Valley Stakes
Musketeer, Oranje Boven, February Fourth And Talkative Best Fancies
NEW SUB. GRIFFINS, CHINA PONIES UNDER REVIEW
(By “RAPIER")
UE to the unsettled state of affairs in North China, and supple- DE to ed by restricted facilities for transportation, it was not until towards the end of November that the new lot of Subscription Griffins, China ponies, arrived safely in this Colony.
After these ponies had been drawn for, they underwent serious training in preparation for the forthcoming Annual Race Meeting. With the limited time at their disposal, I consider that the various stable trainers have done remarkably well in bringing their respec- tive charges into condition.
Whilst quite a few of them have so far stood out prominent ly, there are also several ponies which require further training, so that their racing ability will not be known until we reach the stage for extra meetings.
The most important race for sub scription griffins, China ponies, is un- doubtedly the Valley Stäkes. It was won last year by Desert Star, ridden by Mr. Moller, and there is now con siderable speculation as to which pony is likely to win it this year.
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PEN PICTURES OF CANDIDATES
The following are pen pictures the subscription griffins which I con- sider to be among the best of year's lot:
this
MUSKETEER. From the very com- mencement this chestnut pony of 13.2," belonging to Henry captured my fancy as a potential challenger for the Valley Stakes. It is inclined to be more of a sprinter, and will probably At the be Mr. S. C. Liang's mount. moment it seems to be the best train- ed pony, and there is no doubt that it will be worth following over short distance events.
MAGOG. This grey pony of 14.0 It is is owned by Mrs. F. C. Hall. quite speedy and I have it in mind as the winner of one of the Wong- Nei-Chong Stakes sections.
MILLEAYE. Belonging to the John Peel's stable, this pony appeals to me as a middle distance performer, with a nice movement, and it will probably the be taken out by Mr. Needa in Valley Stakes.
HEDDON. A black of 14.1, owned | by Gredka, this pony is coming on nicely, and I would recommend bear- ing it in mind for long distance events. It is quite a powerful looking animal, and it is understood that it will be under the control of Mr. H. J. A. Hearne.
GREEN BAY, This is a sturdy little chestnut of 13.3 belonging to Mr. L. little Dunbar, and is quite a game animal. It has yet to reach its best form. I expect
showing to see it further improvement with more train- ing.
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KUT CHEONG. A 13.2 chestnut rony belonging to Jolly Company, 1 consider it a good sprinter and should be watched accordingly. believe that it will be ridden by Mr. T. Y. Woo, who has come here with a big reputation from Hankow.
WILBER. This 13.2 grey pony is owned by Marber,1, and will prove its worth over sprint events. If sent out for "one of the Wong-Nei-Chong Stakes carry off sections it will probably one of the first prizes,
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ASCOT VALE, A black pony 14.1 belonging to Mr. Eu Tong Sen, this is more of a long distance pony. At the moment it is not at its best ..but, with more training, it will turn out a source of danger in events re- quiring stamina.
NEW REDFORD. This is another pony owned by Mr. Eu Tong Sen, and I consider it better than Ascot Vale. F like its work in training, and there is no doubt that it will develop into a good. racer.
PORTRUSH. This pony is owned by Mrs. J. H. Taggart, and it has been talked about as one worth follow- It is Ing, even in the Valley Stakes, definitely good, and it will be handled by Mr. B. A. Proulx.
ORANJE BOVEN. Bolonging to the Hollandia Stable, this is a powerful looking pony, and, with Mr. Encarna cao on top, I consider that it has a
sporting chance of winning the Valley I like its easy movement and, Stakes. up to a mile, it will be worth follow ing.
MARKSMAN. This bay pony, from the Anharry stable, is now in the pink of conditon and is credited with having done the mile in 2.15, with a last quar- ter of 32.1: Bear this pony in mind, and should it fail to show up on the first day, watch it on subsequent days. Mr. Tang Man-wa is the jockey, and don't forget the large dividends which his mount has paid in former years.
pony be- longing to Mr. K. F. Wong is coming on nicely, and with a little more hard training, it will turn out to be quite useful.
It has the makings of a good racer and will probably be ridden by Mr. S. L. Yuen.
PALL MALL. This dun
TINY TIM. This little cream pony belonging to Messrs. Li & Edgar is a very sturdy animal, and I expect to see it showing up well during the Annual Meeting.
FEBRUARY FOURTH. This 13.3 M.A.H., is said to black, owned by have covered the mile in 2.17 with a last quarter of 33. It should do well
It ha over middle distance events. been whispered abroad as the potential It wil winner of the Valley Stakes. be handled by Mr. T, L. Wong.
HIGH TOWER. A 14.1 grey pony drawn by Mr. S. S. Li, this candidate is showing well built and is gradually improvement. This is also one of Mr. T. Y. Woo's mounts.
