Will Prodice Add to Her Takapuna Record ?

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 874, 18 January 1930, Page 12

Will Prodice Add to Her Takapuna Record ?

She Has Bright Cup Prospects

Prodice has a penchant for the Takapuna Jockey Club’s course, and there is every prospect of the brilliant daughter of Catmint adding to her record on that track

before very long. She is- top-weight in the Takapun; Cup, to be decided on Wednesday wee] (Anniversary Day), and she has ever; right to be considered as next doo to a certainty for that popular event. While one does not desire to se<

good horses overburdened, the handicapper has been lenient to a fault in not giving Prodice a few pounds more than the 9.0 she is let off with. When this game mare won the Alison Cup at the same track seven weeks ago. she was raised to 9.5 for the second day. Since then she won the Te Awamutu Cup, and was third at Ellerslie recently in both the A.R.C. Handicap, 15 miles, and Grandstand Handicap, li miles. In these two important races she had 8.8 and 8.12 respectively, so with a 21b rise it will be recognised that she is very liberally treated. In the A.R.C. Handicap Prodice was conceding Corinax 81b, and the latter, finishing second to Count Cavour, was just in front of the Te Awamutu representative, a neck and a head being th*e official margins. Taking a line between Corinax and Prodice (the former now has 8.7), it would seem that wherever the former is, Prodice should be in front of him. In The Shade has yet to show his New Zealand Cup form, and a further line as to his chances can be better gauged after his outings at Trentham. Royal Doulton, who won the A.R.C. Summer Cup under 7.3, now has 8.0, but if she is caught just right, Prodice may not be able to concede her 141 b. Royal Doulton, like Prodice, has exhibited a distinct partiality for the Takapuna track. True Blood failed badly each day in the big handicaps at Stratford, with S.O and 7.13, so that in being assessed at 7.9 he has probably got a little more than he is entitled to. This viewpoint is arrived at through the handicapping at Stratford, where, on the second day, True Blood had 7.13, and Hipo 7.8, the former conceding 51b, and neither finished in the first four. Now, in the Takapuna Cup, True Blood is asked by the same liandicapper, Mr. W. Russell, to meet Hipo on 41b worse terms. This is hardly consistent. High Pitch races better under light imposts, and, with 7.4, his recent run-

ning points to him possessing a fail* chance. Lucy Rose was only a neck behind Historic in the A.R.C. Grandstand Handicap, and a neck in front of Prodice, and the latter is only allowed 21b for that beating. With 7.4 on a higher scale of weights, it certainly appears as if a risk has been taken. She might have been given a few more pounds. Eager Rose has yet to stay the journey, but she is a very lit mare, and a free goer—just the type for this course. Le Choucas showed a glimpse of his best form last week at Thames, beating all but Taneriri in the Goldfields Cup, and the latter won again the second day. As the Magpie geldingraced well on the Takapuna course at the last meeting, he has to be respected, especially as he is on the minimum. Apparently the A.R.C. handicapper is not the only one to bundle half the field in on the minimum, for exactly half of the Takapuna Cup candidates have 7.0 opposite their names. Transformer is one, and he has raced prominently at the Shore in the past. Hipo is not fancied, but Flying Juliet indicates that she is coming back to form, and on this circular track may see it out. Ti Tree and Mithra are the Jamieson candidates (in addition to In the Shade and Le Choucas), but neither lias shown stamina. Arclieen would be favoured if hurdles were placed on the course. Antique is a promising sort, and one feels safe in including the much improved Tonbridge gelding among the favoured half dozen. He is to race at Trentham, so that more should be

known as to his prospects when the southern carnival has been entered up in the records. At this stage those that make most appeal are: PRODICE IN THE SHADE CORINAX ROYAL DOULTON LUCY ROSE [{ ANTIQUE. Sixteen horses have been nominated for this interesting event, and this number should be materially reduced by starting time. Acceptances, not only for the Takapuna Cup, but for all first-day (January 29) events, are due at 5 p.m. next Friday, and then a better indication of the composition of the field can be obtained.

