RACING NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 102, 2 May 1929, Page 13

RACING NEWS.

THE AUCKLAND MEETING, THREE CHIEF EVENTS. THE WEIGHTS REVIEWED. The weights for the Great Northern Hurdles, Great Northern Steeplechase and Cornwall Handicap have been issued by Mr.' F. McManemin-, and the adjustments are on such. a scale that .'they should attract large fields. The , Hurdle Race. Nukumai has been awarded 12.0 in the Great Northern Hurdle Race, or 31b more than lie won the Grand National Hurdle Race with last August. It is not prohibitive, but it is over thirty years since such an impost was carried to victory. Wedding March won the race in 1927 with; 10.3 and last year was fourth with II.S. He was second in the Auckland Hurdle Race, two miles, at Ellerslie at Christmastime with 11.5, which is his best performance since then, and now he has a similar impost. He has a chance, but he will have to be right at his best to beat some of those lower down. Red Fuchsia is next with 10.13 and is not at all badly treated. He has a good record over hurdles, finishing second to Beau Cavalier in the Winter Hurdles at Trcntliam last July, with 11.4, and third in the Grand National Hurdle Race with 11.5, besides winning several other events. He should be in the limelight if started. Elicit has proved a most consistent hurdler, recently "winning the Westmere and Fordell Hurdles (both one mile and three-quarters) with 10.10 and' 11.9 respectively at Wanganui. At Awapuni he annexed the Kairanga Hurdles, of similar distance, with 11.12, running the distance in 3.12 2-5, which was a fino performance. Now he has 10.13, and would only need to stay to be very hard to beat. Comical has plenty of pace and can jump well. In 192G he won the Grand National Hurdle Race with 11.4, hut since then his' efforts have been mostly confined to steeples. He has carried big weights, but generally failed to get round. He has only to be right to run a great race, for he is a bold fencer. Beau Cavalier Avon the event last year with 9.2, and with 10.2 scored easily in the Winter Hurdle Race at Trentliam. He fell in the Brighton Hurdle Race at Ellerslie at Easter time and a few days prior to that was very sore, though he recovered. If he goes on the right way during the next few .weeks and is fit and well on the day he must be fancied at 10.1 J. Wiltshire won'the Grand National Steeplechase with 10.0 last August and recently he showed that he was approaching his hest form when he accounted for the Frankton Hurdles, one mile and a-half, at Te Rapa with 10.7. He. has 10.6 to carry in the Great Northern Hurdles and is nicely placed. Glengariff is on the same mark, but his best performance so far is in scoring over a mile and a-half. His owner will not be pleased with having to carry the same weight as Kawini, who has shown much better ability over the distance..' : The latter was third in the Brighton Hurdle Race at Ellerslie at Easter time and was narrowly defeated at Te Rapa on Monday over a' mile and three-quarters with 11.1. Kawini w'as second in the Great Northern Huidle Race in 1926. Glendowie won the Hunt Club Hurdle Race with 11.2, the Great Northern Steeplechase and the Winter Steeplechase at Ellerslie last June. He has been awarded 10.5 in the forthcoming hurdles, but has since been scratched, his owner evidently being dissatisfied with the allotment. With only one hurdle race to his-credit, and that for hunters, he certainly, has been harshly treated in being put within lib of Kawini and beingasked to give that good performer Gaze 31b. Mangani, with 10.2, lias a chance after the way he won the Grafton Hurdle race, two miles, at Ellerslie at Christmas time. Gaze, who is similarly weighted, is one that will appeal. Last winter he annexed the Trentliam Hurdle' Race, one mile and three-quarters, at Trentliam, •with 10.2 and was third to Beau Cavalier and Red Fuchsia in the Winter Hurdle feace, two miles and a-quarter, with 10.4. He was a bit unlucky m that event, as he was interfered with through another horse falling in front of him just before turning for home. Going on to Riccarton, he was just beaten by a head by Nukumai in the Jumpers Flat Race, and on the next day finished second to Nukumai in the Grand National in Race with 10.3. Pouri has shown ability over hurdle's and last season finished thu. a in the Century Hurdle Race at Wanganui. He won the Ponsonby Hurdle Race, lyo miles, at the Auckland summer meejin with 9.13 and should run well wit iJ IO.). Clockwork (9.10) annexed the Bii itc Hurdle Eace, two miles, at Elleislic i easy fashion and won oyerasimilar custance at Avondalo wHi 0.12, He »■ lave soma friends » the <U?_if Vin the same form. Zircon. (9.8 av .is ■ t ma in this event in 1920 and won the Wmtu Hurdle Race at Trentliam veek later. He is a useful sort, and the ma nor in which he raced m the- Great Extern Steeplechase at Onkaparinga lecentlj showed that he is not far fiom lis Mister Gamp (9.6) ran a great iac© u the last Great Northern Hurdle Race, being second to Beau Cavahei w i' fell at the hurdle three furlongs fiom home. He has since f s.hown winm "S ability over hurdles and should be a improved liorsc. Ivapuna was placed m two hurdle events at Dane dm anc carton last season, while the SCi } s before 'he won three mile and hurdle races in the Otago and Soutlihnd districts. Of the others Nucleus, (who was third last year), Kami ai ', Kilburn. and Roman Abbey may be tne best. At present the public may lancj Red Fuchsia, Elicit, Gaze, Kawini, Wiltshire and Beau Cavalier.

