WINTER RACING

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 98, 28 April 1939, Page 4

WINTER RACING

Egmont Steeplechase Next Week RIDING ENGAGEMENTS NOTES AND COMMENTS Winter racing will be officially introduced next week by the Egmonl Racing Club’s meeting on Thursday and Saturday. The Egmont Steeplechase is to bt run on Thursday next, and present indications are that it will attract a good field of ’chasers. After the Egmont meeting there will come in succession the Otaki Manawatu, Foxton and Wanganui meetings. Homily will be ridden by W. J. Broughton at the Egmont meeting next week. Broughton has also been engaged to ride Fiancee, Galteemore and Hinerawe. The lightweight jockey H. N. Wiggins was riding at the South Canterbury Jockey Club’s meeting at Washdyke yesterday. He does not intend to wait for the second day, but will be at Nelson on Saturday and Monday, and he will then do the first day at Egmont, and return for the Franklin Racing Club’s meeting at Pukekohe on May 6. Dainty Sue has been sold by Mr. C. Boyle, of Palmerston North, and it is understood that she will join H. A. Telford’s team at Trentham. There was talk a short time ago of taking Fleet Street to Australia, but the idea has meanwhile been dropped. Sunola, the two-year-old brother to Round Up. and who has done all his in the Hawke’s Bay and Manawatu districts in the ownership of Mrs. A. and Mr. C. H. Bartlett, has been sold to an Auckland owner, and his place in A. White’s Hastings stable has been taken by a five-year-old gelding by Arausio. Chief Lord, who won the maiden event at Waverley last Saturday, is a two-year-old chestnut colt by Lord Quex from the Hunting Song—Clemency mare Huntaway, a half-sister to Kindheart and Baran, and he is owned by Mr. M. A. Ryan, of Manaia, who paid 140 guineas for him at the sales last year. Bonnie Rollox. after doing useful work, has had to be eased up, says a Christchurch report, and he has been sent to New Brighton, where the sea water, while exercising on the sand, may assist him. However, as he is now i.n his thirteenth year, it is problematical whether he will ever again be a racing proposition. Owing to having trouble with others in his team, A. J. Martin has not done much with Silver Sight since Easter, says a Riccarton report. The Silverado gelding is in excellent health, however, and it is probable that he will contest hurdle races at the Waikato and Auckland meetings. Mr. G. R. MacDonald, North Canterbury, has sent two yearling colts bred by him to Chokebore "to be trained by H. and A. Cutts. Pleading is by Soiicitor-Geneiai from the Absurd mare Eulalie. and Shikari is by Bulandshar from the Autumnus mare Capercailzie. Four yearlings owned by the trustees of Sir Charles Clifford’s estate have been broken in at Chokebore and will be prepared for early two-year-old racing. They compose Wild Fox, by Foxbridge from Wild Hind, dam of Wild Chase; Mauretania, by Winning Hit from Fast Passage, dam of Good Passage; Nightglass, by Nightmarch from Good Sight, dam of Keen Sight; and Retrogression. by Magnus from Retrospect, dam of Recollection. The steeplechaser Sunward, owned by Mr. C. L. Orbell. was found dead in his box at F. Trilford’s stable on Wednesday morning of last week, apparently having expired without’any semblance of struggle (says the Timaru Herald). When given the usual attention overnight, the Lord Quex —Sundust gelding seemed to be in excellent health, and to all outward appearances was in better condition than at any time during his career. His loss is a serious one, in view of the dearth of steeplechasers at the present time. Sunward was an unusual horse, with a special facility at Riccarton. Two years ago he won the Enfield Steeplechase and was second in the Hunt Cup, negotiating the big fences without a mistake. Next winter a succession of falls over sma.’l obstacles was recorded again, t him, and he gained a reputation for clumsiness, but on returning to Riccarton he again fenced finely, and won the Enfield and was runner-up to Valpeen in the Beaufort. Prior to being raced over country. Sunward was a winner in hurdle races. For some time there has bee i an increasing wave of discontent among members of the Australian Jockey Club with the constitution of th? committee. says an Australian writer, and there is indication that in the near future there will be an infusion of fresh blood. Members are not satisfied with the conduct of affairs by the senior racing body in Ne.v South Wales, and at a meeting recently a sub-committee was appointed to investigate methods for alteration of election and to enable the retirement each year of up to four members cf the committee. It has not been state! definitely what are the aims cf the reformers hut it is known that the scheme is that at least two members of the committee will retire each year and will not be eligible for reelection. Naturally this move has caused a flutter in the hither*o peaceful precincts of the club’s office, where it had become an accepted idea that once elec*’ d for the committee t member stayed on that august body.

