RACING NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 86, 12 April 1927, Page 17

RACING NEWS.

\ The Fox was given barrier practice at Ellerslie yesterday morning in company with Killute, when he shaped well and jumped away in good style. Income, who stands his ground in the President's Handicap at Ellerslie, used to be a good horse a season or two ago. However, this season he has only started on four occasions, and has failed to get into the money. His last appearance was in the Opunake Cup last month. Whenuanui. who was scratched yesterday for the Easter Handicap at Ellerslie. was anions the light weights who were given a show in that event. Out of ten starts this season he has won five events, while he has been placed in others. When he lirst made his appearance in open company in the Railway Handicap at Trentham last month lie put up a good performance in dead-heat-ing with Benzora for second place, a length behind Shirley. Decoy Bird, by Humbug-Lone (lull, went nicely over half a mile on the outside of the course proper at Ellerslie ibis morning, running the distance in 50 3-os. This colt has thickened out a good deal and he looks like getting a stake before long. As a two-year-old last season he won three events and was placed on another couple of occasions, while this season he won the St. Patrick's Handicap, six furlongs, at Napier Park last month, but, owing to interference with Ngawati, the stewards placed him second. Archibald went a mile at Ellerslie this morning on the outside of the course proper in 1.4(5 4-5, the last seven furlongs taking 1.34, and he looks as though he will be in fine trim by the time the Brighton Hurdles come up for decision. Archibald won this event last season by ten lengths. He carried S).S and rail the distance in 3.43. Later, at the winter meeting at Ellerslie, he was second in the Eemuera Hurdle Race, two miles, and won the Campbell Hurdle Race of similar distance. He is sure to be in demand next Saturday. Cimabue was sprinted with Silveimine over five furlongs from the old post on the course proper at Ellerslie this morning, and beat Silvermine comfortably. Silvermine got a break on his companion at the start. Cimabue showed good form early in the season when he won the Avondale Stakes, and going on to Riccarton annexed the Welcome Stakes. His next start was in the Great Northern Foal Stakes at Ellerslie, but he had to ~o under to Gascony and Agrion. That was his last public appearance, and his next start is to be in the Champagne Stakes at Ellerslie on Saturday. Welkne, a three-year-old by The Wei A? 0 *™ m •ADPelina, who forms one of a ii j Stead ' 3 representatives at Auckland, was first started in the Sprint Stakes-at the Wellington Racin« Club's meeting last October, and he 'led the field into the straight. Welkne then tired and faded out, but on that showing he was sorted out as one likely to come good. His next effort was at the Masterton meeting held at Trentham a few days later, when he ran Glen Innis to three-quarters of a length in the Novice Stakes, six furlongs. . He was installed first favourite for the Trial Handicap on the second day of the fixture, but ran unplaced. He has only had one start since then—the Maiden Handicap, five furlongs, at Napier recently, and he won Hβ is in the Huia Handicap, six furlongs, on the second day at Kllerslie and also has engagements at the'Avondale meeting. _ Alloway is reported to have done well .since racing at the Rangitikei meeting and he is expected to run prominentlv at the Auckland and Avondale meetings. This season he commenced by winning the Novice Stakes at Marton, and later annexed the Kowhai Handicap at Fielding. Coming on to Auckland for the summer meeting with S.O, he won the Fergusson Handicap, one mile and a-quarter, beating Haze, Papatu, Mint Leaf and others. One of his best performances was his third in the Great Northern Derby. Nothing had a show with Commendation once the straight was entered, but Alloway made a great race against Lysander for second place, only being beaten by a neck. At one stage it looked as though he might beat Mr. Currie's representative. At the Rangitikei meeting recently Alloway was second to Hipo in the Fraser Memorial, one miel and a distance. He may pick up a stake before he goes back. Rapine, who has arrived at Ellerslie, is looking, well, He has put up some great performances this season; in fact, out of seven starts he has only once' been out of a place, and that was when he finished fourth in the New Zealand Cup. After contesting the New Zealand Cup he won the Canterbury Cup, two miles and a quarter, beating Count Cavour and others. On the concluding day of the fixture he created a surprise by winning the Stead Memorial Gold Cup, beating Commendation, the favourite, by half a length. He was not started in the Auckland Cup, but on the second day of the last Auckland summer meeting won the Summer Cup with the steadier of 10.3. He was beaten very easily by Count Cavour in the Clifford Plate, but the going was against him With 10.2 in the Wellington Cup he finished third, and with 10.4 just went under to Piuthair in the Wanganui Cup. one mile and three-quarters. At Trentham last month, which was his last start, in bad ground he was again beaten by Count Cavour in the Gold Cup, two miles. Rapine is engaged in the Easter Handicap with 9.7, and, despite the fact that he likes a longer distance, he may run well over a mile. On the second day at Ellerslie he is in the Autumn Handicap, one mile and a-half, which should suit him better, while at Avondale he is in the Foley Memorial, one mile and a-quarter, on the opening day, and the Autumn Handicap, one mile, on the coneluding day.

