RACING

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 7, 30 March 1927, Page 6

RACING

(By “EARLY BIRD.”) The Avondale Fixture The Avondale Club has drawn up quite an attractive programme for its autumn meeting on April 23 and 2G, and when the entries close on Friday afternoon at 5 o’clock it will in all probability be found that the nominations will compare more than favourably with those for any preceding gathering. A Strong Horseman The Catmint horse Mint Leaf has lost quite a few races this season through the efforts of indifferent riders who have had the mo Lint. He is a difficult animal to keep up to the field, but when it comes to racing he does not lack gameness. To-morrow Mint Leaf is to be piloted by R. Reed, who does not often travel so far afield as vVhangarei, and it will be interesting to see how he shapes for the Wellington horseman. The Taranaki representative will probably be sent out favourite fer the Waipapa kauri Cup. Unlucky Performer At Te Arohff recently Archeno was out about somewhat, and when taken to the Franklin meeting the daughter of Archiestown was galloped on. She is now getting over her mishaps, and continued progress will enable her to face the starter once more at Ellerslie next month. It was unfortunate for Mr. \\ r . J. Urquhart that he should lose the services of Archeno at such a time, for she was coming right and looked a possibility for events near at hand. Now it may take a race or two to bring her back to form. Owners of Tanadees The sale of Tanadees fell through, and he remains in J. McLaughlin’s stable, and will probably do his future racing in the joint interest of Mrs. Jorgensen and his trainer. Shirley’s Engagements Like the great majority of the stock of imported Absuird, Shirley is a brilliant sprinter, and only recently she scored in an effective manner at Trentham. In according her a nomination in each of the Easter Handicaps, the veteran trainer, Stuart Waddell, must have been convinced that she would run out a journey up to a mile, which L a distance every Absurd is not able t<> accomplish. The se-en furlongs at liiccarton would probably suit her better than the Ellerslie mile, but it remains to be seen what the programme of the Greenmeadows stable is. King’s Folly is also in at liiccarton and Ellerslie. Calcite Amiss F. D. Jones is experiencing trouble with the New Zealand performer, Calcite. After galloping early last week at Randwick the mare developed trouble in one of her tendons. Her trainer is hopeful that the injury will yield to treatment before long, but she was able to run at Rosehill last Saturday. Stormy and Breezy Stormy and Breezy were landed in excellent condition on Tuesday afternoon last at Sydney from the steamer Marama from Auckland. They were immediately taken to the Central Railway Station yards and entrained to Newcastle, arriving there early in the evening. The pair will be raced in the Newcastle district. Stayers as Sprinters Tli ere are one or two apparent anomalies in the weights for the two big events at Riccarton at Easter. These races are the Great Easter Handicap, seven furlongs, and .lie Great Autumn Handicap, one and ahalf miles. For instance, in the shorter race Rapier is asked to concede • Footfall one pound, and in the Great Autumn Footfall has to give Rapier six pounds. Seeing that Rapier won the Wellington Cup and has given further evidence of being a star performer over 12 furlongs, it is hard to become reconciled to the fact that Footfall is half a stone better horse at this distance. But there it is. Obviously Mr. Henrys has a very exalted opinion of Footfall as a stayer, which fact may be accounted an unfortunate circumstance by the connections of the horse. Grand Knight Goes Out Grand Knight will be scratched for the Great Autumn Handicap, and will not pay up in the Great Easter unless he makes wonderful improvement during the next few days, writes “The Watcher.” It is extremely unlikely that Grand Knight will ever race again, and in that ease he will be returned to Mr. Eric Riddiford, who leased him to his brother. Three Jockeys Out The stipendiary steward. • • ; racing on Sydney’s pony course*- are taking a very serious view of jockeys taking wrong positions at the barrier. Last Wednesday a mild Sensation was caused at the Rosebery pony meeting when the stewards reported that J. Corp, rider of Upstart, S. Vernon (Octapla), and G. Webb (Iridescent), were each suspended for one month for taking wrong positions at the barrier in the second division of the Flying Handicap. Iridescent was favourite for the race, while Upstart was second favourite. However Silas won the event in easy fashion by three Lengths from Upstart, who comfortably beat Iridescent for second place. Previous to the drastic action by the stewards last Wednesday, offences of this nature had always been met by a fine. Strangely enough, two of the riders, Corp and Vernon, are apprenticed to J. Vernon, and, incidentally, were riding horses from his stable. G. Webb is one of the leading light-weight jockeys at the ponies and he had won the first two races of AVednesday’s meeting on Exit and Greyfoot. Non-Starters at .. uangarei Scratchings for to-morrow so far announced are Lady Robinson. Chairman, Uralla and Fair Abbey. These are out of all engagements at the combined meetings. In addition, Clarus, Right and Left and Corinax are unlikely start To be Watched Both Awarere and Papatu looked in good order when entrained for Whangarei yesterday, and recent racing does not appear to have left its mark on them. As they claim engagements at the Easter meeting their running at Whangarei will be keenly watched.

