TAKANINI TRACKS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 185, 7 August 1935, Page 16

TAKANINI TRACKS.

A PROMISING JUMPER.

KING ARA IMPRESSES

GAR VAALS CHANGES STABLES.

A very promising novice hurdler has given some excellent exhibitions during the week. The horse in question is the King Lu—Arizona Maid gelding King Ara. Despite his lack of experience his fencing leaves little to be desired and he is a dashing jumper who would occasion no surprise should he be found racing prominently at the forthcoming Pakuranga meeting. In his last schooling task he defeated Greek Gold in a bout over six fences.

The Vaals—Gortyn three-year-old Gar Vaals has left E. Pope's stable at Takanirii and has been taken over by W. Gough at Avondale. Gar Vaals has been well done during the winter and is in solid condition to go right ahead with a preparation for spring racing. Having been added to the list since he last raced, he may be found racing more generously in future.

Hector Gray, well-known trainer and rider, has left Takanini to take up a position at the Waikanae Stud, Wellington.

Merry Lap accompanied Dark Marble in a schooling bout over six fences on Saturday morning and he shaped quite satisfactorily when paired with a more seasoned companion. The Lapidary gelding has been disappointing of late on the flat, but there seems every likelihood of his proving a more payable proposition in the jumping ranks.

For a maiden High Quality has been accomplishing some nice- work and is now almost ready to show his quality under silk. This gelding is one of the Acre tribe, who has the right idea of galloping, and he should be a good prospect for a maiden event in the early spring. He is a member of W. H. Patterson's team.

Thangi Lamba has resumed work under W. H. Patterson's guidance, and the daughter of-Whirlwind and Adi Vuniyola has wintered well. This filly was required to race only twice during last season, when she led to the straight in both her engagements at Avondale. Age should do much for her, as she possesses more than average speed.

Resumed Work. Glenacre, who has been enjoying an easy time up to the present, has again resumed work. The Acre gelding caused his connections some anxiety owing to not feeding well during his last preparation. Hopes are entertained, however, that he will prove more solid at an advanced age. A. Quinlivan has arrived at Takanini and has his horses quartered in the stables recently vacated by W. S. Jarvis. Quinlivan has Melbroney and a two-year-old by Vaals —Miss Melva to engage his attention at the moment. Melbroney was in training at Takanini a couple of seasons ago, when, owing to waywardness, she was given a course of schooling, to which she adapted herself well. She did not, however, race to any extent and did not contest a hurdle event.

E. Pope's patron, Mr. George Courtney, headed the list of winning owners for the Dominion this y.ear,. with stakes totalling £3983. This total was contributed by only two horses —Gay Blonde £2970 and Gay Sheik £1013. i'or an owner to race only two horses during the season and yet head the winning owners' list must constitute something like a record in this respect. In addition, his representatives finished their racing early in the season, as they last'raced at the Avondale autumn meeting.

Engi is bowling along very freely in some bright work, and it is anticipated that if all goes well he will not be very far from his best when he races at the Pakuranga meeting. With track conditions likely to be to his liking the Lapidary gelding's progress during the next fortnight will be watched with interest. Engi should hold his own if he is back to his best in time. Ebb and Flow is making progress. This is a big gelding by Tidal—Kahu Ariki, who has yet to show something out of the ordinary, but he is the type that requires time, and he may do better later on. Nothing strenuous has been asked of Emancipation during recent weeks, but he is being kept going in steady work, and he will be ready when required. One of the best of the northern jumpers, the Sir Dighton gelding will soon have plenty of opportunities of getting back on the winning list. He does not carry any surplus flesh, but nevertheless looks bright and well.

Huskie is executing some nice work and is making steady progress since being recommissioned. This gelding is intended

for jumping races this term, and it is only a question of him jumping for him to make his mark in this department. He possesses the necessary speed, and in addition he has shown his ability to stay well in the middle distance hack events he contested last season. Eased Up.

The Tea Tray—Marshland filly has been eaeecl up. It is not intended to race her early, as she was a late foal, but in the late spring she will be found sporting silk. This filly has made excellent progress as far as her education has advanced, and ehe certainly appears to have the ability. The Appellant three-year-old in the same stable has been added to the list. Anion, the two-year-old half-brother to Amnion Ra and Prolyxo, has improved a good deal of late and has furnished quite well. He is by no means an attractive colt, but is solidly put together, and when stretched out in recent work displayed galloping ability. He has a lot to do to emulate the deeds of his relatives, but be has been pleasing his connections and may develop into a good class youngster. Ballymoney has been working well, and in a recent sprint showed that he is not far from his best. The Diacquenod gelding toward the latter end of last season finished more solidly in his races than had been the case earlier in his career. Having benefited by a good respite, Ballymoney may prove a really Rood sprinter this season. He is still in J. Cruse's stable. Surclla, the two-year-old half-brother to Ballymoney, is perhaps one of the most forward of the juveniles at present at Takanini. He has made good progress since being broken in, but it would be unwise to select him as tbe beet, as others who are still a little backward just now may soon make headway. Surella is, however, doing everything right and is looking in excellent order. R. Miller has Flood Tide looking and working well. He is bowling along very freely in some blight work, and he looks sure to come to hand as soon as required. Owned by Mr. Desmond Davis, lie is this young owner's first representative, and, having shown promising form last season aa a two-year-old, he has only to continue as at present to soon carry his owner's colours to victory. The Captain Bunsby—Auriculus filly has taken to her education in a kindly manner and has settled down nicely She is a docile customer, and in addition is a fine type of filly who possesses all the attributes of a good galloper. With good breeding to recommend her, this filly may be destined to quickly reach good class this season. She is a three-year-old, and is one of J. W. Cathro's team. . Pola Dance has brightened up considerably during the last few weeks and looks in much better condition than formerly. She is not yet at concert pitch, but she is stated to have the necessary ability and is not expected to be long in the maiden ranks this season. J. W. Cathro has a nice type of gelding by Raceful who has jeen in work during the last few months, and he is now showing a marked keenness j in his work. This gelding looks a very] likely sort. " '