Turf Notes

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 367, 30 May 1928, Page 10

Turf Notes

(By

EARLY BIRD)

Improvements To Hokitika Course Improvements to the straight on the Hokitika Racecourse are now being carried out by the Westland Racing Club. The work in hand will be of considerable benefit to the course. The straight will be about two furlongs in length and quite the widest on the coast. Four starting points will be fixed in the straight, thus giving every facility to a large field, the course being 50ft wide. Corinax Doing Well The preparation meted out for the Cornwall candidate Corinax is doing the Magpie gelding no harm; in fact his present condition and the zeal he infuses into his work warrants the opinion that he is the most likely of Ellerslie’s hopes to prevail in the above event on Saturday. Although it is generally known that Corinax prefers a left-handed course, owing to blindness in his right eye, he can be relied upon, even with this handicap, to run a good race. Jumped Brilliantly Aberfeldy’s improved display over several hurdles yesterday morning would certainly rehabilitate him with his admirers, and, in addition, would enhance his prospects. He fenced faultlessly throughout the lesson and has evident]}' gained confidence, which will be a factor toward success in his objective—the Great Northern Hurdles. Aberfeldy lacks nothing in condition, so perhaps trainer R. W. King will receive his just reward for making such a. long trip with the Quin Abbey gelding. Millimetre In Victoria The New Zealand bred pony Millimetre (Solferino—Mazabrika.), who for some time proved something of a champion in the liliputian ranks around Sydney, would seem to be now domiciled in Victoria. Recently, starting an odds-on favourite, she was returned the winner of the Nurses’ Handicap, 6 furlongs, at a hospital benefit meeting held at Kyneton.

Thursby’s Reappearance Tliursby continues to do well in his training efforts, and K. E. Brown has him in good fettle to meet his engagement in the Members’ Handicap on Saturday. Several months have passed since Thursby carried silk, and possibly he will require racing before being at his best. One thing that may be said in his favour for the forthcoming meeting, is the expert manner in which he handles the heavy going, and present indications point to him being in his element on Saturday. Puzzle —Pick the Winner? Undoubtedly the Penrose Hurdle race on Saturday will provide an interesting study for sportsmen, when it is recognised that among the acceptors are several jumpers who are to make their debut in this department of the game. Their schooling essays have attracted a lot of notice, particularly in the case of Archeno and Quincoma, whose ability over the battens is pronounced. However, Peneus and Wenday are also sure to run fine races, so it can readily be grasped that this event is, without doubt, a puzzle. The Cream Hunter Harry Greene has an addition to his string in a hunter of a cream colour, and has caused much comment on the Hastings track. The gelding is by Ballyhigh (Hotchkiss—Cressy) from a thoroughbred mare by Multifid. His sire Ballyhigh was a very light washy chestnut, which might account for this gelding’s creamy colour, although his eye is quite in keeping with a cream coloured horse. Outside of Macaroni, that one-time useful ’chaser, the writer has never before known of a thoroughbred of this colour. Should Stick to Their Own Calling Of recent years it has become a common practice on the part of trainers and jockeys in England to contribute articles to papers. At least, their ideas are embodied, even if the composition is that of someone else. Of course there are some who are as capable as any newspaper scribe of committing their impressions to paper. The English public love to read the ideas of prominent trainers or jockeys on anything pertaining to racing, but especially those bearing on the probable result of some big race. However, the English Jockev Club is of opinion that a trainer or jockey should stick to his own calling, and has warned both sections that their licences will be endangered if they write newspaper articles on current or future racing. Little fault can be found with this, as it is not quite right that trainers or jockevs should draw marked attention to the prospects of horses in stables with which they are not associated. It enables them to unfairly have a shot at people to whom they are opposed.

A Derby Candidate The Kilbroney—Oratres colt Concentrate in H. B. Lorigan’s stable at Trentham has made a good recover from his recent operation, and he wii! race next year as a gelding. He is t* be kept pottering about with Cimsbi.e, Royal Duke and Oratrix. Tb* only member of the team in realk strong work is Kindle, who is to race at Otaki. May Be Named Brownlie The three-year-old gelding by Kine Mark from the All Black mare Banish ine will probably have the name of Brownlie claimed for him. Mr. Frank Ormond has previously shown his lik ing for using an appropriate nan.f connected with sport, for the Sarto— Links gelding was given the very appropriate name of Kirkwood. Rapid Development Although it is only four weeks Raasay raced he has in that shor while developed considerably and give> every indication of furnishing into a massive three-year-old colt. After thi* colt raced last spring he grew ven 1 fast and at present measures just 1G hands, and it would not be in tb* least surprising if he has complex his growth as far as height is concerned, as often it has been : that a horse, after growing consist' ably when a youngster, grows I more Two Finish Out Of 42 Details of the Grand I Steeplechase run at Aintree on MarSO are somewhat belated, but they o not show- that the stupendous tin getting 42 horses away to run the most difficult course in the wor brought about any serious trou barring the falls that are alwajs sociated with fencing. Forty* | horses started and two quote briefly from London Life”: —“Tipperary Tim, ridden victory by a country solicitor. ; changed hands for £SO; but the p - , he won at Aintree, including the trophy and the third a n a 1 ? awards was £ll,lßO. With*® .. . a field a range of 75ft of : to be used to accommodate * horses. Tipperary Tim is the ; winner to start at three-figure ; There were three false starts . • > Scrapsoft fell at the first . Then at the fence before Brook, Sprig over- jumped n i and turned somersault, and _ . . Rathmore. At the fence after ~ Brook. Bright Boy turned over’ > ing his rider a nasty fall. catastrophe happened to - horses . . . Great Span " f e uc* ' at Billy Barton’s girths *5? s npp* from home, where the sadd * round, and he got rid of his * perary Tim went to the oggtfi- * about a length behind BU'J . I The latter fell on landing. l? r ' the tubed outsider the onlj ?Libe# ) standing up, the judges 'l, As* r " * a distance in his favour. g t*;5 can horse was remounted. our *;t # -- } ting shows Master Bilh mp- ’ the quotations then ranS^ h , s t in & [ This year’s prize is the nen history of the race.