Bigger Fields The following is a comparison of numbers engaged on the first day of the combined Whangarei meeting, last year’s figures being shown in parentheses: —Maiden 27 (13), Awanui Hack 12 (18), Cup 10 (10), Hurdles 11 (10), AVaiharere 16 (6), Ahipara 9 (16), Mangonui 18 (17), Houhora 9 (9), total 112 (99). Quiet Ellerslie There was little doing on the track this n.orning, most of the Ellerslietrained horses being at AVhangarei. AVhatever work accomplished was done on the sand or tan, and in most instances nothing better than good half-pace was attempted. Kendal’s Progress The ’chaser Kendal, though on the big side, is beginning to put dash intc his schooling tasks, and by the time the June meeting comes round he should be ready to do a good trip across country. Delightment at Home When Delightment won the Waikino Handicap at Ohinemuri he was sixth in the order of betting and returned a good price. The manner in which he strolled home by five lengths showed just how good he is. Delightment is owned and trained in AVhangarei, and probably on that account he will have many friends in his engagements. Riding Engagements The following are some of the riding engagements made for the combined Whangarei meetings to-morrow and on Saturday: R. Reesd is to pilot Oration and Mint Leaf. R. Reilly rides Master Doon, Kamehameha, Royal Seagull, Electrode and Just Quietly. H. Wiggins will be on Princess Ronnie, Automne and Michael. AV. S. Bagby’s mounts include Spoony and Awarere. C. Davies pilots Archeen, Thursby, Town Bird and Te Kawana. P. McMahon rides Delightment. Mervette and Rangatahi. R. McTavish will be on Master O’Rorke and AVhaka King. J. Wreghett is to steer Serang in the open sprint. J. Cammick will be up on Papatu in the AVaipapakauri Cup. A. Tinker rides Te Monanui in the Waiharera Handicap. E. Copestake will be on Gold Peak in the hurdle events. Other jockeys in the Kaitaia Hurdles are:—j-t. EJ. Thompson. King Selwyn; C. Regan, Karamu; and G. I-lolland, Llewellyn. From Te Awamutu Though a big field is booked to compete in the maiden event, run over five furlongs, at the Waipapakauii meeting at Whangarei to-morrow, solid support may come for Arinagour. At the Ohinemuri meeting Arinagour ran third to King Arch and Te Kawana in the Novice Handicap, run over six furlongs. The five-furlong sprint to-morrow should suit Arinagour better and he is sure to run prominently. Thursby’s Prospects Thursby ran prominently at Franklin, and at the Ohinemuri meeting went one better in accounting for the Netherton AVelter. At Whangarei Thursby can be looked to to shape well, as his recent work suggested that he was greatly improved. Still, Thursby may find one or two pitted against him a little too good in whatever race he tackles. An Improving Sort The recommissioned Storm Fiend is a speedy fellow, and at the Franklin meeting, after being last to leave the barrier, was in the firing line nearing home, having made up his ground very quickly. lie pleased many by the manner in which he strode over the ground early in the week, and in A. Morrow’s hands should be capable of winning races. Two For Sydney Some time ago Dave was operated on for wind trouble and has been having a spell. He was recommissioned this week and this morning went at half pace on the tan. Dave made a noise that could be heard three furlongs away, but as he gets into condition with training his wind should .become all right. It is understood that Dave, accompanied by Clarus, may be taken to Sydney after Easter. A Division Race The opening event at Whangarei to--morrow is the Maiden Plate, for which 27 have been paid up for. As the safety margin for the course, for the five-furlongs distance, is fixed at 18, the race will, provided the field is not reduced to the latter number, be run in two divisions. The greater number will also necessitate machine brackets, as 24 horses is the limit of the machine. If the 27 acceptors face the barrier Royal Seagull and Star Love, Mervett and Rina Maungu, and Lady Robinson and Lady Waipu will be bracketed. As Lady Robinson has since been scratched, and there are sure to be other defections, it is unlikely that there will be any brackets, but a division race looks certain. Whangarei Notes There is a persistent rumour that Tressillian is very sore; in fact, on the verge of a breakdown, but the horse never looked better and was jumping out of his skin on the track yesterday morning. In view of the rumour lengthening the odds, a few of the wiseheads will be in on Tressillian during the week-end races. Adjuster is pleasing his trainer immensely, and should be one of the most fancied horses at the meeting. The locally-owned Houhori did not pull up too sound after a fast halfmile with Illingar last Friday, and was allowed to drop out of his AVhangarei engagements. Delightment has paid up in the open sprint, and which ever horse beats him should win. Like all the Catmint stock, the soft going suits him. Quaestor cannot be giving his trainer much hope, judging by the way he is working, and the prospects of his winning at the coming meeting are not bright. Challenger, by Mountain Knight out of Camp Guardian, should turn out useful when seasoned. He has a good style of galloping. T. Carson, of Stratford, arrived in Whangarei yesterday morning with Gold Peak.

