HORSES ON THE FLAT

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 64, 7 June 1927, Page 6

HORSES ON THE FLAT

PICKING UP THEIR FORM WINNERS AND LOSERS DISCUSSED AT Ellerslie on Friday and Saturday there were seven races decided on the flat, and no doubt the public will be interested to learn how the winners won, and likewise how the losers lost. After reading the'review below they should be well acquainted with the form as disclosed to date at the Auckland winter meeting.

Consistent Southerner On the two days that the Auckland winter meeting has progressed so far, Sun Up has raced most consistently, and a win for the Southerner on the concluding day, Wednesday, would be popular. He has been sent out second and first favourite respectively, and on the opening day he started from a bad marble in the sprint and was beaten into second place, being unlucky in striking Delightment in great form. On Saturday Sun Up got away brilliantly in the King George Handicap, and it was only in the last furlong that he was collared and weakened into third position. Sun Up is very well, and the l acing lie is having should do him good. Probably the Winter Cup wlil find him in action at Riccarton. About Town Guard Many good things have been written of late in praise of Town Guard, and the chestnut fully bore out on Friday and Saturday the favourable impression he had made some weeks before at Ellersli£. His win in the Jervois Handicap was well achieved, for he was carrying the steadier of 10.0, and he made all the running, hanging on grimly when tackled a furlong from home. This success placed Town Guard out of hack company, and as all such races at Ellerslie are for hacks only at time of starting, he was not eligible for the Carbine Plate on Saturday. Instead he took on the King George Handicap and was backed to beat a good field of 26. R. Reed had

the mount on this occasion, and he had him in behind the leaders to the straight. He and Sun Up were having a thrilling set-to when the little fancied Tinokoa came along and beat them both. Town Guard was second, but another win cannot be far off.

Hacks Best It was something of a coincidence that two hacks, making their first appearance in open company, should lead the field home in the King George Handicap on Saturday. They were Tinokoa and Town Guard. On the first

day the former, was third to Town Guard and Modest Boy in the Jervois Handicap, for which he was favourite. On Saturday he was little fancied, carrying only about a fifth of the amount invested on the favourite, SLin Up. Tinokoa was always handy, and coming round the turn he was on the outside of several’ horses,- but he finished very strongly to win and pay a big price. More good races should be in store for Mr. R. Hannon’s three-year-old, who is partial to heavy ground. Tinokoa is a colt by Quin Abbey from that game mare Tinopai, heroine of many a cup and handicap contest, and he is worthily carrying on the record of his dam. The colt will have to do his future racing in open company, and he will not be disgraced.

Golden Krist is a pretty smart sort of hack, judging by the way he won the Ranfurly Handicap on Saturday. He had been galloping fairly well on the track before the meeting and therefore his appearance the first day was awaited with interest. In this event he was always in the middle of the field. On Saturday the opposition was not so strong, and Golden Krist was backed not qLiite so well. He was lying about seventh over the middle stages, but three furlongs frorh home he put in a run that was sustained in the best fashion, with the result that he wore the leaders down and won nicely. The dividend was a good one. Now that he has struck form the Nassau—Spangle gelding may go on with it the next time he starts. Coming Back When raced in Australia a couple of seasons ago Haerera won some good rsuces and was several times placed in his engagements. Since his return to Auckland the four-year-old has been a long time returning to form. The first evidence he gave of doing so was when he finished second at the Avondale autumn meting, when he paid a big price for second. His next appearance, following good track form.

was in the King George Handicap on Saturday. He counted enough admirers to make him third favourite, so that evidently he was expected to run a good race. The fact that he drew number seventeen marble at the barrier did not enhance his prospects, but when they were let go Haerera must have begun brilliantly, for he was at once in front with Sun Up. After going three furlongs Haerera was lying sixth and from this point he began to fade out, finally finishing in the ruck. This was by no means in keeping with his track efforts, and the probability was that he met with some interference in the big field.