SPRING RACING AT ELLERSLIE.

Shannon News, 4 October 1929, Page 3

SPRING RACING AT ELLERSLIE.

KEEN CONTEST EXPECTED IN GUINEAS.

The principal handicap set down for decision to-morrow is the Mitchelson Cup, over a course of one and a-half miles, and as the field includes a number of likely contestants for the New Zealand Cup, the race may provide followers of the sport with some valuable form for reference in connection with

the big event next month. Other important races are the Great Northern Guineas for th}ree-year-olds, Shorts’ Handicap and Welcome Stakes for. two--year-olds. The main track has not been used since the Pakuranga Hunt fixture and it is expected to be in first class order for the approaching meeting.

(Trial Hurdle Race. The opening event has twenty-one ae- . ceptors and is little short of a puzzle. 'The form at, Avondale suggests Lady Spalpeen will be be hard to dispose of with the same poundage, while Tresham, who should make good at the game, ran a, much improved race info second position at Hawke’s Bay last ’ week. That form entitles him to some consideration. Golden Wedding at her best could' win with ease, but she may need the run. Wanganui and Marton runing entitles As Wera to much respect. and if he could reproduce the form he displayed when he ran Glengariff to half a length he would beat more than beats him. Of those seen out at Avondale recently Sir Archie •looks the (likely improver. He ran fourth on the opening day of that fix-

Star Stranger Prodice '

ture. It.will not be an easy race from the speculator’s point of view, but two who appeal, are — , . Ah Wera Lady Spalpeen - “Great Northern Guineas. The mile classic for three-year-olds has drawn a good field, but the betting will be mostly confined to three runners, Eaglet, Pink Coat and Hunting Cry. The former, being a filly, has an advantage of 51b from the rest of the field and though she had fairly easily victories in her four previous races she will be kept going to beat the other pair to-mo Trow. Pink Coat has an en - viable record as a two-year-old and in one race this season scored a very easy win in moderate company. He is a good one there is no doubt but many

are anticipating that Eaglet, being, more seasoned, may account for the Southerner at the judge’s end.- By reason of his win on Saturday last Hunting Cry has entered into calculations, and it is evident from his. latest running that he is not being set an impossible task. False Scent is one whose recent form is suggestive of better things, while Flying Prince, Crimestor, Imperial Prince, Leader and Supremacy are promising sorts. If the latter shows the form that he displayed in his early two-

year-old career he may surprise. The favoured trio v/ill no doubt be Eaglet, Pink Coat and'Hun ting Cry, with a preference for — Eaglet Hunting Cry Shorts Handicap. The race for sprinters gives promise of providing san even contest.' The favourite „on the day will probably be Lady Quex and her second to Eaglet at Avondale makes her appear in favourable light She displayed very consistent form last year, when once in winning vein and should be very hard to beat to-morrok. Cold Money failed at Avondale but did not get the best of the start on the opening day and as he is a fairly good one lie should not be altogether disregarded. On' his

Wanganui running Havering is entitled

to consideration in this event, while Awarere is showing good form. Lady’s Boy .is a fairly reliable sort and on the face of his first and second at Avondale lie must be given some thought. Value was also a winner at that fixture and was the one to finish in front of Lady’s Boy. The latter has an advantage of 21b on this occasion. Oration and Billikins are knocking at the door and both should win shortly, but there will not be too many to say at will be

in this race, though the former won it last year and paid a big price. Of ' the others, Polyxena appeals most and in fact she may prove very troublesome with only seven stone. There is - a fair amount of form to speculate over, but the best appears to be that of — Lady Quex Havering Mitchelson Cup. The, withdrawal of Paddon leaves an even dozen to contest the principal handicap at the fixture. Star Stranger’s second to Puithair in the Plumpton Handicap suggests he should r ot-be long now to score a winning bracket and the fact that he is a proved stayer and a good weight carrier he will go close to carrying off the prize in this event. Historic haß fully justified all the good things anticipated of him last year, but whether he is ready yet

’ STAR STRANGER AND LADY QUEX ARE FANCIED.

The spring meeting of the Auckland Racing Club, which is scheduled to open at Ellerslie to-morrow and conclude on Monday, is a fixture in which much interest will be taken and if the list of acceptors furnish any sort of a guide as to the financial success of a meeting, there should be a prosperous feeling among the management of the Northern Club. All the events have filled remarkably well and while this has made the task of the punter a little more difficult one, the racing should, to say the least, be exceptionally interesting.

to stay a distance is a matter of speculation: There is one thing not in his favour to-morrow, and that is he meets two good ones in Prodice and Prince

