Today’s Turf News

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 984, 29 May 1930, Page 12

Today’s Turf News

Ponjola Gives a Dashing Display

BRILLIANT JUMPING ELLERSLIE SEMI-FINALS Li&ht showers fell at Filers! ie this morning for the semi-final work-outs for the Great Northern meeting opening at Ellerslie on Tuesday next, and the going was soft. There were plenty of gallops on the number one grass, and there were several schools over the hurdles erected on the outside of the course proper, while half a dozen horses went over the full steeplechase course. Outstanding of the trials was a fast and dashing exhibition over the big fences by the Great Northern Steeplechase favourite. Ponjola. who cleared 13 fences in faultless style, never putting a foot wrong. He was accompanied toy Kamehameha and Omeo, these also doing well. Over the hurdles. Elysianor. King's Jest and Mountain Guide did best, and on the flat Honiton. among others, showed pace. Over the Hill The four to go over the steeplechase course, including the hill, when it was opened at 3 0 a.m., were Ponjola (A. Tricklebank), Omeo (L. Jarvis), Kamehamelia (J. Mcßae) and Mangani (H. Dulieu). They started off from the sod wall at the bottom of the straight on the flat, and here Mangani ran tha fence down badly and carted Ponjola off with him. However, they soon i*ecovered. and Ponjola. Kamehamelia, Mangani and Omeo was the order over the second fence, the water jump. Here Omeo had a life, but recovered quickly. They all took the sod wall nicely and also the brush fence, and upon landing Mangani swung sharply and careered down the alley to the mile barrier. The other trio kept on. Kamehameha chancing a hurdle along the back, and they negotiated the fences on top of the hill without a blemish. Ponjola outjumping his companions. The trio were together at the stone wall at the foot of the hill, and over the double they were all in the air in a line, Omeo clouting the top of the second of the double fairly hard. Ponjola led narrowly from Kamehameha and Omeo over the final obstacle, the sod wall, completing a masterly displaj*. Ponjola infused great dash into his Jumping, and at every fence he proved himself superior to his mates. As expected, his outing last Saturday over the steeplechase course was something in the nature of a “sighter,” and this morning lie hesitated not the slightest over the whole round. On today’s effort it looks as if he is going to take a lot of beating next Thursday. Kamehameha Going Well But for being uncertain at one or two fences, Kamehameha gave a fine display. Omeo displayed plenty of pace, but in endeavouring to keep with the ether two he knocked a couple of obstacles fairly hard. In getting into one or two fences Omeo cut himself about and he was lame on cooling off. At present he can be regarded as being under a cloud. Mangani. after running off. was sent after the other three to complete the course, but his jumping lacked confidence. He ran down almost every fence, and his showing was a long way below what he is capable of. Perhaps he will go better if he is given another chance on Saturdaj*. Master Lu (G. Spinks) led Chcsterman (F. McGovern) all the way in a round of the country, starting from the first hurdle along the back and finishing at the brush fence near the mile peg. Master Lu was a bit careful, and improved as he went along, finishing well clear of his companion, who gave an indifferent showing. evidencing a lack of experience. Nevertheless he may improve when next stepped out. The Hurdlers

