Te Kawiti Measures Up to Standard

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 August 1940, Page 3

Te Kawiti Measures Up to Standard

(BY

"THE GRAFTER.”)

Prior to his transfer under the ownership of Messrs F. W. and H. Anderson to J. W. Cathro at Matamata, Flying Acre had won five races in the Wellington Province, but he did not obtain general recognition until his success in the Southern Queen Handicap at Te Rapa in June. That his reputation was hardly dimmed as the result of his defeat by Young Paddon over a little longer distance at Rotorua was proved by the support he received in the Jellicoe Handicap at the Pakuranga meeting, and his effort was so gallant and so nearly successful that he is sure tq retain his friends when next he parades. The victory of Royal Message in the Admiralty Handicap at the Pakuranga meeting was the fifth of her career and her first in open company. She enjoyed a good run on the rails and hung oolong enough to score over Our Jean, who came home very well. This was the first appearance of Our Jean since she ran third to Foxmond and Classform in the Great Northern Oaks lasT Easter. As she has shown that she is. beyond doubt, a stayer—witness her Takapuna Cup win at the beginning of the year—Our Jean will be given an early opportunity of adding to her middle-distance record. Just on two years ago Royevrus opened his three-year-old record with a double success on his first two races in the spring. At the Pakuranga Hunt meeting he came close to making another winning first-of-season appearance. Half-way through the running of the Jellicoe Handicap he lay eleventh in a field of 23. but he steadily forged ahead and at the half-distance he was

in the firing-line and finished less than behind the winner in third ' place. With a Summer Cup and Mitchelson Cup already to his credit, as well as seconds in the A.R.C. Spring Handicap. Alison Cup and Auckland Cup, he bears every appearance of being again one of the province's most consistent stayers. On winning the Auckland Handicap at the Pakuranga Hunt meeting 12 months ago, The Cardinal immediately came' into the forefront of the discussions on the Avondale Clip, which he won at his next start. For the remainder of the season his form was well below that grade but his'finish-' ing run in the Admiralty Handicap at the Pakuranga Hunt Club's meeting indicated that ho is again approaching his best. The Cardinal has never laid claims to being a sprinter and he is generally a slow beginner but on Saturday. he beat all but four of a smart field at their own game. He should not be absent long from the winning list. Of the four three-year-olds who con-

tested the Admiralty Handicap —Lou Rosa. Grandora, Sir Cameron and Happicoat—the best performance was that of Sir Cameron, but as he was only seventh at the finish, he did not stand

cut from the others of his age. Lou Rosa is probably most susceptible to solid improvement. So far the form of Classic has been mixed. As a two-year-old he won once and was only once unplaced in sevdli starts. Last season his record was completely blank but there was good deal of merit in his winning of the first division of the Sylvia Park Handicap, for he led throughout, and was moving away from his chief challenger. Beau Leon, at the end. His time was nearly two seconds faster than that of Rex Maitland in the second division. Booked for Trentham. Not Out is booked for Trentham in October, the scene of two of his six successes last season. At his last start Not Out finished fourth in the Great Easter Handicap and was then not at his best. He should do well again this season. Given an Easy Time. Pink Lad had some solid races last season and is being given an easy time just now. In stakes he won £702, proving himself one of the best staying hacks at Riccarton. He is now a five-year-old, but as he only had three races as a two-year-old and was not raced in the following season he should m/ke his mark in open company over Yiddle distance.

It is evident that Te Kawiti is measuring up to the standard of the stock of Queen March, the best of whose progeny so far to race being King March, Gay Marigold and Limarch. His second success last season, in the Grey Handicap at Ellerslie, put Te Kawiti into open company and although it was three months before he secured his next success, in the Avondale Autumn Handicap, he was five times placed in the intercal, his best non-winning performance being his dead-heat for third with Proud Fox in the Easter Handicap.

Te Kawiti’s fighting finish with Flying Acre in the Jellicoe Handicap at the Pakuranga Hunt Club’s meeting recalled that of his last previous win, when Gold Vaals and Foxsen were defeated by half-heads at Avondale. His four-year-old career will be followed with interest by racegoers.