WHEEL AND TRACK NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 143, 20 June 1927, Page 14

WHEEL AND TRACK NOTES.

(By ORION.) Van Rich had two starts on Satnnlav, but never looked like having n chance either time. Neither Nelson Tasker nor Final McKinney began well in the Cornwall, and their chances were early. For a mile Direct Morninjj u ; is pacing along in a handy position in the Mar° coni Handicap, but he did no good over the last quarter. Xgatira did not leave in the Stewards' Trot, and after the field had propertly settled down he was never in the first half-dozen. Hohoro went two fine races on Saturday. He finished close up fifth in the Mangere Handicap, and later beat all but Mars in the Marconi Handicap. Gold Jacket did not leave the mark right in.the Hobson Handicap, and the ground he lost settled any chance he may have had. He was always one of the rear division. It was thought that Glandore had improved at the barrier, but though figuring on the limit in the Cornwall Handicap he tangled at the start, and was actually the last to get going. The brilliant beginner Lola Reklaw was soon out in front in the Marconi Handicap, but when Mare tackled her after going a mile the Whangarei-trained mare gave in and was soon retreating to the ruck. The solid pacer Jewel Pointer had only gont a furlong in the big race when he went to a tangle, and lost his position while Shaw was getting him steady. At no part of the race did he look like getting in the money. Henry Logan was a costly proposition to backers on Saturday. The four-year-old son of Logan Pointer was backed down to a short price, but he never got near enough to the front division to look like winning. He lost three or four lengths at the start, which probably affected his chance. He may do better on the eecoud day. The company in the Campbell Handicap was too good for Lord Nepean. He was always prominent, and turned into the straight behind Nelson Fame and Terrence Dillon, but he then tired and faded right out of the picture. Any hopes backers of Great Change had of collecting a dividend quickly disappeared, as the Great Audubon gelding j broke up early and never had a chance afterwards. Usually he is a very solid trotter, and he may do better next time out. Anselm was bowline along very freelv in the Campbell Handicap, but half a mile from home, when the pace was clapped on in earnest, he did not respond, and was beaten lonjr before the home turn was reached. Silk Thread was pulling verv hard in third place in t\y Campbell Handicap when he fell. The. field had not S one quite six furlonns. and it was too earlv in the r,,,- to tV.rn. nny opinion ns to whether lie had a chance. When Billv Sea and Machine Gun also came down over Silk Thread there was a real mixup, but fortunately no one was injured

'In get up into fourth place from 36yds behind in a field of 23 in the Mangere Handicap was a rather good performance on the part of Florent, and equally irnod whs Wallroon. from 6Oyde, being alnjost in line with Florent at "the end.

Backers were taking a short price about Trampfast in the Stewards' Trot. Their chief concern was whether he would leave the mark right. The son «;f Logan Pointer tangled when the barriers were released, and when he did settle down to trot his chance was gone.

Had Mars been driven a little more vigorously in the run home he would have won the Man«ere Handicap instead of beaten on the post by Loch Moijrh. However, he came out later and won the -Marconi Handicap, his driver taking no risk of bein<; caught napping this time.

Although Elzear did not at oncv strike her yait at the start of the Stewards' Trot she lost very little ground until she. had pone a furlong, when she broke up. During the races she showed great speed in patches, and if she would go solid all the way she would be very hard to beat.

Old YVimiiiera King threatened to be in the money in the .Stewards' Trot, and as the field approached the straight the last time he was one of the hist four. However, in the run home he could make no better effort, but his run suggested that there may still be a race in the old fellow.

Amaris was produced twice on SaUirday, and disappointed each time. In the Mangere Handicap he would not pace solidly at all, and skipped a couple of times on the trip. He went a much bett race in the Hobson Handicap, and it was only a*, the home turn he began to fade out.

For perhaps the first time in her last half-a-dozen starts Marionette began well from the barrier in the Mangere Handicap, in which she started from No. 1 position in the front row. For a mile she was running along behind the leaders, but did not keep her position when the pace was right on.

Before the meeting it was the general opinion that the horses prepared at Kpsom would be found short of work. The results on Saturday bore thie out, as a second with Uncle Beit and thirds with Admiral Lock, Respect, and Woodvale was the host the Epsom-trained candidates could do.

Any chance Xantwich had in the Cornwall Handicap was settled when Jean Darling broke in front of her three and a-half furlongs from home. At that time Xantwich was running along third, but Warren had to pull her up to almost a standstill to avoid Jean Darling. Xantwich was never sighted again in the race. The last rittle bit once again found The Tartar out. In the Stewards' Trot he accompanied Sister Beatrice in the lead for over a mile and a-half, when he left her and went on in front. He looked all over a winner forty yards from the post, but in the last couple of strides Betty Moko up and beat him a halfhead. Although Direct Wood could only finish fourth in the Hobson Handicap, won by Great Earl, ehe went rather well in the run down the back the last time, but had no chance of getting near the winner, who was always going nicely in front. Direct Wood should not be long ill getting a stake, as she looks to be back to her best form. Those who were pronounced in their opinion that Xelson Fame could not sec out two miles in good company were surprised when they saw the son of Xelson Bingen out clear in front along the back the last time. He was still leading across the top, and had a couple of lengths on Terence Dillon turning into the straight. But once again the run home saw him stop badly, and in the straight five horses passed him. In the Cornwall Handicap, the concluding event, he was found competing over his favourite distance, one mile. He ran a great race, showing all his brilliancy, but could never quite wrest the lead from Lady Dunmore, who was in front all the wa v.