AUCKLAND RACING CLUB.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 238, 8 October 1928, Page 13

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB.

LAUGHING PRINCE'S CUP. ORATION TAKES THE SPRINT. BIG DIVIDEND IN STEEPLES. The spring meeting of the Auckland Racing Club was opened on Saturday in beautiful weather. There was a good attendance, but owing to half the field not going away in the Mitchelson Cup the public took charge and only five races were decided. The Shorts Handicap was won by Oration, who was at a very long price and the Mitchelson Cup, by the favourite, Laughing Prince. Mashoor, who prevailed in the Steeplechase, paid over half a century. The remaining three events were subsequently postponed until to-day, Monday's second day programme being transferred to Tuesday. An inquiry was opened concerning happenings to Aussie in the Shorts Handicap. He drew No. 1 at the barrier, and after jumping out smartly, got sent back, and was also again pinched back near the threefurlong post. The inquiry was adjourned until to-day. For the five races on Saturday the club put through £33,054 10/, compared with £40,588 10/ for the same number of races on the first day of the spring meeting last season. This was a decrease of £7534. A Big Dividend. Twelve started for the Hunters' Steeplechase and most money went on Pompeius ( £1173), Importer ( £1023) and Master Arch ( £416). When they were let go the crowd, who had assembled on the course in the vicinity of the winning post, was still there. Master Arch and Archangel fell at the first fence. Tago San showed the way up the hill to Clockwork, Marita, Roman Abbey and Mashoor. Tago San and Roman Abbey came to grief at the first fence on the top of the hill, Tago San breaking his leg and having to be destroyed. Passing the stand the order was Mashoor, Marita, Pompeius, Clockwork, Rafferty and Importer. The riderless Archangel continued down the straight on the course proper and ran through the crowd, who endeavoured to stop her but were unsuccessful. Going up the hill the last time Mashoor was about 20 lengths in front of Marita, Pompeius, Rafferty, Importer, Clockwork, Cui Bono and Syndicate. Rafferty, Pompeius, Importer and Marita came to grief at the first fence on the hill. This left Mashoor well clear of Cui Bono, Clockwork and Syndicate, who were the only ones left in the race. At the last fence a man endeavoured to stop Mashoor, but the horse jumped the obstacle safely. A large number of the crowd on the course proper also tried to stop him, but McGregor, his rider, drove him clean through them, to win by 20 lengths from Cui Bono, who beat Clockwork by twelve lengths, with Syndicate, who was the only other to finish, fourth. The last-named three horses had similar experiences to Mashoor in getting through the crowd. The winner paid over half a century. The following was the result of the only race decided after Saturday's main edition of the "Star" went to press:— HUNTERS* STEEPLECHASE of 400sovs. About two miles and a-half. 12—MASHOOR, br g, aged, by Lucullus —Musketry mare (Mr. W. J. Brooks), 9.O—A. McGregor 1 11—CUI BONO, ch m. aged (Mr. W. H. M. Johnston), 9.0 —J. Burgess .. 2 7—CLOCKWORK, b g, aged (Mr. R. W. A. Lewis). 10.5— R. Olive 3 Also started: (2) Importer, 11.5 (Sharkey) ; (3) Master Arch, 10.5 (Conway) ; (5) Tago San, 9.9 (Garrett) ; (G) Roman Abbey, 9.5 (Thompson) ; (1) Pompeius, 9.3 (Syme); (10) Syndicate, 9.1 (Foster; (4) Marita, 9.1 (Henderson) ; (9) Archangel (Warner), (8) Rafferty (H. Dulieu), 9.0. Won by twenty lengths, third horse twelve lengths away. Time 4.58. Winner trained by J. O. E. Jones, Takanlnl).

KICKED HER ALONG.