Humphrey, both on 121bs. worse terms than in their meeting at Avondale. That extra poundage is likely to find him out over the extra quarter of a. mile. Prodice impressed la3t year as a likely stayer, but while a good performer in any going, she shows a preference for a “soft track. Prince Humphrey’s win iu the A.J.C. Derby is evidence of his ability to go a distance, but as his only recommendation this season is a second in a six furlong race and fourth in a mile and a-quarter, there is reason to doubt-whether he is ready yet. Barometer has won three on end, but unfortunately did not start at Avondale and how. he will shape in

this company ’it is difficult to say. It looks a bit too rich for him. Back to her best Puithair is claiming attention and she should be handy at the finish if her Avondale form is reliable. Transformer has a third for recommendation and High Pitch was fourth in the same race. Of the others Taliskev appeals most. At its present stage the race bears a very open aspect, and speculation on the day will range fair-, ly even over the -five at the head of the list. The best pair may prove to be — :

Hunter’s Steeplechase. For winning in such an easy manner at Pakuranga Hunt fixture, Pompeius will be the one most sought after in this event. He has been giveiUanother 18 lb more to carry, but that should not stop him. Sea Comet who followed him home on the previous occasion has- another 51b., .but he makes the strongest appeal of 'the others. Odin, Calithe, Town Rambler, and Saomi have some form to recommend them, while King Fame put up a splendid performance to run fourth in the Great Northern. Steeples. lie looks the ipost likely one to trouble

Pompeius Sea Comet ’'Welcome Stakes. The possibilities among the two-year-olds becomes more complicated by the accumulation of form from the recent racing of the youngsters and the chances of at least half a dozen look very even. The first and second horses in

the Avondale Stakes were placed in a similar position in this event last year and that looks like Lineage and Imamint being in demand for to-morrow. Biddy ’s Boy was entrusted with the bulk of the money in the Nursery Handicap on the second day at Avondaie, but the best he could do was fourth. Royal Ruler won the event referred to, with Orapai (who is not engaged) and

Lady Court filling the other positions. Chrysology, a son of Desert Gold, is expected to develop into a useful one, but he was not good enough to beat Simba at Hawke’s Bay. The latter, it

is apparent, is a really good one and Isa’s performance in running him to half a* head in the Debutante Stakes makes the daughter of Absurb appear in a favourable light. Chief Link is a well-bred youngster, who won a parade division at Wanganui, while Cylinder, Oil King and Sporting Chance are promising sorts. The public, on the day may show a preference for — Lineage Tmamint Gordon Handicap. The racing at Avondale seeiias to be the only form for a guide in this event. Arikitoa was fourth and second at that fixture and Sea Cob was second ami first. Of the pai? the former makes the strongest appeal. Prince Val made a good impression by his recent double win and those performances will probably send him out a warm favourite. Some Lady ran third in the. Swanson

Handicap, and Brampton rvas third on the concluding day. The latter should get on the winning list shortly. Of the others Takuranga has best recommendations, a third to Refresher and .Arikitoa at Palturanga. The favourites will probably be — Prince Val Arikitoa Flying Handicap. The concluding event has a fairly big field with Reremoana at the head of the handicap. The veteran will need to be back to his best to win with the

poundage allotted him. Great Charter, it is understood, has gone lame and may not make the trip. Lucy Rose will soon have to be kept on the right side and Flying Juliet impressed by his running at Avondale. Maori Boy and Mervette are both good performers at the distance and there is likely to be a preference shown for the former. Otairi and King Emerald have the benefit • of winter, racing, while Standfast is an improver who can be expect-

ed any time now. Of the others Ohxnemuri, Mithra, Roi de Val and Black Maire have some claims to consideration. The race is a very open one and likely pair are— Maori Boy Ohinemuri Riding Engagements. E. S. Bagby: Star Strangpr. H. Goldfinch: Prince Hufnphrey. A. E. Ellis: Prodice, Pink Coat. K. Voitre: Puithair. H. Wiggins: Transformer, -Merry Mint, Imanant, Havering, Brampton. E. A. Keesing: Singleton, Hunting Cry, Lineage, Otairi. T. Metcalfe: Amor. W. Pascoe: Leader. G. Holland: Odin. * J. Cammic-k: Red Lion.

A. McGregor: Harbour View, Tin Whistle.

K. Gill: Lady Court. J. Burgess: Ah Wera, Marita. E. Olive: The Lamb. 11. Dulieu: Star of the East, Calithe. L. Dulieu: Maslioor. A. McCormac: Oil King. H. Jones: Stonewall.' L. Man-son: Gold Money, Kawainga. E. Ludlow: Catoma, Grand Spirit, Good’ Boy. K. Robinson: Lady’s Bov. E. Stairway: Sleepy Sol. P. Brady: Chesterman. Form at Napier Park.

The Napier Park Racing Club are also holding a meeting to-morrow. 'the first event being timed to start at 12.30 p.m. The following runners are expected to be prominent in their respective engagements: > Prince of Wales Stakes: War Worn, Sea Scout.

Trial Handicap: Manifesto, Best Friend.

Greemr.eadow Hurdles: Peslnva, Jen

Fark Stakes: Shrewd. Ahuriri Hack:. Potency, Sly van Dell. Taradale Highweight: Rouex, Zippor. Railway Handicap: Taxeuma, Rbyal Lineage. 1 County Hack: Chopin, Te Awha.