Topics of the Turf

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 78, 1 April 1931, Page 12

Topics of the Turf

/Votes and news from everywhere

RACING NOTES. Final payments and acceptances for the Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting will close, at eight o’clock to-night. ❖ * * * The track work at Riccarton this morning was of little interest, steady pacing being the general order, in preparation for more strenuous tasks tomorrow. The only variety given to the proceedings was provided by barrier practice, a number of the trainers welcoming the opportunity to give their young horses some education. So far no visiting horses have put in an appearance. * $ * * R. Adamson will leave to-night with Quarterdeck, Limited and Coll, who are to do the West Coast holiday meetings, commencing with Kumara on Monday. A number of other Riccarton horses will leave on Saturday night to race on the West Coast circuit, though most of them will miss Kumara. * * * * Nightmarch’s programme for Riccarton next week remains indefinite. A. M’Aulay intends to accept with him for the Great Easter and Great Autumn Handicaps, besides leaving him in the Challenge Stakes, leaving a decision until the strength of the fields becomes more apparent. * * * * So far no rider has been secured foi Compris in his engagements at Riccarton next week. * * * * According to northern reports, the Trentham two-year-old Oratorian will not make the trip to Riccarton, and an effort will be made to secure the services of B. H. Morris for Ma Belle Polly in the Champagne Stakes. *** # * Dr M. G. Loiiisson’s big Hunting Song two-year-old The Quorn will be a starter in the Champagne Stakes at Riccarton on Monday, in preference to taking on the handicap. He will be at a disadvantage, owing to lack of racing experience, but he is a fine-looking colt, who is likely to develop into a good performer later on. * * * * The light-weight rider C. Eastwood, who has been off the scene for more than a year, following on an accident, has been riding work at Riccarton for some time, and now he has been granted his jockey’s license. He will handle The Viscount and Eclair in their engagements on Monday. * * * * G. Humphries has been freely engaged for Monday’s racing. He will handle Great Star, The Quorn. Shatter, Sapient, Mistress Quickly and Grand Review. 'f* A. E. Messervey’s mounts on Monday will include Juniper and Battle Queen. ❖ ttt * R. Coveny will ride Full Feather, Ball Dress, Cricket Bat and Decisive on Monday, and he will be on Zeebrugge or Boundary Hit in the Russley Plate. *** * . A. H. Eastwood has six riding engagements for Monday, when he will be on Charmeuse, Gay Nita, Sharp Thorn, Night Effort, Convoy and Bonrose. sje * H* Adelphi, who was on the easv list for a few days, is now moving along in strong work again. He will be a starter in the Autumn Plate on Monday and will be ridden by C. Carmont. •1' *J* "J* G. Salt will have the mount pn Amorist in the Kildare Hurdle Handicap on Monday, while I. Tilson will pilot Aberfeldy in the same event. •3- -f- -{* *i* It is expected that B. H. Morris will be at Riccarton next week. lie will handle Historic in the Great Autumn Handicap, while he will be associated, as usual, with G. Murray Aynsley’s horses, Spoon. Meprisant and Muff. * * * * A concrete track at Awapum troubled many of the horses who were racing at the recent Manawatu meeting, but heavy rain has fallen in the district since then, and the Feilding tracks are in greatly improved condition.

Mr A. Vincent has been appointed starter for the Avondale Jockey Club’s autumn meeting. This is one of the meetings at which Mr C. O’Connor officiated for many years, prior to his retirement from starting, on account of failing health.

Sire honours at the autumn meeting of the Victoria Racing Club were widely distributed. Night Raid and The Ace had only one representative each —Phar Lap and Waterline respectively; but they were credited with four races between them. All the weight-for-age events at the meeting went to New Zealand-bred horses, while another, in Autopay, was successful in the well-endowed Ascot Vale Stakes.

