ON AND OFF THE TRACK

Timaru Herald, Volume CL, Issue 22133, 29 November 1941, Page 7

ON AND OFF THE TRACK

A Budget Of News And Views fixtures Racing Nov. 29—Ashburlon County R.C. Nov. 29, Dec. I—Auckland R.C. Nov 29. Dec I—Fellding J.C. Dec. 6, B—Woodville D.J.C. Dec. 13—Otakl Maori R.C. Dec. 13—Hororata R.C. Dec. 13—Waipa R.C. Dec. 20—Wairlo J.C. Trotting Nov 29. Dec I—Forbury Park T.C. Dec. 6—Waikato T.C. Dec. 6—Wairlo T.C. (non-tote). Dec. 6—New Brighton T.C. First race at Ashburton at 12.20. First race at Forbury each day at 12.30. Petersham, who has been trained at Oamaru throughout his career, is now in F. Shaw’s stable at Wingatui. Gay Boa has been put into work again by his owner, with a view to racing over hurdles, commencing at Wairlo. • • • • T. R. George's big team has won 26 races so far this season. The only other trainers in double figures are I. Tinsley 11, B. Burgess 10, and H. Dulieu 10. A useful two-year-old is generally capable of giving a good performance in a trial plate, and on his second to Dominate at Riccarton Prince Leighon will be supported in the Lagmhor Plate at Ashburton.

The Waikato two-year-old winner Sleepy Fox bruised himself while galloping at Takanini last week, and he may not run in the Cambria Handicap at Ellerslie. He was away from the tracks for a few days. Taurangi had a recurrence of her old trouble after returning to Fordell from the New Zealand Cup meeting, and unless she recovers quickly, as she has sometimes done in the past, the intention is to retire her.

Old Bill, who carried 9.0 into second place behind Beau Vite In the last Auckland Cup, is booked to run in the same race this year, but he is not being given any preparation for it in public. He is an acceptor at Feilding to-day, but in a six furlongs sprint At the Waikato meeting, C. B. Goulsbro was suspended for one day for interference. The chief stipendiary steward, dissatisfied with the penalty, has lodged an appeal which is to be heard by the Auckland District Committee.

Kinsman did not hit out freely in his work at Riccarton on Thursday, and as the hard track may not suit him, he will not be taken to Ashburton. His withdrawal will free the apprentice, S. Green, to ride Silver Sands in the Winchmore Hack Handicap, The Buzzer was allowed to drop out of the New Zealand Cup, but he is likely to start in the big raee at Auckland, and his appearance at Feilding to-day will be invested with some interest. The Australlan-brtd gelding has 9.13, a good horse’s weight, but he won at Otakl at his last start with 9.6, and he has not a strong field to beat.

Duality, an Inflation maiden in. A. E. Neale’s stable, was a little unlucky in the first furlong of the Trial Stakes at Levin, and he was gathering the winner, Dungloe, rapidly nearing the post. Duality is engaged in the maiden .event at Feilding and the distance, seven furlongs, will help, rather than hinder, his chance.

The Great Northern Derby candidate Regal Fox will probably be favourite for the Alison Cup at Ellerslie to-day. Weighted at 7.11, less than w.fA., he should win if he is to be regarded as up to Derby standard. Beau Leon, the top weight, has to carry 81b above the scale. The Cardinal is low down in the handicap, and if he produced his best form should be a place-getter.

Although he has been "out" for more than a month, W. J. Broughton (20) still leads in the jockeys’ championship. Next is the Awapuna apprentice, H. Stewart, who is on the crest of the wave just now, with 17; and third on the list is another apprentice, E. V. Dye 16, who has had a suspension of six months Increased to twelve. The fourth name on the table is that of the late Roddy McTavish. 13.

Sunny Knight derived benefit from the spell he had in the late winter and has come back to his best form. He won the two open sprints at Levin in fine style, and made light work of the rise to 9A on the second day and he should be an excellent prospect for a big sprint during the holidays. In the past Sunny Knight won most of his races in front, but at Levin he was easily held behind the leaders and came away in the straight.

Mr F. C. Christie, whose horses Prince Shad, Pioneer and Silver Mask were raced in Victoria recently, has returned home, and the horses are due back shortly in the care of H. Griffith, Mr Christie intends training Prince Shad himself at Orari, but Griffith will retain the two-year-olds. Pioneer was a winner at Flemington. His owner had already returned to New Zealand because of the death of a brother in the Middle East.

Though he had not won a race since he scored at his first appearance in the Hastings Stakes as a two-year-old, Saint Tor left no room for doubt about his ability by his hack sprint double at Levin. On the second day his form was better than it appeared, for he drew wide and at the end of a furlong was giving the leaders about eight lengths start. This is a big handicap to make up in a five furlongs scurry on a turning course, but Saint Tor won going away.

Not so much a high price as the easing of an awkward position was responsible for Mr R. W. McLean’s sale of Lucrative to go to India, where he will be trained by the former Australian, A. Higgins. The awkward position for Mr McLean was that he owns Laureate and Laureate appears likely to develop into a really good weight-for-age as well as a handicap performer. Mr McLean foresaw difficulty in placing both Laureate and Lucrative to advantage without running one against the other; so when the attractive offer came from India he decided to let Lucrative go. The price has not been disclosed, but Mr McLean described it as being "very satisfactory." As the buyer won £l4OO in the Eclipse Stakes at first start he too will regard the deal as satisfactory.