TRENTHAM TOPICS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 920, 13 March 1930, Page 14

TRENTHAM TOPICS

HORSES IN THE BOOM FOR THOMPSON RED HECKLE AND EAGLET * Special to THE SLA WELLINGTON, Wednesday, i As a result of a brilliant six furlongs ! gallop at Riccarton on Tuesday, Red | Heckle now heads the quotations for j the Thompson Handicap. He has been ; one of the ruling favourites at WellingI ton for Saturday’s big mile race since the declaration of weights, and the | general opinion here is that he will I take a power of beating. Red Heckle is not a good beginner, I and in some quarters it is feared that inability to begin smartly, so as to take up a handy position early, will militate against his chance. But it must be remembered that he held the speedy Flair at all stages in his final gallop. Both Red Heckle and Flair are trained by F. Christmas, and consequently the stable double is in much demand. Flair is in the Railway with a handy weight, and those who saw the daughter of Psychology inflict an easy defeat on the Trial Stakes field at Riccarton last month are confident that she will make a bold showing in Saturday’s big sprint. Promising Filly Flair has always been regarded as a filly of much promise. Early in the spring she revealed marked brilliance in her races, and so impressed were her connections by her showings that at one time it was almost decided to send her to Elierslie to oppose Pink Coat and Eaglet in the Great Northern Guineas. Perhaps one- of her best efforts in the spring was a second to Pink Coat in the Farewell Handicap at Ashburton. Pink Coat won easily, but he got a break at the barrier, whereas Flair was squeezed back at the start, and was soon in a hopeless position. But this did not prevent her from registering an excellent performance. From a rearward position she unwound a dazzling run, and for over three furlongs maintained an amazing burst of speed. She was three lengths behind Pink Coat at the post, but in the circumstances that obtained, her effort was really remarkable. With A. Eastwood in the saddle, she must have a rare chance on Saturday. St. Leger All Over? Early in the present week the Hastings trainer, J. Cameron, decided against bringing Hunting Cry to Trentham, and in the absence of the Hunting Song gelding the St. Leger looks a foregone conclusion for Waterline. The Riccarton three-year-old arrived at Trentham today in excellent condition, and promises to start a warm favourite lor this week’s classic. R. Coveny, whose other engagements at the carnival include Ball Dress, Lord Thomond, and Full Feather, rides Waterline in the St, Leger. Concentrate has firmed since the week-end for the Thompson Handicap. The Kilbroney gelding has been allotted several sprinting tasks lately, and has been showing speed in halfmile spurts. In most of his races he has been able to assume a leading position in the first furlong, and there seems to be no reason why he should not be prominent throughout the Thompson. Star Stranger Star Stranger is in the Thompson Handicap at a very handy weight, but, like several others, he will not begin speedily enough to be prominent early. However, the race should sharpen _him up for the Trentham Gold Cup, run on Monday, and ho promises to play an important part in the decision of the two-mile race. R. S. Bagby will pilot the Martian gelding in his engagements at the carnival.

it was stated early in the week that the Hamilton trainer, M. Carroll, had brought Glena Bay and Paganelli to Trentham. Glena Bay, however, did not come south, and Paganelil had as travelling companion Wenday. It is doubtful whether Paganelli has ever looked so well as at present, and indications are that the Lord Quex gelding will stage a great battle for supremacy with Cimabue in the North Island Challenge Stakes.

Historic continues to please trackwatchers at Trentham, without registering any scorching gallops, but an impression here is that the Nassau gelding will find it hard to win the Thompson. Still, he won the Winter Cup at Kiccarton in August like a high-class galloper, and he would not need to improve a great deal on that effort to make his presence felt in Saturday’s event. 33. H. Morris has been commissioned to pilot the gelding. Paquito continues to firm for the Thompson Handicap, and if he sprints well tomorrow he will gain additional admirers for Saturday’s race. Jh. J Bliis will have the mount on the Thurnham gelding. Ellis’s other mounts on the opening day include CharmainCj First .Money, and Dunravern The last-named’s weight in li'Yo 01 'th Island Challenge Stakes is 80 that he will carry a few pounds overweight. F. D.. Jones, trainer of the himond youngster, has not been satisfied with the way he has been shaping in recent races. So far he has been tried in front, but in the Challenge he will be given ample time to get on his feet. Limerick, Dunravens brother, was a poor galloper when sent to the front, and it is thought that Dunraven will do better tiom- behind. t , A horse which has c6me into favour 101 tlie Kail way this Week is First bi 01 33 J ’ t W m CI Y S , trained at Trentham Murtagh. He is not badlv ti'ff , 7 - 6 ' and uo doubt the fact mat L. J. Ellis has accepted the mount the has caused backers on the lookout for a likely outsider to suph™. At his best First Money therl d hav ? an unde niable chance, as there are few speedier horses in the country over five furlongs than the Paper Money three-year-old. Word for Eaglet from 0 n'I U nu raWal o£ 1,1 the Shade tiom the lhompson Handicap has caused his stable mate, Eaglet to shorten considerably for the big mile lace. If in anything like the form she ie\ ealed in the spring she is going to dtv° h”! ,°K f r7 ardi , nsr °* on °SaturWei ability when fit has never been questioned, and her defeat of the hwbe n ree ; y^ ar " o , ld colt ’ Pink C-oat! i a . ' K; Cleat Northern Guineas at 331 - lei she, showed her class. But the problem that is baffling most South! erners is whether or not she has -e----!b!S' e< ? the . standa i' d of form that enJeve?al wi est , ablish a sequence of tbl 2- . , early 111 the season. At the weights, however, she is at a bi"disadvantage as compared with the favourite, Red Heckle, who is extra well treated with 101 b. under weight! bv‘KPk .Despite this handicap, Eage,. is being selected to put up a big ™ e ,' vlth her 8-2- Her rider has not yet been announced, but it is rumoured that Idee tor Gray will possible have the r ed n nVs? ray ’ V y the way ’ is te be mar! , week, at the conclusion of tlie \\ elhngton carnival. Smart Hack Ruling Chief was greatly boomed when produced at the Wellington summer carnival. He was backed down io a short price for the hack five furlongs on the last day of the fixture, but never looked a w inner at any stage. There was an excuse for him, however, as he did not get the best of runs. Ruling Chief is still thought to be a pro-