THE SPRINT

Next to the Cup in importance is the open six furlongs, the Stewards’ Handicap. Once again lias the number entered for this event been below the Cup entrants in point of number. On top is Paganelli. His recent

form lias not been encouraging. He ran two sterling races at Trentham and Riccarton for a first and second, but at weight-for-age he was beaten both at Feilding and Awapuni. Probably the soft track beat him in each case, for obviously it was nothing like his true form. He has 9.13 in the Takapuna sprint, and he will require to be at his best to win, although such a speedy onegait sprinter should be very much at home here. Eaglet appears to have all the worst of it with 8.9, and she may not be asked to run with that stiff impost. In framing his handicaps last month for the Railway Handicap, the A.R.C. handicapper gave Paganelli 9.12 and Eaglet 8.0, so that at Takapuna the filly is asked to meet the top-weight on 7lb worse terms. Prince Val has had several strenuous races of late, but nevertheless lie is capable of winning a sprint with 8.4, although being within 51b of Eaglet makes one pause. On the opening day at Ellerslie Eaglet was second to Eager Rose, with Prince Val down the course, and that day there was 81b between them. Now there is but 51b, which shows that Prince Val comes in, after being soundly defeated, on 31b worse terms, instead of, as he should be, about 71b better terms, so that on these figures he has something like 101 b too much, as compared with Eaglet. Taneriri is a very fit horse just now, but he would be preferred over a

middle distance. He has won his last three races—a mile, mile and aquarter, and a mile —and that is an aspect that must not be entirely lost sight of. Awarere’s win and a second at Ellerslie a fortnight ago indicate that he is back to his best. On the last day he was second with 7.13, so that in going up only 41b he is handsomely treated. Fourth in that race was Gold Money, with 8.1, and in receiving but lib now from Awarere (who meets the Ellerslie sprinter on no less than 31b better terms), she is not well treated. Just the reverse. But, all the same, what beats Gold Money will win on Wednesday week. Lady Quex raced disappointingly at Ellerslie after having won with ease at Takapuna. She is smart when tuned up, and she would not be brought North if she was without a winning chance. White Wings should be coming to hand with the racing she has had lately, and Takutama is one always liable to spring a surprise. Refresher had little luck in his Ellerslie outings. He is a really smart sprinter, and if the stable pays up with him in preference to Eaglet the cue should bo taken. Of the others on the minimum Valuation reads best, and despite his poor showing the final

day at Ellerslie he will have to be put among the probables. A half-dozen that impress a lot just now are: EAGLET AWARERE GOLD MONEY LADY QUEX REFRESHER VALUATION. Like the Cup, this race promises to fine down considerably on acceptance day.—“ Early Bird.”