The South Canterbury Jockey Club has secured a good list of nominations for the iqeeting to be held this month. As usual, Riccarton stables are well represented, and the meeting is likely to prove popular with Christchurch owners, who will be able to do the trip with their horses on race day. * * s{: sfs Ifistoric and Gay Court will be the only representatives of Trentham Stables to race at the Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting. They are due at Riccarton to-morrow. * Hi * * XV. M Donald is not doing much with Miss Mercia at present. The splint which caused her retirement continues to give trouble and she will have to forfeit her West Coast Easter engagements. Her trainer is hopeful, however, that she wifi win another race later in the season. * * * * The Racing Conference would welcome the amalgamation of the Hawke's Bay Jockey Club and the Napier Park Racing Club, but from the remarks of a prominent official of one of the clubs concerned, comments a northern writer, there is stated be little chance of such taking place. * * * * A Taranaki writer says that Reremoana has been tendered a distinct invitation to visit Feilding at Easter, where he has been awarded 8.13 in the sprint and 9.13 in the welter. It is too much to expect the veteran to reproduce his form of three or four years ago, but his bold showing at Opunake surprised everybody, including his trainer. Still, Wairarapa offers good money also, and Reremoana is to race there, under a very favourable weight. * * * * Corinax and Rafflight are reported to be hitting out very freely in- their work at Ellerslie, and are a likely pair to show up in their early engagements. Rafflight still makes a noise when galloping, but this does not appear to affect him to any extent when racing. Corinax has done a fair amount of work recently, and though he looks a bit above himself, a few more solid gallops should see him nearly at his best again. He usually runs his best races at Ellerslie, but he is now well up in the weights, and is likely to find it harder to win. * * * * Mr L. W. Storry’s two yearlings, recentb’- placed in C. Emerson’s stable, have been broken in and they ha.ve commenced their visits to the Riccarton . traok. They are both fillies, one by Ropespierre from Lady Minerva and the other by Weathervane from Grey Linnet. TROTTING NOTES. The first race at Addington on Saturday will be started at 12.5 p.m. * * * * The new six furlong track on the Oamaru racecourse is reported to be in capital order and it will be used for the Oamaru Trotting Club’s winter meeting next month. * * sfc Becky de Oro and Arlclow were raced at Wellington by J. J. Kennerley, but both of them performed indifferently. They will be returned to their owners in a few days. * * H; * The Easter meeting of the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club will be commenced, on Saturday. Acceptances for thq first day closed yesterday and there is a ver}’- fine list of horses in each event, giving an assurance of some capital racing. * * i«e V* Alborn got a severe shaking when Somerby fell oyer Bonniewah in the Recovery Handicap at Wellington last week. _ Alborn injured a wrist and a knee, in addition to losing some skin, and he is still stiff and sore, but is improving. I-Ie hopes to be well enough to drive his horses at Addington on Saturday.

The rain which fell overnight and yesterday morning necessitated the race track at Addington being closed for training work yesterday. The cinder track on the training course was freely used, but although a number of horses were working, all their training was done at slow and steady speed.

Llewellyn started twice at the Wellington meeting last week, being on the back mark in the Waiwetu and Au Revoir Handicaps. In both races Llewellyn paced well, and in the Waiwetu Handicap, of a mile and five furlongs, he was coming very fast over the final quarter of a mile. The young American stallion looks as though he is improving. v

During the Manawatu meeting on Wednesday Mr J. A. Mitchell purchased the trotter Arapai from Mr E. L. Breed. Arapai is a three- by Worthy Bingen—Aranui, and won a race at his first start in December, since when he has failed in his engagements mainly because he has heen erratic and would not settle down to trot solidly. Arapai is said to possess a rare turn of speed for a young trotter, and perhaps now that he has gone into W. Hughes’ stable at Longburn he will improve in his manners.

