RACING NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 235, 4 October 1928, Page 12

RACING NEWS.

STABLE AND TRACK NOTES.

FIXTURES.

(By WHALEBONE.)

October 6—Carterton Racing Club. October 6—Kurow Jockey Club. October 6. B—Auckland8 —Auckland Racing Olnb. October 11. 13—Doiudio Jockey Club. October 13—Masterton Racing Club. October 20. 24—Waikato R.C. October 20, 22—Wellington B.C. October 20. 22—Gore R.C. October 22—Waverley Racing Club. October 22—Waikato Hunt Club. October 22—Waipawa County K.C. October 22—North Canterbury R.C. October 25, 27—Poverty Bay Turf Club. October 27—Banks Peninsula B.C. King's Jest, a half brother to Shirley, was backed as unbeatable in the Trial Stakes at the Hawke's Bay meeting last Saturday, but finished outside a place. Joy King was among the starters at Hastings last Saturday, forming one of a field of six that contested the Flying Handicap. He was well up for a while, but eventually finished last. A tjro-year-old sister to King Merv, by Quin Abbey, who has been in work for some months at Marton under owner F. W. Ehrhorn's care, has developed into a promising-looking filly. She will not be raced until later on in the season. Head Serang is evidently going to be a useful sort judging by his effort at Hastings last week, when lie ran second to Royal Flyer. He is a Lalf-brother by Chief Ruler to Lady Joyce, and is trained by W. Griffiths. Swank, a half brother by Lord Quex to Inner Harbour, was niade a very warm favourite for the Nursery Handicap at the Hawke's Bay meeting last Saturday, but he got interfered with by Admiral Drake at the start, and hie chance was spoiled. Royal Acre, by Acre from a Euroclydon mare, was a good performer last season, but has been having a spell for some time. He had his first gallop siifce being brought in at Hawera, on Saturday morning, running three furlongs in 40.

The steeplechaser, Handy, who arrived at Ellerslie a few days ago, ?* a fine big gelding and his recent performances stamp him as a likely candidate for cross-country honours. He is engaged in the Onehunga Steeplechase to be decided at Ellerslie on Monday next. Althbugh Eager Rose failed to run up to expectations at Avondale she may do better at Ellerslie where the going is not likely to be so heavy. She has been working well in "the interval and shaped pleasingly over six furlongs last Tuesday morning, while her condition leaves little to be desired. "During the running of the Dunedin Handicap and as he looks all the better Tea Lady was noticed putting in good work during the middle stages of the race and she finished up close behind the placed division. If she can repeat the performance she should'be a possibility in a hack race before the season is much further advanced. The shorter distance attached to* the Hunters' Steeplechase to be run ' at Ellerslie next Saturday should favour Pompeius to some extent. This gelding is taking to the big fences in proinising fashion and it should not be long before he secures some stake money, for he has more pace than the average 'chaser and is weU seasoned. — Since racing at the Avondale meeting War Officer has gone on the right way in his training although he has not been seriously tested. The Warplane gelding went a good race when he finiabgi second to Storm Fiend in the Swanson Handicap and aB she looks all the better for the run further improvement can be expected from him. Latest reports from Hawera credit Bright Glow with training on in good style and the Day Comet mare will have her first race of the season in the Shorts Handicap at the Wellington Spring meeting. At the conclusion of that fixture Bright Glow will go South to Riccarton, where she will contest the Stewards' Handicap at the New Zealand Cup meeting.

Flying Juliet has struck winning form early in the season and may .soon repeat the performance. The Romeo mare has previously shown her ability to run out a longer distance than that which she contested last Saturday, and when she has had the necessary racing and attained the right condition she should be equal to winning a decent handicap around the country circuit. Toxeuma has arrived at headquarters and bears a well-trained appearance as a result of his recent racing. This gelding has been running very consistently during the last few months and after his decisive win in the Hawke's Bay Guineas he is sure to command a good following when saddled up for his contest in the Auckland Guineas next Saturday. The Marton owner-trainer, F. W. Ehrhorn, has arrived at "Ellerslie with Nucleus, who is engaged in the Manukau Hurdle Race, to be run on Monday Qext at Ellerslie. This trainer has another useful sort in his stable in Marica, a four-year-old filly by Arrowsmith from Gladiole, which he may bring to Ellerslie for the summer meeting. ! Partaga and M<srldip galloped well' at Hawera .five .furlongß on Saturday morning. They went the reverse way round and Partaga, who/ secured an advantage at the first turn, maintained it to the finish. The time J t 7, Both these horses were engaged on the first day of the Auckland meeting,-but were not accepted for,