"She ? s a solid filly and stays on well," said Bert Ellis after riding Prodice in the Guineas. "I was always in a good position, and was in behind the leaders till we got straightened up for the run home. Then I sent her along, and she soon hit the front. She won well, but I was kicking her along, and took no risks." Recognised as one of the finest riders in the Dominion, this season is only the second occasion that he has made the trip to Auckland. He served his apprenticeship with F. D. Jones, trainer of Limerick, and came to Auckland with him when Jones brought Malaga up and scored a surprise victory in the Auckland' Cup. Ellis did not have the ride, as he was too heavy. In the South Island during the last couple of seasons Ellis has been at the top of his profession, and has ridden the winners of all the classics in Dunedin. He also won four classics on Limerick. "But for a misunderstanding I would probably have been in Sydney now riding Limerick.' said Ellis on Saturday. "When McCarten was suspended I expected a cable from Mr. Knight, but he was also expecting me to cable him. When he did not get word from me he thought I had engagements to fulfil here and so cabled to Roy Reed." |

CHANGES IN RUNNING.

It is doubtful whether there have been so many changes in running in a Great Northern Guineas contest than was the case on Saturday. The .* whole field jumped away well, Gold Money and Grand Tea being squeezed out in the dash for a position, and with a furlong gone they were the last pair, but not far away. Cashier was actually the first to hit the front, with Toxeuma and Staghunter also well forward. However, Cashier suddenly lost his position, and for a moment or two Toxemua was the leader. Then Gold Money, who had been at the tail of the field with Grand Tea, put in a great run on the outside, and White Wings also moved up. As they came down past the . half-mile Gold Money had raced into the lead, while both Cashier and Staghunter had lost their positions and were well back. As they came to the home turn Gold Money and White Wings were just in front of Toxeuma, with Episode, who had been up with the leaders at one stage but had been knocked back, now putting in a second run. Prodice had escaped all trouble, and was running along comfortably in fourth position, ana apparently Ellis was waiting on the leaders. As soon as the straight was, properly entered, Toxeuma settled Gold Money and White Wings, but this had only been accomplished when Ellis sent Prodice along, and th* filly ran past Toxeuma without difficulty, and came on to win bv a good margin*. No matter how the race was run, Prodice would no doubt have won, but several of those in thera'ce ireceiyed any thine but a smooth passage. > "

OFFERS FOR PRODICE.

When the Catmint filly Prodice beat the Held pointless in the Great .Northern Guineas her owner, Mr. F. £. Loo in b, had good reason to feel pleased with the result. About a month ago she was under offer to an agent for an Australian sportsman and there was every prospect of her being sold at 1000 guineas. However, somebody tendered the information to the agent that Prodice had a tendency to go sore when it came to giving her fast gallops prior to a meeting, and this caused the expected sale of the filly tc fall through. On Friday evening an Auckland sportsman offered 1000 guinea* for her, the Guineas engagement to be in Mr. Loomb's interest, but he asked 1500 guineas and again no business resulted. As Prodice earned £1000 by her victory her owner has every reason to feel satisfied the two offers for her did not bring about a sale.

SUCCESSFUL OWNER-TRAINER.

Mr. Frank Loomb, owner-trainer of the Guineas winner, Prodice, must be recognised as among the most successful of trainers. He entered into the traiuing of horses in a very small way at Gisborne, the first horse he prepared being Reservoir, a hurdler, who was a great battler and won many races. His success with Reservoir soon brought hi in other horses and the first really good one he got hold of was Goldfinder, a big handicap horse and a great weight carrier. A season or two after having Goldfinder Mr. Loomb came up from Gisborne and set up permanently in Auckland and he continued to win races in his turn with his horses. The next shift was a few years ago to Te Awamutu and from the time he went to the country .he has never looked back, but on the other hand, has had a wonderfully successful time. With either flat races or jumpers he has made good, and with two-year-olds his is a stable always tc be considered. At present he nas a useful string and so well has he commenced the season that he will be at, or liear, the top, when the winning trainers' list is made up in July.

THE MITCHELSON CUP.