* . * * * The North Island-owned pacer, Jewel Elect, who is by Jewel Chimes, won a race at the Manawatu Trotting Club’s meeting last week, and finished second to Logaleen in the Waiwetu Handicap at Wellington, on Saturday. He was prominent early in the race and then lost his position, but he was pacing very fast in the last furlong and beat all but the winner. It was a fast race, as Jewel Elect was handicapped at 3min 54sec and went more than ten seconds faster. * * * * Tumatakuru paced a good race for a mile and a half in the Armstrong Handicap at Wellington last week. Although he did not begin quite as as some of the others, he quickly got into a good position and held his place with the leaders till about half a mile from home, when he stopped quickly. Tumatakuru has a good turn of speed and if W. J. Tomkinson can get him to do his best in a race he will be very hard to beat over all distances. * * ){« Oxford Queen was well back in each of her races at Wellington last week. She was second favourite in the Waiwetu Handicap, of a mile and five furlongs, in which she went away very fast, being quickly in fourth place. She was well placed for the rest of the race, and came into the straight just behind Achray, who led the field. In the race up the straight, Oxford Queen did not pace in her usual determined manner, and eventually finished up in fifth place. She was not so well backed in the Au Revoir Handicap, of a mile and a quarter, and, owing to a somewhat slow beginning was never prominent. * * * * The programme for the winter meeting of the Oamaru Trotting Club has been circulated. The President’s Handicap is worth £350 and is to be run over two miles, the class, being 4min 36sec. The chief sprint, of a mile and a quarter, is a 2min 50sec class, and is worth £2OO. The mile saddle is a 2min ISsec class, of £l5O. There is a mile and a half trotters’ race the class being 3min 48sec. the two mile race for trotters being a 4mi n 58sec class. A total of £I4OO will be given in stakes for the day and nominations will close at 8 p.m. on April 30. The handicaps will be declared at the Forbury Park Trotting Club’s office, Dunedin, on the night of Mav 9.

TRENTHAM NOTES. SOME USEFUL GALLOPS. (Special to the “Star.") WELLINGTON, March 31. The tracks at Trentham were in good order this morning for galloping, but only a few horses actually ran against the watch. The middle of the trial grass, on which the distances are rather more than those named, was used mainly, but some of the gallops were on the plough, which was slightly heavy. lOn the plough, Hunting Call was allowed to set his own pace over six: furlongs in lmin 23sec, the last halfmile in 56sec. E. Burgess will ride him in the open sprints at Tauherenikau. Malayan, who* is not to race at Easter, accompanied Taura Lad over six furlongs in lmin 21 2-ssec, the last half-mile in 53sec. The pace was increased to the straight, and was actually on only over the last couple of furlongs. Taura Lad is to have another chance in the Maiden Race at Tauhere-

nikau, in which E. Burgess will ride him.

Burgess will also be on The Sun in the Tuhitarata Hack Handicap. The Sun, who has been working well recently, looks in good order, and he has apparently benefited from his races at the Wellington meeting. Pat’s Boy, who is to be ridden by A. Dick in the Maiden Race at Tauherenikau, did a round at a good threequarter pace. Dick will also pilot Movietone in the Nursery Handicap. White Squall and Foghorn finished together at the end of five furlongs in lmin 5 4-ssec, coming home the last half-mile in 512-ssec. Foghorn is also to contest the Nursery at Tauherenikau, and he will be ridden by J. E. Nicholson, whose extended term of suspension has now expired. White Squall goes to Feilding, and will probably be ridden by P. Shirkey. On the plough, ThermopjTae drew out half a length ahead of La Parleuse in the closing strides of three furlongs in 37sec. Thermopylae is to accompany Hymgreat and White Squall to Feilding, and will probably be ridden by A. Jenkins, who will also be on Hymgreat. Other members of W. Hawthorne’s and G. Jones’s team in active Work were exercised only.

Invite sprinted six furlongs under a good hold. A decision has now been made to send her down to Greymouth for the West Coast meetings, and she leaves to-morrow in the charge of J. Thomas to join PI. Pritchard’s team. Joie de Val covered six furlongs at a strong three-quarter pace. She goes to Tauherenikau, where she will make another attempt to break her maiden status. Either T. Green or R. E. Coven.y will have the mount. The distance of the Maiden Race (seven furlongs) is likely to suit her better than six, for she ran a fair mile among the hacks at the Wellington meeting. Tobaccoland, who has accepted for the hack seven in preference to the open seven at Tauherenikau, was exercised only. T. Green is to ride him on Saturday.

