Turf Notes

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 165, 3 October 1927, Page 6

Turf Notes

By

“EARLY BIRD."

No Penalty for Tresh am The Auckland Racing Club liandica.pper, Mr. F. J. McMauemin, has decided to allow Tresham’s impost for the Mitchelson Cup to remain as originally cast. Tresham won the Springfield Handicap at Hastings on Saturday. Prospects for Saturday Three fine days, an altogether surprising turn for Auckland sportsmen, gave rise to the hope that the weather was settled, and that the local club's spring meeting would be got off under favourable conditions. On Saturday evening more rain fell, however, and it is now impossible for the course to dry sufficiently to ensure good going; therefore the horses that have already shown a partiality for soft ground will again play a big part. Interesting Triafs There was some Interestng work indulged in on Saturday morning, No. 1 track being in quite good order, in striking contrast to the course proper, which has a heavy growth of grass, and is very wet underneath. Much interest was shown in the doings of Prodice, winner of the Avondale Stakes the previous Saturday, and there is no doubt that she has come through the ordeal remarkably well, and should strip fit for the Welcome Stakes on Saturday. % Avondale Stakes Winner On Saturday Prodice was sent over half a mile, and in recording a tick over 50,sec she did very nicely, for she was not extended to do it. The Catmint filly will have a more difficult task in the Welcome, for she will on this occasion be opposed by Knightlike, the Wanganui winner: Kaasay, a brilliant colt from Napier, who has made a most favourable impression; Second Wind and Orewa, who did not start in the Avondale Stakes. There are four winners in the field, and this fact alone promises to make it a very entertaining contest. Knightlike’s Prospects Although not raced at the Avondale meeting, the two-year-old Knightlike has not been allowed to have matters all his own way, for he has been kept up to the collar. On Saturday he was sent along over half a mile with Second Wind, and he pleased greatly by the manner in which be completed his task without being nearly extended. The time was 50 1-5, and had he been pressed the Paladin colt could have made a big cut in these figures. His meeting in the Welcome Stakes with his 23 opponents is going to be interesting, although it is thought by many that he will retain his unbeaten certificate. Second Wind is also on the up-grade, and with a little more experience he will win his share of stake money.

Latest Arrivals Hipo, Nastori and Taitaiata arrived by steamer from New Plymouth on Saturday. The trio look in good order for their engagements at Ellerslie. A Quiet Morning There was very little doing at Ellerslie this morning, only half to threequarter pace work on the sand, tan and two-year-old tracks being indulged in. The only schooling task was performed by Wee Marble, who, piloted by A. Driscoll, was sent over two pony hurdles, giving a good display. Booster’s Surprise Booster paid a nice dividend when he won the sprint event on the first day of the Geraldine meeting, for it was generally thought that he was not forward enough to win. It shows that it is never safe to discard a good class horse in a moderate field. Booster ran first-class races last season, and being a Solferino he should go on with it. Less Pretentious Objectives It is very unlikely that Beau Geste will be persevered with any further as a New Zealand Cup candidate. The Bonlform gelding is doing well and he will be kept in training, but his programme in the meantime will be of a more modest nature. He is still eligible for hack events, and if he goes on all right he should pay his way this* season without having to meet the best horses. « Wimneri’ Rehandicaps The following are rehandicaps for the North Otago Jockey Club’s meeting: Hurdles: Tarleton, 12.4. Oamaru Cup: Set Sail, 9.2; Gold Brick, 7.4. Grange Handicap: Martian Spear, 7.8. Flying Handicap: Receipt, 9.4. Farewell Handicap: Royal Game, 9.10; Gold Brick, 7.12. The following is a rehandicap for the Manawatu Hunt: Aokaturere Handicap: Keddar, 8.0. The following rehandicaps have been declared for the Otaki meeting:—Katihiku Handicap: Keddar, 7.8. Ling Memorial: Tresham, 8.11. Kereihi Roera Handicap: Waicullus, 8.7. Wants a Dry Track One of the most pleasing gallops seen at Ellerslie on Saturday morning was that of Covent Garden. In company with his stablemate, Thaw, they were given a work-out from the half-mile post, and they finished together. The Limond gelding went nicely, but the honours were with Covent Garden, who was fighting for his head up the straight. The time, 49 4-5, was excellent, and viewing the manner in which the latter finished, it was obvious that he is almost at the top of his form. Covent Garden likes the top of the ground to race on, and when lie strikes a track of that sort he is going to make things merry for his opponents. Form of Damaris Damaris only started once at the Avondale meeting, being withdrawn from the classic for the very simple reason that she was unable to act in the bad ground. On Saturday, in company with Catkin, the Limond filly was seen in a more conspicuous role when she was allowed to stride out for six furlongs, the trial track being more to her liking. She pleased a bit better than her companion, the pair Tuning the journey in 1.18 2-6. Walter Rayner will be unlucky if he does not strike a track to suit his horses, but he may make amends at the Wellington meeting. From Auckland he returns to Wanganui, and there he will be able to give his charges a few rousing gallops before leaving for Trentham. Mr. Currie has six horses here, but only four will do the Trentham trip. Star Stranger’s Effort Easily the pick of the trials on Saturdasr was that of Star Stranger over eight furlongs, which he covered in 1.44 3-5, splendid time, and done in a most workmanlike style. The Martian gelding hit out very freely, and is obviously fast getting back to form. Saturday’s gallop was reality brilliant, and yet, with the certainty of soft going next Saturday, it is too much to say at present that he will win the Mitchelson Cup. He went all right for the mile, and he also went this distance in the race he had last Monday, but that last half-mile may find a weakness. Nevertheless, there is no denying the fact that Star Stranger is fast coming into form, and his work during this week will be closely followed. Apart from his Avondale Cup engagements, it should not be overlooked that he is in the New Zeaanl Cup, and that event will suit him perhaps better. G.N. Guineas Candidate Gascony is looking in nice order for his three-year-old career, and he will probably make his first appearance in the Great Northern Guineas next Saturday. He dashed over four furlongs on Saturday morning in good style, and in the event of the King John gelding doing well tnis week it is on the cards that he will dispute favouritism with Laughing Prince in the classic event on Saturday. Another that will came into the market if the going is anywhere near «2ry is the Waikato representative. Pagan el li, of whose condition rosy reports continue to come to hand. Corning to Hand One horse that is fast improving in racing condition is Desert Glow, and it is expected in certain quarters that he will be one of the hardest to beat in the Mitchelson Cup. Whether that is so remains to be seen, but since his two .outings at the Avondale meeting he has done well, and now looks an infinitely better horse. On Saturday he was with Phaola, just behind Te Monanui, at the end of a mile try-out in 1.48, and he appeared to be going nicely without being all out. Desert Glow is a good stayer, but he appears to be best suited by a track that is dry, and this he may not get until later on. The stable double. Desert Glow and Finelli, is among the fancied brackets for next Saturday.