Turf Notes

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 753, 28 August 1929, Page 12

Turf Notes

CONDUCTED BY

This Week’s Programmes There will be racing at Dannevirke today and tomorrow, and at New Plymouth (Taranaki Hunt Club) on Saturday. Next week, the Marion spring meeting is to be held on the "Wednesday and Thursday. Back to Seven Stone The first meeting of the season at which the seveu-stone minimum comes back is the .Marlon fixture, opening today week. There is a general feeling in sporting circles that the compulsory nine-stone minimum during the winter months has outserved its usefulness and should be done away with. Avondale Spring Fixture Nominations for the spring meeting of the Avondale Jockey Club, to be held on Saturday and Monday. September 21 and 23. close at 5 p.m. on Friday next with the secretary, Mr. A. J. Farquhar. Final payments for the Avondale Guineas and Avondale Stakes are due at the same time The Optimists Oration raced badly at the Trentliain meeting, but in bis outing at EtlcrsJie on Saturday he showed a slight improvement. He is a bad horse to follow. In Saturday’s race he was fairly well backed, just about ten times as much as his Wellington showings warranted. As a two-year-old’ Oration won the Avondale All Aged Stakes, a result that considerably surprised the knowing ones, despite the fact that in his year he was one of the fastest of our two-year-olds, but he could not g’o far. Went a Good Race From fourth position at the barrier, Ruffles was always travelling like ’a possibility in the Dunedin Handicap at Ellerslie last Saturday. He was up with Flying Prince at the home turn, and it was only over the last bit that he tired, to finish seventh. He was not disgraced by that shoeing, and with a little more improvement at the .hands of trainer W. C. Woods the Quin Abbey gelding should be capable of landing a sprint before the spring carnivals conclude. Too Fast The well backed Standfast failed to show up at any part of the sprint at BllersJie on Saturday, although he was noticed finishing on at the end. He could not go the fast pace set by the speed merchants, so when next time the Valkyrian gelding is .likely to get in the money it is more than possible that we will have to wait for something a little beyond the sprint journey. Faded Out The three-year-old Bennie showed some pace in the middle stages of the sprint at Ellerslie on Saturday, but he tired percep-ibly and was one of the last to cross the line. Last season Bennie was not noted fur early speed, so that his ability to gain a position in the first couple of furlongs suggests that he may be a pretty useful sort later on. Overlooked In view of his winter form, it was surprising to find Barometer no better than tenth favourite in a field of seventeen in the Jellicoe Handicap at Ellerslie on Saturday, but his price was not quite so long as his position in the order of favouritism would imply. He was nicely placed throughout, getting a good position going out of the straight, and W. H. Jones then had him handy for the rest of the way behind the pacemakers. Approaching the straight Barometer was given his head and he was in charge turning for home. He looked like getting beaten at the distance, where King Emerald, Maori Boy. Queen Arch and High Pitch were almbst on terms with him, but he hung on well and asserted himself m decisive fashion. Barometer was never better, and trainer W. Townsend is entitled to every credit for the horse’s condition. In Barometer Messrs. Iloulston have a fine handicap horse who should do them still further service. It is possible that Barometer will race at Marton next week. /

"EARLY BIRD"

Couldn’t See It Out The good gallop registered by Queen Arch on the eve of the Pakuranga meeting caused her to bo. sent out second favourite in the big handicap at Ellerslie last Saturday. She was a possibility at the distance, and then faded out. She is not a big mare, and she may do better in the early spring with the seven stone minimum once ; again the order. Hopelessly Placed Taneriri had his chances extinguished j at the start of the Jellicoe Handicap on j Saturday, and he was asked to cover j a lot of extra ground throughout the ■ contest. The Lover ran a good race, i for he, too. missed the jump-out. The j starter walked the field in to the bar- j rier, but even then several riders appeared to be caught napping. Placed Again Produced twice at Ellerslie last Saturday. Maori Boy ran a third and a second. It did not look good business producing this fine hack twice under welter weights, but he is as game as a pebble. His first appearance was in the Jellicoe Handicap, in which he ran an excellent race into third place. Two races later Maori Boy beat all but Sea Cob in the hack mile, and carrying 10.13. A few seasons ago First Acre | was spoken of as the “Iron Horse.” but i it would appear as if Maori Boy is i more entitled to that cognomen. Tie is ! unlucky, too. and perhaps a change all i round would.also see a change of for- i tune, !_