ABOUT HORSES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 July 1939, Page 11

ABOUT HORSES

The Sandwichman is training on all right, under the care of G. A. Withers. After some good performances this season on the flat, he is due for an early return to hurdle racing. Already he is a winner in that department and he has shown lately that he has not forgotten how to- jump, as he gave a good display in a recent school.

Master Hotspur, after enjoying a spell after Easter, is again in work and T. H. Gillett has started him in light sprinting tasks, in preparation for spring racing. The Ringmaster colt has built up and he will take the eye for a commanding three-year-old when he makes his first appearance next season.

Cape Gabo, who was raced on .lease 'by Mr D J. Finnegan, when trained by S. Barr, has returned to E. C. Parker's stable. He is a good galloper but his record shows that he lacks other qualifications, one win and two places being his money earning efforts in 22 starts this season.

Four steeplechasers have been successful in the Great Northern and Wellington Steeplechases in the same year. Although both races were instituted in 1885, it was not until 20 years later that the feat was accomplished for the first time and the winner in 1905 was Kaitere, who carried 11.0 at Ellerslie and 11.12 at Trentham. In 1921 Coalition went further, annexing the Great Northern under 12.5, the Wellington Steeples under 12.11. and the Grand National, which he had won the previous season, carrying 12.7 on the last occasion. Six years later Beau Cavalier added his name to that of Coalition as winner of the great jumping trebel, his respective weights being 9.7, 10.7 and 11.7. In view of his easy win in the Wellington Steeplechase Survoy will be supported to win the Grand National Steeples if he continues his Riccarton engagement next month. Although they did not capture (says the Auckland Herald) all three events in the one year the records of Billy Boy and Valpeen are worthy of mention. Billy Boy won the Wellington Steeples in 1932 and 1934, the Grand National in the earlier year, and the Great Northern in 1936. Valpeen secured the honours in the Ellerslie event in 1934 and 1938, the Grand National in 1934 and 1935, and the Wellington Steeplechase also in 1935.

F. D. Jones, after giving Royal Chief and Moorsotis useful pacing for a few weeks, has started them in stronger tasks and during the next week or two, they will be sent along in smart sprints. They should be fairly forward when they leave for Sydney early next month.

It is probable that Jones will have two North Island horses under his care on the Sydney trip. Mr R. T. Reid contemplates sending Beau Repaire and Olympus, and if they go Jones will look after them. Beau Ropairc, a rising three-year-old, is a half brother to Royal Chief. He showed some useful form this season and may bo a promising Derby candidate. Olympus, bred in Australia, is a rising four-year-old by Pantheon. He is a big fellow, and made many admirers »as a two-year-old. He opened the season with a win and since then, in addition to two more wins, he has been placed several times.

Defaulter has been doing strong work, following road exorcise for a couple of months. F. A. Roberts hopes to leave for Sydney on July 23. He may take another horse, as a mate for the' stable crack, but in the meantime no arrangements have been made -in this direction. A. S. Ellis has changed his plans for Bit o; Blue. There is not time to educate him properly as a steeplechaser, so he will be raced, in the meantime, over hurdles. On his showing at. Ashburton last month, he should pay his way in that department. A. S. Ellis has taken Nigella and Merry March in hand again. The former has been spelling for about six months, while Merry March has been off the scene since last August, and has boon golded since he was previously in work.