Ephialtes and Winloch were partnered over five furlongs, the former coming away strongly at the finish to pass the post a couple of lengths in front. The time was lmin 3 4-ssec, and. for the last half-mile 50 3-ssec. No riders have yet been engaged for the pair at Tauherenikau, where they both figure in the same race.

White Doe and Courtjike set out to do ft mile together, but they rattled on the pace for the first half-mile, which they covered in 50 4-ssec, and were tired horses before the finish, the last half-mile taking them 55 4-ssec. White Doe, in contrast to Saturday’s trial.

was always doing her work the better. The explanation is probably that the riders were interchanged. S. Gerrand will pilot Courtlike at Tauherenikau.

The three-year-old Bright Song (Hunting Song—Brightly), having her first gallop, sprinted down the straight with the two-year,-oid Araios (Arausio— Jerda), the latter finishing about a length in ’front. Both showed an attractive style of moving.

On the plough, Henry of Navarre traversed six furlongs in lmin 19sec, doing the final half-mile in 53sec. He carries a more racy appearance as the result of his outing at Trentham recently, but he may not be ready to do his best j^et. Also on the plough, Dainty Ways strode over six furlongs in lmin 20 l-ssec, coming home the final half-mile in 53sec. S. Gerrand rides her in the Easter Handicap at Tauherenikau. Lineage was responsible for an exceptionally brilliant trial over seven furlongs, •when, with a very light boy in- the saddle, she traversed the distance in lmin 28sec. Unfortunately, she bled after the gallop. Historic was too good for Zephyrus over six furlongs, the last half-mile being done in 51 l-ssec. He will leave for Riccarton, to-morrow night.

WAIRARAPA NOTES. (Special to the “Star.”) MASTRRTON, March 31. Portray has been pleasing his connections with his track form, and the Tea Tray gelding should soon be in the money. The other morning he did a particularly smart gallop, which showed that the Masterton horse was in good fettle. G. Neich has Grey Mist looking well, but it may require a gallop or two to round off the Greyspear mare. She has done some very satisfactory gallops lately, and recently cut out six furlongs in smart time. Tenterden is jogging along quite nicely, and the Chief Ruler gelding is approaching winning form. lie is not, perhaps, in as good condition for Easter racing as his stable Connections would like to see him, but if he does face the barrier he will take the opposition along at a merry pace for a few furlongs. C. Stowe has Leyland striking out in splendid style, and if the Hymestra gelding fc started at Tauherenikau he

should not be far out at the finish, if his recent track form is any criterion to go by. Baskier is doing improved work under the guidance of B. Burgess, and if he is not for Tauherenikau he should not be far behind the winner. During the past week or so the Archery gelding has run some pretty smart gallops, one or two of them being much better than he has done for some considerable time past. B. Burgess has been putting plenty of work into Ben Ilur, and he has been staying on well. Stanchion is in splendid condition Just now, and if Mr Bidwill’s representative will only behave himself at the post a substantial portion of the Tauherenikau stake money will come his way. Barrier trials which the LimOnd gelding has undergone recently have shown that he has improved on some of his exhibitions at the post this season. Vertigern has shown good form on the track during the past week, and Mrs Elgar’s gelding should be fit and well for his next appearance with the colours up. The Tauherenikau trained Billion is shaping fairly well in his work, but he may require a gallop or two to top him off before he is in condition to salute the judge. Appledore is reported to be in splendid form just now, and Mrs Elgar’s gelding should soon be in the money. Mr Bidwill’s Rotation is striding along in a manner which suggests that he is just about at the top of his form. He should strip very fit at Tauherenikau. Fair form has been shown by Count Palatine in his work during the week, and the Featherston horse is steadily improving. He may not be quite ready for Tauherenikau. The highly spoken of Masterton horse Brown Pearl is to be given an opportunity at Tauherenikau to break her maiden status. B. Burgess has Spearmiss doing very satisfactory tasks, and the Greyspear mare should run prominently at Tauherenikau. Atholspear is fast approaching winning form, and he has done two or three particularly good gallops recently.

