RACING ON AND OFF THE TRACK

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23316, 27 September 1945, Page 7

RACING ON AND OFF THE TRACK

The name of Super Flight has been registered for Francolin’s yearling filly by Nizami. A trainer’s licence has been issued to H. G. Shaw, of Timaru.

It is reported that W. McEwan will leave Wingatui this week to take up residence at Otaki. The first of Nizami’s stock to race in the South Island may be Full Moon (a son of Aurora Borealis), who is in the McLean Stakes.

Pink Clover was taken to Wingatui but as he showed signs of soreness he was railed home for a holiday. J. O’Sullivan, mentioned as a probable rider for Immediate in the Epsom, is a lightweight with plenty of experience. He won the 1933 Melbourne Cup on Hall Mark.

The 2000 guinea Foxbridge colt Anstey, owned by Mr John Wren, of Melbourne, finished third in a maiden race for three-year-olds at Flemington. A ‘‘magic eye” camera, located in a tower 50 feet above the judge's box, is to be installed at Flemington. It is hoped to have it in operation at the Melbourne Cup meeting. Robert, who is engaged in the Hunters’ Flat at Wingatui this week, is a newcomer from the Hawke’s Bay district. He is in H. A. Anderton’s stable, and is to race for a quadruple partnership. Some people are enthusiastic concerning- a filly (by Brilliant Globe from Sea Mist) in G. Cameron’s stable. ‘‘The most promising young trotter yet seen” is one assertion. Perhaps Certissimus has been forgotten. After first forfeit, 25 two-year-olds remained in the McLean Stakes. About 10 were unnamed and a few of the others do not appear to be in work. A big field is probable, but it should be reduced to a more convenient size at the final forfeit next week.

Having been refused permission to race on November 17, the C.J.C. will hold meetings on November 24, December 1 and 8. The w.f.a. race over 15 miles, known first as the Jubilee Cup and later as the Stead Gold Cup, has been revived under the title of Churchill Gold Cup. Another revival is the Acorn Stakes, a handicap for two-year-old fillies. This enables the club to restrict the Irwell Handicap to colts and geldings. The fact that High Play did not begin well in the Highweight at Rosehill appears to have worried the stipendiary stewards. Not many horses are capable of jumping out smartly with 10.0 up. Whether the Croupier gelding is approaching his best cannot be decided at this distance. The heavy backing of Immediate for the Epsom seems to suggest that he is the more forward of the pair. There seems to be a loophole in the Rules of Racing in regard to objections and appeals. Where there is an objection, both horses concerned are liable to the penalties and rehandicaps of a winner until it is decided, but all rehandicaps must be declared within 72 hours of the finish of the 'race concerned. Fourteen days are allowed in which to lodge an appeal, and a shrewd owner might delay such action until his horse (unpenalised) has won another race and then succeed in having the first race awarded to him.

It appears that the programme mapped out for Immediate is similar to that undertaken by Nightmarch. The Night Raid horse was tuned up for the Epsom after it had been’ assumed that the Metropolitan was his special mission. Nightmarch won the big mile handicap, and with a 71b penalty (raising his weight to 9.12) he finished second in the Metropolitan. Rehandicapped from 8.13 to 9.2 in the Melbourne Cup. he won in an all-New Zealand finish from Paquito and Phar Lap.

It was recorded recently that Gordon Richards had ridden five winners in one day. Details show that there were six races on the card. In one, Richards's mount had a walk-over; in another he won through an objection. In spite of six years of war, the little Englishman has far exceeded the record of any othei' jockey. One race that has always eluded him is the Derby, in spite of the fact that stables by which he was retained have won the races. About 10 years ago Richards was offered a retainer of £7OOO a year and 10 per cent on stakes for three years by the Aga Khan, but declined to break his connection with F. Darling’s stable.