Turf Note

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 58, 31 May 1927, Page 6

Turf Note

RACING I

BY “EARLY BIRD."

Riding at Wingatui F. E. Jones is booked to ride Taboo and Brigrhtling at the Dunedin meeting. Scratching Times In answer to “Falkirk’* and “Double”: Brigadier Bill was scratched for the Century Hurdles at 12.25 p.m. on the day before the race. Gilgai was scratched for the Grandstand Steeples at 9.2 a.m. on the day of the race. They Like Yoma It is reported that Taranaki racing folk are sanguine that Yoma will run well in the Cornwall Handicap and other races at Auckland if produced. Southern Jumper Frisco Mail is said, to be a doubtful starter at Wingatui. The probable state of the going would be in his favour, as he acts to his best form when the sting is out of the ground, or better still, when racing in soft going. While schooling at Wingatui-yesterday Frisco Mail got hung up in a fence. Coming Back The two-year-old Jericho is making good progress towards recovery from the mishap that occurred to him while in preparation for autumn engagements. The Archery colt is able to move about quite freely, and W. G. Hobbs is hopeful regarding his future. Dropped Her Rider The imported mare, Clare Crag, who showed an objection to facing the obstacles when tried in the jumping ring recently, was sent out at Riccarton on Friday morning to take on the pony hurdles, but she stubbornly refused to tackle the obstacles and dropped her rider. Cu pi don’s Success Had Cupidon not retrieved his reputation by winning the Otautau Cup on Wednesday, it is an open secret that the son of Martian would have gone to the paddock at once, with the prospect, if any, of a hurdling career at a future date, says the Southland “Times.** The classic winner of long ago pulled up well after his success this week, and he may now be seen disporting himself in his recreation paddock like a care-free two-year-old.

May be Barred? “If the stipendiary steward's ruling in connection with Scion’s ineligibility to start at the Otautau R.C.’s meeting is confirmed, Coastguard will also be ineligible to start at the meeting this week.” —Dunedin “Star.” Useful 'Chaser His stern race in the Otautau Steeplechase on Wednesday does not appear to have had any ill-effect on Vice Grand, who pulled up well after lengthy easy work on the local tracks.

writes “Sir Modred.” The Vicq Admiral gelding may not be quite as sound as his friends would like him to be, but there is no doubt about his condition. He is muscled up splendidly and, all going well by the way, he may possess more than an outside chance in the Otago Steeplechase next week, while on looks he should get some of the cross-country prize money available at the D.J.C. gathering. In Work at Hawera Quite a number of yearlings were out exercising on Egmont course on Tuesday morning, says the Hawera “Star.” In fact there are more youngsters being educated here this season than on any previous occasion. The two-year-old track is proving a great boon for exercising the novices on. Horses engaged at Auckland and Otaki were given pace work on the sand, and the outside of the course proper was available for fast work. Danae and Captain Gazeley ran five furlongs on the outside of the course in lmin 9sec, and Danae finished in front. Danae goes to Auckland on Friday. Enare was given a couple of rounds on the sand. Gaillard was given half pace work on the sand. Bevis had his first schooling over the hurdles, and jumped fairly well for a beginner. Captain Gazeley will go to Otaki and Rayo is intended for Auckland. All going well, Enare goes to Auckland for the northern meeting. Scratched Too Soon Mr. W. A. Read has been back in England from America for some time now, and was at Newbury recently to see Lordland win the Greenham Plate. He has leased the son of Tamar from Mr. Arthur Saunders, and after the manner in which he strode away from his rivals his owner may now be regretting that Captain Gooch scratched the colt from the Derby only a few days ago. Perhaps other owners will be equally pleased, for as the majority of our three-year-olds are but shortdistance runners, Lordland might have had “something to say” in the Epsom classic. It must, however, be remembered that, though he won easily, he was receiving just on a stone from Fourth Hand. Lordland’s sire, Tamar, after standing one year at the stud and getting half a dozen foals, was sold to the Hungarian Government, and must be regarded, as a loss to English breeders. Omahu’s Record Of all the horses who have attempted to win the Great Northern Steeplechase the unluckiest must be Omahu. On three occasions Omahu has filled the role of runner-up. in the race of 1921 he ran second to Coalition, the succeeding year he beat all his field with the exception of Sea De’il, while in the race of 1924 he finished second to Sir Rosebery. In the race of 1925, when going in great style four fences from home, Omahu overjumped at the post and rail fence and fell. Omahu is rising 13 years, and while he must be past his best now he has been given a chance year with 9.7. It is not quite two years since he won the Wellington Steeplechase for the second time in succession, carrying 11.9. Omahu cannot be regarded as an over-raced horse during his career, and he will have an advantage next week in that he will be a fresh horse, whereas the majority of what appear to be his most dangerous opponents will probably be attempting the double and have started the previous day in the Great Northern Hurdles. Tuki’s Jumping By his fine showing over the hill at Ellersiie yesterday morning, the South Island representative Tuki has come

