IMPROVERS WORTH WATCHING

Chronicle (Levin), 9 May 1946, Page 6

IMPROVERS WORTH WATCHING

Black Plato found that Fortune's Smile was too good for him at Egmont last Saturday. Although he ' ran very well he never seemed like; catching the winner. Black Plato 1 is an improving horse and it may ; not be long before this Plato geid- j ing salutes the judge for first. Gold Money Song looked a bit green when he paraded for the Poroutawhao Hurdles last Saturday, for when he jumped too soon at the first obstacle, and came down, it was not like the Gold Money Song of last season. When he fell he brought Tid Apa, who was well respected, down with him. Both may require more training before winning but their turns will come. Gay Lena ran quite well .considering that she missed the jump out. She found it very hard to hit out when the pace was applied, and was slightly lame when she returned to the bird cage. Although she made up ground to secure fourth, she never looked likely. Gay Lena is trained and owned by Mr. C. Mora, and she will require more experience before she reaches her top form. Theioway did very well to lead most of the way in the Moutoa Hack Handicap at Foxton, and his winning turn is near. He showed a great turn of speed and battled on gamely to finish third. The six-year-old gelding by Theio from Intersectioh is owned by Mr. W. Stannard, of Levin, ad is trained for him by Mr. V. Bryant, of Foxton. He is now up for sale. Although Young Trent was backed into favouritism he did not fulfil his supporters hopes. He was not disgraced, however, by running a good fourth, and it is hoped that he will do better in the Cornwall Handicap at Auckland in June. The ninth Duke gelding has great prospects','and if he fulfils his promises he will be one of the leading handicappers of next season. Amorlad, though ageing, still has plenty of dash as shown in his good second to Signal Officer at Ashburton. His form has been hard to follow since he won the Gardner Memorial Handicap on March 23, but the old fellow showed he has plenty of go, coming 'from last to get within two length s of the winner and mak-

\ ■ • ■■ ■ ■■ ■ i i ■ i 1 1 .1 i .i ■ .. ing him dangerous for winter events. A few seasons ago he was one of the best handicappers in the South Island. He has had one race over hurdles and shaped very well for a ijovice. Amorlad is a seven-year-cjld brown gelding by Philamor from Scarlet Lady. This is good breeding |or a jumper, and as Amorlad has 3,11 the' other qualifications he can Aardly fail to be a success. ) Fort Royal had to be pulled .up during the running of the Makae Handicap at Egmont last Saturday, the cause being that he was bleeding badly and his jockey considered it useless to continue. He was well s'upported, being backed into se'cond favourite. Fort Royal is one of those horses which always cuns a good race, and his form has oeen consistent this season. It is doubtful wTiether he will fulfill his engagements at Egmont next Saturday. ... Whackie showed an improvement 011 his previous form to run a successful fourth to Fortune's Smile at Egmont last Saturday. He came from a good way back, and would only have to improve this form to win. Whackie, who was once one of New Zealand's star sprinters, is destined for a jumping career. Lady Premier ran a good race in the Whirokino Steeplechase, which will entitle. her to some consideration in future events. This hurdler looks like.i.doing well this winter, and all will depend on whether she can stand ,'the pace. Ring Scarf finishcd a good third 1 after being well back early in tne Himi tangi Handicap. It was a much improved effort as he has been racing poorly lately. Going down the back he was lying second to last, j and by the field he defeated he is | entitled to some respect in future j engagements. ! Bettermusk, who ran a few hurdle 'events last season with some sueI cess, is doing well in flat events, land it might be profitable for him to keep on doing so. He should do [well at jumping this season, but he | might not stand up to too much racing. ! Moderate has been nominated for | the Puketoi Hack and Hunters Steeples at the Otaki meeting on 'May 18. This versatile performer i shows good speed in flat events, and j is quite a good jumper also. He is owned by Mr. C. Garmonsway and is trained at Trentham by R. BelThis eight-year-old gelding by Ollatrim from Glow has good and usually does well at this time of the year. ' i ■