ACTIVITIES RESUMED HERE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 916, 8 March 1930, Page 13

ACTIVITIES RESUMED HERE

Country Circuit Opened WITH the popular country circuit opening at Ashhurst on Wednesday, followed closely by the Hawke’s Ba-v twoday function, the way will be paved for Thames and Waikato, which are looming largely on the trotting horizon. Owners and trainers are renewing activities at Epsom and Otahuhu, while in other parts of the province preparations arc being prosecuted briskly in view of the manj - fixtures ahead.

Adding To the Team W. Nightingale has an. addition to j his Onehunga team in the Great Yudubon mure Typist. It is some ieasons since Linotype’s daughter has showh any form and the painstaking trainer will tind his new charge a stiff proposition. Typist lias still plenty of speed for a short burst, but seems I a difficult mare to train, and her pros- ‘ pects of going a journey are not too rosy. A Bit Of Bad Luck Evelyn Locanda was doing nicely I since the Otahuhu fixture and was I booked to receive a special | preparation for the big event at Wellington this month. By a bad stroke of luck the Brent Locanda mare on Wednesday, came in contact with a barb-wire fence receiving leg injuries •which will keep her quiet for a few days. However, if she makes a speedy recovery the mare will make the trip to Hutt Park under W. Nightingale. In Good Order Pavlova, who has improved out of *ll knowledge recently and whose victory on the opening day of the Otahuhu meeting was well anticipated by the public, is in good order for her Palmerston North and Hastings trip. The black mare leaves tomorrow night in charge of lan Morrison and will be driven in her Southern engagements by Andy Bryce. She should pick up a stake before returning home as she is working brightly on the track. A Useful Pacer At Otahuhu, Mountain Princess is doing her work so kindly that ownertrainer Foley is disposed to tackle the Manawatu-Hawke's Bay trip. This mare is solid and consistent and all things being equal, Blue Mountain King’s daughter will win a race on the circuit. Her rosiest prospects at present appear to be in the short race at Hastings, but it will not be surprising to find her staying out a long journey. Promising Novice Parrish Belle is trotting steadily at headquarters for trainer C. G. Lee and providing the youngster elects to step away correctly in her initial essay at Ashhurst next week, she will give her rivals something to do to head her off. If the purple-bred three-year-old gets beaten, it will bo on the score of lack of racing experience, a feature that often brings about the downfall of maiden performers. But an early defeat should not give her admirers much cause for alarm. To Have Another Show Goldman, who sorely disappointed his party when he failed badly in the middle race on the concluding day of the Otahuhu fixture, was given a short respite after the meeting. The old Gold Bell gelding was taken up again this week and will be given .another chance to make amends at the Thames function. An Improving Pair \V. Willetts has Nathaniel and Oliver Thorpe looking in good trim for future engagements and they should not be long in repaying the careful trainer for his unsparing attention. Nathaniel shaped particularly well at the Otahuhu fixture In the improvers* class and on the country circuit he will have a splendid chance of earning something toward his keep. Getting Them In Shape A. Julian has taken charge of the trotting mare Nelson Girl and she is working steadily at Alexandra Park. When last seen in public the Te Awamutu-owned mare displayed, bad

breaking tendencies, but under the Green Lane trainer’s care she promises to mend her wilful ways. “Tartar” is also knocking the pacer Gold Treasure into shape and he should be ready for one of the later country fixtures. Puzzling His Party R. Saunders is endeavouring to straighten Lord Haldane up after his disappointing efforts at the recent Otahuhu carnival. The ex-pacer refused to go away correctly on either day, consequently he was never in the picture. When he settles down properly to the the Good Gift gelding may prove equal to capturing another stake or two. In the

meantime, backers will think twice before spending much on him in the way of investments. Wellsford’s Hope Good reports are to hand of the doings of the Wellsford representative Gumdigger and if he is nearly as good as his admirers imagine, he will win more than one race on the ManawatuIlnwke’s Bay trip. The Gold Bell colt is not lacking in racing experience, and this will stand him in good stead when he* tackles the more advanced company next week. His only trouble

appears to be slowness off the mark, and. in the cup grade at Hastings this will tend to jeapordise his prospects. Useful When In The Humour Although he has not sported silk since the Te Aroha meeting the Cam-bridge-owned and trained Dealer, is pleasing his party by the manner in which he is stepping out in his work. It is unfortunate tor W. Saunders that this pacer is of the moody type, as with, reliability on his side he would win a lot of good races. The Hawke’s Bay Cup field will suit him admirably, and if caught in the right humour it will take something pretty good to beat him. His trot at the Cambridge Show this week proves he is in the best order. Should Do Bette* Zealous claims an engagement in the big race at Hastings, but her Te Aroha exhibition would suggest that a shorter course will be more to her liking. The Te Awamutu mare is a smart beginner and if reserved for a ten or twelve furlong heat would have a fine chance of earning a stake. She may do better over a journey later on, as she is a promising sort when wound up to concert pitch. Speedy—But Erratic Arachne won the Hawke’s Bay Cup last June like a real classy pacer and it* was generally expected that she would continue to improve to such an extent that she would reach high grade company before the present season was far advanced. The Logan Pointer mare, however, has developed bad barrier* habits, with the result she has not won a heat since. If J. Shaw can get her to hop out again as she did at Hastings, Mrs. Sweetapple would have a fine chance of adding another gold cup to her collection. Should Improve Nothing much has been heard of Inverness since the Hamilton spring fixture, but if the rough pacer has improved as anticipated, there should be splendid opportunities for the Te Awamutu owner collecting a prize. He is a big gelding that looked as if he would require plenty of time, so should be ready for the fray when next asked to sport silk. The Trouble Located W. J. Brain has located the trouble which kept Haroto from the races during the last two months and succeeded in extracting an ugly looking piece of glass from the gelding’s foot. The Norminston gelding made his appearance yesterday at Alexandra Park, where he will be prepared by his owner for later engagements. Holiday Ended J. McKendrick has brought Student Prince in from the paddock and judging by the robust condition of Blue Mountain King’s son, he h; | been “in clover” during his holiday. x£ the Prince can be kept sound when the hard work period comes round, he should find something to his liking on the country circuit as he is endowed with the family speed. First flight, in the same stable, is doing O.K. and will not be long in making amends for recent defeats.

Working In Saddle Jim O’Kane is pegging away with Don Juan and the pacer continues to hit out well in sprint assays at headquarters. J. Cockle has been giving the half-brother to Jewel Pointer, a spin in saddle and Don shows an appreciation of this style of work. He is a good type of saddle merchant and when he strikes a field where the society is not over select, will have a chance of breaking his “duck.” Speed—But Lacks Stamina Although Gaza is no oil painting he is not shy of speed up to a certain distance and in a sprint race in the country the son of Our Thorpe might effect a surprise. Owner-trainer Mahoney is keeping the big gelding going regularly at Epsom and he deserves to meet with some reward for his trouble. So far ten furlongs has been a shade too far for Gaza, but he may yet be equal to pullin 0 out the last pinch.