Turf Notes

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 889, 5 February 1930, Page 12

Turf Notes

CONDUCTED BY

“EARLY BIRD”

Paid His Way! Consistency has been a feature ot' King’s Guard’s efforts since he met with success at the Great Northern meeting last June, and he has an enviable record, one that his Cambridge owner, R. Hannon, can be justly proud of. Under silk on no less than 10 occasions since he came out in the winter, he returned six wins, four seconds, one third and five unplaced performances, the stakemoney attaching to his triumphs resulting in £2,572 —surely a splendid total for eight months’ racing. There is something of the Beau Cavalier in the way he does it, too, for a winner over steeples and hurdles he beat a number at their own game at Takapuna on the fiat.

Unlucky Both Days Hast away, and then buffeted from pillar to post—that was the run Maori Boy got in the seven furlongs on the first day at Takapuna. He unwound a fine burst over the last couple of furlongs and beat all but Mithra and Sir Russell, only to have third place taken away in the weighing room through the boy failing to draw the correct weight. He was at a splendid price, too, and it was significant that the odds shrank to a third in the main event on Saturday. H. Goldfinch had the ride, and for a horse of Maori Boy’s undisputed pace it was surprising to see him tailing the field at the end of two furlongs. From the top, however, he began to make up his leeway and at the turn was very handy, though failing to reach Royal Doulton by a small margin in the run home. Maori Boy is capable of further improvement, and should his owner-trainer decide on handicaps at one or two of the provincial meetings it will surprise if this son of Lucullus does not earn a winning stake in his next few starts.

Will Improve With Age Onlv a moderate display was credited to Biddy Comet on the opening day at Takapuna, but a particularly smart four-furlong sprint on the eve of the second day’s racing gave the connections of the three-year-old encouragement to fancy their charge in the Moana Handicap. He was never farther back than fourth; in fact, was right on terms with the leaders at the turn, only to collapse in the last furlong and be in fourth place. Biddy Comet ranks as an own sister to Biddy’s Boy and races in the same partnership as the latter. This is the filly’s first season on the Turf, and with improved stamina as she ages she may eventually be a good stake-earner for F. E. Loomb’s stable.

Shaped Well After an absence of several months from racing Sir Mond made a reappearance on his home course at Takapuna, and he raced decently until his condition told. Ele is a big, gross horse who looked much above himself at the Shore, but kept up to the mark henceforth he should soon be showing the form of last season which gave the impression that he was a real good one in the making. Sir Mond is an Australian-bred gelding, by Seremond (Mollison’s sire), from Lute String, and he carries the colours of the Hon. E. \V. Alison. Formerly the four-year-old did his racing under F. Gilchrist, but he now forms one of W. J. Wilson’s string. Home of Jumpers

At Wanganui the Awapuni jumping team is increased by the inclusion of Elicit, Red Fuchsia, Aurora Borealis and First Ruler. The first named was given a run in the maiden race at Ashliurst, when the Elysian gelding ran quite a fair race to finish seventh and, as he looks in wonderful order, it should not be long before he strikes top form. Red Fuchsia may be given an outing on the flat at Taranaki prior to essaying the hurdles at Wanganui. Aurora Borealis has done wonderfully well since being put to the jumping game and her record to date over the battens this season is four firsts and three seconds. Although she is again mixing her racing, she appears to be thriving on it. for she carried her 11.2 to victory at Ashliurst in commendable fashion. First Ruler >

Awapuni presented the first of the Paper Money family to essay honours over the sticks in Otairi, and it would now appear that the Chief Ruler tribe will be similarly represented in the near future, for A. Quinlivan is furthering the education of First Ruler. She was jumped last week by A. H. Burt, giving quite a promising display, but it appears a little premature entering for the jumping events at Wanganui, for, apart from the fact that she is hardly experienced enough, the mare is not yet sufficiently seasoned to permit of her racing in such strong company and over a mile and three-quarters of ground without injury to herself. One For Tomorrow

Blue Paper, who returned her supporters a great price when she scored in the final event at the Wellington fixture, is down to make her next appearance a tthe Taranaki meeting, with Wanganui to follow. The Paper Money filly took some time to recover her form after having had a cold, but as she has undoubted pace, it should not be long before she is again heard from. Mister Gamp Piuthair and Mister Gamp have been accorded nominations in both the Taranaki and Wanganui Cup contests. The Kilbroney mare fulfilled a strong working gallop on the plough yesterday morning, while Mister Gamp, with R. Reed in the saddle, jumped off at the mil© post on the same track to run the first three furlongs in 38, five furlongs in 1.4 and the full journey in 1.45. As lie had not been up any great length of time, his failures at Trentham were not ; altogether surprising. Mixing It Democratic had been nominated for both the Waitara Hurdles and th*» Okato Hack Handicap at Taranaki, and it was not . surprising to find the Thurnham gelding prefer the flat event, particularly as the stable has Vinella to represent it in the jumping contest. At Ashliurst Democratic was one of the unlucky runners in the mile and a distance race, being squeezed out at the start and he suffered as the result of Birkbeck and Daylass falling. While he has yet to win on the flat in hack company, handicappers are now taking no risks with him and he is getting his full measure of weight. Stays Well Kilorell has been accorded a nomination in the Wanganui Cup, but the precaution has been taken of also nominating him for the Victory Hack Handicap. While the Kilbroney gelding has not always repeated his track form in his races, the manner in which he finished on at Ashliurst and more recently at Pahiatua makes it appear as though he might yet make good when he has a track to his liking. As he does not act well in heavy going, it is problematical whether the sandy course at Wanganui will suit him. Awapuni’s Taranaki Hopes Conditions were excellent for training operations at Awapuni yesterday morning, the trial grass and the plough being open, but the big majority elected to carry out their tasks on the dirt track, telegraphs our Palmerston North correspondent. The increasing popularity of the horse float as a means of transportation of horses to and from district fixtures was demonstrated yesterday morning, when the majority of the local candidates for Taranaki left at an early hour by motor en route for New Plymouth. Awapuni supplies eight candidates at New Plymouth, and of the number only Piuthair' and Callanmore were seen in action prior to their departure. Mrs. McDonald took Red Fuchsia, Blue Paper and Airforce through; L. Knapp, Vinella and Democratic, and J. P. Coyle Mister Gafnp, by motor. Piuthair, who figures in the Taranaki Cup, jumped off beyond the seven furlongs post on the plough to pick up j Malahat and Merry Melody at the ; six furlongs post. The Cup candidate i was in front the whole way and drew i right away in the straight to run the i last six furlongs in 1.20. In the event | of the New Plymouth tracks being ! heavy, Piuthair may be a doubtful starter. T. Green and K. Voitre will possibly share the light-weight riding for the R. E„ Hatch and J. T. Jamieson stables. T. Metcalf will make the trip through to New Plymouth, although his engagements are not available. This horseman will go South to Dunedin on Tuesday to ride Amor in the Cup and Leader in the sprint. C. W. France went on from Takapuna to the Gisborne fixture, while C. Broughton went direct to the same meeaing on Monday, where he will pilot San Quex, Plain Sailing and Coonardo.

