Durf Note

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 617, 20 March 1929, Page 12

Durf Note

CONDUCTED BY

"EARLY BIRD"

May Be Extra Good Making his first appearance over the sticks, Komak shaped very well at Paeroa on Saturday, and he followed this up by spread-eagling practically the same field on Monday. He took command three furlongs from home, and finally won easily by eight lengths. There are some good hurdle races in view for this fine hurdler, who should also develop into a good distance horse. Brilliant Performance The win scored by Royal Doulton in the Ohinemuri Cup was full of merit. Over the early stages she and Queen Arch were tailing the field, Glenstar setting such a hot pace that he had the top-weight carrying her load all the way. Into the home stretch Royal Doulton was still last, but she entered into her task so well that half-way up the running it could be seen that she would get up. She did too, and although it was only by a narrow margin that she got the decision it was a brilliant effort. More good races-promise to come her way. A False Price

There never is any understanding of what the public will do on a racecourse. In the Ohinemuri Cup on Saturday Desert Glow was sent out favourite, and more than a furlong from home he had the race won, only to succumb in the last few strides to Royal Doulton. With the latter out of the way on Monday Desert Glow looked an even money chance, and he beat all but Lucy Rose. The latter failed to weigh-in correctly, and Desert Glow returned a double-figure dividend for first place. Can you beat it? The Day Comet gelding appears to be coming back to form, for in his last four starts he has won once, been second once and third once. Went Well

Glenstar went a fine race in the Ohinemuri Cup, and although beaten out of a place after making practically all the running out in front he finished close up to the placed division. He was not started on Monday, on which day his trainer announced that he was going to take the horse to Sydney, leaving Auckland on April 12. Jockey J. Chandler will go to ride the horse. On the same boat will be Dalston and Becalmed. What Is Wanted

There was some shocking riding seen at Paeroa, and matters in this direction appear to be getting worse instead of better. There was one case at Paeroa where a jockey persistently refused to do as he was told by the officials, and escaped with a light penalty. In instances like this the brief should be revoked for a term: that is the lesson that will have most effect. If we can’t get good riding, let us at least have some discipline.

Jockey Returns By the Ulimaroa yesterday, the Auckland light-weight jockey. W. H. Jones.

returned after a lengthy sojourn on the other side of the Tasman. It was during last winter that this capable horseman departed for Brisbane, where his ser\*ices Avere very much in demand, and he rode numerous AA'inners in and around the capital of the Labour State. Jones

later proceeded to Sydney, where his services were in keen demand. But his decision to come back to Ellerslie was a wise one in view of the dearth of capable light-weights. He will be riding at the Easter meeting at Ellerslie next week.

Beautiful Jumping Two fine exhibitions of jumping were seen in the steeplechases at Paeroa. On the opening day Pendennis gave a faultless display, and although the fences were anything but stiff the course itself was a bit tricky, particularly on the second day after the rain. Star of the East clearly outjumped the opposition on Monday, and he hung on very well over the three-mile journey. The Wrong Day It was just S. Henderson's luck to have Mangaiti fall with him on Saturday. Had it been Monday the result might not have been so disastrous, for the ground had been softened considerably by heavy rain. Latest reports from Thames Hospital indicate that the injured horseman is progressing as well as can be expected from his injury, a fractured base of the skull. Eager For It Evidently Ah Wera is taking to the hurdling game like the proverbial duck to water. In his preliminary at Paeroa on Saturday he could not be pulled up and went on to jump one hurdle, and he did it very well too, hopping over it.cleverly with little pace on. In the race itself he surprised many by taking charge three furlongs from home and gave nothing alse a chance, paying a big dividend, over a third of a century. It was a complete surprise, for Ah Wera had given the impression that he never would do any good, for some time at least. A Fine Burst Of Speed One of the best finishing efforts seen at the Ohinemuri meeting was the great run put in by the English horse Lorient 11. in the principal event on j the cohcluding day. Pour furlongs from the judge he was badly tailed off, bej ing several lengths away from the nearest horse behind the first bunch, j Crossing the top he closed the gap, | and then put in his claim in the J straight. He was flying in fourth place i at the judge, but he went up one when Lucy Rose was put out. It was an inspiring effort, and indicates that a good handicap may come his way shortly. The imported horse is an Easter Handicap possibility. Tuning Up I It was not a very strong field in | which King Lu and Awarere finished, respectively, fourth and fifth in the sprint at Paeroa the first day, but it was an indication that this pair wiP not require much more work to bring them up to concert pitch. Awarere nearly pulled off the sprint the second day, but he failed to concede 231 b to a smart three-year-old in Lucy Rose. Aussie’s Companions Te Awamutu trainer G. Paul provided both the first and second favourites in the Waihi Hack at Paeroa on Monday, these being Len and Just Hell. The former duly won, .rather impressively, too, even allowing for the fact that it was a maiden field, and Just Nell was third. These stable companions of Aussie have plenty of speed, although Just Nell is by no means a good one to follow. One day she will strike winning form, and then she may do big things. At present, however, Len looks the better sort. He is a four-year-old gelding by Hay Comet from Brown Astor. Popular Victory The two-year-olds seen out at the Ohinemuri meeting were by no means a brilliant lot. Currajong, the winner on the second day, upset a regular hotpot in Pellette, who looked the good thing the totalisator indicated he was. Currajong was up with the favourite at the bottom of the straight, and was quickly clear of him, having three lengths’ advantage at the half distance, and eventually won all out by a length. It was a pleasing victory, for the Lucullus-Minsk colt is owned by one of Auckland’s most popular sportsmen, Mr. M. Lynch. Now that he has proved himself it is to be hoped that Currajong carries on with the good work. Rose Lupin Promises

At one time associated with that good mare Civility, and more lately with Siaosi —who, by the Avay, is turned out now and may not race again for about 12 months —OwnerTrainer H. L. Russell produced a very promising filly in Rose Lupin at Paeroa. She ran very green in the two-year-old race on Saturday, finishing fourth, and she was third on the second day. With a bit more experience the Te Awamutu representative may well develop into something pretty good, probably next season. Rose Lupin is a daughter of King Lupin and Madam Rosa. Left Behind

The two-year-old Awamutu is not improving in his habits at the barrier, for he was a nuisance both days at Paeroa. On the second day he was given a chance to line up, but this failed to have any effect, so Starter Vincent placed him behind the field. He was still playing up when the barrier Avas released, and took no part iri the race. It is a pity, for Awamutu has plenty of speed, and although he does not stay on too Avell he Avill pay his way Avhere the class is not of the hest . One of his best efforts AA r as when he ran second to Eaglet at Te Aroha last month. Hack Cup Winner

Grand Tea was prominent for the greater part of his race at Paeroa on Saturday, but he faded in the straight. He was ridden a different race in the Hack Cup on the second day, and finishing very strongly he got up to take the stake. Only a three-year-old, there is every prospect of Grand Tea being a good horse next season. He is trained by G. Henderson at Avondale for Mrs. E. A. Scott, who was obviously delighted when she was handed the handsome trophy that went with the stake. Paying the Penalty

Tliere was no doubt Komak’s win it Paeroa on Monday impressed the A.R.C. handicapper, for he has handicapped the horse at 9.9 in the Brighton Hurdles or 7Mb more than he scored with. In the Ellerslie race Boomerday now meets Komak on 17Mb better terms, \A-hile Ramblin’ Kid comes in on 14Mb and Odin and Urallq 111 b better.