STABLE AND TRACK NOTES. (By WHALEBONE.) FIXTOKES tfUK THE SEASON. Aprii 16 —Tuapeka County J.C. AyrU 10 IS—Wairarapa R.C. April ll> IJ> — Feildiug J.C. April 16 IS. 19 —Kiverton R.C. April Itj IS—Auckland R.C. Aprii IS —Beauuiom U.C. ipri. 18—Waipukurau J.C. April 16 —Kumara U C. April IS I'J —Canterbury J.C. April 20— Wesnand K.C Aprii -3, -o —Avondaie J.C. April ~'i —Ure.) moutn J.C. April 21 — Keeftoo J.C April 23, 30— Manawatu R.C. Aprii -I'. 'M —Sou ill Canterbury J.-C. April 30. Mav 4 — Waikato R.C. May 6, 7—Llawke's Uay J.C. The Polydamon horse, Salamander, was operated on last Saturday, and will jn future race as a gelding. The Cryer is again getting through useful work on the track at EllerslTe, after a short spell following on a course of physic. Omahu appears among the horses nominated for the two hurdles races at the Manawatu meeting to be held on April 2S and 30. Star Stranger -was given a round on the course proper at Ellerslie this morning, which he accomplished in 2.5. He seemed to be going comfortably throughout. The four rising two-year-olds in J. Williamson's stable were*sprinted a furlong on the course proper yesterday morning when they all appeared to move nicely. Nucleus has been working -well of late, and went nicely over seven furlongs a few mornings ago in company with Master Doon, the time recorded* being! very fair. Cimabue has grown since he last appeared at Ellerslie, and looks rather on the big side at the present time. However, a sprint or two should find him in nice order to commence his autumn campaign on Saturday next. Acushla is to fulfil her engagements in the Great Northern Oaks to" be run at Ellerslie on Saturday next. The Prince Merriwee filly has built up into a very solid sort, and is in excellent condition at the present time, A change of luck for her owner would be well deserved. War Officer looks an improved horse since he last raced, and he has also been getting through some very useful work in the meantime. He has had a fair amount of racing this season, and was running on well at the conclusion of a seven furlong gallop at Ellerslie just recently. Vigilance, by Lord Quex from Watchful, is booked for two-year-old races at Riccarton. Vigilance ran second in a two-year-old race at Woodville, and finished fourth in the Plunket Nursery Handicap at Trentham last month to Paganelli, Covent Garden and Melissa. She is a promising sort. Glenotus was given a run over a round of the steeplechase course on Saturday, when his jumping was up to his usual standard. Except that he tried hard to shirk the water jump, no fault could be found with the performance. Glenotus is engaged in the Autumn Steeplechase on the second day at Ellerslie. C&rinthia and Whakarite have been companions in several sprinting tasks recently. They have been shaping well, more especially the latter, who is a much-improved two-year-old. Whakarite has only started on three occasions, being unplaced in each instance, but his latest track efforts show promise. The Bisogne filly Orazone displayed a' fine dash of pace in a sprint over five furlongs in company with Cawnpore and White Bird on Saturday morning at Ellerslie. The time recorded was the best registered over the above distance, and the Taranaki filly was going the easiest of the trio at the finish. C. Norgrove has been keeping Princess Ronnie moving along in her work since she returned from.Whangarei, and he has her looking in good fettle. H. Wiggins, who has scored a number of successes on her will ride the mare in the President's Handicap next Saturday, and she is bound to have a host of friends on the day. Passin , Through had his first real schooling bout since he arrived at Ellerslie on Saturday, when he negotiated a round on the course proper, over five hurdles. He jumped in good style and was going verv strong at the finish. He will be ridden" by H. Burt in the Brighton Hurdles, and should be capable of performing well. Chelone, the two-year-old son of leighton and Cheloma, who was purchased by Mr. W. H. Gaisford from his breeder, Mr. W. G. Stead, was dispatched to Oringi recently, where he will be spelled for some time to come. Chelone's efforts for the season have resulted in a second and three thirds, a couple of the latter placings having been registered in Mr. Gaisford's favour, at the summer meeting of the Woodville Jockey Club.

