Form In Public Critically Reviewed

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 328, 13 April 1928, Page 12

Form In Public Critically Reviewed

RUNNING AT ELLERSLIE POINTERS FOR AVONDALE What a difference class makes in horse-racing. In the A.R.C. Easter Handicap, Flying Juliet and Day Guard finished near the tail of the field. In the mile race the second day they finished first and third respectively. ONE TO KEEP IN MIND Valkon covered a lot of ground in the Easter Handicap, and then finished close to the placed division. On Monday he was second to last half a mile from home in the Islington Handicap, and from here he came with a rattle,

finally getting to within a head of flying Juliet when Mr. Lusk caught them in focus, and Valkon would have been in front in another chain. He was one of those “certainties’' that do sometimes get beaten. Raasay failed to justify his favouritism in the Champagne Stakes, in which fifth was the best he could do. He drew No. 9 position at the barrier, and he failed to show sufficient pace to cross to an inside running. In fact, going over the hill he was four horses out from the rails, foi* both Mithra and Prince Humphrey raced up on tlie inside of him there. Raasay was handy at the home turn, and then could not go on with it. On Monday he ought to have done better than third in the handicap with all his weight. Thereby hangs a tale, which is told elsewhere. NOT QUITE SO GOOD At two years Tamatete and Tukia were brilliant youngsters, and botn won quite a few races. Their your,? brother. Freehold, does not appear 10 be in the same class, however, judging by the few times we have ssen him in action at Ellerslie. He di«;l well to get third, although it was something in his favour that he was second from the rails, and went with Episode all the way, and so kept out of any trouble. Prince Humphrey’s finishing run was too much for Freehold, despite the fact that officially there was not a length between them. It was rather surprising to . see Mithra finish ahead of such good two-year-olds as Raasay, Stagliunter, and Prodice in the Champagne Stakes. She was not more than three lengths behind Episode, so that her effort was

leritorious considering that she \ as •ainer Jamieson's second string. On londay Mithra did not fare so well, nd it was likely that her hard race t the classics got to the bottom of er. Her fourth and eighth finishing ositions at Hllerslie were the only rcasions upon wliieli Mithra finished utside a place. She should develop nto a useful three-year-old. A SURPRISING PRICE In the early stages of the Chani,;,gno Stakes Prodice was tailed off 11 the way to the straight, and got

up to finish sixth, thereby doing better than it appeared. On Monday she was neglected on the totalisator, the filly carrying £556, or £129 more than on the first day, when the pool was about 15 per cent, bigger, probably accounted for by the fact that she was in weaker company, and when she won the result was a double-figure dividend. Prodice was really at a false price, for her races in the past have been marked by consistency in handicap events at east. From an outside position she was always liandy to the pacemakers, being alongside the leader at the home turn, from whence she came away. She was weakening at the end, but hung on to get a neck decision. There is no doubt that she was at a very false price. WAS IT THE BREED? The disappointment of the Champagne Stakes last Saturday—to Aucklanders at least —was the very poor showing made bv Gold Money. The filly had been working well, and there was no denying the value of her showings at Te Aroha, which were not overrated. A bit slow off the mark in the classic, she went very fast crossing the top, and at the hometurn was on the outside of Episode and Freehold, and ran out a bit. From here, which was realb r a winning position, Gold Money stopped quickly, and she was being pulled up many lengths behind the field at the finish.

On Monday the Paper Money filly was again slow out of the tapes, and ran a bit better to finish a good sixth. Still, it was many degrees below her country running. Perhaps she had left her race on the track, and she would not have been the first one to do so. Avon Court went with the Champagne Stakes field for a bit on Saturday. and then gradually receded, to finish seventh. A bit removed from the best class of two-year-olds, the Lucullus filly may do better next season, when she will probably be holding her own with some of those that finished ahead of her on Saturday. Avon Court was not produced on the second day at Ellerslie. White Wings showed stamina when she led the field home in the Onslow Handicap on Saturday, being too strong for the opposition over the last bit. On Monday she was chopped back at the start, and that was the end of Agrion’s young sister. Perception was one of the unlucky two-year-olds racing at Ellerslie. A hot favourite in the handicap the first day, he failed to get near the front. On Monday he was better placed, and might- have taken a hand in the finish but for being among those to suffer interference with the judge’s box looming up. The half-brother to Bathos and Melissa takes the eye as a likely performer next season, for he is a big youngster that may best be served by time. WILL BE A GOOD ONE Gesto, the two-year-old gelding by Lord Quex from Queen Lizzie, made a favourable impression at Elllerslie, where lie ran a second and third. He might have won the second day but for being pocketed a furlong from the winning post. Gesto is a big younga winner in the spring, appears to have lost her form. ster, and he is sure to get on the winning list several times next season. Other youngsters to take the eye at Ellerslie were Pure Gold, Te Atiawa, Lur v Rose, and Jolly Money. Orewa, Mask was the outstanding handicap pci-former at Ellerslie. There was no mistaking his win the first

day, but under the idea that he -could not go a mile and a-half he was allowed to pay practically the dividend on Monday. Mask certainly won the Autumn Handicap over this distance, but the xace was run to suit him, for there was no pace on < ver the lirst mile. Apparently every .jockey in the race had instructions to ri-de in behind, and consequently m uiv well-laid plans went awry. Mask was all out under punishment to win, and this fact still leaves open to doc.ht the Limond gelding’s ability to stay out a solid run 12 furlongs. Cater on. perhaps, we may have another chance of seeing him make the attempt. HER LAST RACE Damaris landed the Oaks iast Saturday in good style, making her opponents look like mere hacks. It was superior stamina that gave her the victorv, which was well anticipated. Iler owner was most confident, and, well handled by Bert Morris, gave him no cause for anxiety. It is stated that after running in the St. Leger the last had been seen of Damaris in public, for it is Mr. G. M. Currie’s intention to retire her to the stud. Damaris has not been overdone. and. bred as she is, the filly should make an ideal matron.