THAMES TROTS. NOTES ON THE FORM. The El Carbine gelling Carnui was not long in putting his new owner (Mr W. TI. Whitten) on the right side of the ledger. The gelding, who was secured a couple of weeks back by Mr Whitten, was placed in F. Smith’s stable, and his good track work was responsible for him being sent out favourite on Saturday for the Turua Handicap. Twice he had worked a mile and a half before the meeting in 3min 26sec, and he looked a fair proposition off the front of a 3.36 class. In the race he was always one of the leaders, and, taking charge in * the straight, he finished on well to hold Typist off. He knocked nearly five seconds off his handicap, but this is always done in such classes. Once again Belle Axworthy failed badly, and her showing in the Thames Cup w-as far from encouraging. That she has lost all form is evident, as she was never going well enough to give the impression that she would take any part in the finish, and she %vas well down the course when the judge was selecting the placed horses. The daughter of Travis Axworthy was a good sprinter last season, but she seems to have gone to pieces, and can neither sprint nor stay just now.

Parrish Belle left the mark well in the President’s Trot, but she had not gone far before she broke up badly and lost many lengths. When she settled down again she showed plenty of speed, but with a mile and a quarter gone she was still a long way 7 from the leaders, and her chance was nil. No doubt the break early made considerable difference to her chance, but she was not showing any dash over the last half-mile, and it is doubtful whether she would have been good enough to win under any circumstances. Outside Carl Mack, who won both trots on Saturday at Thames, the most promising trotter was undoubtedly Guy M’Elwyn. As yet he is inclined to pace away from the mark, and it takes him some time to get properly settled down, but once he does he trots well. He was responsible for a particularly good effort over the last mile of th two miles in the President’s Trot. With a round gone he looked to be hopelessly out of it, and was near the tail of the field with Parrish Belle. Then he left her as if she was a second rater, and set out after the leaders, who were th best part of half a furlong in front. Trotting in great style, Guy M’Elwyn gradually bridgd the gap, but the job was just a bit too much for him, and he finished up in third place, about three lengths away from the winner. He should be certain to win a race on the country circuit. Although Dealer may have been fortunate in that First Flight lost so much ground at the start of the Thames Cup to make her task, an almost impossible one, the aged son of Hava must be given credit for going a fine race. In the first mile he was never further back than fourth, and when the field started to bunch up half a mile from home W. Saunders sent him along in order that he would not get boxed in, and he took over the lead from Peter Pirate. Dealer was first into the straight, and though driven out he hung on to win by a length and was travelling as well as the second horse, Gold Treasure, at the end. Dealer has always been a useful sort, but has not always paced solidly, and more than once has tangled at the start .of his races. However, he did everything right in the Cup, and it was his best effort to date.

The unlucky pacers in the Thames Cup were First Flight and Nella Dillon. First Flight settled her prospects at the start, but Nella Dillon was nicely placed all the way over the first mile and a half, and C. Lee was sitting still and driving her comfortably. Just before the field reached the top Nella Dillon was in behind the leader, Peter Pirate, but when the field bunched and began to race for a handy position nearing home, Peter Pirate could not go on and Nella Dillon became boxed in behind him, with no chance of getting out. She had to stop there while the others went on, and at the home

turn she was a long way back. In the straight she finished stronger than anything in the race to finish fourth. She is worth watching next time out. If the same class of novice is to be seen out at other country meetings as contested the Hikutaia Handicap, then Betty Guy should win a race. The four-year-old daughter of Guy Parrish finished fourth, after being prominent all through, and it is reasonable to expect her to improve before she is seen out again. She is owned by Mr J. W. Tims, and is trained by him at Te Awamutu. In the two races he contested on Saturday, Great Vanity showed plenty of speed and was in front for a great part of the way, but in the straight he tired each time and though he managed to hang on to get third in the Hikutaia Handicap he was all in. A mile and a quarter novice race would suit him, but even then it would not take a good one to beat him. For a horse who had finished first and second in two starts at the Northland meeting, Prince Etawah went a wretched race at the Thames in the Hikutaia Handicap, in which he was a strong favourite. He showed neither speed nor stamina and was well beaten at six furlongs. He will have to improve considerably upon that effort if he is to get, any more money before the season ends.

