AWAPUNI STABLES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 44, 20 January 1938, Page 14

AWAPUNI STABLES.

SUCCESS AT TRENTHAM. HORSES DO WELL. (By “Spectator.”) Horses trained at Awapuni wore very prominent on the first day at Trentham, Surmount winning tho Wellington Stakes after a sensational cscapado when ho bolted a mile before tho race, while Vadanoc, who had only recently joined G. W. Ncwo string scored at long odds m the Ruapehu Handicap after giving promise at Marton of doing well. , - Cataloguo surprised greatly by .staying on in good stylo over the longer journey to fill second place in tho Wellington Cup, and Lady Ina was narrowly beaten into second place in the open sprint. Alby, who had shown on the last day of tho’ Manawatu meeting, that he might soon be reaching his best form, finished second to Dictato in tho Anniversary Handicap. Ho is nicely placed in the Ashhurst Cup, for which Ihis Trentham running should improve his prospects.

Local Owner’s Purchase. Play On is reported to have been sold to Mr M. Millar, of Palmerston North, and was due to race in his colours in the Trial Plate at Trentham to-day.

Engaged at Ashhurst. Tho Waverlcy trainer, G. A. Reid, will be represented at the Ashhurst meeting by Race Boy, who figures in tho Hack Cup and Rautnai Handicap. This hack has several useful performances to his credit, and at his last start accounted for a good field over seven furlongs at Stratford. Raeburn Improved.

Raeburn, who finished third in the Fitzhcrbcrt Handicap on the first day at Trentham, was confidently supported to win at Onmaru on New Year’s Day, but lost his chance by getting away badly. He has improved with racing and travelling, and should justify earlier high opinions formed of him by his owner, Mr O. Watson, who-refused a four-figure offer for him before lie raced. Prospects of Grateful.

Grateful won the To Awamulu Cup with 7.0 and is now up to 8.5 In the Goldfields Cup, to be run at Thames on Saturday. He was by no means disgraced in tho two handicaps he contested at. the summer mooting at Ellorslic, showing a bold front most of the way and failing only near the end. Grateful is in great heart at present and in tho hands of R. W. McTnvish ho may prove difficult to beat.

A Stable Bracket. The Buzzer, who finished fifth in. the Welliington Cup, was always prominent, and just faded over the final two furlongs. It had been anticipated that he would run well, as he was responsible • for a great mile on the plough at Awapuni last Saturday, and was exceptionally fit. His 6lablemate, The Bigot, made a bold showing, being a trifle unlucky in receiving a bad bump at the barrier and another chock at the six furlongs.

Sale of Nightdress. Nightdress, who ran well in the Apprentices’ Plate on the first day at Trentham, and shaped like an early improver, has been sold by Sir Charles Clifford to an undisclosed buyer, and delivery will be given on his return to Riccarton early next week. Nightdress has yet to win a race, but he has not boon hurried, and like his sire, whom he closely resembles, he may develop into an important winner with age. Preparing for Takapuna.

Nothing in the way of strenuous work has been required of Knight of Australia since tho holidays, though he is a very fit horse. His next appearanco will be in tho Takapuna Cup at the end of this month in which ho will only ncod to reveal his best in order to keep the opposition busy. This gelding is racing more generously than in former years, and more money looks assured for him during the next few months. Riding Engagements.

Riding engagements for Thames include: —J. Muir, Gascyne; R. E. Thomson, Desert Star; A. Gilmer, Dombey; O. McInallv, Ruccline, Gay / Sister, Nuipapa, Strathiro; J. Mclnallv, Sinking Fund, Ivy Willonyx, Chief Lap; J. F. Fergus, Bcughal, Tosh; J. Winder, Prince Rangi, Pirate King, Centaurus. J. McLaughlin (now of Hamilton) will be riding at the Ashhurst mooting on Saturday, where his mounts will include Race Boy and Sylvanus.

ASHHURST MEETING. RACES ON SATURDAY. Expectations of a record attendance are held for the Ashhurst-Pohangina Racing Club’s meeting, to be held on Saturday (Anniversary Day). This is one of tho most popular holiday fixtures on tho Manawatu circuit, and invariably provides interesting racing. There are good fields of horses engaged, and betting will be on the single pool system, with a dividend indicator. Special car parking facilities have been provided, with a separate area for vehicles front Hawke’s Bay and the Wairarapa. Last night between 5000 and 6000 gallons of water were spread on the club’s courso to freshen up tho track. Tho water was carted out in an 830-gallon sprinkler, and it is estimated that the distribution of this amount is equivalent to a quarter of an inch of rain.