GOOD TRACK AT MASTERTON

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 17, 15 October 1943, Page 7

GOOD TRACK AT MASTERTON

Marble Fox Scratched

(By

St. Simon.)

Masterton has not had anything like the rain which has fallen in Wellington mtely and the track will be in good order fol the racing at Opaki tomorrow, yesterday morning light rain wet in at S 0 clock, but it had cleared again at midday and last night the weather was line and mild. The track at Opaki is in perfect condition, and it’ there is no further ram today it will provide ideal spring going.

Murble Fox Out. Marble Fox and her stable-mate loxettc were withdrawn from their Masterton engagements at 4.30 p.m. yesterday. This was due to t-he illnees of their trainer, F. Tutcbeu. It is understood that both horses will bo sent ou to fulfil their engagements at Trentham.

Work at Opaid. Several visitors came on from (Jtakl early in the week and hare been working'their teams at Opaki in preparation for tomorrow’s racing. Among the visiting horses out on the tracks yesterday were Fort Royal, Meermint, Killarney Boy, Fiddler’s Green and Lastik.

Indian Sign and Metonymy worked an easy live furlongs and Silvio went strongly over three furlongs at three-quarter pace, which he was keen to increase, This colt has done well since winning the Hastings Stakes and his elasli with Nawab in the Wellesley Stakes is being looked forward to.

Killarney Boy, a two-year-old halfbrother to Duncannon, and Meermint galloped attractively over three furlongs. Killarney Boy is to have his first race to; morrow. In parades at Hawera and Otaki this season he has shown that he is an easy mover.

Back in Work. The Champ was back on the track at Opaki yesterday, his first visit since coming in from a winter spell. He is very burly and will require plenty of solid work before he is ready to race. It is unlikely that be will be produced till the summer meetings. Riders for Tomorrow.

The following riding engagements have been announced for tomorrow’s meeting at Masterton: L. J. Clutterbuck, Fiddler’s Green. Fort Royal, Killarney Boy; N. Holland, Black Swan, Lord Broiefort, Crucible, Royal Heir; C. T. Wilson, Joseph Conrad, Barrosa, La Serena; J. McFarlane, Master Dash, Caithness; A. Midwood: I’atu Po, Siglow; K. Smith, Bronze Night. Sir Croupier, Maori Bank; A. Sager, Pell Mell: J. Garth, Piastre, Barrage; W. J. Broughton, Great March, Beau Cheval, Mun's Pride, Voltaire; L. H. Clifford, Gynerio; B. Chaffey, Gamble; B. H. Morris, Martial Note, Whackie; A. C. Messervy, Gav Corrie. Broughton in Front. For the first two months and a halt of the current racing season W. J. Broughton is the leading* jockey with nine wins. H. N. Wiggins is second with seven. L. J. Clutterbuck and B. 11. Morris next with five each, A. Midwood, A. Toki, J. McFarlane and T. Green next with four each, and W, F. Ellis, W. Ensor and W. Sklfflngton have three each. Spring- Programme, The spring programme for Royal Flight, winner of the Grigg Stakes and Dunedin Guineas, is the C.J.C. Stewards’ Handicap and the Oaks Stakes. Her winnings to date amount to £J425 from four wins, three seconds and a third in nine starts. Bred in the South.

Gay ’Winkle, winner at long odds of a division of the Gordon Handicap, at the Auckland meeting, is a three-year-old'filly by Martarma from Waiwene, and was bred by Mr. John Porter, at Akaroa. Epris is the best member of this family to have raced in recent years and others hare been Mysito and Martene. Gay Winkle, is trained at Ellerslie by Frank McManemin, .inn., a member of a prominent racing family. and a few years ago was a well-known racing correspondent.

Aero King nt Awapuul. When L. Knapp returned from the Auckland spring meeting he brought with him the Auckland-owned sprinter Aero King. This horse has plenty of spend,' and has proved himself a master of the worst track conditions, but he seldom does his best on race day. He may be put to hurdling. Coming to Trentliaiu.

