Turf Notes

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 831, 27 November 1929, Page 12

Turf Notes

CONDUCTED BY

“EARLY BIRD”

Takapuna Fixture : The spring meeting oL' the Takapuna j Jockey Club is to be held on Saturday and Monday. Waipa Club The nominations for the Waipa meeting at Te Awamutu on Saturday, December 14, are due at 5 p.m. on Friday with the secretary at Te Awamutu, or with Blomfield and Co., Auckland. Auckland Summer Meeting General entries for the Auckland Racing Club’s summer meeting are due on Friday week, December 6, at 5 p.m. Manawatu-Marton Circuit Auckland owners who intend to cover this circuit during the holidays are reminded that Manawatu entries close on December 6, and for Marton on December 13. Deputy Handicapper With the Te Kuiti Racing Club’s handicapper engaged as judge at the Devin meeting last Saturday, Mr. A. Tronson, of Auckland, was appointed to frame the weights for the second day’s racing at Te Kuiti. Good fields and splendid racing were features of the sport on the concluding day. The Best Elver “The best race I have ever seen on the course,” enthusiastically exclaimed President H Rothery, after the big event, the Waitomo Handicap, at Te Kuiti on Monday. It was certainly one of those rare contests that gave the spectators a thrill from start to finish, with a dead heat furnishing a fitting climax. Hipo’s Return There was no denying the fact that at Te Kuiti Hipo rose to the occasion in his best style, and if he was not quite up to the standard displayed when he won the A.R.C. Easter Handicap a few seasons ago, he had too much speed for the field opposed to him in the Te Kuiti Cup. In the straight he came from the back with a most determined run and captured the stake and trophy by half a length. On the second day he almost repeated the performance, for he was only half a length behind the dead-heaters, The Lover and Ohinemuri, and he was going faster than anything else at the finish. Hipo is engaged in the Borough Handicap at Takapuna on Saturday, and his Te Kuiti form has mulcted him in a 71b penalty. He is a distinct possibility in his engagements on Saturday and Monday.

Fast Coming Back A couple of seasons ago that bonny little chestnut, Macroom, was winning races all round the province, but last season she went right off. However, a good second to Sir Russell at Te Rapa was followed by another second to Ti Tree at Te Kuiti: both these performances being impressive. At her next outing Macroom was produced in a weak sprint field at Te Kuiti on Monday, and instead of being favourite, as her two previous runs entitled her to be, she was the least fancied of the five runners. Macroom won very comfortably, despite a rise of 51b on her first day’s handicap, and there was much “weeping and gnashing of teeth” when the dividend was hoisted. It was one of those surprising prices that leads the strict looker-on to wonder what was the matter with the judges of form. On the other hand, it is a fact that many keen backers stood off because they thought M. J. Carroll’s charge would be a hot pot. They were sadly disillusioned. A Good Record Successes coming the way of the Paeroa owner-trainer, Mr. H. I. Spinks, are deservedly popular. He was a liberal supporter of the Te Kuiti Club last week-end, but the policy proved a wise one, for the stable won two races with Joy Girl and Ohinemuri, in addition to a second and third with Billikins and a third with Ohinemuri. It is some time since Billikins and Ohinemuri were seen at their best, but it is apparent that they are rapidly nearing their best. The Paeroa trainer has worked a big improvement in the condition of Joj r Girl, and going on her two good races at Te Kuiti she should be seen to better advantage before long. Not Penalised

Only three Te Kuiti winners out oi the half dozen engaged at Takapuna next Saturday have been penalised, these being Glena Bay (81b), Tiri Highweight, and Hipo (71b) and Macroom (31b), Borough Handicap. The winners to escape a rehandicap are The Lover (Alison Cup), Ridgemount, Macroom and Town Bird (Cheltenham Handicap '. After Two Years

