Turf Notes

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 227, 14 December 1927, Page 10

Turf Notes

Coming to Ellerslie Grand Knight and Staghunter did I not return to Trentham from Woodville, i but are coming on to Ellerslie. Wild Pigeon and Shot Silk were taken home and will race next at Awapuni. Sister to Alloway A full sister to Alloway is in work at Wanganui, being given useful exercise. She is a neat looking filly, and from appearances should make good later on. She was bred and is owned by Mr. L. G. Paul. Disaster Threatened A deep-seated tumour in the gullet, which grows again after removal, may compel the retirement of J. McComb's high-priced Comedy King gelding. Court Jester. This would be a financial disaster to the Riccarton ownertrainer, as the Australian-bred galloper promised to develop into a very useful racehorse. Unlucky Jockey Superb King had anything but a good run on Wednesday at Woodville, but made amends the next day, defeating the unlucky Partaga, which he was meeting on 51b. better terms. Apparently it was Tommy Green’s unlucky day, for lie was on three seconds— Kilmiss, Epistle and Partaga. Green had no better luck on the second day, his best efforts being seconds on Arrow Lad and Partaga. His last winner was Kilmiss in the St. Andrew’s Handicap at Feilding, and even so, he had to put up with a second and a third on Plane, and three seconds on Expense, Kilmiss and Partaga respectively. T. Green will b© riding at the Wairarapa Racing Club’s meeting on Saturday, December 31. The Hawk’s Punch

Writing in the Hawke’s Bay “Tribune,” “The Delver” comments as follows: “The Hawk is a daily visitor to the Hastings tracks. He appears in good condition and health, but is more staid than before, that wonderful vital-

ity and higli-spiritedness for which he was so noted being now absent. Now nine years old, one would hardly expect him to show again his great brilliancy, so J. M. Cameron has no doubt decided that his favourite will no longer be pitted against the best in handicaps.”

Likes Five Furlongs Although Billikins runs a good race over six furlongs, the last bit as yet finds her a trifle wanting. Beaten by a length over the distance referred to in the Taringamutu Handicap, it was surprising to see her go out two races later at such a nice price in the fivefurlong flutter, the Matapuna Handicap. Well placed throughout the journey, she won well by a head from Abbess. The Paeroa-trained mare is very smart over five furlongs, and she can be depended upon to run a good race over that distance.

Might Win Again Zaragoza, who joined F. D. Jones's team recently, has come to hand vei-y quickly. She is very sound, and she is moving along freely in her work. She will probably go to Australia in the autumn, chiefly as a working mate for Limerick, but she may pay her wav on the trip, under favourable conditions.

Will Have to Do Better Last for the greater part of the journey in the Taumarunui Cup, Gold Rain finished in such good style as to get up fourth when the post was reached. On this showing he was expected to play a prominent part in the decision of the Hurdles on the second day. He never looked like a winner, and could not gain a place at the finish in a weak field. If he is to do any good at the jumping game, the St. Amans gelding will have to give a better exhibition than he did at the meeting mentioned above. A Likely Hurdler

Royal Diadem, who is engaged in hurdle events at Ellerslie at Christmas time, won the Midsummer Handicap at the Auckland “summer meeting as a two-year-old in the 1923-24 season. However, he did not show to much advantage during his three and four-year-old career, but at five years, in the colours of Mr. L. G. Clare, who owns Merry Mint, he won four races and was placed on 11 other occasions. This season he has started three times for one second. Royal Diadem has yet to make his appearance over hurdles. A Boomerang? It* has been reported that several Northern racing and trotting clubs have debarred the broadcasting of races from their tracks on the grounds that the news thus circulated is of assistance to country bookmakers. This is another injustice to country followers of equine* sport, as it is well understood in the circles where racing and trotting results are looked for that broadcasting is of even more importance to town bookmakers, who, of course, command a very much larger volume of business than their wagering rivals of out-back localities. Jf racing and trotting clubs studied their own interests they might find it advisable to leave well alone in connection with broadcasting, as the public have a nasty habit of retaliating by direct vote when their liberties and privileges are interfered with. Enough said." —Southland “Times”: It is interesting to note that for some time past the Auckland Racing Club has had its meetings broadcast, and the committee yesterday gave its sanction for the broadcasting of the forthcoming meeting. Up to the present, however, the Auckland Trotting Club continues to hold aloof.

Work at New Plymouth The New Plymouth tracks were in good order on Saturday morning, all the work being done on the outside of the track proper and on the plough. R. Johnston’s team, The Swell. Flying Shot and Cadenza, were given , strong work on the plough. Te Atiawa was not asked to do liis best over half a mile in 59. Te Monanui went once round, being assisted by Miss Mercia over the last six. He moved very well, taking 1.35 for the last seven furlongs. Quillfire pleased by the way he sprinted three furlongs on the plough. Just John was given strong work on the plough. Lady Quex showed a lot of dash in a half mile on the grass. Merxcius moved nicely over four furlongs in 56. Manly, Oration and Advance Camp galloped six furlongs on the plough in 1.23.

