Spring Carnival

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 476, 4 October 1928, Page 6

Spring Carnival

Fine Prospects For Ellerslie A Preliminary Survey ONE of the most popular fixtures conducted by the Auckland Racing Club is undoubtedly that held in the spring, a two-day meeting. This gathering is set down for Saturday and Monday at the picturesque Ellerslie racecourse, and the wealth of display in spring flowers in the ornamental gardens makes this great sporting centre a happy hunting ground for the horticulturist, who can combine business with pleasure. For racing is a business, although it certainly contains a rich leavening of the sporting instinct, without which the turf would not have risen to such popularity. Fine fields are engaged on the opening- day next Saturday, and a preliminary review of the complete programme appears below, this being followed in to-morrow’s issue with the final summing-up. The wind-up to training operations at Ellerslie this morning will he found on another page.

MITCHELSON CUP Class is well represented here, with probably two of our best handicappers at the head of the list. Star Stranger and Mask are very forward, but of the two the latter may be the better at this early stage of the season. Te Kara will appreciate a really soft track, but the going may not affect Laughing Prince—it will suit him just the same, soft or heavy. The gallop done by the latter on Tuesday has gained him many friends for Saturdaj'. It remains to be seen whether The Hawk will be able to see the journey out, and Valkon also is a doubtful one when it comes to stamina. On the latter’s showing at Avondale, however, he should stay on to the end of a mile and a-half. Catkin is one of the possibilities let in with a light impost, and he is on a mark where the potential winner of a big early spring handicap may come from. His win at Wanganui was no fluke. Royal Mint would like a bit of mud to go in, and Mint Leaf, not very judicially ridden last week, is one of the possibilities. Queen Arch and Desert Glow are not particularly fancied, and of those at the bottom Desert Glow, Papatu and Sir Archie read best. At this stage the following five appeal most, being named in the order in which they appear on the programme: Star Stranger, Mask, Laughing Prince, Valkon and Catkin. SHORTS HANDICAP A nice crowd of sprinters are in this event, Aussie and Commendation lend-

-ing an air of distinction to the assembly. The former is not out of it with all his weight, but it is a bit early in the season for him. Commendation is not yet ready, and an idea of his form will be gained in the actual race. Hoariri will want plenty of mud before he is dangerous. Paganelli is due to make his first appearance of the season, and if fit and well, as he should be, he will be prominent. Benzora and Kaiti are also in the Flying, and the former is preferred if started here. Nancy Lee looks like rapidly returning to form, and then there is the three-year-old Freehold, who promises to be a dangerous quantity. Oration may be the pick of those further down the scale. Five that

rather appeal at this stage are Pagan* elli, Benzora, Nancy Lee, Freehold and Oration. FLYING HANDICAP With an acceptance of 22 the troubles of backers will reach a, climax in this, the end of a perfect day—for the Winners. They are really the secondrate sprinters engaged, although one would certainly hesitate to place some of those near the top in this category. Awarere was sprinting in rare style prior to Avondale, and he will see the journey out too. Benzora and Kaiti can'both go a smart seven, while White Fang moved sharply in a smart seven on Tuesday. High Pitch is another of those that would revel in extra soft ground. Flying Juliet has shown a return to form, and the distance will be in her favour too. Branson is in good fettle, although they may go too fast over the early part for him. Macroom is always a dangerous proposition, and so too is Ohinemuri, while further down we come to good ones like Thursby, Vivo, Te Koroke, Royal Doulton, Tinokoa and The Fox. It is a hard race to fathom, but to select six these would include Awarere, Benzora. Flying Juliet, Branson, Ohinemuri and The Fox. GREAT NORTHERN GUINEAS

Rich in quality and strong numerically, sums up the three-year-old classic, and with a probably starting strength of 15 the market should cover a wide range, with the likes of Cashier, Staghunter and Toxeuma among the sterner sex, and Episode, Gold Money, Mithra, Prodice and White Wings as the outstanding fillies. Avondale Guineas form might well be upset, for the conditions under* which that race was run were atrocious, and with the prospect of a dry track on Saturday the place-getters may be entirely different. With a soaked course, however, the Avondale result might be the same. Of the 8.10 division Cashier, Staghunter and Toxeuma ought to be the pick, and of the fillies the best may be Mithra, Episode, Prodice and White Wings. WELCOME STAKES There are only nine horses left in

| this classic, but they are good ones, | or rather one could look to seven of i the nine as being potential winners on Saturday. Of course there is every | reason to look to Supremacy to repeat * his Avondale performance, but on this j occasion there are one or two that ! almost seem sure to give him a bigger J task. Golden Measure and the prac- | tically unknown Carl Idem are the only two that appear to be in danger of being outclassed. Supremacy, Hunting Day, First Money, Clever and Eaglet are all well forward, while Ceremony may want a race, and Francolin, second at Wanganui, was disappointing at that attempt. This should furnish one of the most illuminating events on Saturday’s programme. GORDON HANDICAP This is another fine field, with as good a lot of hacks as it is possible to get together at this period of the racing year. Storm Fiend and Arikitoa were double winners at Avondale a fortnight ago, and others that raced prominently over this period are Modest Boy. War Officer, Tea Lady, Golden Wedding, Kiljute, Eager Rose, Nurjahan, Mountain Guide and Sports King. To reduce this lot down still further would leave a possible live, including Storm Fiend, Modest Boy, Royal Lineage, Arikitoa and Sports King. HUNTERS’ STEEPLECHASE This event over the hill is certain to attract considerable attention for the form has been well disclosed in several instances. There are 13 probable starters, most of them Ellerslie representatives, and the local contingent promises to play a strong part. Five that impress as possibles are Importer, Clockwork, Tago San, Master Arch and Pompeius. TRIAL HURDLES The hurdles field includes a promising sort of jumper in Siaosi, who finished second to Potoanui in his first attempt at Avondale. There are some proved jumpers in the field, however, and the novices will have to do their best all through the piece if they are to win through. Kawini, Potoanui, Quincoma, Siaosi and First Prince.