ELLERSLIE GALLOPS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 77, 23 December 1937, Page 5

ELLERSLIE GALLOPS

-Presa Association.)

Courtcraft Does Excellent Round SOME FAST SPRINTING

(By Telegraph-

AUCKLAND, This Day. Outstanding features in connection wi.th the semi-final gallops for the Auckland summer meeting at Ellerslie this morning were a round by Courtcraft and sprints by Oratory, Stretto, Te Hero, Taurangi and Ben Braggie. The Cup candidates to impress most were Argentic, Cerne Abbas, Wild Chase and Jonathan. The course proper 40 feet out from the rails was available, and practically all the fast work was done on this track, which provided perfect going. Knight of Australia went away slowly from the mile post, and was timed to run his last seven furlongs in 1.34 3-b. He was running on solidly at the end. Kilonsa was in front of Aero King, with Trevace further back, at the conclusion of seven furlongs run in 1.31 .1-5. They covered the first half-mdle in 49 4-5sec., and it was a good gallop. Kelly was about a length ahead of Shy after traversing a round in 2.8 3-5, the last seven furlongs in 1.34 3-5. Both horses could have done better. Taurangi was to have worked hy herself, but she got up alongside Te Hero and Homily at the five-furlong post and jumped away well clear of them to come home in 1.3 2-5. Te Hero was giving her fully eight lengths start^ and got to within a length of her at the post, and his time must have been partieularly good. Homily was eased up at the top of the straight. Kena came home from the seven-fur-longs post in 1.34 1-5. He went very evenly throughout iu traversing half a mile in 50 secs. Blaclc Thread was holding Tiverton safely at the end of . a half -mile gallop. Black Thread workbd well, and Tiverton also pleased. Trencb Fight, after running his first three furlongs in 36 secs, was easing up over the final stages to complete seven in 1.39 4-5.

• Ben Braggie was sprinted three furlongs, going from the six to the three, his time being 36 1-5 secs. This horse "looks in great order. The Great Northern Derby candidate, Courtcraft (Atkins) traversed a round in 2.3 4-5, which was the best of the morning over the distance, and is the best registered at Ellerslie for a long time. Argentic, Wild Chase and Cerne Abbas were companions over a round which they completed in 2.5 3-5. They finished as named, and it was a first-class trial. Wotan and Bronze Lady were going comfortably throughout seven furlongs, which occupied 1.36 1-5. Wotan was hanging on nicely at the end. Three-year-old Eoyal Chief was in front of Padishah and The Buzzer after completnig a round in 2.8 1-5. The last seven. furlongs took 1.33 4-5, and Eoyal Chief at that stage was about three lengths behind the other pair, but he eame home solidly over the final stages. Padishah and The Buzzer made satisfaetory showings, as they had the worst of the weights. Nightdress had a good deal in reserve while traversing seven furlongs in 1.36 1-5. Crooning was responsible for a fine effort in running seven furlongs in 1.30 2-5. Wagner rau thTee furlongs along the back in 39secs, and was then eased up. Francis Drake impressed more than Money Raid while sprinting half a mile in 50secs. This was a good effort. The Crooner had Quadroon (Atkins) as a companion over six furlongs, and was doing best at the end in 1.19 1-5. The first three furlongs were covered in 38 4-5secs. A smart sprint was credited to Oratory and Stretto, the pair finishing on terms over five furlongs in 1.3 2-5. They rau the first two in 24sees, and had something in reserve. The southeA hack, Florence Mills, who was a bit off colour yesterday, shaped well in a workout over seven furlongs run in 1.38 2-5. She rau the first three in 37 l-5secs, and from that stage onward she was under a strong pull. After taking 24 2-Ssecs for thefirst two furlongs, which occupied 1.3 1-5 Peter Beckford was not unduly bustled over the last furlong, however. Tray Bit has been working attractiveiy since his arrival, and is in great fettle. Jonathan was sent over a mile and a quarter, and completed his task in 2.15 3-5, the last three furlongs, which took 40 3-5secs. This was a really good trial, and he came on in solid style.