RACING.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18797, 19 November 1932, Page 17 (Supplement)

RACING.

FROM TRACK AND STABLE. (By '• Martian.”} FIXTUBEB AHEAD. November 21—Waikato. November 26—Levin. November 26 —North Canterbury (Riccarton). November 26, 28—Takapuna. November 30—Feilding. December I—Feilding. December 1, 3 —Dargavifle." December 3 —Ashburton. December 7, B—Woodvillc. December 0, 10 —Taumarunui December J7 —Waipa. December 26—Waipukurau. December 26, 27—Westland. December 26, 27-—Taranaki. December 26, 27 —Dunedin. December 26, 27, 29 Manawatu. December 26, 28—Auckland. January 2, 3—Auckland. December 31—Greymouth. January 2—Greymouth. New South Wales. November 26—Canterbury. Victoria. November 19—V.A.T.C. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. “Year,” Dkoroire. —Michaela was a Dunedin trained galloper. She won the Stewards’ Handicap at Riccarton in 1918. “Reader.” Hamilton. —Sir ■ George Clifford raced Counterfeit, Autumnus and Nightwatch. They were all b'v Treadmill. “Argument,” Te Kui 11.—Ruffles (8.2) beat Yalroc (8.1) in the Otorohanga Highweight Handicap at the Te Kuiti meeting (held at Te Awamutu) in May, 1931. “Rider,” Hamilton.—J. Barry has ridden two winners of the Thompson Handicap at Trenlliam. They were Reremoana (J 925) and —Paitonu (1930). "Inquirer,” Paeroa. —Cristobel won the Penrose Hurdles and the Panmure Hurdles at the Auckland Club’s Winter meeting of 1931.

THE MELBOURNE CUP.

INCIDENTS OF THE RAOE. TRAINER’S BELIEF IN WINNER. One can imagine Frank McGrath’s feelings when lie saw Refer Pan strike tronbie, and go right back at the five furlong post in tho Melbourne ‘Cup, writes "Pilot." It • certainly did ]ook-,£fl if it would be a ca?e of a “good thing ' beaten." Then, came the relief of seeing Peter Pan fight his way up again and ..win. If the veteran trainer's -excitement at the finish was unusual, it was excusable. Peter Pan's performance was remarkable. Over a number of years I have never known McGrath as enthusiastic about a horse as he has been over Peter Pan. I suppose the colt’s rapid development had something to do with it. After a gallop at Rosebery with Denis Boy and Satmoth prior to the A.J.C. Derby, he was of opinion almost anything was possible for 'Peter Pan, and he certainly reckoned him as good as Denis Boy at level weights. After Denis Boy won the Metropolitan with 8.6, it was a pleasant reflection for the Randwick trainer that he believed he had a horse quite as good in the Melbourne Cup and with only 7.6.

And yet the “good thing” nearly came undone, which shows that luck, as well as a pull in weights, is necessary in any big handicap. Oro’s backward position in the Cup did not surprise me. When he ran only sixth in the W. S. Cox Plato I wrote that I could not see there was anything in the performance to enthuse over. To mo it seemed - a rather moderate effort.

In the Derby he was hampered when Kuvera lost his rider, but finished so many lengths behind the winner that Dempsey's contention he. would have won but for striking trouble was hard to follow. If the bother had occurred half-way down the straight there might have been something in Dempsey’s idea, but as It took place before the horses headed for home Oro was left with about two and a half furlongs in which t-o make up some of his leeway, and could not do it. Anyhow the confidence of the .jookey evidently impressed backers .and Oro started at 12 to I—a1 —a price not warranted after his Derby failure, no matter what excuses were made on his behalf.

