ON AND OFF THE TRACK

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21588, 26 February 1940, Page 9

ON AND OFF THE TRACK

A Budget of News And Views FIXTURES Racing: Feb. 26—Westland R.C. Feb. 26—Te Aroha J.C. Feb 26—Woodville J.C. Ma . 2—Franklin R.C. Mar. 2—Banks Peninsula R.C. Mar. 2—Rangltikei R.C. Mar. 7, 9—Taranaki J.C. Mar. 8, 9—Cromwell J.C. Mar. 9—Birchwood Hunt. Trotting: Mar. 2—lnvercargill T.C. Mar. 9—Timaru T.C. Mar. 16—Wyndham T.C. Mar. 16—Taranaki T.C. Mar. 16—Cheviot T.C. Entries for the Riverton meeting will close at 6 p.m. to-day. Nominations for the Timaru Trotting Club’s autumn meeting (March 9) are due by 9 to-night. Whether Alma could in any circumstances have defeated Swordstick in the D.J.C. Handicap is problematical, but the Washdyke-trained mare was far from disgraced in finishing third after being last off the mark. At Goulburn (N.S.W.) Lawn Derby made an attempt to beat his own record for the track 2.5, but broke badly and took 2.14. St. Lucia’s Last then had a shot at the record, but after pacing the first half In 60, cracked up and finished in 2.10 4-5.

Two track records were broken at Wingatui on Saturday. Swordstick’s 2.12 shaved 3-ssec off the time established for 104 furlongs in the same race last year; and Gold Flight's 61 1-5 in the Hopeful Handicap, reduced Moorsotls’s figures by l-ssec.

Games, surprise winner of the Herries Cup at Te Aroha, is by Musketoon from Croydon Lass, and comes from a notable Auckland family. Croydon Lass is by Tidal from Queen March, and is half-sister to King March, Gay Marigold, Limarch, Birthday Boy and Queen City.

An inquiry was held after the D.J.C. Handicap, into the improvement in Thermidor’s running compared with her display in the Dunedin Cup. After hearing the trainer and rider the stewards decided that there was a perfectly satisfactory explanation for the improvement.

Dunedin patriotic funds benefited to the extent of £350 as a result of Defaulter’s win in the Hazlett Cup. Unfortunately there is reason to fear that this may have been the last money earned by him on a racecourse, as one of his fetlocks appeared to be decidedly weak after the race.

Gold Flight, who swerved away from the barrier in the Champagne Stakes, toyed with the opposition in the Juvenile Handicap on Saturday. Her backers collected a ridiculously liberal dividend, built-up by a punter who invested £2OO on Retrogression. There does not seem much doubt that the Riverton filly should have won the Champagne.

After the Flying Handicap at Dunedin on Saturday, the stewards invesigated a complaint that L. J. Clutterbuck, rider of Lord Puck, interfered with Spendthrift. It was decided that while it. was not considered that Clutterbuck had intended to unlawfully interfere with Spendthrift’s rider, it was a very injudicious thing to do, and the boy was advised to use the greatest care In future.

Roseman’s easy win in the hurdle race at Wingatui on Saturday marked his first success since he was purchased some months ago by Dr. A. A. Reid. On the first day, ridden by R. Beale, he finished last. Beale did not wait for the second day, and A. Leach secured the winning mount. Dalrymple, on the other hand, failed to repeat the form which earned him second money on Thursday.

Retrogression 1426-1048 was surprisingly preferred to Gold Flight 879-875 in the Hopeful Handicap at Wingatui. Retrogression hopped out smartly and quickly established a lead from Tissue and Gold Flight, and they ran to the straight in that order. Retrogression was sill two lengths clear a furlong from home, with Gold Flight looking for a run on the fence. When taken out Gold Flight bounded to the front and won pulling up by a length from Retrogression, with Confidant about three lengths away and Tissue a length further back.

