Latest Gossip From Trentham

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 256, 19 January 1928, Page 6

Latest Gossip From Trentham

STAGHUNTER’S FAST SPRINT PROBABLE CUP FIELD (Special to THE SUN.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday. It now seems almost certain that the Wellington Cup field on Saturday will number sixteen. Overhaul is in two races, but it has been stated at Trentham that his mission is the Cup. Eighteen was the number last year, and sixteen is about the average for the race in recent years. There is a lot of talk at Trentham as to Staghunter’s gallop on the grass on Tuesday. As was explained previously the fog obscured Staghunter and Shot Silk until they entered the straight, but one who managed to time them stated that thev ran the half mile in 525. Now

it is alleged that the actual time recorded by Staghunter was 495. Probably this is about right, and it should also be remembered that he could have gone faster over the last furlong, but was kept back to his stablemate. In the circumstances Childsplay’s gallop is not so far in advance of everything else as was suspected.

OVERWEIGHT FOR YOUNGSTERS A definite statement has been awaited as to the riders of Staghunter and Childsplay, as the riders and not the conditions of the race might govern their weighting on Saturday. Though this definite statement has not been made, it seems clear now that B. 11. Morris is to take the mount on Staghunter, and that C. Emerson will be on Childsplay. So Staghunter is not likely to . have less than Bst. in the saddle, and Childsplay will have about 7.11. Historic has improved so much of late that with a good rider up he can be considered for the Highweight Handicap on Saturday. L. G. Morris has declined the ride. Present indications are that First Sight and Amorist will be the favourites, and as they will have the services of A. E. Ellis and R. S. Bagby respectively, they will not lack anything on the score of ability. If Amorist is good enough to win his supporters will get a good price, as his form is unknown to North Islanders, who, on the other hand, have seen First Sight run several good races. KtNDLE WILL RUN WELL The recent track work of Kindle cannot be disregarded, and I will not be surprised to see her run very prominently in either the Apprentices’ Plate or the Douro Cup. It is some considerable time since Crown Area has raced, but he is looking well, and is to take his place in the field for the Telegraph Handicap on Saturday, in which he will be ridden by A. E. Ellis. Just how he will go after beihg without a race in public for nearly three months is hard to estimate, but on appearances he is at least as good a horse as when he ran second to Eulalie in the Stewards’ Handicap in November. He will be in a fair amount of favour on Saturday, and if he keeps right he should secure some of the stake money at the meeting. SPEEDY THREE-YEAR-OLD Polydectes is coming into something like a small boom for the Ruapehu Handicap, and is likely to start favourite, despite the presence in the race

of smart hacks like The Raider and Broad Acre. Polydectes has come on very fast since racing at Hastings at New Year, and they say that the veteran trainer, S. Waddell, is very keen on his chances. The presence of L. G. Morris at the Foxton meeting, which is held at the same time as the .Wellington fixture, may mean that he will take the ride on Warfille in the .Maiden event on the first day and the hack race on the second day. Warfille failed at Feilding when well backed, but might atone at Foxton. A LIKING FOR TRENTHAM Booster has increased in favour for the Telegraph Handicap in the last couple of days, probably on account of a good gallop at Trentham on Tuesday after most of the other horses had worked. He will be ridden by A. 3. Hidham, who handles him better than he is given credit for doing. Mason’s team has arrived at Trentham looking well, and Mason, sen. is expected here to-morrow. Eulalie knocked herself about a little through trying to jump out of her box when being unloaded from the train. Paganelli and Billikins were brought down by M. J. Carroll. Paganelli never looked as well as he does at present.