The Steeplechase. Beau Cavalier two yeais ago •■won the Great Northern steeplechase, Wellington Steeplechase and the Grand National Steeplechase, m the last-named c'veht'carrying 1t.7. season he failed in the; Great Northein Steeplechase with .12.2, finishing fourth.. In the Wellington "Steeplechase, witn 11.13, lie' was one'of tile leaders when he fell about a-utile from home. He has now 11.10, and with that weight cannot be ruled out. Nukumai has been a brilliant performer over hurdles unclei bit; weights, and he showed tlia could get over country all. right when lie won the Egmont Steeplechase m 1920 with 11.13. He is on the same maik as Beau Cavalier,, and there . will-pio ably be an opportunity of seeing how M-, goes between this and the meowing) ( , he is engaged at Wanganui. Wedding March has 11.5, against 11.7 last yea?, when he did not start. Howevei, 11.2 he finished third to Glwulowio aid. JUwini in the Winter Steeplechase, -tie.

will lxave to be considered. Glendowie won tlie Great Northern Steeplechase last season with ( J. 7 and the Winter Steeplechase with. 10.7, and with 11.4 is likely to form one of the favourite division. Kawini was second in the Great Northern Steeplechase to Dick- in 19—G- and later oil occupied a similar position to Peter Maxwell in the Grand National Steeplechase, carrying 9.9. lie was also second to Glendowie in the Winter _ Steeplechase at Ellerslie last Juuc, with 10.2, and now has 10.13. lie should run a yood race, for he is pretty well jn.it now. Red Fuchsia has vet to show his ability in this department, but with 10.8 he is not badly treated for such a good hurdler. Elicit has aiso to prove himself a 'chaser. Wiltshire (10.7) was third in the last Great Northern Steeplechase to Glendowie, to whom he was conceding' (ilb. In the. Winter Steeplechase Glendowie gave lii'ni 71b and beat him easily, for Wiltshire was fourth. Since then tlie latter won the Grand National Steepleclia.se with 10.0 and was third in the Beaufort Steeplechase, about two miles and a-lialf, at the same meeting with 11.5. Glendowie now has to give him 111b, and Wiltshire has improved good deal in the interim. Mangani won the Autumn Steeplechase, about three miles, at Ellefslie at Easter time with 9.12, and he was going so well over the concluding stages that he must be taken into consideration. Gaze has only to jump to be in the picture with 10.2. Pouri won the Wellington Steeplechase last season with 9.9, and at 10.0 he reads very nicely. Star of the East lias performed well at Ellerslie, but there will be an opportunity to see how lie goes in the south before then. Brigadier Bill has failed at Ellerslie, as also has Comical, who is not a very safe conveyance over steeples. Zircon must have a chance with 9.8 after his running in Adelaide, while of the others Roman Abbey may be the best. A few that may be favoured just now are Glendowie, Wiltshire, Pouri, Kawini, Wedding March, Gaze and Mangani.

