STABLE AND TRACK NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 189, 12 August 1933, Page 14

STABLE AND TRACK NOTES.

FATES AGAINST HIM. A. McDonald, who rode Luna Lux in the Grand National Steeples on Tuesday, lias yet to ride the winner of that event. He was second on Master Lupin in 1919 and piloted Corneroff when that gelding ran second to Aurora Borealis in 1930. HUNTERS SCHOOLED. The hunters Zane Grey and Grant's Opal were schooled over a round of the steeplechase fences at Ellerslie on Thursday morning, giving a safe display. Zane Grey is a safe fencer, and if started in the Greenmount Steeplechase next Saturday lie should be in the money, as the opposition is only moderate. Grant's Opal has only been in work a short time and may need further experience before being seen at her best. A FINE PERFORMANCE. Polydora, though narrowly beaten in the Winter Cup, v/as responsible for another fine performance. As usual, she failed to hold her place in the early stages, and she had a lot of ground to make up in the straight. She turned on one of her brilliant finishes, but in Mount Boa she met an opponent who was just a trifle too good for her. Polydora is likely to go on to other good performances and over longer distances. A SPELL LIKELY. Merry Peel, who met with interference during the running of the Winter Cup, was displaying signs of soreness after the race and will not be seen out again at the meeting. If Merry Peel does not improve during the next few weeks he will be blistered and turned out for a short spell. He has put up several good efforts during the winter months and his owner will be unfortunate if the gelding's preparation has to be stopped at this stage of the season. A PROMISING GALLOPER. Silvox, the winner of the Avonhead Handicap at Riccarton, has had only three races. He was second to Guarantee in the McLean Stakes last spring and he won a novice event at South Canterbury in the autumn. Hie is a very solid galloper, and if he trains on he will prove a worthy halfbrother to Rebel Song, the last Great Easter winner. Unfortunately, however, Silvox developed trouble in one of his tendons recently, so he may not stand a severe preparation when the tracks become' hard. STABLEMATES DOING WELL. Glenromney and Courthaven are both getting through plenty of useful work at headquarters and will be seen out at some of the spring meetings., Glenromney is more solid-looking than formerly and, having previously proved his ability as a galloper, lie should pay his way during the current season. Courthaven has also win* tered well and is in the right order to undergo a solid preparation for events, ahead. This -filly has ufcsn evidence of staying on in her races tuid F. Gilchrist should be able to place. lj£r to advantage at the country meetings.

HAS GOOD PROSPECTS. Shatter, who finished fourth in the Winter Cup, "ran a sterling race, after meeting with a bit of trouble on the journey. He is very well and lie may resume winning before the season is much further advanced. He is a good stayer and should bo worth keeping la mind for some of the big handicaps later on iu the season. HER TURN WILL COME. Spoon followed up her second to Poly- j dora in the Brabazon Handicap by chasing Croupier home in the Paparua Handicap at Kiccarton on Tuesday. She is very well, and she is due to win any time now, as she will be unlucky if she keeps on meeting opponents as good as the pair who have beaten her in her last two starts. / HAS PLENTY OF SPEED. Sweet Agnes, who filled second place in the Cashmere Plate, was an unlucky performer last season, as she was placed on several occasions, without being fortunate to secure a win. Her turn, however, may not be delayed much longer. This filly has abundance of speed, and as she appears to be improving in stamina she should do well during the spring meetings. RACING CONSISTENTLY. Martian Chief may not have to wait long before he wins a race. His third in the Winter Cuj> was a good eli'ort. Like the pair who beat him, lie came from well back, being slow to get going, though i liewas handily placed at the home turn. This gelding's recent form has been very consistent, for he has been in the money in each of his three contests. HER BEST EFFORT. Strong Light ran lier best race in the Avonhead Handicap-last Tuesday at Riccarton. She was out in front fl'om the rise of the barrier, and it was only in the last stride that she was headed. : In view of her improved form she may get a stake before long. By Tractor from Dazzling Light, this filly comes .from a good family and more is likely to be heard of lier. A GOOD RECORD. A. E. Ellis has an enviable riding record in the three most important events at the Grand National meeting, having won each of them more than once. He captured the Winter Cup 011 Solferite, Toxeuma and Fast Passage, and the Grand National Hurdles 011 Penury Rose and Wharncliffe, while prior to his success on Tuesday 011 Thurina he won the Grand National Steeplechase on Snowfall.

JUVENILE ON THE IMPROVE. The unnamed two-year-old by Gay Sheild from Lady Kerman was given an easy sprint over a couple of furlongs recently and shaped encouragingly. He is growing into a sturdy-looking youngster and is in first-rate condition to begin a serious preparation. This youngster is a half-brother to Sir Romeo, who has been in the money on several occasions lately at southern meetings. MAY GO TO SYDNEY. Bay Tree, winner of the Cashmere Plate and the Sumner Handicap at Riccarton, carried the colours of Mr. E. J. Watt, at one time a prominent Hawke's Bay owner, but for a number of years he has been resident in Australia.. During his connection with the New Zealand turf Mr. Watt won most of the Dominion's important races, including a New Zealand Cup (Midnight Sun), C.J.C'. Easter (Venture), A.R.C. Railway (Kilindini), and Wellington Cup (Bunting), All were trained by T. F. Quinlivan. Bay Tree is the first horse raced in New Zealand by Mr. Watt since his residence in Australia. He cost 360 guineas as a yearling at the Trentham salVs, and is by Chief Ruler from Bayloch, an English mare by Bay Drop (brother to Gainsborough). Bay Tree has plenty of pace and also shapes as if he will run on. He is engaged in the A.J.C. Derby, and if he shows sufficient promise he will be taken to Sydney. His trainer, Jefferd, has instructions from Mr. Watt, now 011 a visit to England, to run him in the Sydneyclassic if he is of opinion that Bay Tree is good enough. ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. SLEEPER.—(I) Count Cavour and Rapine met twice in the Clifford Plate, Count Cavour winning on each occasion; (2) £8 17/6. A.E.L. —The mile record is held jointly by Karapoti and Thespian, 1.36 3-5. Silver Scorn established an Australian and New Zealand record when she won the Middle Park Plate at Riccarton in February last in 1.9 2-5. Pillow .Fight won the Avondale Guineas.