Tindall’s Outlook Far From Bright

APPEAL DISMISSED THE SHANKARA CASE It was a sad occasion for ownerj trainer AY. Tindall when the Australian Jockey Club committee confirmed the disqualification imposed by the stewards at AA'arwick Farm. Tindall had hoped for a chance of a reversal of the verdict after further evidence had been presented, but apparently ho could not convince the higher tribunal of his innocence. Disqualified for a year because of the running of Shankara in the Sefton Handicap at AA’arwick Farm, he had hoped that fresh evidence would throw light on the case that might move the A.J.C. to reverse the stewards’ verdict. He had a number of witnesses present, whose evidence was heard by the committee. They included several prominent persons in the ranks of racing. It is understood that their testimony supported Tindall’s contention that Shankara was not ready to win. nor capable of winning the .race he was disqualified for. He liad conveyed this belief to them before the race. But apparently it was not convincing. The A.J.C. committee had the case before them from three o’clock, and it was not until just on six o’clock that Tindall heard the verdict that the committee intended allowing the verdict to stand. Tindall met many sympathisers on leaving the A.J.C. office, as did jockey D. AVebb, who shares the 12 months' disqualification with him, too. Vicissitudes Tindall has been an outstanding figure on the turf, with a team varying in number between 15 and 20, most of whom he owns and trains for himself. He has had his ups-and-downs, running into big money on occasions, but at other periods striking hard times with his expensive stableful. This disqualification has come at a time when Tindall has had a number of reverses, and finality to his disqualification found a number of sympathisers who no doubt had shared in his good fortune last year. Dismissal of the appeal means that horses which he had accepted for at Canterbury earlier in the day would bo unable to carry out engagements. Singleton, a good galloper, is in the Maiden AA r elter, and Argentum, an imported grey ’who has shown promise, is in the Flying AVelter. They will drop out automatically. Probably Tindall will decide to sell many, or perhaps all, of his extensive team. This will provide funds to carry on, and it will also afford an opportunity for purchasers to pick up horses with good prospects of success m the near future, for Tindall has a team the members of which have been given every care and every chance to develop best form. AAHiatever Tindall may be in a betting connection, he is a good horsemaster, who thoroughly teaches his horses their work, and they are a good lot, who promise well * for the future. Shankara, the cause of the whole trouble, he cannot sell, of course. Like owner and jockey, he must do his 12 months. FOR PHAR LAP JOCKEY PIKE’S PROGRAMME J. Pike will not be in Sydney for the opening day of the A.J.C. Anniversary meeting. He is going to Melbourne to ride Greenline in the William Reid Stakes, and the brown gelding is so well that it will trouble southern trainers to produce anything to beat him. Greenlino is unlikely to be disadvantaged by racing left hand. At least that I s s i*SS e sted by his good third with 10.3 to Molhson (9.3) and Gothic (10.7) in the Caulfield Futurity Stakes. In addition to Greenline, Pike will have other good mounts at the southern autumn meetings. Phar Lap will again be of the number, though the St. Leger will be the only race at the V.R.O. meeting ill which the weight will permit of Pike being on the chestnut. Although offered the riding of Amoums, he had not decided what to In the longer weight-for-age races nothing would stand in the way of his being on the Magpie gelding, but the latter and Greenline are engaged in dnnAYnti •n U £ Ur ? ty Stakes - “d no Stakes^ 011 Wlll be ln the c - M - Lloyd That might lead to an unsatisfactory position, and unless Pike can see his way clear to ride Amounis n all h s w - Cook may be engcogeci for him. RACING FIXTURES JANUARY IS-—-Bay of Islands R.C. 18, 20, 22—Wellington R C Ashhurst-Pohangina R.C. 2o —Waino J.G. 25 Waipapakaurl J.C, 28, 30—Wairoa R.C. 20, 30 —Pahiatua R.C. 20, Feb. I—Takapuna J.C. FEBRUARY s—Tapanui R.C. 6, B—Gisborne8 —Gisborne R.C. 6 > S—Taranaki J.C. B—Matamata R.C. 13, 15—Dunedin J.C. 13, 15—Poverty Bay Turf C. 13, 15—Wanganui J.C. 10, 17—Rotorua R.C. 10 —Clifden R.C. 10, 20—Woodville Dist. J.C 20—Tologa Bay J.C. 22, 24—Dargaville R.C. 26. 27—Gore R.C. 26, 27—Dannevirke R.C. 27—Waiapu R.C. 28, March l—Marlborough R.C. MARCH I—Banks Peninsula R.C. 1. 3 —Te Aroha J.C. 5, 6—Rangitikei R.C. 7, B—Napier Park R.C. 7, B—Cromwell J.C. 8— Franklin R.C. 15, 17—Wellington R.C. 15, 17—Ohinemuri J.C. 17—Opunake R.C. 20— Waimate R.C. 22—Bay of Plenty J.C. 22, 24—Oamaru J.C. 26 Opotiki J.C. 26, 27 Manawatu R.C. APRIL 3, s—Whangarel R.C. 3, s—South5 —South Canterbury J.C. 4, s—Masterton R.C. 9 Hawke’s Bay J.C. 11, 12—Otautau R.C. 12—Hororata R.C. 12, 14—Westport J.C. 12, 14—Waikato R.C. 19 —Tuapeka County J.C. 19, 21—Wairarapa R.C. 19, 21—Feilding J.C. 19, 21—Auckland R.C 19, 21, 22—Riverton R.C. 21— Beaumont R.C. 21—AVaipukurau J.C. 21—Kumara R.C. 21, 22—Canterbury J.C. 23, 24—Westland R.C. 26, 28—Greyrr.outh J.C. 26, 30—Avondale J.C. 30—Reefton J.C,