THE CHINA MAIL, FEBRUARY 17, 1989
Candidates
GEORGE. A 13,3 grey pony, belong- ing to Mr. G. W. Sewell, it has been doing only slow work with its owner riding. Judging by its appearance, I consider this pony to be good, and I expect to see it do well in its outings, TALKATIVE. This pony belonging to Maretta is reputed to be the best among this year's subscription griffins. From what I have seen of during training, the high opinion in which it is held is more than, justified. It has not done anything remarkable in the way of fast gallops, but I fancy this pony's easy movement and, with a it the strong jockey up, I consider best bet for the Valley Stakes. Keep this pony definitely in view, as it is footsteps of likely to follow in the past champions.
a stable CHATTERBOX. This is mate of Talkative, and is also owned while I cannot say by Manetta, and that it is just as good as Talkative, I do consider it a good pony to follow.
This is the GUINNESS TIME. best sub. in the Time Stable, and under Mr. Pote-Hunt's guidance it should account for a race or two,
account
NATIONAL HONOUR. This is the best of Why's Stable, and judging from its training it should for at least one of the minor races.
This 14.1 bay pony, belonging to Chuong Hoyen, will de velop into a good racing animal and should be noted accordingly.
WELCOME.
on
Silkylight To Hold Its Own?
Old Griffins Under Review
(By "RAPIER”)
In the absence of Liberty Bay, which has not been entered for any event at the Annual Race Meeting, the place of honour which it has held for years will now be taken by Silky- light, wonder pony of 1938.
so many
Silkylight is looking exception- ally fit and there is no doubt that, with the possible exception of Desert Chief, there is no other pony capable of extending it. Silkylight will probably win every race in which it appears.
After quite a long absence, Desert Chief has again been seen at morning training. It has been on the walking list for quite a while, and if one is to judge by appearances alone, I. would say that Desert Chief is now its old self again. Up to 1% miles it will give Silkylight a great battle, but 'be- yond that I am afraid it is rather doubtful whether it can win against Silkylight.
WORTHY SUBSTITUTE Cameronian, from the same stable, is looking a picture of fitness, and Mr. worthy Eu Tong Sen will have a substitute in case Desert Chief fails to come up to expectations.
Bear Claw does not appear to be looking too fit, but Confusion Bay is undoubtedly in the pink of condition.
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Happy Eve, winner of the 1937 Derby, did not take part in racing throughout last year. It is back again on the track, although not called on to do any serious training. It is look- ing well.
STRATHBANNOCK. Belonging to Mr. J. F. Macgregor, this pony was given a trial run over 11 miles track grass
on Wednesday, the February 8, which it completed in 3.01 with a last quarter of 32. This per- formance impressed me, Mr. Macgre gor's candidate will probably develop
STRONG OPPOSITION into a long-distance pony.
The ponies I have named above are
King's Warden, as usual, is looking about the best among this year's sub-extremely fit, but it will have a dif- scription griffins, and in my estima- ficult task running against ponies like tion the Valley Stakes will be fought Silkylight, Desert Chief and Con- out between the following:---
fusion Bay. It is still capable, how- MUSKETEER
ever, of winning a race or two."
ORANJE BOVEN FEBRUARY FOURTH TALKATIVE
I fancy the last named.
Williams & Humberts
World-Famed
DRY SACK SHERRY
Makes a perfect appetiser.
or
a perfect ending to any meal
CALDBECK'S
+*+
Oak Bay seems to like its morning gallops. It is certainly look- ing very fit, and will provide Mr. Ray- mond with a win over short dis tances.
Gladiator is now owned by Mrs. A E. Grasett, wife of H.E. the G.O.C. It has evidently recovered from its previous lameness.
the
OLD SUBSCRIPTION GRIFFINS Very little has been seen of old warriors among the subscription griffins 'in training. Rose Evelyn is fighting fit, and Racing Boy is also looking well. These two will provide a fine race when they meet. Salvage Master, the champion sub. over second half of last year's racing, is also very fit, but I doubt whether it will do well against the two ponies mentioned, and possibly a few others.
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OLD AUSTRALIAN PONIES.. Disappointment is no doubt felt in racing circles that Strathroy has not been entered for the annual meeting and with Courting Eve still a doubt- ful starter it would seem that Lucky Lad is due to win the 1939 Cham- pionship event, unless one or two of the new ponies can provide the neces- sary challenge. Lucky Lad will cer- tainly be hard to beat in a race where stamina is the most essential factor.
Able Amazon has been seen in ac- tion in morning gallops, but I very much doubt whether it can recapture its championship form.
FINE RECORD Lancashire Chips has done remark- ably well since it was acquired by Mrs. Taggart, and there is no doubt that it will yet continue to win more races for its popular lady owner.
Vixen Tor is at the moment look- ing very fit, and it will be hard to beat in a race over six furlongs, or up to a mile, among "B" Class Aus- tralian ponies,
A Great Time turned out a dia- it appointment to those who backed on the final day of racing last year, It is looking fit, and I expect to see It winning a race yet.
Criffel is also looking well, and, un- der the experienced guidance of Mr. Needs, it should account for a raco in "G" Class.
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