The Cornwall Handicap. Yoma heads the list in the Cornwall Handicap with 10.0. This horse has performed well this season. He won the Wellington Racing Club Handicap, one mile and three furlongs, in January with 7.3 and later the Egmont Cup with 7.11, the Taranaki Cup with 8.4, and was just beaten by a head by Rapine in the Wanganui (Jup with 8.13, equal on the present scale to 9.13, so that he is not badly treated. Corinax won the Auckland Cup and ran well at both Avondale and Te Rapa, being second to High Pitch in the Foley Memorial and third to Aussie and Mosque in the Storey Memorial, both being mile and a-quarter events. He carried 8.10 in the latter event and has now 9.12, equal to 21b more. King Lu was third over a mile at Ellerslie and won over six furlongs and a mile at Avondale. He failed at Te Rapa, but all the same with 9.12 in the Cornwall he will have to be considered. Prodico has proved herself a good three-year-old, but she has been given 9.8, which is more than weight-for-age, and one will be surprised ..if they run her. Battle Colours showed a return to form at the Easter meeting at Riccarton, when he Avon two races —a mile and nine furlongs. Seatown won the Tamatete Handicap, one mile and a-quarter, at Awapuni recently with 7.13, and was second to Nigh (anarch in, the Great Autumn Handicap at E&eartou 'last month with 7.8. He must have a chance with 9.0. Nukumai (9.4) is not at all badly treated, for lie usually runs well .on the flat during the winter. He won the Whyte Memorial and the Parliamentary Handicap at Trentliam two years ago, and with 10.7 and 10.12 was second in each of them last July. The Hawk has nothing to commend him recently, but Bisox (9?3) is one that will have friends. She won the Parliamentary Handicap last season with 9.0 and later annexed the Winter Cup with 9.0 and the Avondale Cup with 7.3. She has not raced much since then. Booster would be favoured by a shorter course. White Fang has raced well over a mile and a-quarter recently, as has Hyde Park, and at 9.0 and 8.13 respectively they should go well. Royal Doulton is another who has good credentials. Black Duke has had his efforts confined to shorter courses. High Pitch, Blimp and Mendip are on the 8.11 mark, and all, three are good perfoimeis this season. The former won well at Avondale, while Blimp won the Woodville and Napier Cups recently. Mendip, after racing consistently, scored m the Masteiton Cup. 'Mosque has run well up to a mile and a-quarter, and with 8.9 will have a show. He was second to Aussie at Te Rapa last Saturday. Of the others Kin "-field (who was third in the Eastei Handicap), Queen Arch (who won last year), King Emerald (who was second), Merry Mint and Lucy Rose may be 'most considered. Just now Bisox, Blimp, White Fang, High.Pitch, Seatown and Mendip may appeal most.

STABLE AMD TRACK BOTES.

(By WHALEBONE.)

SEASON'S FIXTURES. May 3, 4— Marlborougli K.C. May 4—Marton J.C. May 9, 11—ISsmont K.C. \lay ti —Frankliu 11.C. May 10, iß—Wanganui J.C. lav 25—Asliburton County K.C. June 1 3—Ota Id-Maori K.C. June 1, 3, s—Duuoclin J.C. Tune 1. 3, s—Auckland5 —Auckland K.C. June 1- —Eginout-Wanganui Hunt Club, June 14, 15—JS'ai>ici- Park K.C. I line —Asliburton Count} K.C. ~Xlll 11 13— Wellington K.C. ' , "s!—Waimate District Hunt Club. .juft 23, 27—Gisborne K.C. July -7 —South Canterbury Hunt Cllo. •liuarosebud, according to reports, was sold last week, ami is likely to do her future racing in Australia. Mrs \ McDonald has received from Mrs. M. A. Perry a two-year-old colt by Tea Tray —-Piraeus, a halt-biothci to Kuliio and Tern , Among the young thoroughbreds running at Otatara (Hawke's Lay) is a half-brother by Cape Horn to .that oneti.no high-class performer, IJuo Capt ? Horn, who is. now, standing at Mi. ivemball's stud at Masterton, is an Ln clislr bred son of He.

