SPORT OF KINGS OVERSEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 August 1939, Page 11

SPORT OF KINGS OVERSEAS

PERSONAL AND OTHERWISE. Old Serpent is receiving mention for the Caulfield Cup, but, on his best form before he came to Australia, he is not thrown in with 8.2. In England he shone more at a mile than any other distance, and, at that, was not even a second-rater. Brighton is not one of England’s leading tracks, but, in September last, he carried only 6.12 when he was second there to Laureat II (9.7) in the Telscombe Handicap, 1 mile. Old Serpent’s last start in England was in a mile selling race at Kempton Park in October. Although he had 9.4, he was favourite at 4 to 1. He ran fourth, the winner being a moderate three, year-old, Starleta (8.8), who, a few days later, was unplaced in a selling handicap at Nottingham. At five years to English time, Old Serpent is not too old to improve, but though he recently ran third in a mile race at Flemington, he will need to show something better before his Caulfield Cup chance can be regarded as good. His sire, Sea Ser' pent, is by Golden Myth. At The Curragh last month Star Serpent, a daughter of Sea Serpent, won the Irish One Thousand Guineas.

The new Horse Racing Board in California did not take long in rescinding the old Board’s rule that two-year-old racing should not commence in that State before May, equivalent to December in Australia. The rule was enforced -this year, but there was such an outcry by owners and breeders that the new Board’s reversion to the old order of things was anticipated. Next year Californian clubs can put two-year-old races on their programmes on January 1, if so disposed.

I. Anthony turned out more jumping winners than any other trainer in England during the recent National Hunt season. He had 26 winners of 41 races, The amount won in stakes was £6,674. but in that he was beaten by H. A. Brown, with 20 winners of 27 races worth £6,925. Brown’s principal patron is Mr J. V. Rank, and Anthony trains for Miss Paget.

It is remarkable how long some English jockeys last. W. Bullock, who won the Derby and Oaks on Signorinetta 31 years ago, is still riding winners in England, and in races where nippiness tells. At Manchester recently he was successful on Ridley in a five-furlong two-year-old race. It was mentioned that he scored for his son-in-law, so that is evidently his relationship to Elsey, who trained the winner.