Judging by the way he moved in his steady task on the tan at Randwick Grecian Orator is not very seriously amiss. He put in a strong round and Pulled up apparently sound. Grecian Orator is perhaps the most remarkably nominated horse for autumn races. In Doneaster and Cup, sprints, middle, and long distance events, and in all the rich w.f.a. races at the A.J.C. meeting, his tramer has also entered him for the Hying Handicap at Menangle. It may be merely a complimentary entry, but, Without disrpspect to Monangle, it dcs wok like a drop from the sublime to the ridiculous.

Windbag pulled up well, and his "ainer, G. Price, reported that he was as sound as ever. In the glow of the JUagpie horse's showing it must not be iorgotten that Limerick- also put up a most creditable performance. He was first to bridge the gap between ValKare and the field, and he was going extremely well at the finish. He looks a different horse to the Hzht-looking ieilow we knew in the spring, and is I||ing to be a hard one to beat in his inture engagements. Amounis found ine company too strong, but should not Oβ condemned on his performance, for the first furlong, the t,ni e J aS > st aR the wa 7- Th e first was 4at fl - in 13is ' t]uee in 37s - f °™- m Si'iejr m I,oi, si * * u2f, and Beven

ABSURDS IN DONCASTER.

LIMERICK'S WIN.

Next to Magpie with his six sons in the Doncaster, the crack New Zealand sire Absurd is most numerously represented 'Ti the mile race by five of his get. Two of these, Quixotic and Giggle, are at quotations which might be expected from their performances beyond six furlongs, which is the best distance of the Absurds, and another, Preposterer, was on the same mark until a straight-out commission was executed about him this week (ij-marks a Sydney writer). Preposterers Ir-s.l claim, to a chance is that in the Cantala Stakes of a mile on V.R.C.. Derby Day he ran Amounis to a length and a-half. He carried 7.12 then, and as he has been raised 41b will meet Amounis on the same relative terms. First Class, the dam of Preposterer, was out of the. Wallace mare . Class, who descends from the courageous

Robinson Crusoe, a strain in his blood which probably enables him to go further than most of the Absurds. How Fool's Paradise has won a mile race was told recently by the same writer. Horoscope has twice been successful over that distance. First of all as a two-year-old he scored in the mile Nursery Handicap at the A.J.C. autumn meeting with 7.7, but it was not a particularly select lot that finished lichind him. More recently, as a four-year-old, he carried 7.12 and won the Farewell Handicap at the V.K.C. autumn meeting, in which he ran the mile in 1.35. The brilliant Newmarket winner ('•uthic was generally accounted rather unlucky to be no nearer than third with his 9.11. On tlie strength of this win Horoscope is the shortest-priced horse of the Absurds, and some of the Victorian visitors are very sweet on his chance. Horoscope, like Preposterer, has the Musket blood on his dam's side, his ancestor being a Nordenfeldt. lie has S.o in the Doncaster. While they all inherit speed from their sire, these Absurds are not strong milers in the same category as a few horses in the race, but none uf them has a burdensome weight, and three of them at least should be" able to reach the firing line in front of the Leper. That is where real stamina will begin to tell.