Sir Archie CE. Stanway) and Kairuri (E. Garrett) shaped well in a bout over four hurdles on the outside oi the course proper, but both hit the last one hard. Two hunters in Twinkler (L. Jarvis) and Absent (D. Craddock), went over four hurdles, the former giving a fair showing and outclassing his companion. who was slow at all his fences. Twinkler’s jumping was quite good. Taumai led all the way in a similar task with Glenstar and finished well clear. He had a life at the first hurdle, but was soon clear of his com- ! panion, who fenced slowly all the way ; after blundering at the second. Glen- I star was a disappointment, but this ; was his first try-out over the Ellerslie I j hurdles. Taumai displayed his usual J dash, but he was none too safe. He cut ; | a hock when jumping, but it is not ; I known if this will seriously affect him. \ Impressive Hurdling i Elysianor (H. Dulieu) and King’s . j Jest (E. Stan way) were the cynosure j of all eyes when they were stepped out to do a complete round of five schooling hurdles. Elysianor cleared the first well clear of the Hawke’s Bay representative, who hesitated but got over smartly when he saw what was wanted. Running to the next obstacle. Elysianor waited for King’s Jest to come up and the latter was again a bit slow ' clearing the battens. From this out King’s Jest jumped splendidly and although he rapped the last he was going . quite as well as Elysianor, who jumped very smoothly. The time was fast. This was King’s Jest’s first acquaintance with the Ellerslie hurdles and it 1 can be said that for a first introduc- j tion he did very well indeed. If lie is : given another school on Saturday he i shoul be deemed almost proficient, for . he ought to go better now that he ! knows the obstacles, which, by the way, j are a bit easier than the real racing hurdles, these having only a slight j lean. Elysianor lost no friends by his showing, for it must be remembered that he had to be held back to his j schooling mate. Mountain Guide (D. Craddock), Quincoma (L. Jarvis) and Kongo were also sent over five hurdles, the firstmentioned leading al the way to beat Quincoma, with Kongo beaten oft. i Mountain Guide continues to do well in his Great Northern Hurdles preparation, and he may prove to be the best of those on the minimum. On the Flat | Eager Rose made an early appearI ance to carve out five furlongs on the ; No. 1 grass (where all gallops eventu- | ated) in 1.8 1-5. ,Shc did it well and could have improved on the time. Ridden by a light boy. Gold Monev ?o? d o° comf 9 r tably over six furlongs in • 1.-9 3-5, while for a lurlong less Avon j Court registered 1.10 1-5. An essay over seven furlongs was | exacted from Corinax and. assisted over the last four and a-half furlongs bj Hannibal, they came home together I °r the former to record 1.38 3-s—time which indicated that they were nor f ? r a test - After passing over the initial two in 29 4-5. Corinax made it . f , or three, and he was running on nicely at the end. Odin and Freyja were partnered for j seven furlongs to return 1.41 3-5. the I bout resulting in a dead-heat. After Breakfast * This completed the pre-breakfas" work and at 8.30 a.m. the first to ap- ! Pear were Operatic and Kawainga. with the former going on better at the end of six furlongs in 1.24.

Gay Cockade again shaped torily, and it looked as if he could v 4 ' done better than 1.23 frHe is very well. “ Respirator. Brampton and a panion were associaied once rcmLf?** the first retired in The straight our of Brampton, who recorded ■>-***• Marble Mount covered a 2.4 3-5. and Waltzer s s-ven took 1.40 2-5. r - 0! S? A Smart Seven Havering, the top weight in sprint on Tut sJay. had Catoma - company lnm over seven furlonc. - " Catmint gelding had a sho— 7,7 L tago when they wound up -.hp ,7. *tin 1.35 3-5. but Havering pull and appeared to have a good7' in reserve. Their first furlong 2? carved out in 13. the two in -s » the first three in 39 3-5. and first hall-mile the watch c 52 -4-5. the pair being together/"* 1 After travelling easily in the part. Maunga was made to do it straight, but 1 is round took 2.15 Nancy Lee is improving eiTv' - gallop and she moved nicely 5- .. posing of six furlongs in 1.23 5 1 last live taking 1.7. Roman Pear! and Grattus trere v gether for their six lurlongs in i -u . and Imperial Prince defeated ~p-*' cipa! over five furlongs, the last >,Y mile taking 55 2-5. A Good Filly That improving filly Honiton j, , fusing a lot of dash into her effcat present and she was superior to' companion over half a mile in 5* , Harbour View and Rahepoto "T Scarantouche and Dark Prince a s”start, hut at the end of the round Hi, hour View was doing best. His ’T was 2.3 2-5. and the others took 2 4 1 - Maori Boy, a Cornwall prospect with Sir Mond when they wound r tl\o last three of six furlongs in 42 j - However, the former appealed and appeared to relish the soft tr»ci Bold Front and Mon Star paired to run seven furlongs in is. 4-5. the first three taking 41. tv former was with his companion, tr running under restraint. Bold Frolooks in rare trim for his Conuvj Handicap engagement. Golden Pennant covered half a of’* in 55, while Xeil and Spring Abbl disposed of six furlongs in 1.25. For seven furlongs Squadron took 1.47. but it was not a time effort. POURI SCRATCHED LATEST ABOUT STAR COMET Pouri was scratched at 2.25 p.m. t». day for all engagements at the Grea* Northern meeting next week. Star Comet has been found*to b* suffering: from mild lead poisoning, bn: he was worked this morning, cantering only. It is hoped to be able to start the chestnut at Ellerslie next wgek. MATU IS HERE ARRIVALS THIS MORNING The only horses to arrive by Uls morning’s express were Goldlike, Air Laddie and Matu. It is understoo that a dozen more will put in an appearance during the day. Tomorrow morning Mister Gamp Aurora Borealis and Pahu are expected to arrive from Awapuni. The arrival of these completes ti* contingent from outside engaged in the Great Northern Hurdles and Steeplechase, excepting Airtight and bones located at provincial stables. Some cl these provincial candidates will arxive on Saturday and the remainder cn Monday.