Critical Survey of Saturday’s Form

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 331, 17 April 1928, Page 10

Critical Survey of Saturday’s Form

COMMENTS FROM THE COURSE

T.Y VIEW OF THE FACT THAT THERE WILL BE MORE A RACING AT AVONDALE TO-MORROW , THE FOLLOWING BUDGET OF NOTES AND COMMENTS ON SATURDAY'S RUN NING SHOULD BE OF INTEREST TO TURF FOLLOWERS.

Finished Strongly One to be noticed finishing well after apparently being beaten,at the bottom of the straight was Melissa in the Railway Handicap, in which the Absurd filly got up close to the placed horses. Had Parfait Amour won the Maiden Plate instead of being third, he would have paid a dividend more than twice the proportion of Branson’s .fine return. Wyoming, a recent winner at Paeroa, ran a fine race in the hack sprint on Saturday, eventually being beaten into third place. He was at long odds, a fair bit longer than Branson. Double Mint galloped well at Avondale on Thursday, but she was sore when she went out to contest the Maiden. It was this same complaint that kept her out of the money when she was taken south recently. On easy tracks Double Mint should get out of this class. Three for Australia While Limerick was cleaning up the good ones and the rich prizes at Randwick last week, Australia got a bit of her own back at Avondale on Saturday, for the placed horses in the AllAged Stakes—Aussie, Prince Humphrey and Joy King—were all bred in Australia. There were two other winners bred in Australia—Le Choucas and Uralla —while Aston was bred in Ireland.

three stone from the top-weight. Star Stranger, who got to within half a length of Branson has raced most consistently this season, his record being four wins and three seconds. Saturday’s success was his most important fo date, and as he is still well down he should continue to extend his record. Beaten —But Not Disgraced With all his weight Star Stranger was backed down to a compawitively short price in the Foley Memorial, and that he should beat all but Branson was not actually a disgrace. Indeed, there are not many horses that could concede even a couple of stone to Branson, let alone three, which Star Stranger was within half a length of doing successfully on Saturday. Reed had the Martian gelding in a fine position throughout, being on the rails in the middle of the field for most of the way. Half a mile from home lie made a forward move, and before had straightened up he was fourth, close to the leaders. A furlong from home the favourite did not look like getting a place, but Reed lifted him along, and running out wide under pressure was half a length from Branson passing the judge. It was a great effort. Town Bank ran another fine race in the Foley Memorial, and if he continues to stand up to his work he is going to be a difficult proposition for his opponents later on when thedracks become soft. A few yards from the post he was in second place, a position he had maintained throughout the | running, and it was only in the last few strides that the favourite headed | him for the second dividend. Three Unlucky Runs ; Once again it has to be said that Valkon was distinctly unlucky. He finished fourth, half a length behind Star Stranger and Town Bank, and

The Hawke’s Bay sportsman, Mr. IT. R. Campbell, is a hunting enthusiast, and it was principally with the object of having a good hunter to carry him when following the hounds that he purchased Aston in Ireland. The chestnut is a fine galloper, as he showed on Saturday, for he carried his big weight, and won like a good one—which he is. With such a speedy horse to carry him to the hounds, his owner might find himself ahead of the quarry at the end of six furlongs. In a Hurry for Tea

As expected, several jockeys were all at sea when they found themselves landed in the straight at Avondale, and straightway began to ride their finish. One in particular that appeared to make his effort a bit previous was Restaurant’s pilot, and but for this his mount would probably have got second money instead of third.

