Review Of the Ashhurst Form

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 880, 25 January 1930, Page 12

Review Of the Ashhurst Form

BLIMP COMING GOOD HOPWOOD AGAIN SECOND Special to THE SUN PALMERSTON N., Friday. Although overshadowed by the I Trentham meeting, the one-day fix--1 ure of the Ashliurst-Pohangina Raci ing Club on Anniversary Day proved j to be a. most successful venture, and j the officials of the club have every reason to congratulate themselves on securing the holiday date, which had been discarded by the Foxton Club. Despite the fact that they have to be content with but one racing fixture a year, the Ashliurst Club is a very live body, and that enterprise is not lacking on their part was evidenced by the fact that they offered the substantial amount of £1,710 in stake money at the past fixture. During the past 12 months the officials of the Ash hurst Club have carried out a number of improvements to their property, the transfer of the sixfurlong post so as to permit of a long run down the back straight before negotiating the turn, proving probably the most important. The field in the Hack Hurdles was materially weakened by the defection of Omeo, Vinella and Rouex, but the manner in which Aurora Borealis smothered the opposition at the business end made it appear as though the Day Comet mare would have been difficult under any circumstances. Aurora Borealis had been brought home after making an attempt to attain Wellington Cup honours, but without result, and she thus signalled her re-entry to the ranks of the jumpers very auspiciously. To date this season the mare has won four times and run second on three occasions, her stake winnings amounting to the satisfactory figure of £685. Borsalene, who made her debut as a hurdler at Marton. where she ran two promising races—being out in front for the greater portion of the journey on both occasions—went still better at Ashliurst. A. Hobson returned from Trentham to ride her, and he had the Acre mare nicely placed throughout. Turning for home, the leaders ran a shade wide, and Hobson pushed his mount through on the rails, to land first over the final fence. He appeared to be riding quite confidently when he found Aurora Borealis, who had been steadily gathering up the leaders, in hot pursuit, but a spirited effort failed to hold the late challenger off. However, Borsalene might well get on the winning list in the near future, when the company is not too strong, for she has pace and is now jumping much better. More Honest Now The much boomed Paiko appears to be at last producing the good thing which he had been reported capable of doing in private, for he folloived up his second at Foxton by scoring in the Maiden Stakes at Ashliurst. On the earlier occasion he had been compelled to accord Quinola a big start and he had just failed to reach the Quin Abbey filly. The manner in which the Chief Ruler gelding finished on at Ashhurst makes it evident he should be heard of again. Black Acre and Lucretia made the pace right into the straight in the Maiden Stakes, where General Gas and Spearform joined in. The pacemakers could not hold off the challengers, but with General Gas promising to be the winner, Paiko came on the scene to beat him home comfortably. General Gas is a rangy type of animal who might do better on a larger course, while Spearform shows steady improvement and, as he had to come from further back than the first and second place-getters, his turn should not be long.

C. Goulsbro, the rider of Paiko, was on the mat at tlie conclusion of the Maiden Stakes and his climb up the stairs to the judicial room cost him £5. It appears that he had been engaged to ride Pont D’Or, but unknown to the apprentice rider, his employer had made other arrangements. However, the monetary loss was quickly recovered for he later steered three of his mounts to victory, a double on Abbey Queen being included. Since his promotion to the open ranks Hopwood has proved to be somewhat unlucky and another second was added to his record in the open sprint at Ashhurst. The Bisogne gelding, while he did not get away as smartly as might have been desired, was well enough placed at the distance to win had he been good enough, but Moa Bird, who had been promising to produce something like her old form at any moment, finished all too strongly for the Taranaki sprinter. With the majority of the “guns” engaged at Trentham, the boys had a great day at Ashhurst and, while some rode quite well, others were somewhat the reverse. A. Dick, who piloted Moa Bird, handled his mount very judiciously and it was unfortunate that the mishap in the Hack Cup should have necessitated his admission to hospital. When Birkbeck and Daylass fell it momentarily appeared as though another nasty accident had been added to the growing list for, although C. Stratton, the rider of Birkbeck, was quickly on his feet, Dick remained outstretched. Although he was transported to hospital, it was found that he had escaped with abrasions and a shaking. The hack scurry produced a field of 14 runners and quite a number said goodbye to their prospects at the barrier rise, not because of an indifferent start, but due to the fact that -they left in line and had but a short distance to go before reaching the first turn. Abbey Queen and Tapestry, who are usually smart beginners, found low marbles a distinct advantage and forced their way to the .front crossing the top. Of those drawn wide out, Joy Germ was the only one to get near the winner, the favourite, Tea Taster, finishing outside the first half dozen. Green Acre, who failed to draw a good marble, did well under the circumstances to finish sixth, and the public selected her as their favourite for the Komako Hack Handicap—a six furlong event. However, while she made a creditable showing, the Acre mare found Abbey Queen too good for her in the run home, a penalty of lOlbs failing to halt the daughter of Quin Abbey, who appears to be now at the top of her form. Lackham made a reentry to the active ranks in the former event, after having been engaged in stud duties for several seasons, and the son of Roi I-lerode absolutely refused to gallop with his field. Blimp’s Ups And Downs A change of scene quite often proves beneficial to horses and Blimp has proved no exception. In the early portion of the 1928-29 season, Blimp was a great stake winner for his original owner, Dr. M. G. Louisson, of Christchurch, the horse winning £1,175 in stakes, apart from three cups of the value of £250. Later purchased by Mr. C. T. Keeble at a tall figure, Blimp displayed a slump in form thereafter, although he was still under his original mentor at Awapuni, and it was not till he was transferred to Woodville that he showed a return to form. Since being in H. E. Fussell’s care, the Gasbag gelding has dead-heated for first in the Gothard Memorial at Woodville and won the Foxton and Ashhurst Cups. The Foxton effort was but a repitition of his 1929 success, it being apparent that the sandy track of the seaside course is to his liking. With the advent of rain prior to "Wednesday it was surprising to find him returning his backers such a good price in the Ashhurst Cup for he invariably revels in heavy going. The first portion of the Ashhurst

Cup contest was run at a particularly slow pace and it was not till the leaders had turned into the back that the pace quickened up. Avro stole a break on the field crossing the top and the Warplane gelding just failed to hold off Blimp in the run home. Neither The Swell, who had been installed favouite, or Otairi ran up to expectations, but Billion ran another honest race without being good enough to improve on his run of minor placings. The allocating of a hack cup to the Manawatu Gorge Handicap created considerable interest among owners and trainers and it was unfortunate that the one mishap of the day should have occurred in the event. Briar Root, who has been racing fruitlessly in open company under a light scale, returned to minor company to register an overdue victory. A. Hobson had her placed nicely throughout and she finished strongly. Her connections will now be encouraged to go on with her, it having been the owner’s intention to turn her out had she failed once again. Although the conditions did not altogether suit Kilorell, the vigorous riding of C. Goulsbro saw the Kilbroney gelding run a particularly good race and he was flying at the finish. Democratic was one of the unlucky runners for lie was squeezed out at the start, and had considerable leeway to make up thereafter. The effort required in the run home told, and the Thurnham gelding weakened to be beaten into third place. The starting of Mr. A. Vincent was excellent throughout and it was most unfortunate that the final event—which was started from immediately in front of the stands —should have been spoiled by two of the fancied division being badly left. Cerf, who is usually inclined to be fractious at the barrier, hipped round at the wrong moment to cannon into Thrift, who in turn interfered with Bonogne. Cerf recovered quickly, but the other pair were left to tail along in the rear and a lot of money went west a.s a result, for while Cerf went on to win, Thrift, who had been installed favourite, was last to finish.