LIKELY IMPROVERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 134, 8 June 1937, Page 13

LIKELY IMPROVERS

ELLERSLIE SIDELIGHTS

(Special from "Early Bird.")

: '. AUCKLAND, June 7.' One, of the smoothest performancesat Ellerslie on Saturday was registered 'by Sky Pilot in the Greenlane Steeplechase,'and it was a pity for his connections that he was not engaged, for the Great Northern Steeplechase. However, he will get his chance in the minor, cross^coufitry race next Saturday. ■ ■ . ■ Emancipation ran one of his best races, when"he defeated all.except Sky Pilot in the opening event on' Saturday, but he never looked like beating the southerner. ' . He' should improve, and so, too, will Kinkle, who, is going to play his- part- in the .Hunt Cup events. • Saint Musk provided the sensation of the Greenlane Steeplechase. Coming down the hill" the last time, out in front' with Sky' Pilot,' he tried to run..! off at the stone wall, tossing his jockey. He' appeared to be tiring fast at the. time. ~. ..'".''

COLLISION EXTRA GOOD,

'Judged-on the opening day, Collision should -have been a runner in tha Great Northern-Hurdles. His form on Saturday' was very .impressive, his rider treating the field with apparent disdain.. He -looks, a Winter and National- Hurdles, prospect. ... Gay. Broney gave', a fine display in .the Penrose-Hurdles.rand.his prospects- - asa jumper-look bright. He made one or two rather, moderate jumps, without any- serious mistakes, and,, as he stays, he should dp well over the sticks. An- . other-promising jumper was All Irish, ' winner- of the. Hunt Club Hurdles, who should win= again soon. . . ■One of the unlucky runners in the Cornwall Handicap was Enge, who appeared to be hampered for room when he was in .the middle of the quartet following the leader into the straight, and so got the worst of the squeezingout. process. Royal Appellant took the eye when paraded, but was never able to ■ get within range of the leaders. His form was good enough to make' him a dangerous contender on the second and third.^days.

LUCK OF THE DRAW.

The luck of the draw was against the two favourites' in the Jervois Handicap, these being Farland' and Pirate King, who'drew number 17 and 20 respectively.. ■ Enidale, who started from number 21, was not hurried, and did not get to the front until a furlong from the winning post. Better.placed at the barrier, Farland and Pirate King should do better oh the later days. A surprisingly good showing was put up by Captain Bruce in the hack seven. He is bred for jumping, being by Captain Bunsbyfrom the Robert the Bruce mare Lady Bruce, who is a sister to a Great Northern Steeplechase winner in Mary Bruce. Surella failed to repeat his Hawera efforts. He did not receive the best oC the jump-out, being, three horses out most of the way. He made an effort as soon as the field- had straightened up, but flattered only momentarily. He should not be dismissed yet, for he is a very much improved colt. It is always", interesting to see how well-fancied horses are backed in abig race such as the Great Northern Hurdles. In. a pool close on to five figures the leading selections were:— Jolly Beggar £16(5G, Lord Val £1150, the Erination-Master Musk ■ bracket £1139, .arid Tout le Monde £1094. There was then a drop ■to the next fancy, Modern. Maid, £569. JNTone of these horses paid dividends.