Turf Notes

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 129, 22 August 1927, Page 10

Turf Notes

Bv

“EARLY BIRD”

Curtain On Winter Fixtures The winter racing concludes on Saturday with the Taranaki Hunt Club meeting at Mew Plymouth. Marton the following week will usher in the spring programmes, with the seven-stone minimum once again in vogue. Racing At Wanganui Entries for the Wanganui Jockey Club’s spring meeting on September 8 and 10, and the Egmont-Wanganui Hunt Club’s anual fixture on September 9, also at Wanganui, close to-night. Marton Acceptances Acceptances for all first day events at the Marton meeting on September 2 and 3 close to-morrow night. Entries for a two-year-old parade on the second day will also be received at the same time. No Surprises Contrary to expectations, there were no big dividends at Ellerslie on Saturday, despite the fact that the going was so heavy that winners took as long to cover a mile and a-quarter as would serve to allow a Derby candidate to get to the end of a mile and a-half. The best dividend during the day was less than 11 to 2. Not On the Board The fact that the names of the amateur riders in the Ladies’ Bracelet at Ellerslie on Saturday were not shown on the main number boards led to a mild demonstration outside the members’ stand by a section of lawn patrons. The riders’ names were then put on the board under the members’ stand, where they could be seen by lawn patrons. Other clubs show the names of amateur riders on the main board, being painted on usual plates, and there appears to be little reason why this practice should not be followed at Ellerslie. “What’s yer name digger?” and “Who are you?” were the disconcerting queries flung at the amateurs as they paraded in the birdcage. Wanted a Race Whatever chance Just John had of winning the Hunters’ Hurdles at Ellerslie on Saturday were dissipated when the Taranaki gelding crashed at the fence six furlongs from home. He was heavily backed, and at the time was standing the leading division many 1 lengths. Even with a stand up it is doubtful whether he would have headed the winner. With a couple of pounds less in a similar event at New Plymouth next Saturday he should be better placed, for Saturday’s outing appeared to be what he wanted. Delightment’s Revel The easiest win at Ellerslie on Saturday was that scored by Delightment in the open sprint, an event for which he had been warmly recommended in these columns. Despite the fact that he drew the outside marble, number 11. and was sandwiched at the actual jump-off between two erratic customers in Finelli and Day Guard, he was quickly into his stride, lying in second place to the home turn, where he took charge and then walked in by four lengths. And it could have been more. It is remarkable how the Catmint 5 gelding loves the mud. The more of it 1 the better for his supporters. Consider- . ing that he carried 10.9, it was a rat- > tling performance. , Beaten At the Start \ A whisper that all was not well with J Town Guard did not prevent him from 1 starting a well-backed favourite in the , Dunedin Handicap on Saturday. He failed to begin with his customary bril- ? liance, and was giving the field a good J start after a couple of furlongs. He 1 was handy at the two-furlong post, but 1 failed to go on with it, and had to be i satisfied with fourth. The run would 5 do him good, and he can be expected 3 to play a big part in the decision of . events decided over six to eight fur--1 longs in the early spring. ’ King Lu’s Electrifying Burst * After the field had gone a couple of . furlongs in the open sprint at Ellerslie . on Saturday King Lu had got into a 2 bad position, and here in a strung-out 5 field he was eighth, and apparently in 1 a hopeless position. Into the straight he had gained slightly on the leaders, still having seven horses in front of him. Then he made his effort, and coming up to the bunch late in the y proceedings, he suddenly flashed into view, and galloping over everything in ) sight—Delightment was beyond that point—just got up to secure second ’ money. It was one of the most bril- * liant finishing bursts ever seen on the ’ course, and with a good weight up too. The Consistent Master Master Doon never left the issue in the Jellicoe Handicap in doubt at the Pakuranga Hunt meeting on Saturday. He waited on the pacemakers to the distance, where he came through, and ridden out succeeded in settling the pretensions of Queen Arch, who had showed some form when she filled the role of runner-up to Nukumai in the Whyte Memorial at Trentham last month. Master Doon has raced with remarkable consistency this winter, and like Delightment he revels in the bad ground—and he could hardly have got it worse than it was on Saturday. Mr. D. Moraghan has done well with the Lucullus—Lassie Doon gelding, and the fact that he trains the horse himself must be a double source for gratification whenever the Master leads his field home. Check For the Favourite There was some interference at the end of the Jellicoe Handicap on Saturday, but perhaps it did not effect the result. Llandudno and Queen Arch were fighting a keen finish a furlong from the post, when Master Doon came along on the inner, and boring out under pressure went across on to Llandudno, who gave ground.| Apparently the powers that be considered the affair of insufficient importance to warrant drastic action. The interference was without a doubt unintentional, and it looked as if Master Doon would have won anyhow. Llandudno seemed about to fade out of the picture just at this stage, with less than a furlong to go, and he would have been a more formidable proposition with a race in him. Weight And Age Told When Te Kara loomed up in third place two furlongs from home in the Jellicoe Handicap on Saturday it looked is if he would show that he was by no means a spent light. Once in the straight he seemed to draw level with Queen Arch and Llandudno in the van. His effort, however, was shortlived, for he only went a little way with them, and then compounded. Te Kara looked a picture when he was saddled up, but 11.7 on a horse getting on in the world in mud up to the hocks or more is sure to tell a tale. Under the circumstances a good fourth was an excellent performance, although the aged General Latour gelding was solidly supported to win. Failed Under the Conditions On his track efforts it was expected that Golden Krist would give a good account of himself in the Jellicoe Handicap, but the reverse was the case. At the start he failed to get into his stride, and in . consequence was well behind the field running out of the straight, and from this position he failed to make any show, although he actually beat Desert Glow home, the latter being