Just whether Laughing Prince would have won the Mitchelson Cup had all the candidates taken part no one can say, but even so the chestnut must be given credit for a fine performance and there can be no question of him being a highclass horse. It was a peculiarly run race this no doubt because of the uncertainty the riders felt whether there had been a false start or not. All seemed to be riding in a half-hearted manner and this had the beneficial effect of the field keeping close together, so that when the riders realised for certain that they had been sent away to a definite start," they all had a chance. Desert Glow was bowling along in front a furlong from the finish, but it was all over with him when Laughing Prince threw out a challenge and the chestnut son of liuantock came away to win in good style by nearly two lengths, and he was doing better than any of his opponents when the post was reached.

TE AROHA NOTES.

Mr. R. B. Hines' filly Miss Mestor, bv Polymestor, has again joined the track workers. During the winter she was put out of work on account of teeth troubles. She is the making of a good filly and, judging by her track essays should get on to the winning list in due course.

The brother to Peter Amans, owned by Mr. D. Borrie, of Waihou, and lately trained by J. H. Dufty, at Thames, is back at Te Aroha, and will join one of the local stables. At present he is somewhat unruly, but when he becomes tractable, may be quite a payable proposition.

Improved horses locally are Indolent and Glen Star. The first mentioned is showing more pep than usual, while Gler. Star is galloping very freely in his essays.

Marble King, who races well when fresh, may race prominently at Te Rapa. His track work is good and consistent on the whole, and with ordinary luck thi? son of Marble Arch should increase hi? winning total materially this season. Upoko is still showing speed on the tracks and when he becomes more solid may pay his way. Crown Arch, also trained by G. A. Reid, is holding nis condition well. He will make his debut at Te Rapa this month and may race worthy of his breeding. Lucy Rose and Town Bird have not been asked to do much during the past fortnight. J. H. Wallace intends taking the two-year-olds, William of Orange and Lucky. Alice, to compete at the Waikato meeting. Neither are forward in condition, so will not be labelled dangerous just yet.

Love Call promises to be in fine condition to compete at Te Rapa this month and if the track be dry should run really well. For his age he has undergone a very nice preparation, which should stand to him as the season progresses. A fine big gelding by Glen Albyn that was hunted with the hounds throughout the season, has been on the tracks during the Week. He is intended to take his place in the Maiden Steeplechase at Cambridge on Labour Day. Taumai, is now being worked by his owner, Mr. P. A. Swney. He was on the track on Tuesday, when he ran a smart three furlongs with Indolent and the St. Amans' gelding. Taumai will be a contestant in the Trial Stakes at Te Rapa.

About three weeks ago Flying Tresses went wrong after executing a fast galloD with Nancy Lee, and as her leg filled she was taken to her owner's property at Waihou. At that time the chances of the mare racing this season appeared to be small, but she has made a quick recovery, and is again a track worker. This mare has plenty of pace and it would be unfortunate were she to fail to stand a proper preparation. Now that the tracks are in better order work is becoming more interesting. On Tuesday morning Te Koroke. Queen Arch and Glen Star, the latter a maiden hack, ran five furlongs in 1.5. Te Koroke had slightly the best-of the spin, but the hack, carrying a light weight, was close up when the post was reached Marble King accounted for Crown Arch over four furlongs, run in 51s. Indolent. Taumai and a St. Amans' gelding skipped over three furlongs in 38 2-ss, with Taumai, who put in a fast finish, in front. On Thursday morning Black Ma ire ran a solid round on the plough Marb:e King was better than Crown Arch over five furlongs. It was an off day for the latter, who appeared somewhat disinclined to gallop. Tea Time and Lucky Alice sprinted half a mile in good style. Indolent and the St. Amans' gelding ran four furlongs in 525, the former having most in hand at the finish. Lady Mestor and Lady Spalpeen registered strong pace work over a, round on the plough.- Ruffles was only cantered a] couple of rounds and Waltzer galloped a mile at strong working pace. Flying Tresses was given long pace work and pulled up.qound. .. ... j