Oro did no better In the Cup than In the Derby, which emphasise? the fact that when you repeatedly hear excuses made for any horse the real trouble generally Is that it is overrated. A Lot Askod of Him. Rogilla's chance was not enhanced by his forward position in the early part of the race, and when, in his description of the Cup running, I heard the radio announcer say the chestnut was leading with Induna commencing the last, mile, I did not think there was much hope for him. In a fast-run 'Cup the odds are greatly against anything in the lead at the mile post retaining that position to tho end, and Rogilla was unequal to it. Induna lasted longer than Dogilla, and It now appears as if it must have been due to insuftleicnt fast work that the. former did not. make a better showing in the Caulfield Cup.

Even if he had run quite as well as at, Fiemington. he may not have beaten Rogilla. but he would probably have filled a place. After Yarramba's moderate third in the Hotharu Handicap his forward running In the Cup was unexpected. H« is evidently a real stayer, and It was hard luck for his owner that the field included an exceptional three-year-old.

After giving way to Duncan as the rider of Deter Pan it is probable A. Knox, who was on Yarramba, would have specially appreciated downing the Sydney colt. He would have been more than human for his feeling to bo otherwise. gome dav E. Eccles may win a Melbourne Cup. In 1022 he thought tm bad a fair tiling with The Cypher,

who ran second, and I dare say when he saw Y’arramba dash lo the front last week his first thought was prob- | ably, “At last," Mr Eccles has been too long at the j game to fake things otherwise than philosophically, but it must be bitter j to any man to have victory in a Mel- ' bourne Cup snatched away almost on ! the post, Yarramba’s failure in the V.R.C. ; Handicap was another shock for his I owner, but the way that race was run I gave him no chance. The remarkable j part of the V.R.C. Handicap was the ! solid backing of Cimbrian, who had I only 21b less than in the Cup in which he was one of the whippers-in. Trainers Sometimes Err. The relative positions of Middle Watch and Shadow King at the finish of the Cup further demonstrated that trainers are riot always the best of judges where their own horses are concerned. It is certain _E. Fisher did not credit. Shadow King with nearly as good a chance as Middle Watch, hut, while the latter never threatened danger, the former was a fair third, and -might have been a little closer to the first two only for striking trouble. Liberal evidently did well for about a mile and three-quarters, and that was the end of him, Caine Carrington being ahead of. him at the winning post. Lough Neagh was one of the special disappointments. He did particularly well in his work in Melbourne and his trainer attributes his poor showing to the reverse way of going from Sydney when he got in a big field. -Of the New Zealanders Manawhenua did best, and in him Acre has sired as tough a horse as First Acre. I have heard the Cup described as an .exceptionally rough race, hut that in a measure would he due to the field not straggling out quickly. Films of the Cup show that Peter Pan was lucky to keep on his legs after nearly going over (he rails, and when he got into trouble some of tho horses immediately behind him were adversely affected.

In some of the double charts issued in Sydney early in July the combination'of Bogilia and Peter Pan was quoted at 1250 to i, but the Monday following the conclusion of the A.J.C. meeting that double was at 66 to i.

GOSSIP FROM ALL PARTS.

The Waikato Racing Club’s Spring meeting will be concluded at Te Rapa on Monday. The Forbury Trotting Chib’s Spring meeting will be held on Thursday and Saturday. The Levin Racing Club will hold a programme on Saturday. The North Canterbury Club will race at Rlccarton on Saturday. The TaknpUna Jockey Club's Spring programme will be introduced on Saturday and concluded on the following Monday. Silver Streak was raolng beyond hi* distance at Rlccarton and will be found at his best over six furlongs. Minerval was over-weighted in the New Zealand Cup Rnd right through the piece during the mestlng, writes “Sentinel." Rational 11, who Is being spelled, may be tried as a hurdler when he resumes duty. The New Zealand-bred Vellmond has won £20,346 15s in prize money for his Sydney owner, Mr E. Moss.

Aga Khan, who was formerly trained at To Rapa, bad a leg injured after his race in the Randolph Handicap at Riecarton.- He was one of the unlucklest runners at the meeting.

La Moderne won £i 60 by her second and third in the Derby and Oaks respectively at Rlccarton. The sister to Gay Ballerina should go on to greater things with age, says a southern writer.