eased when well beaten. Golden Krist appears to be a horse of moods, and he might do better under a lighter scale of weights and with better ground to move in. Never Prominent Thursby was quite a fancy for the principal flat race at Ellerslie on Saturday a couple of days before the event, but the fact that he was very poorly backed suggested that he was not greatly favoured from the right quarter. Thursby was always in the middle of the field throughout the contest, but he failed to improve his position when the whips were out. The Thurnham gelding does not shape like a real horse, but in a weak handicap field he might make amends. A Useful Hack Captain Cobham was an unlucky horse in the Sylvia Park Handicap. At the start the 16 runners were walked in and then let go, and Captain Cobham suffered by being knocked back by another horse cannoning into him. At the end of the first two furlongs the Waikato representative was near the tail end of the field, and along the back he improved his position a bit. At the home turn he still had a lot of ground to make good, and in the straight he came with a good burst, and finally passed everything but the winner. Captain Cobham was produced later in the mile hack, and again he failed to go with the leaders, putting in a fine run in the last furlong to get third. Captain Cobham should develop into a useful performer this season. Backward Youngsters Although the Auckland two-year-olds are backward on account of the atrocious weather experienced during the past couple of months, from what one saw of the youngsters that participated in the parade last Saturday the province may this season have a much better record than for some time past. True, they will not be so forward as youngsters from other parts, but later on in the season they should be found playing their part in the juvenile events. Brilliant Performers It is not every season that is a vintage year for the youngsters. Not so very long ago we had three brilliant youngster in Lysander, Limerick and Commendation, and this trio met but once, when Limerick beat Lysander in the Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes, with Commendation, then a bit erratic on turning courses, fourth, Seatown being in the minor placing. If we can get four such smart two-year-olds in the one race this season then we will be fortunate. A Smart Leighton The first division of the parade at Ellerslie on Saturday was won by Dumblane, and like the majority of the Leighton breed the gelding was fast out of the tapes. He ran as straight as a die all the way up the straight, and impressed considerably by a very smooth performance. Second to him was Avon Court, by Lucullus from Avon Park, a filly that should win races this season. Prodice, a full sister to Phaola, was third, and she was really the most impressive of the lot. She looks every inch a racehorse, and is built on speedy lines. Among the unplaced division were King Val, Havering (a half-brother to Bon Reve), Taneriri (full-brother to Hoariri), Envoy (full-brother to Glenross and Grotesque), Justify (full brother to Assurance). and Presumption (half-sister to Sunshot). The last named was very green and was mystified as to what was expected of her. Valour Will Be Good The second division of the two-year-old parade was taken by Valour (Val-kyrian-Glutenora). a half-sister to Billikins and Some Fashion, both useful performers in the province. She made a good showing to win from Vital. Nankin Blue, a Tea Tray colt from Lady Kerman, an Australian-bred mare, was well up third, and gave evidence of being ready fairly early. Behind this trio were Armenia (Lucullus —Miss Kolmar), Camp Prince (Lucullus—Queen of the Earth), Principal (half-brother by Thespian to Royal Lineage), and Aggressive (half-sister by Kilbroney to Militaire and Lady Violet). The parade was a very interesting affairs, and the fact that several youngsters failed to toe the mark in no way detracted from the value of the outing. There was some justification for the withdrawals, for the conditions were anything but favourable. Incidentally, the placed horses in each division appeared to be the most lorward, while some of the unplaced ones were very backward. Sister to Rational Private advice has been received in New Zealand of the death in Victoria of Lady Isinglass (in foal to Royal Divorce), who was sent recently to Australia on a visit to Top Gallant. Lady Isinglass was got by Absurd from Cowl, and was therefore a full sister to Rational and The Monk, and a halfsister to Mask. The mare was only six years old. Lack of size was against her in her races, although she won a couple of sprints, being possessed of pace for a few furlongs. Preparing For Wanganui , F. Tilley has nothing engaged at the Marton meeting, but is getting a team ready for the Wanganui fixture. Though Laughing Prince is not engaged in the Wanganui Guineas, he may be a runner in the New Zealand Eclipse Stakes. The Australian-bred colt is in steady work at Fordell. Limited has not been up long, but he is one that does not take much to get him into racing form, and he may be a starter at Wanganui. He is likely to prove himself one of the most brilliant sprinters of the new season. Mandane was put into work recently after a good spell, and will probably be taken to Christchurch in November for the big race.

MEETINGS TO COME August 27.—'Taranaki Hunt. September 2, 3.—Marton J.C. September 8. 10. Wanganui J.C. September 9. Egmont-Wanganui Hunt (at Wanganui). Septernbe: lu Otago Hunl UuD. September 14. Dannevtrke Ru September 15. Dannevlrke Hunt. September 24. —Ashburton R.C. September 24, 26.—Avondale )O. tat Ellerslie). .. September 24 26 —Napier Park KC. September 29 30.—Geraldine R-C. October i. — Hawke's Bay J.C. October 6. Manawatu Hud* Club. October 6.—Kurow J.C. October 1, B.—otakl-Maori R.C. October 8. 10.—Oamaru J.C. October 8, 10. Auckland R.C. October 13 15 —Whangarel R.C.