How good is Ohinemuri? Judging by her latest effort, at Avondale on Saturday, it is going to take a lot of weight and a real, good horse to beat .her. She cleared out from her field at Ellerslie a week previous, but on Saturday she was just in front into the straight, and from here simply cantered away from her opponents, winning in easy fashion by a clear length. Ohinemuri was hard held over the final furlong, otherwise the margin might have been as great as it was at Ellerslie. This mare gave her owner a lot of trouble early in her career, when she was subject to fits, and it was thought that she would never race. Care and patience did the trick, however, and now Ohinemuri may well develop into almost as good a performer as her older brother Te Monanui. It looks as if owner-trainer H. I. Spinks has the goods all right. When the field was sent on its way in the Titirangi Handicap on Saturday Quincoma was badly left, the horse appearing to meet with a lot of trouble to get caught in, the barrier. He ran last all the way, and as he looked well when saddled up he might have been in the picture but for the incident. The Quin Abbey gelding might have been splendidly suited by the long straight. / Winner Injured

Kerry Dance ran easily the best race of his career when he captured the Maiden at Avondale on Saturday. He got away smartly, and was always near the front, being one of the first into the home straight. He came, on well from here, to score convincingly. Only a three-year-old, Kerry Dance should do well next season, for he has the makings of a good sort. He sawout the seven furlongs in fine? style. The chestnut is a well-bred one. for he claims relationship with Awarere, who is in the first flight of sprinters. Kerry Dance was seriously injured through being galloped on in his race. They were a poor lot that contested the hurdle event at Avondale on Saturday, and their moderate class enabled Uralla to mess his jumps and still be good enough to win. Lady Cintra was the hardest he had to beat, and considering that she is by Absurd. it was not expected that she would see out the two-mile journey. In fact the pace was slow over the first half of the journey. Branson’s Efforts Branson sprang a genuine surprise in the Foley Memorial on Saturday. Generally he is not a brililant horse in the early part of his races, but on Saturday, with his pound above the minimum, he was enabled to make the most of number one position, for he was never more than a length behind the leader. Day Guard went off the course coming into the straight, and Branson went through the opening. Probably it was this factor that brought him success, for he finally won by half a length. He was receiving

had not the former carried him out very wide—they finished right under the judge’s nose—the Valkyrian gelding would certainly have been second The connections of Valkon have had exasperating luck with their horse in his last three races, but their turn wiU come very soon.

It was anticipated that Princess Ron me would find the big Avondale course very much to her liking. So it proved. As usual she failed to foot it with the field over the first mile, and when the straight came in sight two and a half furlongs away, she had but one horse behind her, In the Shade. All the way up the running the Princess was putting in some great work a rare good finish seeing her get up to within a length and a-half of the placed division. It was a splendid effort, and suggestive that she will make amends on big courses. An Easy Winner Once again Aussie showed the sprinters, young and old, how to gallop when he contested the All-Aged Stakes on Saturday. He did not get away as well as some of liis opponents and at the end of a furlong was bowling along nicely in fifth place. Three furlongs from home he was lyin or handy to the pacemakers. At the distance he was almost with Prince Humphrey, who had made all the runnmg. and then the youngster appeared to hold him. However, it was soon over, for when Tinker asked him to go on and win Aussie readily complied. Ji F eally an easy win » although the official margin was only threeparts of a length. It is a long time since Auckland stables sheltered anv sprinter as good as Aussie, who made light on Saturday of his 9.10. In future Aussie will be kept to weight-for-age events. Smart Youngster hiScfi% aS « in Prn ?, ce Humphrey proved himself a fine galloper, and it was unfor his con nections that ne b '7 n - P a&ainst a horse like Aussie. Prince Humphrey left the barrier with great dash and led all the

way for five furlongs, only to succuit-k to Aussie. Prince Humphrey has now won £2.375 in stakes, and heads th# list of two-year-olds in stakes won br Fpisode, who has captured i: 2.06© have her chance to get on top in Sires’ Produce Stakes at Awapuni neu Wednesday, and if she wins her will be «£ 2.555. This she stands n excellent prospect of doing.

