SUCCESSFUL SEASON.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 134, 9 June 1939, Page 12

SUCCESSFUL SEASON.

WANGANUI HORSES. W. RATNER'S TEAM. W. Rayner. who trains for Mr. G. M. Currie. has had a successful season with his string, which has now finished racing until the spring (save our Wanganui correspondent). "With "a team of six Rayner has, won £31tiO. the principal contributors being Homily £1-235, and Submission £1125. Entail added £t>3> to the total, Rehearsal £13."). and Portal £••{O. Submission's ]>erforinance makes her out to l>e one of the very best of the season's two-year-olds, #n'd the Limond —Homage filly gives every promise of furnishing into a iine three-year-old, as she not only hae sprinting ability, but she is bred and shapes like one that should do well up to a mile and a half at least. Homily and Entail have both raeed so consistently well since the early autumn that their ]>rospects of adding materially to their winnings next season look bright. Both are beinjr given a spell, which will last about three weeks, before they are to be brought in again to be got ready for the spring. Rehearsal was late in striking form, the effects of a severe cold keeping him off the track until the autumn. However, he shaj>ed so well in his later engagements that it seems safe to predict that the son of Limond will prove a top notch four-year-old. Portal had only four races, as he was growing fast, and his trainer did not wish to take any risks with the son of Pombal. He promises to furnish into a big three-year-old, and is likely to prove a good sort. Smoke Screen has 'been one of the most unlucky horses of D. Mark*' team, as accidents have prevented him havins more than six races, for two wins and two seconds, his victories including the Taranaki Stakes and the King's Plate at Ellerslie. The Limond gelding has not raced since Trent ham iu March, as the result of an injury from which he appears to have made a good recovery. ]). Marks is walking and trottina Smoke Screen about the roads, and has hope? lie may win a race with him in the spring.

Russian Ballet, who. like Smoke Screen, is owned by Mr. R. Grace, appears to have benefited by her spell in the paddock. Marks intends t<> make a start on the Xijrhtinarch filly again short lv.

Ruatiti is wintering particularly well, and the Liniond gliding look* in great heart. Out of eight starts he registered four wins, scoring three on end. when a mishap put him out of action for the rest of the season. All going well Ruatiti will win some good races as a four-year-old for Mr. W. Me A. Duncan.

Another of Marks' charge* in Taurangi had also to be spelled early in the autumn l>eeause of a mishap, but she has thrown off the effects .->f the trouble and looks in nice condition -to l>o:rin nnother preparation. The Beau Poro filly may he allowed to miss the earlier spring meetings.