Over £IOO has been promised by stewards and supporters of the Pahiatua Racing Club for a meeting on January 25 and 26.

Silver Ring was not right during the New Zealand Cup. He looked well to the eye, but had been far from pleasing his trainer. lie Is a much better horse than recent form suggests.

Protea, winner of the Oaks at. the Victoria Racing Club’s meeting, is one of the first crop of foals got in Australia by the imported English horse Equator. The filly lias been a very consistent performer to date.

Evidently racing still continues to flourish in Western Australia, as the slake for the Perth Cup on Boxing Day is £1750. and that of the principal sprint event, the Railway Handicap, is £750. Great, Star did not show at the New Zealand Cup meeting anything like Hie speed he did at Trentham. The Solferino gelding did not look so bright.. He runs best fresh, and be lias now reached an ago. when little improvement can be expected, though he should win more races. Although the Cesarewilch is among the oldest races in the English Calendar, being tips! run in lS.'l'.i, it has only once been won by a horse over six years of age. As the distance is two and a quarter miles, and should therefore favour the older division, this, is remarkable.

A three-year-old gelding by Grand Knight—Lady Frisco is a visitor to the tracks at T® Rapa. This halfbrother to White Comet, Paddon and Chang, is owned by Mr G. Seifert, of Hamilton, who bred and raced the other horses mentioned.

Gold Cross, who ran a promising race in the Seymour Handicap at Ricoarton, is a three-year-old gelding by Catmint from Verintia, by Solferino from Anltea, dam of Rapier. He is trained by G. J. Pine for his breeder, Mr A. S. George.

Interviewed after the race J. Conquest, who rode Manawhenua in the Melbourne Cup, stated that he thought he was going to win when he reached the front in the straight, but that over the last furlong the others were too good for him, Nevertheless the ■fine showing of the son of Aore came as a, surprise to him.

Royftl Visitor, /ho won over hurdles at the Auckland Club’s Spring meeting, has been kept In good order by the work he has had at Te Rapa In the interval. The Lucullus — Sports Queen gelding may be started in the hurdles on Monday.

One of the greatest and continuous mistakes made by hanlicappers consists in loading up defeated topweights, writes “Sentinel" in the Otago Times. Gay Crest and Historic both suffered defeat in the New Zealand Cup and yet they were given more than their full share of weight In the Metropolitan Handicap. If a horse suffers defeat with over 9.0 i the,, chance of success becomes extremely remote when the weight is kept up.

Havering, who has been raoing in Australia for months, will be returned to New Zealand at an early date and may be tried over hurdles. Ilis sire. Quin Abbey got many good jumpers, and his dam/ Dreamer, produced the Derby winner Bon Heve, who later in his career won over both hurdles and fences.

In England two or three prominent three-year-olds have gone amiss this season, and finished racing. 'From France there is now word that Strip the Willow, winner of this year’s French Derby and Grand Prlx, has been retired. He cut up s-o badly in tho Prix Royal Oak that it was considered certain there must be something wrong, and on examination it W'as discovered he was suffering from an Injured foreleg.

Felina, a three-year-old sister to Nedda (Paper Money—Michaela), winner of the V.R.G. Sires’ Produce Stakes, has been put Into work at Randwick by G. Young. The trainer named recently sent Havaspot's goodlooking two-year-old brother to New Zealand. He is- to remain here five or six months, and when he races it will be as a gelding.