ON WANGANUI TRACKS

HORSES FOR HAWERA YESTERDAY S TRAINING Several horses with engagements at the Egmont Racing Club's winter meeting got through useful work yesterday morning on the outside of the course proper, where the pegs were about 15ft. out. After the recent rains the going was dead, though the weather was fine. Homily (F. Latham) jumped off better than Rehearsal (W. Rayner) but was steadied and the pair finished abreast at the end of six furlongs, . which took them a tick over Imin. 18sec. They cut out the first quai- ; ter in 25 l-ssec. and the four furlongs in 51sec. Three-quarter pace was the task > required of Entail, with Rayner in the saddle, and the Posterity gelding hit out freely. Airing, with K. Chote up, was not required to make time but covered a circuit, travelling at three-quarter pace over the last three furlongs. Eurotas and Amatory did pace-work on the inside track, the pair having raced at Waverley last Saturday. The maiden hunter Sanilofl, in L. G. Butler’s stable, covered a mile in taking style, the last six furlongs being left behind in Imin. 23 3-ssec. Il is understood that this nine-year-old gelding, who has not yet been raced, has shown himself a proficient jumper. Wdr Lap left five furlongs behind in a shade over 65sec., and was doing it nicely. He will race at Hawera, where he will be ridden by S. T. Edwards, who will also nave the mount on Pretty Lass, an impressive winner at Waverley last Saturday.

CLASSICS IN ENGLAND

TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS TO BLUE PETER FAIRWAY COLTS FIRST AND THIRD LONDON. April 26. On the second day of the Newmarket first spring meeting the following was the result of the first of the season’s three-year-old classics:— Two Thousand Guineas. A sweepstakes with 2000 guineas added; second 10 per cent, ana third 5 per cent, of the whole stakes: for three-year-old colts and fillies; the Bowling mile. BLI E PETER 'Lord Rosebery) ch c. by Fairway—Fancy Free, by Stefan the Great, 9.1 1 ADMIRAL’S WALK (Sir John Jarvis), ch c, by Hyperion - Tabaris, 9.0 ... .. 2 FAIRSTONE (Sir Abe Bailey) ch I c, b Fairway—Rosetta, 9.0 •> I Twenty-five started. Won by one and a-half lengths; three-quarters of la length between second and third. Winner bred by owner and trained by J. L. Jarvis at Newmarket.

DEFAULTER’S WIN IN AUTUMN PLATE

INCIDENT IN RACE DARBY MUNRO’S TACTIC-S CHALLENGED Five horses competed for the £l5OO Autumn Plate, the weight-for-age race on the opening day of the A.J.C. autumn carnival, but virtually there were only three in it from the start (comments a Sydney writer). Questionable tactics led to investigation by the stewards. D. Munro, rider of Allunga, was reprimanded. It seems extaordinary that with all the Randwick course proper to themselves, two horses should be racing, hemmed together, on the rails, over the last two furlongs of a mile and a-half race. To the thousands who watched the race from the stands, it was obvious that Defaulter, New Zealand champion. was not given sufficient room to display his machine-like galloping — solely because he was crowded by Allunga, ridden by Munro. There might be some excuse for inexperienced horsemen, but in weight-for-age events the best riders are given the mounts. Munro denied the charge made | against him. and said Allunga did not touch Defaulter, but the four stewards must have had quite a lot to say to him. He was in and out of their sanctum a number of times before it was announced that he had been reprimanded for his part in the affair, and told that a repetition of his exhibition might lead to serious consequences. For a rider of Munro's skill, vigour, and expert experience, there should have been no need for such an inquiry. Spear Chief suffered a severe check near the three furlongs, and was. from that point, out of the race. Defaulter, crowded on the fence by Allunga. had no hope of stretching ’ out in his best style until Allunga tired a little near the winning post, and, showing what a champion he is, Defaulter, by sheer brilliance, won by a head. Munro was held by the stewards to have caused interference to Defaulter , in the straight, a verdict with which | most people agreed in spite of the I fact that the jockey said different. I Mr. G. Williams, chief steward, said there were some extenuating circumstances, as Defaulter was inclined to veer out in the straight. Munro averred that there was ample galloping room for Defaulter. If that were so, how did he know? He was on Allunga, and, to all intents and purposes, would naturally be expected to be attending to his own mount —not watching what room Defaulter had between himself and the rails. The winning post should have been the only post he should have been watching. It’s a long time since a race so thrilling and so full of incident and tactics, not in the best interests of racing, has been seen at headquarters. , The public wants thrills and excitement. but not tactics that warrant questions by stewards. There should be no need for such moves. All should be fair when the best horses or even Lthe moderates are in opposition.