NOMINATIONS. SOUTH CANTERBURY JOCKEY CLUB. (Special to the “ Star.”) TIMARTJ. March SI. Following 1 are nominations for the autumn meeting tff the South Canterbury Jockey Club:— TBKAPO HURDLE HANDICAP, of 120 sovs; one mile and a half—Synonym, Pangolin, Oriflamb, Troilus, Shortly, After Ten, Antrim Boy, Town Major, Perle de Leon. Barrington, Huntley, Aladdin, Carlnihfa. ELECTRIC STAKES, of 75 sovs; five furlongs—Whatnot, Knockany. Miss Warbler, The Quorn, King Musket. Decisive, Teresa. Segrave. Golden Note, Royal Sceptre, Monoxol, Invictus, Miss Bradbury. Ilkley. Rastus, Flaxbird, Palmary, Ringing Cheer. Tea Urn, Elude, Bronze wood, Coroner, All Smiles, Silver Salver, Spring Bird, Arrow Maid. Royal Amphora, Kipling, Balboa gelding. OTIPUA TROT HANDICAP, of 105 sovs; class 3.42; one mile and a half — Free Logan, Bracken. Linella, Lady Emmett. Pronto Bingen. Great dc Oro, Snowy Huon. Irish Author. Gold Spear, Matchless, Bingen Loeanda, Moth, Ro?ai Audo, Logan Fraser, Royal Parade. El Jen Terry, Worthy King, Black Watch, Prince Wrack, Nelson Guy, Great Antrim, Lord Antrim, Eiffel ton Lass. Copper Knob, Evening Sun. Wee Brent. TESCHEMAKER HANDICAP, of 200 sovs; one mile and a quarter—First Raid, Compris, True Shaft. Juniper. Red Racer, High Speed, Star Shooter, Mount Boa, Night Effort, Inevitable Town Major, Perle de Leon, Topere, Punchestown. Glenrowan, Black Duke. Pink Note, Pharaoh. ROSEWILL HACK HANDICAP, of 110 sovs; one mile and a quarter—Tarugona. Juniper, Adelphi. Night Parade, High Speed, Owlsfltght. Some Acre, Royal Love, Puhchestown, Quinopal, Rapina, Parysla, King Musket. Cavinthia, Royal Limond, Corn Queen, Felony, Dukla, Pharaoh. GLADSTONE TROT HANDICAP. of 105 sovs; class 2.58; one mile and a quarter—Free Logan, Flying Cloud. Linella, Logaleen, Pronto Bingen. Tatsy Wrack, Jessie Huon, Dice, Oro’s Pride, King Abdallah. Matchmaker. Happy Lass, Blue Glen. Compromise. Royal Parade, Erin's Advance. Worthy King, Schoolmate, Aristotle, Black Watch, Ulm, Elite Bingen, Scotty Bingen. Alpha Wrack. Lord Antrim, Lily Bingen, Needles. SMITHFIELD HACK HANDICAP, of 100 sovs; six furlongs—Whatnot. Ozone, Winsome Hind, Teresa, Bonrose, Hot Tea, Some Acre, Night Recital, Red i Royal, Gasrange, Last Mark. Flaxbird, Valuator, Ilkley, Tea Urn. Balboa gelding, Dressy. Wise Choice. Miss Tern-1 baron. Crash, Dukla, Ground Ace. Tray i Bond. Kipling. Pharaoh. DONCASTER HANDICAP. of 125 sovs; six furlongs—True Shaft. Limited. Ranelagh, Adelphi, Great Star. Rascal, A 1 Jolson, High Court. Mount Boa. Night Lad. Sapient, Desert Song, Greenaway, Master Anomaly. Tip Tree, Rin Tin Tin, Waving Corn, Pink Coat. Tray I Bond, Francolin. First Raid.