Inviting Ngaruawahia

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 158, 24 September 1927, Page 7

Inviting Ngaruawahia

Good Roads and Grass Track

The Trainers’ Paradise

WITH every facility for the education of pacers and trotters, in the shape of grass track, suitable roads and convenient streams, the light-harness sport is making excellent progress at Ngaruawahia, which is becoming popularly known as the “trainers’ paradise.”

If there is one spot in the Auckland Province that suggests the ideal for training operations it is Ngaruawahia. Even if there were no track for owners and trainers to educate and speed up their charges, the roads offer every inducement for such undertaking. There are half-mile and mile stretches of sand and pumice formation where a good spin can be obtained, and when the weather is at its worst these road training grounds at Ngaruawahia are in great demand. In the driest of weather there is no sting in the road formation and horses using this convenient track stand up to their work in fine style. TRACK IMPROVEMENTS But Ngaruawahia can boast an excellent turf track, and “Abaydos” ventures the opinion that there are few better grass tracks than this one. It has received a good deal of attention of late and the council has spent a good deal in improving its huge park, of which the residents are proud. The racing circuit is now about seven furlongs round, and when opened again for use will be availed of by those who have horses in work. Then there is the delightful river, so handily situated, where the equines can be given swimming exercise, and altogether the facilities offering at Ngaruawahia are a real temptation to those engaged in the racing and trotting business. EVERYTHING FAVOURABLE The latter department is popular with the residents and the sport is making satisfactory progress from every point of view. “Abaydos” was surprised to find so many young pacers and trotters being jogged around, and there is also a fair sprinkling of more seasoned horses, some of which will be ready for the forthcoming spring fixtures. The wonder of it is that with conditions so favourable more trainers do not avail themselves of this paradise and make Ngaruawahia their headquarters. Most of the horses to be seen in this part of the province are in excellent condition and bear testimony to having been well cared for during the winter session. There is an abundance of good pasturage and no difficulty is experienced as far as grazing is concerned. The writer learned that still further impetus is given the sport at Ngaruawahia, through the presence of Mr. J. S. Johnson and the handsome sire Metal. The owner of the Don Pronto —Ami Bells horse has paddocking to the extent of 50 acres, all carrying remarkable feed, while the number of mares visiting the horse is being augmented each week. EDUCATING NOVICES Among the novices receiving their early tuition at this rendezvous, where excellent facilities obtain, are two fillies that are creating a good deal of attention One is by Our Thorpe from a mare called Te Ari Te Here, and is a likely-looking sort. The other is a

four-year-old by Bronze Patch from a quality looking Grattan Abbey mare, and the novice is shaping well with her lessons. W. Thomas has broken in a handsome black colt by Blue Mountain King from Miss Murphy. He is well proportioned, displaying plenty of bone and muscle, and attracts a lot of attention when working. He favours the square-gait policy and hits out in a bold manner that suggests he will one of these days find himself in pretty good company. Ted Collins is busy putting a nice cut of a filly by False Alarm from Whirihana through her pacings and the young lady is taking to the game as a duck takes to water. Although not very long in the business, the False Alarm youngster shows a tendency to go quiet and as she is of the brainy type her owner-trainer will have something later on to give him a kee-i interest in the sport. OWNER OF SCOTIA Jas. Parsons, a good sportsman, who thoroughly enjoys the pastime, is handling a gelding by Ravenschild that paces accurately. He is a bit on the small side, but his owner believes that genuine goods are often done up in small parcels, and is prepared to carry on the good work. The Ravenschild juvenile has a fair share of pace. J. Parsons owned Scotia, who won the Auckland Cup of 1908, the horse being driven to victory by that good general, W. Orange, who is still able to handle the ribbons with the best. M. Watt has a colt in work by Rotomanuku from a mare named Sweetheart, that was inclined to trot. He is being taught the pacing business, but is a rough-gaited customers that will require a good bit of time. In his latest attempts he has been hitting the straps in better style and his connections feel conjdent that he will come right later on. PROMISING PACERS L. Wilson is jogging Nut Hinton about and the brother to Rock Hinton has evidently wintered well, as he is looking better than at any previous time in his career. The son o? Nut Ansel —Lucy Hinton is a good cut of a pacer and will probably be heard from this season. He was only taken to the races twice last year and on his second attempt at Te Aroha he was runnerup to Taipare in a ten-furlong flutter. W. Thomas is putting in a bit of time with Joe Aspro, and despite the fact that the Australian-bred horse is a bit rough in appearance he is in great heart and carrying out his duties in spch fashion as to threaten danger to opponents later in the season. The Winn Alto gelding is partial to the poundage on his back, and when the saddle heats come up for debate Joe will take a strong hand in the argument. USEFUL TEAM R. Woods has a Gold Bell maiden in work, in addition to the pair of stake-

earners Rock Hinton and Sean Tri’ibhais, and the newcomer looks as if it will be an acquisition to the establishment. Rock Hinton an I Sean Triiibhais are ready to start the hurry up” practice, and when Woods has them ready for the races again they will not disgrace themselves. The Hal Zolock—Twinkle Chimes gelding Hal Chimes is again in the paddock. He got tangl ?d up in some wire and L. Booth decided to give him a longer holiday. He is in robust condition and when his owner makes a start on him Hal will be in rare nick to undertake his duties. When a saddle race looms up on tjic trott ng horizon Hal Chimes will rattle a merry tune.