WANGANUI NOTES

MASK NOT TO RACE TILL SPRING Special to THE SUX WANGANUI, Tuesday. With so much rain falling during December and January, it is not to be wondered at that the Wanganui tracks are in exceptionally good order for this time of the year, there being a splendid growth of grass. With a couple of good showers between now and the local meeting next week conditions should be practically perfect so far as the course is concerned. Yesterday morning the weather was real summer for track work, but there was not much of an interesting nature, though a couple of gallops may be taken as indications for the meeting next week. Before breakfast Abbey Queen trotted and worked at half pace. Auctioneer was associated with Pedestal in an effort over seven furlongs, the former having the. advantage at the finish, though they were only travelling at three-quarter pace. Pedestal went well. Maiden Candidates After breakfast Arisus was accompanied by the Callaghan filly from W. H. Dwyer’s stable in a sprint over three furlongs, Arisus having the advantage at the finish in 38, which was just fair time on the hurdle track. Valma and Potoaform did not travel as fast as was expected in covering five furlongs in 1.5. One of the pair will be seen out in the Maiden Race next week. Zarene, looking as if she had made a good recovery after her trip to Trentham, was given trotting and half

pace work, while Paratoo’s tasks were of a light nature.

From a barrier start on number one track Tres Chic and Soviet, two of Gasbag’s progeny in Frank Lind’s stable, took 51 4-5 to run four furloligs, the first two occupying a shade under 27. They both moved freely. Fernden, who will contest the Flying Handicap next week, was not asked to go better than three-quarter pace, hitting out freely. Now promoted to open company, Fernden should not be long in showing his pace. Owing to the fact that lie recently jarred himself, Star Area has not done any strong work lately, his tasks being confined to trotting and hill work. He may not be a starter at the meeting, everything depending on how he goes on in the interim. Walter llayner had Mask, Ceremony and drastic on the tracks during the morning, the trio showing the benefit they had received from their respite from active work. Mask lias been out at Koatanui since last August, while Ceremony’s spell extended to six weeks and drastic was in the paddock for three weeks. Mask is very burly and will be got ready for early spring racing, while Ceremony and Drastic will be prepared for the Easter meeting at Ellers - lie. With Pedestal appearing to go on all right it would be pleasing to see Walter Rayner have a better run of luck than has been his experience during the present season. All the visiting horses to race at the Taranaki meeting, with the excep-

tioit of the Hawera contingent and The Hawk and Chrysology, # had arrived at New Plymouth tonight. Royal Routine is the only defection so far, he having been scratched for all engagements. The name of the Sheffield filly in tlie Ngamotu Hack is Kissless, while the Bisogne—Waitui gelding engaged on Saturday is named Rai. REMINDERS Acceptances for all first day events at the annual meeting of the Rotorua Racing Club on Saturday and Monday week, February 15 and 17, close on Friday next, at 9 p.m., with the secretary, Mr. E. La Trobe Hill, Rotorua, or at 5 p.m. the /same day, with Mr. A. ,T. Farquhar, secretary of the Avondale Jockey Club, Auckland. Handicaps for the annual meeting of the Dargaville Racing Club (February 22 and 24) are due next Monday, and acceptances close with the secretary, Mr. J. P. Stanaway, Dargaville, on Friday, February 14. Nominations for the Te Arolia Jockey Club’s annual fixture on March 1 and 3 close with the secretary, Mr. G. A. Bush, To Arolia, or with Messrs. Blomfield and Co., Auckland, at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 12. For the annual meeting of the Franklin Racing Club at Pukekolie on March 8 entries will be taken up to 5 P.m. on Wednesday, February 19, with tlie secretary, Mr. A. P. Daysh, Pukekohe, or with Mr. A. J. Farquhar, Avondalo Jockey Club, Auckland. Entries for all events at the annual meeting at Paeroa on Saturday and Monday, March 15 and 17 (St. Patrick’s Day), of the Oliinemuri Jockev Club are due at 9 p.m. with the secretary, Mr. H. Poland, Paeroa, or with Messrs. Blomfield and Co., Auckland. Nominations for the Bay of Plenty Jockey Club meeting at Tauranga on March 22 close on Tuesday, March 4, at 5 p.m., with the secretary. Mr. S. G. Willcock, Tauranga. or with Messrs. Blomfield and Co.. Auckland.