STABLE AND TRACK NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 118, 21 May 1931, Page 15

STABLE AND TRACK NOTES.

MERVETTE'S PROSPECTS. The form shown by Mervette this season has not been up to her usual standard and it is a long time since she won a race. Still, her third in the Storey Memorial at Te Rapa last month was a good effort, and a repetition of that form would give her a royal chance in the President's Handicap at Te Awamutu on Saturday. In the past Mervette has put up several good showings on the Waipa course, and with 7.6 to carry in the big race at the end of the week she is nicely placed to add to her recard. A SPEEDY HACK. After her recent success at the Egmont meeting Derry Belle is sure to be in demand if started in the first division of the Te Kumi Handicap on Saturday and she should be capable of a further good effort. This filly, who has only been raced half a dozen times during the present season, has two wins to her credit, besides being in the money on other occasions, and is evidently a speedy galloper. She carried 7.5 when she won at Egmont, but with 8.7 on her back at the Te Kuiti meeting she will find her task a bit more difficult. ENGAGED AT OPUNAKE. Richfield, who scored a couple of easy wins at Wanganui last week, is due to race at the Opunake meeting next Wednesday, where he figures in the Opunake Handicap, one mile and a quarter, and the Flying Handicap, run over six furlongs. Although previously regarded as a sprinter, Richfield won over one mile and a distance at Wanganui, and in his present condition should be capable of running out a solid ten furlongs. The field opposed to him in the Opunake Handicap is not a etrong one, and if he contests that race in preference to the •print event he is sure to go well.

TURNED OUT FOR SPELL. The two local juveniles Speedfast and United have been turned out for a short spell, but will be taken up again later and prepared for the spring meetings. Both these two-year-olds displayed speed in their respective races this season and, providing they winter well, something better can be expected of them during their three-year-old career, A PROMISING HURDLER. Landmark, who ran third in the Rata Hack Hurdles at Wanganui, has done most of his racing on tile West Coast and in the Nelson district, where he has won two or three races on the flat, besides being placed in other events. He is by Surveyor from Consultation and is a half-brother to Freeze Out, who was a fair performer on the flat. Landmark is engaged at the Te Kuiti and Ellerslie meetings. RELATED TO CHOPIN. Mr. W. J. Wood, of Waipawa, breeder and owner of Chopin, has a couple of his relatives in Clef, by Lackham, who is rising four years, and Minnesinger, a rising two-year-old filly by Mercian King (says a Hawke's Bay writer). Since Tuneful, dam of the abovementioned, has been the property of Mr. Wood she has produced in addition to Chopin, Clef and Minnesinger, Irish Melody, Minstrel Boy and Sweet Chimes, all to Kilboy. SEATOWN DOING WELL. Latest reports from the Taranaki district state that Seatown is training on splendidly and he is expected to put up a bold showing in the Cornwall Handicap next month. Seatown's easy win in the St. George Handicap, one mile and a quarter, at the recent Stratford meeting clearly indicates that he is back to his best form, and with the prospects of a soft track at Ellerslie the Archiestown gelding must be given a great chance of recording his second Cornwall Handicap success. I

A NOVICE CANDIDATE. Included in the field to contest the Novice Stakes at Masterton to-morrow is the promising novice Child's Study, who displayed good form at the Wairarapa Racing Club's Easter meeting. He has not raced eince, but if produced tomorrow is likely to get good support. Child's Study is by Psychology from Paoanui, and is therefore'a half-brother to Eoyal Parade, and races in the eaiiie colours. HAS DISAPPOINTED. When Brilliant Lady won the second division of the Bardowie Handicap at Cambridge in the spring ehe gave every indication of developing into a good stake earner, but her subsequent form lias been disappointing. This filly, who has abundance of speed, figures in the second division of the Te Kunii Handicap at Te Awamutu on Saturday, and if produced at her best should' be in the picture at the finish of that event.