The Semi-Finals

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 852, 21 December 1929, Page 14

The Semi-Finals

GALLOPS AT ELLERSLIE

Corinax and Honour Once More

A RATTLING good gallop over a round by Corinax at Ellerslie this morning roused the interest of the spectators. Honour acquitted himself well over seven furlongs, but outside this pair the work-outs were disappointing.

The weather was; far from what one could reasonably expect at this period of the year, being rather cold and miserable, especially when Jupiter Pluvius was making play.

Corinax and Vertigern Cup candidates in Corinax (W. 11. Jones) and Vertigern (A. Eastwood) went out to do a circuit of the course proper, but Vertigern took charge of his rider and bolted about three or four furlongs, after which he was given a breather. They eventually got away on terms, Corinax having the outside running, always appearing to be going better than his companion, and was well in front at the end. Vertigern, not ridden out, being a couple of lengths back. Corinax ran the journey in a smart 2.5 3-5, and just how fast ho was going will be seen when it is said that he ran his last six furlongs in 1.19 1-5, the final half-mile in 52 1-5, and the last three furlongs in 40, these times not being equalled by those horses confined to springing. It show's that last year’s Auckland Cup winner is going to be a hard nut to crack on Boxing Bay. Richfield conceded Biamond Queen a start and beat her home at the end of five furlongs in 1.5 4-5, the first two occupying 25 1-5. Prodice Takes It Easy Prodice (L. J. Ellis) went once round by herself. She set off at a solid pace, but over the latter stages became lazy. She took 2.S 4-5 for the complete round, although she cut out the first half of the journey more than a second faster than Corinax, but her last three furlongs was very slow. Nevertheless Prodice would not lose any friends, for she is looking first class. She will have another long work-out on Tuesday as a wind-up to her Cup preparation. There was little separating Duellona. Amor and Pangolin when they had completed their seven furlongs task in 1.32 4-5, the last six in 1.21. Buellona was going very easily, while Pangolin shaped splendidly for a hurdler. Paquito and The Count Count Cavour (J. Rayner) and Paquito (A. Eastwood) covered a round together, and they stuck close all the way. Their time was exactly the same as Prodice’s, 2.8 4-5, the last six furlongs occupying 1.23 1-5 and the final half-mile 54 4-5. Paquito was never bustled at any part of the trip. He is not a beautiful galloper, but his Australian performances indicate that he is entitled to rule as the Cup favourite. Count Cavour was being hunted along up the straight, and his display was not quite so good as expected from a horse that is genuinely fancied by the stable. Steady rain fell during this gallop, and this would make the time a bit slow'.

The outside of the course proper, the pegs being about 40 feet out from the rails, and number two grass were available for fast work, of which there was a lot done, but nothing tco fast. The course was in excellent order, and indicates that it will be good throughout the Auckland Racing Club’s meeting on December 26, 30, January 1 and 2, for with more rain threatening the turf should remain easy. Several visitors were seen out, but on the whole the morning’s work was disappointing, considering they were the semi-finals, the final gallops being scheduled for Tuesday morning. With a number of new arrivals today and tomorrow there should be more than enough to keep the track watchers fully occupied on Tuesday.

Coming to Hand That brilliant sprinter, Gold Money, was the first to come out, five furlongs being her mission. She hit out freely all the way, the first two being left behind in 25 1-5, and the full five in 1.5 2-5. The daughter of Paper Money may be given a couple of outings on the two final days at Ellerslie. She should be very fit with another few days’ work into her. Eager Rose moved nicely over six furlongs in 1.21 2-5, and could have done a good deal better. She looks all the better for her spring racing. The two-year-old Hampton Park, whose record to date is one start one win, slipped over three furlongs in 37 4-5, and did it well too, for he was a bit slow getting into his stride. He may win a race at the forthcoming meeting. Honour’s Seven The Southern pair, Honour and Jaleux, were partnered over seven furlongs,, and they put up a good effort, the former in particular making additional friends. The first furlong, from a flying start, took but 11 4-5, the two took 25 3-5, three 38 4-5 and the half 51 3-5. They came home over the final three furlongs in 40 3-5, with Honour forging ahead nearing the box, despite Jaleux’s effort to keep up, the seven furlongs being run in 1.32 1-5. Honour went really well, and covered a good deal more ground than his mate. The two-year-olds Drastic and Dunraven were not after time in a run home from the three furlongs, this distance being covered easily in 38 3-5. Drastic is improving, but Dunraven is a likely-looking youngster, full of quality, and a possible winner before F. D. Jones takes him back to Riccarton. Brilliant Filly Praise has had two starts for two wins, and judging by the manner in which she worked this morning the Limond filly may complete the hat trick in the Foal Stakes next Thursday. She and Greenaway covered five furlongs, the filly being on the inside, but she had the measure of Greenaway all through, going to the lead up the final stretch and finishing just clear, with the maiden candidate under pressure. They slipped over the initial furlong in 12 3-5, and the two in 24 3-5, with Praise completing her task in a brilliant 1.4 3-5. Toxeuma was not required to do his best to account for Gay Cockade and Taneriri at the end of six furlongs in 1.20, the first quarter occupying 25 3-5 and the three 38. Toxeuma looks a picture, and. may be hard to beat In the Railway Handicap next Thursday. The same time was returned by Currajong and Tetrarchate in their six.

Flying Prince and Nassau Lady were together at the close of a spin over six furlongs in 1.20 2-5, the last three in 40 4-5. The former shot out nicely.

A number of others were let off with light tasks, among them being Shrewd, Great Star and Vall-ar.

After breakfast Gay Cockade ran six furlongs in 1.21. The Ellerslie light-weight, J. Cammick, has been engaged to ride Aspiring in the Railway Handicap. Horses that arrived today were Lady Quex, Star Stranger, Hunting Bay, Knightlike, Cylinder, Hunting Cry, Goshawk, Merry Mint, The Hawk, Gesture, Nimble and Llyn Bhu.

Cimabue and Concentrate were expected to arrive about midday today. Failed to Pay Up

The following horses failed to pay up in tho Cup and Railway Handicap: Auckland Cup.—Chide, Prince Humphrey, Oratrix, Hoylake, First Acre, Amor, Atholspear, Besert Glow, Flying Juliet, Flying Prince, Hyde Park, Hunting Cry, King’s Jest, Pride, Pink Note, Transformer, The Lover, Talisker, The Viscount, Taurua and The Hawk.

Railway Handicap.—Paganelli, Gascony, Silver Paper, Nancy Lee, Havering, Arrow Lad, Goblin Market, Air King, Crimestor, Coon Song, Flair, False Scent, Freehold, Gold Bawn, Hunting Boy, Leader, Llanore, Melissa, Polyxena, Paiko, Royal Buke, Taurua, Takutama, Tasty, Valuation, Volimond and Value.

furlongs, the first three ocupying 39. Both are improving.. A fine half-mile was put flip by the two-year-old Biddy’s Boy in defeating Tenterden in 50 2-5, the last three taking 38.