There was a good pool on the Novice Handicap at Dunedin on Saturday, with Gay Lancer 626-630, Airline 542566 and Slamannan 324-538 topping the

betting. Pilot's Love, The Dictator and Taxpayer were slowest to begin from a pretty good start. Vallock and Silver Don led round the top clear of Airline and Gay Lancer, but once they had straightened for home Gay Lancer galloped to the front and won easing up by a length from Johnemby, who came from the ruck and claimed second money by two lengths from Lady Constant. Palencia was a head away, just in advance of Palmar and Airline. Ballad 685-615 and McHeath 443-516 were the popular selections for the Owhiro Hurdles at Dunedin, but under his increased weight the first-named failed to establish his usual big lead, and he was almost last to finish. Roseman and Ballad led over the initial obstacle, and at the mile Ballad jumped to the front and along the back was clear of Roseman, Dalrymple and McHeath. Round the top Roseman assumed a two-lengths lead from Ballad and McHeath, and the outsider ran home a winner by fivr or six lengths from Milford, who beat Milford up the straight by two lengths. Dalrymple was half a dozen lengths further back.

Defaulter, whose box was surrounded by a circle of admirers when he was being saddled for the Hazlett Cup, was made a hot favourite. Paper Slipper was first away from Disdain, Defaulter and Racewell. At the five furlongs Defaulter had moved up to within half a length of Paper Slipper, and they raced round the top clear of Night Pal, Disdain having drifted to the rear. Half way up the straight Defaulter was given his head, and he won by two lengths from Disdain, who battled on and beat Night Pal by half a length. Race Call was two lengths away, with Paper Slipper last. Defaulter was very lame after he had cooled off. In a field of six in the Flying Handicap at Dunedin, Spendthrift was in considerably better request than Chirp and Counterblast. Lord Puck led out from Spendthrift and Counterblast, the last to begin being Petersham. Rounding the top Lord Puck and Spendthrift were four lengths in advance of Counterblast, who in turn was showing daylight to Hanlon. Spendthrift drew away from Lord Puck at the straight entrance, and looked like winning comfortably, but Lord Puck tackled

him again, and Hanlon challenged on the outside. Hanion strode away to win by a length and a half from Lord Puck, who beat Counterblast by half a length, with Spendthrift the same distance away.

In the concluding event at Wingatui the Waihola Handicap (which was started 36 minutes late), the big money was invested on Scold and Raroa. Moonraider was first away from a snap start, and led out of the straight from a line composed of Royal Style, Scold and Cherokee. At the six furlongs Moonraider and Royal Style were in command from Scold and Empire, but round the top Moonraider was clear of Royal Style and Scold, with Raroa and Cherokee handy. Turning for home Moonraider, Royal Style and Scold were on even terms, but Moonraider forged ahead again to win by half a length from Cherokee, who finished fast half a length ahead of Raroa. Scold was fourth.

King Gustavo, who was purchased by Mr R. Sutherland on the eve of the Dunedin meeting, made a quick return by winning the Abbotsford Handicap on Saturday and paying over a score. The prime fancies were Great Swoop 1044-846, King’s Chorus 890-909, Combat 415-557 and Counterlunch 400-636. All hopped out smartly except Pink Bond. King Gustavo and Withdrawal soon ran to the front from Pink Dress and King’s Chorus, Miltiades and Counterlunch. Half way across the top King Gustavo and Withdrawal were on terms, followed by Pink Dress and King's Chorus, and they turned for home in the same order, with Great Swoop running past Counterlunch and Miltiades. King Gustavo did best in the run to the post and won by two lengths from Withdrawal. King’s Chorus was a similar distance away, half a length ahead of Great Swoop.

All ths acceptors except Lord Puck went to the post for the Dunedin Jockey Club Handicap, but backers displayed a preference for Willie Win, Alma and Norseman. Alma, Norseman, Balmenter and Willie Win were slowest off the mark. Night Dress was first away, but round the bend Swordstick and Peony Rose had raced clear, and passing the six furlongs Swordstick and Peony Rose were two lengths ahead of Valantua and Thermidor, with Master Dingle. Nightwings, Night Dress and Norseman next. Half way round the top Swordstick and Peony Rose held a three lengths’ advantage of Night Dress, Thermidor and Night Wings. Peony Rose dropped back coming to the turn, and Swordstick led into the home stretch from Thermidor, Night Wings and Alma. Swordstick was still clear a furlong from home, and he held on to win by a head from Thermidor. Alma was three lengths away, just catching Night Wings on the post.