AWAPUNI DOINGS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 133, 26 August 1927, Page 6

AWAPUNI DOINGS

HORSES PREPARING FOR THE SPRING MAIDOS SCHOOLS WELL (Special to THE SUN.) PALMERSTON NORTH, Thurs. In common with the majority of other centres in the North Island, Awapuni is experiencing a lengthy period of indifferent weather conditions, but despite the fact that the plough was out of action yesterday morning, local mentors made free use of the sand track, while a grass gallop was open to them on the extreme outside of the course proper. L. Knapp was one of the earliest workers aftei breakfast, giving his charges solid work on the plough and outer grass. Little River and Lady Comet do not figure the first day at Marton, but will probably be found in attendance on the second day. Redbank (All Red—Willowbank) promises to be in racing order before long, having made marked improvement of late. Wilderness (Neale), who is an inmate of H. Doyle’s stable, was sent a couple of solid rounds on the sand. The Signor gelding claims an engagement in the Hunters’ Hurdles at Marton, and as he is of a good strong type and can jump, he may prove a very fair proposition in that branch of the game. He will be ridden in his engagement by Neale. The full brother to Banjuke, Bismoor, fulfilled a like task, the burly chestnut moving quite attractively although he was not asked to extend himself. Bismoor proved at the point-to-point steeplechase at Te Matai that he can jump and command a fair amount of pace. He is owned by the Awapuni studmaster, W. Bailey. MAIDOS IN FORM Maidos, who will be a competitor in the Hunters' Steeplechase at the Taranaki Hunt fixture, was sent over the double brush and the battens along the back straight from the seven furlong post, the big raking gelding accomplishing his task very satisfactorily, his jumping being neat and clean. Since being a competitor at Trentham Maidos has had the benefit of an outing at the Manawatu Hunt point-to-point at Te Matai, when he led Birkenose home, and with 10.5 at New Plymouth, he can be depended upon to run a good race. Although Parker has been doing the riding over the sticks for G. New at the training track, the Southern horseman, A. E. Ellis, will be found on top of Maidos at New' Plymouth, and he will probably have the mount on Oneroa in the Hunt Cup steeples. Wanderlust and Shining Star, with a couple of light boys up, were sent over three furlongs on the outside of the course proper, the distance being accomplished in 40sec. Wanderlust figures in the Uranui Hack Handicap at New Plymouth. The Rangitiro representative did not appear to be too sound in the wind the season before last, but he comes back into the game apparently considerably benefited by a lengthy spell. IN AT MARTON Two promising youngsters from G. New’s team in Fee Simple and Blimp were sent along over five furlongs, left behind in 1.11 2-5, neither being fully extended. Imperial Spark, who will make his first appearance in the Marton Handicap following his return to the Dominion, was sent over five furlongs by K. J. Mackie. the last four occupying 59 2-ss. Royal Land (Parker) did not strike out very freely under his heavy weight in a five furlong gallop, taking 1.13 to fulfill his task. Del Sarto, who had to decline his mgagement at the Pakuranga Hunt fixture last Saturday, struck out quite freely in a solid task on the sand. He appears to have thrown off his ailment. Buoyant hit out freely in a working gallop on the sand. The Solferino gelding is looking very well, despite the fact that his mouth was troubling him at Grand National time. During the course of the Southern fixture a West Coast owner made overtures for the purchase of Buoyant, but the question of price is holding up the transaction. A performer of more than average merit. Buoyant would prove a great proposition on the West Coast. NOT HIMSELF Merry Damon, who was brought home Prior to the conclusion of the Grand National meeting, was given a spell for a few days, but he is far from his old self and did not move at all freely in his allotted task on the sand. J'Tovar (Mackie) and Mister Gamp (Hart) were partners in a six furlong which was accomplished in 1-7 4-5, both finishing full of running.

Novar, who is carrying plenty of condition, will not figure in public till Wanganui, but the Brolly gelding claims an engagement in the hack seven furlong event on the opening day at Marton. Kilmiss is now being brought along and the Kilboy mare Is looking very well as the result of her spell. Riddlen by J. Fagan, a one-time horseman of some note in the years gone by, the mare was not unduly hurried to leave six furlongs behind in 1.33 2-5. Keddar, who is held on lease by Mr. E. Trevor, the owner of Catcall and Santonio, was also sent over six furlongs, the new arrival doing it easily in 1.35. RIDING AT TARANAKI R. J. Mackie will be in attendance at New Plymouth for the Hunt fixture when he will have the mounts on Crossfire, Pop Off, Closefire, Bronstell and Beaumont in their engagements. The building which has been erected by the Manawatu Racing Club for the benefit of the stable lads at Awapuni, is now being fitted with electric light in preparation for the launching of the boxing school. The big striding Crown Area was given an easy task on the sand, not being asked to show his paces. The Acre gelding, in all probability, will not make a public appearance till Otaki. The Some Boy 11. gelding, Some Lad, who has for the past three and a half months been wintering on a farm at Woodville, will rejoin J. Coyle’s team at the week-end. Some Lad is reported to have filled out considerably in the interim. The Acre —Mungaroa colt, who is being educated by E. Watson, is furnishing into a beautiful sort, being very solidly built, and is tractable. In company with the Bisogne—Footstep colt, he was sent a couple of steady rounds on the grass. The latter, who is a half-brother to Pantler and Town Crier, had a somewhat uncertain career in his infancy, but now appears to have left those “shaky” days behind him. The Acre—lnnerladdo colt and the Lucullus filly Sky Rider, both of whom are being educated by J. Coyle, were given their daily task, on which they appear to be thriving although they have had slight colds. The colt carries the name of Desert Lad. FIRST BY ROYAL DIVORCE The first of the progeny of Royal Divorce, the King’s Proctor—Jessamine horse who did a term of stud duty at Awapuni last season, made its appearance a few days ago, the dam being the Hymettus mare Khassia., who is .the property of Mr. C. Houseman, of Linton Street. Khassia is a young brood mare from Sulva (Acrostic —Grecian Maid). Acrostic goes back to Multiform from Problem, while Grecian Maid is by Cyrenan out of Lady Agnes. The new arrival is a pure bay who shows a striking resemblance to his dam, and it would not be surprising to find the name First Divorce claimed for the colt. The Palmerston North sportsman, Mr. R. A. McKenzie, whose two mares Piuthair and Clarinda have crossed the ; Tasman to join issue in some of the valuable races due to be decided in the next month or so, purposes making the crossing next week-end to witness his representatives in action. Prior to the opening of the big Sydney meeting, the two daughters of Blackada will be given runs at Tattersals and Rosehill, but„ what the programme will be following the Sydney fixture is still somewhat indefinite. The Woodville mentor, T. Lloyd, is in charge of the mares. T. Green, the champion horseman of last season, did not make the trip through to New Plymouth, but will be in attendance at Marton, having been engaged to ride Grand National, Kalos, Alloway, In the Shade and Butterscotch, all of whom claim engagements on the opening day. R. E. Hatch, to whom Green is apprenticed, played no small part in putting the finishing touches to that young horseman’s abilities in the saddle, his career having been meteoric. Now “Roly” is presenting to the public another budding champion in Ronald Stratton, a diminutive “knight of the pigskin.” who is the possessor of a very nice seat and pair of hands for such a miniature edition. Stratton will make his debut at Marton, when he will have the mount on Boy in the Spring Hack Handicap.