TURF NEWS IN BRIEF

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 71, 24 March 1934, Page 21

TURF NEWS IN BRIEF

One of the most improved sprinters about is the four-year-old Arausio mare Golden Chant. She left hack ranks with her recent win at Trentham, and-she proved at Awapuni this week that, she will more than hold her own in the best open company.

Form was all topsy-ttirvy at Awapuni this week. Particularly sensational were the defeats of Diatomous, Coronilla, Copyist, and Cricket Bat. It would have needed ; only Silver Ring's downfall to have completed the form debacle, but the Silverado gelding is at present as unbeatable as Phar Lap. L. J. Ellis and K. Voitre were riding only half the programme at Awapuni on Thursday. They then left for Wellington to cross over to the South Island. Ellis was bound for Oamaru and Voitre for Westport, at each of which places two-day meetings were being held. ■■ VoitreV'rides at Westport today included Bon Tray, Margaret Rose, Imasiirvey, and White Doe.

Several instances of bumping and interference occurred at the Manawatu Meeting this week,'but the judicial committee did not consider that any of them warranted its attention. Riders on occasions were undoubtedly taking xmusual risks. i

. Cricket Bat is going to be a difficult horse for investors inclined, to follow him. He ia a stallion, and, although -well man; nered enough in. his race behaviour, he has the stallion's will of his own. It is he who decides what he shall do, not his rider.

Copyist, though defeated on his one appearance at Awapuni, is not to be condemned, and it will not be long before he makes amends. Possibly he was feeling the effects of his two hard races at Trent^ ham.,' For a horse.who began racing only this season lie has done well, for in 18 starts he has only five times been unplaced, and his four wins and minor placings have earned him £6tS in stakes to date. . - j Leighon, who won the Liverpool Spring Cup in England on Thursday, was a good favourite for the Manchester November Handicap, the final handicap event o{ last year's flat season, but, after being pushed on to the rail at a critical stage; he failed to finish' near the places. Mr; W. M. G. Singer, who owned him, died on February 11 last. His rider was to have been the popular Harry Wragg. :

Aiguille, who won the Stonyhurst Handicap at Awapuni on Thursday, was makHJSjWs first appearance from G. W. New'a staltla, and it was his first success for over twelve months. He was given in thi race card as now owned by Messrs. H; and W. Smith; of Gisborne, who, it is nu| derstood, have purchased a half-share in him from Messrs. J. W. Nixon and W. Li Moore. Messrs. Smith have not yet registered colours, and Aiguille ran in his former trainer's jacket. ■