PREPARING FOR JUMPING SEASON

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 290, 28 February 1928, Page 10

PREPARING FOR JUMPING SEASON

TRAINING AT AWAPUNI DOINGS IN MANAWATU DISTRICT CSpeciaJ to THE SUN.) PALMERSTON X., Monday. In preparation for the jumping season. many horses who have been enjoying let-ups are commencing to make their reappearance at Awapuni. Their activities are being restricted to work on the plough, the continued spell of dry weather having left the grass tracks brick-like in their hardness. Star Shell has been in work for some little time now, but he continues to carry his condition in surprising manner. When the jumping season is seriously entered upon the gelding should be ready for the fray, particularly should the elements take on an unkind turn, for he revels in the mud. Another jumper from G. New’s stable in Maidos is also back in active work. The Sarto-Maidi gelding is of the big raking type, and, while not a handsome piece of horseflesh, certainly fills the role of an ideal jumper. The bigger the fences, the better does the gelding like them. The full brother to Banjuke, Bismoor, is likewise being brought into trim by owner-trainer W. Bailey. Bismoor throws more to his sire, Bisogne, in- colour than does Banjuke, and, while he has not been asked a great deal in the past, he gives indication of being a useful member of the steeplechase brigade. An Unlucky Stable L. Knapp invariably has a string of jumpers, but in the past he has been unfortunate in losing animals of the type of Puwhero and Ardath, although there is a prospect that the former may stand another preparation. He has meantime received Lady Comet to bring up to racing trim, but the Bay Comet mare is at present carrying a distinct surplus of flesh. Last season was a lean one for Lady Comet, but . she may prove capable of disclosing c that form of a coupl© of seasons ago which enabled her to win the Second Hack Steeplechase at Trentham and . then annex the July Steeplechase the 2 following da3^.

Knapp displays a distinct preference fo.r jumpers, and he will no doubt have Little River again on the scene at a later date. Lady Faye will also be found pursuing her career in the hunters’ events, while it is the intention to develop Redbank, who has been running in maiden events on the flat, into a jumper. Of good size and the possessor of a fair amount of pace, he should be better suited in this branch. He has also Phantasy under his charge, but the latter appears to be rather light-f.ramed to make a jumper of note.

Useful Recruit Powhiri, who followed up his victory at New Plymouth with a second at Wanganui, appears to be none the worse for his trip, and, while he has shown a distinct preference for shortdistance courses, the Sir Antrim gelding should develop with experience, being after all but a comparative novice at the game. The Hymestra gelding Hymestrason from R. E. Hatch’s stable is rapidly assuming an appearance of fitness. A rangy-looking animal, Hymestrason appears to be much better-conditioned at the present time than he was last season when he made his debut in the hurdling branch at Otaki only to fall at the last fence when looking all over a certai nplace-getter. The champion horseman, T. Green, is still attached to this stable, but his apprenticeship expires in May. Crack ’Chaser Reappears Frisco Jack, who enjoyed a meteoric career last season when he won four times in five starts, is again being brought into racing trim in preparation for the season’s activities. He is still carrying plenty of condition, but is full of life and he should prove capable of further improving upon his record later on. Mister Gamp does not enjoy the hard going to be encountered at the present time, and as his breeding (Bronzetti —Brolly) would suggest, he is more to th© fore when conditions are damp. His running in hurdling events has been somewhat in and out, but when in the mood he can certainly gallop, while his jumping can likewise be of a high order. How- ! ever, he does not always produce it. Mister Gamp is on the sale list on account of the continued ill-health of his popular owner, Mr. J. G. Collins. Among the Youngsters Trainer J. Kelly has two or three youngsters of promise under his care, one built on attractive lines being Kilorell, who is by Kilbroney—Orellana, bred by Mr. W. Jewell, of Bainesse. The dam, who was by Aberbrothock— Austerlitz, did not enjoy a very prominent career, but from point of looks the youngster promises to be a worthy son of his sire, having unusually welldeveloped quarters. A raking sort in the same stable is a Rangitiro—Heather gelding, bred by M,r. C. IT. Whitehead, who originally raced his dam. Heather proved herself to be a very useful sort and at one Awapuni meeting some years ago cleaned up three events at the fixture. Rangitiro has not always had a fair chance to prove himself, but from a mare of such stamp, the progeny should prove to be of some value as a racing proposition. Costly Two-Year-Old Boston, a Tea Tray two-year-old who cost his owner TOOgns as a yearling, is an unusually big type of youngster, and, on that account, will require time. Of late he has been showing steady improvement, although inclined to be somewhat flighty, and he had his first race since the Wellington meeting in the Sapling Stakes at Woodville, in which Mooregas, from the same stable, was the winner. Mooregas claims the same dam as the raking Crown Area, but whereas the youngster is a product of Gasbag, the elder sprinter is by Acre. Fee Simple, who has been enjoying a let-up, has returned looking all the better for the spell. The Acre representative has been somewhat of a disappointment, but time may effect an improvement. Surplus of Horsemen There was quite a surplus of horsemen in attendance at Awapuni on Tuesday morning, for apart from those attached to the various stables, R. Reed, T. Metcalfe, C. France, W. 11. Jones and H. Gordon were present as free lances. The first-named pair are regular attenders at the tracks, and their services are in strong demand. R. J. Mackie has not enjoyed the best of fortune in respect to health of late, having been lost to the game for a period last season following liis undergoing a serious operation. On the off day at New Plymouth h© injured his knee while bathing and had to forego his engagements, but was in the saddle at Wanganui. On the return trip from the latter fixture, his light car skidded in some loose metal and somersaulted. Although the car suffered, he fortunately escaped with little more than scratches and he was in the saddle at the Te Aroha meeting. RACING FIXTURES February 29. March l.—Dannevirke R.C March l. 3.—Marlborough R.C. March 3. Banks Peninsula R.C. March 3. o —Te Kuiti R.C. i March 7.—Opotiki J.C.