Sold By Auction The maiden performer Arinagour, who finished well up behind the placed horses in the Maiden Handicap at Taumarunui on Monday, was put up for auction and sold to Mr. J. Bonus for IS guineas. The Downward Trend The Wellington Placing Club lias reduced the value of the Wellington Cup from £1,750 to £1,500. It is understood that the next Wanganui Cup will be worth £6OO, against £I,OOO last February. Second for Bonhomme At the Hawkesbury (Sydney) races yesterday, the President’s Handicap resulted: Joj'ce Alwyne, 8.4, 1; Bonhomme, 8.12, 2; Ivnight Errant. 8.0, 3. There were five starters. Won by three lengths. Time, 1.34. Bonhomme is one of A. P>. Webster’s team. Hard Crossings It is frequently noticed that the crossings on most racecourses are tramped by traffic into a hard state, writes “Sentinel,” and Footfall's mishap was probably caused by jarring a shoulder when galloping over one at Kiccarton. The Invasion

There will be a large influx of horses to Auckland this week-end, with the arrival of the special race train from Wellington. It is expected that this “Equine Limited” will have about 80 horses abroad, both gallopers and trot*ters. Over a Shorter Distance

Athenry ran a good race in the Taumarunui Cup. He led for the greater part of the journey, but could not go on with it over the last couple of furlongs. When he pulled up it was found that he was sore, and as a result was scratched for the second day. The Mullingar gelding has plenty of pace and if he appears in races up to a mile he should do further splendid service for owner-trainer M. J. Carroll. The Weight Will Tell Alonsoa, who won the Taumarunui Cup rather easily with 7.0, did not run as well as could be expected in the Hack Cup on the second day. S. Tremain handled the Catmint mare in good style on the first day and was largely responsible for her easy victory. With A. McCormac in the saddle on the second day, and carrying 9.11, Alonsoa was made a good favourite, but at no stage of the race did she appear likely to win. The weight doubtless had its effect, for Alonsoa was carrying 391 b more than in the Cup.

The Waipa Meeting Special trains for Te Awamutu are announced for Saturday, and it will therefore only require fine weather to ensure a large attendance at the Waipa Club’s gathering. There will be no division race, as only the Orakau Hack Handicap had an acceptance beyond the safety number, and now the scratching of Thurnus and Arinagour brings the number within the limits. Many visiting horses have already arrived. The tracks and course are in excellent order, and were improved yesterday by a heavy thunderstorm. A Prosperous Trip The Ellerslie trainer, R. E. Brown, had a particularly good innings at the Taumarunui meeting, securing three wins, one second, and two thirds, with his select team ol' horses. Abbey Hay was the most consistent performer, being saddled up for three events, and winning the lot. War Officer started twice for a second and a third. Gala Hay, who also ran twice, returned a third, and that he did not do better was a surprise. Brown has his team in splendid condition at present, and will probably pick up a few more stakes before the weight begins to tell. A True Decision

Head-heats in last races at some meetings are frequently put down to super-abundant hospitality by the clubs concerned, but there was no doubt that the judge’s task in placing the first three horses in the final event at Woodville on Thursday was one that would keep a kill-joy doing his very best, says an exchange. Henna tackled Ring Boy inside the distance, and Thurnbell, on the outer, joining in the trio, flashed past the post practically in a line. The judge bracketed Henna and Ring Boy, and was probably right. If Thurnbell had made a ms>ve sooner the result would have been different.

An Improving Sort Frank Loorab has a good sort of gelding in Air King. Favourite on the first day in the Trial Plate, he was beaten a length by a good sort in Mervette. Coming out the second day. and carrying 9.0, he was nicely handled by Keesing to win in similar company by over a length. This well-built son of King Lupin will, if well placed, climb much higher in the ranks. Air King is not eligible for the Waipa Plate on Saturday, for his win on Monday was worth £53, a few notes over the minimum of £SO which is one of the conditions attached to the Waipa Plate.

A.R.C. Committee A meeting of the Auckland Racing Club Committee was held yesterday, Sir Edwin Mitclielson presiding. The following transfers were approved: Buchanan Estate to J. M. Samson, Battlement: J. T. Jamieson to O. W. Anderson, Mithra; Morrison and Smith to Worthington and Harragh. High Tide; Foley and Brown to T. F. Foley, Exhibition: E. A. Price to M. A. Ryan, Lido; H. L. Russell to C. Johnstone, Siaosi. Accounts totalling £ 2,737 were passed for payment. It was decided to make the charge for teas at the kiosk on race days 2s a head, and price of admission to Leger enclosure 5s a head. Flitter Goes Well

On the first day of the Taumarunui meeting, the favourite in the Taringainotu Handicap, Flitter, lost several lengths at the start. Even though she may not have beaten the winner, Abbey Hay (who won very easily), her performance under these circumstances was impressive, for she was only half a length behind the second and third horses at the finish. The Marble Arch mare was saddled up for the Otunui Handicap on the second day, and after an exciting tussle with Abbess won a neck, thus proving that she was undoubtedly unlucky not to have been placed the previous day. Flitter will make her next appearance at Waipa on Saturday, and now <hat she has made a start she might be prevailed to go on with it.

REMINDERS Manawatu acceptances are due on Friday, December 16. Marton handicaps are due on Friday next, and first day acceptances close on Tuesday, December 20. Taranaki acceptances close on Friday, Hecember 16. Acceptances for Stratford are due on Hecember 22. Acceptances for the following events at the Auckland summer meeting— Auckland Cup, Railway, Robinson, Grafton Hurdles, Nursery and Christmas Handicaps—also final payments for the Queen’s Plate, Great Northern Foal Stakes, Great Northern Herby and Royal Stakes, are due at 5 p.m. on Friday, Hecember 16.