DEFAULTER EULOGISED

AUSTRALIAN VIEW NO DOUBT ABOUT QUALITY •‘One of the greatest three-year-olds seen in action on an Australian racecourse for many a day,” was the opinion of the prominent Sydney owner, Dr. A. L. Casleberg, when asked for his rating of the New Zealand colt Defaulter, who arrived back on Monday after a successful campaign in , Australia. Dr. Casleberg has wit- . nessed the colt racing in each of his ’ four outings across the Tasman, and he was enthusiastic in his praise. “Defaulter’s exhibition of galloping in the Autumn Plate had to be seen to be believed,” said Dr. Casleberg, “and it set at rest any doubts regarding the the qualities of the colt. When Allunga had a neck advantage with only twenty yards to go it looked any odds on his winning, especially when L. J. Ellis could not make full use of Defaulter owing to lack of room on the rail. However, a few yards short of the post Allunga come out a shade under presure, and Ellis, taking a desperate chance, drove Defaulter through to a narrow victory. The gameness and determination displayed in these circumstances was fully recognised by the immense crowd, who rose to a man and gave the New Zealander a wonderful reception on his return to the birdcage.” With regard to Defaulter's disappointing display in the Sydney Cup, Dr. Casleberg was firmly convinced that the colt was not given a fair “go” in the first few furlongs, and to this could be attributed his defeat. Another point that struck the Sydney sportsman in regard to Defaulter was that he required a lot of room to display his great galloping ability, and for this reason he would probably always be seen to best advantage in small fields, or when taken to the front. However, with such burdens as he will probably have to carry in handicaps in future it would be doubtful if these would be good tactics. He pointed out that there was some talk of Defaulter’s being taken back to Australia in the spring for the Melbourne Cup, but as he would get ever> bit of 9.5 in the matter of weight he would have to be one of the best in the world to succeed, especially if raced out in front. Asked for his opinion as to how Defaulter would fare with Ajax, Dr. Casleberg said that it was difficult to compare the horses owing to their not having met, but he was satisfied in his own mind that, at his best no horse in Australia or New Zealand would beat Ajax from six furlongs to a mile and a-quarter, but further than that he would incline to favour Defaulter, because of his rare gameness and stamina. An illustration of the staying powers possessed by Defaulter was furnished in the Autumn Plate, run over a mile and a-half, when the last six furlongs were cut out in Imin. 121 sec. after he had had to triumph over well-night insuperable difficulties. Impressed by High Caste. Dr. Casleberg was impressed with the galloping ability of the New Zea-land-orect High Caste, and he thought that he would cary all before him in the three-year-old classics next season. He attributed his defeats in Sydney to the varied changes in climate experienced in the travelling from the Dominion to Melbourne and then to Sydney. He .said that he was the biggest juvenile in training at Randwick, but his conformation could not be faulted. Dr. Casleberg has been a staunch supporter of racing in Australia for many years, but his ventures have not always been attended with the best of fortune. However, high hopes were centred in the Pantheon three-year-ola Baveon, who has registered one first, three seconds, and a third in his five starts to date. Baveon, incidentally, is trained by the ex-New Zealander J. T. Jamieson, who has some twenty-odd horses in work at Randwick,

CHANGED HANDS

DISTURBED’S NEW COLOURS PROMISING HURDLER Disturbed, who has made a mark as a hurdler by already winning four times in a short career in the role, has scored his last two successes in the colours of Mr. A. Mullian, of Stratford, who purchased him from the Whangarei sportsman, Mr. H. Cotter, octween days at Feilding at Easter. Mr. Mullian is also owner of Amoroso, Plato (now at the stud), and other horses. Disturbed was one of the horses bought in Sydney three years ago by an Auckland syndicate comprising Dr. W. C. Ring, Dr. A. McGregor Gram, and Mesrs A. J. and J. A. Court, G. D. Deery, and H. Morpeth. He was sold by the syndicate to Mr. Cotte; twelve months ago last January, and since that sale he has been trained by H. Scally, now of Hawera, who is carrying on with him for Mr. Mullian. As a flat performer he won only a single event, at Egmont last winter, but he there indicated ability to sta> and he has found his metier in jumping. Now four years old, Disturbed is a bay gelding by Excitement (a son of Hurry On) from the Dominion-bred Birkenhead—Peace mare Restful, and he cost the Dr. Ring syndicate 200 guineas at the sales. Restful won a number of races on the West Coast before being disposed of to go to the Angle Stud in New South Wales. She was half-sister to Chakwana (a winner of numerous races and dam of Indian Sage and grandam of Lady Kyra), also to The Hague (grandam of Notium), La Paix (dam of Autopay), Sleeping Beauty (dam of Palm), and Ralston; and the family is that from which have descended such good performers as Kilwinning, The Bank, Elysian, Battle Colours, Charmaine, Blixten, and others. There is therefore every reason from such a pedigree to expect a horse well up to average in Disturbed. A wide market prevails on the English Derby, to be run at Epsom on May 24. The American-bred Foxburgh II was the early favourite, but, following a recent failure, he has lost his place. Blue Peter, a chestnut colt by Fairway from Fancy Free and Fox Cub, a chestnut colt, by Foxhunted from Dorina, are now in equal demand, with Rogerstone Castle, a grey colt (by Mr. Jinks from Apple Ring) who raced last season as the Apple Ring colt; Casanova, a chestnut colt by Hyperion from Don ole Life; I and Fairstone, by Fairway, most pre-j ferred of the other,*