Turf Notes

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 765, 11 September 1929, Page 12

Turf Notes

CONDUCTED BY "EARLY BIRD

Wanganui Races The Wanganui spring meeting opens tomorrow. The dry sandy track may find the form on the heavy Marton turf rather misleading. Likely Maiden Having his first race in public, Roundelay finished second to Last Mark at Trentham a couple of months ago. That day the mud was up to the horse's knees, and for a two-year-old it was rather a taking performance. Roundelay had little chance of catching the winner and was going along easily to get second money. The nature of that run was most impressive, and suggested that the Limond—Tivoli gelding was going to be some good. This fine big chestnut is to have his first outing as a three-year-old at Wanganui in the Maiden tomorrow, and if the big field does not unduly hamper him he should go a great race, always provided that be has gone on the right way since Trentham. Juggle's Turn? Juggle showed fair form at Marton .last week, sufficient to incline one to the view that he may do better on the firmer ground at Wanganui this week. He finished third to Full Mark and Some Acre the first day, and chased Austerity home the second day. This half-sister to Gold Cure is due to contest the Maiden at Wanganui and may be prominent. Other likely candidates in the same class seen out at Marton are Whenuatonga, Glenison (who should go fast round the bend), Equitant and Pat's Boy, the last-named of whom displayed pace at Riccarton last month. In Fine Form Judging by the manner in which lie has been racing of late, both on the flat and . over the sticks, Elysianor should add to his winning record at Wanganui this week. On the opening day he is engaged in the Okehu Hurdles, in which he is not at all badly treated with 10.11. He carried 9.11 when ho was narrowly beaten by Red Fuchsia on the final day of the Grand National meeting last month, and it will be recognised that m going under to the All Red gelding he succumbed to a real good one. They Go Fast Fine Acre lias a torrent of speed, and even more of a flyer is Prince Lu, the Waikato juniper. Both these horses will figure in the Okehu Hurdles at Wanganui the first day. The mile and three-quarters may be a bit beyond Prince Lu, who. although a great jumper, clears his fences rather extravagantly, and thus tires himself out. Fine Acre is ;i fast jumper, but in his races he has conveyed the impression that he, too, would like a mile and a-half journey in preference to 14 furlongs. The distance of the hurdle race next Saturday at Wanganui is a mile and five furlongs. A Good Hack The form of Royal Black at Marton was of the best, and this follow may be seen to still further advantage at Wanganui this week. He won over seven furlongs at Marton, and in the event for amateur riders the following day he carried- 11.13 to within half a head of victory. He stays on well, and has pace enough to get a good position early—an essential for the Wanganui course. One From Paeroa Ah Wera was more than a bit unlucky in the hurdle race the first day at Marton. He is down to contest a similar event at Wanganui on Thursday, but one could wish‘that his connections had chosen an easier race, for there aro some good ones engaged. A likely improver is Thurnbell, whose form of late over the sticks is capable of a good deal of improvement. He has only to settle down to this branch of the game to come good. So far as form goes, Peshwa will be the hard horse to beat at Wanganui.

Form Was Good Those who saw Desert Lad win at i Marton last week will not soon forget the merit of that performance. He ; was always in trouble over the middle part of the race, and then when he did get clear in the straight he, fairly flew to beat both Roi de Val and Goodwill. On the second day Roi de Val won the shorter hack race, so that the form of Desert Lad was borne out. The latter is to race at. Wanganui this week, and if in the same form as at Marton lie should go close to registering another success. Gallop Was Right On the eve of the Taranaki I-lunt meeting recently Singer put up a rather remarkable gallop over seven furlongs. The next day he won and was at a Gloaming price, naturally. The ex-Southerner is due to run af Wanganui this week, and on his New Plymouth showing he may be one of the hardest horses to beat in his engagements at the river city. Promoted On Havering's Trentham form he has an excellent chance of winning the Seafield Handicap at Wanganui the first day. He ran a first and two seconds at. Trentham, and at ‘Wanganui he comes into liis race with 41b over the minimum in the seven and aquarter furlongs event. A good beginner is necessary at this barrier, and Havering seems to fill the bill in this respect. Deserves the Honour Gold Cure may wind up favourite for the Seafield Handicap at Wanganui, and it certainly looks as if it is going to take something pretty good to head him off in that race. He made a hot. pace in the Marton Handicap, and at Wanganui he will be racing ever his best distance. No doubt thi-s journey will also be within the compass of Royal Game, but of the pair Gold Cure is preferred. Reremoana’s Form The good showing made by Reremoana at Marton draws attention to his prospects in the New Zealand Eclipse Stakes, the weight-for-age seven and a-quarter furlongs race at Wanganui on Saturday next. On the opening day of the meeting he claims an engagement in the Seafield Handicap, in which he has a big weight, but with a 7.7 minimum. If will be interesting to see how he fares the first day over the Eclipse course. Coming Back At Marton Knightlike looked a bit pretty when he went out to contest the hack six the first clay. He went quite a good race, too, finishing up close to the placed horses. On that showing the bearer of the black and white chequers should soon be in the fighting lines. His next engagement is in the Durie Hack on. the opening day at Wanganui, and although the opposition is a bit stronger all round than that he met at Marton. he should go well both days. Hardly Ready? Mope than one or two of the horses handicapped for the Marangai Handicap at Wanganui the first day will not be ready for serious business, so that those that have had some racing during the winter months will have a good pull. Among these are Blimp, Otairi, Royal Game. Black Mint, Maui and Monsogne. A good word corner from Fordell about its representative, Cashier. A Puzzle One of the most puzzling races at Wanganui the first day is the principal flat handicap, the Marangai. Not many Qf those engaged—it is a big field for the course—have raced during the winter season, and few of them have shown any form for a race of this description. Otairi is one that should come in for solid support, for his form at Trentham and Riccarton was decidedly promising.