Honovconib had been sprinting -well, at -Kiccarton .during: the past tortnight, cient long work to qualify hm foi the Ohsnevin Hack Hurdles, extending ouo a mile ion nicy, at Amberley on (says a Christchureli wntei). Dt&intt the fact'that the field was lamentabh weak, his performance in outclassing ti c oimosition was of merit. .1 he bed has iievei been seen of Honeycomb since arriving from England,:but. now that h. has been given a chance to become acclimatised, ne Hhonhl win races o more imporiaircc than Saturday s eNcnt, .. .

Amorist is a good juniper, with plenty of pace, but his lack of stamina will restrict his usefulness in hurdle races. In the meantime he does not run out a mile and a-half. Aberfeldy's performance in the Braekenfieid Hurdle Handicap at Amberley on Saturday was very disappointing. Apart from being outpaced, his exhibition of jumping was much below his best standard. In connection with the racing at the Waikato meeting a word of praise is due to the starter, Air. 11. Skipwith. He had big Jields and some fractious horses to deal with,* but lie got them away well, and his work was most favourably commented upon. Moy Hall, trained at by M. B. Edwards, ran two poor races at .Amberley on Saturday. This gelding has registered some encouraging efforts on his own track, but on each occasion when taken to a meeting has failed to make any showing. Prickles ran a good race ill the G. B. Starky Memorial Handicap and was sticking on well, after being one of the pacemakers nearly all the way. She has never quite realised cariv. expectations, but she should pay her way at tlie winter meetings. Kaikahu gave a line exhibition of jumping in tlie Braekenliehl Hurdle Handicap at Amberley on Saturday, and showed up prominently as long as his condition lasted. It is only a question of keeping him sound and lie will win races during the next few months. Evidently J. W. Nixon, who for many years had been associated with the Gisborne trainer, Cuthbert Morse, as first horseman, is going to turn his attention also to training, as at present he is putting through their facings a. couple of lillies by Autumn for the Gis borne owner, Mr. <]. E. Newman. Briarthorn, by Greyspear from Single Rose, a live-year-old gelding in J. B. Pearson's, stable, had his first lace at Amberley on Saturday and made quite a creditable showing for the greater part of the journey in the Glasncyin Hack Handicap, eventually finishing close up to the placed division. Or at tus (Lord Quex—Earthshine), who is being got ready for racing by W. McKinnon, at Greenmeadows, for his breeder-owner, Mr. Frank Ormond, may make his debut at the wintei meeting of the Wellington Racing Club, in the Trial Stakes, an event that last July was secured by one of his stable chums, Toxeuiua. Great Star won the Seadown Hack Handicap in brilliant fashion,_ his bigweight being no trouble to him. He was" one of the leaders all the way, and though there was an interesting finish, Great Star always looked a winner, lie is one of the best hack sprinters seen here for a long time and he will play liisv part well in important open events next season.