Merry Peel raced very solidly at the New Zealand Cup meeting. Third In the Stewards’ Handicap, after a poor run in the race, he came out and won the Criterion Handicap on the second day. Reserved for the final day. he was there all the way in the Members’ Handicap, to finish fourth. Merry Peel is in good hard condition, and if he maintains his form lie should soon j get another stake. i potoa Lad is among the team A. P. i Brady is working locally. Potoa Lad Is a four-year-old gelding by Potoa — j Dutch Indies by Nassau —Keep Watch, j The latter was the dam of a useful ' galloper of a few seasons back in Daygnard. The trainer referred to Is also handling a filly by Kilhroney— j Abbey Day. Tills juvenile Is a sister i to K ilia dor, who contested the. two- { year-old event at To Rapa tills afternoon. |

The Martian horse The Cypher, who narrowly missed winning the Melbourne Cup or 1022 and incidentally landing a fortune for his eonneelions, is now at. the stud at Chiltcrn Hills, Western Queensland. TTo Is prellins' useful •picnic rare per rovers from Hie, mares at his disposal. The Cypher is only one of many notable horses in limit- day who are now doing stud duly on the big pastoral properties of Western Queensland. Among the others are the Sydney Cup winners, Winalot and Piaslonn. the, A..1.C. Metropolitan winner Sir Andrew, Panaen* (A..1.C. Kpsoml. Kariima (A..1.C. Hnneasler) and several KngUsh horses.

Korokio is a very solid mare, pays “The Watcher." Prior to the New Zealand Cup she bolted three miles. She ran the two miles, of the Cup •at a terrific pace, did the same thing in the Fendalton Handicap, and stripped on Saturday for the Members’ Handicap fitter than ever. Had she not met with bad luck in te running she would have beaten The Quorn. Korokio will win good races, but she Is too headstrong for a light boy.

The Royal colours have been muoh more conspicuous among the winners in England this season than ,lhey have in recently past seasons. Another victory for his Majesty was registered by the three-year-old -Foxiaw colt, Foxearth, in the Rockingham Handicap Plate, one mile and threequarters, at York recently. The colt was one of the bottom weights, and was little faholed.

F. McGrath believes in 'Spelling horses In Victoria. He did so with Amounts, and Denis Boy and Lightning March are 1 to be rested at Baochus Marsh before returning to Sydney. Peter Pan, however, is to spell at Doonside, and will be out for nearly a couple of months. With £10,884 (incluftlve -of A.J.C. Derby breeder’s premium and £'2oo Melbourne Cup trophy) to hie credit, ‘the chestnut has earned his holiday.

Red Heckle ran more solidly than usual at the New Zealand Cup meeting, s*ys “The Watcher.” His third in the Fe’ndalton and second In the •Metropolitan were both good efforts. Koroklo was so far in front in the Fendalton running that Red Heckle was '•the virtual pacemaker, which did not help him. He gave in to Concentrate only in the last half-furlong in the Metropolitan, and he may win a good handicap, at some of the approaching meetings.

In commenting- on the beam system of timing which was tried at Newmarket (England) in September, Meyrick Goode, of the London Sporting Life, wrote as follows: —‘‘The official times returned yesterday were slower than by Benson’s chronograph, a watch one of our representatives uses. T have timed races at Newmarket for more than twenty years, and have always made a practice of allowing one-fifth of a second for the eye to carry the actual start. Making tins allowance, there was only the merest fraction difference.

The Dnkaparinga Racing Club dorid oil recently to increase the slake ■money for the Great Has tern Steeplechase by Cooo to £I9OO. making- It the second richest steeplechase in Australia. The prize money is exceeded only by that allotted to the Y.R.C. Grand ' National. The first horse will receive £i.‘?oo, second £OOO, third £2OO, and fourth £IOO. It is’likely that some New Zealand jumpers will again he in the field. The locally I rained- Royal Visitor, who raced prominently over country at Ihe Grand National meeting, is- likely to be one for whom the trip will be considered.

Midinette’s engagement in the Feilding Stakes, to he run on the first day of the Feilding meeting, lias been continued, and it is likely that the Limond—Motley filly will take her place in the field for the five-furlong event. She has not suffered any 111-effects from her races the reverse way at the Auckland courses, but it is expected that she will be seen to better advantage on a left-handed course, states the Chronicle,

A feature of the New Zealand Cup meeting this year was the splendid record credited to the Riccarton lightweight horseman, A. Eastwood, who with 24 mounts on the four days had eight wins, three second, and five third placings, his victories- Including the New Zealand Cup, New Zealand Derby, New Zealand Oaks, Canterbury Cup, and Jockey Club Handicap, while he was second in the Metropolitan Handicap and third in the Welcome Stakes. The total winnings of his mounts were £2560 out of tho £7900 given in stakes at. the meeting. Eastwood's total for the season is now 22 and he is In second plane, on the winning list to K. Voitre, who has 2-» wins to his credit.

