NORTHERN FORM

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 74, 14 April 1937, Page 13

NORTHERN FORM

-Own Correspondent.)"

Pointers for the Whangarei Meeting HORSES TO REMEMBER

(By Telegr«.ph-

AUCKLAND, This Day. Although it has been given out that Tooley Street is to be taken across to Melbourns sbortly, he continues to do fast work at Ellerslie. „He has, however, been taken ont of his Whangarei engagements. Horowhenua, in the eame stable as Tooley Street, is engaged in the sprint at Whangarei next Friday and, as he showed up at" a mile at Ellerslie in his fy:st race for soxne time, he njay have a chance, that is if he can foot it with the sprinters in the early, par.t. The middle distance event on the second day may suit him. better. Yalrent appears to sufler from almost chronio soreness, this being particularly marked after his third in the Ohinemuri Cup last month and again at Avondale recently. But for this he' would possess an un.deniable chance in the big races at Whangarei this week, so that if he gets over his disability and strikes an easy track he may be more at home. Promising Youngster. Eomani is to have his second race at Whangarei on Friday, when he is to eontest the Trial Plate. This is a good race for promising two-year-olds as a rule and the Takanini youngster seems | to; qualify for an excellent /chance. Among those of his own age at Avondale he mada an auspicious debut by finishing flfth and, though in that alone there may have been little real merit, the colt impressed as likely to develop into a useful performer. Surella ran two excellent races at Avondale, finishing right on the heels of the piaced horsed the first day and then getting second to Merial on the second day. The chestnut is engaged at Whangarei this week and this track will suit him. In the spring on this course Surella won the open sprint and, as he still has his pace, he may again be a good prospect among the hacks and is at least a fine place proposition. If the Surveyor gelding. can hit the front early he always takes some catching, even if he has not got much heart when it comes to a fight. Where Speed Tells.

Another speedy hack engaged at Whangarei is Palustre and the same remarks may also apply to her as to Surella, other than that she has been known to display some courage. In the six-furlong races at Whangarei a great deal always depends upon the draw, as the barrier is in the middle of tho ttirn going round to the back and outside horses are always at a considerable disadvantage, despite the fact that the outside post is well forward to overcome this factor, However, there it is and horses with the smallest marblesjhave a tremendous pull. As is usual, some horses have two and three engagements on the opening day at Whangarei and among them is a potential winner in Whakapara, for this little fellow knows the quickest way round this track; he has won many races here. At Avondale the other day Whakapara revealed a nice turn of speed and, though he did not run on, it was a good guide as to what he may be capable of this week on his favourite course. He is in the sprint and the mile and the latter event would appear to be well within his range. !WiU Stay On. Gtlen Abb might have been a shade unlueky in getting beaten into third place at Avondale, for he was hampered by a horse on either side of him in the finishing stages and his rider could not get a free hand to ply the whip. It looks as if Glen Abb is coming to his best now and he may be a good horse to follow in his immediate engagements- and he, too, is under orders for Whangarei. It is probable that the Australian-bred gelding wili be a fair handicap performer nexl seascn, for he has been racing oniy a little while and may stay- fairly well. ! Among the early prospects for ,tb.e ! pri,ncipal handicap , event at Whangarei | next Eriday are Te Hai, Orooning and Miss Lu, a trio that have been showing up in their engagements of late. Te Hai's fourth lafter getting jleft at Avondale last Monday week will probably be responsible for sending him out favourite. In the sprint First Aere appears to have his big opportunity, f!or he is still nicely piaced in the bandicap and his reeent running indicates that he is getting back to his best. It is in Prince Acre's favour Lhat the worse the track the better he will gallop, while a small field on briday will asslst him. It wa% rather a pity that so many ef the horses handicapped for the liurdle race the first day at Whangarei deelined their engagement, for it was hoped to get a line on their chances fc'or the more important events to follow in the next several weeka. Boughal still etands his ground, an injury having prevented him from making liis debut earlier; he has sehooled very well for a novice. However, on the fc'orm so far disclosed Spearcourt appears to have it on the opposition, unless som8 of his opponents reveal considerable improvement. Spearcourt is the type for hurdling and he may go far at this branch of the sport.