Treasury"—or Will it be Hunting Boy?

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 971, 14 May 1930, Page 12

Treasury"—or Will it be Hunting Boy?

Second Division of Puma Hack BRILLIANT LIGHT IN FIRST Most owners like to win races on their home course, especially if they happen to be officially connected in any way with the club conducting the local meeting. It is a pardonable human weakness that far-seeing punters should be able to take full advantage of. For instance, there was the case of In the Shade, an Australian-bred gelding, who was taken to Wanganui last February to win the Wanganui Cup for his owner, Mr. W. S. Glenn (who is a committeeman of the Wanganui Jockey Club), erstwhile politician and a forward of the one and only All Blacks—the 1905 team. Incidentally Mr. Glenn played in the scrum, a position which E. A. Beilis (more familiarly known as “Moke"), In his sarcastic moments, when wanting his men to get the ball out, was wont to refer to as the “labour party.” Tomorrow the ex-member for Rangitikei will endeavour to hook the ball again—but this time let it be a golden ball, he says. For Treasury And if nomenclature is to be taken as a guide, he will have the equine material to do it with, too. This is Treasury, the speedy three-year-old son of Grandcourt, one of Auckland’s fastest hacks over a short journey. Treasury will be on hand tomorrow to contest the second division of the Purua Plack, and one might have wished that it was tire first division. Why the first division? Well that seems the easier to win. In the second division there is a hack called Hunting Boy, who is already above the hack class, and good enough to take on open sprint company. As his name signifies Hunting Boy is one of the successful Hunting Song tribe. A.i Feilding the first day he was produced in the Ongo Hack, six furl'ongs, and he finished fourth three lengths behind the winner, Callapat, with Equitant separating them. This was his first race for some time, and his second race will be run tomorrow. Obviously he was wanting a race when he competed at Feilding. In that event he was right up with the leaders at the home turn, and it was only hit* gameness that triumphed over condi tion and enabled him to finish so close up. Beat Brilliant Light The day before Brilliant Light went to Plawera to win the second division of the six-furlong hack, there the first day, Hunting Boy beat him in a track trial, and beat him comfortably. Seeing that Brilliant Light won so easily at Hawera last Thursday, that makes Hunting Boy out to be pretty good. Incidentally the handicapper, Mr. PI. Coyle, has given Hunting Boy the same weight as he carried at Feilding, so in keeping him up to the top it is evident that this handicapper is not taking any chances with a hack that he knows is pretty good. So that the problem to be solved now is as to whether punters should be with Treasury or Plunting Boy tomorrow. A spin of the coin might after all be the easiest way out. Great Early Speed If Treasury should catch the jumpout and his rider makes the most of it it should be a case of good night for the others. But not having the crystal to gaze into to see the future one can only assume that this will be R. S. Bagby’s instructions —go to the front and stop there! It is natural to expect such a brilliant beginner as Treasury to lead out of the tapes, but it was not the case each day at Avondale. There his rider each day tried to get the jump-out and anticipate the starter, and as a result that official apparently saw that he didn’t get away with a fly. In each race at the suburban course Treasury actually dwelt slightly at the rise of the barrier; on the second day he was the last to leave. So might not the same thing happen tomorrow? Even if it does, it is what backers have to put up with, for they have no redress. So much depends on the starter and the rider. If the latter broadcasts to the starter that he is going to try for a fly, that official

will be quite within his rights in seeing that he doesn’t get it. May Lead All The Way A great deal depends at Wanganui upon ability to begin, for there is a two-furlong bend to negotiate less than two furlongs after the straight run-out from the barrier at the six. and then a short furlong sprint home. Those who have seen Treasury race will appreciate how this track will suit the Takanini sprinter if he succeeds in getting clear of the field early. At Avondale each day it was only after the field had travelled some distance that Treasury hit the front, and apparently this does not agree with him. A glance at the field in the second division of tomorrow’s Purua Hack shows that there is nothing capable of beating Treasury for pace over the early part, and for that reason the Takanini gelding is selected as the likely one to defeat Hunting Boy. Brilliant Light Again Brilliant Light ran two rattling good races at Hawera last week, and with his half-stone penalty he should be capable of almost winning the first division tomorrow. There are some speedy ones against him, but if the Australian Sun gelding can hold his position over the first half-mile there should be plenty of room in the straight for him to overtake the leaders. This hack used to race in the colours of his trainer. J. T. Jamieson and it will be something more of a coincidence if both Brilliant Light and Jamieson’s present charge. Treasury, win the division races at Wanganui tomorrow. Here’s hoping at any rate —“Early Bird.” ANOTHER HECTOR GRAY * If there is anything in a name, a youngster apprenticed to It. E. Hatch at Awapuni is destined to go a long ' way, for he boasts the name of Hector Francis Gray. Although he gives one the impresson of having a fairly large frame for a lightweight, the future might find him carrying on a name which has become very familiar to New Zealanders.