Turf Notes

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 100, 19 July 1927, Page 6

Turf Notes

By

“EARLY BIRD"

Pakuranga Hunt Meeting With the annual race meeting of the Pakuranga Hunt Club now only a little over a month away—they race at Ellerslie on Saturday, August 20—it is an opportune occasion upon which to remind trainers and owners that entries close on next Friday week, July 29. Probable Dates The action of the Auckland Racing Club in altering the dates of its spring meeting In order to leave the Canterbury Jockey Club with a clear field for its time-honoured New Zealand Cup meeting has resulted in other North Island clubs being forced to revise their dates. The spring fixtures will really open now with the Marton meeting on September 2 and 3, to be followed by Wanganui on September 8 and 10 . Avondale Club race at Ellerslie on September 24 and 26.

Grand Nationals The first acceptance for the Grand National Hurdles and Steeplechase and the Winter Cup close at eight o’clock next Friday night. General entries are also due at the same time.

Winners in Australia At the Kensington (N.S.W.) pony meeting last Wednesday week the New Zealand-bred King Tut (King Lupin— Mies Advance) and The Hare (Absurd —Lady Beau ford) both won a race. Taking It Easy

Salamander, who was added to the list some time ago, has been pottering around the roads in company with Ahi Ngaro. J. Manuel does not intend putting them into solid work for a few weeks, and is giving them every chance to build up. Ready for the Spring Ash Tray and Clockwork are not often seen at Ellerslie these days,, but nevertheless they have been subjected to a. lot of work on the hills. Ash Tray has put on a lot of condition during the past month. and the Tea Tray filly will be in fine fettle to start on a spring preparation. San Quin W. H. Mobberley is one of those who work their horses in the afternoon, and lie has been keeping San Quin up to the collar. This gelding is in nice order and bears a neat appearance. Deputy’s Big Team During J. Williamson’s absence in Australia. Bert Cowan is being kept very busy, for he has to superintend a large team of horses. In addition to the four youngsters—King Val, Armenia. Dumblane and Epicure—he has Oden, Piet, Coronax, Bombardier, The Ix>ver and a half-brother by Lucullus to Jtawhetu (now racing in Australia), nil doing steady work. Charlady, though asked to do the lightest of exercises, has also to be included. Pentagram’s Programme The New Zealand jumper Pentagram does not take too kindly to the Sydney tracks, and his trainer, J. Williamson, thinks he may be better suited by the left-hand going in Melbourne, comments a Sydney writer. Pentagram holds an engagement in the Australian Steeplechs.se, but whether he will be taken south depends on the weight allotted him.

Remaining! in Sydney Solanio and Clarus, who were taken to Sydney by J. Williamson, will remain there after that trainer has returned to New Zealand. Their owner (Mr. J. D* Jones) is staying in Australia for an indefinite period, and naturally he wishes to be able to see his horses run. Solanio, who is a two-year-old brother to Clarus, has already been transferred to R. D. O’Donnell’s stable, and O’Donnell will also look after Clarus when the latter recovers from his illness. Clarus will be given a spell when he is well enough to leave hospital. Gallant, if Not Great Reports of the English Derby seem to doubt whether the winner, Call Boy, is a really great colt, but all admit that he is a gallant one. He did not lead quite all the way, as Hot Night got a

neck in front of him two furlongs from home. The pair raced neck-and-neck for 100 yards before Call Boy drew away to win by two lengths in record time. The winner, with lovely action, rounded Tattenham Corner better than his rival, whose high action was not suited to the awkward downhill curve. Call Boy’s owner, Mr. Frank Curzon, whose death was reported a fortnight ago, saw the race, but got up from a bed of sickness to do so and was so weak that he could not go out on the course to lead in the winner. Two friends, hewever, assisted him to the gate of the unsaddling paddock, where he met the colt, and afterwards led him to the King and Prince of Wales. The turf commission agents all reported a bad race. Call Boy having practically been favourite since December. One firm laid the treble, £7,200 to £5, Priory Park, the Lincoln, Sprig, the Grand National, and Call Boy. It cost him nearly £2,000 to cover. A Perfect Day Close finishes and two protests characterised the racing at Roseliill last week. One of the objections was lodged on behalf of Bonaventure, who dead-heated for first with Exceller. In each instance the protest was against a horse trained by W. Kelso, who now appears certain to head the winning trainers’ list for 1926-27 season. Stormy’s success was not popular with the general public last week, and another New Zealander, The Thorn, was the centre of a mild demonstration after winning the Rosehill Handicap. S. Davidson signalised the beginning of his career as a fully-fledged jockey by landing Magdaff a winner and deadheating on Exceller. On To Riccarton Apparently the Auckland Province is to be strongly represented at the Grand National meeting next month, for Beau Cavalier, Kawinl, Royal Form ‘and Zircon are under orders to go on this week from Trentham, where u line track will be available for both schooling and galloping. Alan McDonald, who piloted Kawini in the Wellington Steeplechase, i will be on the horse again in the Grand Nationals. Later on it is expected that the quartette mentioned will be joined by Peter Maxwell, Rangatahi and Rangiawhio. As previously mentioned in these columns, A. E. Ellis has been engaged to ride Peter Maxwell. Change of Climate The crack Southland mare Set Sail will in future be trained at Wingatui by C. Gieseler. Her owner-breeder, who is a wel-known medico, is of the opinion that a change of climate and surroundings will be to the mare’s advantage. He anticipates that the change will assist the daughter of Solferino in overcoming the kidney trouble that has affected, her on several occasions this season on the eve of important engagements. Limerick Gallops Limerick was given his first gallop at Riccarton on Saturday morning since his return from Sydney, says Christchurch “Sun.” In company with Battlement he was sent over half a mile. Limerick was always going the better of the pair and completed his task in good style. Limerick will leav< on July 29 for Randwick, and he will be ac companied by Battlement, Ariki- j wai and probably two youngsters. F. i D. Jones is pleased with the manner in | which Limerick has furnished during j the winter months and when he strips j for his spring engagements in Aus- ; tralia he should be at the top of his form. Probably his first race will be in the Warwick Farm Stakes, run over a mile, at weight-for-age. By the same steamer A. D. Webster will leave for the Commonwealth with First Acre, while the two-year-old Merry Mint, who claims an engagement in the A.J.C. Derby, will also be on board. As is already known. Commendation is to leave for Randwick on July 29, and all told the Mamma will take a strong contingent of New Zealand horses to the Commonwealth.