HAVING ON AND OFF THE TRACK

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23287, 24 August 1945, Page 7

HAVING ON AND OFF THE TRACK

First race at Addington to-morrow I at 11.17. ■ Typhoon is reported to be at. a | shortish price in the Melbourne Cup ; quotations. In the North Island the | opinion has been expressed that he I is unlikely to be ready in time. | L. J. Clutterbuck will go to Australia early next month to ride First In. Last season he won the WellingI ton Racing Club Handicap and the I Great Autumn on the Dunedin mare. I High Play anti Immediate are to race at the A.J.C. meeting on October 6 and 13. This will make it very difficult for either to start at Caulfield a week later, and no definite I plans have been made for continuing I the trip to Victoria. | W. Cook, who is to ride Typhoon if the big gelding goes to Sydney, started the new season with six wins, four seconds and a “third in 12 rides. Two of his winners on V-J Day were Mr Howitt and Shining Light. New ZeaI land horses trained by M. McCarten. i The Bullock-Webster Handicap at the Pakuranga meeting was open to I horses which had not won a race of I any description (hunters’ races exfeepted) worth more than £lOO to the ! j winner. United Nations, who finished I first, is credited with receiving £llO for first in a hack race at Gisborne in February. Gold Bar did not, as has been stated in some quarters, dash to the front from barrier-rise in the August Free-for-All. The field had gone half a furlong before he showed in front, a fact which enhanced the merit of his comeback. Another encouraging feature was that he was as far ahead at the finish as at any previous stage. He had an advantage of three lengths ar.'the two furlongs and he maintained it to the judge. No word of any rehandicap for Royal Flight in the Caulfield Cup as a result of her Winter Cup win has been received in New Zealand. Mr D. M. Tweedie has cabled to Melbourne to have the position cleared up. If Royal Flight's weight remains at 8.7 her owner will accede to the wish of A. E. Diciham to take her across, if suitable arrangements regarding fodder and transport can be made. If she goes, Didham is anxious to ride her, in which case he will not .be eligible to train her in Melbourne. Sir Raymond appeared to be rather embarrassed by the small track at Addington last week, but the only - horse which finished' ahead of him was Cameronian. With the winner out of the way Sir Raymond should be in demand again to-morrow. In the Queen Mary Handicap tomorrow Cameronian will encounter stronger opposition than in last Saturday’s race, but he won so decisively that there will be substantial support for him even in the higher grade. Cameronian looks one of the best prospects for the season. Imperial Lady is about the most consistent of the others. Aerial Scott has not been brought down for the Addington Trotting Stakes. The field is not particularly strong, and Casablanca and David Dryden should be capable of 'conceding 60 yards to the limit division. Sure Gift (36) has not started since she gained a bloodless victory 18 months ago. and she is something of an unknown quantity. Fit and well, Casablanca would look a certainty, but he is a doubtful starter and is sure to be backward in any case. There is a prospect of a good race in the Advance Handicap at Addington. Highland Scott will have to start from 36, and meet Scott Axworthy on 24 yards worse terms. Figures favour the Tinwald pacer, but Highland Scott cannot be ruled out. Dundee Sandy did not perform up to expectations last week, neither did Navigate. The form horse seems to be Scott Axworthy. or Sea Born if the mud is flying. Forewarned, in addition to having a bad trip from Auckland, may have been unlucky in. the Stewards’ Handicap. Her driver may not have apprehended the danger from Steel King on the outside. Off the revised marks the Auckland mare should avenge the defeat. Fantom and Ordnance made the best showing of the others last week, and they too are entitled to respect in the Avon Handicap. Backers will be groping in the dark in their search for the winner of the Metropolitan Stakes. Czardas is the best performed of the three-year-olds, but is not 100 per cent reliable at the barrier. The four-year-olds include “classic” winners in Air Marshall, Josie Del and Slavonic and handicap winners in Jackie Guy and Jack's Son and Worthy Gold. Jack’s Son, Josie Del and Czardas would appeal most if they were forward enough and the Auckland mare may have a pull in condition. Unless there are some scratchings, there will be congestion after the start of the Lightning Handicap, the concluding event at Addington, with 19 runners. Luck may be as potent a factor as speed. If Knave of Diamonds is a starter oS the front it is possible for him to lead nearly all the way. Dusky Sound has only to reproduce Free-for-All form to account for’ those behind scratch: A field of 13, spread over 48 yards at the barriers, is just right for the Winter Handicap at Addington. The backmarkers are Josedale Grattan and Loyal Friend. Loyal Friend, stoutly supported in the Free-for-All, acquitted himself poorly. Josedale Grattan, reappearing after three years, did exceptionally well in the sprint. His performance over two miles to-morrow may decide whether bis return to stud duty is made immediately or whether he will be kept going for the Trotting Cup. Integrity .36) is capable of anything but is not a true racehorse. Gold Bar’s display will be awaited with interest, as after the Free-for-All there is reason to hope I that he may run a more even two- | miles. Double Peter did not impress in the Free-for-All. and he may ba worried to win ofl his present mark when the going is firm. The veteran, Dusky Sound, is a distinct possibility. Shadow Maid .seems to have lost 'ill form and Parshall does not look capable of conceding a start to Knave of Diamonds, War Guard and Cabin Boy. Battle Colours was fancied by his -connections last week, but never appeared to be pacing smoothly. The winner may come from Knave of Dia- | monds, War Guard and Cabin Boy. i RJCCARTON NOTES (Special, CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 23. Deep Harmony has made good progress since the Grand National meeting, when he showed smart form to be beaten very narrowly by Collegiate in a division of the Cashmere Plate. He is a. half brother to Piccolo and he is clue for his next race at Ashburton, either in the Novice Stakes or the John Grigg Stakes. M. J. Wadley will also have Piccolo and Air Ace at Ashburton, after which these three will be got ready for the Dunedin Jockey Club’s meeting. The latest addition to the team of A. S. Ellis is a two-year-old gelding by Wild Chase from Monopoly by Pink Ccut-Fairform. The youngster will be raced by Mr A. C. Mills, who did very well with another of Fairform’s progeny. Tauramai, winner of the Great Autumn Handicap. Mr W. Payne has Authentic back in work and he is going on quietly in preparation for spring racing. Though on the small side, he is a good galloper who has shown that he can stay and he may be a useful light weight prospect for the New Zealand Cup, F. Christmas has just broken in for Mr H. G. Cogan, a two-year-old filly by Nightly from Distrait, a sistef to Manetho, by Diacquenod from the successful matron, Loveborn.