Turd Notes

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 396, 3 July 1928, Page 10

Turd Notes

(By

EARLY BIRD)

A Long Spell There will be no more racing in the province until the spring, the Avondale Jockey Club setting the ball rolling on September 22 and 24. In the meantime the Wellington fixture opening to-morrow week, with the Grand '.National a month later, will help to tide over a lean period. Wellington Acceptance* The acceptances for the opening day of the Wellington winter fixture, together with those for the Winter Hurdles (to be run the third day), are due to close to-night. The meeting is to bo held on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday of next week. The Auckland district will be fairly well represented, but not so well as it appeared before the Te Kuiti fixture. A Good Combination When Importer won the Hunters’ Hurdles at Ellerslie on Saturday he credited W. Ryan with his first, win as a trainer, and J. Sharkey with his first success as a jockey. It has taken a long time for Importer to win his first race, but as he can negotiate both the hurdles and bigger fences well, in addition to possessing stamina, he should do well over the obstacles. He was sore after his race on Saturday, which explains his absence yesterday. Beaten on the Rails Dave ran such a fine race in the sprint on Saturday that he really looked an even money bet in the same event the second day. He was sent out favourite, and at the home turn was well enough placed to win had lie been good enough. Once straightened up he made his effort, which was short-lived, and he was some distance away from the winner when the judge was passed. Perhaps the gelding got into the bad ground near the rails, for he was not the only one anchored there during the day. Ran About a Lot As it was expected that the race he had the first day would have done him good, there was solid support for Town Bird in the open sprint at Ellerslie on Monday, and what looked like a real chance of getting a win came undone by the behaviour of the black gelding in the straight. He bored out badly, and after Reed had sot him straightened he was still rolling. to be finally beaten into third money a length and a-half from the winner. Had he kept straight it is likely that Town Bird would have captured the major portion of the stake. THursby's Surprise How soon the public forget was realised when Tliursby rolled home in the sprint the second day at Ellerslie and rewarded his followers with a double figure return. He was a firm favourite in the principal event on the opening day, and without having any of the luck in running, was finishing nicely not far behind the placed division. He ran another good race to get fourth in the big flat event on Monday, and then when lie was produced in the final race he was neglected. He finished very strongly, and although being one of the sufferers by the antics of Town Bird in the straight he delivered the goods. E LE CT R * 1 G H TDon’t ouy your Light carelessly. Ask for "Mazda ” Lamps and ensure good light. NATIONAL ELECTRICAL AND ENGINEERING CO.. LTD.

Led in Three Winners The Te Aroha owner-trainer. R. B. Hines, had a successful meeting at Ellerslie over the week-end. leading in three winners—King Lu, Waltzer and Queen Arch. On the debit side he has King Amans, who broke down in the Pio Pio Hurdles. May Vet Win Under the circumstances Potoanui had a glorious chance of catching the [ favourite under a big disadvantage, but his rider failed to make the most of his opportunities throughout the contest. The horse finished with rare determination, and should get on the winning list before the jumping season expires. Back to His Best The race Hyde Park had on Saturday brought him along in rare style for the Mokau Handicap on Monday. He conceded the field a slight start from barrier rise, but was in a han<%' position at the home turn, and once he hit the front at the distance it wasn’t a race, for Hyde Park simply strolled home from Day Guard. The winner is coming back to form, and if he can be kept going should prove a payable proposition next season. Pouri Improves The best jumper over the hill seen at Ellerslie the last week-end was Pouri. This was not so apparent on the opening day as on Monday, for then he fenced cleverly and smartly, taking his fences very fast. It was hardly the style that would appeal in a Grand National contest, and at the final obstacle on Monday it nearly brought Pouri down. Nevertheless. Pouri did well, and *ith a continuation of the steady improvement he is making he may develop into a National proposition next year. Under Difficulties It is not very often that one witnesses a dead-heat in a two-mile hurdle race, yet that is what happened at Ellerslie on Monday. Kauri Park and Potoanui were the horses, and the former was so short on the totalisator that his price was of the glorified Gloaming dimensions. The big horse was most unlucky, for half a mile from home his rider shed a stirrup, and as the horse takes a good deal of driving along it was no mean feat to keep him going to win, or rather to share first honours. His First Win At last Storm Fiend has won a race, and it was at a fine price, too, so his followers —if he had any left by this time—were enabled to help themselves to a fine double-figure return. The manner in which he finished was a revelation, for hitherto he had appeared to turn it in when the pressure was applied. There was no doubt about his victory on this occasion, and perhaps the winter conditions suit him best. Where He Lost j Having run quite a good race on ■ Saturday, the hoisting of Green’s name as the rider of Oscar in the Hangatiki Handicap on Monday was the signal for a rush to set in, and the Quin Abbey gelding was sent out at a particularly cramped price. He got chopped back at the start, but was soon in a good position, and was sufficiently well placed at the home turn to justify his heavy support. He enHas Mother joined the users of I Radium Polishes —for Boots, Floors. ] Metals? Save the Coupons—win a I prize. 1.