DOINGS AT AUCKLAND

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12609, 20 November 1926, Page 8

DOINGS AT AUCKLAND

ELLERSLIE TRACKS IMPROVING TAKAPUNA PROSPECTS. (“Times” Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, November 19. The tracks are rapidly improving at EUerslie, and on Thursday the grass was faster than it has been at any time this season. The English mare, White Bird, has taken a long time to come right, bus she went attractively over live furlongs on Thursday, and may be it is the dry tracks she has been waiting for. There was never any question of her speed, but up to date she has stopped quickly after going half a mile. Royal Form is in great condition and has been galloping well, but on Thursday he showed pronounced symptoms of soreness which may cause him to be an absentee at Takapuna. Newbury has not raced since he failed so badly in the heavy going at Whangarei. He looks a delicate customer, but is coming back again after a week or two on light treatment. With Clarus he registered the fastest half-mile on Thursday and performed his task in dashing style. With the advent of fast tracks Newbury should not be long in extending his record. J. Williamson is having a very good season, and in addition to his toher horses Clarus, Newbury and Quondong have all emerged from the maiden ranks this season. The Ellerslie trainer has another in this class who will be showing up shortly. That is the three-year-old Magpie gelding, Corinax.

G. Norgrove is not allowing Princess Ronnie to remain idle, and the little Polydamon mare is hitting out with great freedom. The hack, Blue Sky, was of no use to her over a circuit on Thursday. H. Wigins will ride Princess Ronnie in the Alison Cup.

It was understood that Paganclli had been troubled with a ccfld prior to racing at Te Rapa, and lie null do much better next time out.

The Lord Quex youngster and High Finance look like taking the honours in juvenile races at Takapuna. Scot Free, Queen Emerald, Golden Glass, Clock work and Larry have all been schooled during the week, but none of them can be recommeucletl as an early winner over the obstacles. Tlie continued failures of Fair Abbey resulted in that horse being sold. Ho is once again at EHJerslie and galloped so attractively over a round on Thursday that backers may try him again in the Highweight Handicap at Takapuna. He is not a good one to follow, although a fine track performer.

King Merv is sprinting with all his former dash, and is in blooming health. He is another whose owner will welcome the fine weather conditions.

So far Bahama lias two seconds to his credit. F. Stenning lias not overworked the chestnut, who is hitting out in his track essays as if a win is not beyond his powers. J. Thorpe’s pair, Lomint and Chamour, look all the better for their racing at Ellerslie. When the ground hardens Lomint is a bad proposition, but her younger brother may not he troubled by it to the same extent. He is so well that it. is reasonable to expect him to again get in the money before long. Quondong is steadily on the improve and is an honest young horse. It will not take him long to work his wav out of the hack ranks. N. Cunningham has Royal Picture looking very bright. The grey horse did not leave the harrier corertly last time out, hut. he is working freely rind may make amends at Takapuna, where the maidens engaged are not high class.

Tho twivypii r-old Cnriulliin. sprints ell on the track, hut- in bis two miblu* outings so far bo has boon far from impressive. With a liffln further experience* be may acquire more confidence and lie will then be dangerous.