THREE IN A ROW.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 3, 5 January 1938, Page 14

THREE IN A ROW.

COURTCRAFT'S WINS.

STRETTO BACK TO BEST.

ROUND UP HAS IMPROVED.

1' rom a racing point of view the summer meeting of the Auckland Racing Club was fne ot the most outstanding yet held by the club and some attractive sport wan provided. The contests in the handicap events resulted in some stirring finishes, and in many cases the issue was ill doubt uuul tin; numbers were hoisted. The going, with the exception of i\ew Year's Day, w.ih hiii d >iin[ fast, and it was not surprisjug to note two fresh records being established tor the course, while Courtcraft Cieatcd new mile figures for the Dominion when he scored in the King's Plate.

Jho most outstanding galloper raced at Lllcrslie lor souk': years was undoubtedly Lourlciatt, and it is doubtful it a more quality -looking colt has been seen at headquarters. I'rior to his victory on the second day there was an impression that the distance ot the Derby, one mile and a halt, would find him wanting, but he more than confounded his critics by taking the blue riband in effort low stvie. He also annexed the King's and Clifford Plates, and both victories were attained in impressive fashion. The son of JLimond is a very free goer and gets over the ground with a minimum of action, and although his chief adversary, Royal Chief, was probably not seen at his best owing to the fact that he had be6n showing signs of soreness, there is every reason to expect Courtcraft to retain his superiority during the remainder of the season.

The sprinters seen out were a first-class lot, and on the form displayed Stretto was eusily the best. Her victories iu the Railway and Electric Handicaps were achieved without an apparent effort, and her performance in running Whirling to a neck, with the steadier of 9.4, was one of the best registered at Ellersiie for some time. In the last-named event the considerable delay at the post may have been a contributing fact towards her defeat. The daughter of Hunting Song has not been easy to train, and K. S. Bagby is entitled to a lot of credit for the condition in which he produced her.

.Reserved until the Newmarket Handicap on the third day of the meeting, Whirling ran right up to his best when he gained a narrow but decisive success. He was always in a handy position, and a feature of his effort was the game manner in which he finished on over the last furlong and a half. Produced again in the Bowen Handicap, he drew No. 2 position at the post, but he did not begin with his usual brilliancy, with the consequence that he was never in a winning position. This horse has not been over-raced this term, and he will only, need to retain his Ellerslie form to extend his record in the near future.

l''ew horses stood up to their racing better than Tray Bit, and he fully deserved tile win that came his.w.ay.in the Bowen Handicap on Monday.. He .was inclined to be fractious at the barrier and lost ground at the start, but L. J. Ellis had lntn well placed at the turn, and he finished splendidly to gain a close verdict. There are few gamer horses than Tray Bit, and although lie invariably shows signs of soreness in his work and before a race it does not appear to affect his galloping ability. The 'lea Tray gelding should prove a good proposition when the trocka become easier, as he races best under those conditions.

After failing to show to advantage in his previous races, Black Thread ran a surprisingly good race in the Bowen Handicap on the linal day. He looked a winner fifty yards from the post, but just failed to hold off Tray Bit and went under by half a head. Summed up on that form, Black Thread should be worth keeping in mind in sprint events in the future, as he is still handily placed in the weights. m Stayad On W«ll. Among the hurdlers seen out at the meeting Koyal Mimic was in a class of his own, and in his three outings won twice and was second on the other occasion. A feature of his performances was the manner in which he stayed on over the final stages, and there is no doubt that he possesses staying ability above the average. He is not likely to do much more racing until the jumping season comes round, and as he is a proved gulloper in heavy ground he should be a great proposition during the winter months. He was produced in splendid order by W. Goscomb, and his condition reflected credit upon the Gisborne mentor.

The accident that befell English Night in the Aucklund Hurdles and necessitated his destruction was extremely unfortunate for his connections, as 'the Little England gelding was just coming to his best and had won at his last two starts. Prior to the Aucklund meeting he had not shown real staying ability, but his effort on New Year's Day showed that' he had improved' a great deal in this respect, for he ran the two miles out in very solid style. But for this untimely mishap it looked as if this jumper would have enjoyed a profitable time round the country meetings.

-Although she failed to win a race at the meeting, Modern Maid performed consistently and registered three seconds in her. only three outings. She jumped splendidly on each occasion, and it was only in the laßt furlong that she failed. This mare has shown her ability to handle soft going and should be capable of winning races later in the season.

As the result of his fine form earlier in' the season, Suleiman was confidently expected to extend his winning record at Elierslie, but in his two outings he failed to finish better than fourth, a position he occupied in both ruces. No excuses can be made for him, as he began well oi) each occasion and was in a winning position when the final issue commenced, but Weakened when the pressure was applied. There is no doubt tjidt Suleiman possesses fine speed, but When tackled in the Bowen Handicap on Monday he'did not put much determination into his task. However, he is only a three-year-old, and as he only ■commenced racing in the spring he may come solid with age, and next season he should develop- into a first-class sprinter.

The most improved hack seen out was Huerepo, who put up three splendid performances. After finishing a close third in the Robinson Handicap he annexed the Fergussqn and County Handicaps, winning the event in every easy fashion. This three-year-old began well in each of his races, and the style in which he ran out the mile on the second day augurs well for his future.