Glorious Windbag! His defeat in the Rawson Stakes was reaJly one of his greatest victories. The cotirse thrilled with his performance. That wonderful run which took him to within threequarters of a lenpth of Limerick will be long rerneruliercd. Those who were not there should imagine themselves sitting in a tliuatre watching a moving picture of the race. Visualise Valicare sailing along with a mighty lead; Limerick and Amounts racing neck and neck about six lengths behind her, and Windbag so far back that the man cranking the camera has difficulty in getting him in focus. Munro is riding Windbag hard in an endeavour to bridge the gap. Gradually he comes clearly into the picture with that great sweeping stride, nearer ami nearer to the leaders with every bound. Limerick passes Yalicare, but Windbag is closing on the pair. Stride by stride he gains. You rise in your scat, as did the packed stand assemblage at Rosehill. All too late! The winning post Hashes oil to the screen. Windbag is three-quarters of a length behind. The advantage gained by the New Zealander had been too great. Xo wonder Windbag received the lion's share of the plaudits offered by the crowd. Having his first race since tinspring, ho appeared just a bit burly, and punters deserted their old love in favour of his three opponents. They thought it was picking up money backing Yalicare, and what a blow it was to them when she was beaten into third place! It was drizzling before the race, and Yalicare was the only one to brave the elements in the bird-cage without a rug, and she looked a picture. A splendid walk-up start was effected, and all trot away in line. Jones, did not immediately ask Valicare to display her great pace, but when they rounded the bend near the seven furlongs hi' slipped her right away, and, as she came round the home turn with a fivelength lead, the race looked all over. A buzz went up as Limerick commenced to close on her, and it increased to a roar when it was seen that he had her in trouble, but. it was nothing to the din that ensued when Windbag was observed coming through on the rails. Hut he had lost too much ground in the parly part, and went under to the younger horse.

RIVERTON RACING CLUB.

THE RAWSON STAKES. Lucky was the Rosehill Club in having such a classy field in the Rawson Stakes, and luckier still was it that the rain did not commence in the morning. All the afternoon it steadily fell, but it takes more than a dull sky to keep racing enthusiasts away from a good meeting, although rain will deter the casual patrons (says a Sydney writer). As it was the downpour held off till the crowd had arrived in great force, and, after drizzling for the first tew races, it came down heavily before the second division of the Nursery Handicap, and hardly slackened fur the of the afternoon. But racegoers are hardy souls, and so long as they were backing a winner or two they did not grumble about the weather.

THE AUSTRALIAN TURF

A reliable time-keeper made him run the last four furlongs in 47, and the last two in 235.

FIRST DATS ACCEPTANXES. INVEKCARGILL, Mondny. The following acceptance list was posted at Kiverton tonight for the first day of the local clubs annual meeting (April" IC. IS and 10): — Trial Handicap of 12.'isovs; seven furloiißS. —Tuknko, 9.0; Eyed Ova, 89; Parader. ,5.7 : Lady Balboa, 5.5; Last Thought. Ace of Hearts. Taramoa, Merry (ini... Couiitennove, Swim-ashore, Cynelli, Biildiisan , , Uraud Eclnt, Gaiety. Bult Uusv, W.ii.iu Steeplechase Handicap of 200sovs ; nbmit two miles. — Nynnzn. 10.0: Mandrake, Maunsamoe. '.Ml; I rUh Kinp. Grand Fleet. Kag Tug, Ngiiliue, Solilier'B Dream, Herbert '.i.T. Aparima Handicap of C-lTisovs; six furIniiira.—Comic Son?. 0.4; Eaton Bells. 7.13; Ecuador. 7.5; Bright Mark, 7.2; Hallmark, Soltiii , , Valilnmi), 7.n. Hack Handicap of 125sovs: seven furlongs. — Soldier's llcpe. B.G ; King Ballmn, s:'.: Plton. 7.13: Ki|uerry, 7.12: Hippling L;ilce. Strathnnver. 7.8; I'.-iris. 7.<»; Fairy Ring. 7.5: Navy Cut. Bed Fray. 7.1: Takaka. 7..: : Kyed Ova. 7.1. Kiverton Geld Cup Handicap of en.isovs (including gold cup valuer! lOOgns) ; one mile and a-iinnrter. — Bftldowa. B.S : Circulation. Kfi; Full Switis. SO; Mountain Lion. 7.i::; Bilbo. 7.0; Wingatnl. Human Archer, Citpldnn, Piton. Salerno, 7.0. Great Western Steeplechase of 4.losovs: about three miles.—Tuki. 12.0. Frenchman, 11.3; Kipling. 10 8; Scamp. 10.7: Galway. lO.a; Rnnul. f».13: NMshtraid. Vice Grand. ;>.ll : T/«indt'nderrj-. 9.9; Fahriano. Flag Lieutenant. 9.0. Visitors' Handicap nf 12. r isovg: six furlongs.— Rponn Bridge. 00; Irish. 8.4: Lady Tractor. 5..'5 : Rparkllnc Eyes. 7.12: Dubious. Royal Snxim. Diviniiil. Battle Flag. 7.1«: Gipsy Maid. S'olzin. 7.0 ; Aee of Hearts. 7.0. Pnnrnklnn H.-mdicnp of 200vnvs : one mile. \fi«« Willkie. R.I ; Celerity 11. 8.0, Doleful Ditty. 7.10; Fniry Herald," 7.8 : Bloom. 7.0: FrnuenKe. 7..";' Kilharry, 72; Soltne, Atnpo 7.< V