The Sydney riders, Munro brothers —Darby and James —are keen rivals. Jim, who. Is the older, has been riding much longer than Darby, but the latter has the better record in battles between the two. They have finished first and second on 10 occasions, and Darby has been in front nine times. In the first race Darby won he defeated his brother by a head. On another occasion, when .Tim had been promised £IOOO if he succeeded, he bad the race practically won when ■Darby came along on the outside with a great run, and “pipped” him. .Tim has won many good races, including the Melbourne 'Cup on Windbag and Statesman. As the rider of Liberal he added the Victorian Derby to his tallv. Sons of the late IT. Munro, who trained that great mare Wakeful, the Munros are held In the highest esteem in the racing world, both for their ability as riders and for their manly qualities.

Shatter was the big disappointment of the New Zealand Cup meeting. All good judges were agreed that on track work he was entitled to his position of favourite, and this was also baolced up by good winning form. In the race he was always well back, and never flattered. It transpired after the race that Ellis was hit in the eye by a flying clod in the first furlong. That may have accounted to an extent for Shatter’s failure, but it was not sufficient excuse. Reserved for a week for the Metropolitan Handicap. Shatter stripped a very fit horse. This time he had every chance, and when he hit the front from the pacemaker, Red Racer, at the false rail, the ho-pes of bis supporters ran high. He had hardly led for- fifty yards, however, before both Red I-leokle and Concentrate had his measure. It was- a very weak response that Shatter put up, and it looks as if be does not. appreciate tough opponents, says “The Watcher."

March Brown, who contested two-year-old handicaps at the Now Zealand Cup meeting. Is a Ally who Is expected to do better later on. She has run greenly at her two outings, but when going properly has shown a promising turn of pace. She Is a brown daughter of Night Raid and the Solferlno marc Coch-y-Bondhu, a half-sister to Charlevllle, dam of Windbag (Melbourne Cup) and Loquacious (A.J.C. Metropolitan). This, notes & southern scribe, Is a family that has produced many notable horses In reoent year 3, to mention, besides the two already named, als« Bobrik off, Estland, Flnmark, Poseidon, Bo Peep, and Inflation. There is stout staying blood on both sides of the pedigree, and March Brown should do much better when staying qualities are to be tested. She is being raced by the Orari trainer, H. J. Smith, who holds 'her on. lease from her breeder, Mr G. A. Kain. SALE OF BLOODSTOCK. There will he a sale of thoroughbred racing stock at Mr J. E. Thorpe’s Farm, Vardon Road, Te Rapa, at 10 a.m. on Monday. Mr Thorpe is offering a 2-year-old colt by Acre —Cat Mor, a yearling colt by Acre —Ohorere, a 2-year-old filly by Acre—Rangilanakee and Ohorere (Advance — Ceclle) with a foal at foot by Acre. Messrs Morrison Bros, are submitting a colt by Musketoon —Abbey Bell; a colt by Raoeful —In Arms; a Ally by Valkyrian—Abbey Bell and the brood mare In Arms. There are five lots to be submitted on behalf of Mrs Turner, of Horotlu, viz.: 2-year filly by Little England—Rita’s Lass (Gazeley—Vex'o) ; 2-year and 3-year miles by Illumination —Miss Roseland; yearling colt by Little England—Miss Roseland, and the brood mare Rita’s Lass. The latter, who is by Thurnham —Flagship, is a half-sister to The Quorn and Nancy Lee. Volo, a full sister to Rita’s Lass, was very successful in the pony ranks in Australia a few years ago, winning 17 out of 24 races, with imposts up to 13.0.