WHANGAREI FIXTURES

OPENING DAY TO-MORROW WAIPAPAKAURI PROGRAMME REVIEWED The combined Waipapakauri-Whan-garei autumn meetings will be held to-morrow and on Saturday. To-mor-row the Waipapakauri Club will hold its hxture, and the excellent acceptances received will ensure the keenest racing. The recent rains have made the course in splendid order, so it only requires line weather to make success assured. Both the Whangarei and Waipapakauri clubs have proved themselves progressive, and it is clubs such as these that are deserving of every encouragement from the owners and the sporting public. A special train leaves Auckland at 5.57 a.m. for Whangarei to-morrow and on Saturday, and it is safe to assume that a large number of racing enthusiasts will be found taking advantage of the railway service. Totalisator patrons will be faced with a pretty stiff problem at the very outset to lind the first and second dividend payers in the opening event, which is the MAIDEN PLATE, 5 fur. Exalted Cynthia 11. Master Clements Adjure Corinax Challenge Mervette Royal Seagull * Creation Town Bird Scot Free Segment King o’ the Air Arinagour Salamander Master Arch Rina Mangu Star Love Rapoa Sea Gaze Prince Otto Blue Bonnett r Wee Marble - Lady Waipu Dimmer There are 25 remaining in, and if the old saying, the bigger the field the greater the certainty, ever does apply, then surely it does here. But the task may not be quite so easy as all that, for there are three at least that will be regarded by their enthusiastic admirers as “certainties,” and they are Town Bird, Exalted and Arinagour. A dozen remain in the AWANUI HACK HANDICAP, 6 fur.

The horse at the head of the list is by no means badly treated, and neither is Baby Bun nor Respirator. The latter created an impression when he scored at the Franklin fixture. Te Kawana and Michael have been shaping consistently, War Officer is doing good work, and Royal Flight has some placed performances to his credit. Of the field the two most likely will probably be Antrim Boy and Te Kawana. The way is now paved for the principal event of the day, the WAIPAPAKAURI CUP, 1 mile 3 fur.

The top-weight will run a good race. Mint Leaf is a sluggard, but with Roy Reed up he will be kept up to it, so that he promises to be prominent. Spoony is a distinct possibility, and so too, is Princess Ronnie, who will probably have her old pilot. Papatu is on the up-grade, and judiciously ridden capable of springing a surprise. Of the lighter weights Ballachulish and Thursby may be the best, for Aurumavis and Curraghmore claim other engagements. The horses at the top of the list appear to have it on the others, and of those few the best backed may be Mint Leaf, Spoony and Day Guard. _ , The big event is followed by the KAITAIA HURDLES, U miles.

