TURF NOTES

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 148, 13 September 1927, Page 12

TURF NOTES

ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT H.R.T., Onehunga.—Rapine carried 30.7 when he won the Hawke’s Bay Cup in May last, and 10.3 when he scored in tli€! Summer Cup at Ellerslie last December. Gold Light had 9.? when she captured the Avondale Cup three years ago. These appear to be the best weight-carrying performances on the part c*f these two horses. Riding Engagements Additional riding engagements for the Avonciale meeting are:—L. DuUeu, Valentino and Daddy’s Girl; J. Mephan. Marble Boj\ Smart Youngster Freehold, the two-year-old brother* to Tamatete and Tukia, drew a good marble in the Debutante Stakes at Wanganui on Saturday, but lost his chance by missing the jump- out. He was well back two furlongs from home, and from there he finished impressively, being sixth at the judge. Freehold is a very bold galloper, and should do well later in the season. Probably his next appearances will be in the Avondale Stakes next week. Laughing Prince Best? A dozen three-year-olds are left in the Avondale Guineas, to be run next Monday week, and three of them won last week at Wanganui. They were Damaris, Laughing Prince and Catkin. Others to run into places were Thaw, In the Shade and Great Charter. There should be enough runners in the Guineas to make it a most interesting contest. Present indications point to Laughing Prince as being the most likely on recent form. Alloway In F'orm After running second to Mask in the 1 principal handicap at Wanganui the first day, Alloway was made favourite on Saturday for the Higgle Handicap, and once again had to be content with second money. Wiggins hacl the Limond four-year-old in i\ handy position throughout, but he was pulling hard all the way, and when it came to answering Tresham’s fine dash at the end he failed to stave him off. Alloway is in the Avondale Cup with 7.6, and if he can see out the mile and a half he must be hard at beat. At present he is in great form, and the racing at Wanganui would work a vast improvement in his condition. At the Head

Star Stranger still looked on the big side when he was sent out to contest the Eclipse Stakes at Wanganui last Saturday, and although he was last all the way the fact that he was within half a dozen lengths of the winner in a seven furlong contest showed that he will soon he in racing trim. Certainly this fine galloper look.* like doing well for himself this season, despite fact that he will be rec uired to lump big weights. Star Stringer has top.veight, 9.5, in the Avondale Cup, together with Te Monanui and in this event this weight has proved to be not prohibitive. Brilliant Galloper Beacon Light made a reapparance both days at Wanganui last week. He was heavily bandaged in front on each occasion. The first day he was in the middle cf the field over the first half of the journey, finally finishing well back. On Saturday he was again noticed In the middle, but this tin e he went a Li further before he faded out. Another fortnight should see a big improvement worked in his condition, but it is doubtful whether he will be at his best in time for the Avondale Cup on Saturday week, In which event he has beer weighted at 8.10.

The Swiil ow Catcher Everybody that goes racing in :hese parts kno vs Just how fast Town Bird can go once the tapes are skied. Or at least they thought they knew. At Wanganui they got rather a shock when Town Bird made his appearance in open company on Saturday, and when It was seen that he was being confidently supported, the punters began to si l up and take notice?. Well they might too. At the start Town Bird was soon clear in front, aiid at the end of a couple of furlongs held an advantage of six lengths oa er a fairly strung-out field. He kept going too, and finally won by a marg.n of two lengths. The good ground and the turning Wanganui course—Town Bird went round these on two 1 *gs—suited the gelding, and as he had been sprinting exceptionally well or the track the stage appeared to be well set for a nice* little coup, which duly came off. The' Waikato sportsman, Mr. F. I. Hunt, has had some exasperating experiences with his two horses, Town Biri and Te Kawana. so that this turn of Fortune’s wheel die!, not come too early.

Promising Maiden Effort Considerable interest was taken in the first appearance of Star God, a full brother to Star Stranger. This was in the Moutoa Hack at Wanganui on Saturday, and the New Zealand Cup candidate made a favourable impression over the eight and a half furlong course. At the: start he stumbled and was nearly down on his nose, but he recovered quickly. This incident kept him at the rear of the field for the greater part of the journey, and he was not sighted at the home turn. He finished well, however, and his sixth at the post was a pleasing initial effort. Being by Martian it is only reasonable to expect Star God to shape like a stayer, and he should prove to be a splendid performer before the present season ends. Star God is engaged in ino#t of tfi'i three-year-old classics.