After-being a long way back at tho halfmile in the Shorts Handicap at Ellerslie, Agullo finished with great dash to reach fourth place, It was his first race since Maj- and improvement can be expected. Agullo is engaged in the Walnui Handicap on the first day of the Wellington spring meeting. Ilis Second Attempt. Arabic was having his second start only as a steeplechaser when he won the Onehunga Steeplechase at the Auckland spring meeting. His first start was in the Taranaki Hunt Cup when he fell two fences from home when leading. His lease from D. Lane to H, S. Greene expires st the end of the year and the only other steeplechase available to him in the meantime is the Waikato Hunt Cup at Cambridge on Labour Day.

Idooklng; Well. Lord Advocate looked well wheu paraded for the Telegraph Handicap at Dunedin on 'Saturday, and it Should not be long before lie returns to winning form (says the “Star”). In his race Lord Advocate

lost several lengths at the start, and was still at the rear of the field turning for home. Then he put in a fine run to finish close up fifth. Should Make Good.

Tuatara made a fair attempt of his first start over hurdles at Otaki, being narrowly beaten by another novice jumper. Tuatara has tho size for this branch of racing, and his form, on the flat was better than most of the hurdlers he is likely to meet around this district. Death of Sir Gundi.

Sir Gundi, who suffered an inward bleeding attack during a gallop at Rlcearton on Tuesday, died on Wedne-sday. He was a five-year-old gelding by Salmagundi from Stability, and was bred by his owner, Mrs. A. Fairbairn, North Canterbury. Last season he won the Greymouth and Banks Peninsula Cups, and at his most recent start won the Geraldine Cup. ■ Still Good.

At seven years not much improvement can reasonably’ be expected front Royal Lancer. Indeed, after the hard races ho had last season under big weights a little deterioration would not have been surprising. There was no sign of this in ]>is race at Wingatui. Considering his condition and all the circumstances his performance was satisfactory and he. will again have to be reckoned with.

A Cheap Horse. Epping, who has won three of the four races he has contested, cost Mr. J. Gallagher OOgns. a year ago. He was trained at two and again at three years, but it was not till January last that he made his first appearance on the Turf as a nine-year-old.

Young Trainer. L. J. Ellie has entered into possession of the stable property he recently purchased from A. McAulay at Riccarton, and intends to take up training if sufficient inducement is offering. He will not, however. relinquish riding, Ellis has had “ lifelong experience With horses, and should combine the two callings with success.

Entries Today, Entries close today for the New Zealand Cup (5 p.m.); Auckland Cup and major events (5 p.m.); Foxton spring meeting (9 p.m.).

Answers to Inquiries. “Punter,” Nelson: £6/8/0 and £”/«/-. “J.K.,” Wellington: Indian Clipper has not qualified for the New Zealand Trotting Cup. Qualification for this race is by class regardless of times recorded. In the President’s Handicap at Addington on Saturday Indian Clipper (4.32) started from the limit and ran 4.18 2-5. He has been reassessed to 4.30, so he is still three seconds outside the limit of the Cup, which is 4.37. “■M.W.,” IValpukurau: £l4/10/-. “H.F.,” Wellington: (1) £4/10/-; (8) £1 “Plato,” Ttiai; The information would have to be obtained from the secretary of the Avondale Racing Club. “ ‘Dominion’ Reader,” Opunake: You have the Flying Hawk stake only on Vermette. “Anxious.” Wellington: Wiggins rode Kentish, Balfron, Lord Chancellor, GayChat and Cornish , at Auckland ou Saturday.

“Mug,” Palmerston North: (CL> £l/12/6; (2) £3/3/6 and £l/10/-; (3) £l/0/6; (4) £l/6/-; (5) £B/15/6 and £3/4/6. ’F.'C.,” Masterton: £2/11/6.