THE "DARK" HORSES

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 22, 27 January 1938, Page 13

THE "DARK" HORSES

.WHAT OF ROLLING HOME?

•; During the early months of the season roaiden events often contain a big proportion of horses who have n6t previously raced or have had only one or two previous starts. Fresh horses ift such fields are less common in the summer and autumn; but the Maiden Race at Pahiatua tomorrow sees quite an infusion of unknown or llttleknown material.

One may name Rowana, Earl's Court, Sunder, Gay Artist, and Royal Portrait as the only horses in the acceptance of fifteen for the Pahiatua maiden event who have given any line yet to their ability. Rowana has not raced since she finished third to Grand City and Captain Treville at Woodville, and that form is probably the most promising in the field. Earl's Court, doing hii first racing at Trentham last week, made a likely showing in the Trial Plate, in which he finished sixth Sunder' was second at Wairafapa at the New Year; Gay Artist, favoured a little -by his party, was twice third; and. Koyal Portrait was a course tip on. th.c first day, on which he led to the -straight and then stopped, suddenly, possibly from having been galloped; on; as he-did, not run the next <jay.- ;-'"<•. - ■'■ ■■'' '■ : ■....-.■ . ■ ; '•Among the less-known horses ' Esperan.ce..Bay, Freed, Hastings West, Quexona,:'.Ra-Potae, and Mystery Boy have" had a race, or two without finishing near the money/ Hastings West is one who might develop into an early winner, as she, is a four-year-old half-sister by Sky Blue to Retract and Pukeko. - -

Lucky Charm, one of the newcomers, will; carry the colours of her breeder, Mr* C. Ti Keeble, who once owned that fine' horse Golden Wings and recently produced his first winner for some years., •in Tommy Atkins. Lucky .Charm,. a: three^year-old bay filly, is another "daughter of Lackham, and she is/out of the Lucullus—Moondine mare Lucky Bag, with whom Mr. Keeble won a number of races, including.one atiTrentham, some years back. Waterproof, another newcomer, is a well-trained three-year-old bay gelding by. Tidal from The Ace—Brambletye mare.Thornproof, a sister to Brambletorn and Sharp Thorn and a half-sister to Prickles and Thorndale. Thornproof rari& Brambletorn were both sold by Sir Charles Clifford to Mr. J: Allison, of Pofangahau, the latter being a very useful-performer, and Waterproof will be carrying Brambletorn's colours tomorrow. -~'/. .

Home, has been previously nominated for races but has never started. He is a five-year-old gelding

Colleen Gain; might be near a turn, but the-other pair had better holiday form. First Chapter was prominent much of the way in the final day's hack sprint at Trentham, so he too may be in at the finish of an event such as this.

In the Ballance Highweight Buster Brown is the form horse, as he was hack cup winner at Ashhur.st and has now won his last three races. Bing Boy will'be suited by the weight scale. A couple of likely improvers in the field are Parry and Royal Romance, the former running a good race in his only start at Trentham. Twilight Song is another who is.due for an early win now if ever he is to succeed.

The balance of the first day's card comprises the maiden and juvenile events.