WAIPUKURAU JOCKEY CLUB.

syi>ni;y cur scratching WIXDHAG AND RAYVIIETU NuT STARTING. SYT>XEY. April 11. Winclii.ie nnd Rnwhctn hnve hei-n scratched for the Sydney Cup, to hu run on Eu.-ter Monday. Qiiuml<nig has tieen scratched for nil events at tliu A.i.C. iiiitumu meeting at Rnndwiek.

BASTER MONDAY ACCEPTANCES. WAIPUKTJRAU, Monday. The following nceeptnnee list wns postal to-night for the Walpukurau Jockev Club's autumn meeting on Kaster Monday:— Mniden Knee of 150sovs. seven furl..n S e. Merry Wanderer, Mnrtona. Taukari Rakauponcn. Happy Release, 9.1 ; J en Ballvfarnoix Imperial Spec. Romantic. Zlppor. 00; Delusion. Betty Binns 813- Clnvers Colarino. 8.12: Htjrh Heather. ' Tam.it.-' ranci. Tom Byrne, S.B. Hatunia Hnndlcnp of 200«0v.= five fur'?Jl B 'Yr W ? ,cnn,le - n ° : Hnthor!' S9: Pop Off. 5.3 : Inner Harbour. S 1 ■ \i-ht Pone 7.13; Silver Tray. Moepnl. 7.12- Ml«! Pat 7.10; Tan Major Abbey, 77; Am.wboy. 7.5: Ilenther Blend. Van Tenn. Hakuwai Llnmn. Awanpawanpn, 7.0 Hack Handicap nf 2OO«nve. one ini!.. -niX a-quarter.—Cohesion. 9.0 ; Atnr.Tia, S 10 • Loveband. 8.7; Addlepnte. Mlst.-r Gnnrn Cordon Swift, 8.5; Lombardo, t« 1 • Betty Binns. 7.7. ' Walpukurau Cup of 300sovs. one mile and a-quarter.—Penman, 5.5; Perle de Leon, 83; Buoyant. 7.11; Wristlet 77Starboard Light. Road Hop. Coot Mountiiiu T"i>. Westerner. ('ohc-ion. 7.n f>rinjri Handicap of 150rovu, five furlonps.—Polydectes, 5.4 ; Inner Harbour. *:: : Mnrsurd. Kory Mor. K2; Mi-s P.it. 7.12: Tan. 7.7; I'ni-easonahle. Autumina! Dapper Boy, 7.3 ; Keen, Duck's Ezg Llama 7.0. Ladies' Handicap of 15Osovs. one mile, throe furlonps.— Mali .Innp. 12 G: Th> 1c! 11.3; Westerner. 110: Mount <"!yde. 1012Merle, 10 9; Good Mark. Ilisb Heather, 10.7. Purlmu Handicap, of 200-ovs. six furlones. —Waicullus. ft.O : Hnthor. 89: Oh— slon. 8.5: Pop Off. S3: Addlepate. 7.13; Pnlltina. Moepai. 7.12: Major Abbey, 75: Arrowboy, 7.3; Raknuponp.i. Heather Blend, Taukari. Hinekapiia, Tamatcr.ingi, 7.0. Flying Handicap of 200sovs. six furlonp«. Buoyant. S.S: Haiti. S3; Ng.iwati, 82; I'lain Sailing. S.O; All Marimba, 7.7; T.lpsol. 7.4 : Tonjratoatoa. 7.3; Otln>n. Handy. Starboard Light, 7.2; Arataura. t.'oiit. Nightsong. 7.0.