TE AROHA TOPICS ANTIQUE’S PROGRAMME TAUMAI’S FORM Special to THE SU A TE AROHA, Today. Te Arolia will bo represented at Trenthara by Antiauc, who was taken down by rail on Monday. He will probably be a starter in the Anniversary Handicap, and may run well, for lie is one of the most improved equines among* those locally trained. When he raced at Te Rapa in November lie was counted just an ordinary hack, and his dead-heating with Te Hoia rather surprised his connections, while the remunerative dividend was also evidence of this. His Ellerslie running was so satisfactory to the stable that it was decided to send the Tonbridge gelding to the Wellington meeting. The two-year-old All Soult, by General La tour —Miss Rosa, was given an easy time by Mr. X. Kinn, after running at Te Rapa in November, but is expected to race again in the near future. In the interval he has furnished considerably. Delivered the Goods Trainer J. H. Wallace has lately brought out two winners in Sir Russell and Antique, both of which should increase their winning accounts during this season. He will not be doing much with his gift horse, William of Orange, for some time, but lie lias the Lucullus filly, Lucky Alice, in nice trim, and when she again strikes winning form should go on with it. Trig was probably up to concert pitch when he raced at the Thames fixture, but the outside draw in the Tapu Handicap did not enhance his chances. He should be all the better for his racing, and before the season has much further advanced will be galloping freely in public. Te Apurangi is looking well after his Ellerslie running, while G. A. Reid lias Ah Wera ready for the working list again. This full-brotlier to Taumai, a winner at Parawai, will need to hurry up to keep his average even with the latter. The dam of Taumai and Ah Wera, now owned by a local resident, visited Lelightment last season.

J. F. Eva is keeping the Day Comet —Poi gelding up to his work, and he will he seen out in public next month. If he should prove to be as fast as his half-brother, Ilimpo. by Hymettus, was when racing his owner, Air. Dave Jackson, will have cause for gratification.

Taumai showed a return to his best form when he won the High-weight Handicap at Parawai on Saturday. It is understood that his owner, Mr. P. A. Swney, has been approached w*ith a view to leasing the St. Amans gelding.

Notwithstanding her consistently good track work, Volimond does not give repetitions with the silk up, and should have run better in the Puriri Handicap last w*eek. She is such a beautifully-bred mare that with her proved galloping ability she rhould have figured more prominently on this season’s winning list. Her owner still has ample faith in the Limond mare, and this may in due course be amplv justified.

Marble King went off considerably after racing at the Auckland summer meeting, and his running at Parawai showed this. He w*ill be moved along steadily in his work, and is still capable of winning a stake at some of country meetings. Neither Grand Arch nor Master Latour is fulfilling track promises just now*, but they are looking so w*ell after recent efforts that they may get into the limelight again before long. For a big fellow St. AVarrigal ran \eiy well in the Tapu Handicap at Thames. In his schooling lessons over the jumps he performs well, so it may be m hurdle events that he will be expected to do better.

Trainer A. Cox will have The Lamb all right again very soon. At present it is not known whether he will be ready to compete at Takapuna, but this will be decided in a few days Muskot was not accepted for at Thames but may be raced before manv weeks. He is quite a likely maiden pel former, and may prove good enough stable”” 6 lUCk ° f tho Li P*ey AVONDALE TRACKS

HORSES IN TRAINING TIIO following Is a list of Avondale trainers and the horses they are worklng at the present: w. Gough.— Sea Fair, Armutmn Tanagra and Irish Court. ' J - W. Cathro. —Mauriaena, Waimuri, and Skimmer. W. c. Woods.—Crimestor, Transformer and Orehus. S. G. Lindsay —Partial Eclipse and Owairaka. W. Kirk.—Valquette and Trickle. F. Dowding.—Lady Eustace, and colt by Lucullus—Elysian mare. P. Scally.—Branson. T. Davison. —Maori Boy.

