EASTER RACING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 72, 26 March 1931, Page 16

EASTER RACING.

SOME LIKELY CANDIDATES.

THEIR RECENT FORM.

PAITONU'S PROSPECTS,

Paitonu won the Thompson Handicap last season with 7.10. He was brought to Auckland, and, after running unplaced in the President's Handicap, one mile and a quarter, on the first day, won the Islington Handicap, one mile, by three qparters of a length. Paitonu has not raced a great deal since then, but he is nominated for the same races at Ellerslie. as he contested last year, and, judging by his running at the Manawatu meeting he looks likely to return 'to form very shortly. When at his best he is useful up to a mile and a quarter.

ENTERED FOR ELLERSLIE. Lotus Lily, who finished third in the Cloverlea Nursery Handicap at Awapuni, is engaged at Ellerslie at Easter time. She has not done much racing and previously had shown pace in her races at the Hawke's Bay summer fixture and also at Rangitikei, where she won. Lotus Lily is by Chief Ruler from Egyptian Flower and is owned by her' breeder, J.' M. Cameron.

A LUCKY ESCAPE. Orapai had a very narrow esca-pe when being loaded on to a float for Opuhake. The lorry had been backed against a bank, and as he was going on board the edge of the bank gave way and his hind leg went down between the edge and the back of the lorry. However, the horse did not play up and he was extricated with only a few scratches. Orapai will be ready for Feilding at Easter.

OFF TO SYDNEY. Nedda is to be sent to Sydney after Easter. Last'season Nedda showed good form as a two-year-old in New Zealand and when taken to Australia won the V.R.C. Sires' Produce Stakes and deadheated with Comanche three-quarters of a length behind Parkwood in the A.J.C. Champagne Stakes, while she was also third in th£ A.J.C. Sires' Produce Stakes to Honour and Comanche.

WON AT TAKAPUNA. Eastertime showed plenty of pace when brought north for the Takapuna summer meeting, where he was beaten by High Comedy on the first day, but won on the second. Eastertime was a starter at the Manawatu meeting on Monday and came from a long way back, to finish second to View Halloa. If better placed early he would have won. Eastertime figures in the two-year-old handicap events to be decided at the Auckland autumn meeting, and has arrived at Ellerslie.

A PROMISING JUMPER. Since returning from the Ohinemuri nieeting, where he won in his initial attempt over steeplechase country, Dark Prince has made good progress, and looks an improved horse. For a novice Dark Prince shaped really well over the big fences at Paeroa, and he should have no difficulty in negotiating the Ellerslie country next month. At the present time there are not many fresh steeplechase candidates in sight, ana J. Kemp's gelding looks like having a profitable time ahead during the coming jumping season;

DOING WELL. There are few horses at Ellerslie doing better than Gay Cockade, who is undergoing a solid preparation for his coming engagements at Ellerslie. So far this gelding has not been given any particularly fast work, but he is very bright and muscular; in fact it is doubtful if he ever looked better than at present. The Depredation gelding has on several occasions this season demonstrated his ability to run out a solid mile and a quarter, and if started in the President's Handicap next month he will keep the top-weights busy.

TO CONTEST HACK EVENTS. After her good form as a two-year-old last season Jenny Diver gave promise of being a payable stake-winner during the present terra, but so far she has been a failure. However, she recently ran third in a mile race at Dannevirke, and at the Manawatu meeting last week occupied a similar position to Brambletorn and King March in the Te Mat'ai Handicap, rim over nine furlongs, and her turn for a win may not be far off. Jenny Diver is engaged in hack events at Ellerslie, and if starte'd' she will only heed to reproduce her Manawatu form to have good Avinning prospects.

ENTERED AT AVONDALE.

Ruling King, who ranks as a halfbrother to Gold Money and King Emerald, is now shaping better in his work at Ellerslie and has been entered for minor hack events at the Avondale meeting. As a two-year-old Iqst season Ruling King displayed plenty of speed on the track, but, owing to the fact that he was growing too fast, did little racing. He has now developed into a solid looking customer and appears to be thriving much better than he did earlier in the season. W. Kemp has given this maiden plenty of time to mature and expects him, in due course, to uphold the family traditions as a galloper.

WON DECISIVELY.