In the Maiden Race, Rowana and Earl's Cpurt may be the popular fancies, but Royal Portrait, Gay Artist, and Sunder have shown recent form that will also attract some support for them. It is a race in which an upset is on the cards. ; In the Nursery Handicap, Hunter's Eye, with the brilliance she revoaled at Ta'uherenikau, is the form youngster, and she might find her main opposition coming frvm the . improving Twenty Grand,, Lady Melfort, because of her breeding, is an interesting newcomer. FORM AND CARD. The betting will be under the singlepool system, with two dividends in fields of five or more starters and the following horses promise to claim the attention of investors: — Maiden Race.—Rowana and Earl's Court. , Konini Hack Handicap.—Nereus and Meamea. Ballance Highweight • Handicap.Buster Brown and Parry. Pahiatua Cup.—Pukeko and Lucullus an&Sf- Hmter'S Eve Na Hu a g htyaK^ a andiCap--Maestro «* Eketahuna Handicap.—Pakanui and ijone Raider. The card is as follows:— 12.20 MAIDEN RACK, £S0; 6 furlongs and 55 yards Royal Portrait 8 5 Sunder .... 8 5 Esperance . Bay 8 5 Rowana ....' I 5 Waterproof ... 8 5 Q uexona f 5 i ff ee. d ': 8 5 Mlht Peata ,.8 5 Lucky Charm . 8 5 Rapotae ..... s 5 Rolling Home . 8 5 Gay Artist 8 5 ■«W? 1 p^yl/;; 8 8 i 1.0 KONINI HACK HANDICAP, £100; 7 furlongs. '' NercU3 ..... 9 0 Le Toquet ... 8 2 Meamea .... 8 12 Jterryman 7 11 vStvT 1' I 1!! H'W Heels : 7" l,^ B w.nky 8'8 KnlKhtsbrldge 7-5 |™nyBlon*,_. 8 3 Toorak «... , 5 1U6 ■ BALLANCE HIGHWEICHT HANDICAP £1001 mile and 110 yards. ' Buster Brown . 10 13 Puroto 9 0 • Bine Boy .... 10 l Camilla Horn'! 9 0 Contact^ 10 1 L ady wesscx .90 J, arry „ 9 9 Twilight Song. 9 0 Royal Romance 9 6 Maliutal .„. 3 0 Earl Colossus. 9 0 1 2.25 ■ i PAHIATUA CUP, £170 and trophy; 1% miles. Lucullus Ead . 9 0 Helen Ford .. 7 13 Master Cyklon 8 13 Hunting Queen 7 13 f, uI<ek° 8 6 Pladlo 7 10 Llmbohm .... 7 13 Terry 7 4 3.5 NURSEET HANDICAP, £100; 5 furlongs. Hunter's £yo . 8 6 Segra 7 7 Jeanne 8 4 Twenty' Grand. 7 7 Diareus y- 8 Lady Melfort . 7 5 3.45 HAMUA. HACK HANDICAP, SlOOj 1 mils and 110 yards. Maestro .... 9 0 Impersonator . 7 13 Agog ....;.. 8 4 Seyfried 7 10 Naughty Marietta 1 13 Lady Wessex . 7 0 4.25 MAKURI HACK HANDICAP, £100; 6 fur- 1 longs and 55 yards. Diamond Cutter 0 0 Joe Louts ... 7 12 1 Ffrst Chapter.. 8 12 Rhodesian ... 7 11 Colleen Gain.. 8 6 .Jewish Lad ..7 5 Ruling.Sp'l ... 8 3 Moo. Aco .... 7 D ' Happy Heels.. 7 12 5.10 ' EKETAHUNA HANDICAP, £110; 7 furlongs. ! Pakanui ....-, 9 T. Kahlkatoa .... 7 5 1 Lone Raider .. 7 121 Passion fruit . 7 5 i Mister Quez .. 1 1 Sunny Blonde. 7 0 j

by the Polydamon.horse Rowley from the Provocation—Temperance mare Six O'Clock, a half-sister to Markful (dam of the New Zealand Cup winner Spearful and also of Full Mark), Highway (a crack hurdler),- and Tempean. . He was recently a pift to Mr.H. N. McGuinness, of Masterton. The combination of names is thus most apt, so more than usual'interest will be taken in this gelding. ? Mihi Peata is a three-year-old brown filly by Lord Quex from the Cape Horn —Missmaid mare Miss Beatrice, a sister to, Cape. Gabo.anda half-sister' ..to Spearmiss and Hystride. Miss. Beatrice did not; stand up to training and she was secured for the stud by Mr. H. T. Hume, of Masterton, who some years back raced Retract and other horses with . considerable success, and who also owns P.ukeko, though he has this gelding leased to B. Burgess. ■ Mihi Peata is the Maori equivalent of Miss Beatrice. ■■■.-•;,••■