The finish between Ti Tree and Macroom at Te Kuiti on Saturday recalled th€> first meeting of this pair That was as three-year-olds in that historic Takapuna Plate of two years ago, in which the fillies dead-heated. Neither enjoyed an uninterrupted run in the big field, and with Ti Tree tailed off two and a-half furlongs from home, her chance looked hopeless, while Macroom, well ahead, did not appear to possess particularly rosy prospects. Despite this, however, this pair deadheated, and while* Ti Tree was at a nice price, Macroom was an 'extreme shot, her dividend verging on the half century. So it was not until nearly two years later that this pair met again in a tight finish. A Hardy Veteran ! How well The Hawk wears! It is nine years since he commenced liis racing career, and he is stiu capable of winning, a tribute not only to his tough constitution, but also to the ability of his owner- trainer, j. M. Cameron, writes “The Watc-aer.” Tne Martian gelding has aiways been a norse ox ciass. .ext oiaki on xxiursciay j saw Gray look him over as tney were going into tne birdcage alter ne had been beaten on First rvxoney, and ± wondered what he was thin King. -no doubt the veteran horseman was paying a silent tribute to an uni wonuer ot the turf, and possibly lie remembered, a day at Trentham nine years ago next April, when Tne Hawk beat mm on ADsurdum in the Pacmc Handicap in a two-year-old race mat perhaps saw the best field of youngsters that has ever run in. New Zealand. Just consider then, The Hawk, B.Hi, beat Absurdum, 8.11," by a head, with Rational, y. 7, a ! length and a half back, the Lime for j the six furlongs being 1.10 1-5, and the •’also starteds included Winning Hit. | Anomaly, Kick Off and Pluto. It is a j coincidence that The Hawk and Gray should once again figure largely together. It was The Hawk who set the torrid pace in the Islington Plate at Auckland that enabled Gray on Thespian to beat Gloaming in the then record time for a mile for Australia and New Zealand, and which still stands as a New Zealand record. It was on The Hawk that Gray essayed the impossible task of beating Gloaming in that memorable duel for the Ormond Memorial Gold Cun. Few horses have I stood strain like The Hawk, and j proved capable of staging a | in their eleventh year.

For Ellerslie Toxeuma will not be a starter at Feilding. but he may make the trip to Ellerslie, though it is possible he will be given a run at Woodville before going North. Sydney Inquiry Further evidence in support of Jockey O. Cullum’s case was to have been' heard last week by the stewards in their investigations concerning the running of Perides in the Hurdle at Randwick on Saturday, says a Sydney paper of last Friday. But Menangle’s intervention brought about a change. Stewards had to proceed to this postponed meeting, and consequently . the hearing of the evidence was put off until Saturday. It is expected that the case will be concluded at Warwick Farm prior to the commencement of racing. A Great Finish The Rahui Hack Handicap at Otaki was only a minor race, and does not rank very high on the New Zealand Racing Calendar, but few who witnessed it on Thursday realised that this unimportant event staged one of the best riding exhibitions ever seen in New Zealand. Make Up (H. Goldfinch) and Kiriana (H. Gray), who were the favourites, led practically abreast all the way, each rider saving his mount for the final battle. They entered the straight together and then they had a great go. Victory finally rested with the better horse. Ruled Out There were no less than 57 scratch - ings in the eight races run at Levin on Saturday last, but there were still enough horses left to make a good meeting. An Easy Winner Ti Tree only beat Macroom by a neck in the open seven at Te Kuiti on Saturday, but goodness only knows what the margin might have been had Goldfinch let the daughter of Tea Tray and Taimai go. On this good showing Ti Tree was made second favourite in the big handicap on the concluding day, and after making the pace right to within half a furlong of the judge, she weakened into fourth place. Ti Tree was a bit unlucky, for when piloting the field out of the straight she hung out badly, and became unsettled. Hurdler’s Debut Apparently there were many backers at Te Kuiti on Saturday prepared for the success of Archeen in the hurdle race, this being the Marble Arch gelding’s first outing over the sticks. With his pace on the flat the Te Aroha trained gelding had little difficulty in getting to the front early and staying there, Avinning easily. The favourite, Master Roley, ran up to him at the home turn, but it was on sufferance only. Archeen got into a fence down the back, but he put in a couple of short ones and got over the obstacle with catlike agility. He is a valuable recruit to the ranks of hurdlers. Ran Green