This should provide a fine contest, for several of the dozen acceptors have good chances. Without going through the whole list, suffice it to say that Gold Peak, Karamu and Slump have bright prospects, a bit brighter perhaps than most of the others engaged. Next on the list is the WAIHARERA HANDICAP, 6 fur.

The horse at the head of the list will not be at home over this short course. Master Doon has some excellent performances to his credit, while Serang, Delightment, Archeen, Awarere, Automne and Sleepy Sol cannot be overlooked. Nicely drawn at the post, there is every prospect of Archeen. Master Doon and Serang carrying most of the money. The hacks will have their say in the AHIPARA HACK, 7 fur.

There are only nine engaged, with the material to furnish a keen contest nevertheless. Star Comet’s last three outings have been productive of a couple of thirds and a win, and on the strength of recent running will no doubt be better supported than Golden Autumn and the hitherto disappointing Plane Pearl. The event confined to horses trained in the district follows. This is the MONGONUI HANDICAP, 6 fur.

This is another difficult proposition for backers, but they may be assisted to an extent by the fact that some of those engaged here may be raced earlier in the day. There are some has-beens left in the race, including Scrap o’ Paper. Illingar, Fiery Lad, and Just Quietly will probably be among the prominent ones. The first day’s programme concludes with the HOUHORA HANDICAP, 1 mile.

Auramavis and Curraghmore a-e also engaged in prior events, but if reserved for this race Curraghmore looks quite a likely one to account for Oration. The form of Oration to-day over a mile will be watched with interest, for hitherto six furlongs has been his limit. On Saturday the combined fixtures will be concluded with the Whangarei Club’s programme, and as practically the same lot of horses are engaged the running to-morrow will be followed with the closest interest.

Antrim Boy 8 5 Dimmer . . 7 0 Illingar . . . 8 5 Miss BuculTe Kawana 8 5 lus 7 0 Baby Bun . 7 7 War Officer 7 0 Respirator . 7 4 Te Tarae .. 7 0 Royal Flight 7 2 Thurnrosae . 7 0 Michael . - . 7 0

Day Guard . 9 0 Aurumavis . 7 7 Mint Leaf . 8 2 Curraghmore 7 0 Spoony ... 8 2 Ballachulis b 7 0 P r in c e s s Thursby ... 7 0 Ronnie ... 8 2 Kamehameha 7 0 Papatu ... 7 9

Llewellyn . 10 10 Comet King 9 3 Gold Peak 10 4 Dead Sweet 9 3 Karamu 10 4 Te Tahi . . . 9 0 Queen EmKg. Selwyn . 9 0 erald . . 9 9 Lady Arch . 9 0 Slump . . 9 8 Yg. Mischief 9 0

Te Monanui 9 7 Awarere . . . 7 12 Aurumavis . 8 5 Automne . . 7 2 Master Doon 8 5 Mst. O’Rorke 7 2 Serang . . . 8 0 Sleepy Sol . 7 0 Ring the Bell 8 0 Antrim Boy . 7 0 Delightment . 8 0 Bretland . . 7 0 Archeen . . . 8 0 White Bird . 7 0 Charlady . . 7 13

Star Comet 8 11 Abbey Day . S 0 Whaka King 8 6 Charitaine . 8 0 Golden Au- Nassock ..80 tumn .... 8 5 Plane Pearl 8 0 Wee Marble 8 0 Queen Rewa 8 0

Illingar . 10 4 Bight . . 7 8 Tressillian . . 9 10 Quaestor . . 8 Bright Dawn 9 5 Thurnrosae.. 7 5 Just Quietly 9 8 Shortland .. 7 5 Adjuster . . . 8 8 Ma Boughal 7 0 Comet King S 8 Electrode 7 0 Scrap o' Bady Arch . 7 0 Paper . . 8 8 Potoera . . . 7 0 Tressor .. .. 8 1 Te Tarae . . 7 0 Fiery Bad . . 7 13

Aurumavis 9 S Mst. O'Rorke S 5 Oration ... 9 5 Clarus ... 8 5 Curraghmore S 12 Gold Pern . 8 0 Rigrh t & Left 8 10 Rangitahi ..80 Passionate . . 8 10