MATAMATA HORSES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 290, 7 December 1932, Page 14

MATAMATA HORSES.

VALROE TURNED OUT. TO RETURN IN WINTER. Valroe jarred his shoulder some time ago, but has now fully recovered. However, in view of the hard tracks that are likely to obtain from this on, it has been deemed advisable to turn him out. It is later intended to get him in for winter racing. This is the first spring since he commenced racing that Valroe has not been a substantial stake-earner. Gay Rose, who has been suffering from shin soreness, has been sent back for the time being to Mr. A. Lennard, her owner, at Waihou. She will probably be replaced by her half-sister, Lucy Rose. Gay Rose showed pace over a few furlongs and might do a lot better as a three-year-old. Present intentions are that Knight of Australia will fulfil his Auckland Cup engagement. Prior to dead-heating with Bronze Tray for second place at Te Rapa Knight of Australia had only won over a sprint distance at Takapuna. However, he appears to be coming more solid and he may yet live up to his breeding, which is on purely staying lines. J. W. Anderton has this Australian-bred gelding very well at present. Marked Improvement. Wahinerahi, the two-year-old filly by Raceful —Lady Floss, has been in W. J. McLean's hands for only a few weeks, but she has shown marked improvenient. There are distinct possibilities for this youngster later in the season. Cocktail and Nifty, both of whom are trained by their owner, Mr. A. Stewart, have had their preparations interrupted, but are on the track again and moving along nicely. Cocktail appears fairly forward and gives distinct promise. This pair will probably have their first races at Thames. Gay Lap appears to be muscling up and can be deemed a distinct possibility for the Railway Hadicap with the handy impost of 7.6. In his races this season he has run honestly, but was not in the same condition as at this period of last year. He was not taken up until August 15, so that he has raced creditably and should improve greatly in the next three weeks. Present intentions are that R. J. Mateer will eplit his team over the holidays. Standfast and Gay Lap are to race at Ellerslie, while Welcome Boy and Lady Lulu will go to New Plymouth and Stratford. Both the latter should pay their way, as they are very fit and have shown form this season. J. Clothier's Team. J. Clothier is as yet undecided as to his Christmas and New Year . programme. Sweet Lap is a maiden for whom the company at Ellerslie may be a bit too smart, and this may influence tin's owner to forego Lord Va'l's Auckland Cup engagement and seek a little less select company elsewhere. However, nothing has been decided yet.

Sir. W. Casey's pair, Last Lap and Chief Lap, are now in proper work after minor accidents and ailments and they should be in,good condition for the country circuit. They are a serviceable pair to work on.

Merry Lap carried the confidence of his connections on both days at Takapuna, but the turning track was against him and he lost his position early in both races. There is no reason why Merry Lap should not turn out erary bit as good as his brother, Gay Lap. Merry Lap met with a slight injury to one of his hind legs on the concluding day of the Takapuna meeting, but is all right again.

Standfast is looking a picture of health since being taken up again after an enforced spell of about three months and it is intended to race him over hurdles at Ellerslie during the holidays. While the Valkyrian gelding is partial to soft tracks. he usually races well fresh. However, he can hardly be at his best at Christmas.