PREPARING FOR EASTER

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 316, 29 March 1928, Page 5

PREPARING FOR EASTER

AWAPUNI CANDIDATES TRAINING OPERATIONS (Special to THE SUN) PALMERSTON N., Wednesday. Rain fell on Monday night and the Awapuni tracks will benefit materially, the dry spell having killed much of the young growth which had made its appearance. While the rain had done little more than take the sting out of the course proper, it had left the plough somewhat sticky, and as a result, the major portion of the work was carried out on Tuesday morning outside the rail, although those candidates who were being accorded easy tasks were worked on the sand. Will Join Up Soon Mr. W. H. Gaisford’s trio were early workers and Atareria, Chelone and Disrank were back in their boxes before the first of the regular contingent put in an appearance. It is anticipated that Commendation will join his comrades toward the latter part of next month. an derlust, who is looking very robust following a good spell, was sent along with Fee Simple over five furi°ngs. The Acre gelding was quicker to megin, but Wanderlust gathered him up before the straight was reached to finish on terms in a tick over 1.5. Now that G. New has lost Starshell, Maidos is the only jumper housed in the stable. The steeplechaser is commencing to look in good order, his* task on Tuesday morning being restricted to steady work on the sand. The loss of Starshell is unfortunate, for the trainer has got plenty of condition on the geldiag—a task which the past has shown is not altogether an easy one, and if his new trainer can keep him in that order the Battle Eve gelding should win races. Still Has Full String While the transfer of Mr. H. P. F. Blundell’s team to Levin resulted in Duke Abbey, Boston, Starshell and a couple of youngsters vacating their boxes at Awapuni, trainer New will, nevertheless, have a full string again to engage his attention. Some Lad and Desert Lad, both of which were accorded a let-up prior to their entering the stable, acted as two replacements, and the Lucullus gelding Lucre, and the Panmure gelding Pangolin, who have been running out on their owner’s farm at Fitzherbert, are to pass into the care of the trainer this week. The two Acre representatives, Crown Acre and Broad Acre, were companions over half a mile on the course proper, the trestles being some 20ft out from the rail. Crown Area was going the better at the post, the journey occupying under 52. Whether Crown Area will make the trip to Christchurch for the Great Easter or remain at home for the Feilding meeting has not yet been determined by his owner. One For the Future Rameses and Callanmore were sent along over half a mile, which was left behind in 54, The former is looking very well at present, and as he showed up for a period in his recent races, he should not be long in crediting his trainer with a victory. Callanmore is a compact sort who underwent an operation to his respiratory organs last year, but who is still inclined to blow hard The Absurd—Blackada gelding is now in R. E. Hatch’s care, trainer T. Lloyd having departed from this locality. With Piuthair having to be turned out pending the tracks becoming softer, he had little to engage his attention. The Demosthenes gelding Kalakaua, who has done little racing since October, has been handed to J. Hastie to' train, and that trainer has now Holus Bolus and Kalakaua to look after. The latter is carrying a fair amount of condition, and lie will hardly be ready in time for Easter. He was sent a round in company with Mister Gamp*-on the grass proper, when he moved quite freely, although inclined to throw himself about a bit. Has the Ability Lady Raven, a Quarantine —Miss Lark five-year-old mare, who has made appearances in maiden events without being able to open her account, is destined for the jumping branch. She made her debut over the hurdles on Monday morning, and demonstrated well her ability to jump. Of. a good stamp, she would make an excellent hunter. With the tracks becoming softer it can be expected that jumping operations will be entered upon in earnest. On the outside of the track proper a series of brush fences and a wall have been erected along the back of the course, with a brush double in the straight, but they were not called into use on Tuesday morning. The only jumping undertaken was that by Hymestrason over the smaller battens inside the rail on No. 2 grass. The Hymestra gelding, who was piloted by A. G. Campbell, jumped cleanly, if carefully. Puwhero On Active List The All Red —Torpedo gelding Puwhero, who broke down at his first time out last season, has rejoined L. Knapp’s string following his enforced spell, the latter portion of which was occupied fulfilling the duties of a hack on his owner’s farm at Hunterville. A magnificent jumper, Puwhero, providing he stands up to his tasks, should add further to his credit. He finished up the 1925-26 season by running second to Passin’ Through in the Adamson Steeplechase at Egmont, second to Erie in the Wanganui Steeplechase, and then won the Grandstand Steeplechase on the concluding day of the Wanganui fixture before going on to Napier Park to win the Napier Steeples. It remains to be seen whether he 3s as good as of old. The Lord Quex—Heat three-year-old filly Inflame was given his first run in public at the Rangitikei fixture when he showed up in the early stages, although he disappeared long before th© close.' However, he gives every evidence of being able to gallop and experience should effect the rest. Ivilorell, 1 Valuator, and a Gasbag youngster from J. Kelly’s stable are all showing promise, but Valuator, who claims Rangitiro as his sire, wili be the first to come to hand. A big sort, he made his first appearance under silk at Dannevirke when he finished on strongly right up at the post. Among the Nominations Kilmiss, Patearoa and Dobbin were given easy tasks. The first-named has been entered for the Manchester Handicap on the opening day of the Feilding meeting, Crown Area, Novar and Capitulation being other local nominations in the same, event. Dobbin and Broad Acre will represent local stables in the open sprint. Patearoa will have as companions in the Onga Hack Handicap, run over five and a-half furlongs, Rameses, Fee Simple, Le Champ, Callanmore, Inflame and Luarne, all of whom are inmates of Awapuni stables. Trainer E. Watson has expended considerable patience and care over