Biddy Comet, racing in the same interests as the two-year-old Biddy's Boy, ran a fine race in the Te Kuiti Trial Handicap last Monday. She was always handy to the leaders, and finally finished a close third, only three parts of a length behind the winner, Te Waitai, and but for running about in the straight she might even have won. The same stable (presided over by F. E. Loomb) had the more fancied Nassau Lady engaged in this event, and she failed to run up to her first day’s form. Both Biddy Comet and Nassau Lady are engaged in the Melrose Maiden at Takapuna next Saturday. Full of Pep After giving H. Gray three falls in the birdcage at Te Kuiti last Saturday, prior to the Trial Handicap, Te Waitai proved that she was possessed of as much speed as bucking ability, for she won this race comfortably, being in front practically from barrier rise. This was her first start, so that better things can be expected of her. Te Waitai is a four-year-old daughter of Lucullus and Greyland, and is trained at Te Awamutu by A. Cook for Mr. A. W. Prangley, best known as the owner of that good horse Pegaway. Will Be Welcomed

Wanganui trainer Walter Rayner states that Pomp is recovering from the effects of his bout on the boat on the return trip from Sydney, though it will be some time before the skin grows on the new places. It is hoped that it will be possible to give him walking exercise within a week or two, and it will be the wish of all lovers of a good horse that this son of Absurd and the imported Pomyris will soon be able to take up the tasks that will prepare him for serious engagements, which he may be able to fulfil early in his three-year-old career, even if it is found impossible to take him to Ellerslie for the Champagne Stakes next Easter. There is a decided probability that Pomp may be able to take his place in the field for that two-year-old classic. At Woodville Entries for the principal events at Woodville are as follow: Gothard _ Memorial Handicap, of £200; 1 mile and a distance.—Queen’s Choice, Admiral Drake, Merry Damon, Gold Bag, Silver Paper, Merry Mint, First Acre, Kawhakina, Talisker, Blimp, Arrow Lad, Spearmiss, Miss Ransom, Break o’ Day, Kick Off. Raineses, Billion, Avro, Borsalene, Mountain Heath, Moutoa Treasury. Otairi, Moepai, Atholspear. Railway Handicap, of £150; 6 furlongs.—Veronese, Admiral Drake, Moa Bird, Knightlike, Aspiring, Banket, Hunting Boy, Kaihoro, Toxeuma. Brown Sugar, Star Stranger, Silver Paper, The Hawk, Royal Duke, Aston. Juvenile Handicap, of £110; 5 furlongs.—Salon, Futurist, Henry of Navarre. Skied, Jenny Diver, Nimble. Appeal, Kahikatia, Tenterden, Commandant, Princess Betty, Caterine of Arago, Arajean, filly by Lackham — Moondine, colt by Nassau —Hikoia, filly by Solferino —Marsa. filly by Kilbroney —Cotillion, colt by Lord Quex — Morganatic, Drastic, Masterton, War Worn, Simba, Tegun, Gesture, Cylinder, Benign, Rapallo, Sea Scout. Wallarub, Jason, Tripping.

ICE CREAM HORSES MILLIONAIRE OWNER’S TEA PARTY Had Mr. .1. W. Coffroth, millionaire racecourse owner, of California, been in Melbourne during the big Cup meeting, the bookmakers would have known it one way or the other. When he arrived in Melbourne by the Malolo the other day his only regret was that he missed “the greatest race in the world.” Mr. Coffroth owns a racecourse in Tia Juana, Mexico, and on the trip he has given some wonderful ppr-t.ies. At one, a huge cake, the model of his racecourse, was presented to the guests, while ice cream was served in the shape of a horse to each one around the festive board.