In the early stages of the All-Ag*<i Stakes on Saturday Joy King did no* appear to go the slick pace set—the first two furlongs were cut out in u 3-5 and the three furlongs in 35 but once the field straightened up h« put in a fine burst to get third, tag than a couple of lengths behind Aussie. It really seems as if the lighter scale of weights will suit the Cornedr King gelding. Awarere's Sprint Following the successful stable, backers went strongly for Awarere ia the spiynt at Avondale last Saturda>, and there was never any dout# as to their chances of collecting. The chest nut got away all right and ran ima second place crossing the top. and then taking his time his jockey let him run along until a furlong* from home, \rbea he sent him forward, and he had littl* difficulty in capturing the stake. Aw*l rerc is in rare form just now. but b is right up on top, and in future he wi’i be finding his races a bit harder u win. Flying Juliet was generally regarded as the horse most likely to bother Awarere in the Avondale sprint aod when she jumped out first it lookedas if she would endeavour to win all tbt way. However, she was pulled in behind. and although handy at the straight entrance, she appeared to be well beaten a little further on. Sfc» came again in the straight and managed to dead-heat with High Final*for third, less than a length behindtP winner. Flying Juliet should makeaa even better showir g in the near future Might Have Won R dden by the stable apprentice. Covent Garden might well have wen the sprint at Avondale on .Saturd*: He was placed in the middle of tto field over the early stages, and was about fifth into the home stretch. Tto thrce-year-old. however, did not act--ally appear on the scene until Awirere was n.earing the judge, when to came with a rare burst of speed toyei within half a length of the wines’, and then he was going faster than his conqueror. Covent Garden and Lysander, together with Joy King end Star Stranger, went South by Sundi? night’s train.

A horse that nearly nulled off a Dig surprise in the Maiden was Parfiit Amour, who was at any old price, he was always well placed, and be made any effort over the concludes furlong must have won. As it was h- 3 failed to make any headway, and finished third. His showing was ratw a surprise, and it is safe to say tha in his next start he is much more likely to be favourite than at a 50 to one price. Parfait Amour is a three-yeir-okl gelding by Romeo from Chartreuse. In a Tangle It is diflicult to record what exactly did happen at the start of the Foley Memorial on Saturday, but that there was some trouble was plainly eviden'In the Shade was left many lengths, while his stable companion, Fden Hail, was also slow in leaving the mark. Tie field carried the tapes away with them. Hipo being the principal victim, for be shouldered them all the way, failinc to get rid of the rope until the race was actually over. Hipo ran right tip to his good track form despite this incident, for he was always handy behind the leaders, lying about fifth, although he failed to finish on. Desert Glow was a possibility when tho field turned for home in the Foley

Memorial on Saturday, but finally nn* ished close up to the placed horses. too did Papatu. but this horse managed to improve his throughout. A similar race was run Queen Arch, so with the winter m- * ings approaching the latter should thoroughly seasoned.

Day Guard’s Form It was noticeable that several horses swung out wide as they came into the home stright on Saturday. Day Guard, in fact, went right off the course when leading in the big race, but he finished strongly after being straightened up, and was not a great deal behind the placed horses. On this showing Day Guard is far from a spent light, and when next saddled up in milo events may prove worth keeping in mind, especially if the company falls a bit short of top hole. The pace was on throughout the Foley Memorial on Saturday, the iirst half-mile being cut out in 50 3-5, and the first seven furlongs in 1.27. which would make the final three furlongs up the long straight 39, with the placed horses going a bit faster than that, for Day Guard was clear of them at that peg. No Protest Auckland racegoers have a grievance against the Manawatu Racing Club. The latter body altered their date from later in the month to next Wednesday and Thursday, and by so doing deprived the All-Aged Stakes on Saturday of what might have been an even more stirring contest, for the fixture next week has seen some horses leave Auckland without waiting for the Avondale meeting. Episode would probably have been allowed to take her place in Saturday’s field at Avondale, and seeing that Prince Humphrey did so well against Aussie one can well imagine what a great race Episode would have made of it. The autumn fixture of the Manawatu Club, with its three races, Sires’ Produce Stakes, Manawatu Stakes and Awapuni Gold Cup, is one of the most important in the Dominion, and it is to the credit of the Avondale Jockey Club that it did not protest against the "altered dates, although they knew their own gathering was almost certain to be affected. At the Wrong End The first race won by Prodice was the Avondale Stakes, and although she has figured in a few classics since then she has not shown up to any extent. In handicaps, however, she is a different filly, but it must be said that her showing in the All-Aged Stakes was far from bright. She ran well for three furlongs, and then faded right out, being tailed off when the post was reached. Although still looking on the big side, Royal Tea is fast coming back to the good form he displayed in Australia last season. Mis effort in the

sprint on Saturday was a good one. for he finished fifth. With a couple more races into him Royal Tea should just be about tuned up and ready to do further good service for owner-trainer C. M. Emanuel.

