Turf Notes

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 418, 1 September 1928, Page 6

Turf Notes

By EARLY BIRD.

Gala Day Out It is reported that Gala Hay has gone amiss, and will forfeit his engagement in the Rata Hurdles at Marton next Wednesday. Running at Warwick arm It is expected that the following New Zealand horses will be among the starters at the Warwick Farm (Sydney) meeting this afternoon: —Prince Humphrey, Limerick, Satrap, Perception and Arikiwai. Limerick’s Opponents In the Warwick Stakes, one mile, the weight-for-age event at Warwick Farm to-day, 15 horses were entered, but it is expected that there will be not more than half a dozen starters. These include Limerick, Satrap, Winalot, and Statesman. It will be interesting to see how Satrap shapes at his first start in Australia. Many critics on the other side expect Winalot to be the big thorn In Limerick’s side this season, and this afternoon’s meeting between the pair should furnish a keen struggle, with condition playing its part. Of course, Limerick must take a lot fo beating. The Campbell Handicap to-day promises to be contested by a big field, mostly comprised of A.J.C. Epsom LTandicap candidates, but New Zealanders are conspicuous by their absence.

At Bucklands In an effort to get him sound again, the ’chaser Bahadur is being indulged in swimming exercise at Bucklands. With a view to contesting the Hunt Cup at the Pakuranga Hunt Club meeting he is also being qualified in that district. One More to Train An addition to G. Henderson's stable at Avondale is Gold Lily, a three-year-old by Catmint from Belpeen. Like most of the progeny of Catmint, Gold Lily gives the impression that she will gallop, and from whichever way you view her she is pleasingly moulded. Gold Lily was in the Avondale Guineas, but owing to having received very little work she would not do justice to herself in the classic, so it was deemed advisable to withdraw her. She is Speedy Although a five-year-old, the unnamed daughter of Catmint and Roulade in W. Kirk’s stable at Avondale lias never raced. It is only three months since she made her first appearance on a course, and although she was in very poor condition at that time she is now bearing a well-trained appearance, obviously not at her best just yet, however. She has been given several sprinting essays of late, and on the outside of the course proper at Avondale on Thursday she clearly indicated that she is possessed of a fair amount of pace by easily holding her own with Maori Boy at the end of half-a-mile. In Hastedt’s Stable A change of quarters is often responsible for improvement in a horse, and it is hoped that such will prove to be the case with the hunter Rafferty, whose form in his last few outings has been disappointing. Rafferty has been under the supervision of H. Hastedt for the last few days, and it will be under his guidance that the Patronus gelding will receive a preparation for the Hunt Cup at the Pakuranga Hunt Club meeting. Rather Burly Recently G. Henderson had occasion to measure Eh Timi, and although the racing public is well aware that he is a big gelding, it will no doubt be a matter for surprise to sportsmen to learn that Eh Timi’s height is 18 hands. The grey gelding is being pottered about just at present, for Henderson does not care to race the big fellow until the tracks are in a dry state. Nassock Pleases Quite a good gallop was recorded by Nassock at Avondale on Thursday morning, when the son of Nassau moved over six furlongs in 1.23, the initial two furlongs taking 25, and the first three 44. There was more merit in the performance than actually appeared on the surface, for the trestles on the course proper were estimated to be 75 feet out from the rails for all the gallops. Nassock has wintered well and is thriving on the work he is receiving, so if he continues to improve there is every reason to predict a successful season for S. Hodge’s representative. Going to Marton It is the intention of the Avondale trainer, J. Cathro, to have Mauriaena and Auriculus to represent him at the Marton and Wanganui meetings, and they left last night for the first-mentioned fixture. Both have got through their tasks in satisfactory style in the last few weeks and are in the best of order to meet their immediate engagements. The apprentice jockey, T. Pennell, who was associated with Auriculus in her last successful outing, will pilot Cathro’s representatives in their Southern engagements. Festina Lente G. Henderson has found Festina Lente a most difficult mare to train, and she has caused her trainer anxiety on several occasions. - Just now he is experiencing a bad time with the daughter of Romeo, for at the conclusion of a gallop over six furlongs on Thursday she returned to the stalls very lame in the near foreleg In the event of Festina Lente making progress within the next day or so—and this seems very unlikely, for she appeared to be in a bad plight—Henderson will nominate her for events at Avondale. For the Cup? Tidal lacks very little on the score of condition, and this fact is due to him having done a fair amount of galloping. Possibly he is being given a special preparation for the Avondale

Cup, or perhaps the New Zealand Cup, for his tasks just now signify something in this direction. At Avondale last Thursday he travelled over a mile and a-quarter, being allowed -o bowl along at a cornet-table pace until five furlongs from home, where he was picked up by Cynthia N. and Frothblower, a six-year-old gelding by Quin Abbey from Te Papapa. The lastnamed pair set a merry pace, consequently Tidal was doing his best three furlongs from home, eventually finishing up a couple of lengths behind Frothblower and Cynthia N., both of whom were under a steady hold. Tidal covered the last mile of the journey in 1.57 3-5, the final five furlongs taking 1.10.