My Own is engaged in the President's Handicap, one mile and a quarter, on the first day of the Auckland autumn meeting. At the New Zealand Cup meeting My Own wou the Metropolitan Handicap, one mile and a half, beating Star Stranger and Count Palatine, heads separating the trio. Later My Own came to Auckland for the summer meeting and finished third in the Auckland Racing Club Handicap, one mile and a half, to Gay Crest and Corinax. At the recent Manawatu meeting she showed a return to form by winning the Tamatete Handicap, one mile and a quarter, in most convincing style. She was in a handy pcteition across the top, and once heads were turned for home left the others. My Own may again run well if brought nor

FORDELL JUVENILE.

View Halloa, who registered his first victory when he accounted for the Cloverlea Handicap at Awapuni, is a two-year-old by Hunting Song from Haligan, by Hallowmas from Bonny Portland. He is trained by L. G. Morris at.Fordell and beat quite a useful field.

NEWCOMERS AT ELLERSLIE. The latest additions to the active workers at Ellerslie include Importer and Tin Whistle. The first named is again under W. Ryan's care and Tin Whistle has joined F. Gilchrist's stable. Both these geldings have had a lengthy spell and will require a bit of time before they get into racing shape again.

RETURNING TO FORM. Chrysology showed good form in the spring when lie won a double at Ellerslie and also, scored at Riccarton. He Avas raced at the Manawatu meeting recently, and in the open sprint on the first day lie ran a good race, being well up all the way and finishing fifth. He is likely to bo seen to more advanf ago at Easter time. He is engaged at the Canterbury Jockey Club!s meeting.

A SOLID IMPOST. Mister Gamp has liacl his attention confined to hurdles in the past, but lie has been entered for the Mangere Steeplechase, to be decided on the first day of the Auckland meeting. He has been awarded 12.5, and, good hurdler though he is, he may find some of the lighter-weighted ones trouble him seriously if he starts. His stable companion, Skyrider, who has 10.10, appeals most.

ON THE IMPROVE. The Australian-bred juvenile Royal Gallant has made good progress during the past month, having built up into nice solid condition. He is also shaping better in his track work and, although he has not been severely tested, he displayed a good dash of pace over half a mile recently. Royal Gallant is due to contest two-year-old events at the Auckland and Avondale meetings.

ENGAGED IN GREAT AUTUMN. Carrying 0.5, Historic beat Vertigern, who had 8.10, by a head in the Autumn Handicap, one mile and three furlongs, at the last Wellington fixture. Going on to Manawatu, they met at level weights (9.2) in the Awapuni Cup, one mile and a quarter, and Vertigern, who finished four lengths behind Nightmarch, beat Historic by a head. Now Historic has to give Vertigern 101b in the Great Autumn Handicap at Riccarton on Easter Tuesday, and Vertigern should be one of the hardest to beat.

GOLD MONEY'S PROSPECTS. Gold Money is shaping nicely in her work at headquarters, and now that the going is likely to be a bit easier she will be in her element. This mare raced below her usual form at Te Aroha, but when galloped over seven furlongs on the course proper a few days ago she shaped well and better results can be' expected in her next few contests. Although Gold Money registered a good performance over nine furlongs at the Takapuna meeting, she appears to be better suited over distances ranging from six furlongs to one mile. Winter racing conditions usually find Gold Money at her best and she should again be a payable proposition to her owner during the remainder of the season.

HORSES FOR ELLERSLIE., Tho Hawke's Bay trainers, J. M. Cameron and W. Griffith, are uncertain about their Easter movements. Both have horses engaged at Auckland and Wairarapa, while Griffith is also in at 'Feilding. W. McKinnon will come to Ellerslie with Toxeuma, Pewa, Pakitore and Curie, all of whom were racing at Wellington and Manawatu. E. S. Bagby will do the riding when the weights'suit. Mr. W. R. Kemball's team will be split up at Easter. G. Jones will come to Auckland with Lady Pain, Spear Lad and Capo Gold, leaving on Monday. Movietone, Pat's Boy and Foghorn will race at Wairarapa, while W. Hawthorne will go to Feilding with Hymgrcat and two others. J. Brown will bring Silvermine and Chief Link to Auckland for the Easter meeting, and Awaken will race at Feilding. B. McTavish.has been engaged to ride Silvermine in the Easter Handicap.

JOCKEY SUSPENDED. Private advice received in Wellington yesterday, says the "Dominion," from A. D. Webster states that his son, T. Webster, had been suspended for one month. No details are available. Webster was riding at Eosehill on Saturday and was on First Acre when he won.

AUCKLAND RACING CLUB. Acceptances for the first day of the autumn meeting of the Auckland Racing Club, and final payments for the Great Northern St. Leger, Great Northern Champagne Stakes and Great Northern Oaks, close with the secretary, Mr. W. S. Spence, at 5 p.m. to-morrow.