AUCKLAND TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 4031, 16 June 1931, Page 55

AUCKLAND TOPICS.

By

Digger

Singleton, who ran such a fine race in the Great Northern Hurdles, is still being worked at lakanmi. He was sore for a lew days, but has since improved, and all going well in the meantime he will be a visitor to the Wellington winter meeting-

Cool Mint took no part in the finish of his first hurdle race at Ellerslie, but he did well enough to indicate that he is going to be a success with a little more experience. He is a very good natural fencer, with plenty of speed. The two-year-old Fedora was shipped to Sydney last week and will go on to Melbourne to do her future racing there. She was in good condition when she left, and should make her new owner an early return.

After his failures at Ellerslie, Havering left J. Gray s stable at Takanini and returned to his owner’s place in Taranaki. He did not seem to be quite at his best on the final day of the meeting, but he is going to be difficult to beat at later winter meetings.

Mr F. Earl, K.C., has reduced his string of horses of late by the sale of High Finance and the leasing of Columba. 'High Finance has been purchased by the Onehunga owner-trainer, Mr W. Kemp, and Columba has been taken over by her trainer, J. T. Jamieson. Hard Words, another of Mr Earl’s horses, has been turned out for a long spell. That good hack, Valcuir, -was going like a winner a furlong from home in the Jervois Handicap, when he broke down, and was very lame on pulling up. King Ford showed his Pukekohe failure to be all wrong by subsequently winning three hack races. He is a great beginner with enough speed to succeed in open company.

Great hopes were entertained of Lucess at the Great Northern meeting, but although he ran good races, he failed as a staj'er. He is one of the finest fencers over country in commission, and he should do better at Trentham and Rieearton.

Star Comet was going great guns at Te Rapa before the Great Northern Steeplechase, but unfortunately he fell in both the steeplechases he contested at the meeting. Star Comet may regain his confidence and ultimately make good, as he is a fine stayer and usually a safe fencer. Billy Boj’ raced well at Ellerslie. He is a very efficient jumper with an easy style. , His condition can still be improved, and he is likely to develop very good form in hunters’ events before the season closes.

Te Homai won the Hunters’ Hurdles in fine style, but was not produced again. He is not a robust horse, and A. Cook is not likely to overtax him in his first season as a jumper. He should eventually make a first class hurdler, as he has plenty of speed.

Newcomers at Ellerslie are Bennie, who has had a long spell, and a three-year-old filly by Catmint—Lady Patoa, in J. Ross's charge.