Turf Notes

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 249, 11 January 1928, Page 7

Turf Notes

Conducted by “EARLY BIRD”

First Winners Psychology, who has two winners this season in Marion's Birthday and Banket, is the sire of Kinross a youngster who made a good impression at the Hastings meeting.

Dubious as ’Chaser It is on the cards that Dubious will furnish into a useful steeplechaser, and this fact may account for his purchase by Mr. L. C. Hazlett. writes “Sir Modred.” At the same time, tin: well-bred descendant of Demosthenes or Formative —La Nottc may win further honours across the battens prior to being sent to compete between the flags. A Common Occurrence Some trainers devote a lot of care and ability in preparing a horse and then completely nullify the work of weeks and months by putting up the worst riders that can be found on a racecourse, comments “Sentinel.” They do not seem to be aware of the fact that it is much better to put up a little overweight to secure the services of a good rider in preference, to one who can do the weight, and that is about all he can do. The same class of trainer also puts up an inexperienced apprentice to obtain the more than doubtful benefit of an allowance, and so loses where he should win. Aussie and Reremoana Good and all that Aussie is, can he concede a. couple of pounds to Reremoana when the latter is at his best? Answer that question, and one is very close to finding the winner of the open sprint at Trentham next week. In the decision of the Palmerston North Stakes last month Reremoana spreadeagled his field, and won by a margin of four lengths. He was receiving 131 b from Kiosk, and even this good sprinter could not have beaten Reremoana at level weights. With the Hallowmas gelding back to his top form he is going to be the hardest to beat at Trentham. On the other hand it is probable that the almost straight course will suit Aussie more than Reremoana, so that as between the pair it looks like being an even break. Good Two-Year-Old

Tea Miss, who has not been herself for some time past, has been placed on the retired list for a short while. It is unfortunate that the filly had to

be laid on one side as she gave sufficient evidence that she would have been a formidable foe to have met had all gone well with her.

Desert Glow for Takapuna When he won the Te Awamutu Cup nine days before the Auckland Cup was to come up for decision, Desert Glow sustained injuries when he was knocked over immediately after he had won. This prevented him taking his place in the big Ellerslie event, and he was not seen out at the meeting. Desert Glow has apparently got over the trouble, for he has been nominated for the Takapuna Cup, and if he isos fit as at the Waipa gathering he should make his presence felt, for his Te Awamutu win was a meritorious one. Back to Papakura? It was not to be wondered at that the stable presided over by J. T. Jamieson should have a good innings at Ellerslie during the holidays, for the members of his string have a decided advantage at least over those working at Ellerslie. Quite apart from the happy situation of the stable, the new training centre at Takanini provides ideal galloping ground at this time of the year, and indeed for all the year round. It may not be so very long before the possibilities of this course cause controlling authorities to open their eyes; then it may be that there will be racing once again on the old Papakura racecourse, part of which is incorporated in the Takanini tracks. Horses for Trentham The continuation of the present dry weather was responsible for the decision not to send Royal Mint to Trentham for the Wellington Cup. It is likely that Gala Day and Sir Archie will fulfil their engagements at Trentham. Papatu is the sole Aucklander

left in the cup at the Southern fixture, and he, too, would like the sting out of the ground. Papatu ran two good races at Ellerslie, in . the Cup and A.R.C. Handicap, so that he should carry on and finish up with the leaders over the last bit in the Wellington Cup. It is unknown who will have the ride, for his usual pilot, H. Wiggins, may be on Laughing Prince if it is decided to run the three-year-old. Pity the Starter Jack o’ Lantern shed a very bad light on the starting at Invercargill, comments the Otago “Daily Times.” With the assistance of three flying starts the Fleetham gelding has won three races on the course. Some of the starter’s apologists said that Jack o’ Lantern did not get much the best of it on the second day, but if Ellis had not yanked up his mount when he got to the others he would have been 12 or 20 lengths out in front at the first hurdle. Jack o’ Lantern determinedly ran oft; when out in front at Wingatui and it was no doubt a fear that he would repeat the offence which caused him to be steadied back in order to obtain companv over the first couple of hurdles. It was a pity that Jack o’ Lantern was on the scene, as his presence supplied the only blot, apart from Pink Note, on the second day, on what was otherwise the most successful meeting ever held on the. course.

ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT “Argument.” Nancy Lee was scratched for the two engagements, Bowen Handicap and Electric Handicap, at 2.15 p.m. on the day of each race—December 28 and January 3. Doubtful Starters To-morrow Among the horses that will probably J be numbered among the missing when | the fields line up at Dargavillo to-mor- j row are Golden Wedding, Winsome Boy. Despartd. Takuranga and Master Noel. Whaka King has been scratched for all engagements at the meeting, and Macroom has been withdrawn from the Toka Toka Handicap. Exalted, Master Arch and Furore were in the Settlers’ Hack, but as they were not eligible for that event they have been taken out. Camp Prince Back The two-year-old Camp Prince, who was blistered recently, has now resumed work and is going along nicely in serviceable tasks. Out for a Spell Serang and Xassock, two from J. Buchanan’s stable, are at present enjoying a short spell. They will probably join the active brigade again next month to be got ready for engagements later in the autumn. Respirator’s Injury \Vhen Respirator fell in the Grey Handicap at the recent meeting at Ellerslie he received injuries to his shoulder which will necessitate him being spelled for a period. Riders for To-morrovy A few of the riding engagements at Dargaville to-morrow are:—W. H. Jones, King Emerald and Wee Marble; S. Cammick. Royal Bonus and Tiny Mint: K. Gill, Creation, Tresillian, Bright Dawn; S. Henderson, Right and Left. Pari Goes Fast Since the notable advent of the Leighton youngsters on the turf last season, considerable interest has been taken in. the latest progeny of this promising sire. One that was thought a lot of when raced here was Park who showed himself possessed of a lot of pace, although lacking in stamina. Nevertheless, Pari should be quite ready for the fray at Trentham, and with 31b over the minimum in the two - year-old handicap the first day, he will be conspicuous. Probably the chestnut gelding will prove easily the best that the brood mare Cassock has given to the turf. Not a Genuine Stayer Once again the chances of Mask are being discussed with reference to the Wellington Cup, and he is being looked to to run a good race. This he should do, but the Limond gelding’s recent showings tend to confirm the view that a mile and a-quarter is his best distance. He has now won three times over this distance at Ellerslie, whereas he has consistently failed over longer journeys. On his performances to date Mask has shown that he is not a genuine stayer, but in his case, as In many others no doubt, a slow pace in the early stages of the Wellington Cup would give him a chance. However, ir is unlikely that this will be so. Beat Him To It The tipsters who vend their “good things” on English racecourses are always a source of entertainment for Australian visitors, and one that took my fancy was a tall coloured man—said to be an Abyssinian—who, with his get-up, and ready tongue, could not help attracting notice. Dukes, duchesses, lords and ladies were all the same to him. He had a word for any that came along. Even the late John Porter found a racecourse tipster one too many for him. The London “Sporting Life” says that during a Doncaster meeting Porter’s attention was arrested by a giant of a man attired in jockey’s cap and jacket haranguing the crowd. Hearing the name of Kingsclere mentioned, he listened. “Now, then, as I was a-saying,” he shouted, “when I was an apprentice at gdbd old Kingsclere, I rode Ormonde in all liis trials. Now you have all heard about the poisoning of Orme. I can tell you a bit about that. But what I was about to say, Kingsclere is running a two-year-old this afternoon, and I can tell you it will win ” John Porter thought it was about time to intervene, so he moved forward and touched the tipster on the shoulder. The burly fellow, who evidently knew Porter by sight, never for a moment lost his sangfroid. Seizing Porter’s hand and holding it in an iron grip, he continued: “Now, what did I tell you? You thought as how I was telling you a lot of lies. Here’s the dear qld guv-nor come to see as how I am getting on, bless him!” “As soon as my hand was released,” continued Porter, “I recognised I was no match for the hefty ruffian, so I quickly retired and left him master of the situation.”