TRACK GOSSIP

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 545, 24 December 1928, Page 15

TRACK GOSSIP

Good Ellerslie Youngster It is probable that there are better two-year-olds at Ellerslie this season than for many years, for Gemlight, Praetor and Pure Tea all look above the ordinary. The last-named is a speedy sort, and she will be having her first race in the Nursery Handicap on Wednesday. If she fails then it may pay to keep her in mind for later on at the meeting. Ellerslie and The Cup Headquarters will at least be represented in the Auckland Cup, for two aspirants for the big two-miler are trained at Ellerslie. They are Corinax and Thursby. The latter is not at all fancied, but with Corinax it is a horse of a different colour, and he is undoubtedly Ellerslie’s big hope. If Corinax fails in the Cup there are other good races he can contest at the fixture. It is 17 years since an Ellerslie horse won the Cup, and that was Santa Rosa. Will Corinax break the spell ? Cup Bad for Favourites Since the publication of order of favouritism was allowed in 1915, just 13 vears ago, not a single first favourite has won the Auckland Cup. Nevertheless the public prefers to “go baldheaded” for the horse which “carries the money,” and the race continues to be a bad one for the majority of punters. The following table shows the position of the first favourite over the period mentioned: 1915 — Snub, third. 1916 — Wishful, second. 1917 Menelaus - Johnny Walker bracket, both unplaced. 191S —Sasanoff. second. 1919 Uncle Ned, second. 1920 First Salute, second. 1921 — Vagabond, unplaced. 1922 Insurrection, second 1923 — Highland, unplaced. 1924 Musketoon, unplaced. 1925 — Count Cavour, second. 2926 —Te Monanui, third. 1927 —Count Cavour, second. Fond of Music The London bus-conductor is hard to beat for repartee. A passenger who had just received his blue twopenny ticket exclaimed in a querulous voice: “I notice your bell didn’t ring, conductor?” “Well,” said the conductor, who had had a busy day. “What d’ye expect for tuppence? A brass band?”

Will Do Better

A good thing beaten by his own waywardness at Takapuna recently, there is every reason to expect Storm Fiend to do much better in the Robinson Handicap at Ellerslie on Wednesday. He is nicely treated on the score of weight, and in a big field he has the earls' pace to gain position. When at his best Storm Fiend is more than useful. Likes the Big Course It did not look good policy to back Eaglet in her race at Takapuna, although she counted a lot of friends, for it was not thought by those who had seen the filly race before that the turning course would suit her. So it proved, and Eaglet was finishing fast not a great distance away from the placegetters. At Ellerslie this week it may be a different proposition, for given time to get on her feet she should be capable of a strong finishing effort up the two-furlong straight. Brackets at Ellerslie There will be several coupled horses at Ellerslie on Wednesday. Here they are: Queen’s Plate: Saucy Lass and Sir Mond, Camp Prince and Aggressive. Robinson Handicap: Brampton and Miss Myrtle. Armenia and Palmares, Sea Cob and Footpad. Auckland Cup: Vertigern and Talisker. Grafton Hurdles: King’s Guard and Ripon Abbey. Railway Handicap: Aussie and J Awarere. j Christmas Handicap: Le Chouca* and Nippy.