AWAPUNI NOTES

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 928, 22 March 1930, Page 12

AWAPUNI NOTES

FEW VISITORS PUT IN AN APPEARANCE R. J. MACKIE FOR TRENTHAM Special to THE SUN PALMERSTON X., Friday. A heavy mist hung over the cour.se prior to breakfast at Awapuni on Thursday morning and there was little of interest attempted. Should the present brilliant weather continue, the track promises to be on the hard side on Wednesday, although the course proper has a good sole of grass and the hoses are operating freely. Visiting trainers already on the scene are: PI. Cutts, with Waterline, Full Feather and Ball Dress; F. D. Jones, with Paquito and Arikiwai; M. Carroll, with Paganelli; J. T. Jamieson, with Vali, Hard Words, Eaglet and Chief Joy; U. Nurse, with Rapier; and W. Stone, with Lord Thomond. As all the members of the contingent had raced at Trentham, they were restricted to pace work on the plough. J. T. Jamieson did not bring In the Shade to Awapuni with the other members of his team, while F. D. Jones sent Dunraven home, the two-year-old having made a disappointing showing at Trentham and it was not .considered worth while bringing him North to fulfil his engagement in the Sires’ Produce Stakes. Incidentally, J. T. Jamieson left for the North after seeing his horses work in order to be in attendance at the Tauranga fixture tomorrow, but will return South on Sunday. Thursday’s Gallops Lackliam (Metcalf), Desert Lad (W. Broughton) and Myola (McDowell! were associated in a six furlongs gallop on the plough, the chestnut stallion being in the van throughout to lead Desert Lad home in 1.20, Myola being some lengths back. Callanmore (Mo *' Dowell and Keddar (W. Broughton) were also partners In a similar task. They cut out the first part of the journey very fast, the first three furlong* being left behind in 37 1-5, and they completed the full distance in 1.18 2-6.

During the breakfast interval Aurora Borealis, with the hurdle horseman, C. Robinson, in the saddle, ran six furlongs on the plough in 1.22 1-5. It had been intended to jump the mare, who claims ap engagement in the Karere Hurdles on Wednesday, but the fences were not in position, the track inside the rails on the course proper having been temporarily given over to two-year-olds. The owner-trainer of Aurora Borealis, F. R. Waller; lias Kangi Sarto back in active work, the Sarto gelding having been serving as a hack for some time past. The old fellow looks very well, if somewhat robust, but his legs are as ungainly as ever. Two others who have come in following upon a beneficial spell are Moutoa Treasury and The Masher, the former being an inmate of J. J. Dowling’s stable and the latter a member of A. Quinlivan’s team.

R. J. Mackie, who has resided in Palmerston North for some years past, purposes transferring to Trentham, sufficient inducements having been made to encourage him to make the change. During his stay in this centre Mackie has taken a keen interest in the boxing school and gymnasium at Awapuni, while he has interested himself in sporting affairs of the town, A regular at tender at the tracks, he should be in demand at Trentham.

The Awapuni course has gained foi* itself a high reputation for its beauty and, while much of it is natural, it has been further enhanced by the hand of man. At the present time the canna lilies, dahlias and roses make a brave show and visitors to the autumn meeting on Wednesday aijd Thursday will, without doubt, be very favourably impressed by their surroundings. The present spell of dry weather, which has left its mark on the tracks, has forcibly brought home the necessity for the installation of water pipes right round the course.