TRENTHAM "HOPES"

Evening Post, Issue 30, 4 August 1936, Page 11

TRENTHAM "HOPES"

(By "Rangatira.")

DIAMOND AND BOOMERANG

The tracks at Trentham have been out of commission for the past fortnight owing to. the bad weather, with only the sand available ior. work, and so T. R. George decided to go south last, night with .Diamond and Boomerang. Yesterday, morning both horses were allowed on the two-year-old grass track., Boomerang going along six furlongs on his gvn, and Diamond doing two rounds at three-quarter pace. Diamond and Boomerang, despite the setback in the weather, have both done well during the past fortnight, and they should not require much work at Riccarton to fit them for their tasks next week. Diamond will be ridden in the Grand National by his now usual pilot, R. Smith. His only recent school* was over six fences last Tuesday, but it is hoped' to send him over the Riccarton country this week. Boomerang will be piloted in .the Winter Cup by S. Wilson, who has "no" other engagement yet on the opening day of the meeting.

Trentham opinion .is strongly in favour of its' two representatives Diamond and Billy' Boy, in-the Grand National. The view is that they are about the only two horses in the probable field whose prospects cannot be seriously faulted on some ground. Billy Boy can definitely go the journey, and, despite his mounting years, he seems to. bo still a force in the big steeplechases. It is also believed that Diamond will manage the distance. There was no fast work on the tracks this morning, only the sand again being open. Youssipofs education as a hurdler was continued, and with D W. Bush' in the saddle he leaped, two fences, the "leaps" being such in- a literal sense. Youssipof will require making, but he is a good type for jumping.

The stallion Croupier, looking as well as ever he did" in the heyday, of his racing career, is at present' beine worked along with- the rest of T if George's team, but it is only with the object of keeping him fit, as he will not be raced again,. The most improved of the stable's just-turned- three-year-olds is the General Latour colt Free Gold who paid a "hatful" when he scored a surprise victory at Tauherenikau' at Easter, and who may develop into a leading three-year-old performer this season.