Today’s Turf News

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 848, 17 December 1929, Page 11

Today’s Turf News

Honour Does Smart Seven at Eilerslie VALLAR GOES FAST PREPARING FOR HOLIDAY RACING The various tracks at Eilerslie are really fast' at present, and although no real speed trials were required this morning from horses due to race next week, a number of encouraging efforts were witnessed, including a fair seven furlongs by the Derby favourite, Honour, and an equally impressive gallop by the Railway candidate, Vallar. A heavy sky forecast wintry conditions, but fortunately rain held off and pleasant weather prevailed throughout the early training operations. The outside of the course proper, where most of the galloping took place, was in grand order, and notwithstanding the pegs being out 45 feet, times were generally good. Also at the disposal of trainers was number three grass track, but nothing better than useful work appeared to be the order of this track. First on to the course proper was Eager Rose, who left six furlongs behind in 1.21 3-5, moving with apparent ease during the essay. She was a trifle slow over the first furlong in 14, but with the pace clapped on she registered 39 4-5 for the first half of the journey, and her rider was not asking her any question. Gold Money’s six furlongs occupied 1.30, and for two furlongs less War Officer drew out in the last 100 yards and was clear of Lusoma, the time being 52 3-5, with the initial furlong taking 12 4-5. Derby and Cup Hopes Following his usual procedure the Riccarton visitor, P. V. Mason, stripped his horses in the centre of the course, the first pair out being the New Zealand Derby winner, Honour, and the Auckland Cup aspirant, Jaleux. Seven furlongs was asked o€ them, but in all they covered about half a furlong further, for the pair had plenty of pace on as soon as they touched the back stretch. They were moving stride for stride in the first half, but approaching the turn Honour, who was on the outside of his companion, forged ahead, and kept up to his work, had three-parts of a length to the good at the end. It was not an enlightening performance cn Jaleux*s part, for he failed to make an impression on the chestnut after his rider had pushed him right out. The seven furlongs was carved out in 1.33, and the last six in 1.20. Smart Sprinter Vallar cantered along the back and then ran home from the five in 1.4 2-5 —smart time. He was always going with apparent ease, and the fact that he carved out his last three in 39 2-5, and did it in effortless fashion, demonstrates how he is progressing for his Railway Handicap engagement. Greenaway and the two-year-old Praise were allowed to sprint down the straight, a matter of two furlongs, both displaying a rare turn of speed, with Praise showing to advantage. Corinax got to the end of seven furlongs in 1.37 2-5, and Kairuni, the surprise packet at the recent Takapuna meeting, ran the last of a similar task in 1.26 1-5. Hannibal, Tetrarchate and Alloy were associated over six furlongs in 1.21, passing over the first quarter in 26 and three in 38 1-5. The first-named shaped in fine style and in having a slight margin over Tetrarchate it is pretty obvious he is on the improve. Respirator and Avoncourt could not be separated at the end of five furlongs in 1.6 4-5, and they had something in reserve. Hampton Park completed three furlongs comfortably in 42 2-5, and over a furlong further Merry Lu defeated Wild Country in 52 4-5. Nice and Bright Lady’s Boy, who is looking nice and bright, had Taneriri to accompany him over five furlongs, and racing over the first two in 25 2-5, the latter was just ahead of his companion on the post, recording 1.5 3-5 for the journey. Taneriri has shown improvement with each gallop and is a horse worth noting for future engagements. An essay over a mile from the new post wAs required from Hyde Park, and Tie set a torrid pace, taking 24 3-5 for the first two, 38 2-5 for three, the first half in 51 3-5, and coming homein 1.49, obviously weakening in the last couple of furlongs. Cynthia N. covered the last of six furlongs in 1.7 1-5, and for furlongs Gay Cockade took 1.34 4-5, doing it fairly comfortably, however.

TESTS AT EPSOM

AUCKLAND CUP CANDIDATES SHOW GOOD FORM EARLY MORNING TASKS On a track well coated with dust and an unfavourable breeze, the Auckland Cup candidates Free Advice and The Abbey put up an attractive performance at Epsom early this morning. Conditions generally were not conducive to fast times when the track opened at five o’clock, but after breakfast a strong wind and clouds of dust further hampered the late comers in their work. A. Julian was as usual the first out with Rose Bingen, and the trotting mare traversed two miles faultlessly at a 2.20 clip, finishing strongly over the last circuit. Rome Bingen trotted solidly over a similar distance, but trainer Lee was not asking his charge to put up anything in the way of fast time. The mare never attempted to put a foot wrong in her task. Warspite and Rolf Audubon were associated in strong work over a mile and a-half and finished together with a rattle over the first half in 1.10. Great Change trotted at a fast clip for a mile, and Warplane showed plenty of speed over a couple of half-mile essays. Stoney and the Nelson Derby mare (in saddle) were given a similar task, the latter shaping with promise. A Fine Work-out Free Advice (A. Julian) and The Abbey (W. Clifton) set off from the two-mile peg and with the former arriving at the mile and a-half post in 1.8, Carmel (C. Fairman) and Native Prince (J. Shaw) hopped away in front. Carmel made a lively pacemaker, and was clear of Free Advice at the mile disc, which the latter reached in 2.16 4-5, Native Prince being with her and The Abbey following. At this point Free Advice was pulling hard, but the pace was on as the 12-furlong post was reached in 3.22 4-5. There was a good hustle from there home, and The Abbey improved his position approaching the straight. Native Prince left his feet in the last 100 yards and Carmel was a length clear of Free Advice at the box, with The Abbey