into favour for the Great Northern Steeplechase. Throughout his task, which comprised in all 13 fences, Tuki never faltered, and his exhibition of lepping was most impressive. The dis- ' tance of Saturday’s race will suit the i Southerner, for it will be jumping | ability, combined with fair pace, that j will help most in winning the big and | tiring contest at Ellersiie. R. E. J Thompson rode him yesterday, and he never had a moment’s anxiety. Will He Stay? Another horse that went well yesterday was Passin’ Through, who was one of Tuki’s companions. The black gelding won at his last appearance on this course, and judging by his showing yesterday, he may not return home empty-handed. He fenced nicely, although he was uncertain at a couple of his fences. Passin’ Through is very fit, and if he can see out the journey may be one of those in the fighting line at the finish on Saturday. A Little Slip Omahu was going grpat guns coming down the hill in his schooling essay at Ellersiie yesterday, and he showed that he is in great heart. It was at the stone wall at the foot of the hill that he lost his rider, but the horse never let up until he had galloped straight back to his stall. He knew' the way home. Omahu was proving altogether too good for Maunga and Comical at the time, and he had a lead of several lengths on Maunga. The aged Maniapoto gelding took all his fences straight and true, and with his light weight in the big steeplechase next Saturday, he will probably lead the field a merry dance. He is still a hard puller, and this will not assist him in seeing the journey out. It is two years since Omahu was last raced over the hill, when he fell. Comical Will Improve Much interest was taken in the initial appearance of Comical over the big fences at Ellersiie yesterday, and at the outset his show'ing was by no means pleasing. He jumped without confidence until he came to the usual hurdle fences, and these he made no mistake at. On the hill he baulked at each obstacle, and although he got over the first at the second attempt, he was not given another trial at the second. Afterwards Comical was walked down the hill and was put over the remaining fences to complete the circuit, and on this occasion he fenced really well. He therefore made some amends, but before committing oneself it is reasonable to give him another show. Then it would not be surprising to see Comical acquit himself well.

Zircon for the Double It really looks as if Zircon is to be a candidate for dual jumping honours at the Auckland meeting. Yesterday he was put over four hurdles, in company with his sta*ble mate Royal Form, and they both gave a good exhibition. Then they were walked down the flat and were put over the sod wall, water jump and stone wall. For a first outing Zircon did very well. He made a really, wonderful jump at the sod wall, clearing it as if he had been at the game all his life. The water jump was something new to face, but he got over, if a bit slowly, and the stone wall, too, was strange. It was a most pleasing initiation into the other branch of the game. But in praising Zircon, one should not overlook Royal Form, who was a good schoolmaster. Both over the hurdles and bigger obstacles he went well. In the event of Mr. Paterson electing to start both in the Hurdles and Steeplechase, it will be surprising if the bracket does not collect some stake money. Still Going Strong A few days ago it seemed certain that Kawini would start favourite in the Great Northern Hurdles, and probably also in the Steeplechase, but present indications point to him being really little more fancied than the Zircon-Royal Form bracket. Kawini still continues to do all that is required of him, and his condition reflects the greatest credit on trainer R. Hall, and the writer expects the horse to do a bit better than anything else on the day. Kawini gave a very smooth performance over the sticks yesterday, and over the concluding stages he just played with Karamu, although the latter can be expected to do better. Kawini lias not so far been schooled over the hill, but he will not require much brushing up over it. He may be given a run there on Wednesday. Degage Goes Fast That was a fine effort for which Degage was responsible at Ellersiie yesterday in a spin from the seven-fur-long peg. Her time was the equivalent of a couple of seconds faster than anything else that galloped, and even allowing for the light boy she had iup it was an illuminating effort. On the strength of this try-out Degage will probably be made favourite in the Cornwall Handicap next Friday, and as she will have the services of R. Reed, she may succeed in pulling off this event, which she scored in last year.