in the Wellington Cup, has started only twice in the Dominion this season. He was fourth in the New Zealand Cup, and won the Canterbury Cup. Prior to that he dead-heated with Mosaic in the Colin Stephen Stakes at Randwick and won the Randwick Plate. Catalogue, next to Royal Chief in the Weights, has made three appearances in New Zealand this season. He won the Winter Cup, and after finishing unplaced in the Auckland Cup he dead-heated with De Friend for second in the Racing Club Handicap. In Melbourne he succeeded in the Hotham Handicap at Flemington.