NORTHERN NOTES

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 68, 7 April 1937, Page 8

NORTHERN NOTES

-From "Early Bird.")

A Summary of Avondale Running PROMISING NOVICES

(By Telegraph—

AUCKLAND; Tlxis Day. The near approach of the jumping season saw some of last season 's good hurdlers produced at Avondale. Among tliem were Prince of Orange, wimxer of tho last Great Northern, and Black Marlin. Neither was at his best-axid the racing should improve them. The easy win registerod by Sandy Dix in the hurdles last Saturday indicated that this 'chestnut should do well this -winter, although as he won with 10.7 weight may tell against ' him, for he is not. a big horse. His jumping on Saturday was faultless and this enabled him to score easily. Sandy Dix may. do better this winter as a steeplechaser. A Natural Jumper. A novice hurdler produced at Avondale was Eozel, owned by Dr. A. McGregor Grant, who is a great believer in the jumpers. Eozel is by Vaals from Koura, a maro that carried her owner in amateur riders' events some years ago, and judged by the way Eozel fenced on Saturday she should not be difficult to place in minor events this winter, especially; those confined to the hunting class. Tip Toes in the few races she had has shown that she has plenty of pace, and the manner in which she ran on over the seven furlongs the first day at Avondale, a stayer's course, suggests that she will be right at home over rniddle distances She is a well-deve-ioped three-year-old filly by Tea Tray from the G.N. Oaks winner Danae. Tip Toes defeated Erndale comfortably when the latter appeared to have the race won a furlong from homej Erndale by the way is related to those good winter performers White Comet, Haddon, Chang and Grand Score, for his dam, Lunette, is a half sister by Nassau to those horses. Erndale made amends on Monday. Nearly Into the Harbour. There were some very green two-year-olds produced. at Avondale on Saturday and in consequence the contest was a rather sensational one. Iu addition to the favourite (Highborn) losing his rider soon after . the start, several did not jump out when tho barrier lifted. Eortunately Eainier was one of these, for when she did go she rushed straight to .the putside fence (which stopped her going into the harbour) and came home in that position, proving a rare handfill for her jockey. A disappointment was Dragon Moth, who came into the straight very wide out indeed. Eomani, the first progeny of Gold Lily, by Catmint, revealed promise and this Paladin youngster may be heard from next "season. There have been occasions when TrOuvaille has raced so well as to be given a chance in any haek event he contested, but just when a good race might have been exjJected he has failed rather badly. Last Saturday 's win was full of rnerit, for he was never furtlier back than f ourth in a good field of hack sprinters and at the end he smOtherpd the leaders. On this run .alone Trouvaille would be selected to win opeh sprints next season, and in the meantime it remains to ,be seen if hP will go on with it; he went nnother fair race On Monday. Preliminary Valueless. On form Eoyal "Passage was entitled to favouritism for the hack sprint at Avondale the first day, bnt after seeing his preliminary it is surprising • that he remained the prime f ancy. He drew the extreme outside, and on top of this he revealed pronounced soreness in his preliminary, so that it seemed as if his backers had little chance before the race started. Eoyal Passage was last to leave the barrier and he never got into the picture. It is' said that the early preliminary prior to a race to wliieh a horse is subjected in this country is given with the object of letting racecourse patrons see the hor«es and how they hit out; after the Eoyal Passage aflair the majon'ty of spectators do not seem to appreciate this preliminary. • • Another failure went down to Eoyal Appellant in the handiCap on the openmg day at Avondale, although once again he seemed to be very unlucky in the Tunning. Second to last half a mile from home, he unwound a fine run in the straight and while only fifth at the winning post he was not much more than a length from the winner. Eoyal Appellant may have a chance to make amends before the season ends, for there are good stakes to be'picked up. at Te- Eapa and Ellerslie in the next several we.eks, while the easing of the turf will not be against him. Among the promising novices seen out at Avondale, the first day were a few horses that should do well next sea.s.on, seeing that opportunities for them for the remainder of this term

will bo strictly limited. - Bass , the brother to Scotland, should be one of these prospects, "while Hutana (a half brother to Awarere) who won.on Mondav, School yong (his chance was extinguished at the start of Saturday 's race), Ivy Willonx, Aero Queen, Eoyal Mistake and Inquisitor all revealed pace. Some of these may be given a chance at Whangarei next week.