In a very short time breeding operalions at Otatara (Hawkcs Bay) will be carried on on much more generous lines than has been the case for some time past, as Mrs. M. A. Perry has gone into partnership with the Gisborne stud master, Mr. Gaino C'arrington. It is anticipated that in a short time Mr. Carringtpn will arrive at Taradale with his' two .stallions, Hunting Song and Colossus, the latter being, like Hunting Song, English bred, he being by Polymelia —Nation, by Sunder —Nathalie, and about 40 brood"mares and youngsters. As Sirs. Perry has Cockpit, the English bred son of "China Cock and San ford, and a large number of aristocratic-bred stud mares, there will be 110 lack as regards quantity and quality at Otatara in tho very near future. Recent work at Marton includes the following: Warfille and Brigadier Bill were companions over six furlongs, Bed lane joining in over the last three, the first-named pair being on terms with their companion at tlie finish in 1.20. Naselle, Vast Acre, Some Acre, and Quinola were sent four furlongs together, but the first-named pair cleared out from the others and left the half-mile behind in the good time of 50s. Sonic Acre and Quinola taking 525. Nucleus gave Mystuni and Mandantc a start over six furlongs' and finished with Mystum a couple of lengths ahead of Mandate, taking 1.20 2-5. 'flic two early arrivals, Papatu and Joy Germ, looking in good fettle, after their racing at the Hawkc's Bay meeting, were allotted solid pace work. Both promise to take a prominent part in their engagements at the coming meeting. A fter doing pace work, Ban juke and Alaric jumped the hencoop and the double. Two days later Royal Damon and P,apatn_ galloped seven furlongs together, the -pace being on all the way, and they finished together in 1.32 —a good gallop. Some Acre and Warfille ran four furlongs in 5135. Vast Acre, Brigadier Bill and Red Line were companions in a working gallop once round, covering the last live o'n the bit in 1.8.' Banjukc and Mandate had a bout over the big fences, but Mandate did not giveso good a display as usual.

Takanini lias become" ;t very popular training centre, and it is interesting to note just how successful horses trained 'in that district have been during recent years. F. Davis was quartered at Takanini and won the Avondale and Mitchelsou Cups with.Highland, and" other races with Quee.n March and Lucius (approximately £4000). Of course, he was then training on the first track, which is now owned by ,T. T. Jainieson. r J'he latter trained on the same ground for a. short period,- but When the present track,; -.-alongside .his' property, .-was put down lie. did not use his, own track any more, and: prepares his' charges on the new Takanini track. In addition, 35. Pope took lip his residence, and won with Currajong and Lunette, while J. •Toners and S. Hodge have' also annexed stakes since they have been training at Takanini. The last-named is only a recent arrival at Takanini, while C. .Morse ha* taken up his residence there. In the 1024-'2.1 reason horses trained at Takanini won £i) 84;», and in the follow ing season r,£7249. In l!J2u-27 they accounted for £7530, and last season won £13,14:5. (So far this season they have annexed £0000. This make a total of £.>!),82!). To this has to be added winnings in Australia (including Prince Humphrey 'is Derby), which approximately amount to £8500. The total winnings since training started at Takanini, therefore, including the amount j won bv F. Davis, is about £52.321), which is a. great record. Excluding i Prince Humphrey, Le Choucas is the best winner, accounting for over £4000, while In the Shade' has -won about £.'jSCO. Eden Hall annexed stakes to •the extent of £3280, while High Finance £280")), Spoony ( £2700) and Tea, Bel! ( £2575) were next best. In all thirlyciii'ht horses contributed Lo the total mentioned. ,

Lady Quex will have her next race at the Egiiiont meeting. Oration and Valkou will also be raced at Hawera. It is stated that Delightment has broken down and is not likely to race again. Oriflamb, tlie winner of the Brackenfield Hurdle Handicap, is a half-brother to Fiery Cross, who included an Auckland Cup among his successes. Though never in the class of his relative, Oriflamb has always been a useful galloper, who earned a reputation as a bad racehorse. His latest form, however, has been very" solid. He won a hurdle race at Riccarton at Easter, and this performance, like his Amberley race on Saturday, was accomplished in handsome fashion. He jumps country well, so he may win steeplechases in the winter.

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB,

General entries for the winter meeting of the Auckland Racing Club close wftli the secretary, Mr. W. S. Spence, at 5 p.m. to-morrow.

EGMONT RACING CLUB,

Owners and trainers are reminded that acceptances for the first day of the Egmont Racing Club's winter meeting close with the secretary, Mr. E. P. Cox, Hawera, at 8.30 p.m. to-morrow.

FRANKLIN RACING CLUB,

Acceptances for the Franklin Racing Club's meeting, to be held at Pukekohe on May 11, close with the secretary, Mr. A. P. Daysh, Pukekohe, or Mr. A. J. Farquhar, secretary of the Avondale Jockey Club at 5 p.m. to-morrow.