POINTERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 501, 2 November 1928, Page 10

POINTERS

FORM AND PROSPECTS FOR TO-MORROW'S RACING.

Sir Russell led for over a mile in the Cup. He will be a useful sort over this distance before the end of the season, for he shapes as if he will run out a middle journey. * * The Australian-bred Fernden proved the best of a weak lot that contested the first division of the Maiden. He was nicely placed early, and when in danger of getting beaten in the run up the straight he displayed rare grit to stick to his job. « * * Blue Spear failed again yesterday, but in extenuation it can be said that he was one t»f those slow to leave the barrier. He and Camp Prince and Te Money should win where the company is no better than they were up against yesterday. Lido, too, will have to be considered, while Fancy Boy has tht* requisite pace.

Big Bertha showed up in the second division of the Maiden yesterday. He was ou£ wide at the home turn and then finished in great style to score an easy win. It was rather an impressive first appearance on a racecourse. an<j the price was a joy one, too. Trainer H. B. Cowan served Bertha up in nice order.

At an even bigger price was Kaiwanga. second in the second division, and Envoy, who was next. The latter is the highly-bred Absurd-Bronze gelding, and looks like being distinctly useful this season. Brampton was racing as if a longer journey would suit him, for he was just behind the placed horses after being fairly well back in the early part. * * *

Monetize was a disappointment. He was handily placed at the home turn, but in the straight he ran about and did not go on with it. He appears to lack experience. Haviland showed plenty of speed and will get on the winning list, for this was his first race. Of the remainder, Red Lion and Frothhlower showed promise.

It is a long time since Catapult had shown any form to speak of, and therefore it was not surprising to find him at any old price in the back sprint. He drew the ace. hopped out smartly, and was with Vallar all the way into the straight, and then went away to win. This was easily Catapult’s best effort to date, and he is not done with.

There was an interesting tussle for the minor placings in the Toka Toka Hack. The judge placed Air King second. Maori Boy third and . Vallar fourth, and a good number wanted to know where Abbey Queen was. »ne was there all right, but the angle is pretty awkward, and so it is that she was fifth Probably she was second or third, but only the judge knew. * * *

As usual Maori Boy came with a great rattle in the straight, having a lot of ground to make up, and he wm travelling fast at the post. With a stronger horseman aboard, the hope oi the pa might even have bothered Catapult, for he is in first-class racing order. * * *

Having his first race for some time, Vallar did well, just failing ,over the last fifty yards and finishing close up. The Valkyrian gelding should be all the better for the race. So, too, should Partial Eclipse, Bulolo and Miss Potoa.

Knocked from pillar to post. Liaison, the favourite, received a vary rough spin in the hack sprint. She got away well, and then was noticed falling back rapidly, until she was near the tail end of the field. At the judge she had but three others behind her. Another fancied horse in Winsome Boy also met with trouble, and lie was never sighted. Although the best backed, this pair were at good prices.

Considering his form, Mangani should never have been at better than even money in* the Kaihu Hurdles, so that in getting a good bit more than that his backers were lucky. He won all right, but he had to do his best at the end to stall off Clockwork, who "went a surprisingly good race.

They backed Quincoma to beat Mangani, and this with that terribly unlucky rider, H. Burt, in the saddle. He tipped out with half the journey gone, and going, too-, as if he might have bothered Mangani. Quincoma is a good jumper, but at present he is not being smiled upon by the goddess of fortune. * *

Piet was going extremely well in the hurdles until he hit a fence five furlongs from home, and that finished him so far as being a dangerous candidate was concerned. Mangaiti made up a lot of ground in the straight to get third, his effort suggesting that the pair in front of him were tiring. Harbour View went a fair race, and so too did Miss Alma, although she was well done when she tipped out at the second to last fence.

• The Nursery Handicap was a tragic affair to the backers of the .favourite, Love Call. He got away 0.K., but at the end of a furlong met with trouble and was nearly down. However, he recovered very quickly, and over the last furlong was finishing very fast to get third, not a length behind the winner. Love Call will soon make amends, for he looked a good thing that came undone.

Nothing did a better preliminary in the Nursery than the eventual winner, Carl Idem, and although he could not go with them in the middle stages he finished nicely to get the stake. This completed a. useful double for the Papatoetoe trainer, R. Hall, and in addition the two-year-old carried his trainer’s colours.

I Paying nearly* a score to win, Gem- [ light was only beaten a head in the juvenile event. Re showed some pace and was in charge half a furlong from home, where Carl Idem got to him and apparently had him well gone. However, the Treclare gelding came again and nearly turned the tables. It was an impressive debut.

Hying Prince appeared to have every chance in the juvenile, but fourth was the best he could do. His stable mate was left at the barrier and took no part in the race. Neither did Norval Tea, while Anom, a big Mountam Knight filly, went away so ba.dly that she was only sent after the others fer an exercise gallop.

Cynthia X. tailed to see it out in the Hobson Handicap, nevertheless gointi ra^ e , ai ? d settin S the pace to the home stretch. Her turn will come again soon, where the company is not too select. Wenday was finishing fast even ]f she was a bit late in making her run. King Smock had everv chance, but Schorr was not ridden to the best advantage. Judge’s Box for a fancied candidate, did not rise to the occasion, and Stormy’s form can be ignored.