AUCKLAND CIRCUIT

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 28, 17 February 1937, Page 8

AUCKLAND CIRCUIT

1— Own Correacondent.)

Prdspects For The Autumn Meetings HANDICAP PERFORMERS

(By Telegrapl

AUCKLAND, Thia day. Nun Nicer made his reappearance after a spell in the seven furlongs race on the second day of the Takapuna meoting last month and "while he fai]--ed to show up — the journey was a bit too .short for him — he looked the part and it is possible that he may be an early .winner. Nun Nicer can stay and is at home on any ground. With the impqrtant provincial fixtures near at hand he should be worth . consideration. Having her firgt race, Dragon* Moth acted spleididly on the sbft track at the Auckland summer meeting to score a comfortable victory over several much more experienced two-year-olds. She was to have had her next outing at the reeent Takapuna meeting, but was not herself and could not ;start. Dragon Moth is e'xpected to be produced again •in the near f uture, and much interest will.be takeh in her next appearance. In the same» stable is Royal Vals, a youngster from that good galloper Royal Doulton, and this two-year-old, due to have its first race shortly, is reputed to be speedy. With no leiss than 40 horses nominatcd, the big race at Te Aroha next Saturday week, the £1000 Herries Memorial Cup, has drawn an entry the size of which must have exceeded expectations. Even if this number should be reduced by half the field will still be too unwieldy, despite the roomy track. Then, again, the course is rather awkward for horses not experienced in racing right-handed, and this will be a factor telling against most of the visitors, of which there are a baker's dozen. A notable case in point was that of Grand Jury, who after win- ■ ning the Wellington Cup and W.R.C. ! Handicap in 1934, was taken to Te Aroha and was unplaced each day. The verdict eventually arrived at was that it was the reverse way round that b'eat him rather than the superiority of the opposition. A Smart Sprinter. A smart three-year-old fllly that should be a force to be reckoned with in coming Jsprint events on the provincial circuit is Golden Sheila, the close relation to Gay Blonde. She has won Only one race this season, the sprint at Te Rapa last November, and it is on this. track that she is due to commence her autumn programme. Golden Sheila failed to run on in the Great Northeni Derby after being well up at the home turn. While this failure indicated that she could not fctay, the fact must not be lost sight of that the ground was very heavy. Hrobably her best effort to date was her fourth in the Railway Handicap at 1 Ellerslie on Boxing Day, for on that occasion she was handicapped at 61b. over weight-for-age. Golden Sheila should be a winner very soon. Tudor won the hurdle race on the dfflrst day of the Takapuna meeting but in his preliminary the second day he did not move at all freely. Still, he went another good race and might have beaten Valpai had he been capable of reprodncing first day's form. With a hardening of the tracks now Tudor may be fully tested insofar as his soundness is concerned. As to his ability there is not the slightest doubt and if he can stand np to his racing he will add another stake to his record. Wlien still a hack, Tudor carried 12.7 and won at hurdle race at Trentham in heavy going. Will She Stay? Apparently some hope is helS out that Sweet Rose will make a cup winner, for she is included in the big event at Te Aroha, run over a mile and three, furlongs, and on a big course this furnishes a good test of stamina. This maro failed to handle the going at Ellerslie a fortnight ago, when she started over seven furlongs,* and her effort on that occasion can be overlooked. In attempting to capture the big prize next Saturday week, Sweet Rose will be making an attempt to fol'low in' the footsteps of her halfsister Eager' Rose. J Although Gay Talkie cracked np badly ' in the middle fstages of the Takapuna Cup recently, he made a much improved showin'g . the f ollowing day, clearly in.dicating that he ( may not be lohg in getting back to his best. The form . of this three-year-oid in the 'spring was very good indeed, one tof his best efforts being in the Whangarei Cup, which he won very easily., He appears to have made a' good recovery from the.disability that prevented him from racing at the Auckland summer meeting and he may be a nseful sort to follow during the autumn circuit, espeeially as he is still handily plaeed in the weights.