mising galloper, and perhaps he will atone for his previous failure at Trentham at the coming carnival. Under a Cloud Duellona, who held an engagement in the New Zealand St. Eeger, has developed a splint and will not race at the meeting. This means that the field will embrace about five three-year-olds at most. Swiftray is likely to be reserved for the Silverstream Plandicap. Charmain© put up such sterling performances at her last three starts that it is difficult to suggest a likely opponent for the sister to Rin-Tin-Tin in the Plunket Nursery Handicap on Saturday. She is exceptionally brilliant over live furlongs, and her defeat of Aspiring in the Middle Park Plate at Riccarton will cause her to start favourite at the week-end. L. J. Ellis will probably have the mount on the youngster. Latest arrivals at Trentham are Star Stranger, Cylinder, Don Quixote. Hunting Day, Paris, Ball Dress, Paquito, Arikiwai, Dunraven, Hurly Burly, Waterline and Full Feather.

It is understood that Taneriri will be ridden in the Thompson Handicap by N. Voitre or C. Goulsbro. Mr. W. Price will officiate at the barrier on Saturday and Monday, as Mr. C. O’Connor 'has been granted a holiday by the stewards of the W.R.C. OPOTIKI FIXTURE Special to THE SUN OPOTIKI , Wednesday. The following- nominations have been received for the Opotiki Jockey Club’s annual meeting at Opotiki on Wednesday week, March 26: Domain Handicap, of £SO, 6 furlongs.— Joy Germ, Taurimu, Otangihaku, Bay Dor, Manifest, Dimmer, lago, Squadron, High Tide, Lady Castlemaine, Cynette, Atapai, Tan, White Ringlet, Claremore, ■Valquette, The Author, Valsier, Bolton Abbey, Rose Willonyx. Waioeka Stakes, of £75; 5 furlongs.— Peter Paul, Climatic, Principal Boy, Golden Pennant, Cyrex, Autumn Sun. Bonser gelding, Trickle, Toboggan, Sumiv Mint, Keystone. Opotiki Cup Handicap, of £175; miles.—Otangihaku, Bay Dor, Valsier, Ivinsel, Flying Prince, Squadron, Good Sport, Day Bass, Autumina, Tall Timber, Mosaic, King Willonyx. Rose Willonyx. Counties Handicap, of £SO; 7 furlongs. —Bryan, Primitive, Otangihaku, Kiwinui, Kaituna, Squadron, Lady Castlemaine, Govely Boy, Winter Boy, Bolton Abbey Macdonald Memorial, of £7O; 6 furlongs.—Joy Germ. Otangihaku, Manifest. Dimmer, Kinsell, Flying Prince, High Tide, Good Sport, Tan, White Ringlet, Valquette, Tall Timber, King Willonyx Bay of Plenty High-weight Handicap, of £SO; 1 mile. —Index, Otangihaku, lakaroa, Valsier, Bady Castlemaine. Good Sport, Autumn Sun, Day Bass, The Author. Sunny Mint. Bolton Abbey, Stonehenge, Mosaic, Rose Willonyx. Borough Hack Handicap, of £SO; 6 fur-longs.—-Taurimu, Bryan, Otangihaku, Bay Dor, Iviwmui, Peter Paul, Climatic, Manifest, lago. Principal Boy, Golden Pennant, High Tide, Muskall Maid, Lynette, Atapai, Tan, Cyrex. Claremore, \ alquette, Winter Boy, Bittle Wonder, Toboggan, Winnington, Rose Willonyx.