ROTORUA CLUB ANNUAL RACE MEETING The annual race meeting of Rotorua Racing Club is fixed to b« held at Aratva Fark, Rotorua, « p Saturday anti Monday, February 15 jjg 17, and tho programme issued is eg* on ouch attractive lines as to ensum tho popularity -won in previous ye** by the gathering being well main! tained. Tho prizo money attached to tho « events which form the program*, amounts to £ 2,620, and in addiu there are two trophies valued r,nJ ively at £SO and £25. Tho leading event of the program*, ' is appropriately tho Rotorua C nx which carries prize money to amount of £ 320, and a gold cup value* at £SO. ** ~ Th , 9 1 1 ' resitient ' s Handicap, which , tho leading event on the second L? is worth £240. A brace of e v £S for two-year-olds figures on the m2 gramme ,n the shape of the Stakes and the Rennie Stakes fh! £l3? m ° nCy ln each instance From the programme, which wii v. found published in full in ano column, it will he seen that nomir!T tions for all events close next Friday and witT,' Mr th . th T e ® ecre ‘ary, Roto and. v lth Mi. A. J. I'arquhar. secrriw Avondale Jockey Club, at 5 n m *** if tho same date. ’ 5 p “- °» SPRINTER INJURED MEADOW LARK'S EXPERIENCE The racehorse Meadow Lark, one <4 the favourites for the Telcgmpj, Handicap, the principal sprint event to be decided at the Wellington Club* meeting this afternoon, suffered through mishap on the way fro* Christchurch to Lyttelton on Thar*, day. Fortunately it was without serious consequences. nf"n a,10 .)p.! jark was the sole occupant G wagon on the train to Ly ttelton. Tho door of his side of the box was securely fastened, but apparently the door c»n the other side was not properly secured. Just when the train entered the Lyttelton tunnel this door fell open against the side of the tunnel. The door was soon shattered to splinters, many of which were thrown into the box, and one large piece of wood just missed J. Ross, the trainer of the horse, who was in the attendant’s compartment. The horse reared and injured his head and knocked himself about, but as far as could be seen he was not injured seriously. IT© was brought on to "YV ellington by the boat and was taken out to Trentham yesterday morning. Even if he takes his place in the Telegraph Handicap his chances may not be improved by his experience, But one never knows! For Australia It is reported from Dunedin that Antrim Boy and Royal Flower have been sold to go to West Australia. From the same source, however, it :s learned that Antrim Boy broke down in a hurdle race at Invercargill. Tc-te In Ireland Satisfactory financial arrangements have been completed for the settingup of the totalisator on the Irish racecourses next season. A leading Irish bank has provided th€> board of raanagement f° r Getting with a credit for £70.000 for the purchase and initial working of whatever model of machine is , approved. Fight For Honours W. Booth and the ex-Xew Zealander George Price are having a close contest, so far, for first place among successful Sydney trainers. Although the current season has not reached the half-way mark, Booth and Price have already cleared away from their fel-low-trainers, and there appears to be every prospect of their carrying on the good work. Booth was well ahead until the summer carnival, but, although ho won a race on each of the four days, Price landed a double each day, and is now only' one behind. Booth’s tally is lc firsts, 8 h seconds, and 3 thirds, while Price’s is 17 firsts, 4 seconds, and 5i thirds. Reckoned on stakes won, however, Price’s figures are nearly 50 per cent, better than Booth's, as 13 horses from his stable have earned stakes amounting to £10,144, while? 14 from Booth’s have credited him with £7,205. Of Price’s gatherings, New Zealandbred horses have accounted for £6,2<ft Veilmond contributing £3,236, Gesto £1,879, Reonui £6UO and Peacemaker £490, while the Auckland* owned imported horse Tidal contr *~l uted £7BO. The only New Zealander among Booth’s lot is The Banker, vfi® has earned £9OO. Good Time Ahead Invariably at one time or anot s? a trainer will experience what is erally termed in this racing aine fc . bad spin,” and included in this c a~* gory at tne present is the Avonoaj trainer, J. W. Cathro, whose tew** rather depleted just now. Under charge is Mauriaena, the only performer in the stable, and a P«r juveniles whose careers are promising, one a filly by LucU i from Wairarapa, and the other a co by Hades from The Kettle. The form® e. half-sister to Auriculus and aena, is a compactly-built young® e. bit on the small side. She has b through a very' serviceable prepare e nd all going well will race in the year-old events at Takapuna thism under the name of WaimurL Skim • is the name chosen for The Hades and he will carry the? colours of • I Corbett, better known as the OVVI } Scat This voungster was by Trainer Cathro at the BaaO* sales last Easter, and his a PP e f*J 0 n only is every justification for with him. He is of a different - . from the filly, having plenty of * and more size than the average ru two-year-olds. while he is cons ! tionally more robust now t^ian r> a^ s jblf other stage of liis education. F *- rin g i the autumn will see him commen » to show his worth.