STABLE AND TRACK NOTES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 142, 18 June 1938, Page 20

STABLE AND TRACK NOTES.

EARLY FORM WAS PROMISING. Nothing of a serious nature has been required of Faint, who will not make a reappearance in public until next spring. This three-year-old has only started twice, and drew attention to his future prospects by the solid manner in which he finished over the filial stages to win the Junior Handicap at the Whangarei meeting last April. Shortly afterwards Paint had to be given a spell as the result of a slight injury, but for which he may have extended his record.

A LIKELY IMPROVER. Few horses at Ellerslie are doing better than Professional, who has made marked improvement during the short time he has been at headquarters. In his only start at the Great Northern meeting this gelding gave indications of making an early return to the winning list ly finishing third to Full of Scotch and Inness Lad in the Orakei Hurdle Race on the final day. As Professional had had little previous experience as a juniper his form was encouraging and more is likely to be heard of him in this department.

DIBTANCEB AT TRENTHAM. The Wellington Racing Club has recently had a new survey made of its course at Trentham, and as a result scnie of the starting poets are to be slightly adjusted. The club waa anxious to be sure that all the distances were accurate to the fraction of an inch. The resetting of the mile barrier afforded a good opportunity to have the full survey carried out. The adjustments _ will be completed before next month's meeting. SHOWS PROMISE. This season, as usual, new jumpers of promise are appearing, and there should be ample talent to fill the Wellington and Grand National meetings with interest (says Carbine). The latest to show that not all the novices can be lightly regarded is Soho, who scored a striking success at Hastings during the week-end. Soho had done very well in his schooling, but as the race he won was the first hurdle event he had competed in his performance was particularly good. Jumping perfectly, he led nearly all the way and won decisively. Soho's form on the flat has been moderate. He won the Duke of Gloucester Cup, and, lightly burdened, scored narrowly in the Napier.Cup. After he had won the Duke of Gloucester Cup Mr. G- D. Beatson gave him to Mr: G. G. Beatson, who had ridden him, and th 6 Naipier Cup was the first race the new owner started him in. Soho is by Defoe from St.- Annes, a mare bred by Mr. G. D. Greenwood. St. Annes was by St. Savin from the Boniform—Lady Wayward 11. mare Conceit, and was the dam of Locarno, who also was a good jumper. Another Hawke's Bay horse who is to appear as a hurdler soon is Padishah, who, too, has schooled excellently.

MOST IMPRESSIVE. After their efforts at Wingatui last week Wild Irishman, Fireguard, C'orban and Last Link (hurdlers), and Bally Brit and Burwood (steeplechasers) appear to have good prospects in the more important events yet to be decided (says a Dunedin writer). Wild Irishman gave a dashing display in the June Hurdles, and it was mainly through him that the race was run in the good time of 2.50 on a holding track. He may not be required to take on the big events at present, but the company he meets next time out is likely to be severely tested. He will probably go to Trentham. The going and weight assisted in beating Fireguard when he finished second in hi* two outings. There is not likely to be much change in the going in the future, but against better-class horses his imposts may be lighter. After his performances in winning both the Otago and June Hurdles Corban can be excused for not finishing closer than fourth on Saturday. He ran a good race, and w-ith the pressure on from the start his weight proved a little beyond him. Not as big as perhaps one>would wish a hurdler to be, he i« endowed with plenty of courage, and a drop in weight wnll find him making good showings in better class. Though Bally Brit won one race compared with Burwood's two, he impressed as the better stayer of the pair. A beating by Quinopal on the middle day did not encourage his supporters, but he was hard ridden from the start and naturally had little in reserve when Quinopal put in his challenge. On Saturday, when ridden in behind and saved until the final half mile, he just -buried Burwood and Quinopal at the water jump, gaining easily two lengths with a great leap. A safe jumper, he is certain to win in more pretentious company, especially if allowed to go along quietly in the early part. Burwood does not impress as a real stayer, but will probably prove a nuisance in short-distance steeplechases. He haR a fine turn of speed and is a very safe conveyance. His next outing may be at Trentham.