Bv “EARLY BIRD’*

Auckland Spring Meeting Entries for the Auckland spring fixture, to be held at Ellerslie on October 8 and 10, are due at 5 p.m. on Friday next, Septenfber 16. Still At Ellerslie Although it was understood that Stormy was to be sent to the country for a spell after his return from Australia, the Quin Abbey gelding has been domiciled at Ellerslie, where he has been doing the lightest of tasks, Stormy has put on condition and should be ready to commence strong work at any time. Public Fancies Both Te Monanui and Mask are being freely discussed in connection with the Avondale Cup, and after their showings at the Wanganui meeting it is quite likely that they will comprise the favourite division. King Lu’s name has also been mentioned for the six-furlong event, and the favourite ways for the double may be connected with the names mentioned. For Ellerslie The first and second horses in the Debutante Stakes, Knlg.htlike and Chit, are engaged in the Avondale Stakes. The third horse, Shoe Silk, is not in

this classic, which is the first for the two-year-olds. Of the 18 youngsters that contested the Debutante Stakes no less than 10 are eligible for the Avondale Stakes. They will have it on the Auckland and district representatives for racing condition and experience. First To Arrive Mr. H. C. Nicholls came across from Henderson to Ellerslie yesterday’ morning with the Lucullus gelding Cullgie. Since making his debut at the Pakuranga meeting Cullgie appears to have gone on the right way. Cullgie will receive a preparation for the Avondale fixture and in all probability he will be ridden in his engagements by C. McCarthy. The two-year-old colt Prihce Romeo (by Romeo from Bridgie), a half-brother to Cullgie, has been working well for his owner on the Henderson private track, and he will be asked to carry silk at the A.R.C. summer gathering. Will Be Good After getting into all the trouble possible in the Maiden the first day at Wanganui, Catkin finished out of a place, but was very unlucky’. On Saturday he was produced in the Moutoa Hack, and being bracketed with Star God (R. Reed) was sent out fifth fancy. After lying w’ell back in the early stages Goulsbro improved his position in the back stretch, and at the home turn was in sixth place. From here he came on the outside and smothered everything for pace, winning easily at the finish. Catkin is more than useful, and now that he has started his winning career many further successes should come his way. Catkin, who is one of the successful Catmint tribe, is trained by J. W. Lowe at Trentham, but completed the final three weeks of his preparation at Wanganui. Finished Brilliantly Covent Garden was a pretty useful two-year-old, and he gave practical evidence in a few of his races. Most noticeable was his grand finishing effort in the Avondale All Aged Stakes last April, when he pushed bis way up to within a length, of Lady Cavendish and Reremoana. At Wanganui on Saturday Covent Garden made his initial appearance as a three-year-old, and a very impressive first it was. It was in the open sprint, and at the start he dwelt on the mark, losing fully a couple of lengths and evidently becoming unsettled, for it took him some time to get into his stride?. Crossing the top he made a forward move, and in the straight he made a gallant effort to get to the leader. However, this he could not do, although he got up second. And that was a brilliant effort under the circumstances. Covent Garden is going to take some beating in sprinting contests this season, and one of these will be the Flying at Ellerslie on Saturday week, in which he has 7.7. It is against the Absurd gelding that he is a bit slow off the mark. MEETINGS TO COME September 14.—Dannevirke R.C. September 15 —Dannevirke Hunt September 17—Otago Hunt Club September 24. Ashburton R.C. September 24-26 —Avondale J.C. (at EJlleri-lie ) September 24-26.—Napier Park R.C. September 29-30. —Geraldine FC.C. October 1 —Hawke’s Bay J.C. October s.— Manawatu Hunt Club October 6.—Kurow J.C. October 7-B.—Otaki-Maorl R.C.

Visiting Kilbroney Among other mares that are booked to visit Kilbroney this season are Tact, Royal Fancy, Lucien, Llanberries and Kirriema Runnymede Withdrawn Runnymede has been scratched for the A.J.C. Epsom and Metropolitan, and for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups. Big Stakes Given The annual report of the Victorian Amateur Turf Club states that last year's distribution of stake money amounted to £79,406, which was £7,381 more than in the previous year. The disbursement on stakes since the club was formed amounts to £1,433,818. Ohinemuri's Generous Offer It is stated that the committee of the Ohinemuri Jockey Club has offered the Thames Jockey Club the use of the Paeroa racecourse, practically free of cost, on which to hold the annua] race meeting shout the end of October. It is considered the track will be in first-class order early in October, judging by its present condition.