a similar distance back. Free Advice registered 4.26 4-5 for the full journey and The Abbey 4.27. Carmel showed a fine turn of speed and liis display was of a high order. Had lie not tangled, Native Prince looked like finishing beside his stable mate. Free Advice put up an attractive performance, her last mile occupying 2.10. The Abbey, who wds about j three lengths back when the last cir- ; cuit was entered, finished with great i determination. The work-out showed ! both Cup candidates up in a pleasing j light. Explosion, well out from the rails, paced two miles at a fairly even gait: with a brush home from the half-mile post in 1.8. The journey was accomplished at a 2.21 gait. Evelyn Locanda (TY\ Nightingale) stepped off at the two-mile post, and reaching the half-mile in 1.10 was joined by All Bell. With the next half covered in 1.8, Evelyn was leading the way and got to the mile and a-half in 3.26. The mare was not hunted at the post, and All Bell overtook her, the pair finishing together. Mr. Cucksey’s mare registered 4.36 for the full trip—a nice piece of work. After breakfast the wind increased in velocity and times were much slower. A number of trainers were content to give their charges strong medium pace tasks. Gold Jacket (L. McMahon) and Torpedo Huon (J. McMahon) were sent on a mile and a-half journey. They paced well together, Gold Jacket being on the outer and reached the mile station in 2.20. There was not much between, the pair.in the final half, traversed in 1.8. although Gold Jacket was going- very • comfortable at the end. Derby Candidates The Derby candidates, First Flight (F. J. Smith) and Kewpie's Guy (Joe Gee) tackled the classic distance, a mile and a-half, and Concertina (F. Herring) elected to go with them. Kewpie’s Guy was quickest to begin, but First Flight was on terms at the half in 1.11. Together they reached the mile in 2.22, Concertina being three lengths back. Kewpie’s Guy, on the rails, hung on well and had a slight advantage of First Flight at the final line, with Concertina close up. The last four furlongs occupied 1.10, and the time for the journey, 3.32, considering the stiff breeze was creditable. Jewel Pointer (A. Julian) had Gold Treasure (Les Lowe) as a saddle pacemaker over a couple of solidly-run halfmiles. The Logan Pointer signalled his return to form by registering both sections at slightly better than a 2.10 mile gait. Nella Dillon was given steady work over several circuits, with a useful esgay over twelve furlongs. F. Smith moved her along over the last four furlongs, which she left behind comfortably in 1.10. Anselino trotted in fine style over

two miles, her gait being fairly even, the quarters averaging 365 seconds. J. Gee’s mare has never appeared in better heart to tackle her racing: tasks. The two trotting: youngsters in C. G. Lee’s stable, Guy Parrish —Bertha Belle filly, and Guy Parrish —Miss Spiers colt, attracted a lot of attention by the kindly manner in which they responded to their preparatory work. Parrish Belle, who is a three-year-old and the elder of the pair, showed fine speed over separate furlongs. J. Bryce will arrive at the end of the week with his Derby colt, Ngingo Ngingo, who is reported to be in splendid condition for his venture. “Scotty” will also pilot Evelyn Locanda in her Alexandra Park engagements. A.R.C ACCEPTANCES The summer meeting of the Auckland Racing Club is to be held at the beautiful Ellerslie course on Thursday, December 26 (Boxing Day), Monday, December 30. Wednesday. January 1 (New Year’s Day) and Thursday, January 2. Acceptances for first day handicap events (including the Auckland Cup and Railway Handicap), also final payments for the Queen’s Plate, Great Northern Foal Stakes (both run on opening day), Great Northern Derby (run on the third day), and the Royal Stakes (run on the fourth day), close on Friday next at 5 p.m., with the secretary, Mr. W. S. Spence, at the offices of the Auckland Racing Club. DARGAVILLE FIXTURE From Our Oivn Correspondent DARGAVILLE, Monday. An alteration in the dates for the annual meeting of the Dargaville Racing Club has been approved of by the dates committee. The races will now be held on Saturday and Monday, February 22 and 24, instead of February 20 and 22, to allow of horses competing at Rotorua reaching Dargaville in sufficient time to compete on the first day here.