RACING

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 44, 14 May 1927, Page 8

RACING

By

“Early Bird.”

Scratching of Opa In reply to “Inquirer.”—Opa was scratched last Wednesday for the McRae Memorial at the Egmont meeting-. Off the Scene When King of the Air stumbled at Ellerslie yesterday morning, prior tc doing his schooling, he appeared tc suffer no ill effects. However, he was very sore yesterday, and will be on the easy list for a little while. In Toil Again Gold Acre, who has been off the scene for some considerable time, has been noticed pottering about the Ellerslie tracks. At present he is carrying a ton of condition. As a two-year-old Gold Acre was thought of very highly. Wanganui Acceptances Those owners or trainers having horses engaged at the Wanganui meeting next week and who intend to compete are reminded that acceptances for the first day close at 8 p.m. on Monday The Next Meeting With the Egmont gathering disposed of to-day, the Wanganui meeting or Thursday and Saturday will be the next to claim attention. This is the last fixture immediately prior to the Auckland Great Northern gathering which opens a fortnight later. Rehandicaps of Egmont winners engaged at Wanganui and Auckland will probably be announced on Monday. Out For the Winter Perle de Leon is to be treated to a let-up for the winter. He was dispatched from Greenmeadows on Wednesday to his owner’s property at Takapau. He has had a fairly successful season, as he has won three races, in addition having finished second in three of his essays, and third once. Perle de Leon had been freely nominated foi flat and hurdle events at Wanganui. Comical’s Programme Advices from Wanganui rather incline one to the view that Comica will start in the Wanganui Steeplechase on Thursday, as a try-out, ir view of his Great Northern Steeple-

chase engagement a fortnight later, ir preference to the Century Hurdles also run on Thursday. The matter may be settled on Monday night, when the Wanganui acceptances are due.

Out For a Time The condition of Tommy Green, who was unfortunate enough to suffer a broken collarbone when following the hounds on Askari, is stated to be quite satisfactory, but some time will perforce elapse before the champion lightweight will be able to re-enter upon activities. He is meantime being well cared for by his employer, R. E. Hatch, at his own residence. Inquiry Adjourned

There were several falls on Thursday at Hawera, but the riders all escaped injury, and, with the exception of the inquiry after the steeplechase, the stipendiary stewards, Messrs. McMahon and Wilson, found nothing to quibble at. In addition to the inquiry already mentioned in that race, an inquiry was held into the running of Sanforte, but was adjourned until Saturday morning.

Enare’s Form Those who have already nibbled at Enare for the Great Northerns must have been rather concerned that their fancy did not run into a place in the Tongahoe Hurdles at Hawera on Thursday, but they need not be too hasty in their judgment. It appears that the Sunny Lake gelding ran quite a good race for the major portion of the journey, and only petered out over the final stages. As expected, he was badly in need of a race. Another outing to-day perhaps, and then a couple at Wanganui, and Enare should be forward enough to see out the strenuous Great Northern Hurdles contest if it is decided to bring him north. Trainer Cox’s plans should be known in a few days now. Will Do Better

In running third in the Tongahoe Hurdles at Hawera on Thursday to Brigadier Bill and Mount Marta, Koauau was responsible for quite a good performance. It is some time since Mr. J. B. Gaisford’s fine jumper last raced over sticks, although he has had quite a few outings on. the flat, no doubt with the object of bringing him along in view of his winter engagements. At the Awapuni meeting a fortnight ago Koauau went close to bringing off a big surprise, when he finished second to a particularly smart hack in Cohesion, and giving nearly a double figure return to his few supporters. Koauau is in the Century Hurdles, two and a-quarter miles, at Wanganui next Thursday, and he is also in the Great Northern Hurdles. Another Chance On the Hawera track, Troilus, a full brother to Avola, has been a good worker, but he would not reproduce his best with the colours up. On Thursday at Hawera he Was tried for the first time over the sticks, and the fact that he was the pacemaker for about half the journey might be taken as an indication that he may yet come good. He jumped well, and that he should tire over the concluding stages was not

to be wondered at. Troilus will probably make his next appearance in the hack hurdle events at Wanganui, and on his showings there may be gauged his future prospects. Troilus has been heavily supported in several engagements the past couple of seasons, and the amounts invested without return would total quite a fortune. Will all his old supporters rally round again, now that Troilus has shown soine aptitude for the jumping game.

Mackie In Hospital For some time past the Palmerston North horseman, R. J. Mackie, has been experiencing but indifferent health, and, acting upon medical advice, he decided to undergo an operation for the removal of a kidney as soon as autumn racing activities were completed. Mackie signalled the intended temporary cessation of activities by attending the Marlborough meeting to ride five winners in the course of the two days, and on his return home placed himself in the hands of his medical adviser, the operation being performed on Wednesday. Enquiry at a private hospital by THE SUN correspondent yesterday morning elicited the information that the horseman had come through his ordeal satisfactorily. Indeed, hopes are entertained that he will be able to return to the saddle within the space of two months or so.

Lomint Gallops There was very little doing at Ellerslie this morning on account of the inclement weather. The tan and sand tracks were open and they were on the heavy side. However, Lomint was galloped a round on the course proper, two trestles OLit, and she compassed the last seven furlongs in 1.40 3-5. Two Likely Youngsters

W. Tozer is handling a neat looking yearling filly by Romeno —Miss Norval, and Valour, by Valkyrian, from a Gluten mare, the dam of Some fashion and Rahepoto.