A PROSPECTIVE STAYER. Settlement's win at Wingatui on Saturday, although somewhat belated, indicated that staying is going to be his strong asset (says a southern writer). He had not before raced in such heavy going and his owners did not feel disposed to start him. as it was felt that a risk would be taken with a three-year-old in galloping him 011 drugging ground. It was, however, decided mi the advice of his trainer, F. D. Jones, to try him out, and the result was a very pleaning one. Settlement has improved a good deal since coming south, but lie hat not yet l'ully furnished, and may now be put aside until the summer months. Settlement was bred by Mr. G. A. Kain at Orari and was sold as a yearling at Trentham for 160gs.

SOUTHERN JUMPERS. Courtyard and Nightbound were companions over four hurdles at Riccarton during the week, which they jumped cleanly, while travelling all the way at a solid pace. Courtyard has come back after a short rest looking in great order. He is booked for a trip to Trentham, where lie will contest the Trentham Hurdles and \\ inter Hurdles, in which he will be tested by some of the best hurdlers in the North Island. Courtyard will not be out of his place, however, as he is a good jumper, endowed with stamina, while heavy ground suits him. Nightbound is being prepared to race in steeplechases. He had some experience at Washdyke and is engaged at Ashburton next week, with Oamaru to tallow. He looks a good prospect for cross-country races.

A REMARKABLE RECORD. Black Duke had three races at the recent Dunedin meeting and did not suffer any Til-effects. He raced prominently for a while 011 the first day, but in his later engagement he did not display any of his old dash at any stage. It is interesting to note that Saturday's race was Black Duke's two hundred and fifty-first appearance in public. His retirement has been announced several times, but although his owner-trainer is not keeping him going with the hope of winning races with him. lie considers the veteran is better off in training. In the first place, Black Duke Would give trouble in being enclosed in a paddock, unless a specially high fence was elected around it, and in the second place, his peculiarities when being handled are such tnat anybody outside his usual attendants would lie liable to suffer injury, especially in strange surroundings. It is therefore likely that the old public idol will be kept in active work until he is unable to stand up to it, and as he is yet to suffer from any leg troubles this possibility may be'a long way off.

BRED THE RIGHT WAY. Dai;k'Legion, the Australian-bred youngster by Dark Fox from Our Legion, owned by Mr. A. D. Potter, is undergoing the early stages of his education and is a likely-looking sort. He is a well-developed and compactly-built colt, whose breeding suggests that he will eventually make a name for himself.

FAILURES WERE COSTLY. The two failures registered against Te Monowai at Ellerslie were very expensive, tor the daughter of General Latour was solidly backed on each occasion. She was meeting strong opposition, and in the circumstances was by no means disgraced. As Te Monowai is a shade on the small side she is at a disadvantage under the 8.0 minimum, consequently she will find it harder to win under that scale.

RAN GOOD RACES. Although Malagigi failed to win at the recent Ellerslie meeting he ran a couple of good races. In the York Handicap on the final day he was running on solidly nt the finish behind Jack Tar and Emdale. At the Waipa meeting Malagigi figures in the Woodstock Handicap, and the extra two furlongs attached to that race will be in his favour. The fact that he is trained on the Te Rapa course will also be an advantage to Malagigi, and he is worth keeping in mind.

A PROVED GALLOPER. The addition of Marie's Acre to the active brigade at Ellerslie will create a fair amount of interest, as this well-bred colt promises to reach the highest class. He has not raced for several months, but his form throughout the spring and summer meetings was good and consistent. He opened his winning account in the Maiden Plate at Avondale last September and later accounted for a useful field in the I'upuke Plate, one mile, at the Takapuna meeting. The success in the latter event made Marie's Acre ineligible for hack races, and his next outing was in the Railway Handicap at Ellerslie. In this race lie put »ip a sterling performance to finish third to Stretto and Ben Braggie, especially so as he conceded tlie winner lib. Later at the same meeting Marie's Acre ran third to Whirling and Stretto in the N'ewmarket Handicap, thereby showing that his third in the Railway Handicap was no flash in the pan. His next performance of note was his second to Tray Bit over six furlongs at Te Rapa in February last, and he has only started once since. Although only doing light tasks at present, Marie's Acre looks bright and healthy and is in the right order to undergo a preparation for the new season.