NOTES AND COMMENTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 257, 20 January 1928, Page 7

NOTES AND COMMENTS

EPSOM ACTIVITIES DUST CAUSES INCONVENIENCE In a constant cloud of blinding, choking dust, horses endeavoured to do their best at Alexandra Park yesterday morning, but the conditions were not conducive to speed tests. As the various animals returned to the paddock it was noticed that their eyes and nostrils were almost clogged with the gritty substance rising from the track.

Trainers are praying for rain, but the unfortunate part of the whole business is that should a real downpour occur the track will become a quagmire, and work will be suspended until it dries. There should be some' way, however, of keeping the track tprayed in the meantime to allay the dust nuisance, and well watered overnight, or during the early morning, the dirt circuit should be in good condition for activities.

All Well At an early hour Jack Shaw unrugged the champion, Jewel Pointer, who was geared up and with Claude Fairman in the sulky wis dispatched on a two-mile journey. His companions were Native Prince (J. Shaw) and Bingen King (S. Selkirk), both being unhoppled. This trio ran well together until the last two furlongs, where Bingen King began to tire and finished a few lengths behind his companions. It was a good solid workout and Native Prince plensed greatly by his bold showing. A Young Aristocrat' The three-year-old Warplane, who is owned by the popular light-karness*en-thusiast Mrs. T. E. Sweetapple, has been taken up again and was a visitor to Alexandra Park this week. The black colt has filled out a whole heap during his holiday and is in excellent trim to take up work. Warplane is an aristocratieallv-bred youngster by Man o’ War, the great son of Pen Huon—Wilja, from Air Raid it mare belonging to Mr. J. Pettie. Air Raid is by Brent Locanda from Lady Zeppelin, a mare by Rothschild from cleve 1 15 ’ Wh ° was a daughter of Vanin Harness Again

Western King was given his first SfnrniSt t he straps yesterday S 1 trainer J. Shaw, and the Rock Huon horse moved in a manner that suggests he will come all richt £? ai ”- J? n S period of inactivity {Jf® ct f d th ® muscles of one of his hind quarters, but with the return to cated* Se t * lls defect will soon be eradi-

Jewel Wave Returns Garth Robertson is busy with i.is string, which includes Great Ballin, Horizon, Admiral Lock, Admiral Hood and Jewel Wave. The latter is an aged mare by Waverley from Special Diamond. She raced on one or two occasions last year, when F. Mark started her at Kaikoura, where she duly landed a trotters’ heat. Actor Ballin, the promising Ballin three-year-old of “Robbie’s” team, is having a let-up. Leo Mauritius Improves The trotter Leo Mauritius, after being warmed up, was sent over a twelve-fur-long course at a sound clip, and the Australian gelding rendered his part very creditably. He was accompanied by the handsome horse Metal for a part of the journey, but the latter was “hobbling,” and Leo went on by himself to finish his task well. The black trotter is coming to hand in good style and judging by his display yesterday will not be long in showing a return on his purchase price. Test for Hawke’s Bay Ualgana (Clifton) and Carnui (Andrews) were associated in a twelvefurlong bout, which served as a test for their meeting at- Hastings next week-end. Carnui was acting as pacemaker and at the end of a mile was closely followed by Halgana., both pacers doing it nicely. Turning out of the straight the leader faltered slightly and Halgana struck the wheel of Carnui’s sulky, but both went on and finished together. Showing Improved Form As a result of the incident,, I-lal-gana’s leg filled slightly, but it is not expected it will be serious enough to keep her from visiting the East Coast. Both Halgana and Carnui are in good condition and the latter is showing improved form each time he is stepped out. While the pair will meet some pretty solid improvers in their respective engagements, tfce Epsom-brained pair will make things interesting for the opposition.