STABLE CHANGES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 228, 25 September 1940, Page 14

STABLE CHANGES.

VERULAM, SMALL BOY.

PROUD FOX IMPROVING.

HORSES AT; TAKANINI.

Verulam, a winner on the Taranaki circuit recently, has been transferred from H. Gray's stable to that of her owner, Mr. S. V. Parsons. The daughter of Cambria Park created a fine impression by winning at her only two starts, and ranks as a full sister to the Railway Handicap winner, Bronwen. She is regarded as a filly much above the average, and would only need to be started at the Ohineniuri meeting on Saturday to command a great deal of respect.

Small Boy, who succeeded in the hurdle event on the second aay of the Avondale meeting, is now under D. J. Burgess' guidance at Takanini, and is being prepared for the Ohinemuri races, where lie figures as top-weight in both the hurdles and steeplechase. A definite decision has not yet been made as to which event he will contest, but there will be solid support coining to him in whichever engagement he fulfils. A speedy h,-.ck, Sir Lysander, has been transferred to Takanini, where he lias entered J. Cruse's stable. Sir Lysander is susceptible to improvement, and when he regains his best form he will measure up to the standard required for success in contests for hack sprint events. Proud Fox has again assumed a bright appearance, and is an acceptor for the open sprint at Paeroa on Saturday. When raced in the Admiralty Handicap at the Pakuranga meeting last month Proud Fox ran a very creditable third to Royal Message and Our Jean, but lightened up after the race, and consequently was an absentee from Avondale engagements. This four-year-old Foxbridge gelding is likely to attain high rank as the season progresses, and the manner in which he is again shaping suggests that his return to the winning list might not long be delayed.

Not a Spent Light. The encouraging form shown by Flood Tide at Avondale indicated that the Tidal gelding is by no means a spent light. Flood Tide looks all the better for his racing on the suburban course, and it is reason-' able to expect that he will not be long in returning to the winning list; that is, if he survives further training. A candidate for the Mitchelson Cup, it is possible that Flood Tide may reach his peak by then, and it would occasion no surprise to find him entering into early discussions for the event; in which he succeeded a couple of seasons ago. Cambria's success in the Nureery Handicap at Avondale caught <hi» admirers unawares, even though previous track work indicated possibilities. Thie may be attributed to the fact that the brother to Bronwen waa generally considered a colt likely to be seen to advantage with a little more age. However, his form showed that he may now enter considerations for two-year-old classics. Cambria ie not on acceptor for the Welcome Stakes, to be decided at the Auckland spring meeting, an event, in which his trainer has, two other likely'entrants, Borak and Nattarion. The former is an attractive colt by Nigbtmarch'V.from Variant, and the latter a geldjngijby Phaleron Bay—Duckling. Both yoAinipterg have been allowing very encouraging form on the track. One of last eea.<ton's good two-year-olde who is giving evidence of coming to hand quickly ■is the Diacquenod colt Cillas. Formerly trained by hi« owner, Mr. J. Hoey, of Whangarei, Cillae ihas latterly been under the care of H. Gray, and he has certainly made a great deal of headway of late. His reappearance among the hacks on Saturday is sure to evince interest. It i.4 doubtful if Cillae ever looked better than at present and since last racing he has grown., and furnished appreciably. He should make good thie term.

Smart at Barrier. To say the least of the Flying Handicap field ait Paeroa there are a dozen candidates who can seriously claim attention, but, by virtue of their brilliancy at the barrier, the Takanini horses, Gaymies, Maxam and Valimeen, appeal as a trio who illicit well be respected. On the small, turning track, beginning ability is a great asset and there are no better beginners than Maxam. while Gaytni.se and Valimeen are also good. Barrier positions may have an important bearing on the result of this event, but it is worth while .noting that the ihorses named are better for their racing at Avondale. British Sovereign and Searcher, two members of C. Morse's team for the Ohinemuri meeting, will leave early for Paeroa, as it is intended to school them over the local fences prior to contesting the steeplechase. Both jumpers have been undertaking the right type of work to fit them for their coming tn.ske. Estro, formerly trained at Takanini by P. E. Pope, has been transferred to W. Kirk's stable at Ellerslie. Estro was a very consistent performer among the hacks last season and, in the autumn, conceded a good deal of weight to Llandaff and ran him to half a length at Avondale' when that gelding was at the peak of his form. She is a mare who might not be long in earning promotion to open company.

Until he ran off the course in the hack sprint at Avondale on the second day. Gold Money Song showed a fine turn of speed, and it is reasonable to assume that, had he kept a proper course, the Hunting Song gelding would have been in the money. Gold Money Song has wayward tendencies, and it is only a matter of his becoming more tractable for success. No doubt racing -will bring about the desired improvement, and from now on he may be worth- keeping in mind.

Injury to Tellsom. Tellsony fourth in the Champion Hack Plate, was, credited with a fine performance, especially as he was galloped on rather badly during the running. He is suffering from a badly poisoned knee. This injury .is likely to keep Tellsom. out of action for some time, which is a pity, as he promised well. However, there- is plenty of time for him to overcome his trouble, and in due course he should be found on the winning list. An attractive galloper, Tellsom has shown sufficient form to encourage the belief that he will enhance his record.

On a restricted preparation, the Iliad filly Queen City showed some of her former speed in the Flying Handicap at Avondale, and as a result an early return to the winning list was predicted. However, a further setback has been experienced, as she injured herself while running in a paddock after the meeting. This is the second upset to the stable of T. Verner, as Gamos bled rather badly on the eve of Avondale, and his form there suggested that he was not seen at his best. The stable may be recompensed to some extent in the neSr future by River Plate, who showed encouraging form by his second to Miss Baffles in the Avondale Stakes. This gelding would only need to make: a slight improvement to seriously enter ' into calculations for the Welcome Stakes at Ellerslie.