Thcro were two horses that finished well in the open sprint at Ellei'slie the previous Monday that contested the Railway Handicap on Saturday, and it was very surprising to find them tailing the field at the end. They were Kingfield and King Emerald. The former in particular was in a handy position at the home turn, and then he dropped right out to finish second to last. King Emerald got away nicely and then dropped out of the contest. Closest At the Finish

The last to leave the barrier, Aurumavis did well to finish up as close as she did in the Railway Handicap on Saturday. Subdivision too had a lot of ground to make up over the final three furlongs, and the manner in which he toi'e into his task over the last bit was good to see. Open company at present would appear to be a bit above the Surveyor gelding, but if he catches a moderate field he should be in the picture. There would appear to be every prospect of High Finance becoming more solid with age. Hitherto the Paper Money filly had to have matters all her own way out in front, but at Whangarei recently she came strongly from behind. On Saturday she was the pacemaker to the furlong post, and although headed here by Awarere she fought doggedly with Flying Juliet for ihe minor placing, the pair dead-heat-ing for third, Covent Garden having come with a rush to split them from the winner. Hot One Down the Course On Paeroa form. Romford certainly looked a good bet in the Titirangi Handicap at Avondale on Saturday, and when the Nassau gelding failed to run into a place there were many disappointed punters sent home disconsolate. Romford had every chance, apart from the fact he had a cold, being actually tlie first to get away out of the tapes. Tlie cause of his downfall could be laid at the door, or rather the feet of Prince Du, who out to crack him up, and did so effectively. Prince Du and Romford turned for home together, but the effort to keep up told its tale on the favourite, and from the distance he faded back into seventh place, just ahead of Prince Du. Le Choucas At Last Gameness played a big part in the success of De Choucas in the Titirangi Handicap on Saturday. Never at any

time further back than fourth, Green hunted the Magpie gelding along in the straight, and staying on better than any of his opponents he scored a good win, the reward for his recent consistent form. It was left to an outsider (but why was she an outsider) in Judge’s Box to run De Choucas close, for he finished well. Considering that she was unlucky to get beaten at Whangarei recently in a very rough race, it was astonishing to find Judge’s Box at almost a double-figure price. Had the going at Avondale on Saturday been on the soft side it is quite probable that the last race would have been won by High Pitch. The Sarchedon gelding ran an excellent race, and at the finish was going ‘well in third place a length and a-half behind the winner, and despite the fact that Reed was in the saddle he was at a doublefigure price. With the winter season approaching it certainly looks as if owner-trainef J. Irwin will get his purchase money back on High Pitch. Always Prominent When Archeno last raced prior to Avondale —it was at Pukekohe —she was fancied by her connections, but she went badly. On Saturday tlie daughter of Archiestown was always prominent, the big course suiting her, and she finally finished up just behind the placed horses. When caught right Archeno is more than useful, and as she has shown in schooling that she can jump, she should be a winner during the winter months. Always near the rear in the Titirangi Handicap on Saturday, Oration attracted attention by the manner in which he finished on. As a two-year-old the imported colt was a regular speed merchant, but like so many of this description he lost his early Speed and now finishes well. His effort in getting up fifth on .Saturday was a good one, and suggests an early comeback. Bombarder went a good race in the Maiden on Saturday, and did well to get second money. The favourite, Josie Melville, went her usual race, fading out over the last bit. Parfait Amour, Ruminary, Miss Myrtle and Kyngzone all showed promise, while Ponticus ran his best race to date.