I). Campbell "has Battle Colours going along well at Iticcarton in his preparation for spring engagements. He will be raced at Trentham, where several engagements have been made for him, including the Wellington Handicap, one mile ami three furlongs, and the Wainui Handicap, one mile,on the first day, and the Pearce Handicap, one mile, on the second day. His future programme will depend on his fotm at Trentham. If he races well in'the Wellington Handicap, it is probable that he will be a starter in the New Zealand Cup, although Jus owner has not thought seriously of the two-mile .race up to the present* •

Mountain Heath is credited with having a lot of pace, but he does not jump too well and will need more experience in this department before he can confidently be expected to win races. On Saturday at Hastings it is stated that he appeared to take charge of his rider and ran himself out.

Lucky Light does not seem to stay too well. In the Wanganui Guineas she was one of .the pacemakers, but was beaten into fourth place at the finish. In the Hawke's Bay Guineas on Saturday she was one of the leaders till the field straightened up for the judge, but was again in fourth place when the post was readied.

The imported Hoylake put up a good gallop at Riccarton last running nine furlongs in 1.54 3-5, which i. J the° best seen there for quite a lorg time. He ran the first five furlongs in 1.3 2-5. He is engaged at the Dunedin meeting, and a line as to his prospects in the New Zealand Cup may be glear.ed from his running there.

Footfall is striding along freely in his track work and, lie is gradually getting into good racing condition. He is quite sound and in the meantime he is pleasing his trainer with the manner in which he is galloping. He is booked for a trip South for the Dunedin Jockey Clubs meeting next week. Paperchase, Starsliooter and the two-year-old lilly Stately will be his mates.

Cool Mint, by Catmint from Cool Lass, owned by Mr. H. R. Mackenzie, who is trained by R. Brough at Hawera, was only started on one occasion as a two-year-old last season, and that was in the Maiden PJate at Opunake, which he won. He is in work again at Hawera, and on Saturday ran attractive! v, completing the distance in 39.

Tago San had done well since he scored in the Greenmount Steeples and the race has worked considerable improvement in the Quin Abbey gelding. He was low in condition when P. Conway took charge of him a short time back, but he is steadily improving in that respect, and although he may not prove anything above the ordinary he is likely to pay his way among the class that he will be meeting in minor steeplechase events.

Jn the Shade liad to forfeit his Metropolitan engagement because of an injury sustained during his gallop on the track at Randwick on September 27 (says a Sydney writer). He collided with" another horse while working with his stable mate, Prince Humphrey. He was pillled up before the end of the gallop and it was fo.und that a knee was badly bruised. It is improbable that In the Shade would have been a popular fancy for the Metropolitan if he had run, for his Rosehill Cup failure suggested lack of stamina. Still he is a useful middledistance horse, and it will be unfortunate ifTiis trainer loses his services altogether for the spring carnival.

The Great Northern which comes up for decision at Ellerslie next Saturday, promises to provide an interesting contest as the field is composed of a very even lot with nothing outstanding at the time of writing. With good track tonditions prevailing some of those engaged are expected to improve on their earlier efforts, while several additional three-year-olds other than those that contested the Avondale and Wangauni Guineas will be included in the field.

Papatu had his first race this season in the Plumpton Handicap at the Avondale meeting and is due to have his next run in the Mitcfielson Cup on Saturday. The Te Awamutu trained gelding contested fifteen races last season and failed to secure a win, although his second to Star Stranger in the A.R.C. Handicap was a good performance and demonstrated his ability to run out a solid twelve furlongs. Papatu usually attains his best form towards the autumn and until he shows some 'improvement in public he is not likely to be in great demand.

Sea Pilot, who last week was backed for the Caulfield Cup, boasts an interesting history. He is a half-brother, by Sea Prince, to Outlook, whose brilliant pace enabled Mm to win the A.J.C. Sires' Produce and Champagne Stakes, and naturally big things were expected of him when he was foaled in 1922. Sea | Prince, however, ia renowned more for his stayers than for early-coming stock, and Sea Pilot was given every chance to develop before his breeder, James _Wilson, placed him in the sale ring as a two-year-old. The youngster created so much admiration that the hammer did not fall until bidding had reached 1400 guineas, but if his purchasers expected an early return of their money they were doomed to disappointment. Sea Pilot did not win a race as a three or four-year-old, and it waS not until last season tliat he broke into the winning list. With four wins, however, he made up for lost time, and at Moonee Valley recently he was stated to have been rather unlucky to be beaten by Bombard in the Budgeree Handicap.