After being beaten out of a place in the Christinas Handicap on the first day, Round Up registered two solid performances to scare in the Summer Cup and Grandstand Handicap. He was patiently ridden by H. Wiggins in both the races that he won and came away over the final stages to score very decisively. The form revealed Round Up to be a vastly improved horse, and he should take a prominent part in some of the big handicaps at the approaching country meetings. Valamito, from the same stable, fully deserved his victory in the Glasgow Handicap, as lie-has been racing consistently, but-without much luck. He finished with rare courage when the pressure was applied, and he will also have to be considered in, any race he contests from now on. A HigMtnss Colt. When first produced in public Te Hero was selected by many to reach a high plane before the season was very far advanced, and lie fully justified these opinions by his two clear-cut wins at Ellerslie. He was equal to the task of leading all the way in both the Foal Stakes and Royal Stakes, but. whereas he was kicked up to his work in the former event, he made no race of the Royal Stakes, and'was never off the bit. He is a good-constitutioned youngster a lid a very bold galloper, and next season

should find him in the front rank of the three-year-olds. It is understood that several tempting oilers have been made for ie Hero, but Ins owner, Air. J. Hollier, is not disposed to part with the son of Heroic. In winning the A.K.C. Handicap on New \ea i s Day, Gay Rose registered her best performance to date, as she was opposed by a number of proved handicap horses and won going away. At her next appearance, in the Glasgow Handicap, one mile, she was never within striking distance of the leaders, and it is evident that she will always be better suited over a longer distance.

For some time past Hot Box had been giving evidence in his work at Takaniui that be was on the improve, and this was clearly demonstrated by the manner in which he accounted for the Midsummer and Sylvia Handicaps at Ellerslie. He showed an abundance of speed in both races and is a line type of two-year-old who should go on to better deeds.

The southern two-year-old Amigo was saddled up twice at the meeting for a win and a second placing. In the Foal Stakes he beat all but the winner, Te Hero, and at his next start made short work of the opposition in the Criterion Handicap on the second day. Amigo is not a big gelding, but he is very compact and a stylish galloper. If taken to the Wellington meeting later in the month this youngster is likely to extend his already good record. After her third in the Fergusson Handicap on the second day, Land Girl was backed down to second favouritism in the Grey Handicap on Monday, and the eupport was fully justified. Her rider, R. McTavish, was content to hold a position just behind the pacemakers until the final stages, and when asked for a little extra the filly responded splendidly. Land Girl was tinned out in great order by H. Jury, and she should continue to do further good service for him, despite the fact that she is now out of hack company. STARTING AT ELLERSLIE. The starting of Mr. R. H. Skipwith at Ellerslie during the Auckland summer meeting, which concluded on Monday, was consistently good. He had some fractious horses to deal with, but got his fields away in good style, some of his efforts being perfect. Mr. Skipwith has officiated at the barrier at Ellerslie for several years past, and it is doubtful during a four-days' meeting whether he has ever done better than he did during the past week.

SOUTHLAND RACES. JANET GAYNOR WINS. VICTORY FOR TREBLEACK. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) INVERCARGILL, Tuesday. The holiday racing in the Dominion was concluded with the second day of the Southland Racing Club's meeting at Invercargill to-day. There was a strong wind, with heavy rain, for tlie last two races. The attendance was large and the track In good order. The totalisator handled £17.170 10/, compared with £19,236 on the second day last year. The investments for the meeting were £39,333, against £37,858 last year, an increase of £1475. Results: — GLADSTONE ITFRDLES of £150. One mile and a half. 1— I—RTTKRKX. 9.9— W. Hogan .. 1 3—3—MASTER ANOMALY, 9.11 — J. Ritchnrds 2

2—2—BURWOOD. 9.11 —J. T. Boyle 3 Also started: 4-5 Vitnphone. 10.3: 3-4 Sir Admiral, 9.0, ear. 9.2 ; 6-6 Coat of Arms, 9.0. - Half a head: three-quarters of a length. Sir Admiral was fourth. Time. 2.46.

MAKAREWA TROT of £145. One mile and a half. Limit 3.43. I—I—SYDNEY GRAND, limit—W. A. Thomas 1 B—B—GOLD STREAK, limit —T. Espltn 2 12-12—ABEL, limit—.l. Maconnell ... 3 Also started: 2-2 Blue Spot, 16-15 Dora Lindsay, 3-5 Dewey Cloud. 13-13 Samara. 15-16 War King. 10-11 Fransol, 4-4 Glenelad. 18-18 Mulgu.v, 7-6 Kentucky Sun, 18-17 Tour, 6-7 Loyalist, 11-10 Guy' View, limit: 5-3 Capricorn. 16-15 Master Garry, 14-14 Lady Ita, 48yds; 9-9 Golden Miller, 60yds. Nose: length. Dewey Cloud was fourth. Times : 3.35 1-5, 3.35 2-5, 3.36 4-5.

SHORTS HANDICAP of £170. Six furlongs. 6—B—JANET GAYNOR, 7.3, car. 7 0 —M. Caddv 1 I—I—DOUBLE GIFT, 7.13, car. 7.8 —E. Jones 2 3—2—PALMYRA, 7.5— H. Hibberd . 3 Also starfpd: 4 6 Gold Boa. 101 • 2-3 Bay Duke, 8.12; 5-4 Viking, 8.5, car. 8.3;